Put the luggage back in place.

I stayed at home and followed the routine. When the night grew darker, the sound of the door closing came from outside the room.

For once, I felt suffocated and didn't want to get up.

I tightly closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep.

A few minutes later, footsteps sounded behind me.

The mattress sank.

Pei Yan lay behind me as usual.

With his arrival, a noticeable fragrance, which couldn't be ignored, permeated the bedroom.

The scent was sweet.

It was the kind of perfume only girls would use.

Pei Yan turned over, and his large palm fell on my side, warming me as it touched my skin.

"Shen Zhi, I know you're not asleep."

He exerted force with his hand, forcing me to turn around and face him.

I spoke softly, "Pei Yan, do you know who I am?"

The curtains weren't fully closed, allowing the bright moonlight to slip into the room, illuminating Pei Yan clearly.

He leaned closer to me.

His heavy breath sprayed against my collarbone.

"Shen Zhi," he said.

I laughed, "Good, you're awake this time."

Pei Yan furrowed his brows slightly, "What do you want to say?"

"Did you suggest giving my role in 'Xuanyuan Pavilion' to Chen Yao?"

Pei Yan remained silent.

But the trembling fingertips resting on my waist exposed his thoughts.

Only the intertwined sounds of our breathing filled the bedroom.

After a while, Pei Yan finally spoke:

"Zhi Zhi, she is more suitable for that drama than you."

As he spoke, his hand, which was previously placed on my waist, slowly withdrew and created some distance between us.

"Pei Yan, do you know why I want to be an actress?"

As soon as the words fell, a car passed by downstairs.

In the moment illuminated by the car's headlights outside the window, I vaguely saw a young boy in a white shirt.

The winter moat was piercingly cold.

He pulled me out of the river and carried me in his arms, step by step toward the bank.

I leaned against him and heard him speak in a muffled voice, his tone trembling, "When you grow up, become an actress."

"By that time, thousands and thousands of people will like you."

"Before that, live well."

From that point on, I had a goal and motivation to live.

Encountering Pei Yan again and being pursued by him, I thought I was dreaming.

A dream come true.

But now, I finally understand.

Throughout those ten years, the only one who entered my dreams was me.

So, the person who stayed in that winter was only myself.