Swish—
On a large hotel bed, morning sunlight abruptly hit Chuck's face, jolting him from sleep. Shivering, he rubbed his eyes and sat up.
He saw a girl wearing only underwear, back to him, pulling the curtains open.
April 2019.
Hearing him wake, the girl turned, giving him a flat smile.
"Awake?"
"Why so early?"
Chuck sighed helplessly. Grumpy from being woken up, he flopped back onto the pillow.
"Gotta shower and do my makeup. My boyfriend is taking me to Japanese food this afternoon. I need to get back to the dorm early."
She smiled, watching him stretch, unable to hide her anticipation and joy.
"...Boyfriend?"
Chuck reached for his cigarettes on the nightstand but was stopped by the girl rushing over. He put down the lighter resignedly.
"Didn't you break up?"
"We got back together last night. After you fell asleep, he sent me a 1314 red packet. Oh my god, he really loves me~"
She showed him the chat log on her phone, bragging with a face full of happiness.
Seeing the cheesy messages and sticky emojis, Chuck's eye twitched. He looked away in physiological disgust.
"Hehe~"
Satisfied, the girl put away her phone, chuckling at the screen.
"Well, wish you a long relationship."
Chuck yawned, threw off the covers, slipped into slippers, stepped over used condoms and tissues on the floor, and headed for the shower.
The girl, happy about her boyfriend a second ago, unconsciously bit her lip as her gaze was drawn to Chuck's lean body walking into the bathroom.
"Gargle gargle... ptui!"
Chuck brushed his teeth and washed his face. As he dried off, the girl's voice sounded behind him again.
"Hey, even though I'm back with my boyfriend, if we have time... we can still hang out."
Chuck paused, looking at the girl leaning against the doorframe with amusement.
"Sorry, let's not."
"Uh... why?"
She frowned, not expecting rejection. In her view, continuing their friends-with-benefits relationship was a favor to him.
"I don't know your boyfriend, but I have a bottom line. I can't do something that unethical."
Chuck shook his head with a smile, hung up the towel, and looked at the stiff girl again.
"Contact me when you break up again. If I'm single then, maybe we can pick up where we left off."
"Tch, bye then. I don't plan on breaking up again."
She rolled her eyes and turned to pack.
Five minutes later, the door slammed. She hadn't even put on makeup; she was really in a rush.
Chuck checked WeChat. Sure enough, her "visible for three days" moments were now blocked.
He raised an eyebrow, calmly deleted her contact, yawned lazily, closed the curtains, stepped over the condoms, and went back to bed.
9 AM. Three hours until checkout. Not his money, might as well sleep.
But just as he drifted off, his phone vibrated.
Chuck groaned, thinking the girl called to mock him. He prepared a retort.
But seeing the caller ID—a senior from his club—he relaxed and answered.
"Chuck? Where are you?"
"Uh... off campus. What's up, Brother Wang?"
"Are you free tonight? My girlfriend's club and mine organized a party. Wanna come?"
"Are there girls?"
"Of course."
"Time and place?"
Two minutes later, Chuck hung up and covered his head.
...
That night.
A townhouse near the university. The joint party was in full swing.
Chuck was dragged around for introductions by Brother Wang, drinking a bellyful before eating anything.
Wang, a senior in the same club, major, and dorm building, was a good guy who looked after Chuck.
Except he loved showing off his relationship.
Since Chuck enrolled, this senior had a girlfriend—high school sweethearts. He loved flaunting their affection to his male friends.
Chuck was naturally dragged in as a prop for his vanity.
But Wang was generous and well-off. Chuck didn't spend a dime tonight, so playing along was fine.
Luckily, he ate beforehand.
Just as he was released and sat alone on a sofa in the corner to rest...
A slender figure brought a fragrant breeze into his view.
A paper cup of jasmine tea was handed to him by a fair hand. A lively voice followed.
"You're Chuck, right? Saw you getting hammered. Have some tea."
"Oh, thanks."
Chuck looked up and was mesmerized.
A remarkably delicate and pretty face smiled at him.
Chuck looked around instinctively, noticing most guys were focused on her.
This center of attention sat down naturally opposite him, knees together, leaning forward with chin in hands, looking at him with interest.
Chuck held the tea, silent for an awkward moment, then tested the waters.
"...Want to add WeChat?"
Her spirited eyes curved into beautiful crescents.
"I'd love to~"
...
September 2019.
A high-end hotel downtown. 588 yuan a night even with a coupon—not a small sum for Chuck.
But he spent it willingly.
Today was his first time with Jiang Qi, his girlfriend of one month. The day he would take her virginity.
Since college, Chuck had ample romantic and sexual experience. But being pursued by a girl he liked, dating someone pure in body and mind—this was a first. He was serious like never before.
Usually quick to define relationships and get rooms, he slowed down this time. Despite Jiang Qi's initiative, he waited until after summer break to make it official, and until today to stay out together.
He prepared thoroughly: lube, aromatherapy, extensive foreplay. Only when both were ready did he mount.
"Ready? I'm coming in."
Chuck looked down at the seductive Jiang Qi and her exquisite snowy body, asking breathlessly.
"Mmh..."
His girlfriend looked at him with eyes full of love and tenderness.
"Chuck... you have to be responsible for me..."
Chuck pressed forward, slowly squeezing into the maiden's pure land amidst her clear cry.
Blood flowed slowly, sweat and bodies intertwined, spring filling the air.
...
October 2019.
"Old Chuck, PUBG at the internet cafe tonight?"
Returning from the bathhouse in flip-flops, Chuck bumped into Brother Wang in the hallway.
Seeing the disheveled senior who had given up on his image, Chuck raised an eyebrow and shook his head slowly.
Two months ago, he would have agreed instantly. But today...
He didn't want to eat chicken; he wanted to eat a chick.
"Nah. By the way, Brother Wang, got any condoms in your drawer?"
"Bro..."
Wang's face twisted, fists clenching.
Chuck patted his shoulder grinning.
"Emergency. The campus store is closed. Didn't you just break up with sister-in-law... oh wait, not sister-in-law anymore. But you must have leftovers?"
"..."
"Spare me two. I'll pay you back a box of 001s later."
"Fuck you, dog."
Looking at Chuck's triumphant face, scenes from the party months ago flashed in Wang's mind. Now things had changed—his girlfriend cuckolded him, while the junior he used as a wingman scored a top-tier girlfriend...
Who could he complain to?
Gritting his teeth, he returned to his room and brought out a full, unopened box of condoms.
Chuck accepted gratefully, but seeing the new box, he understood.
Not knowing how to comfort his big brother, he patted his shoulder and promised solemnly, "And a pack of Huazi cigarettes."
His phone vibrated. Chuck checked the screen.
[Little Jiang]: Are you down yet? My legs are sore...
Nothing beats the happiness of the honeymoon phase, especially with impeccable sex life.
It was the weekend. Chuck and Jiang Qi planned a date at the downtown amusement park. Tickets bought, hotel booked—only missing condoms. Shy Jiang Qi refused to buy them or order delivery during the date. Just as he had a headache, the senior saved the day.
"I'm off, Brother Wang. See you tomorrow, Godfather."
Chuck gave a thumbs up and ran back to his room, typing one-handed.
[Chuck]: Good news. Borrowed a box from a friend. 12 count. [Little Jiang]: Pervert. [Chuck]: Challenge to use them all in one day? [Typing...] [Little Jiang]: Actually... today is my safe period.
Reading the message, Chuck stumbled while changing, nearly throwing his phone into the trash.
He sat down, clutching the phone with red eyes, his tent pitching high instantly.
[Chuck]: You mean... [Little Jiang]: Annoying (Shy.emoji) [Little Jiang]: But promise me, you have to do it outside... [Chuck]: Received! (Salute.emoji)
...
Deserted Island.
"Actually... I've missed you so, so much."
The sudden confession stunned Chuck.
Looking at Jiang Qi's face inches away, his heart felt hammered, dazing him momentarily.
Right.
That night at the amusement park, their first raw sex, they used this position.
In this instant, memories of two timelines intersected. Their past and present selves overlapped. Despite the changes in the world and people, some things remained unchanged.
The past flashed like a revolving lantern in Chuck's mind.
Simultaneously, a belated system notification appeared before him.
[Notice: Detected you have become companions with a female. Scanning...] [Name: Jiang Qi] [Age: 25] [Stats: Appearance 9.2, Measurements 93/61/92, Relationship History 1] [Overall Rating: 9.4!] [Perfect Match! Trust Detection Activated!] [Current Trust: 100! (Soulmate/Life's True Love)]