Prologue: The Lingering Afterglow

August 13, 2037, 7:00 P.M.
China, Beijing, Capital Airport.

Su Han gazed out the window, where the lingering afterglow of late summer bled across the evening sky, staining the clouds a blood-red hue. Layers of fiery clouds swept towards the ascending passenger plane, and a mesmerizing, almost seductive light permeated this ocean called the sky.

His thoughts drifted, not for the first time, to that early summer day…

“Su Han, let’s… break up!” a gentle and lovely girl said, standing before him.

“Xinyan?! Can you tell me why?” Su Han froze, momentarily rooted to the spot. Then, he tightly gripped the girl’s hand, his voice a low, strained murmur.

The girl forcefully pulled her hand free. “We… we’re not actually suited for each other, are we?” she said, not bothering to answer his question, but rather speaking to herself.

“Goodbye, Su Han!” The girl, Xinyan, rose lightly onto her tiptoes, her soft lips pressing against his. Then, without a backward glance, she walked away. Yet, no one saw the tear tracks glistening at the corners of her eyes.

‘If you truly want to see me, then come find me in Tokyo in one year!’ Su Han recalled the girl’s final words before she left, clenching his fist tightly.

‘It’s been a year now. I wonder if she’s doing well?’

Gradually, Su Han reined in his thoughts, only to find tears once again escaping his control. He quickly wiped away the traces, fearful of anyone seeing him in such a vulnerable state. As the one-year mark grew closer, his longing had intensified with each passing day.

“We’ll be able to meet soon,” Su Han murmured softly.