Morning arrived quietly over the village.
A thin layer of mist floated above the canal, soft and pale like a dream that hadn't fully faded. The lanterns from the night before hung crookedly from the trees, their colors dull now under the early sunlight.
Students slowly began waking up around the camp.
Yawns, sleepy complaints, and the rustling of tents filled the air.
Yun stepped out of her tent, stretching her arms above her head. The cool morning breeze brushed against her face, carrying the smell of damp grass and breakfast being cooked somewhere nearby.
But her mind wasn't calm.
She kept remembering the night before.
The canal.The lantern.The strange feeling when she read Wen's wish.
She pressed her fingers against her temple.
Why did that feel so familiar?
Before she could think about it further—
"Morning, village guide."
She turned.
Wen was walking toward her with two cups of steaming tea in his hands.
His hair was still messy, like he had just woken up five minutes ago.
"You look like someone who barely slept," he said, handing her one of the cups.
Yun took it slowly.
"And you look like someone who jumped into a canal twice."
"Three times, technically."
She stared at him.
"You counted?"
"I believe in accurate statistics."
Despite herself, she laughed softly.
The tension from the night before loosened slightly.
For a moment, everything felt normal again.
Around them, students were gathering for breakfast, chatting loudly as if nothing mysterious had happened at all.
But someone nearby was watching quietly.
Chen Hao stood under the shade of a large tree, pretending to check his phone.
His eyes kept drifting toward Yun and Wen.
The way they talked.
The way they stood close without realizing it.
Every small detail felt painfully familiar.
This is exactly how it started before, he thought.
Chen exhaled slowly.
He had hoped that maybe he was wrong.
But last night confirmed it.
Wen's wish.Yun's reaction.
The past was slowly returning.
And if it came back completely…
Everything would change.
Breakfast Chaos
The teachers soon called everyone to the long wooden tables for breakfast.
Bowls of rice porridge, fried eggs, and sweet buns were quickly distributed.
Rui dropped onto the bench beside Wen dramatically.
"I barely slept," he groaned.
Wen raised an eyebrow.
"You slept the entire bus ride, the entire afternoon, and during the campfire."
"That was strategic resting."
Mei rolled her eyes from across the table.
"You mean laziness."
Meanwhile, Yun sat quietly, stirring her porridge absentmindedly.
Her thoughts kept drifting again.
Fireworks.
Lanterns.
A boy laughing somewhere far away in her memory.
She shook her head slightly.
"Something bothering you?" Chen Hao asked gently beside her.
She blinked.
"Oh. No… just tired."
Chen studied her face carefully.
"You were out late last night."
Yun stiffened slightly.
"You saw?"
He nodded.
"Hard not to."
For a moment, she looked embarrassed.
"We were just talking."
"I know."
His voice was calm, but something in his eyes was heavier than usual.
Across the table, Wen was arguing with Rui about who ate the last bun.
The argument made Yun smile again.
Chen noticed.
And that small smile felt strangely painful.