You Won’t See Me

Eighteen years old that year, Tao Shuran transferred to Linchuan Middle School for her senior year of high school.

She remembered that evening’s sunset spreading brilliantly across the sky, intense like an oil painting.

At that time, Liang Yuanjing stepped on the glow of the setting sun, soared into the air, and slammed home a three-pointer.

Cheers erupted around him without end. He tugged at his lips in a casual smile, cold and arrogant, his posture lazy and relaxed.

Liang Yuanjing was a famous figure at Linchuan Middle School. He had a bad temper and a cold personality. He could skip every evening self-study session to play ball, yet his grades were always top of the class as an outstanding student.

He was Heaven’s Proud Son without question.

Tao Shuran knew all of this.

Because this was the third year she had secretly loved Liang Yuanjing.

–

From the moment she entered the school, Tao Shuran became the focus of the class’s discussions.

His group of friends, who had skipped class to play ball and thus missed seeing the rumored gentle and approachable new classmate, felt extremely regretful. They urged Liang Yuanjing to join them in going to the academic affairs office to help the new student pick up her books.

Before they could finish speaking, Liang Yuanjing impatiently cut them off. His tone was cold. “I don’t see.”

“No interest.”

The day they parted was also a dusk interwoven with deep colors.

Liang Yuanjing leaned against the railing and finished smoking a cigarette. His brows and eyes, lifted by the wind, traced the slender figure of the girl.

After a moment, he crushed out the cigarette butt, his voice cold.

“Tao Shuran.”

“We’ve broken up—so don’t meet again.”

–

Later, when they reunited, the arrogant man who deemed himself unequaled leaned against the railing and smoked, just like in every moment of their youth. Tao Shuran minimized her presence as she stood behind him, watching him.

She hadn’t expected Liang Yuanjing to suddenly turn around, nor had she expected him to walk toward her.

“You’re not answering calls or replying to texts.”

“Tao Shuran, you won’t see me….”

“Are you still mad at me?”