Whether day or night, the crowds here never fail to astonish. Long Aotian held Hu Yuying’s hand as they walked into the waiting hall. "Going home—does Miss Hu have anything she’d like to say?" Hu Yuying nodded. "I do." "No matter how far from home I am, the joy of returning never changes." She then turned to Long Aotian. "And what about you, Long-ge? How do you feel right now?" "I’m thinking about what to wear when meeting my girlfriend’s family for the first time." Hu Yuying gazed at him, moved, her gentle eyes shimmering faintly. "Long-ge, are you really ready for this?" "I’ve been preparing for a long time." The moment they’d gotten together, he’d already made up his mind. The announcement echoed through the station. Long Aotian pulled Hu Yuying to the back of the crowd. "Yeah, home." Hu Yuying tightened her grip on his hand. The first time they’d come to the Capital together, she’d only dared to clutch the hem of his clothes. Now, she could hold him properly. The shift in her emotions was starkly clear in this familiar place. Finding their sleeper berth, Hu Yuying tucked the suitcase under the bed. Long Aotian chuckled. "Too bad I can’t sew pockets this big into my pants." Hu Yuying immediately pouted. In the past, she’d stitched money or bank cards into hidden pockets in her clothes—something Long Aotian never missed a chance to tease her about. Now that she’d stopped, he still wouldn’t let it go. Then, a mischievous thought struck her. "Well, someone once had that kind of dream on a train." Long Aotian clapped a hand over her mouth. "Alright, that’s enough!" Hu Yuying giggled, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons, thoroughly pleased with herself. "Let me see if you’re blushing!" "No, I’m not!" She covered her cheeks, refusing to let him look. That involuntary flush never faded, even now—especially around Long-ge. No matter how much she saw herself as his, the reaction stayed. As the train pulled away, they kicked off their shoes and lay side by side, sharing every thought they’d saved for each other. The night wasn’t long, yet it felt endless. They talked until exhaustion crept in, though the words never quite ran out. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝘯𝘦𝘵 Self-proclaimed "night owl" Hu Yuying was the first to surrender to sleep. Watching her peaceful face, Long Aotian couldn’t resist poking her cheek. Maybe the only good thing about the Haiwan-to-Capital route was the direct train. Lying in the narrow berth, their phones buzzed simultaneously. Glancing at the sleeping Hu Yuying, Long Aotian checked his screen. A message from Lin Wanning: Where are you and A-Ying now? He rubbed his nose, then eyed Hu Yuying’s phone peeking from under her pillow. He swore he wasn’t snooping—but if Wanning’s worry went unanswered, her anxious heart would keep her awake all night. With that justification, he’d already swiped Hu Yuying’s phone. After replying, his thumb accidentally brushed the screen—revealing a secret group chat labeled "The Trio." Curiosity spiked when he spotted their collaborative writing project. Opening the app, he propped his head on an arm and began reading. The pages overflowed with a girl’s brightest dreams. No bullying, no isolation, no pain—just happiness... The story wasn’t long. He finished quickly. Every hardship life had dealt her was rewritten here—a world where regrets were undone, where she was whole. Her own words echoed in his mind: "I’ve finally forgiven the past for hurting me." Through fiction, she’d crafted the joy she’d always yearned for. "We’ll keep getting better," he whispered. Returning the phone, he lifted the curtain. Outside, snow blanketed everything, calming his restless heart. He didn’t recall falling asleep. Then—a tickle on his nose, and stifled giggles in his ear. Cracking one eye open, he caught Hu Yuying crouched beside him, teasing him with a lock of her hair. As she leaned in again, he seized her wrist. "Ah!" Startled, she tumbled onto the cramped berth. "Long-ge, wake up! We’re almost home." Past 7 a.m., pale light seeped through the windows. The chill radiating from the glass made Long Aotian shiver. "Bundle up when we get off. Mornings are brutal in winter." Even he, a chronic late riser, couldn’t handle the cold now. With Haiwan Station as the final stop, most passengers had already disembarked. No bathroom queues. After freshening up, they breakfasted on snacks from their bags. "Long-ge," Hu Yuying said softly, "once we arrive, I’ll buy a ticket straight home. I won’t stay in Haiwan City." "Alright. Wait for me—I’ll come find you." After so long away, reuniting with family came first. He didn’t protest; he knew their paths would cross again soon. "I’ll meet you at the station when you do." Her smile glowed. Long Aotian cleared his throat. "Will you miss me?" "Guess." She didn’t answer, but her expression said enough. Pulling her close, he murmured, "I’ll miss you." Her arms wrapped tightly around his back. "Me too." This bond had taken root in high school, quietly enduring. Even in the Capital, they’d met weekly—sometimes twice. Together, the distance felt trivial. But now, facing separation, the ache settled deep where only she could feel it. (Note: If the book title can’t be found, try searching the author—it might’ve been renamed!)