That day, a youth rushed impetuously to the Yan household.

“Beautiful one, don’t be angry! I’ve already beaten up Chen Juan for you, that damn crossdressing homewrecker!” The handsome dark-skinned youth in a black T-shirt spoke earnestly to the silent figure on the sofa, his expression serious.

Yan Xi looked up and burst out laughing: “Did you beat him up, or did he beat you up?”

This foolish child’s face was patched with blue and purple bruises, his lip was swollen, and his neck bore several clear bloody scratches, looking like a painter’s palette.

Xin Dayi grabbed his black hair, grinning foolishly: “Hehe, never mind about that, just know that I’ve taken revenge for you!”

Yan Xi gazed at the youth’s face – clean, upright, and transparent. After a moment, he pondered and smiled: “Dayi, in this world, are there more people like you, or more like me?”

The youth was stunned, frowning in thought before answering honestly: “If we’re talking about looks, it’s really hard to find someone who looks like you; as for personality, there are even fewer people as domineering and bullying as you.”

“Damn you!” Yan Xi laughed, throwing his cushion at him.

In front of the Yan house stood a banyan tree, planted by Old Master Yan himself for his grandson’s first birthday. It had grown for over a decade and remained very luxuriant.

In recent years, the old man had gradually relinquished his military duties. With time on his hands at home, he had someone build a stone chess table under the banyan tree. At dusk, he often engaged in intense chess matches with his old comrades and war buddies.

Ah Heng loved the look in those old men’s eyes while playing chess – wise, unbridled, and broad-minded, a nobility brightened by countless medals of merit.

Such souls, to her, could only be interpreted with complete admiration. So whenever she encountered them, she would always quietly watch for a long while.

Old Master Yan teased her: “I see you really like this stone chess table. Why not become our Xiao Xi’s wife, marry into our family, and you can hug it and look at it all day!”

Ah Heng would blush, stammering wordlessly, only looking around, terrified that Yan Xi might accidentally appear and hear it – she truly wouldn’t be able to live it down.

Old Xin laughed at Old Yan: “When did Xiao Xi become so hard to marry off that you need to work so hard at matchmaking? Aren’t you afraid old Wen will scold you for picking on his granddaughter?”

Old Master Yan glared: “What do you know! This child’s honest and gentle nature – you won’t find another like her even if you search through our army’s entire performing arts troupe. Sure, there are plenty of pretty girls, but none so rare as this.”

Old Xin laughed and cursed: “Bah! Don’t pretend you have good intentions, you’re just taking advantage of the girl’s gentleness to accommodate your little tyrant.”

This scene seemed to still dance vividly in her mind, but since Old Master Yan’s departure, the chess table had been empty for a long time.

“Ah Heng, what are you spacing out about?” The youth sitting on the stone bench tilted his head and asked her.

Ah Heng gently straightened the youth’s head: “Don’t move around.”

The same soft tone, yet somewhat cold.

Ah Heng wrapped a large towel around the youth’s neck, tying it loosely, her gaze complex as she looked at the youth’s black hair.

These past few days, Yan Xi’s scalp had been red and inflamed. The doctor suspected it was folliculitis caused by chemicals in the hair gel. Fearing damage to the hair roots, he instructed the youth to shave his head, apply medicine daily, and wait until fully healed before growing his hair back.

Yan Xi had agonized over it for several days, refusing to go to a barbershop, and finally let Ah Heng cut it at home.

Ah Heng felt like a mobile universal toolbox – though not an expert at anything, she knew a little bit about many things. For instance, car repair; for instance, cutting hair.

Her head tilted toward the sunset, her hand lightly touching the youth’s hair. The flooding evening light carried a soft, warm breath that gently embraced her palm as if filling something.

Ah Heng squinted, slowly searching for the youth’s hairline when she noticed the small whorl at the crown of his head. In childhood, she often heard elders say this was the “wisdom bowl,” where intelligence grew. Surely, Yan Xi’s head full of clever mischief must have come from here.

Yan Xi laughed out loud: “Ah Heng, Ah Heng, have you been captivated by my hair, unable to bring yourself to strike the fatal blow?”

See, this narcissism must have grown from that little nest too. She sighed helplessly, looking around for the scissors, when a white jade-carved hand reached forward from the front: “Here.”

When had she become so careless, letting him take them again…

Ah Heng took them, the silver scissors passing from the youth’s palm, still carrying his body temperature – a weak warmth within powerful coldness.

Wrapped in the large towel, Yan Xi quietly gazed at the big banyan tree, looking docile.

He was always suspicious of her, evident in countless small ways. He struggled with how to treat her, this neighbor girl, yet taught the neighbor girl how to treat him. In this relationship, who had it harder?

She stood behind him, slightly tilting her body, watching bit by bit as the scissors wove through the sea of black hair. Slowly falling was a ground full of hair fragments.

“Ah Heng, my hair grows very slowly.” Yan Xi spoke, his voice somewhat downcast.

“This length…” Ah Heng compared her hand to his neck.

“Probably take several tens of thousands of years.” Yan Xi said absurd words in a serious tone.

“Nonsense.” Ah Heng frowned.

“Ah Heng, sometimes I feel you’re very unlike a woman.” Yan Xi slightly squinted his dragon-like large eyes, light suddenly flashing, “Otherwise, how could I see you and not be afraid!”

Women, what was there to be afraid of? What strange words. She ignored him, treating it as the alien language spoken during one of the youth’s episodes.

But much later, she privately grieved, wondering why she hadn’t asked for clarification.

In this world, how many confessions come without precursors? At that moment, he had opened his heart, wanting to seriously trust her, wanting a reason to walk out of darkness, but she let him miss the chance in vain…

What was she doing then? Just clumsily concentrating on battling with Yan Xi’s full head of black hair, even troubled by his previous suspicion and doubt, not wanting to pay attention to his words.

After another long while, the youth’s hair had been significantly thinned.

“Ah Heng, if Si Wan and I fell into the water, who would you save first?” Yan Xi asked languidly, bored.

Such a tedious question.

“Si Wan.”

“Then what about me and Dayi?” The youth’s ears perked up.

“Dayi.”

“Me and Lu Rou Fan?!” His voice began to carry resentment.

“You.”

Yan Xi suddenly turned his head, his large eyes staring reproachfully at Ah Heng, startling her into quickly withdrawing the scissors, afraid of pricking him.

“Ah Heng, though I know Si Wan is your blood brother and you’ve always gotten along well with Dayi, you don’t need to be this honest!”

Ah Heng lowered her head, looking back at the youth, feeling a sense of looking down from above. After watching for a while, seeing that face too perfectly beautiful, those eyes too pure and clean, that mouth pouted too high, she burst out laughing.

She couldn’t bear to see Yan Xi’s wronged expression, preferring his arrogant, above-it-all manner.

So she compromised, and laughed, feeling the cold war was like playing tug-of-war with him. Tears were the starting point, the smile naturally became the endpoint.

“Since you already know, why say it?” Ah Heng looked at him, her eyes full of tenderness and helplessness, “This way, you’re even more honest than me.”

Yan Xi pouted, following Ah Heng’s movements, slightly lowering his neck, muttering softly: “You’re the one who wanted me to be honest ya ya ya…”

He repeated endlessly, endlessly complaining, just thinking how his sincere apologetic attitude hadn’t been noticed by her. Then, his compromise, so readily agreeable in letting her cut off his hair, what was that for?

“I’d grown it for so long.” He reflexively spoke softly and willfully, yet completely forgot how long was “so long,” and when this “so long” had begun.

Ah Heng froze, after a while, realizing something, her face slightly reddened, feeling very frustrated.

These days, she had unconsciously followed her temperament, forcefully imposing her hidden emotions onto others, losing control like this, so… troublesome.

“Yan Xi, I’m very sorry. These days, I’ve been so willful.” She stammered, feeling guilty.

The youth nodded: “Yes yes, so willful, making such an ugly face even when helping me heat milk, so ugly!”

The three words “so ugly” mimicked Ah Heng’s passionate tone from that day.

Ah Heng felt awkward, lightly coughing, averting her gaze.

But suddenly, he smiled slyly again, turning slightly to fully embrace that stunned-faced neighbor girl.

“Ah Heng, I don’t like women. But, in this lifetime, this is the first time I’ve so willingly hugged a girl, so you see how fortunate you are.”

Ah Heng was at a loss, her body stiff. After a while, she relaxed, patting the youth’s shoulder, clear and gentle laughter flowing slowly through the pure landscape.

“You’ve never really seen me as a woman, have you?”

“Yes yes, you’re my little brother after all.”

“I know, I know, it’s so hot!” Ah Heng pretended to be disgusted, gently pushing the youth away, and straightening his posture.

“What are you doing?” A familiar voice came from afar.

Ah Heng turned her head to see Si Wan, his expression somewhat uncomfortable, his eyes uncertain, scanning back and forth between Yan Xi and her.

Because Si Wan and Xin Dayi had noticed something off about the atmosphere between her and Yan Xi, they had both been tactful enough to stop coming to Yan’s house for food and drinks. Ah Heng hadn’t seen them for many days.

Yan Xi slightly raised his head, seeing the hardcover books in Si Wan’s hands: “Been to the library?”

Si Wan nodded, his expression displeased: “You two were…”

Yan Xi lowered his head, fingers gradually pressing against his palm, slowly placing them on his knee: “Take back all those thoughts of yours.”

Si Wan stopped his bicycle, standing firm: “Yan Xi, you know very well, I’m just worried…”

He smiled, but his eyes held only a shallow black haze: “So, planning to remind me three times a day?”

The floating voice gradually softened, falling into someone’s heart, and becoming a branding iron.

“Brother Yan Xi…” Si Wan’s expression instantly became extremely ugly, frozen in place.

Ah Heng held the scissors, listening in confusion.

Had Si Wan misunderstood her recent actions with Yan Xi?

After a while, she wanted to explain, but Yan Xi softened his tone, slightly closing his eyes, his voice mockingly sharp.

“Si Wan, you only call me brother when you make me angry.”

“Yan Xi!” He was truly angry now, his eyebrows knotted into a mass as if tied in thousands of knots.

“This level of provocation makes you angry?” Yan Xi spoke coolly.

“You!” Si Wan was choked with anger, furiously kicked the banyan tree, hugged his books, pushed his bicycle, and turned to leave.

Ah Heng was startled. When had she ever seen Si Wan treat Yan Xi like this? It was unspeakably strange.

“Ah Heng, see how much your brother cares about me?” Yan Xi pointed at his much shorter hair, muttering softly, “He can’t even see this and dares to lose his temper, harboring random suspicions, such a child…”

A child?

Only in front of you.

Ah Heng pondered briefly, thoughts drifting far before she could grasp them, not pretending to understand completely. Because this had nothing to do with her.

Finally finished.

The youth’s hair was now cut short and neat, making him look much more handsome and refreshing, his eyes appearing larger and clearer than usual.

Ah Heng sighed in relief, at least it wasn’t hard to accept. According to Yan Xi, he hadn’t had a bare head since he was two years old.

The next day at lunch, an unexpected guest arrived.

“Why are you here?” Ah Heng saw Yan Xi go to open the door, but when there was no sound from the entrance for a while, she went to look and found that Rosemary had come.

“Don’t ask the same question as Yan Xi.” This youth had already changed back to men’s clothing.

A fresh light purple T-shirt, and white casual pants, his face even more beautiful than when dressed as a girl – now with a boy’s heroic spirit and angular features rather than the deliberately affected feminine charm.

However, standing at opposite ends with Yan Xi, the tension was palpable.

“What, afraid I won’t hold a grudge, especially coming over to make sure I don’t forget?” Yan Xi glared with his large eyes, his gaze as if wanting to kill Mary, teeth audibly grinding.

“Yan Xi, if I said I came specifically to apologize, would you believe me?” Chen Juan rubbed his nose, rippling with charm, speaking sheepishly.

“Do you think I’m stupid?!” Yan Xi looked at him strangely.

“Don’t believe it.” Ah Heng was crisp and direct, smiling, preparing to close the door.

“Wait, wait, wait…” Chen Juan’s beautiful face wore a stiff smile, his slender hand blocking the door, “We’re classmates after all, must you be so heartless?”

“Fine, since we’re classmates, let’s not say more – kneeling to apologize or committing seppuku, take your pick.” Yan Xi smiled without humor.

Rou Si took a step back, breaking into a cold sweat.

Ah Heng pondered, remembering something, speaking as if discussing the weather: “Have you eaten lunch?”

“No.” Chen Juan was also clever, his phoenix eyes brightening at these words as he smoothly squeezed into the entrance.

Yan Xi wore a sour expression, but after glancing at Ah Heng, didn’t explode, just silently returned to his seat, using his spoon to dig heavily into the rice and spare ribs, dig, dig, dig… When Rou Si reached for meat, he grabbed the plate; when Rou Si drank soup, he grabbed the bowl; when Rou Si ate rice, he grabbed… the rice cooker.

“Our food’s gone, you can get lost now!” The youth’s mouth was stuffed full, not a grain of rice left in his bowl, his big eyes gleaming as he glared at Chen Juan.

Chen Juan stared in amazement, completely astounded.

Ah Heng found it amusing – just moments ago he had shown a man’s magnanimous tolerance, but couldn’t keep it up for long before a child’s resentment was completely exposed. He had tried his best.

She pressed her lips together, her smile like a spring flower as she rose to ladle some spare rib soup from the kitchen, handing it to Yan Xi: “Drink your soup before speaking.”

“Ah Heng, I’m tired of drinking spare rib soup, can we have spicy spare ribs tomorrow…” the youth complained while drinking.

Ah Heng smiled and shook her head: “No. You can’t eat spicy food, your scalp will get inflamed.”

Chen Juan couldn’t help interrupting: “What’s wrong with Yan Xi’s scalp?” He had been completely thunderstruck upon seeing Yan Xi’s new hairstyle.

Ah Heng looked at Chen Juan expressionlessly, speaking flatly: “Used poor quality hair gel, got dermatitis.”

Rou Si was embarrassed, closing his mouth.

No wonder it was cut so short, but the whole world could testify that he hadn’t sabotaged anything at the salon.

“Full now, Rou Si?” Yan Xi wiped his mouth after finishing the soup, his big eyes immediately glaring at Chen Juan, impatiently waving his hand, “Get lost, get lost!”

“Hurts our classmate friendship.” Rou Si rubbed his nose, shrugging.

Ah Heng maintained her composure, smiling clear as mountain streams: “Yan Xi, go wash your hair first, it’s time to apply for medicine.”

“What hair is there left?” Yan Xi touched his head woefully, the prickly crew cut. But he still obediently got up, his big eyes glaring hostilely at Chen Juan as he bent to whisper in what he thought was a quiet voice in Ah Heng’s ear: “Ah Heng, drive him away!”

Chen Juan’s lips twitched slightly. Speaking so loudly, was it meant for him to hear, or… meant for him to hear…

“Mary, what do you have to say?” Once Yan Xi left, Ah Heng immediately dropped her smile.

Chen Juan burst out laughing: “Ah Heng, you’ve hit me, scolded me, what, still not satisfied?”

Ah Heng spoke seriously: “Mary, I’m just an outsider, you don’t need to do this. Yan Xi has a childish temper, he may not have taken you to heart.”

“I know.” Chen Juan raised an eyebrow.

“Then you?” Ah Heng looked at him calmly.

“Ah Heng, if I said I like you and Yan Xi, have always wanted to be your friend. Could you believe me one more time?” Chen Juan looked somewhat awkward.

Ah Heng was surprised, looking back at him unsure how to answer. Suddenly, her keen ears caught, along with the rushing water from the bathroom, that youth’s off-key howling song.

Ah, truly not giving people a moment’s peace.

Ah Heng sighed helplessly, her gaze turning toward that distant sound, softening. She lowered her head, withdrawing her gaze, speaking softly: “Chen Juan, you’re fifteen this year, two years younger than Yan Xi, right?”

Since that day, after scolding Chen Juan so loudly, regardless of how well she spoke Mandarin, she seemed to have become willing to speak actively.

Chen Juan was stunned, nodding.

“Chen Juan, although Yan Xi is a bit older than you, his world is so narrow. Besides Si Wan and Dayi, he doesn’t have many close friends. Do you understand this?” Ah Heng gently tapped her finger, asking mildly.

Chen Juan nodded again, hiding the smile on his face, listening carefully.

“Then, Chen Juan, Yan Xi never speaks to people he doesn’t like, doesn’t easily argue with people outside his friends, and doesn’t trust anyone besides his friends. Do you know this too?”

Ah Heng raised her eyes, her tone consistently gentle, but her gaze grew complex.

Yan Xi had always considered Chen Juan a true friend.

Chen Juan was shocked, smiling bitterly: “I’m sorry.”

“Chen Juan, I’m a bit older than you, so I’ve eaten more salt. Although I grew up in a small place and don’t understand profound things, I do know that when you like someone, even if you can’t be with that person, even if you can’t give your blessing, you should still be clear and upright, not doing things that hurt the heart. You’re young, and still have time to regret, but when time passes, where will you go to make amends?”

Chen Juan sighed softly: “Ah Heng, I understand what you’re saying now. But at that time, I was so unwilling to accept it, even to calm down needed time…”

Ah Heng didn’t interrupt, quietly watching him.

“There’s always something in Yan Xi’s eyes that makes it hard for people to let go.” Chen Juan sighed.

“What?” She pondered but didn’t interrupt him.

“Purity and innocence. I pride myself on my looks being second to none, but seeing Yan Xi’s eyes makes me very unwilling to accept it, almost jealous.” Chen Juan described, his eyes as showing complex, intertwined emotions.

“That person is the reason for my hostility toward Yan Xi. I thought no one could be worthy of him, for me, just humbly loving and believing was enough. But Yan Xi’s existence is as powerful and equal as that person’s. It seems when they stand together, one perfect to the point of loneliness, one lonely to the point of perfection, that should be the true appearance of compatibility and matching.”

“Why tell me these things?”

Chen Juan smiled: “Ah Heng, can’t you tell? I’m seeking your comfort. People who’ve lost in love are fragile, aren’t they?”

“Are you going to run and cry too?” Ah Heng smiled slightly, feeling somewhat relieved. She knew these words meant Chen Juan had finally let go.

“Huh?” Chen Juan froze, “Who would be so tasteless?”

“Dayi.” Ah Heng pressed her lips together, remembering how Dayi had grieved over the youth before her.

Chen Juan suddenly stood up, laughing exaggeratedly, reacting intensely: “Right! Xin Baboon is just such a tasteless man, so embarrassing, hahaha…”

“Do you need to be so excited?” Ah Heng smiled faintly.

She admitted her mischievousness, deliberately evoking some subtle memories in Chen Juan’s heart, touching his weak spot.

Chen Juan’s face reddened: “Who’s excited? Ah Heng, I’m only telling you as a friend, that baboon has no gentleman’s manner at all. Facing someone as beautiful as me, he dared to bite me, if Si Wan hadn’t stopped me, this old lady would have bitten him to death!”

“You could call yourself ‘old man.’ ‘Old lady,’ just forget it.” Ah Heng laughed lightly.

Moreover, your teeth had already left Dayi’s mouth in quite a mess.

Ah Heng smiled softly.

Some relationships seemed predestined, only this person hadn’t yet seen it.