Xie Ci stopped teasing her. The corners of his lips lifted slightly as he smiled lightly.

“Alright, go on up. I won’t make a fuss anymore. I’m heading home right away.”

After a moment, Xu You looked at him twice. “Do you want me to drive you?”

“Drive me where? It’s just a few steps away. I’ll just walk back to sober up.”

Xu You paused. She still opened the door and got out. After standing properly, she turned her head and said, “You get out too.”

She was afraid he’d drive himself back later.

Xie Ci sat in the car looking at her and responded with a sound.

A young couple walked past nearby, probably just finished watching a movie, still holding a bucket of popcorn.

They were affectionate, the girl holding her boyfriend’s arm. Her eyes caught sight of Xu You standing under the streetlight and she couldn’t help but freeze.

“—Teacher Xu, what are you doing standing here so late at night?”

This young woman was about to graduate with her master’s degree, interning at Xu You’s news agency, and happened to live in the same apartment complex.

Xu You said, “I’m discussing something with a friend.”

As the words fell, the young woman’s gaze couldn’t help but drift behind Xu You. Without saying much else, she nodded and said goodbye.

Xu You watched them walk away. After hesitating for a while, she said to Xie Ci again, “Never mind… should I drive you to your apartment complex entrance?”

She asked tentatively.

Xie Ci suppressed his laughter, eyebrows slightly raised. “Don’t be so serious. Hurry up and go. I’m leaving too.”

Actually, she also realized she was being a bit improper.

Since he said so, Xu You could only say, “Then sleep well when you get home. Remember to call me.”

“Got it, Teacher Xu,” he said.

“……”

“Who’s your teacher?” Xu You was speechless. “I’m leaving.”

She took two steps, then turned back to remind him, “Hurry back. Don’t stay downstairs at my place.”

Xie Ci nodded. “Got it.”

The light in the stairwell was broken—pitch black. Xu You didn’t take her phone and directly felt her way up the stairs in the dark.

Reaching the third floor where she lived, she stood at the door for a moment.

Only after inserting the key did Xu You stop being dazed and come back to herself.

—

Xie Ci leaned against the Land Rover’s car door, head lowered, playing with the car keys in his hand. Slender wrist, the scarlet cigarette between his fingers not yet extinguished. He turned his head to take a drag, then exhaled.

Deep into the night, quiet and still, smoke drifting away.

The next second, his smoking movement paused.

Xu You stood not far from him, her gaze unmoving, continuously watching him.

Xie Ci seemed to have expected it all along. Seeing her, he wasn’t surprised.

Xu You said softly, “Xie Ci, how is it that after all these years, you’re still the same way?”

She knew it.

It used to be like this before too.

At the drop of a hat, he’d keep vigil downstairs at her building. If she didn’t go coax him, he’d rather freeze to death than leave.

He looked carelessly casual, yet had a stubborn streak that wouldn’t quit.

Every time she went down to find him at night like this, he was always waiting idly, then smoking.

Xie Ci smiled and casually stubbed out the cigarette to stand up.

“Knew you were soft-hearted.”

—

Going up the stairs, no lights. She and he walked one after the other, step by step, walking slowly.

The moon tonight was somewhat bright, the shadows cast on the ground exceptionally clear.

Xie Ci asked, “Xu You, are you afraid?”

“Afraid of what?”

“You tell me.”

“Don’t know.”

Turning, reaching the first landing.

He looked at her blurred silhouette, silently counting steps in his heart.

Xie Ci slightly raised his hand and with a bit of force, grasped the hand hanging at her side.

Xu You lowered her head to glance, not struggling.

The entire way upstairs had no lights. Darkness really was a wonderful thing.

At least that’s what Xie Ci thought.

“Xu You.” He called her.

“Mm.”

“You’re an intellectual now.”

Xu You stopped walking. After going up another step, she said, “You’re not bad either.”

“Really?”

“Being able to earn money with your own hands—I think that’s very good.”

He was silent.

Bringing up the past, she felt a bit oppressed inside.

“But in life, things don’t go as hoped eight or nine times out of ten.”

Xu You repeated again, “Many professions, many choices—you repairing cars, earning money with your own skills, I think that’s very good.”

“You’re very good,” she said.

“I know I’m good. Stop talking—I keep feeling like you’re giving me a ‘nice guy’ rejection.”

What had been somewhat heavy, she couldn’t help but laugh. “What ‘nice guy’ rejection?”

Xie Ci: “……..”

Thinking of the joking words at the dinner table, Xu You thought for a moment and said, “If I were to give you a ‘nice guy’ rejection, it should be…”

“Should be what?”

“You’re very nice, but I’m too beautiful. You’re not worthy.”

Xie Ci laughed quietly, laughed twice, couldn’t help but laugh again.

He could see her profile clearly and asked half-jokingly again, “So would you think we have nothing in common?”

Xu You’s eyes were light, answering very calmly, “Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea—the smoke and fire of human life is also interesting.”

He paused, but had no words.

Having just finished drinking, his brain was reacting a bit slowly.

Silence spread.

Within a few minutes, Xie Ci’s voice sounded again.

“The way you talk now feels a bit literary, oddly dry-humored. I think I probably fell for this serious, dry-humored look of yours back then.”

Xu You was quiet for a while, looked up at him, “When have I ever been dry-humored with you?”

“……”

“You forgot?” Xie Ci lowered his head, his lips accurately and quickly touching her face. “You said it to me yourself.”

Xu You let him kiss her. “What?”

Xie Ci recalled, “What was it called—knowledge is your own, or something like that? How did it go?”

After so long, he couldn’t remember clearly either.

Xu You didn’t know why, but she felt a bit uncomfortable.

She spoke up, “You remember my words very clearly.”

Xie Ci pulled at the corner of his mouth, smiling lazily. “Of course. You’re more old-fashioned than my parents—the first thing you like to do is preach motivational wisdom.”

“……”

Xu You remembered something. Being led by him, she walked two steps and asked tentatively, “Do you go back now during New Year’s?”

Xie Ci’s reaction wasn’t strong.

But seeing her serious expression, he revealed a trace of a smile. “I go back. There are relatives at home.”

“Your father…”

Xie Ci smiled. “You don’t need to be so careful. I go sweep his grave every year.”

“Can you tell me about what happened these past few years?” For the first time, Xu You calmly brought up the past to Xie Ci.

—

When Xie Ci’s family had their incident, it was because they happened to run into a crackdown. His father was reported to the provincial discipline committee, accused of collusion between officials and businessmen in Linshi. Actually, someone above was deliberately suppressing a certain political faction. At the time, the anti-corruption movement was prevalent, and Xie Dongyun was merely a sacrificial victim.

Upon receiving the news, Xie Dongyun immediately rushed back to Linshi from outside the city but got into a car accident on the highway.

The driver died on the spot. Xie Dongyun was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. But it was no use—he died shortly after.

Later, Xie Ci couldn’t accept the unexpected death of his father. The family suffered upheaval. Xie Tianyun had left behind a lot of assets, but because of the sudden death, he hadn’t had time to make a will. Relatives found Xie Ci a lawyer to fight a lawsuit with the mistress.

But he didn’t know how to run a business. Xie Ci’s uncle took over the business and took him to another city.

Xie Ci’s hand couldn’t fully recover—he wasn’t really a normal person anymore. His father had died, and there was the matter of leaving Xu You without saying goodbye, the helplessness of it all.

These things added together—at only eighteen years old, he felt that even living was difficult, not even knowing what strength would wake him up tomorrow.

Xie Dongbo told Xie Ci at the time: “Uncle will help you manage the company, but the company will always be yours. Even if you’re not capable in the future, uncle will support you for your father’s sake for your whole life.”

No matter how big the accident, life still had to go on.

Coming out of the shadow of losing a loved one and opening the car repair shop in Shencheng—that was two years later.

Xie Ci still remembered what Xu You had said.

She said she wanted to go to Shencheng.

He discovered he still couldn’t control himself from thinking about her. Deep feelings were always unconscious. By the time Xie Ci realized it, he’d already pushed Xu You further and further away.

These past few years, Xie Ci had also tried to forget Xu You.

But there was no way at all. He didn’t know what spell he was under—he just couldn’t forget. Just occasionally learning she was attending university in Shencheng, even though he’d already decided not to look for her, before long he still couldn’t control himself and would secretly go see her. The more he saw her, the more he couldn’t forget.

The only thing Xie Ci could control was not appearing in front of her, trying not to disturb her life as much as possible.

Until that day she appeared at his repair shop.

In that instant, he even thought he was dreaming.

Reason seemed nonexistent. He really wasn’t willing to just hide like that.

—

Talking about these past few years, actually it was just a few brief sentences, finished in the time it took to climb a few steps.

After he finished speaking, Xu You suddenly drew close, extending both arms to tightly embrace his waist.

The two drew near. His waist was tightly held by arms. In the darkness, Xie Ci’s heartbeat suddenly stopped for a moment, his hands suspended in the air, not knowing how to react.

Xu You’s head pressed against his shoulder. A very selfish thought suddenly emerged in Xie Ci’s heart.

If speaking of these things could gain him some sympathy, that was good too. After all, she was feeling sorry for him.

Xu You’s warm body nestled against him like this, skin pressed close, the distance between two hearts also extremely near.

As soon as this thought emerged, pleasure rising from the soles of his feet suddenly shot to the top of his head. His exposed skin even rose in fine goosebumps.

Xie Ci counted his breaths—one, two, three… His hand slowly circled around her shoulder, just settling there.

Xu You spoke with a hoarse voice, “Xie Ci.”

His movement froze, responding with a guilty sound.

He snapped back to attention and heard her ask.

“These past few years, haven’t you been having a hard time at all?”

“Yes.”

“In the future, if you have anything, can you tell me directly?”

Xie Ci agreed, “Okay.”

Reaching the third floor, Xu You opened the door. Xie Ci followed behind her.

She went in to change shoes, saying to the person behind her, “Come in.”

A simple two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment, but decorated very warmly—wooden dining table, wooden floor, teddy bear cushions everywhere. Iris picture books, several hanging plants placed on the balcony.

Xie Ci casually looked around.

Xu You put on slippers and set down her bag and keys. Xie Ci followed behind her, picking up a magazine from the table to flip through.

The content was very boring. He leaned against the doorframe to pass time, waiting while Xu You busied herself with who knows what.

Xu You went into the kitchen and poured two glasses of ice water. She picked up her own to drink, her other hand extending out.

“Have some water.”

Xie Ci took it, tilted his face up, and drank the water in the glass clean.

“Where am I sleeping?” After finishing, he asked.

Just then, the phone set aside rang.

Xu You picked it up and looked at the caller ID. “Wait, let me take this call.”

She turned around and answered quietly.

“Achai, are you asleep?” It was Chen Xiuyun.

Xu You: “I’m not asleep. I just had dinner with some old classmates.”

“Are you home?”

“Yes.”

It was very quiet nearby.

Xu You absent-mindedly listened to her mother talk, her eyes glancing at Xie Ci. He’d already sat down on the sofa, propping up his head to play with his phone, both legs stretched out straight and placed flat.

Saying some more trivial things. Xu You walked into the room.

After a while, she carried out an air-conditioning blanket from the room and placed it on the sofa to the side. “If you’re cold sleeping at night, remember to cover yourself.”

It was getting late. Xu You went into her room, turned on the computer, and looked through work emails.

Tomorrow afternoon she had to go to an esports competition site for an interview. In a couple days there was also an opening ceremony event. And the topic she’d submitted a few days ago about the rural hope primary school had already been approved—in a while she’d need to go do on-site research.

Many things piled up together, but Xu You had requested annual leave for next month to return to her hometown to visit her great-aunt’s grave. Her great-aunt had gotten esophageal cancer a few years ago. Being elderly, she couldn’t endure it and had passed away in the hospital a few days ago. She figured while taking annual leave, she could also spend time with her parents.

Coming out after showering, her damp black hair hung over her shoulders. Xu You wore a nightgown. Because Xie Ci was in the living room, she specifically put on a small jacket.

She’d clearly been very tired just now, but after showering, she was much more alert. Xu You went to the kitchen and took out a watermelon from the refrigerator. Tearing off the plastic wrap, she bent down to pull open the cupboard and found a stainless steel spoon.

Just turning around, Xie Ci was leaning against the doorway.

Xu You’s movements paused. She closed the cabinet and asked, “Do you want watermelon?”

“Sure.”

She passed him the chilled watermelon in her hand. “For you to eat.”

Xie Ci: “Does it have seeds? If it does, I won’t eat it.” He was picky.

“No seeds. Go ahead and eat.” Xu You scooped up a spoonful and held it to his mouth.

Her expression was very natural.

Xie Ci froze for two seconds, then obediently opened his mouth to eat.

“Xu You.” After eating two bites, he suddenly called her name.

“What is it?”

Xie Ci said, “In the future when we’re together, can you take good care of me?”

She lowered her head and scooped another spoonful, humming in acknowledgment. “I can.”

—

Xu You lay in bed reading, waiting for her hair to dry enough to sleep.

Looking at the ceiling, Xu You suddenly remembered when she was in college. A roommate asked her if she had someone she liked, and if she could be with him in the future, what kind of days would feel most comfortable.

She considered herself a very boring person, not longing for grand waves. She’d grown up obediently from childhood, studying well, never provoking anyone. Xie Ci was the first wave in her life.

It’s just that her personality was a bit introverted then—she didn’t know how to be good to people. So she was too cold to Xie Ci. These past few years she’d also regretted it. But he was no longer by her side.

Her roommate turned her face, looking at the dazed Xu You. Just as she was about to speak, she heard her voice.

Calm and gentle, as if without a trace of emotional coloring.

“The most comfortable days.”

“I want to eat dinner with him on a summer evening, then stroll through the park, pass by colorful fountain pools, watch dogs on the grass. And the aunties dancing in the square—we can walk in the breeze, chat casually about anything at all.”

“Then when we reach the apartment complex entrance, go to the fruit stand to pick out a delicious watermelon and put it in the refrigerator.”

“After showering, with the air conditioning on, eat watermelon with him, then watch TV.”

“I think that kind of life would be wonderful.”

The door handle was gently turned, a face appearing in the crack.

Xu You’s footsteps were light as she paced to the living room. A replayed soccer match was still playing on the TV.

She quietly walked over. Under her white, thin, translucent nightgown hem, her slender legs were exposed.

The main light in the living room was off. Xie Ci had drunk too much—he was probably tired too. He slept on the sofa with closed eyes, his black hair soft. His breathing was deep, as if he’d already fallen into deep sleep.

With her fingertip, bit by bit, she lightly touched the skin of his cheek.

After a long while, she crouched down.

Xu You pressed her lips together and reached out to pull the thin blanket over Xie Ci.

Then a light kiss fell on his forehead, then on his closed eyelashes.

Sleep well.

She said in a small voice.

Then standing up, she bent down to pick up the remote control from the coffee table and turned off the TV.

The last bit of noise was extinguished. The room sank into darkness.

Xu You was about to leave quietly when suddenly a hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.

“—Hey.”

Xu You’s body froze. The next second, a hoarse voice came from behind her ear.

“You kissing me got me hard.”

In that instant, Xu You felt all the blood in her body rush to the top of her head.

Feelings of guilt and shame mixed together. Her first reaction was to shake off his hand and run, but before she could break free, that force forcibly yanked her, making her fall onto the sofa.

A dark shadow quickly pressed over, his body against hers, breath like scorching magma.

Xu You wore a nightgown, the neckline slightly open, exposing a large expanse of bare skin at her chest and neck. She began to struggle, her legs kicking wildly.

His elbow bent, pressing beside her ear, his voice impossibly hoarse. “Xu You… you actually dared to secretly kiss me.”

As if she’d committed some heinous crime.

“You… don’t press on me.” Her voice was weak, both arms sore and soft, powerlessly pushing away the person on top of her.

No matter how she struggled, there was no effect of resistance.

The scent of hormones in the air was about to explode. Xie Ci bullied her with his advantage, his hand also beginning to dishonestly slide downward.