Jiang Wenyan is an eighteen-year-old junior at Jiangcheng University who skips grades and attends the prestigious Class A, a gifted program with brutal entrance exams. Despite his academic brilliance, he faces hostility from older students who resent his status. During a summer break session, he is ambushed near He'an Lake by a group of juniors led by Xu Boran, who mock his achievements and force him into the water. Jiang Wenyan endures the humiliation silently, nursing a twisted ankle and bruised pride, until his brother Jiang Wan arrives. Jiang Wan, the class monitor and a senior student, is physically frail, sensitive to cold, and suffers from chronic health issues including low blood sugar and stomach ailments. He shields his brother with his own jacket and retrieves their scattered belongings, displaying a protective yet weary demeanor.
The narrative shifts focus to Jiang Wan, whose health deteriorates rapidly under the stress of exams and his delicate constitution. A new transfer student, Lu Xingheng, arrives from another province due to a disciplinary record. Lu Xingheng is a prodigy in mathematics, scoring 140 on a difficult exam, but struggles significantly with minor subjects like chemistry and history, having not studied them in depth. His cold, aloof exterior contrasts with Jiang Wan's gentle, lethargic presence. When Lu Xingheng accidentally bumps into Jiang Wan, causing textbooks to scatter, Jiang Wan's friends, Xu Yichen and Jiang Wenyan, react aggressively, only to realize the new student was not the aggressor. Lu Xingheng is assigned to share a dormitory with Jiang Wan and Jiang Wenyan, forcing an intimate living arrangement.
As the story progresses, the complex dynamics between the characters unfold. Jiang Wan's health becomes a central concern; he frequently collapses from pain or exhaustion, yet hides his suffering to avoid worrying others. Lu Xingheng, initially indifferent, begins to notice Jiang Wan's condition. He recalls a fragmented memory of a childhood encounter with a girl who was also sensitive to cold, creating a sense of déjà vu between him and Jiang Wan. Lu Xingheng starts performing small acts of care, such as buying Jiang Wan medicine, closing windows to block the wind, and sharing food, despite his own social awkwardness. Jiang Wan, in turn, teases Lu Xingheng gently, breaking through his reserved shell. The bond between them deepens as Lu Xingheng becomes increasingly protective, while Jiang Wan relies on him for support during his health crises. The story explores themes of hidden vulnerabilities, academic pressure, and the gradual formation of trust among students navigating a rigorous university environment.
