Once Out of Reach, Now on Her Knees
Tu Ni
Lu Mian's memories of her senior year have blurred, and the unattainable crush she once longed for only occasionally resurfaces in her dreams. By chance, she hears from a friend that the woman is thriving in the capital—successful career, happy marriage, perfect family. Lu Mian genuinely wishes her well. Yet one night, at her usual bar, Lu Mian spots a familiar figure. Dressed seductively, eyes hazy with intoxication, she sits at the counter selling drinks. Lu Mian struggles to reconcile this image with the pristine, graceful girl from her memories. Rumors swirl—maybe her family fell into ruin, her husband left her, and she had no choice but to return home to make ends meet. Watching her former crush being relentlessly pressured to drink, Lu Mian, out of lingering affection, steps in to help. Lin Jian slumps drunkenly into her arms, and Lu Mian can't help but ask, *"That desperate for money?"* Lin Jian smirks. *"Then why don’t you think about keeping me?"* *"I still remember how you used to—"* Lu Mian shakes her head, cutting her off. *"I’ve already let go."* Lin Jian's eyes darken briefly before she falls silent. Not long after, when Lu Mian is set up on a blind date, Lin Jian interrupts, claiming illness and summoning her home. Inside Lin Jian’s shabby, dimly lit apartment, Lu Mian finds her with a high fever—too reluctant to visit a hospital, relying on the cheapest medicine for treatment. Out of lingering sentiment, Lu Mian hires her as an assistant. Through days and nights together, through moments of vulnerability and dependence, Lu Mian grows increasingly tender-hearted... Until she discovers Lin Jian is actually a renowned painter with her own thriving business—far wealthier than Lu Mian herself. Her heart plummets. Once again, just like seven years ago, she’s been played for a fool. Cornered with her secret exposed, Lin Jian pins Lu Mian against the wall, gripping her wrist to keep her from leaving. *"Mian Mian, I was wrong..."* Her lowered lashes hide possessive eyes wet with unshed tears. Lin Jian *is* ill—has been for seven years. And Lu Mian is the only cure. *"You don’t get to let go."*