Volume One Chapter One: Heartbreak?
Winter on the Polar Island was particularly harsh. A heavy snow had just fallen, blanketing everything in endless white, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Wen Zhi had come to Polar Island for two months to see the aurora. As soon as she got off the plane, she received a voice message from Shen Nianchi on WeChat: “Waiting for you at the exit of Parking Lot D. Be careful.”
After four years, hearing his voice again, Wen Zhi stood in front of the baggage carousel, lost in thought for a long time before putting her phone back in her bag. She pulled two suitcases and headed toward the airport exit.
Back then, her parents had died when she was in her first year of middle school. She’d been adopted by the Shen family, turning from childhood companions to pseudo siblings—not the worst outcome.
It wasn’t until she learned of his engagement to Sister Siyao that she realized her secret crush needed to end. When choosing her university, she unhesitatingly picked Jiangcheng, the farthest city from the capital, and for four years blocked all news about him. She didn’t even know when their engagement was broken.
Before coming here, she’d returned to the Shen family. Her tickets had already been booked when she found out he was also on Polar Island—and had bought a house.
A wedding house?
Soon, Wen Zhi arrived at the exit of Parking Lot D. She saw a familiar, tall figure standing with his back to her. He wore a gray coat, hands in his pockets, his posture upright and naturally exuding a cool, distant aura that was hard to ignore, tinged with a hint of melancholy.
Wen Zhi’s steps halted as she stared at him, nerves tightening. Four years without contact, she thought she was prepared to see him again and remain composed, but just a glimpse of his back and a single voice message had already unsettled her.
She gripped the suitcase handle, held her breath, and walked forward.
Hearing movement behind him, Shen Nianchi turned around. Their gazes met, and it felt as if everything slowed.
Shen Nianchi approached, his eyes fixed on her face, silently watching.
At that moment, Wen Zhi stopped, her face flushed red—not clear whether from the cold wind or nerves—buried in her scarf, afraid to look at him, unable to control her anxiety.
“Shengsheng?” His deep, magnetic voice sounded beside her ear, and Wen Zhi’s mind went blank. Only then did she look up at him.
In the dusk, his features were sharply defined, his black eyes like the vast galaxy, shining with a captivating light. His lips were pressed into a thin line, carrying an air of aloofness and indifference.
Wen Zhi stared at him in a daze, unable to speak for a long moment.
After a while, she heard him speak again. He bent closer, a faint smile on his lips. “Give me your luggage, you get in the car first.”
“Oh, okay, thank you.” Wen Zhi finally snapped out of it, quickly releasing the suitcase handle and following his gesture to get in the car, where the heater was already running.
She fastened her seatbelt, her small face still buried in her scarf, her hands half-clenched, palms sweating profusely.
Soon after, Shen Nianchi got in, started the engine, and drove toward the city center.
After a while, Shen Nianchi suddenly asked, “Did you come alone?”
“Yes.”
“Staying for two months?”
“Yes, to see the aurora.” Wen Zhi answered, her gaze lowered, staring at her hands, feeling at a loss.
“Hotel?”
“That’s right.” Wen Zhi had planned to stay in a hotel for one night, rent a camper the next day, and chase the aurora around the island.
She shouldn’t have mentioned her trip to Polar Island to his grandmother; otherwise, she wouldn’t be troubling him now.
Thinking this, Wen Zhi stole a glance at him.
Shen Nianchi happened to turn his head and look at her.
Caught in the act, Wen Zhi quickly looked away, pretending to be absorbed in the view outside the window.
“Are you afraid of me?” Shen Nianchi chuckled softly, his voice teasing.
Wen Zhi bit her lip. “Of course not.”
“Really? Not afraid?” Shen Nianchi pressed on.
It wasn’t fear of him, but everyone knew about her changing her university choice—everyone except him…
Wen Zhi fell silent. Could she tell him she was nervous because of seeing him?
“Cancel the hotel. In two weeks, I’ll return to the country. Stay at my place.”
“Wouldn’t that trouble you and Sister Siyao?” Wen Zhi asked, turning her head, her round eyes fixed on him.
By now, they should be married.
Shen Nianchi raised his eyebrows. “She’s holding two babies a year, now vacationing in Polar Island with her husband?”
His words confused Wen Zhi, and her mouth was quicker than her brain: “You two already have two children?”
She truly had no idea.
Shen Nianchi frowned slightly, explaining, “Her husband isn’t me. Our engagement was dissolved long ago.”
Wen Zhi was stunned, blinking, finding it hard to believe.
“Really? When did that happen?”
“Your first semester of freshman year. We’re here.” The car stopped gently in front of a villa. Shen Nianchi got out first, took Wen Zhi’s suitcases, and opened the passenger door for her.
Wen Zhi got out in a daze and followed him inside.
The spacious living room was simply furnished. The sofa and coffee table were made of solid wood. The walls were adorned with various paintings, giving a rustic, elegant atmosphere.
Shen Nianchi walked to the kitchen, took off his gray coat, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Wen Zhi. “Drink some water, warm up.”
Wen Zhi cradled the hot water, her heart racing. She looked up at Shen Nianchi. “Thank you.”
He curled his lips into a smile and reached out to pat her fluffy head. “Your room is to the right of the stairs. The bed is ready. Are you hungry?”
“Not really. I ate on the plane.”
“Alright, I have to go out for a while. Rest well and adjust to the time difference.”
“Okay,” Wen Zhi nodded obediently.
Watching Shen Nianchi leave, Wen Zhi immediately gulped down a large mouthful of water, trying to calm the waves in her heart.
The next moment, her phone vibrated in her down jacket pocket.
She quickly answered on speaker. “Hello?”
“Wen Zhi! You’ve arrived?!” A woman’s anxious voice came through the phone.
“What’s wrong, my great director? I sent you a message before I left, remember?”
“Thank goodness! I need your help urgently.”
“What happened?”
“One of my guests on the dating show had an emergency and can’t make it. I’ve tried contacting so many people, but nobody can come to Polar Island right now. Sis, I need your help!”
“A dating show? Are you crazy?” Wen Zhi exclaimed.
“I know you’ve had a crush on that man for so long—he’s married now, you should let go, look ahead, give someone else a chance.”
“Don’t mention him. I don’t like him anymore. I just want to draw a clear line between us now.”
The engagement was broken, so what? He would never like her. She had to stop all unrealistic fantasies. He was just a brother…
“A clear line? He’s on Polar Island too?”
“…”
“Wen Zhi?”
“Stop calling me…” Wen Zhi lowered her voice.
Because she heard a sound at the entrance—Shen Nianchi was back?
“Alright, Shengsheng, please help me just this once. I’ll treat you to a feast when we return. It’s just four episodes of live recording.”
“I’ll get back to you soon.”
As she hung up, Shen Nianchi’s voice sounded: “Just came back to grab something.”
“Okay.” Wen Zhi tried to act calm. She hoped he hadn’t heard her shouting.
Seeing Shen Nianchi walk over expressionless, picking up his gray coat from the chair, he said, “If you need anything, call me, alright?”
His tone was gentle, like an elder caring for the younger.
“Okay.” Wen Zhi kept her head down, not looking at him, nervously setting down her cup. It looked like he hadn’t heard her.
When the door closed, Wen Zhi finally breathed a sigh of relief and dragged her two suitcases upstairs.
Outside, Shen Nianchi leaned against the wall, holding his gray coat in one arm, lit a cigarette, took a drag, and exhaled a ring of white smoke.
He had heard everything Wen Zhi said just now.
Liking a married man?
Not anymore?
Drawing a clear line?
Heartbroken… coming to see the aurora might just be an excuse.