Kevin's Love

Although he usually wore a cold expression, I could sense that he harbored no ill feelings. Yet, for an entire week, he became strangely different; his entire demeanor shifted, as if he had turned into someone else. He was no longer so indifferent towards me; sometimes, he would even respond to my words. I was utterly astonished by this unexpected favor. No matter how I looked, I could not find the reason. This question troubled me for many years, and even now, I have not unraveled it.

Kevin weakly closed his eyes; now, everything was over. Han took some clothes from the wardrobe and returned, intending for Kevin to put them on. To his surprise, he found Kevin pale as death, looking as if he might perish at any moment. Han hurried to his side, cradling him in his arms, anxious and pleading, “Kevin! Are you alright? Hold on a little longer! I’ll take you to the hospital right away!”

Without fretting over anything else, he picked up the clothes and helped Kevin dress. In the midst of despair, Kevin watched as Han, who should have left long ago, returned to his side. Overjoyed, tears streamed uncontrollably down his face. He clung tightly to Han, greedily soaking in this rare warmth.

The storm relentlessly washed over the streets, saving the cleaners the trouble of their daily toil. The bus rolled slowly along the highway, Xiao An sleeping peacefully against Yu's shoulder.

Yu sat perfectly straight, motionless, afraid that the slightest movement might wake her. The bus made a soft “swish swish” as it drove. The scenery outside changed constantly. The bus left the city’s towering buildings and entered a desolate area.

The once beautiful landscape was replaced by abandoned low buildings, weeds growing everywhere, taller than people. Clearly, this place had been neglected for a long time, leaving it eerily unsettling. Darkness enveloped the entire bus, which rumbled over the rough road, jolting violently and triggering a chorus of screams.

Yu held Xiao close, carefully steadying himself amidst the chaos, his gaze fixed on her sleeping face in the dark. Simply watching her filled his heart with happiness. The bus pressed onward through the darkness until, suddenly, with a loud bang, it came to a halt. The driver opened the door, and together with the instructor, stepped outside to inspect the situation. Soon, both returned.

The instructor addressed everyone, “The bus is broken! Now is your chance for some exercise. Run from here to the training grounds! Everyone together—off the bus, start running!” With that, he himself stepped off first, giving no one a chance to protest. His decisiveness left these pampered young men and women helpless, with nowhere to turn.

Yu furrowed his brow, uncertain whether to wake Xiao. While he hesitated, Xiao was awakened by the commotion inside the bus. She blinked sleepily at the dark surroundings, taking a while to adjust before asking, “What’s going on?”

Yu, still hesitant, trembled slightly, lowered his gaze to her, and once sure she was truly awake, explained coolly, “The bus broke down. We have to run to the training grounds.”

His brief words made everything clear—the situation, and what they were about to face. Xiao looked up at the bus ceiling, speechless. Why had she been so unlucky lately? Powerless, she was the first to rise and get off the bus. Yu followed closely behind, stepping out with her.