Meilin tried to push him away, but Jiang Xun’s grip remained firm, pinning her beneath him as he tried to kiss her again. Her heart pounded in panic.

His hand began to slide beneath her skirt and a wave of fear surged through her.

No. Jiang Xun can’t do this to me. I’m not ready.

Without thinking, she reached blindly for the glass of wine on the table. Her fingers closed around it, and she threw the contents straight into his face.

The wine splashed, catching him off guard, and he reeled back, sputtering.

Meilin scrambled to her feet.

“Meilin…” he called, dazed.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Jiang Xun?!” she shouted furiously, jerking her arm away when he tried to reach for her.

She grabbed her bag and bolted for the door.

“Meilin, wait!”

She didn’t stop. She flew out the gate, her shoes pounding against the pavement. A cab approached just in time and she waved it down, jumping in without hesitation.

“Take me home. Please,” she told the driver, voice trembling.

The ride back was a blur. Anger and disbelief stormed through her. How could he do that? Would he really have forced himself on me? The thought made her skin crawl. She picked her phone to call Nian but dropped it down on second thought because she had warned her earlier but she didn't listen.

She reached home, still trembling, and didn’t even bother to change out of her uniform.For once she was glad her Mom was never available because she didn't want to explain this to anyone.Instead, she dropped onto her bed and lay there, staring at the ceiling.

Jiang Xun had seemed so gentle… caring. She’d trusted him. And now?

Was I wrong about him from the start?

Her phone buzzed. She glanced at it, saw his name. She ended the call and tossed the phone to the side.

What could he possibly have to say?

Eventually, sleep overtook her.

---

When she woke up, her body felt sore and her head heavy. She glanced at her phone: 11 missed calls. Seven from Jiang Xun. Four from Li Nian.

There were also two messages:

Please Meilin, I’m sorry.

Just pick up the call. Give me a chance to explain, please.

She stared blankly at them, then tossed the phone aside again.

A few moments later, someone knocked at the door.

She dragged herself up and opened it, revealing an all-too-familiar sight.

“Meilin! Seriously?” Li Nian huffed. “I called like a hundred times!”

Meilin blinked at her. She looked gorgeous—black shorts, a blue top, and black boots.

“It was four missed calls, Nian. Relax,” Meilin mumbled, stepping aside.

"Oh! So you saw it?" Li Nian stepped into the room and immediately frowned. “Why are you still in your uniform?”

Meilin groaned. “I didn’t even realize. I was so tired, I just slept off.” she didn't want to tell Nian what really happened because she feared what Nian would do in anger.

Li Nian looked scandalized. “Do you even know what time it is?! Meilin, we’re going to be late for Lu Ruiyan’s concert!”

Meilin blinked. Right. The concert.

“Come on, Mei mei! You promised to go with me. And I told you to get ready on time!” Li Nian exclaimed.

“I’m sorry, okay?” Meilin sighed. “Give me a second.”

She headed into the bathroom for a quick shower. When she returned in a towel, she was stunned to see Li Nian had already selected an outfit.

“Really?” Meilin said with a tired scoff.

“Yes, really. We don’t have time to argue. Put it on,” Li Nian said, handing her a short red dress.

She glanced at the matching blue sneakers already on the floor.

Meilin changed into her underwear, then slipped on the dress and stood in front of the mirror.

It clung to her curves perfectly.

“Wow,” Li Nian whispered, grinning. “You’re definitely going to break necks tonight.”

“I don’t like it, Nian. It’s too…”

“It’s perfect,” Li Nian cut in and grabbed a brush, working on her friend’s hair. “Just leave it to me.”

Meilin folded her arms, letting Li Nian style her long, silky black hair until it fell in soft waves across her shoulders.

She applied a bit of pink lip gloss and looked at her reflection. Minimal makeup, just the way she liked it.

“Let’s go!” Li Nian chirped.

“Hold on,” Meilin replied and walked over to her shoe shelf, returning the sneakers and opting instead for a pair of delicate black mesh sandals.

Li Nian raised a brow. “And what’s wrong with the sneakers?”

“I just don’t feel like it,” Meilin muttered. “This feels more comfortable.”

She picked up a black emoji shoulder bag and turned to Li Nian, who was smiling.

“What?” Meilin asked.

“You’re just really beautiful, Meilin.”

She blushed and rolled her eyes. “Okay, let’s get going already.”

Laughing, Li Nian grabbed her own bag and phone, and the two girls left the room together, stepping into the night that held more than just a concert in store.