A Moment of Trust

Humans are indeed a strange species.

It’s hard enough to muster the resolve to let malice and despair consume one’s life, but then someone lights a candle of kindness, and suddenly all the misfortunes fade away. The thought of escape dissolves into the night.

Is it the resilience of life or merely a lack of memory? Why linger in this world for such fleeting illusions?

Nevertheless, Ye Xingmian felt that something within her had changed. She couldn’t quite pinpoint what, but change was undeniable. Something was missing, and something new had taken its place.

But these details hardly mattered. As long as one exists, time marches on, hurtling through the void at the speed of light. Everything shifts, whether quickly or slowly, with or without notice.

To Liu Yinuo’s question, Ye Xingmian offered no reply. Yet, Liu Yinuo knew her guess was correct.

The two walked in silence, Liu Yinuo supporting the injured girl as they made their way out of the school gates. The school’s leave process was cumbersome, requiring a chain of calls from the security office to teachers, then to parents, and finally, the issuance of a signed permission slip. But as a model student, Liu Yinuo was a favorite among teachers and security staff. Given Ye Xingmian’s condition, they bypassed most of the steps, allowing the two to leave directly.

In the distance, hidden in a secluded corner, a girl watched as the pair left, her hand clenched into a fist at her side.

****

Liu Yinuo’s home was close to the school, in a high-end neighborhood adjacent to the campus. Ye Xingmian had heard about the place but had never visited. As they walked, Liu Yinuo held her hand, shielding her from curious stares. A strange, inexplicable feeling stirred within Ye Xingmian, and despite her disheveled appearance, she found herself less troubled by others’ gazes. She lifted her head, curious about the surroundings.

Few people were on the streets, the overcast sky and biting wind keeping most indoors. Though it was midday, the world was shrouded in a dull, gray haze. Ye Xingmian shivered, sensing the impending snowfall. Without a phone, she could only guess at the weather. The barren environment offered little appeal, but what truly captured her attention was…

The hand, soft and warm, tucked gently in hers. Why was Liu Yinuo so kind? Was there an ulterior motive, or was it pure goodwill? Ye Xingmian couldn’t tell. Years of self-doubt gnawed at her, and she instinctively hunched her shoulders as she glanced at their intertwined hands.

“Um? Are you cold?”

The girl with long black hair, nearly the same height as Ye Xingmian, turned to her with a concerned frown. For the first time, Ye Xingmian noticed her eyes, a soft brown flecked with gold, like tiny suns in the pale light. She found herself lost in thought, only to realize she had been staring. Embarrassed, she averted her gaze, feeling a warmth on her cheeks.

“No… I… I’m fine…”

Her usual timid response only deepened Liu Yinuo’s concern. Still supporting her, Liu Yinuo drew closer, their bodies nearly touching. “As a girl, you must take care of yourself. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

The unexpected intimacy left Ye Xingmian flustered. She tried to push Liu Yinuo away, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m… I’m a boy…”

“Oh, come on! Who do you think you’re kidding? Look at yourself!” Liu Yinuo tugged at the fabric of her shirt, prompting Ye Xingmian to cover herself quickly. “Don’t… don’t touch me…”

Her voice trembled, and Liu Yinuo chuckled at her reddening face. “Still think you’re a boy, huh?”

Ye Xingmian turned her head away, remaining silent.

“Hey, seriously, do your foster parents not know you’re a girl?”

Liu Yinuo’s surprise was genuine, considering Ye Xingmian’s history. This time, Ye Xingmian nodded slightly.

“How is that even possible? You’ve lived with them your whole life, right?”

In that moment, Ye Xingmian wavered, torn between her usual guard and the warmth of Liu Yinuo’s kindness. Hadn’t she felt warmer since Liu Yinuo had drawn close? What was the point of her stubbornness, anyway? Hadn’t Liu Yinuo already seen through her?

She stopped walking, looking up at the vast, empty sky. The wind stung her face, but Liu Yinuo’s warmth remained. Though they had only just met, Ye Xingmian felt her defenses crumbling. Closing her eyes, she leaned into Liu Yinuo and softly asked, “Class President, can I trust you?”

“Ah? Of course,” Liu Yinuo replied, taken aback but nodding.

“Is that so…”

Ye Xingmian’s face lit up with a faint smile. “Then, once we get to your place, I’ll tell you everything.”

“Okay…” Liu Yinuo’s curiosity piqued, she agreed, sensing that Ye Xingmian was about to reveal something significant.

“By the way, you’re so light! Don’t you eat enough?”

“…Yeah.”

“That won’t do. You know, girls need proper nutrition to grow and stay healthy. That’s how you get pretty and cute.”

“I’m a boy…”

“Wanna bet?” Liu Yinuo’s hand crept toward Ye Xingmian’s chest, prompting a quick denial. “No, no!”

“…”

As Liu Yinuo led Ye Xingmian into the building, their voices faded into the winter wind, carried away until they were gone. The first snowflakes began to fall, delicate and sparse, transforming the barren landscape into a winter wonderland.