Halfway through taking off my pants, I unexpectedly caught sight of a golden frame on the bedside table. It held a photo of a little boy with a shy smile on his face, his teeth white against his red lips. It was a smile that invited love.

I recognized that smile. It was something I can never forget in my entire life.

"Who is this?" I grabbed the frame, staring in terror at the man before me.

"Me!" the man responded, unbuttoning his shirt, removing it over his head and revealing his wheat-colored skin and well-toned muscles.

"You?" I was so startled I almost fell off the bed, stuttering, "You, you, you are Xu Jun Yan?"

"Mm!" He looked down upon me from his higher position, giving me a succinct, emphatic response.

"Do you know who I am?" I asked, suppressing my anger.

"Xie Rong." After he said this, he bent down towards me, radiating indomitable energy.

Just like a carp leaping out of the water, I jumped up, bit his neck, and he straightened up in pain. I took advantage of the situation and leaped off the bed.

"Xie Rong, are you insane?" Xu Jun Yan held his neck and glared at me.

"You brought this upon yourself!" I pulled up my pants, threw on a T-shirt, grabbed my bag, and ran for the door.

"Xu Jun Yan, you're inhuman! Even a rabbit doesn't eat the grass around its burrow, yet you tried to make a pass at your own grade school classmate, your own desk-mate! Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?" At the door, I ran my fingers through my hair and righteously lambasted his shameful actions.

"You were the one who asked me out." Xu Jun Yan gritted his teeth, his gaze capable of killing.

The handsome and rugged features, the composed and calm eyes, they were no longer the soft and cute little boy from back in the day.

"You mean to say if I asked you, you'll agree? Why are you so obedient? If I tell you to go die, will you?" I raged at him.

He shrugged at me dismissively, the muscles on his chest quivered, making my heart flutter.

Suddenly, something flew towards me.

"Catch!" He swung his hand slightly, a smirk curled at the corner of his mouth, "It's too small, don't bring it next time!"

It was my chest pad!

My face turned red, and I ran as fast as I could.

"Hazelnut, pick me up!" After failing to hail a cab, I dialed He Zhenzhen’s number desperately.

"Where are you?" He Zhenzhen's voice was filled with sleepiness.

"World Outside of Reality." I glanced back, lights still twinkling in Xu Junyan's room.

"Seaside villa district, good for you," He Zhenzhen suddenly became excited, "Did you have a date with the son of a tycoon?”

"I’d rather date his uncle!" I rolled my eyes theatrically, "Stop babbling and come here now!"

At the gate of the World Outside of Reality, the cold wind whistled. Under the condescending glance of the security guard, I squatted on the ground hugging my arms, my mind filled with mixed emotions.

Half a year ago, on a late night, I caught my fiancé cheating with another woman in our office. In the blink of an eye, heartbroken and jobless, my life plunged into darkness.

To save me from the endless drama shows and high-calorie snacks, my best friend He Zhenzhen dragged me to a bar. In a daze, I found myself dating a coworker and an elementary school classmate - Xu Junyan.

For someone my age, having a first date with an elementary school classmate, and a desk-mate to boot, it was simply preposterous!

Xu Junyan in elementary school resembled a little girl, with his watery, peach blossom-like eyes, fair and clear skin, gentle voice, and shy nature.

He was a transfer student and only became my deskmate in the third grade. His parents were budding entrepreneurs in the new city, while my parents were inspectors at a machinery factory. The gap between us seemed as vast as the universe; he didn't talk to me, and I didn't bother to initiate a conversation either.

Back then, I usually hung out with He Zhenzhen and a few other girls. We patrolled the schoolyard daily, standing up against bullies and protecting the weak; we were the 'girls of justice' in school.

By chance, I stumbled upon a few boys from another class trying to extort money from Xu Junyan. His fair little face flushed a deep red, and his pitiful look triggered my sense of justice. Without hesitation, I picked up a mop and a bucket, and put on a show of 'hero saving the damsel'.

Since then, Xu Junyan started to communicate more with me. Perhaps to show his gratitude, he kept giving me snacks and comic books. When I refused, he would throw them away. So, to avoid waste, I stopped rejecting his kindness.

Just as our friendship was gradually warming up and even imperceptibly shifting towards some unfamiliar feelings, on a particular day in the sixth grade, when the weather was fine, and the sun was shining, he suddenly handed me a small note, asking me to meet him on the rooftop after the last lesson.