Oh no! Drunk last night, I accidentally wandered into my ex-boyfriend's room.

Alcohol can numb a person's nerves.

In a daze, Lin Qian seemed to have returned to that winter three years ago.

It was cold; a biting wind blew, carrying withered yellow leaves, making people shiver.

Lin Qian was a junior in college that year, majoring in computer science.

As final exams approached, Lin Qian frequently went to the library to study.

"Hey! Did you hear? Big news! It seems Lu Beiting's family has arranged a marriage for him! I heard it's the youngest daughter of the chairman of Hengtong Group!"

"Wow! The heiress of Hengtong? She's a true top-tier rich and beautiful woman. Rich people are just different. For them, marriage is called a political alliance, but for us, it's just about living together."

"Is it a done deal? Is the prodigal son really going to settle down?"

"Come on, I reckon for someone like Lu Beiting, this marriage is just for show. A marriage into a wealthy family, but after the wedding, they'll all be living their own lives, won't they?"

"Waaaaah, my fantasy is shattered! I feel so awful!"

"Even scumbags have tons of beautiful women lining up for them. What can you do? They're handsome and rich, aren't they better than that old geezer?"

Three or four girls passed by Lin Qian and walked further and further away.

She opened the campus forum and saw a popular post about an arranged marriage, along with a picture of the rich girl.

She was very beautiful and sophisticated, dressed head to toe in custom-made luxury designer clothes, radiant and elegant, with a calm and confident air that came from being pampered since childhood.

Wow, I have to say, she and Lu Beiting are quite a good match, they're well-matched in terms of social standing and background.

I can't even imagine how beautiful their baby will be!

My crush is getting married! I'm so sad, another bunch of girls are going to be heartbroken!

Lin Qian stared at the photo for a long time, until her eyes became a little sore.

After a long while, she turned off her phone, went into the library, and sat there blankly.

They didn't even open the book.

She slumped onto the table listlessly, making little progress in her review all afternoon.

In the evening, Lu Beiting sent her a message with just three words: "[The Woods]"

Lin Qian knew what it meant, replied "Okay," and packed her schoolbag to go to the grove.

Imperial City University is very large and beautifully built, with many corners being places where couples secretly go on dates.

In the grove, only the sycamore trees were still lush, rustling in the wind.

When Lin Qian arrived, there was no one there; it was eerily quiet.

She felt a little uneasy.

It's said that Lu Beiting's relationships never last more than a month, but they've been dating for a whole year.

Lin Qian was always anxious and insecure, constantly wondering when he would get tired of her, when he would break up with her, and how long they could continue their relationship.

Actually, she didn't like being so fearful, as if her mind was filled with nothing but Lu Beiting, but she just couldn't help thinking about these things.

Now that he has a marriage partner... he's here to break up with her, right?

Lin Qian pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and looked at the withered leaves on the ground, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart.

Her dream is finally coming to an end...

Suddenly, a strong arm came across my waist.

Lu Beiting appeared out of nowhere, embraced her, and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

Lin Qian was forced to tilt her head back to receive his hot and passionate kiss.

His kisses were always like that, full of intense aggression and possessiveness, as if he wanted to devour her whole.

Lin Qian was already used to it.

But for a fleeting moment, it seemed as if the other person also deeply loved her.

Lin Qian wrapped her arms around his waist and obediently closed her eyes.

After a long while, she couldn't breathe properly, and her chest rose and fell slightly.

Lu Beiting, still wanting more, released her, his forehead pressed against hers, and asked, "Are you cold?"

"It's alright," Lin Qian nodded, "just a little bit."

Before he finished speaking, Lu Beiting pressed down on her waist, his eyes filled with lust and interest:

"Kissing can raise body temperature, want to do it a few more times?"

Lin Qian actually didn't like doing these kinds of things in the wild, but most of the time she went along with Lu Beiting's preferences.

This time, however, she shook her head. "You asked me to come here... is there something you need?"

Actually, she was already mentally prepared.

Lu Beiting raised an eyebrow, his voice casual, "It's quite a big deal."

Lin Qian's heart tightened, and she dared not look into his eyes, as if she were waiting for his verdict.

The next second, two golden tickets came into view.

Lu Beiting: "Didn't you want to see penguins? I bought two tickets to Antarctica. Shall we go together for New Year's?"

Lin Qian hadn't expected this to be the case, and hesitated before speaking, "Um, you..."

The words "marriage partner" remained stuck in Lin Qian's throat, and she couldn't say them.

Lu Beiting looked down at her. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Lin Qian shook her head reluctantly, "I'm going back to my dorm now, goodnight."

Let this dream last a little longer. Let her bring it up again after we've seen the penguins in Antarctica...

I felt disheartened again at the bar.

Lin Qian's classmate, who works part-time at a bar, had an emergency.

When she went to cover for someone's shift for an hour, she overheard a conversation inside the private room.

The door was ajar, and Xiao Si's nonchalant voice drifted out:

"Brother Lu, I heard your family has arranged a marriage for you? It doesn't seem like your type at all."

Lin Qian stopped in her tracks and subconsciously held her breath.

Lu Beiting lit a cigarette, his voice nonchalant:

"I've already applied to study in the US next semester. Since my dad likes her so much, let him arrange the marriage."

"666, what a filial son!" Xiao Si laughed. "You really don't plan to get married in this lifetime?"

Lu Beiting remained unmoved: "I'm a staunch non-marriage advocate, how about you take a look?"

"Oh," Xiao Si said, "and what about your girlfriend now? Her name is Lin something...?"

A brief silence fell over the private room.

Only the wisps of smoke from the cigarettes rose and spread little by little.

Lu Beiting remained silent.

That's considered an implicit agreement.

Xiao Si decided to change the subject.

It was snowing when Lin Qian left the bar.

The pure white snowflakes fell little by little onto her dark head, eventually melting into cold water that seeped into her hair.

Lin Qian's steps were somewhat stiff.

She had no idea that Lu Beiting was going to the United States next semester.

She had no idea.

He never talked to her about the future, let alone marriage; she was the one foolishly fantasizing about it.

They have no future.