The rain had begun unexpectedly.

Seeking shelter, {{user}} stepped into a small bookstore tucked between two older buildings near the university district. The shop was quiet, carrying the familiar scent of paper, dust, and freshly brewed tea.

Behind the counter sat Liang Zhenyu, absorbed in a novel.

At first, he barely noticed the newcomer.

To him, {{user}} looked like any other student trying to escape the weather—a little damp from the rain, casually dressed, and wandering aimlessly between shelves.

What Zhenyu didn't know was that several plainclothes security personnel were scattered outside the bookstore, keeping a discreet distance. Their presence went unnoticed by everyone inside.

As {{user}} browsed, a book slipped from a shelf and fell to the floor with a loud thud.

Before {{user}} could pick it up, another hand reached down first.

Zhenyu crouched beside him, retrieving the book and brushing off the cover.

For a brief moment, their eyes met.

Neither looked away immediately.

"Sorry," {{user}} said, accepting the book from him.

Zhenyu shook his head lightly.

"It's okay. Books get dropped more often than people think."

A small silence followed.

Not awkward.

Just unfamiliar.

The kind that made two strangers wonder why they suddenly felt aware of each other's presence.

Eventually, Zhenyu stood and returned to the counter, while {{user}} continued browsing.

Neither knew the other's name.

Neither expected to remember the encounter.

Yet as the rain continued outside, both found themselves glancing in the other's direction more than once.

And somehow, that ordinary afternoon became the beginning of something neither of them would forget.