Volume One: Mutation Chapter Two: The Grove of Willows

In a fitness club located in Xihu District, Hangzhou, a treadmill hummed steadily at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour. The display showed over forty minutes of exercise, yet the young man running seemed barely affected, his forehead only slightly damp with sweat as he continued, tireless and unwavering.

After a few more minutes, his phone, lying beside the treadmill, began to vibrate. He turned off the machine, picked up the phone, and, seeing the caller’s name, a faint, slightly helpless smile curled on his lips as he answered. “Hello?” The voice on the other end immediately erupted, “Bug, where are you? Listen, don’t forget what day it is—we agreed, you can’t stand me up!”

The young man responded, somewhat exasperated, “I know, I’ll be there on time tonight. And by the way, my name’s Liu Cong, not Bug.” Without waiting for a reply, he hung up.

Gathering his things, Liu Cong left the club, walking under the gaze of the receptionist toward a black Audi SUV parked outside. Its sleek, all-black body gave it a striking presence even at rest. He slid into the driver’s seat and, as he started the engine, caught sight of a charm hanging from the rearview mirror: a golden national emblem strung on a red cord, glinting brilliantly in the sunlight.

This charm was a gift from his father—indeed, the only gift his father had ever given him since childhood. Liu Cong lingered for a moment, catching the complicated cast of weakness and longing in his own eyes reflected in the mirror. He looked away, then drove back to his rented apartment.

Once home, he changed clothes and stepped into the shower. After a quick rinse, he towel-dried and began to blow-dry his hair. The young man in the mirror had fair skin and handsome, well-defined features that, far from appearing effeminate, radiated a sunny boyish charm—a face that naturally drew people in.

Yet Liu Cong stared back at his reflection with numb resignation, a touch of self-mockery in his expression. Who would ever guess that Liu Cong, who appeared so polished and came from a well-off family, had parents who divorced when he was young, and a father who died in the line of duty during Liu Cong’s final year of high school?

He’d once had a happy family: his father, a tall and dashing police officer; his mother, a beautiful, gentle music teacher. But because of work, his father was often away on the front lines of the anti-narcotics unit, sometimes gone for a month at a time. As his father’s missions grew more dangerous and his comrades fell one after another, his mother was left to manage daily life alone while living in constant fear for her husband’s safety. Her nerves grew ever more fragile.

Eventually, the tension exploded. Liu Cong’s mother, being gentle by nature, could no longer bear her husband’s life on the edge, his constant absences. She asked him to resign, hoping to spare herself the daily dread—not just the fear that he would never come home, but also the worry that vengeful criminals might come after her and her son. Liu Cong remembered it clearly: on his eighth birthday, his father rushed home for the occasion. That night, as he was about to leave, his loving mother, eyes brimming with tears, issued her ultimatum: “Liu Zheng! If you walk out that door today, we’re getting a divorce!”

From that day forward, their harmonious family ceased to exist. His parents divorced, and two years later his mother remarried. After his father died in the line of duty, Liu Cong was left alone.

Lost in thought, he glanced at the time—17:47. He changed into a casual suit, stood before the full-length mirror, and saw a tall, well-built young man of 1.8 meters, impeccably dressed, with striking features and tousled hair. If perfection were scored out of a hundred, Liu Cong would easily earn over ninety-five.

Time for a haircut, he mused, his calm gaze making it seem as though the radiant figure in the mirror was someone else. He left his apartment and drove to a restaurant near Jiangzhe University. The distance was short, and he arrived quickly, parking and entering a stylish eatery called Xiujin.

Because of its proximity to the university and trendy decor, the restaurant was bustling. Liu Cong approached the front desk. “Excuse me, how do I get to the private room named ‘Splendor’?”

The two young women at the reception were busy seating other guests. When they looked up and saw Liu Cong, their expressions turned a little dreamy. Noticing his amused look, one of them blushed and replied, “Second floor, second room on the left.”

“Thank you,” Liu Cong said, heading upstairs. Inside the private room, laughter and cheerful voices filled the air. “Bug, what took you so long? We’ve been waiting forever! It’s my birthday and you’re late—if you don’t drink with me tonight, I won’t let you off!” His childhood friend Jiang Hao called out as soon as he entered.

Jiang Hao had grown up with Liu Cong; their bond was as strong as brothers. “I’m only a minute late,” Liu Cong replied with a wry smile, scanning the room.

Apart from Liu Cong and Jiang Hao, the only other man in the room, there was a girl beside Jiang Hao—his girlfriend, Jiang Xiaowei, also a fellow economics major at Jiangzhe University. Jiang Hao was tall and handsome, and Jiang Xiaowei was a bona fide beauty. The other three young women were unfamiliar to Liu Cong.

Seeing Jiang Hao ready to continue his playful scolding, Liu Cong swiftly changed the subject. “Haozi, aren’t you going to introduce these lovely ladies?” Jiang Hao shot Liu Cong a surprised glance but still made the introductions. Liu Cong learned that Jiang Xiaowei’s friends were Hu Ke, Zhang Manman, and Chen Ru.

Hu Ke was a petite, lively short-haired girl exuding youthful energy. Zhang Manman and Chen Ru both gave a quieter, more reserved first impression.

The three girls, hearing that Liu Cong was single, perked up immediately—Hu Ke even exclaimed with excitement, and both Chen Ru and Zhang Manman’s eyes lit up.

Thanks to Jiang Hao and Hu Ke’s knack for sparking conversation, the meal flowed lightheartedly and with ease. Halfway through, Liu Cong went to the restroom. As he was returning to the private room, a clear, melodious voice called from behind him.

“Liu Cong, you’re eating here too?” With a resigned smile, Liu Cong turned around. Though he’d known her for a while, he was once again struck by her beauty.

Standing before him was a young woman with luminous eyes and radiant teeth, her delicate makeup giving her an ethereal, otherworldly quality. Standing at a striking height of around 1.7 meters, slim and elegant, she was a vision. She wore a white sweatshirt and black shorts, her long, slender legs drawing every eye. She was the kind of stunning beauty that compelled attention from behind and dazzled even more from the front.

“What a coincidence. You’re here too, Gu?” “Yes, our art club is having a get-together. Who are you here with, Liu?”

Noting that Liu Cong called her “Gu,” she responded with a hint of mischief in her large eyes beneath long lashes.

“Gu Yan, why aren’t you inside yet? I’ve been waiting ages!” A young man hurried over from a nearby room—Wang Kun, another art club member, though rumor had it his family had paid his way in for lack of ambition.

“Liu Cong, what are you doing here?” Wang Kun stared at him with open hostility, then turned to Gu Yan. “Gu Yan, let’s go in—they’re all waiting for you.”

“Go ahead, Wang Kun, I want to talk to Liu Cong for a bit. I’ll be in soon.” Gu Yan shook her head. Wang Kun, stymied, could only glare a warning at Liu Cong before returning to the private room.

Liu Cong remained unconcerned; Wang Kun’s attitude was irrelevant to him. “It’s my best friend’s birthday—I’m here to celebrate.”

Gu Yan’s eyes lit up. Liu Cong had become something of a legend at Jiangzhe University in just a year, known as the most handsome guy in the economics department. He’d stood out from the start of military training and soon became both a campus sports star and a top student—an irresistible combination that drew the attention of countless girls.

But he always remained aloof. Liu Cong never spent a night in the dorms, rarely spoke to classmates, and responded to any overture with a polite but cool, “Hello, may I help you?” His calm demeanor and distant gaze left many girls feeling unworthy and retreating in defeat.

This was the first Gu Yan had heard of Liu Cong having a best friend, and her curiosity was piqued. “A birthday party, huh? Can I come in and say hello to the birthday boy? Maybe wish him a happy birthday?”

Liu Cong looked at the faint blush on Gu Yan’s cheeks and sighed inwardly. He understood her feelings—and, truth be told, he felt something for her too.

He suppressed the stirrings of emotion; he had matters yet to face. If he survived, then, maybe, he could think about love. “Let’s go in together,” he said.

“Yay!” Gu Yan’s cheeks flushed, a silent cheer in her heart as she tried to maintain a calm facade, replying softly as if she hadn’t just let her composure slip.

Back in the private room, the others were stunned to see Liu Cong return with such a beautiful girl at his side.

Liu Cong was about to introduce her when Gu Yan’s eyes sparkled and she preempted him with a bright smile at Jiang Hao. “Hello! You must be Liu Cong’s best friend, right? He told me it’s your birthday, so I came to wish you well. You’re not going to turn me away, are you?” She fixed Jiang Hao with a pleading look, waiting for his response.

It was the first time a girl so beautiful had looked at Jiang Hao like that. Even his famously thick skin couldn’t withstand it—he stammered, “W-welcome. I’m more than happy to have you!” Then he glanced at Liu Cong.

Noticing that all eyes were on him, Liu Cong understood: everyone was waiting for an explanation. After all, Gu Yan’s sudden appearance had disrupted the familiar atmosphere.

Clearing his throat, Liu Cong began, “She’s my—” but before he could finish, Gu Yan raised her voice, “I’m his girlfriend!” Her announcement stunned everyone.

Liu Cong looked at Gu Yan in surprise. She lifted her head to meet his gaze, her beautiful eyes full of vulnerability and hope. In that moment, Liu Cong wavered. He thought of his late father, remembering how, on that fateful night, his mother had looked at his father with the very same expression.

When Liu Cong didn’t immediately respond, Gu Yan tugged gently at his sleeve, her only wish at that moment being for his answer.

The soft breeze from the air conditioner caressed Liu Cong’s face, and melted the last of his resolve. He turned to Gu Yan, and without a word, pulled the brave, lovely girl tightly into his arms.