April, the Plum Rain Season.
One moment, the sun was shining brightly, and the next, dark clouds gathered, unleashing a downpour. A gust of wind swept up a forgotten balloon, sending it dancing wildly in the rain before it clung to a telegraph pole. The wires sparked with blue light, and Elizabeth shuddered, recalling a news report about someone electrocuted by a wire.
Beside the pole...
Was there someone?
Elizabeth paused, biting her lip, and then turned back to her shop to grab a large black umbrella before stepping into the rain.
As she approached, her eyes flickered with surprise.
The mans hair was soaked, hanging heavily over his forehead, his long, thick eyelashes lowered, his lips thin and sharp, yet strikingly attractive against his pale skin. His cheeks were soft, his beauty androgynous.
He was curled up, hugging his knees, shivering, which stirred a sense of pity in Elizabeth, reminding her of an abandoned black cat by the roadside.
Black cat? Black suited this man well.
With a sigh, Elizabeth reached out, placing the umbrella over his head. "Come take shelter in my shop."
The man didnt move or speak.
"Or youll catch a cold," Elizabeth added, reaching out to pull his arm. The damp touch made her feel uneasy, a sensation she didnt like.
After tugging twice with no response, Elizabeth frowned, let go, and squatted in front of him, holding the umbrella handle, looking up at his face. She paused, then chuckled, "Is this any way to treat a lady?"
The mans fingers twitched, and he lifted his head, his cold eyes piercing into Elizabeths.
"Go away."
The chill in his voice froze Elizabeths heart, stiffening her limbs. She opened her mouth but ultimately turned and left.
Her intuition told her this man was terrifying.
But after a few steps, the balloon that had clung to the telegraph pole suddenly fell in front of her. Elizabeth stopped, turned, and walked back to the mans side.
This time, she didnt speak, stubbornly holding the umbrella, standing beside him, shielding him from the rain.
Elizabeths body grew cold, her clothes wet from the rain slanting in, and a taxi sped by, splashing water in front of them.
The man suddenly looked up at her.
His gaze had lost some of its coldness, his light brown irises larger than others, very clean, very pure. There was a tear nevus at the corner of his left eye.
Elizabeth stared at him, as if there was only him and her left in the world.
The mans eyes clearly reflected Elizabeths figure. He touched his chest, murmuring with a hint of confusion, "Its beating so fast, just like a living person."
The man slowly lowered his eyes and sighed, "Who are you?"
"Elizabeth."
"Who are you?"
"Elizabeth."
...
The question and answer repeated more than ten times.
At that moment, the rain lessened, the clouds dispersed, and the light gradually brightened.
The man hummed softly, stood up, and hit his head on the umbrella. Elizabeth quickly reached up.
"Let me," the man took the umbrella handle from her hand and naturally put his arm around her waist as she stumbled...
Elizabeth yelped, "What are you doing!"
She turned to look at the man, but saw only his calm expression, his pupils clearly reflecting her face, very clear, very clear...