“Wait… who’s that old man?” Zhong Ziang snapped back to his senses and turned to look at Yi Ci beside him.
“You’re asking me?” Yi Ci also looked in that direction. “How should I know? Probably some elder from her family? He looks like he’s up there in years…”
“Come on, let’s go say hi.” Zhong Ziang was already stepping out.
“Hey—” Yi Ci grabbed him back. “Isn’t that a bit much?”
“What’s wrong with it? You don’t have to come. I’ll go myself.”
Jiang Fuyue was someone he was chasing—of course he had to make a good impression in front of her elders. That was absolutely necessary!
He couldn’t be happier if Yi Ci didn’t tag along. What an idiot!
…
Ming Yu was the first to notice the teenager walking toward them.
Handsome, with long limbs and a basketball in his arms, the boy radiated youth and vitality.
“Hello, I’m Jiang Fuyue’s classmate,” the boy stopped in front of him, smiling with bright eyes. “My name’s Zhong Ziang.”
Ming Yu nodded slightly. “Hello.”
“Hey, aren’t you going to introduce me?” Zhong Ziang bumped Jiang Fuyue’s shoulder and whispered.
It was a familiar and somewhat clingy gesture.
Jiang Fuyue spoke openly, “My friend.”
Zhong Ziang froze for a moment. Friend?
Shouldn’t it be “uncle” or “maternal uncle” or something?
Friend?!
Jiang Fuyue was a high school student—where did she get a “friend” who clearly looked like someone with a ton of life experience?
Zhong Ziang’s mind raced, though his expression didn’t show it. “You guys are…?”
“Going to eat,” she replied.
“Then I—”
“This classmate,” Ming Yu suddenly spoke, “someone over there seems to be waiting for you.”
Zhong Ziang turned and saw Old Zhang stretching his neck next to a black Mercedes, looking around. When he noticed Zhong Ziang looking, he immediately smiled and waved.
Jiang Fuyue said, “You should head back. We’re leaving too.”
Zhong Ziang: “…”
What could he say?
Of course he slunk off with his tail between his legs.
“Take care then—be careful on the road,” he said, shooting a loaded glance at Ming Yu.
Jiang Fuyue didn’t understand.
Ming Yu just shook his head with a chuckle.
“Fuyue.”
“Mm?”
“I thought you were completely different now. But in truth, some things never change.”
“Like what?”
Ming Yu smiled. “You.”
He sighed lightly but didn’t elaborate.
You’re still just as lovable, but you don’t understand love.
Seeing Zhong Ziang, Ming Yu was reminded of his younger self.
Youthful infatuation—it just takes one look, and the girl becomes the white moonlight in your heart, the cinnabar mole on your chest.
“Ah Yu, did you dye your hair?”
The man chuckled. “You noticed that fast? Looks like it turned out pretty well.”
“Yeah, it looks good.”
“Better than that classmate just now?”
“You each have your own style. Can’t compare.”
“Which one do you like more?”
Jiang Fuyue thought for a moment and answered honestly, “They’re both okay.”
Ming Yu laughed.
He wasn’t upset—in fact, it felt just like her.
Someone who sees the big picture and surveys the world—how could she focus on just one flower or a single blade of grass?
The dazzling flowers could easily confuse the eye, but she sat high on horseback, looking down with calm disdain—that was the true scope of Lou Mingyue’s vision.
…
As for Zhong Ziang, he had gone over full of confidence and returned with his spirits deflated.
Yi Ci was still standing where he’d been, watching the whole scene unfold.
Though he couldn’t hear what was said, he could tell from Zhong Ziang’s mood that it hadn’t gone well.
“What, got shut down?”
Zhong Ziang didn’t reply.
Yi Ci took his silence as confirmation and chuckled. “Told you not to go, but you wouldn’t listen. Serves you right.”
“Shut up.”
“You—”
Zhong Ziang shushed him. “I’m thinking. Why are you yapping so much? You’re breaking my train of thought…”
“You? Thinking?” Yi Ci twitched. “So what did you come up with?”
“Who was that guy, anyway? He looked kind of familiar… What’s his relationship with Jiang Fuyue? The age gap is huge—he could be her dad. And she said he’s her friend?”
Yi Ci was confused too. “What are you mumbling about? You’re being weird.”
“You saw the guy in the wheelchair, right?”
Yi Ci nodded. “What about him?”
“Jiang Fuyue said that’s her friend.”
“Friend?” Yi Ci was surprised too. “He didn’t look young…”
“See? You think it’s weird too.”
“…A bit.”
“No way—I need to ask her again tomorrow. What if he’s some scammer or lowlife trying to trick her?”
Yi Ci didn’t take it seriously. “With a brain like hers, it’s already a miracle if she doesn’t scam others. And you’re worried someone’s scamming her?”
Zhong Ziang scratched his head, conflicted. “You’ve got a point…”
Just then, Old Zhang came over and called out, “Young Master.”
There was a hint of urging in his tone.
“Uncle Zhang, coming. Let me say a few more words first.”
Old Zhang glanced toward the car, looking a little awkward.
Zhong Ziang immediately realized. “My uncle’s here?!”
Old Zhang nodded. “Yes, sir is in the car.”
Zhong Ziang instantly dropped everything and got into the car obediently.
Xie Dingyuan was reading an English physics journal. When he heard the door open, he didn’t even look up and said mildly, “What took so long?”
“Ran into a classmate. Went over to say hi.”
Normally, this was where the conversation between nephew and uncle would end.
Xie Dingyuan wouldn’t ask further—at most he’d give a quiet “Mm” to show he got it.
And Zhong Ziang wouldn’t elaborate.
But today—
Xie Dingyuan asked, “A male or female classmate?”
“Huh?” Zhong Ziang didn’t get it at first, then answered, “A girl.”
“Jiang Fuyue?”
“Yeah yeah! I saw her with a guy—she said he was her friend. It felt off.”
“A guy?” Xie Dingyuan’s eyes darkened.
“Yeah, in a wheelchair. Jiang Fuyue even pushed him, and they were heading off to eat.”
No sooner had he said it than Zhong Ziang saw his uncle snap the journal shut and stick his head out the window, scanning the surroundings.
“She’s still there?”
Zhong Ziang: “Huh?”
“Where’s Jiang Fuyue?”
“She was just back there… wait, huh? She’s gone? Must’ve already left.”
Only then did Xie Dingyuan sit back, his face noticeably colder.
“Uncle, you seem… kind of anxious?”
Xie Dingyuan looked up and met his nephew’s suspicious gaze. He didn’t flinch. “Jiang Fuyue was in my research group. At the very least, we’re friends. If it’s as you say—her going off with some strange man—it could be dangerous.”
“I warned her. She said she knew.”
Xie Dingyuan: “Mm.”
Zhong Ziang: “But she seemed to trust that guy a lot. They’re probably pretty close. And judging by his clothes, behavior, and speech, he doesn’t look like a bad person. Shouldn’t be an issue.”
“What’s his name?”
Zhong Ziang thought hard. “Uh… forgot to ask.”
Xie Dingyuan: “…Old Zhang, drive.”
“Yes, sir!”
…
Jiang Fuyue took Ming Yu and Zhong Hao through the back entrance of Jiang Ji Private Kitchen. Under Cao Dou’s guidance, they were led to a private dining room.
Soon, dishes began to arrive.
Zhong Hao thought the lunch earlier was already a peak culinary experience. But dinner turned out to be even more incredible!
So good, in fact—
He almost swallowed his tongue!
The two things he said the most all evening:
“I’ve never eaten this before! Never had that either!”
“So good!”
Even Ming Yu had a second bowl of rice.
After the meal, Jiang Da—who had just finished a busy wave—came in to say hello.
“Hello, I’m Jiang Fuyue’s father.”
“Hello, my name is Ming Yu.”
He instinctively used an honorific.
Jiang Da panicked a little. “No need… We look about the same age. No need to be so formal.”
Ming Yu: “…”
Another jab to the gut.
“Where are you staying?” Jiang Fuyue asked as they were leaving.
Zhong Hao named the hotel.
“It’s close, just around the corner. Want to walk?”
Ming Yu nodded immediately. “Sure.”
So, Jiang Fuyue pushed his wheelchair under the glow of colorful neon lights. They walked and chatted.
Zhong Hao tactfully hung back, giving them space to talk.
Ming Yu said, “Fuyue, you don’t need to push me. It’s electric—I can steer it with the joystick.”
Jiang Fuyue laughed softly. “Then why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“You knew and played dumb. I saw you wanted to push, so I didn’t say anything. Now what, trying to play the victim?”
“You’re the one playing the villain!”
He chuckled lowly.
The laugh melted into the breeze, spreading and fading.
“Fuyue, are you happy now?”
Jiang Fuyue let go, letting him steer himself, and walked beside him, eyes straight ahead. “Yeah, I’m doing pretty well.”
“Compared to before?”
Thanks for the updates!!💕