“Uncle, you don’t look so good. What’s up with you?”
“…”
“Oh right, my mom said she helped you book a physical at the city hospital. Told you to find time and get it done soon. She also said that once men reach a certain age, their health starts to go downhill. And since you stay up late and use your brain a lot, you should really be careful.”
“…Shut up.” Veins bulged on Xie Dingyuan’s forehead.
Zhong Ziang shrugged innocently. “I’m just passing along the message. She said not to leave out a single word—had to repeat it exactly.”
Xie Dingyuan: “…”
At that moment, Aunt Liu came out of the kitchen, breaking the subtle tension between nephew and uncle. “Sir, young master, dinner is ready.”
Xie Dingyuan put down his documents and got up to head toward the dining room.
Zhong Ziang followed behind, practically beaming.
But his smile didn’t last long—
“W-what is this?”
Aunt Liu: “Carrot juice.”
“No, no, I’m not drinking that—” Zhong Ziang shook his head so fast it nearly came off. “I hate carrots. Aunt Liu, please take it away.”
“Uh…” Aunt Liu instinctively looked at Xie Dingyuan.
It was the sir who had asked her to prepare it. If it was to be taken away, he had to approve.
He didn’t.
“Well, since you just said older men tend to have health problems, why not start health maintenance early? Carrots are rich in vitamins B and C—perfect for you.”
Zhong Ziang looked like he was going to break down. “I-I can get vitamins from other foods. Doesn’t have to be this, right?”
Xie Dingyuan didn’t reply. He picked up his own glass of carrot juice and calmly drank it. One sip, then another…
Until the cup was empty.
At that point, Zhong Ziang knew—there was no escape.
Grimacing, he grabbed his glass, squeezed his eyes shut, tilted his head back, and downed it in a few gulps.
His body even gave a few involuntary shudders from the trauma. Finally, he declared, “Done!”
The torment ended.
“Mm.” Xie Dingyuan remained calm. “Eat.”
While eating, Zhong Ziang silently reflected: Did I piss him off recently?
Did I? Did I?
I don’t think so…
Then why is he doing this to me?
…
After dinner, Zhong Ziang couldn’t wait to run next door.
He’d finally gotten Jiang Fuyue to give him a chance—of course he needed to make the most of it and keep up his presence.
It was the perfect time to walk off dinner. And since they lived next door to each other—time, place, and people—all ideal.
“Where are you going?” Xie Dingyuan asked blandly.
“Just, uh, walking around the complex. I’m stuffed. Gotta digest.”
“Perfect. I’ll join you.”
“…Huh?”
Xie Dingyuan: “What? Was that hard to understand?”
Zhong Ziang: “N-no…”
And so, uncle and nephew strolled through the neighborhood under the rising moon in quiet serenity.
Streetlights cast their elongated shadows. Above them, a sky full of stars. From afar, it made for a pretty harmonious scene.
Unfortunately, Zhong Ziang couldn’t relax. His whole body was tense.
One step forward, two looks back.
Another step, more glances left and right.
Like an agitated monkey, scratching and twitching every few seconds.
“Uh… Uncle, you go ahead. I’m feeling hot. Gonna go change.”
“Stop—”
“…?”
“Inner peace cools the body.”
“…Oh.”
Five minutes later.
“Uncle, I’m thirsty. I’ll go back and grab a drink.”
“There’s a water station up ahead. Disposable eco-cups provided. Help yourself.”
“O-oh… this place is surprisingly thoughtful.”
Another ten minutes passed.
“Uncle, I think I’ve digested enough. I’ll head back now.”
“Perfect, I’m good too. Let’s go together.”
Zhong Ziang: “…?”
“Not going?”
“…Going!” he ground his teeth and forced himself to stay calm.
That night, the love-struck young man ended up missing his golden opportunity and never got to see the girl he adored.
Before bed, Zhong Ziang lay staring at the ceiling, a wild thought suddenly surfacing: Wait… could Uncle have done it on purpose?
Meanwhile, in the study, Xie Dingyuan sat behind his desk with company documents spread before him.
But he couldn’t read a single word.
Supporting his head with one hand, he gazed blankly into space.
A boy and a girl, standing face to face, a bouquet between them. A silent breeze drifted by, and their eyes met—this image replayed in his mind again and again.
The boy was confident and full of spirit.
The girl was youthful and beautiful.
They looked so harmonious, so well-matched—like a couple destined to be together.
Xie Dingyuan couldn’t help but wonder… If I were ten years younger, the same age as Zhong Ziang, wouldn’t I look even better standing next to her?
Realizing what he was thinking, he snapped out of it. Under the soft light, a frown formed between his brows and his eyes filled with quiet contemplation.
Zhong Ziang has already taken the first step. So… should I do something too?
As the night deepened, Xie Dingyuan left the study and returned to his bedroom.
Before bed, he read two academic papers as usual and even left notes in the margins.
Lights out. Sleep.
In his dream, he stood before a hotel entrance.
The transparent glass doors reflected his formal appearance—suit and bow tie.
Clearly, he was attending something important.
He passed through the revolving door—and suddenly the scene warped. The hotel lobby transformed into an open-air lawn.
Flowers everywhere. Ribbons fluttering. Balloons dancing in the breeze.
Then came the wedding march.
A couple approached from the distance.
With cheers and applause rising, they got closer, their faces becoming clearer.
It was Jiang Fuyue and Zhong Ziang!
They stopped in front of him.
Zhong Ziang held her hand and said, “Yueyue, call Uncle.”
The girl smiled like a blossom, her voice sweet and bright: “Uncle—”
Xie Dingyuan jolted awake.
He shot upright and wiped at his drenched forehead.
The next morning—Monday—Zhong Ziang had school. Xie Dingyuan sat in the car waiting after breakfast.
As the door opened, Zhong Ziang paused in shock. “Uncle, did you pull another all-nighter?”
Those dark circles were hard to miss!
Xie Dingyuan shot him a deep, unreadable look. Zhong Ziang felt his scalp tingle.
“…Get in.”
“…Okay.” Not asking. Not saying a word. Keeping my mouth shut.
They drove in complete silence to the school gates.
Zhong Ziang: “I’m off then!”
He jumped out, only to run right into Jiang Fuyue.
He called out, “Have you eaten yet?”
“Yeah.”
“Midterm results are out today. Did you get first again?”
Jiang Fuyue thought for a second and gave a modest reply, “Barring any surprises.”
Zhong Ziang: “…”
“What about you?” she asked.
“…Huh?”
“What rank did you get?”
“Well…” The academic slacker started to panic. “How would I know? Hard to say, hard to say…”
“There must be an estimate. If not, just take a guess.”
Zhong Ziang waved his hands. “Guessing’s too tiring, don’t you think?”
Jiang Fuyue: “…” Whatever makes you happy.
“Hey, wait up! Don’t walk so fast—those legs are too long…”
The girl’s ponytail swayed as she walked ahead, the boy clutching his backpack chased behind her.
In the sunlight, youth blazed bright and boundless.
And all of it was seen—through the car window—by a quiet pair of eyes.
Xie Dingyuan slowly looked away, facing forward.
“Drive,” he said to the driver.
…
10 a.m. sharp, the midterm honor roll was posted.
The hallway was packed with students, a ruckus erupting.
“Jiang Fuyue got first again. Not even surprised anymore.”
“No, no, that full score still shocked me—even if it’s not the first time.”
“Every time this happens, I just have to ask: What kind of brain does she have?”
“If you figure it out, let me know. I need to see if mine can still be upgraded.”
“Sister Yue lives up to the name—yet another full score.”
“What, you thought she’s called Study God for nothing?”
“Alright, she’s a shoo-in for city-wide valedictorian at this year’s high school.”
“Not just city—I bet she’ll take the whole province.”
“I’m not even surprised by most subjects. But math? She got a full score in math? That’s insane!”
“What about math?”
“You didn’t hear? This time the average math score for the entire grade was 49! A record low in the school’s monthly exam history. It was like a funeral in every classroom. I only got 90, just passed.”
“I got 92.”
“I got 73.”
“I got 21. Anyone worse than me?”
“…Yeah. I got 7.”
Everyone: “……”
