Chapter 1

I abandoned Lucas Song when he was at his poorest.

"Did you really think I enjoyed squeezing into a tiny apartment with you, living in poverty?"

When we met again, he had already become a wildly popular author and director.

Reporters swarmed to interview Lucas about the inspiration behind his masterpiece, "The Monster in the Apartment."

He looked past the crowd, his eyes meeting mine as he smirked coldly.

"The female lead in this book is indeed based on someone real. We had a brief connection once.

"However, she's dead now."

As the end credits rolled, the screen went dark.

The lights in the theater gradually brightened.

Quiet sobs could still be heard - many viewers hadn't yet emerged from the emotional impact of the film.

My friend Emma nudged me with her elbow as she wiped away tears.

"Aria, I'm so glad I dragged you to see this! I loved the novel, but I never expected the movie to be this good and moving!"

A complex mix of emotions churned inside me, but I held them back, not responding.

Today was the premiere of "The Monster in the Apartment."

The premiere was meant to generate buzz before the official release, with a select audience getting to watch the film a week early.

After the screening, the director, lead actors, producers and other key crew members would interact with the audience.

The host was preparing to take the stage, and the audience's attention quickly shifted, an air of excitement building.

But most weren't here for the lead actors.

The film's director and screenwriter, who was also the author of the original novel, Lucas Song, had far surpassed the two leads in fame.

Since publishing his debut work "The Monster in the Apartment," Lucas had consistently topped bestseller lists with his bold realism and gripping prose.

His subsequent works were also hugely popular with readers, cementing his status as a literary superstar.

With his handsome looks, female fans dubbed him "the genius author who doesn't rely on his face."

Lucas continued to break new ground, adapting his first blockbuster novel into a film. Even when just the trailer for "The Monster in the Apartment" was released, the hype was so intense that even those outside literary circles knew about it.

All these years, I had just been quietly following his career from afar.

I met Emma, who also grew up in Muyu City, while studying abroad. We returned to China together, and Emma's birthday happened to coincide with this premiere.

Since she was a devoted fan of the novel, I agreed to accompany her.

I clutched the premiere ticket tightly in my hand.

The host walked to the center, smiling as he began his opening remarks.

Media reporters in the front rows had already raised their cameras and microphones.

My mind went blank, my heart inexplicably racing.

It wasn't until Emma excitedly patted me that I realized the key crew members were entering one by one.

Excited screams erupted from the audience.

"Lucas is even more handsome than in photos!"

"I finally get to see my idol in person!"

I looked up.

My breath caught.

I spotted Lucas immediately.

Most of the camera flashes were focused on him.

He walked calmly to the center.

That handsome face now had an added air of coolness. His gaze was no longer as gentle as before, but calm like a deep pool.

If my previous impression of Lucas was gentle, sensitive, and passionate...

Cold, aloof, and distant would be all the words I'd use to describe him now.

Lucas nodded slightly to the media, casting a quick glance over the audience.

I was sitting in the back corner, unlikely to be noticed, so I let out a small sigh of relief.

The entire venue quieted at the host's cue, and reporters began interviewing the key crew members one by one.

The media's interest was entirely focused on Lucas. They only asked the male lead a few cursory questions before quickly turning their microphones to Lucas.

"Mr. Song, 'The Monster in the Apartment' tells the story of young men and women finding redemption in a run-down apartment. The descriptions and details feel so real that many people deeply relate to and are moved by it.

"So I'd like to ask, Mr. Song, are these experiences you've personally been through? Is the female lead based on a real person?"

The venue fell silent for a few seconds as everyone waited for Lucas's answer.

Suddenly, Lucas looked past the crowd, his eyes meeting mine.

My heart plummeted.

He stared in my direction, smirking coldly.

"The female lead in this book is indeed based on someone real. We had a brief connection once.

"However, she's dead now."

His words caused an uproar.

"Oh my god, so this work actually has a real-life inspiration? Does this mean the story is Lucas's way of commemorating this dead love interest?" Emma said.

I gave a bitter smile.

Only I understood Lucas's meaning.

In his heart, I had died completely that summer day long ago.