Chapter 48

She sighed, grasping for the words to explain, fidgeting under his scrupulous focus on her face.

“Linlin named me ‘Alice through the looking glass’ when we first became friends because she felt it suited me. It was a silly nickname that stuck, and I used it for a while when I didn’t want people knowing I was from the Lei family. You know how that can be. Now it’s my artist’s pseudonym, Alice Lin. A nod to Linlin, who pushed me to start selling my art.”

TangShi shrugged again, a habit borne of nerves and feeling hemmed in as her face blushed increasingly, and she was sure she must be pink right up to her temples. Avoiding his eyes, biting on her lower lip, and wishing he wasn’t this close to her when she struggled to stay calm.

YuZhi mirrored her mannerisms subconsciously, biting his lip and looking away for a moment.

“My father died. That night… A car wreck. It’s why I didn’t show up or know how to contact you. I didn’t forget; I just didn’t recognize you. Yo