For a long time, she just stood there, staring at it.
She folded the note neatly and kept it in her bed drawer.
Should she go…?
By the time she stepped out, it was almost night.
She ran.
Her breath uneven, her steps hurried.
When she reached the crossbridge river—
She stopped.
He was there.
Still waiting.
"Xu Ming!!"
He turned.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"You arrived," he said, a faint smirk forming.
She nodded, trying to catch her breath.
"Sorry for the wait…"
"It's okay," he said, his eyes softening.
A quiet silence settled between them.
"Lin Ya…"
He looked at her, his voice calm.
"I know our past is… tangled."
"And you don't even know where it began."
He paused.
Then exhaled softly.
"…So let's start again."
He extended his hand.
"Hello. I'm Xu Ming."
She looked at his hand for a moment.
Then gently placed hers in his.
"Hello… I'm Lin Ya."
They both smiled.
"Oh, and by the way…"
"Happy Birthday, Lin Ya."
He handed her a small gift.
A rabbit crochet keychain.
"Thanks… it's cute."
He smirked.
"Glad you like it."
Suddenly—
Rain began to fall.
"Quick, let's go there," he said, pointing toward a small shop.
She nodded. "Let's go."
They ran together.
He lifted his hand slightly over her head, covering her from the rain.
They reached the shop, slightly breathless.
Both of them smiled, looking at each other.
"Why is it raining in spring?" he asked, wiping droplets from his jacket.
She shrugged, smiling.
"I don't know… but it's been so long since it rained on my birthday."
"It was always sunny… and I'd end up sweating instead of celebrating."
She let out a small laugh.
"This feels better."
She leaned slightly forward, letting the cool air touch her face.
Then extended her hand outside—
Raindrops landing softly on her palm.
Thunder echoed.
Lightning flashed faintly.
He watched her quietly.
A small smile forming.
"…My rain," he muttered under his breath.
After some time, the rain slowed.
Then stopped.
"It stopped," she said.
"Yeah… it did." he replied .
She looked around, then back at him.
"It's getting late… I should go."
"Okay," he replied.
She nodded and turned to leave—
"Wait."
She stopped.
"Happy Birthday… again."
She smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
And walked away.
He stood there, watching her leave.
A soft sigh escaped him.
Then he turned—
And walked in the opposite direction.