The first few weeks had passed almost unnoticed.
Almost.
Shui Mingyun's New Rhythm
Mornings were slower now.
The alarm rang, but she didn't leap out of bed.
She lay there a moment longer, feeling the subtle heaviness in her body—a gentle reminder that something had changed.
Breakfast was simple. Carefully portioned. Mei prepared it while she still washed up, making sure she had everything she needed.
No one else would notice. No one else could.
Class and Study
She still attended classes—but selectively.
Lectures she could handle alone. Group projects avoided. Labs or activities that required standing for long periods were skipped or handled quietly.
Her professors thought she was just meticulous, even a bit shy.
Her classmates noticed her absence, shrugged, and moved on.
No one pressed.
The Symptoms
The first real symptom hit in the second week.
A wave of nausea in the library.
Mingyun had barely sat down when her stomach churned, threatening to upset the careful balance she'd maintained.
Quickly, she excused herself.
Xinyi was waiting outside, just in case.
"You okay?" "Yes."
And yes, she would be fine. But only because she had support. Only because she had someone to make sure she ate, rested, and stayed safe.
The Secret of Support
Mei became indispensable.
Preparing meals that weren't just food, but medicine for nausea Scheduling quiet times for rest Ensuring Mingyun stayed hydrated
Xinyi became her emotional anchor.
Listening to her worries about Gu Yi without judgment Keeping her spirits up when the isolation became heavy Running small errands to protect her from exposure
Together, they were a small, hidden world where Mingyun could breathe.
Gu Yi's Absence
Meanwhile, Gu Yi wandered the campus with a quiet unease.
She wasn't in the cafeteria. She wasn't in the library. Even when he checked the usual classrooms, she was gone.
At first, he told himself she was busy, adjusting, focusing.
Then, slowly… the thought grew:
"She's avoiding me."
It was subtle. A glance in the hallway. A feeling when a friend mentioned seeing her in the corner of the cafeteria.
And with each passing day, he felt the strange weight of something lost, but undefined.
Small Moments
Life carried on.
Mingyun would smile at Xinyi, hiding the fatigue Mei would hand her water, gently, silently Gu Yi would cross paths with someone who mentioned her, but he never saw her directly
All the while, the pregnancy was a quiet secret.
No one knew. Not her parents, not Gu Yi, not even casual classmates.
And Mingyun intended to keep it that way.
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The hidden months weighed on her in ways that weren't visible to the outside world.
The fear of discovery The uncertainty about Gu Yi's future involvement The longing for connection, tempered by necessity
It all built quietly, like a storm forming in the distance—unseen, but undeniable.
By the end of the third month, Mingyun sat on the small balcony of her temporary sanctuary.
Her hand rested lightly on the subtle curve of her belly Mei brought her tea Xinyi chatted quietly about campus life, oblivious to the tension
And in her mind, one thought repeated:
"I will handle this alone… but I hope he's not lost forever."