“So cute. Why haven’t I ever heard you have such a well-behaved Younger Brother before? He’s fake, right?”
The Female Teacher teased, her eyes practically sparkling as she looked at Fang Wei.
Xia Yuanhua hadn’t expected Fang Wei to appear here either.
She thought he didn’t know her identity and had planned to find a chance to secretly surprise him.
But before that could happen, Fang Wei had already given her a fierce shock.
She realized that her face must look terrible at the moment—she was sure she looked utterly disgraceful in front of him.
Last time they’d met, she’d deliberately put on makeup, but after half a day’s classes, her face was probably puffy and her skin felt rough.
She was probably already an old woman!
How embarrassing.
How could she live like this?
Little Fang Wei, let Elder Sister die in peace.
“Does Elder Sister have no classes tonight? Then shall we go out together?”
“Ah… Mm, okay…”
Xia Yuanhua snapped back to herself and quickly agreed.
But she needed to dress up beautifully to restore her confidence and image as an Elder Sister.
She found an excuse to run away, telling Fang Wei to wait for her downstairs.
The Female Teacher who’d enjoyed the show the whole time covered her mouth and chuckled, preparing to leave first—only to be blocked by Fang Wei stepping sideways.
Fang Wei flashed that smile again and greeted warmly, “Hello, Elder Sister!”
First, he wasn’t some shameless flirt who called everyone Elder Sister.
But as a fellow Teacher, this Female Teacher probably knew something about Xia Yuanhua.
It wasn’t just regular workplace gossip.
More importantly, because Xia Yuanhua was the Secretary’s daughter, some things you might not understand, but you couldn’t avoid hearing about.
“Hello, Younger Brother. Do you have something to discuss with Elder Sister?”
The look in her eyes confirmed it—this was a woman who loved gossip.
But Elder Sister, let’s keep it to talking.
Please try not to drool.
Fang Wei sweated inwardly, complimented her twice out loud, and got straight to the point.
“I do have something, Pretty Sister. My Elder Sister seems to be in a bad mood these past two days. Did something happen at work?”
“So that’s it. Just some nonsense with the Education Bureau’s review. Can’t say too much, but you should ask Teacher Xia for the details. Basically, Teacher Xia’s Materials got rejected, and it’s been giving her a huge headache.”
Fang Wei recalled the stack of crumpled manuscripts in Xia Yuanhua’s arms.
Xia Yuanhua could be a bit extreme, but she wasn’t the type to take out her temper on things.
“Just rejected?”
“More than that. Secretary Xia came personally, crushed the Materials into a ball in front of her, and scolded her on the spot. He was so fierce, even passing Teachers didn’t dare look up.”
“So strict…”
“Exactly. What kind of father scolds his child every other day? After a while, who can stand straight? At this rate, Teacher Xia will end up like her Elder Sister.”
Catching a thread of useful information, Fang Wei interjected, “Elder Sister’s Elder Sister?”
“Yup, Secretary Xia’s Elder Daughter. It’s not a secret, but don’t go telling anyone I was the one who told you.”
He nodded obediently. “Pretty Sister, don’t worry, my lips are sealed.”
“Secretary Xia’s Elder Daughter was that once-famous National Diving Athlete. About ten years ago, she couldn’t stand the pressure at home and committed suicide half a month before a competition. Can’t blame her, with a father like that.”
“……”
Fang Wei stopped walking, his heart tightening slightly.
The Female Teacher, now as gossipy as a village store owner, added dramatically:
“It was that Dam Bridge on the City East side. They say she had a fight with Secretary Xia and jumped on her way back.”
“Pretty Sister, is it here?”
Fang Wei opened his phone map to confirm the location of the Dam Bridge.
Although the Female Teacher seemed eager to keep chatting and maybe exchange contact info, he was anxious about Xia Yuanhua’s situation and didn’t give her the chance.
He went downstairs, searched for Original News from ten years ago, and confirmed that it wasn’t just a rumor.
He’d always thought Xia Yuanhua was remarkable, but now realized her father was the truly formidable one.
To pressure your own daughter into suicide—among so-called loving fathers, that’s a whole new level.
His greatest contribution was giving Xia Yuanhua material for an essay titled .
—
After applying some light makeup, Xia Yuanhua regained a bit of confidence.
Her neat ponytail, tall figure, and delicate makeup made her the very image of a big Elder Sister.
“What are you looking at?”
She restored her gentle smile.
Looking at how much you resemble my mother.
“I just think Elder Sister is especially beautiful today.”
Fang Wei’s sweet words tumbled out as he took her hand, launching a bold attack on Xia Yuanhua’s Teacher Qualification Certificate.
His initiative improved Xia Yuanhua’s mood, and she spoke softly, “What made you think of coming to find Elder Sister today?”
“I felt uncomfortable and just thought of you.”
Xia Yuanhua felt her heart floating, her steps growing lighter.
“Then it’s decided. Elder Sister will stay with you all night.”
“Where does Little Fang Wei want to eat? Do you have enough money? Elder Sister knows a great Western restaurant Hotel—you can just collapse after eating.”
“Let’s eat later.”
Fang Wei refused to share infinite* with Xia Yuanhua and sent out a team invitation.
“Mainly, I found an especially interesting place and wanted to take Elder Sister to see it first.”
Then, he walked side by side with Xia Yuanhua out of the school, looking no different from a pair of university lovers.
Fang Wei ordered an Online Car Service and even held tightly to Xia Yuanhua’s hand as he got in, keeping her guessing with his mysterious air.
The sky was nearly dusk.
The concrete and steel monsters outside the car window slowly faded from view, replaced by the orange-red sea.
After about twenty minutes, they reached their destination, and Fang Wei led her by the hand to the vicinity of the Dam Bridge.
Upon seeing the familiar spot, Xia Yuanhua’s expression grew uneasy.
She asked softly, “Why come to a place like this?”
“Isn’t the scenery beautiful here? Standing on it feels like you could reach out and touch the sky.”
He feigned innocence.
“Elder Sister, let’s race to see who can climb up first.”
His childish tone made him sound like a kid, but Xia Yuanhua found herself stunned by it.
While she hesitated, Fang Wei already dashed forward, splashing through the mud.
Snapping out of it, Xia Yuanhua followed, picking a clean shortcut.
By the time she reappeared in view, she’d already climbed up and was sitting on the edge of the Dam, feet dangling.
The crimson sunset spread across the horizon, a blazing glow reflected in her eyes.
The light passed through the bridge, scattering across the distant asphalt road.
Between clouds and sea, it looked like burning fire.
Along the dividing line of the Dam, the flame’s glow stretched their shadows, which swayed gently with the woman’s movement.
Fang Wei stopped when he got close, the numbers above his head shifting from white to red, then fading like the tide under the interference of the light.
The evening wind was clear and chilly, sweeping Xia Yuanhua’s long hair from her ear and revealing her delicate profile.
Xia Yuanhua swung her legs, humming lightly.
She must have studied music formally; she had some technique, but mostly a beautiful tone.
Like a melancholic high school literary girl, Xia Yuanhua was immersed in the world of song, humming a long, lingering melody.
When the song ended, she lit a lady’s cigarette.
She took two quick puffs, then saw a stone fly out from the side.
A flat pebble skipped along the fiery water, trailing ripples behind.
After the eighth bounce—”plop!”—it was swallowed by the surface.
Xia Yuanhua looked back.
Fang Wei, squatting on the ground picking out a second stone, smiled at her.
She quietly moved her hand holding the cigarette to her side.
Fang Wei pretended not to notice and flashed her a “V” sign with a grin.
“How childish.”
“Men remain boys till death.”
Fang Wei coughed.
“So, as the winner, congratulations to Elder Sister for earning a Victory Reward.”
His mysterious tone drew Xia Yuanhua’s attention.
“There’s a reward too?”
“The reward is the Highest Praise for boys—’You’re awesome!'”
“Pfft…”
Xia Yuanhua was amused by Fang Wei’s antics.
Her small feet kicked in the air, and her beautiful eyes curved into crescents.
The boy in her gaze stood straight on the bridge, giving her a thumbs up.
The cold wind messed his clothes, and his silhouette was tinted by the sunset.
She suddenly found herself dazed, and heard Fang Wei say proudly,
“A place this beautiful must not have been discovered by anyone else yet. I guess we’re the First Discoverers.”
“Mm…”
Xia Yuanhua’s smile faded slightly.
She didn’t look at Fang Wei, turning instead to the sea that swallowed the sunset.
“Actually, not really…”
She’d seen this kind of scenery when she was thirteen.
After her Elder Sister was driven to death by their father, she often sat in her Elder Sister’s spot, watching the dazzling sunset fade into night.
Once, she’d even considered ending it all here.