Nanli was unusually hot today.

Zhang Shu wore a black shirt over his black t-shirt. Zhang Sujin was quite displeased: “Are you going to a funeral?”

Zhang Shu belatedly realized it wasn’t quite appropriate. He had only thought about how whenever he wore black, Shengxia would look at him a few more times.

But today was special, so Zhang Shu changed into a white t-shirt with a blue shirt over it, casually rolling up the sleeves to his forearms. It looked clean and fresh, if a bit too casual.

Lu Zheng sent a car to pick them up. The driver communicated with Zhang Sujin in sign language, which slightly surprised Zhang Shu.

“Almost all his service staff are people with disabilities,” Zhang Sujin explained.

Zhang Shu raised an eyebrow – it was quite an interesting discovery.

When they arrived at the hotel, the Lu family was already there.

Lu Zheng had lost his parents, but he’d invited close uncles, aunts, and in-laws to preside. Lu Youze’s family was also present.

Ten to twenty people sat around a circular table dozens of meters in diameter, each carrying themselves with dignity and grace.

Compared to the large Lu family gathering, Zhang Sujin and Zhang Shu seemed rather small in number.

This was Zhang Shu’s first time meeting Lu Zheng face-to-face – his future brother-in-law looked somewhat frivolous.

When they shook hands, Zhang Shu secretly applied pressure, suddenly pinching the tiger’s mouth point. Usually, people would wince when caught off guard, but Lu Zheng’s expression didn’t change. He even used the handshake to pull Zhang Shu closer, patting him on the shoulder: “So this is Ashu, handsome!”

He took on the air of both an elder and a brother as if nothing had happened.

Zhang Shu released his hand – this man had some substance to him.

Everyone stood up to exchange greetings.

Lu Youze sat in his seat, calmly taking in the harmonious atmosphere.

His gaze fell on Zhang Shu.

Compared to how formally dressed the Lu family was, Zhang Shu seemed too casual.

But he had to admit, Zhang Shu didn’t look out of place in the elegant private room.

Someone in the class had once said that Zhang Shu looked expensive. He naturally carried a kind of lazy attitude, seeming not to care about anything, as if he had everything.

If you didn’t know his family background, many people meeting him for the first time would think he came from a wealthy family.

Both siblings were like this. Though they had nothing behind them, they walked as if backed by thousands of troops.

Just like now – Zhang Shu had probably never been to a place like this, but his gaze was steady, not wandering around. He didn’t have any small movements or glances, treating it no differently than walking into a classroom.

— Looking noble and wealthy without seeming to notice it.

“Cousin, your classmate is so handsome!” whispered the cousin beside Lu Youze.

Lu Youze replied expressionlessly, “Mm, he’s the school heartthrob.”

“Wow, then what about you?”

“Me?” Lu Youze suddenly smiled self-mockingly, “They call me the Crown Prince.”

“Haha, that’s true!”

Lu Youze glanced at his thoughtless cousin, “So if it were you, would you choose the heartthrob or the Crown Prince?”

“If you’re the Crown Prince, wouldn’t that make me a princess? Then of course I’d choose the heartthrob.”

Oh, is that so?

Perhaps. From ancient times to the present, princesses were never interested in crown princes. They always fell for poor scholars or palace guards – from novels to TV dramas, it was always the same.

The Lu family dinner had many rules. Lu Zheng introduced both sides and then the elders led three rounds of toasts, with increasingly lengthy toasts each time. Under the capitalists’ flowery words, it was hard to tell what was sincere and what was mere formality, but the atmosphere remained warm and harmonious throughout.

Zhang Shu couldn’t say he disliked it, nor could he say he enjoyed it.

This would be his sister’s future family – he didn’t seek to blend in but showed respect.

“So, Zheng, are you planning to get engaged first or what?” asked an elder from the head seat.

Lu Zheng put his arm around Zhang Sujin’s shoulders – the table was too large, requiring them to shout: “Whatever works, the sooner the better!”

It was Zhang Shu’s first time seeing his sister look so shy.

Lu Zheng finally said: “We’ll get our marriage certificate first, then hold the wedding after Ashu and Youzi finish their college entrance exams!”

You…zi?

Baby?

Zhang Shu nearly spat his drink across the table.

“Lu! Zheng! You dare call me that again?” Lu Youze was furious.

The table erupted in laughter.

“Youze, mind your manners, don’t speak to your uncle that way,” Lu Youze’s father Lu Cong said with a smile, raising his glass. “Whatever you decide, who can say otherwise? Let me congratulate you then. As for other preparations, leave them to your sister-in-law!”

The group discussed wedding customs.

No matter how wealthy the family, conversations eventually came down to children’s matters.

Academic performance was an unavoidable topic.

“Ashu is the top student at Fuzhong!” Lu Zheng praised.

This praise created awkwardness – how should Lu Youze, his classmate, respond?

Zhang Sujin squeezed Lu Zheng’s thigh.

“My, how impressive! I see the genes in Xiaojin’s family are remarkable!”

“Such a talented young man! Would you like to work at the group in the future, little brother?”

“You HR people, it’s becoming an occupational hazard! Already scouting high school students?”

“Hahaha…”

“Isn’t Youze going abroad to study business?”

Lu Youze’s mother said, “Yes, he’s going to the University of Pennsylvania.”

“That’s very impressive too! You can do your master’s at your uncle’s school later!”

“Our family is truly full of talent…”

“Indeed it is…”

After chatting for a while and another round of toasts, Zhang Shu excused himself to Zhang Sujin and found a moment to use the restroom.

Coming out of the restroom, he saw someone sitting in the courtyard – Lu Youze.

It was unexpected, but not particularly surprising.

When Zhang Shu first entered the private room earlier, Lu Youze already had that look of wanting to talk.

Had to say, capitalists had money to burn.

This hotel – having a bathroom inside the private room wasn’t strange, but having a tall courtyard in between with a tree that never saw daylight was pretty absurd.

There was an oddly shaped sofa under the tree, though that wasn’t anything novel anymore.

Zhang Shu mentally criticized this but didn’t particularly care.

He walked over and sat down on the other end of the S-shaped sofa.

This way, he and Lu Youze each occupied a curved section, like claiming separate harbors, not interfering with each other, but still in a straight line when they turned to make eye contact.

Oh, this was art.

“Do you think your sister will be happy?” Lu Youze spoke first.

Zhang Shu’s eyebrows suddenly furrowed as he turned to look, sharp blades in his eyes.

Lu Youze also turned his head, “I think she will be.”

Zhang Shu’s tense expression relaxed slightly.

Lu Youze continued: “Because the person she’s marrying is my uncle, is Lu Zheng, someone who was given free rein since childhood yet became strong enough to do anything effortlessly, someone whose decisions cannot be questioned, someone who can overcome all obstacles and silence all opposition as long as he wants something.”

Zhang Shu listened quietly, neither responding nor interrupting.

“Otherwise you wouldn’t see such a harmonious scene today. Your sister is very lucky because there aren’t many Lu Zhengs in this world.”

Zhang Shu could vaguely sense what he wanted to say.

Lu Youze: “But there aren’t many Lu Zhengs in this world.”

He particularly emphasized the word “but.”

Zhang Shu gripped his phone tighter and said deeply: “If you have something to say, no need to beat around the bush.”

Sometimes these kinds of conversations were annoying, having to dig from the bottom of the logic chain as if you couldn’t show any depth without discussing life philosophy.

But Lu Youze didn’t intend to be led by him, still speaking seemingly unrelated words: “When I saw you fighting in tenth grade, I thought it was wrong, so I told the teacher, thinking the teacher could help you return from your wayward path. I had no ill intent, this was what my education taught me was the right thing to do. But you thought solving problems with fists was perfectly normal, that’s what your upbringing taught you. Neither of us was wrong, but we ended up… opposing each other for over two years…”

“Later I changed my mindset, understanding everyone has their way of solving problems, so I didn’t mind your hostility too much.”

Zhang Shu interrupted him: “Even if you minded, what could you do? Could you out-argue me or out-fight me?”

“…”

“Indeed.”

Zhang Shu: “You don’t need to be so high and mighty, let me guess what you’re thinking. It’s just looking down on others, but trying to control yourself not to show it, thinking it would seem lacking in attitude, lacking in depth, lacking in sophistication.

So every time you watch with restraint, that attitude towards Hou Junqi of not arguing with fools… if you’d just argued a few times, would he still target you like that?

Who holds a grudge over one report for two years? You look down on everyone but pretend to treat all as equals, that’s what’s most annoying. You know there’s a phrase called ‘the cover-up is worse than the crime’?”

Lu Youze’s back stiffened, his eyes showing denial and defense.

Zhang Shu looked at him, suddenly understanding: “You’re so incredulous, you don’t think you’re like that, right? When you use a behavioral pattern long enough, it seeps into your bones.”

“But you’re right about one thing – neither of us was wrong, just different environments. So say what you want to say. I won’t curse at you today, won’t hit you either, just speak freely, let it all out.”

Lu Youze no longer met Zhang Shu’s gaze, “Talking it through makes me realize we’re even more different. How important upbringing and family conditions are is obvious. Just now I said there aren’t many Lu Zhengs in the world – you’re not Lu Zheng. How far apart are you and Shengxia? Can you bridge that gap? Your talent is strong and you work hard, you can change the future, but you can’t change the innate disparity.”

Shengxia.

After all that talk, finally, the key word appeared.

Zhang Shu laughed, “If you like her, go pursue her. Why waste words with me?”

Lu Youze: “Like I said before, I have no ill intentions, and I won’t pursue her. If our paths align, many things will naturally fall into place. I don’t deny that I like Shengxia, but I’m telling you this not to compete with you. I’m not interested in dating at this age, nor would I stoop to stealing someone else’s girlfriend. But dating Shengxia is like hitting a south wall – it’s not good for either of you. I’m telling you this… just stating facts.”

Zhang Shu was silent for a moment before saying: “People always have motives. When the motive isn’t presentable, they subconsciously deny it – that’s you, can’t you see it? You’re saying all this not for yourself, could it be for my sake?

As for the south wall – how do you know you can’t break through if you don’t try? You rich young masters put too much weight on risks, waiting for everything to fall into place naturally. But grassroots like me believe more in heaven rewarding the diligent, in fighting for what we want. Nothing is unattainable with all-out effort. If there is, it’s only because I no longer want it.”

“No,” Lu Youze retorted, “If there is, it’s because you know you can’t get it, so you convince yourself you don’t want it.”

“Yes,” Zhang Shu didn’t deny it, “But for Shengxia, up until now, and perhaps for my whole life, I’ll not want her.”

Lu Youze: “But she won’t easily commit to forever, and she won’t wait for you. She’s going to study in America – will you go too? Or are you planning to have a long-distance relationship for four or five years or even longer? You have no foundation, you’re even in completely different worlds. Are you so confident you can overcome that?”

As he finished speaking, Lu Youze saw a crack appear in Zhang Shu’s usually carefree expression.

“Her family is also having her prepare for UPenn, but she looks very unhappy. I hate to admit it, but I’m very jealous – she’s hesitating because of you.”

“You might be very capable, able to raise someone from below the first-tier university cutoff to twenty points above it in just two months, but so what? You’re going to Heyan University, right? Choose between Heqing or Haiyan, just those two options?

What about her?

Even if, taking a huge step back, she’s willing to stay in China for you, with her scores she could probably only get into one of the lower-ranked schools at Heyan. How does that compare to UPenn? And if she applies elsewhere, you’ll be in different cities. How long have you known each other? Can your relationship withstand that wear and tear? There’s nothing more to say about being in different countries.”

“This is your current situation. No path works. She could have better choices, she deserves better choices, but continuing like this, she’ll end up with nothing. You know that.”

You know that.

He did know.

He should have known.

Silence spread, and Lu Youze added: “Don’t make immature and selfish decisions, Zhang Shu.”

Zhang Shu suddenly stood up but didn’t speak. After half a minute, he said: “Are you done with your report, dear nephew?”

Lu Youze also stood up, taking a moment to process the address, somewhat speechless. After saying so much, he still had the mood to care about this. He angrily said: “Zhang Shu!”

Zhang Shu started walking away, leaving behind one sentence: “Alright, little one, uncle understands.”

Lu Youze: …

…

The lunch banquet ended before two o’clock, as punctual as if no one wanted to stay a second longer.

This didn’t match the harmonious atmosphere – with such apparent harmony, shouldn’t there be more drinks exchanged, more words shared, dragging into the afternoon?

But there wasn’t.

Outside the hotel entrance, Zhang Shu said something to Zhang Sujin and left first, not letting Lu Zheng’s driver take him.

He had planned to take a taxi, but after searching, he found the hotel was less than three kilometers from Yifang Bookstore. It was still early, so he decided to walk.

The alcohol made him drowsy, especially during the second half when he’d accepted both red and white wine freely. The wind made his head heavy.

The weather was beautiful, the sun blazing high, the Chinese Parasol tree leaves gleaming green. Walking in the tree’s shade, he heard her voice in his ears—

“The parasol trees at Nanli are Ashu being crafty!”

“Ashu, Ashu, Ashu…”

How could someone make his heart flutter just by calling his name?

That evening during self-study, she stood by the podium, saying to him: “Zhang Shu, the teacher’s calling you.”

Zhang Shu’s heart had skipped a beat then.

She didn’t know.

At that time, he hadn’t paid much attention either.

Many scenes he hadn’t paid much attention to before started playing on a loop in Zhang Shu’s mind.

Finally stopping at their first meeting.

Or rather, their second meeting.

For Zhang Shu, that was the first real meeting. What a pity he hadn’t properly looked at her during the bike accident.

The second meeting was at the bike shed in senior year.

Who would have thought that after half a year, every detail would still be so clear?

The purplish-red sunset clouds, the scorching evening wind, the rustling leaves…

Everything about summer was hot and noisy.

Only the panicked girl’s face was fresh and serene.

Like a glass of cucumber juice offered after intense exercise.

Relieving all stuffiness.

Zhang Shu suddenly laughed.

If this wasn’t love at first sight, what was it?

Fine, he admitted defeat.

Arriving at Yifang Bookstore, it was only two-thirty.

Zhang Shu wandered around the bookstore and saw that sunlit table from his dream.

In his dream, he had kissed her there until she was almost breathless.

Zhang Shu shook his head, the alcohol bringing a slight dizziness. He suddenly wanted candy, so he walked out of the bookstore and bought a lollipop from the newsstand across the street, along with a bottle of water.

Just as he was gulping down water, a familiar white electric scooter appeared in his vision.

Across the street, the girl stopped her scooter but didn’t get off. She checked her watch, seemed to think for a moment, then surprisingly turned around and left.

Zhang Shu sat on the low stool by the newsstand, unwrapping the lollipop.

The tree shade hid him in darkness, like a different world from the bright sunlight outside.

Zhang Shu felt an unprecedented sense of defeat and powerlessness.

From leaving the hotel until now, it had been stuck in his throat, seemingly about to burst forth.

Never before had he felt this way.

In his ears echoed his friend’s words from last night’s gathering.

“Sheng Mingfeng’s political achievements are very solid… at this age, he can probably rise higher… going up from there, he’d be someone ordinary people can only see through the news broadcast…”

“Would children of such status take the college entrance exam like us? I thought they all went abroad through connections…”

“I feel the same, if not now, they’ll probably go later, right?”

…

Zhang Shu’s mind was a mess of images and sounds. He crunched the lollipop, quickly pulled out the stick, bought another one, and put it in his mouth.

Holding it lightly, wrapped in a hint of sweetness.

Shengxia appeared again.

This time he saw clearly – she was wearing a dress.

A white dress, almost merging with her fair skin.

So beautiful.

Zhang Shu felt that using the world’s most beautiful words to describe her wouldn’t be excessive.

She was too wonderful.

His mind fuzzy, he even thought amusingly, had she appeared in his real life, or was she just a beautiful illusion in his youth?

That time after learning about Sheng Mingfeng’s identity, he thought:

So what?

He wanted to have her, wanted to possess her.

Perhaps there was some youthful rashness, but it was this rashness that made him realize that in all his life, no person or thing had ever made him so obsessed, bringing out a bit of arrogant overconfidence.

He watched her enter the store and sit down by that sunlit table near the window.

She kept checking her phone, pouted, looking unhappy.

She took out a pretty hairpin and pinned it by her ear.

Dazzling.

Ah, should he tell her that no ornament could outshine her?

His phone vibrated, and he opened it.

Without realizing it, it was already three-thirty.

Jasmine: “Where are you?”

His girl was waiting for him.

A date.

Had to say, some of Lu Youze’s words, though harsh, were realistic.

“You can change the future, but you can’t change the innate disparity.”

Yes, that’s why when he sent Shengxia home, he could only say a hasty goodbye from across an intersection.

While Lu Youze was approved by her mother, able to send her right to her doorstep.

This was the innate disparity.

“Your current situation is like this, no path works… continuing like this, she’ll end up with nothing.”

Zhang Shu wanted to look up at the heavens but above was only the dense parasol tree.

No one could give him the answer.

Was possession selfish?

Looking down, he typed.

“I’m sorry.”

Coward, delete.

“We can’t continue,”

Coward, delete.

“I need to think about this,”

He did need to think about it, but not like this. Delete.

He dialed a voice call.

He watched as the girl immediately answered.

They spoke simultaneously—

“Do you have…”

“Shengxia, you should go back first.”

There was silence on the other end for a moment, then came the girl’s mild voice: “Hmm?”

Zhang Shu: “I can’t meet with you today.”

Afraid he couldn’t control himself, afraid he’d go in and say irretrievable words, do irretrievable things.

She seemed confused for a moment, then said in a light voice: “Oh, that’s okay, you take care of your business first, I haven’t arrived yet anyway, so I’ll head back home?”

“Mm.”

Silly girl, how could there be such a girl, he, this useless person, was standing her up, yet she could still find ways to make him feel less guilty.

The call ended.

But Shengxia didn’t leave, and neither did Zhang Shu.

She sat there quietly, and dejectedly removed her hairpin, a server refilled her water and seemed to ask if she wanted to order. She ordered, spaced out, the food was served – Zhang Shu couldn’t see what it was, but he could see she didn’t touch it at all.

She found a book to read, and then sat there until the sunset glow filled the entire floor-to-ceiling window. She glanced outside, closed the book, packed up her things, and left.

Until her white scooter disappeared from view, Zhang Shu also stood up from the stool, bought his fifth lollipop of the day under the newsstand owner’s curious gaze, and turned to leave.

After an afternoon in the wind, most of the alcohol had worn off. Had he figured anything out?

No conclusion.

Still wanted her so much.

She wasn’t just a passing fancy for him.