My childhood sweetheart, Adrian, sees the world in grayscale. To him, everything is devoid of color, including me. But that never affected our relationship. After high school graduation, he confessed his love, promising we’d be together forever. After college graduation, he proposed, and we vowed never to betray each other. But before we could even pick out a wedding dress… That day, outside the bridal shop, a girl stumbled and fell into his arms in a panic. Adrian didn’t move. He let her hold him tight. The next moment, two lines of text floated before my eyes like a livestream comment. [As the only splash of color in the male lead's world, he is destined to fall in love with the heroine.] [Therefore, the supporting female character should gracefully exit.] I looked at Adrian in disbelief. But he just kept his head down, staring at the girl in his arms with an excitement and joy I had never seen before. In that moment, my heart plummeted into an icy abyss. 1 On the day we were supposed to try on wedding dresses, Adrian had an urgent meeting. He said he’d be thirty minutes late. I timed it perfectly, waiting outside the shop exactly when he was due to arrive. He was punctual. If he said thirty minutes, he wouldn't make me wait a minute longer. As I stepped out of the bridal shop, his familiar car pulled up. Adrian got out, holding a massive bouquet of red roses. "Sorry to keep you waiting." He hugged me, kissing the corner of my lips, his eyes gentle. He was usually calm and rational. But on a special day like today, he couldn't hide his smile. I smiled back, taking the roses. "I know you're busy. Company business comes first. I wouldn't dare get mad." It was just banter. We both graduated this year and joined our respective family businesses. There was a lot to learn, and important meetings couldn't be missed. Otherwise, hungry siblings would be waiting to snatch the inheritance. After our brief exchange, we walked into the bridal shop side by side. Even though we had started custom-ordering dresses two years ago, we wanted the perfect wedding, so we decided to order a few more and pick the best one. We didn't want to regret our once-in-a-lifetime wedding. Before we even entered the shop, a noise erupted nearby. A girl, looking terrified, tripped and fell straight toward Adrian. Adrian wasn't a germaphobe, but he disliked being touched by strangers. I expected him to push her away instinctively, like he always did. I even worried he might use too much force, so I reached out to help steady her. But to my shock, Adrian stood still. The girl fell into his arms, gripping his lapels tightly, trembling in fear. His pristine suit instantly gained several visible wrinkles. Usually, Adrian wouldn't tolerate this for a second. A strange feeling crept into my heart, but I didn't say anything. It was just an accident, after all. Just as I was about to speak, two lines of text floated before my eyes. [As the only splash of color in the male lead's world, he is destined to fall in love with the heroine.] [Therefore, the supporting female character should gracefully exit.] I went through a rebellious phase as a teenager and read my fair share of novels. I understood the concepts of male leads, female leads, supporting characters, and even this random "bullet screen" commentary. That’s why my heart raced with panic. I stared at the text, then turned to look at Adrian in disbelief. As my childhood sweetheart, no one knew him better than I did. He had been mature since he was a child, rarely smiling, and never showing emotion for irrelevant people. But right now… He seemed to have forgotten I was standing right there. He held the girl tightly, his eyes filled with joy and excitement. This time, I truly felt like I had fallen into an ice cave. 2 The text wasn't lying. Adrian’s world was gray. He had been more mature than his peers since childhood because of it. But sometimes, in moments of melancholy, he would lean on my shoulder and ask sadly, "Chloe, what does color look like?" I couldn't answer him. It was like telling a blind person the world is brilliant, or a deaf person that music is beautiful. They couldn't experience it. Words were useless. In fact, it felt cruel. Adrian and I had known each other since we were babies. Besides his family, only I knew he couldn't see color. When we were little, I would tirelessly tell him: The tulips in the garden are yellow. The sky is blue. The goldfish we accidentally overfed was red. My dress is green. He would always look thoughtful, staring hard, trying to see something, but eventually resorting to logic. Back then, he couldn't control his emotions well. He often hid and cried. He thought no one saw, pretending to be a grown-up afterwards, saying he didn't care. But I knew. His eyes were red. He was sad. So I loved him even more. Among all our playmates, I only wanted to play with him. To be his best friend. As we grew up and went to school together, he became cold and distant to others to hide his secret. Of course, the coldness was for outsiders. I wasn't an outsider. Adrian said I was the most important person in his heart. Teenage promises are always so sweet. Knowing each other since childhood, being together day and night, and him being so wonderful—how could I not fall for him? Luckily, the feeling was mutual. After high school graduation, he held a bouquet of my favorite roses and confessed his love in front of both our parents, saying he wanted to be with me forever. My dad turned red, rolling up his sleeves and grabbing a stick, threatening to beat Adrian. My mom blocked him, laughing because she adored Adrian and had always hoped we’d end up together. Adrian’s parents kept promising they would treat me well. His dad even called me "daughter-in-law" on the spot, making my dad fume. Through the chaos, Adrian held my hand and hugged me tight. And so, we became a couple. We went to the same university and spent four happy, stable years together. On graduation day, he enlisted our mutual friends to create a romantic proposal. He put the ring on my finger, and we promised never to fail each other. Everything went smoothly. Fate seemed to favor me. I never suffered. I always thought I was lucky. But now... My thoughts receded like the tide. I looked at the two people still embracing, a bitter taste in my mouth. I thought I should trust Adrian. He had never seen color. He was just overwhelmed with excitement. The text might not be true. I convinced myself. After so many years, he wouldn't change his heart just like that. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, ready to speak. But a commotion erupted nearby. A group of men and women rushed over. The girl in Adrian's arms turned pale, shrinking behind him, her voice trembling with plea. "Please, don't let them take me away." Adrian wasn't one to meddle, but in this moment, he didn't hesitate. He shielded her, glaring coldly at the group. "Stay out of this! She's my daughter, and I'm taking her home!" The leader, a fierce-looking man, roared at the girl behind Adrian. "Lily, get your ass over here! You quit college and ran away with stolen money? I'll beat you to death!" A blonde boy next to him chimed in. "Yeah, Sis. Why does a girl need so much education anyway? Just get married and bring in some dowry money. I need to find a wife." They echoed each other. A middle-aged woman, likely the mother, wiped her tears. "Lily, listen to your dad. Let's go home." Lily, face wet with tears, stubbornly refused to move. She shook her head, gripping Adrian's jacket. "I won't go back! I worked hard to get into college! I want my own life! I won't let you control me!" Lily's rebuttal enraged the father. Adrian had probably never met such unreasonable people. Just as he was about to speak, the man threw a punch. Adrian’s eyes widened, and he instinctively turned to shield Lily. The blonde boy rushed forward to grab her. Lily cried. The mother cried. In the chaos, someone shoved Lily, and she slammed into me. My arm throbbed with pain. I barely kept my balance. The blonde boy, swinging a metal rod recklessly, aimed it right at us. I could have dodged, but Lily was clinging to my arm, anchoring me in place. I watched helplessly as the rod came down. "Watch out!" Adrian saw it. He lunged toward us. I thought he was coming to save me. Until he reached out and pulled Lily away from my side. That was the moment I truly fell into the ice cave. The next second— The metal rod struck my forehead. Intense pain. Darkness. 3 When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. The smell of disinfectant was overwhelming. I struggled to sit up just as Adrian rushed in. He hurried to my side, reaching out to help me. "Chloe, the doctor said you have a mild concussion. You need to rest..." He froze mid-sentence when I slapped his hand away. I was a girl who had just graduated. When danger came, my boyfriend protected another woman. Of course I was angry. My head still throbbed. I would make that blonde kid pay. If my parents weren't vacationing abroad, they would have turned the city upside down by now. Adrian probably hadn't dared to tell them. As expected, he sat slowly on the edge of the bed. He began to apologize. "Chloe, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have failed to protect you immediately. But the situation was unique. That girl... she was in color. Chloe, do you understand? It was the first time I saw color. I was overwhelmed. I didn't react properly. I actually wanted to grab you, but I don't know why... I grabbed the color instead." Adrian's voice grew quieter, filled with immense guilt as he looked at me anxiously. "Chloe, I promise, this will absolutely never happen again." He sounded sincere. Tears welled in his eyes. Men don't cry easily. Especially Adrian, who had been mature since childhood. Except for when he was little and cried about not seeing color, he had always been strong. He reached out tentatively, touching my face. "Chloe, we're going to be husband and wife for a lifetime. I love you, and only you." I looked at Adrian. This man who had occupied my entire life. I loved him to my core. I wanted to be with him forever. If... I hadn't seen that text. Just as I thought this, new lines floated before my eyes: [The male lead is so devoted. Truly my favorite cold, abstinent hero.] [I don't know why the supporting female is mad. They're the official couple. Of course he protects the heroine in a crisis.] [Don't be fooled by his crying. According to the plot, the heroine is about to call him.] [Destined lovers vs. childhood friends. Even if the book isn't finished, I know who he'll choose.] I scanned the text without expression, then moved my gaze back to Adrian. We were childhood sweethearts, together for four years. I found it hard to believe he would abandon me in the hospital for a girl he just met. At least, until it happened, I wouldn't believe it. "Adrian." I called his name softly. He looked up quickly, eyes full of nervousness. "What is it, Chloe? Does it hurt? I'll get the doctor..." "I'm fine. Just hungry." I grabbed his hand and pointed to my stomach. "I want food. Will you go buy me something?" I’ve had a weak stomach since I was a kid. I was thin and picky. I couldn't go hungry, or it would hurt. Hearing this, Adrian looked serious. "Okay, I'll go buy it right now..." Before he could finish, his phone rang. I knew him too well. I knew every habit, every look in his eyes. He looked down at the screen, his eyes flickering with unnatural hesitation. The phone kept ringing. He stood there frozen, seemingly conflicted. I stayed silent. Thanks to the text, I knew who was calling. I just wanted to see what Adrian would choose. He frowned, as if making a decision, then pointed at his phone. Calmly, he said, "It's my assistant. Probably work. I'll take this, then go get your food." I nodded. I watched him take the phone into the bathroom. Less than thirty seconds later, he rushed out. Anxiety was written all over his face. He grabbed his jacket from the sofa, putting it on as he walked out. "Chloe, something came up at the company. I have to go back immediately. I'll have someone send food. Stay in bed and be good. Once I'm done, I'll come back to keep you company." With that, he was at the door, his voice fading away. Silence returned. I sat on the hospital bed, watching the boy who once belonged to me walk away. In the air, a few sparse lines of text appeared. [Actually, I think the supporting female is great too. The male lead seems too cruel doing this.] [But we all know how much he wanted to see color. The supporting female knows too, right?] Yes, because I knew, the cold pierced my bones. The Adrian who said he would be with me forever, who promised never to fail me. Indeed abandoned me without a second thought for the color he craved so desperately. I looked down, tears falling onto the quilt. No one likes to be abandoned. If he truly betrayed his vow, then I would choose to discard him first. 4 I sat in the hospital bed for a long time. The text flickered in and out, narrating the interaction between Adrian and Lily. [The male lead couldn't let the heroine go. Knowing her trash dad was bullying her again, he rushed to support her.] [The heroine is so pitiful, stuck with a family of vampires.] [Luckily she met the male lead. Only happiness from now on. No one can bully her anymore.] Reading about Lily's family, I hadn't forgotten why I was in the hospital. So I made two calls. First, to our housekeeper, Auntie Zhang, asking for food. Second, to my father's assistant, Mr. Liu. I suffered a calamity. The person who hit me should pay the price. The moment I hung up, the text exploded. [What is the supporting female doing? Using her family's power to go after the heroine's brother?] [Comment above, be reasonable. She was put in the hospital. Calling the police is standard procedure. Why the fuss?] [Heh, is it standard procedure or female jealousy trying to cause trouble for the heroine?] [So what if she calls the police? Now that the leads have met, this move will only push the male lead further away.] [Wanna bet?] [...] The lines flashed by quickly. I looked away. If Adrian tried to stop me from pressing charges because of Lily, then I would not only be disappointed, I would think he had brain damage. I liked him, yes. But if he was truly as the text described, even the strongest love would be exhausted.
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