Years later, Eunha's brilliance and beauty made her the center of attention at Haneul Medical University.
Eunha Lin walked briskly across the sprawling campus of Haneul Medical University, her bag swinging lightly over her shoulder. The morning sun reflected off the glass windows of the modern buildings, highlighting the vibrant buzz of college life — students laughing in groups, rushing to lectures, and snapping photos for social media.
She moved quietly through the crowd, her presence naturally drawing glances. Eunha wasn't just beautiful; she was the kind of girl whose intelligence and elegance made people pause. But unlike many who thrived on attention, Eunha simply smiled politely and kept walking, her mind already focused on her schedule for the day.
"Eunha!" A familiar voice called, dragging her back from her thoughts.
Her small circle of friends waved from across the courtyard, all wearing cheerful expressions. There was Somi, bubbly and full of energy; Jihae, witty and sarcastic; and Minseo, quiet but observant, always protective of her.
"You look amazing, as usual," Somi said, tugging Eunha toward a bench. "So, tell us — any boys caught your eye yet?"
Eunha chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Not interested," she replied with a polite smile.
"Not interested?" Jihae exclaimed. "Come on, Eunha! You can't study all the time! You're in the best medical college in the city, but you need a boyfriend too. At least someone to… share your notes with?"
Eunha laughed lightly, the sound soft and melodic, brushing off the teasing. "I'm fine, really."
Her friends exchanged amused glances, clearly used to her calm resistance. But Eunha's smile hid a quiet truth: her heart had always felt a subtle emptiness, a space that no amount of friends, accolades, or family love could fill.
Speaking of family, her stepmother had called that morning, reminding her again to eat properly and not overwork herself. Eunha replied with her usual "yes, I will" and tucked her phone away, rolling her eyes lightly. Her stepmother was loving, but always hovering, and Eunha often longed for freedom — the kind she felt only in small moments of solitude, like she had felt back at the mountains years ago.
As she made her way to the lecture hall, a subtle shift in the crowd caught her attention. A new student had arrived, walking through the gates with an air that demanded notice. His hair was dark, almost shimmering in the sunlight, and his gaze, piercing yet calm, swept across the courtyard with uncanny precision.
Students whispered and turned to stare. "Who is he?" "He's so handsome…" "Is he a transfer?"
Eunha, however, felt a strange pull, an almost invisible thread tugging at her chest. She tried to ignore it, shaking her head. It was probably nothing — just another handsome boy.
But the moment lingered.
In the weeks ahead, she would soon learn that this boy, Lian Wu, was not just another student. He was the one whose presence would awaken memories she didn't yet understand, whose eyes would make her heart beat faster, and whose destiny had been intertwined with hers long before either of them had ever set foot in college.
And though she didn't know it yet, the boy who had once been a small, injured snake in her care had returned — reborn, human, and more dangerous than ever.