Chapter 2 | Losing Control on a Rainy Night

Night fell quickly.

By the time Shen Zhiyi left Chenzhou Capital, the rain was pouring down.

The wind, carrying raindrops, whipped against her face as she stood on the steps, momentarily lost in thought.

Ten years ago, it was raining just like this.

She held her umbrella, waiting by the playground until dark.

Back then, she didn't understand that some missed opportunities weren't due to a lack of love, but rather a cruel twist of fate.

Her phone vibrated.

The screen lit up.

—Lu Chenzhou.

She stared at those three words for a few seconds before answering.

“Hello.”

“Did you bring an umbrella?”

The voice was deep, coming through the static, softer than in the conference room.

She glanced up at the rain curtain above.

“Yes.”

“You’re lying.”

She froze.

“The lobby security camera showed your hands were empty.”

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Mr. Lu, so free?"

A soft chuckle came from the other end of the phone.

"Come down."

"What?"

"I'm in the underground parking lot."

She paused for a second.

"I can take a taxi myself."

"The rain is too heavy."

His tone was calm, yet carried an unyielding air.

She finally got off the elevator.

The underground parking lot was dimly lit, and there was a faint smell of gasoline in the air.

He stood beside the car, his black suit jacket draped over his arm, his shirt sleeves rolled up, revealing his well-defined wrists.

The sound of rain echoed in the distance.

She approached.

"Mr. Lu, is it part of the company culture to drive employees home?"

He looked at her.

"Only for you."

The air suddenly became still.

She looked away.

"Address."

She gave him her address.

The car started and drove out of the parking lot.

The windshield wipers moved rhythmically, and the only sound inside the car was breathing.

“When did you return to China?” he asked.

“Six months ago.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

She smiled slightly.

“Have we been in contact?”

His grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.

“I thought you didn’t want to see me again.”

“You jump to conclusions so easily?”

She turned to look at him.

“Someone I haven’t contacted in ten years, suddenly reappearing—what am I supposed to think?”

The car stopped at a red light.

He turned his head.

“After that day, I sent you countless messages.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Later I went to London.”

She was startled.

“What?”

“I looked for you.”

Her heart clenched suddenly.

“How did you find me?”

“The design school’s website.”

“I saw the city model you made at your graduation exhibition.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

“You didn’t come to see me.”

“I went to the site.”

His voice was low.

“But you already have someone by your side.”

She froze.

“Who?”

“The man who gave you the flowers.”

She realized.

That was her professor.

Giving students bouquets at graduation ceremonies is customary.

She suddenly felt a little absurd.

“That’s a professor.”

He was silent.

The rain pattered on the car roof.

“I thought he was your boyfriend.”

“So you turned and left?”

“Yes.”

She suddenly felt a surge of anger.

“Lu Chenzhou, you didn’t even ask?”

“I was afraid the answer was true.”

His tone was soft.

But it was so heavy it was heartbreaking.

The red light turned green.

The car continued moving.

Looking at the blurry neon lights outside the window, she suddenly felt her eyes welling up.

So all these years, it wasn’t a one-sided obsession.

It was two proud people, each giving in at the wrong time.

"Are you saying all this to make me feel guilty?"

She asked softly.

"No."

"Then why?"

The car slowly stopped in front of her apartment complex.

The rain was still falling.

He didn't turn off the engine immediately.

He just turned to look at her.

His gaze was as deep as the night.

"Because I don't want to misunderstand again."

The air suddenly felt thick.

Her fingers gripped the bag strap tightly.

"Lu Chenzhou, we've both changed."

"I know."

"My life is stable now."

"I don't intend to disrupt it."

He moved closer.

His voice was so low it was almost touching her breath.

"I just want to be involved."

Her heart skipped a beat.

She instinctively stepped back, but the seatbelt pulled her back.

The distance suddenly felt dangerously close.

The rain outside the car window sounded like a tidal wave.

"Why are you only being so honest now?"

Her voice trembled slightly.

“Because ten years ago, I was too proud.”

“And now?”

“Now I’m afraid of losing you.”

Those four words fell.

She could no longer remain calm.

Ten years had molded the boy into a composed man.

But his eyes remained the same as before.

Direct and deep.

“Shen Zhiyi.”

He called her softly.

“Hmm?”

“Do you still like me?”

The air seemed to freeze.

Her reason screamed—don’t answer.

But her heart pounded uncontrollably.

She wanted to say no.

But she couldn’t say it.

She wanted to say she liked him.

But it felt too late.

She remained silent for a long time.

So long that the light in his eyes slowly dimmed.

She suddenly spoke.

“I don’t know.”

This was the truth.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like him.

It was that she didn’t dare.

He stared at her.

“Then I’ll pursue you.”

She looked up abruptly.

“What?”

“Let’s start over.”

His tone was calm, yet unwavering in its determination.

“This time, I won’t go down the wrong path.”

Her throat tightened.

“Lu Chenzhou, have you thought this through?”

“I’ve thought about it for ten years.”

The car was silent except for their breathing.

She suddenly smiled.

“You’re still so stubborn.”

“Only with you.”

Her heart ached.

The rain gradually subsided.

She unbuckled her seatbelt.

“Goodnight.”

She neither answered nor refused.

Before getting out of the car, he suddenly called out to her.

“Shen Zhiyi.”

She turned around.

His gaze was deep.

“This time, I won’t stand still and wait.”

“I will walk towards you.”

The rainy night was quiet.

She stood outside the car, her heart pounding wildly.

The car lights shone through the rain.

She suddenly realized—

The rain she missed ten years ago.

Perhaps it's finally going to stop.