"Elena, I'm counting on you—my life is in your hands! If I don't make it through this Mid-Autumn break, it's all your fault!"
Beneath the soft twilight sky, Elena Shen strolled along the quiet, leaf-littered path of Huaihai University. The air carried a faint crispness, and the golden hues of dusk painted the campus in an ethereal glow. Her phone buzzed insistently against her palm, but her best friend's dramatic plea made her lips twitch with suppressed laughter.
"You just left a USB drive at Nightfall, right?" she asked, her tone teasing, as though the matter were far less urgent than her friend had made it out to be.
"Yes! A white one. I left it in Room 8A02, eighth floor. Please tell me you'll go get it!" came the frantic reply.
Elena sighed, glancing toward the South Gate of Huaihai University looming ahead. Its neon sign flickered faintly, casting a pale luminescence over the pavement. Normally bustling with cars and chatter, the entrance was unusually subdued today, mirroring the eerie stillness that settled over the campus. It was the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, after all—a time when most students had already packed their bags and departed for home, leaving behind only a scattering of stragglers rushing about with last-minute errands. The scent of freshly baked mooncakes wafted through the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of fallen leaves crushed beneath hurried footsteps.
Elena's gaze drifted back to her phone screen. "I'll head over soon," she said, her voice calm despite the urgency in her friend's tone. "I'll text you when I've got it."
Ending the call, she opened her ride-hailing app, fingers poised to book a car. But before she could tap confirm—
"Elena."
A voice, low and familiar, called her name from across the lane. She turned abruptly, startled by its sudden intrusion into the tranquil evening.
There stood a tall figure dressed in a crisp white shirt and tailored black slacks, his backpack slung casually over one shoulder. His presence seemed almost incongruous amidst the fading light and rustling leaves.
"Miles," she acknowledged, offering him a polite smile.
Miles Chi flushed under her gaze, his ears turning a delicate shade of red. He adjusted the strap of his bag nervously, clearing his throat before speaking. "I heard you're staying in Huaihai over the break. A few of us from the research group are having dinner tomorrow. Want to come?"
The warmth in his voice was unmistakable—hopeful, almost boyish—and it softened the edges of the otherwise cool autumn night. City lights flickered faintly behind him, framing him in a halo of urban glow.
Elena hesitated, then gave him a faint, apologetic smile. "I have some errands to run tomorrow. I probably can't make it."
His expression dimmed momentarily, though he masked it quickly with practiced ease. "Another time, then," he replied, his tone light but tinged with disappointment.
They walked together toward the curb, the hum of distant traffic weaving between them like an unspoken thread. Tires whispered over the asphalt, their sound blending seamlessly with the gentle rustle of leaves stirred by the evening breeze.
As they neared the street, Miles hesitated, glancing at her hand. "It's late… can I walk you home?"
Before Elena could respond, a sleek black Maybach pulled smoothly to a stop beside them. The tinted window rolled down silently, revealing a man whose profile was sharp and striking under the streetlights. His features were cold yet arresting, his gaze dark and unreadable as it fixed directly on her.
"Elena."
Her heart skipped a beat. She turned instinctively toward the voice, breath catching in her throat. "… Ethan?"
Miles stiffened beside her, recognition dawning instantly.
Though they had never met in person, Ethan Jiang's face was familiar to anyone who paid even cursory attention to the business world. Heir to Linyu Corporation, scion of the powerful Jiang family—his image graced news headlines, financial magazines, and countless media outlets. Miles would never have imagined that someone as quiet and unassuming as Elena Shen could be connected to a man like that.
Ethan didn't spare Miles so much as a glance. One hand rested lightly on the steering wheel, his long fingers tapping once against the leather—a gesture that exuded quiet impatience.
"Get in. Let's go home."
Elena gripped her phone tightly, the cool metal biting into her palm. She felt rooted to the spot for a moment, caught between two worlds: the familiarity of Miles' earnest invitation and the commanding authority of Ethan's presence. Quickly composing herself, she turned to Miles.
"I'll see you later," she said softly, her words carrying a note of finality.
Then she approached the car, but instead of opening the door immediately, she leaned down slightly and spoke through the open window. "I need to stop by Nightfall first. Don't trouble yourself—"
"It's no trouble."
His interruption was calm but absolute, leaving no room for argument. That voice—smooth, low, commanding through her protest, like a blade slicing silk.
Elena paused, caught in his gaze, which was steady and dark as ink. She knew resistance was futile. After a moment of hesitation, she opened the passenger door and slipped inside.
The car glided effortlessly into the flow of city traffic, its engine purring with quiet precision. In the rearview mirror, the towering gates of Huaihai University grew smaller and smaller until they disappeared entirely.
Elena sat rigidly, her hands folded neatly in her lap like a student awaiting reprimand from a stern headmaster. Though she had lived under the same roof as Ethan since childhood, their interactions had been sparse at best. He had spent most of his life overseas, distant and elusive, returning only briefly for fleeting visits. During those rare occasions, she had always gone out of her way to avoid him.
Now, sitting beside him in the confined space of the Maybach, she felt the walls closing in around her. His presence was overwhelming—calm yet suffused with an icy edge that made her throat tighten involuntarily.
He spoke suddenly, breaking the silence with a question that sliced through the tension like a knife.
"Who was that just now?"
Elena blinked, her mind scrambling to catch up. "A senior from my department," she replied, keeping her tone neutral.
Ethan's eyes remained fixed on the road, his expression inscrutable. "What kind of senior?"
#Kissed Every Night#