Volume One, Chapter Three: He Is Unwed, You Are Unmarried—All Things Are Possible

Before she went to college, Wen Zhi loved to cling to him every day; but since she left for Jiangcheng to study, he hadn’t been able to reach her at all. Now, thinking that she actually liked a married man, he felt an inexplicable blockage in his chest.

So it finally made sense: the reason she abruptly changed her college preference back then was to chase after the boy she liked. She didn’t get him, and now he’s married.

What was so great about that man anyway?

Hearing his words, Wen Zhi’s lashes quivered, her fingertips tightened, but she still didn’t know what to say.

She truly hadn’t kept in touch with him—at the time, she’d only wanted to sever ties completely.

Who could have imagined they would break off their engagement?

When she still didn’t speak, Shen Nianchi’s brows furrowed even deeper, a complicated emotion flickered in his eyes but vanished in an instant. His expression returned to calm indifference as he said lightly, “It’s getting late, you should rest.”

Wen Zhi nodded, preparing to get up from his lap. But the next moment, darkness crashed down suddenly; her hand, still not released, gripped Shen Nianchi tightly.

Wen Zhi’s breath caught, her heart skipped several beats, her face burned as the faint scent from the man mingled with the fragrance of her own shower gel—intoxicating and pleasant.

Her breathing grew heavier.

The emergency light flickered on, bringing a soft glow into the room.

She turned her head, her lips brushed his Adam’s apple. Looking at his handsome profile, his jaw grazed her cheek, sending a jolt through her skin that made her shrink back instinctively.

She heard his magnetic voice, low and intimate by her ear, “Shengsheng… are you still afraid of the dark?”

He felt that soft touch—it was like a feather teasing his heart, the place where they touched grew exquisitely hot, his heartbeat sped up, his breathing deepened.

Wen Zhi pressed tightly against him, the warmth of his breath falling on her ear, tingling down to her bones.

And his voice, so alluring, seemed to make her heart leap out of her chest, her whole body ablaze.

“A little… bit…”

Wen Zhi’s voice was delicate and soft, but if one listened closely, there was a hint of hoarseness, even a tremble.

She’d been afraid of the dark since childhood, unable to sleep without a light on.

Shen Nianchi’s Adam’s apple moved, his arm tightened, his voice carrying a smile as he asked, “Then… do you still need your brother?”

After Shengsheng’s parents passed away, he had raised her single-handedly. Though there was no blood relation, his urge to protect and spoil her surpassed even that of a real sibling.

Hearing this, Wen Zhi froze. Something exploded in her mind, leaving her dizzy. Instinctively, she replied, “I do…”

Before she finished speaking, she felt herself lifted in his arms, pressed tightly against his chest, their heartbeats and breaths entwined, an ambiguous atmosphere swirling all around.

—

Shen Nianchi lowered his gaze at the girl in his arms—her lashes trembled faintly, her cheeks flushed with a seductive blush, her lips pressed together as if she were enduring something, radiating a beauty impossible to describe.

His mind wavered, his breathing grew heavier, his gaze increasingly intense.

They stayed silent until Shen Nianchi gently laid her on the bed. “Shengsheng, good night.”

Wen Zhi didn’t respond, hastily lying down, pulling the covers over herself, closing her eyes, though her eyelids fluttered and her heartbeat was in utter chaos.

Seeing this, Shen Nianchi couldn’t help but smile. He reached out and turned on the lamp by her bedside.

After hearing his footsteps fade away and the door close, the room fell silent. Wen Zhi suddenly opened her eyes, her heart racing wildly. She pressed her hand to her chest, trying to calm herself.

But her heartbeat remained frantic, her mind replaying his every expression and movement, the faint smile lingering at the corner of his lips…

He’s just her brother…

Why… does her heart race even faster than before?

She took a deep breath, tried to calm herself, but the more she tried, the faster her heart pounded, sweat forming on her palms. In the end, she had no choice but to hug a pillow tightly to her chest.

Outside the door.

Shen Nianchi leaned against it, his back to the dim emergency light in the hallway, his face shadowed and unreadable, his eyes lowered, concealing the emotions within.

He raised his hand to touch the spot where she had brushed against him; it seemed to still hold a trace of her warmth. His breathing became heavier, restlessness surging in his heart.

His mind was filled with the moment when she had clung to him.

His Adam’s apple shifted, something deep within him struck, a feeling both unfamiliar and intimately known—a lost-and-found sensation.

Shen Nianchi closed his eyes, took several deep breaths, calming the turbulence in his heart. Only after a long while did he finally walk away.

—

The next morning.

Shen Nianchi knocked on Wen Zhi's door, wanting to ask if she was awake so he could show her around Polar Island.

But there was no answer.

He assumed she was still sleeping and didn’t disturb her.

Heading to the kitchen, he immediately noticed a sticky note on the refrigerator door.

Shen Nianchi peeled it off. On it was written: [I have a friend here, will be back around nine tonight. There's millet porridge in the pot, remember to eat.]

There was no signature, but Shen Nianchi knew who had written it. He slipped the note into his pocket.

She’s grown up, no longer clinging to him like before, and doesn’t even call him brother anymore. Still, despite four years without contact, she remembered he had stomach troubles and made porridge for him—which proved she still cared.

But why hadn’t she replied to a single message in four years, or answered his calls? Was she afraid he’d scold her about changing her college plans?

By the window in the dining hall.

Wen Zhi’s dark circles were pronounced; she yawned, looking exhausted, her hair messy on her shoulders, her whole demeanor listless.

She hadn’t slept a wink last night, insomnia keeping her awake. She tried using her phone to lull herself, but that only made it worse, her thoughts spinning wildly. By seven, unable to lie there any longer, Wen Zhi arranged to have brunch with Qin Yi.

“What were you doing last night to look so tired?”

“Nothing…”

Seeing Wen Zhi’s evasive gaze, Qin Yi’s curiosity was piqued. “Is that person really on Polar Island?”

Wen Zhi looked at her, silent for several seconds before forcing a reply, “Yes…”

“Last night… you were with him?”

“Mm.”

“Damn, an affair…”

Qin Yi’s words were cut off as Wen Zhi interrupted, “Don’t talk nonsense. He’s not married—the engagement was cancelled.”

Qin Yi stared at her for a moment. “Are you sure?”

Wen Zhi lowered her gaze, murmuring in affirmation.

“Then why are you sitting here having breakfast with me? Go after him! This is the perfect opportunity!”

“It’s not suitable…”

“What’s not suitable? He’s not married, you’re not married—anything is possible!” Qin Yi excitedly planted both hands on the table, her eyes wide, “You have to realize, if you miss this opportunity, you might never get another. Shengsheng, don’t regret it later!”