I collapsed on the bed and cried my heart out.

Why? Why did such a thing have to happen to me?

I didn't even see him...

I don’t know how long it took before I opened my red and swollen eyes, flipped through my phone, and dialed a number—

"Hello, Xiaoxuan?" A female voice came from the other end.

"Aya, you've taken several days off. When are you coming back from your hometown?"

Feeling uneasy and aggrieved, I had countless things I wanted to confide in her.

Aya and I both got into Haicheng from the same county.

We were born the same year, both twenty-six years old this year.

After graduating from college, we decided to dedicate our future efforts to this magnificent and dazzling city, and eventually, we co-invested in renting this apartment.

There was a moment of silence from the other side.

"Xiaoxuan, I'll be in Haicheng tomorrow. I have something to talk to you about."

Hearing the unusual tone in her voice, I suddenly felt uneasy.

I remembered that Aya had rushed back because someone in her family was ill.

Could it be...

"Okay, I'll wait for your return. Stay safe on the way!" I said immediately.

As I looked at the ended call, I felt like my surroundings had undergone a drastic change.

Heading towards the worst, most powerless trajectory.

*

Aya returned, bringing with her a chubby man.

As soon as the man entered, he began to look around the apartment.

He even gave me strange looks.

"Aya, who is this?" I asked curiously.

"This is my friend, from our county." Aya looked at me with an emotion in her eyes that I couldn't read.

"Xiaoxuan, I want to discuss something with you..."

The man still stood beside Aya, and although she gave him a look, he pretended not to see it and didn't leave.

Watching the odd atmosphere between the two, I remained silent.

Aya sighed and led me to her room.

"I'm sorry, Xiaoxuan... Could I borrow some money from you?" Aya nervously rubbed the fabric of her clothes, her head lowered.

"Ye... yes... How much do you need?" I stammered.

I had never seen Aya like this before. The vibrant, confident girl I remembered was now so...

subdued.

"200,000 yuan." Aya's voice was low, as if she didn't dare look at me.

I didn't know what had happened to her that made her need so much money all at once...

But if this money could buy her most important thing, I'd definitely be willing to give it to her.

"Okay." I agreed without hesitation.

200,000 yuan. It was basically all my savings from the past few years.

"Wait here for a moment, I'll get my phone to transfer the money to you!"

Aya suddenly burst into tears.

She lifted her head, her eyes red.

Like a child abandoned by the world, homeless.

"Thank you! Thank you, Xiaoxuan..."

I hugged her, just as she had once hugged me back in college.

Back then, I had nothing. It was Aya who gave

me warmth.