The next day, Lin Yiran distributed all the bread and cookies that Qiu Xing had bought to the children, keeping only the tea bags.

Her senior colleague said, “Qiu Xing went to so much trouble to bring those up for you, and you’re so generous, giving everything away.”

Lin Yiran shook her head with a smile and said confidently, “He doesn’t mind.”

“If it were my boyfriend, he’d be a little petty and think I didn’t value his thoughtfulness,” the senior sighed. “Though he probably wouldn’t buy so many things, just one or two, so I wouldn’t have anything to share anyway.”

Lin Yiran had never thought about it that way. It was true that Qiu Xing had gone to considerable effort carrying the bag up the mountain for her, and it was also true that he wouldn’t mind at all that she gave everything away.

This was the environment she was in now. Here she was a teacher, and there were many poor children around. Qiu Xing wouldn’t care about such things.

Lin Yiran had kept something for herself—she had hidden a small cheese bun that she was saving for Jinjin.

When Jinjin came to school in the morning and saw Qiu Xing, she first froze, then called out softly, “Uncle Qiu.”

Qiu Xing passed by, casually pressing his hand on her head as an acknowledgment.

Jinjin had never been a particularly outgoing child, and now she was even quieter than before.

A sensitive girl boarding in someone else’s home could only become more introverted, more sensible, and less talkative.

Like a soft-bodied creature hiding in its shell, she kept to herself, reluctant to actively engage with the world.

After school in the evening, Lin Yiran kept Jinjin behind and called her to her room like they were sharing a little secret.

She put the cheese bun in Jinjin’s hands and made a cup of milk tea.

Jinjin gently pushed it back, saying, “Teacher Xiaozhou should eat it.”

“Jinjin should eat it,” Lin Yiran said, stirring the milk tea. The sweet, rich aroma spread throughout the room, filling the small evening space with a gentle, sweet fragrance that extended with the warm yellow light.

Jinjin carefully opened the wrapper, pinched off a tiny corner with her fingers, being very careful not to touch the other parts, and offered the rest to Lin Yiran.

Lin Yiran didn’t take it, just smiled and shook her head slightly, saying, “I kept this specially for you, hiding it from the others. You eat it yourself.”

Jinjin didn’t refuse again and obediently sat on the edge of the bed, a little embarrassed, taking small bites. The room was filled with the faint sound of the wrapper and Lin Yiran stirring her cup.

Before Jinjin finished eating, the door was pushed open, and Qiu Xing walked in.

“What are you two secretly eating that smells so good?” Qiu Xing asked casually after just a glance at them.

Lin Yiran said, “We’re drinking milk tea.”

“Is it good?” Qiu Xing asked offhandedly.

Jinjin answered, “It’s good. Thank you, Uncle Qiu.”

Qiu Xing had come in to pick up the water kettle to fill it for Lin Yiran. He was about to leave with it when, for some reason, he stopped.

He stood there, looking at the two of them.

“What do you call her?” Qiu Xing tilted his chin toward Lin Yiran and asked Jinjin.

Jinjin stared at him blankly, blinked her big, dark eyes, and said, “I call her Teacher Xiaozhou…”

“But what if she wasn’t your teacher?” Qiu Xing asked.

Jinjin asked in confusion, “Then what should I call her?”

Qiu Xing raised an eyebrow, “If she weren’t your teacher, would you call her Auntie Xiaozhou?”

Jinjin immediately shook her head vigorously while making a second-tone “mm-mm” sound of denial with her mouth closed. Her hair swayed with the movement. It was clear she was refusing with all her might.

Lin Yiran was already laughing hard beside them.

Jinjin looked at her and insisted, “She is just Xiaozhou… just Xiaozhou.”

Qiu Xing said, “Then why am I Uncle?”

Jinjin looked to Lin Yiran for help, her voice getting even smaller, “What else would it be…”

“Exactly, what else would it be?” Lin Yiran looked at Qiu Xing, her eyes full of amusement, and said to Jinjin, “From now on, you can call him Xiao Qiu.”

Qiu Xing raised his eyebrows, looking at her.

Lin Yiran smiled at him, her eyes bright and sparkling.

Qiu Xing just turned his head to watch her smile for a while, then said, “Whatever works.”

Since coming to the mountain, Lin Yiran had indeed changed from before.

In this secluded, quiet mountain, she had instead opened herself up, becoming more mature and broader-minded.

The mountains and forests had washed away some of her stillness. She was no longer the melancholic figure often dressed in long skirts with flowing hair. Now she frequently wore her hair in a ponytail and dressed in sportswear, just like six years ago when she first got into Qiu Xing’s car. But compared to six years ago, she was now more capable and no longer so young and silent.

She had truly grown up, and when she smiled, she was dazzlingly beautiful.

That night, before going to bed, Lin Yiran took a walk by the small river with her senior colleague. When they returned, everyone else’s rooms were dark. The senior said goodnight to her and went into her room first.

Before opening her door, Lin Yiran glanced in Qiu Xing’s direction. It seemed he was already asleep. Just as Lin Yiran was about to open her door, she suddenly heard Qiu Xing call out, “Lin Xiaozhou—”

Before Lin Yiran could go over, he called out again, “Lin Yiran.”

Lin Yiran quickly ran over, opened the door, and said softly, “What are you shouting for?”

Qiu Xing was sitting on the edge of the bed, hands propped on the mattress. It was clear he had been sitting there the whole time, with no intention of sleeping.

Lin Yiran closed the door, walked toward him, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

She had been out walking for a while and felt a bit cool. Qiu Xing just sat there, not saying anything.

“Everyone else is asleep. Why are you being so loud…” Lin Yiran stood in front of him, looking down and asking.

Qiu Xing remained silent, just looking up at her. In the moonlight coming through the window, Lin Yiran could see his silhouette and his eyes.

“If there’s nothing, I’ll go back?” Lin Yiran asked softly.

Qiu Xing said calmly, “You’re going back without hugging me?”

Lin Yiran looked at him in surprise, almost laughing at his righteous demeanor.

But Qiu Xing spoke matter-of-factly, still looking at her, as if he had been waiting for her return just for this hug.

Lin Yiran said nothing, and Qiu Xing just watched her.

Qiu Xing had never asked before. Their previous relationship didn’t require asking; it was the kind where they hugged whenever they wanted. Qiu Xing had always liked hugging her, and when they were still close, he would often carry her around. Like when she had just mopped the floor, or when she wasn’t wearing slippers, or after they had made love and she was heading to the shower.

Qiu Xing could always lift her with just one arm, carrying her around with one hand.

Seeing that Lin Yiran was just standing there with no intention of hugging him, Qiu Xing said, “Forget it.”

When the kiss, carrying the moisture of the mountains and forests, fell on him, Qiu Xing didn’t move at first.

But Lin Yiran was no longer a nineteen-year-old girl; she knew how to kiss. She gently sucked on Qiu Xing’s lips, inviting him.

Her hair fell onto Qiu Xing’s face, bringing a faint, cool tickling sensation.

When Qiu Xing suddenly pulled her down and kissed her forcefully, Lin Yiran raised her hands to encircle his neck.

Her soft body leaned against Qiu Xing obediently, not resisting their intimacy.

Just like every time before.

Qiu Xing kissed her for a long time, as if wanting to lock her in his arms, to bring her back into his life.

Lin Yiran received the familiar, fierce kisses, feeling Qiu Xing’s restraint and his desire, his silent possessiveness.

When the kiss ended, Qiu Xing released Lin Yiran, his eyes deep, his breathing heavier than usual.

“Asked you to hug me, let you kiss me?” Qiu Xing said.

Lin Yiran was still sitting on his lap, not getting up. Qiu Xing rested his forehead against her shoulder, his body temperature high.

“Shall I help you?” Lin Yiran asked softly, her voice also a little unsteady.

Her hand slid down Qiu Xing’s abs, but before she could reach his waistband, he brushed it away.

“No,” Qiu Xing refused decisively.

Lin Yiran looked at him, and Qiu Xing said in a deep voice, “We’re not starting like this again.”

Lin Yiran blinked, understanding Qiu Xing’s meaning.

She felt Qiu Xing’s seriousness and suddenly felt as if her heart had been stung by an insect, while also feeling a bit of heartache.

*

Qiu Xing didn’t seem in a hurry to begin the next relationship. He said he would wait for Lin Yiran to return, and until then, he would just wait.

Before going down the mountain this time, Qiu Xing told Lin Yiran, “Let me know in advance when you’re ready to go back, and I’ll come pick you up.”

Lin Yiran nodded and said, “Mm.”

Qiu Xing glanced in the direction of the classroom and said to her, “That little girl, if you can’t bear to leave her behind, take her with you—if her father agrees and she’s willing.”

Lin Yiran looked at Qiu Xing in surprise, shocked that he had guessed what she had been thinking.

“Don’t feel pressured. Whether you want to sponsor her education or simply take her back with us, it’s not a big deal,” Qiu Xing said. “Just follow your heart.”

She was kind and loving, with a pool of gentleness in her heart. No one in the world understood her better than Qiu Xing, and he was willing to provide the conditions for her to continue being someone else’s soft-hearted angel.

Lin Yiran’s eyes slowly reddened.

“We’ll talk about the rest when you get back,” Qiu Xing stroked her hair and said, “I’m leaving.”

Like when he arrived, Qiu Xing hung his jacket on his backpack strap and went down the mountain wearing just a short-sleeved shirt.

Lin Yiran stood on the mountain watching him walk away. Qiu Xing turned a corner and disappeared.

Lin Yiran stood in place. Here, the sky was vast, the clouds were high, and the air was clear and fresh.

Life here was simple and pure. The children’s emotions were innocent and direct, and at night, the stars were bright. She had written many words here, inspiration rushing through her abundantly.

Everything here was good, but she still felt homesick.