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Cosmic Dust Is Not as Precious as You — Chapter 3. Stardust. Part 6


The earthy scent of rain-soaked soil filled the air as I descended the stairs. By the time I reached the building’s exit, the wind and rain were already overwhelming. Struggling against the storm, I made it to the edge of the neighborhood. There were hardly any cars on the road, and after waiting a while, I gave up and decided to walk.

The bridge wasn’t far from my home, but the relentless rain made every step arduous. My shoes were quickly soaked through, and my legs felt like ice. The umbrella couldn’t withstand the wind and soon collapsed. Clenching my teeth, I tossed it aside and pressed on through the downpour.

I didn’t know how long I had been walking by the time I finally reached the central bridge. My entire body was drenched, and the effort of trudging through the rain left me utterly exhausted.

To reach the underpass, I had to take a muddy dirt path that had become slippery and unstable due to the rain. But I didn’t care. Grabbing a stick from the ground for support, I carefully made my way down.

The rain stung my face like tiny knives, and I moved cautiously, each step deliberate. Just as I was nearing the bottom, my foot slipped, and I pitched forward.

It’s over.

The thought flashed through my mind in an instant.

But just as I braced for impact, a pair of hands caught me. I looked up to see Chen Qiao Luo’s face.

“Zhu Yun Hao, what are you doing here?” he asked, his voice filled with confusion.

Supported by him, I steadied myself and jumped down the rest of the way. Rain poured over us as I stared into his eyes and shot back, “Why shouldn’t I be here? The real question is, what are you doing here?”

His gaze flicked toward the underpass.

In that moment, I understood everything. He, like me, couldn’t stop worrying about the kittens. The walls I had built around my heart began to crumble. Perhaps Chen Qiao Luo hadn’t changed after all—this compassionate side of him was still the same.

I followed him toward the underpass. The structure provided some shelter, and though it was cold, the rain hadn’t reached the kittens. Noticing the bag of food he had brought, I suddenly realized I had rushed here without bringing anything. If not for him coming earlier, I would’ve been standing here helpless.

Aside from the wind and the occasional meow from the kittens, the underpass was eerily quiet. Feeling a little uneasy, I glanced at Chen Qiao Luo. After a long pause, I awkwardly muttered, “Thanks for catching me earlier.”

“It’s nothing,” he replied curtly, saying no more.

I hesitated, unsure of what to say next, when my phone vibrated in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw it was a call from Dad.

The moment I answered, his anxious voice rang out, “Kiddo, where on earth are you? Why haven’t you come back yet?”

“I’m fine.” I glanced at Chen Qiao Luo and stepped aside to answer the call. “I’ll be home soon, Dad. Don’t worry, I promise I’ll get back safely.”

Hanging up, I walked over to Chen Qiao Luo and asked, “Does Auntie He Pei know you’re out here in this weather?”

“Yes, I told her,” he replied.

After answering, he bent down to play with the kittens again. They seemed to recognize him, pawing at his hand playfully. It was clear he had visited them more than once over the past few days.

After a moment of hesitation, I finally spoke up. “Chen Qiao Luo, can we stop fighting?”

These past few days had been torment for me. Seeing him now, I realized that the problem was never him—it was me who couldn’t let go. When we first became friends, I’d known he was a troublemaker. So why had I let myself be so caught up in these pointless frustrations?

The rain, in its timing, seemed to wash away all my confusion and stubbornness.

He froze, clearly not expecting me to soften my stance. Looking unsure, he asked, “Zhu Yun Hao, what did you just say?”

Meeting his gaze, I said seriously, “I’m saying, let’s make up.”

The sound of the wind seemed to amplify in the silence that followed. I don’t know how much time passed before he finally opened his mouth and said softly, “Alright.”

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