Meng Qiran couldn’t tell the difference.

So in his eyes, she seemed to always be unhappy.

And when she was truly unhappy, his apologies never addressed the real issue.

Chen Qingwu sipped the pomegranate juice in small mouthfuls, thinking that apparently sweet drinks couldn’t cure her unhappiness.

Meng Fuyuan looked her over. “Did you fight with Qiran?”

“No…” Chen Qingwu came back to herself. “We basically don’t fight.”

“You don’t need to accommodate Qiran so much. He’s older than you—he should accommodate you more.”

Chen Qingwu always felt Meng Fuyuan had a certain perceptiveness, involuntarily looking up at him. But his expression was bland—couldn’t tell anything.

“He’s only one week older than me…”

“Even one minute older is still older.”

Chen Qingwu was amused into a slight smile, because she remembered Aunt Qi seemed to have said this too.

This fleeting smile made one can’t help wanting to look again and again. Meng Fuyuan exerted great restraint, turned his face away, picked up his wine glass and took a sip of the liquor, also taking the opportunity to hide his expression.

Chen Qingwu picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of ramen to taste, her expression brightening. “It’s good.”

“That’s good then.”

Chen Qingwu quietly ate noodles for a while before Meng Fuyuan across from her spoke again, as if asking casually: “You didn’t seem to go home for Lantern Festival.”

“Mm…” Chen Qingwu swallowed her food and set her chopsticks on the bowl rim. “Preparing for the exhibition—really too busy.”

Seeing Meng Fuyuan nod without saying more, Chen Qingwu picked up her chopsticks again.

Meng Fuyuan had originally planned to ask more about her recent situation, but knowing she had this habit, after thinking it over he held off for now:

Elders said “no talking while eating or sleeping”—actually this was just to intimidate children. When had they themselves not engaged in expansive discourse at the dinner table?

Only a sincere fool like Chen Qingwu executed this rule especially thoroughly. When eating, every time it was her turn to speak, she would definitely stop her chopsticks, only resuming after finishing speaking.

Because of this, she ate very slowly, usually the last one to leave the table.

The reason Meng Fuyuan remembered this so clearly was because in elementary school, Chen Qingwu had been scolded by Father Chen, saying everyone had finished eating and was just waiting for her alone—food that could be wolfed down in two bites, how could she eat so painstakingly?

He especially remembered how Chen Qingwu’s face had flushed red then, hurriedly stuffing rice into her mouth, her lowered eyes clearly holding a pool of tears.

But she was stubborn. Not until she left the table did she rush to the bathroom alone to wipe away tears.

He felt the adults were bullying her too much. So afterward, whenever the two families dined together, he would intentionally eat slower, so Chen Qingwu wouldn’t be the last one.

Right now if he chatted with her, she’d have to stop after saying two sentences—a piping hot bowl of noodles would inevitably go cold.

Chen Qingwu did everything seriously, eating included.

Meng Fuyuan glanced at her from time to time, feeling time was very slow, yet wishing it could be even slower.

Contrary to his wishes, his phone suddenly vibrated.

He glanced at the caller and answered.

The call was brief. Meng Fuyuan only said one sentence: “You handle it first. I’ll be right there.”

Chen Qingwu stopped her chopsticks. “Brother Yuan, if you have something, go ahead. Don’t wait for me. I eat very slowly…”

“It’s fine. Won’t delay much time.” Actually, the moment he saw Chen Qingwu, he should have headed back to the company.

Chen Qingwu nodded.

She rarely questioned Meng Fuyuan’s decisions because in her impression, he never made empty courtesies—his word was his bond.

Meng Fuyuan saw Chen Qingwu’s movements quicken and still reminded her: “It’s fine to eat slowly.”

Chen Qingwu said “okay” with her mouth, but her movements became even faster.

Meng Fuyuan sighed inwardly.

She hated troubling others too much. This kind of person often suffered severe internal friction.

After finishing the late-night meal, Meng Fuyuan called over the server and paid, rolling up his coat and standing, asking Chen Qingwu: “Still staying at last night’s hotel?”

“Mm. Too lazy to pack luggage and change rooms.”

Meng Fuyuan made a phone call. A moment later, the driver brought the car to the shop entrance.

On the road, the two didn’t communicate much. Meng Fuyuan was on the phone almost the entire time—seemed like some model algorithm was frequently reporting errors without finding the root cause.

When the car reached the hotel entrance, Chen Qingwu saw Meng Fuyuan’s call hadn’t ended yet, so she opened the door on her side, pointed at the door, and said silently: *I’m here, thank you.*

Meng Fuyuan paused slightly, turned to look at her. “Rest early. See you tomorrow.”

Not until Chen Qingwu’s figure passed through the hotel’s revolving door did Meng Fuyuan withdraw his gaze.

Returning to her room, Chen Qingwu first washed up, used her laptop to handle work messages for a while, then prepared to sleep.

Before sleeping, she scrolled through Moments on her phone. Scrolling down just a few posts, her finger paused:

A photo—Meng Qiran sitting sideways, holding a glass wine cup, half-hidden in glamorous lighting, seeming to be just an incidentally captured background element.

In the foreground was a girl making the classic rock hand gesture, wearing a sleeveless tank and leather mini skirt, her long hair braided into dreadlocks, a row of silver studs on her ear cartilage.

The caption read: *Arrived late and missed the performance, could only ask the lead singer directly for an autograph.*

Posted by Zhan Yining.

Chen Qingwu’s finger landed on the like button, paused for a moment, but still didn’t press it.

She put her phone in airplane mode, turned off the light, and went to sleep, no longer ruminating on tonight’s feelings.

/

The next day near noon, Meng Fuyuan drove with Meng Qiran to pick her up.

After Chen Qingwu came downstairs, she first went to the front desk to check out. The result—the front desk told her that yesterday’s room extension payment had already been given by the person who booked the room.

…How could Meng Fuyuan be this thoughtful?

The car was already stopped at the hotel entrance. Meng Qiran got out to help Chen Qingwu stow her suitcase.

Today Meng Fuyuan drove himself. After the car door closed, he glanced back through the rearview mirror.

Meng Qiran sat lazily, letting out a long yawn.

Chen Qingwu asked: “Didn’t sleep well?”

“Originally lay down, but suddenly had inspiration. Got up and wrote until three in the morning.”

“What time did you all disperse?”

“One AM I think—forgot.” Meng Qiran’s body leaned sideways toward Chen Qingwu. “Wuwu, lend me your shoulder. Let me sleep a bit. Wake me when we arrive.”

Chen Qingwu raised her shoulder slightly to accommodate Meng Qiran’s height.

Meng Fuyuan withdrew his gaze.

The restaurant was semi-reservation only, with a quiet and secluded environment.

Not long after sitting down, Meng Fuyuan received a work call. He told them to sit for a bit and got up to go outside.

Meng Qiran drank some water, put down the glass and looked at her. “About yesterday, I’m sorry.”

His tone was slightly more serious than usual.

He wore a gray athletic jacket over his T-shirt—a kind of fresh youthful feeling. A few strands of hair fell over his forehead, making his rather deep-colored eyes seem purely soft.

Making Chen Qingwu think of university days studying together with him. When he napped on the desk, it was also like this—somewhat soft and somewhat innocent.

“It’s fine.” Chen Qingwu’s voice was calm.

Meng Qiran looked her over, as if not completely believing what she said. But he didn’t say anything more, instead saying: “After you left last night, Zhan Yining also went to the bar.”

“I saw her Moments post.”

Meng Qiran’s gaze paused. “You’re not asking me about it?”

“Seems like nothing to ask about.”

“Wang Yu was the one who took her home in the end.”

“Mm.”

Meng Qiran carefully studied Chen Qingwu’s expression. She was too calm, making it difficult for him to determine whether she truly didn’t care at all or was concealing it flawlessly.

In the past when she sulked, he could actually perceive it.

But at this moment, past experience and intuition seemed to have failed.

He could only chuckle softly: “You trust me that much?”

Chen Qingwu looked up at him, hooking her lips slightly. “Isn’t trusting you good?”

Something had happened before.

It was the first year after she returned from graduate school. Meng Qiran and friends celebrated New Year’s together at a resort hotel in the mountains.

At that time the studio was very busy. She didn’t leave the porcelain capital until nine PM. Rushing frantically, by the time she reached South City it was already past 2 AM.

Changing to another car to rush to the resort hotel, everyone had already returned to their rooms.

Chen Qingwu went to knock on Meng Qiran’s room door. Unexpectedly, the one who opened the door was Zhan Yining.

The shock of that moment needn’t be described. Zhan Yining was also very surprised, hurriedly explaining that she had a cousin who also did music. She’d brought a demo wanting Meng Qiran to help listen.

In the room, Meng Qiran was indeed sitting on the sofa wearing over-ear headphones with a laptop on his lap.

However, she still dwelled on it, feeling there were clearly better ways to handle it—for example, going to the tea room, for example, leaving the room door open.

After she said this to Meng Qiran, Meng Qiran said since she was so worried, then he’d block Zhan Yining and never interact with her again.

So she chose to let this matter pass.

Afterward for similar incidents, she was too lazy to invest emotion anymore.

Meng Qiran gazed at Chen Qingwu, just about to say something more when the private room door was pushed open.

Meng Fuyuan entered, only feeling the atmosphere was somewhat unnatural. His gaze swept across both their faces, but ultimately he didn’t ask much.

After all, it was their business—not his place to butt in.

The dishes had been ordered in advance. After the server asked, they went to notify the kitchen to prepare serving.

Once all dishes were served, besides what Meng Fuyuan ordered, the server also gifted three servings of ice cream, saying it was a spring seasonal new product for regular customers to try.

The ice cream mixed pale pink and light green, served in white porcelain dishes—like spring peach branch colors, very fresh.

Chen Qingwu immediately picked up a silver spoon, scooped a spoonful and put it in her mouth.

Meng Fuyuan watched her imperceptibly. Only after she ate a few bites did he speak: “When do you plan to resign?”

Chen Qingwu put down the spoon and answered: “As soon as the exhibition ends, I’ll go back and submit my resignation.”

Meng Fuyuan nodded. “Last time you said you planned to open your own studio. Are you preparing for this?”

Chen Qingwu often felt that though Meng Fuyuan was only six years older than her, it was like being a generation apart. When talking to him, she always had a feeling of sitting upright reporting to an elder.

“Still in the early planning stage.”

“Have you thought about which city to open in?”

“The porcelain capital or South City probably. The porcelain capital has more complete facilities; South City is close to home with low rent. Each has advantages.”

After her words fell, Meng Fuyuan was silent for a moment.

His next words, he considered carefully before speaking: “I have a friend who opened a pottery classroom in East City’s southern suburbs. Recently due to life changes, he’s leaving East City to return to his hometown and plans to transfer the shop. His equipment is complete. Qingwu, if you’re interested, you can go take a look.”

Chen Qingwu was about to speak when Meng Fuyuan glanced at her and added: “Last year a wood-fired kiln opened in the southern suburbs creative park, open to the public. But I don’t know much about your industry. Whether it’s actually suitable, you judge for yourself.”

His voice was low and pleasant, like jade stones knocking together. His tone was unhurried, easily giving people a sense of security, making them believe he could take responsibility for every word he said.

Chen Qingwu nodded, reaching up to lightly scratch the skin at her temple. “I know. I saw news about it. Wood-fired kilns are more troublesome. That should be the only studio with a wood-fired kiln in East City.”

Meng Qiran smiled: “Bro, your network is really extensive.”

Meng Fuyuan didn’t respond to this, picking up his water glass to drink.

These words could have been said yesterday when alone with Chen Qingwu, but it always felt inappropriate. No matter how he explained it, he couldn’t shake off his own selfish motives.

So he specifically chose to mention it when Qiran was also present.

After listening, Chen Qingwu seriously considered on the spot: “Brother Yuan, do you know what rent range it is over there?”

“The government has policy support for the creative park. Rent isn’t high.”

Chen Qingwu was immediately somewhat tempted.

Besides Meng Fuyuan’s introduction of complete equipment, the park having a wood-fired kiln, and low rent, there was another important reason: her best friend studied materials science and was also doing her PhD in East City. Her new campus was very close to the southern suburbs.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Qingwu said: “Next week I’ll make time to come to East City and go look. Is that okay?”

Meng Fuyuan nodded: “I’ll arrange it.”

But he saw Chen Qingwu again seem to unconsciously raise her hand to scratch her skin. That area on her temple was already somewhat reddened.

He paused, looked in front of her, then his expression condensed. He pressed the bell to call the server.

The server hurried over: “Is there anything you need help with…”

Meng Fuyuan pointed at the ice cream. “Did you add nuts to this?”

Both Meng Qiran and Chen Qingwu were shocked at these words.

The server was clearly flustered. “I… please wait, I’ll go ask!” After speaking, they ran out of the private room at top speed.

Meng Fuyuan’s words seemed to enlighten Chen Qingwu. She only felt itchier and couldn’t help raising her hand.

“Don’t scratch!”

Meng Fuyuan and Meng Qiran spoke in unison.

Meng Qiran forcefully and swiftly grabbed Chen Qingwu’s hand in one motion.

Meng Fuyuan saw Meng Qiran’s action, paused, and suddenly realized his own arm had also raised halfway.

Meng Qiran held Chen Qingwu with one hand and with the other pressed her chin to turn her face for careful examination—this movement practically had her half-embraced in his arms.

Meng Fuyuan stood to the side, only feeling bitterness in his heart.

He seemed to have forgotten—he didn’t have this qualification.

Meng Fuyuan steadied himself and looked at Chen Qingwu: “Did you bring medicine?”

“No…” Chen Qingwu was usually very careful with her diet. Domestic cooking unlike abroad didn’t often use nuts, so she hadn’t been carrying medicine at all times anymore.

She hadn’t had an allergic reaction in a long time. Just now immersed in conversation, she hadn’t paid attention, thinking that slight prickling itch was just her sensitive skin’s normal phenomenon during seasonal changes.

Meng Fuyuan pulled out tissues to wipe his hands and directly stood up. “Qiran, watch her. I’ll go buy medicine.” He walked very quickly, feeling somewhat like he was fleeing in embarrassment.

The ice cream should have had some kind of nut powder added, not much in dosage, so besides itching, there wasn’t any overly severe allergic reaction.

Chen Qingwu watched Meng Fuyuan’s hurriedly departing back, momentarily stunned.

—As a childhood friend’s older brother, his nervousness and worry seemed somewhat excessively deep.

And she remembered the young Meng Fuyuan wasn’t like this.

When Chen Qingwu was ten years old during summer vacation, her parents left her at the Meng house and traveled together with the Meng parents. They felt with Meng Fuyuan there, plus the housekeeper and driver, nothing could go wrong.

Didn’t know whether to say they were too carefree or trusted Meng Fuyuan too much.

On the third night after the adults departed, Meng Fuyuan was alone in his room reading when he suddenly heard thump-thump-thump footsteps outside.

He put down his book and opened the door. Meng Qiran ran over in a panic, incoherently saying Wuwu had an allergic reaction…

Meng Fuyuan hurried to the living room.

Large patches of red rash flew across Chen Qingwu’s face, her breathing also somewhat rapid.

The housekeeper and Meng Qiran were arguing fiercely—one saying to have the driver take her to the hospital, the other saying to directly call an ambulance.

Meng Fuyuan directly shouted: Everyone shut up.

The sixteen-year-old’s expression was coldly stern with a presence that made people fall silent as winter cicadas. For a moment no one dared speak anymore.

Chen Qingwu remembered how Meng Fuyuan showed not a trace of panic then. He left the living room for half a minute. When he returned, he had a box of antihistamine medicine in hand.

The medicine was prepared in advance by Mother Chen. Before leaving, she’d put it in the medicine cabinet and specifically explained the usage to Meng Fuyuan, just in case.

After she took the medicine, Meng Fuyuan calmly instructed the housekeeper to have the driver bring the car around to go to the hospital.

At the hospital they registered for emergency care. When the doctor asked what medicine she’d taken, Meng Fuyuan directly handed him the medicine box.

Chen Qingwu hadn’t even noticed when he’d brought the medicine box along.

The doctor did a basic examination and said nothing serious, the medicine taken was also appropriate. Told her to take it two more times. If symptoms subsided, stop the medicine on her own. Reminded to be careful in the future.

Finally, the doctor asked Meng Fuyuan: “How old are you? Don’t look like a college student.”

Meng Qiran eagerly answered: “My brother is sixteen this year!”

The doctor said: “Young man is very calm. Knew to bring your sister to see pediatric emergency. At sixteen you’re still just a kid yourself.”

This last sentence made Meng Fuyuan’s expression somewhat unpleasant. The cool guy probably didn’t want to be equated with the word “kid” anymore.

Chen Qingwu caught his expression and couldn’t help giggling.

Meng Fuyuan immediately glanced over. She instantly didn’t dare make another sound.

Returning home, entering the door, Chen Qingwu heard Meng Fuyuan say behind her: “Pay more attention yourself in the future.”

That tone wasn’t very patient. Thinking about it now was also understandable—having a good summer vacation unable to go out and play, having to stay home watching two burdensome little brats, anyone would be quite annoyed.

At that time Chen Qingwu only had guilt for troubling others, stammering an apology: “Sorry…”

Meng Fuyuan was even more impatient: “Didn’t do anything wrong. What are you apologizing for?”

Later, before sleeping, Chen Qingwu heard movement outside and ran to the door to eavesdrop. It was Meng Fuyuan scolding Meng Qiran, saying he was ten years old and still as brainless as ever, daring to give his sister anything to eat.

Meng Qiran was unconvinced: “Do I have to be responsible for what she eats!”

“She’s a guest at our house. We have to be responsible.”

Meng Qiran was blocked from thinking of a rebuttal and only humphed.

This incident made them all more vigilant, Chen Qingwu especially. Afterward when eating anything, she definitely confirmed multiple times.

When ordering today, Meng Fuyuan had also repeatedly emphasized not to add any nuts. Who could have thought the complimentary ice cream would become the fish that slipped through the net?

Before long, Meng Fuyuan returned with medicine.

The restaurant manager came to comp the bill and apologized repeatedly, saying they would strengthen server training. Finally earnestly begged Meng Fuyuan not to tell the restaurant owner about this.

Meng Fuyuan said: “I’m friends with the owner. If there’s a problem, we can still discuss it. If it were someone else, you couldn’t have easily resolved this today. This is a management loophole. I can’t cover for you.”

The manager nodded compliantly, not daring to say anything more.

After all the delays, the dishes were getting cold and everyone had lost their appetite.

The flight was at four PM. Chen Qingwu needed to leave for the airport now.

Meng Fuyuan postponed a meeting to personally see her off.

On the road, Meng Fuyuan asked her for a screenshot of her electronic boarding pass. She sent it to him, thinking he wanted to confirm the departure terminal.

When the car arrived at the airport, Meng Qiran accompanied Chen Qingwu inside to check in.

Walking toward the check-in counter, Chen Qingwu’s phone vibrated.

A WeChat message from Meng Fuyuan.

**Meng Fuyuan:** *The lunch experience was very unpleasant. Sorry, it was my mistake. Arranged an upgrade for you. Eat something on the plane.*

Meng Qiran saw Chen Qingwu stop moving and also stopped. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Chen Qingwu put away her phone. “Let’s go.”

Chen Qingwu walked ahead toward the first-class check-in counter.

Meng Qiran was puzzled: “How come you’re willing to buy first class this time? Before when I urged you, you said you wanted to save money.”

Chen Qingwu dealt with earth and fire every day—not at all delicate. Since starting work, she’d never asked her parents for a cent. Her own salary was limited, naturally couldn’t support overly luxurious consumption. So commuting by bus, flying budget economy class—all perfectly normal.

“Brother Yuan helped arrange the upgrade.” Chen Qingwu told the truth.

Meng Qiran raised his eyebrows. “People who don’t know would think he and you are the real siblings.”

At the security checkpoint, Meng Qiran stopped. “After wrapping things up here, I’ll come find you.”

Chen Qingwu nodded. “You go back quickly. Don’t make Brother Yuan wait too long in the parking lot.”

Meng Qiran said: “I’ll watch you go in.”

Chen Qingwu took her suitcase and entered the security checkpoint. Before walking into the passage, she looked back.

Meng Qiran still stood there, but someone had called him.

He was lowering his head answering the phone, so didn’t see this last glance she cast toward him.

Chen Qingwu withdrew her gaze and turned around.

Boarding and taking her seat, moments later she received several WeChat messages.

**Meng Qiran:** *Taken off yet? Remember to tell me after landing.*

Chen Qingwu replied: *Taking off soon.*

The other two were from Meng Fuyuan.

The first: *Really didn’t take good care today, sorry. Remember to confirm meal ingredients with the flight attendants and watch for any recurrence of allergy symptoms.*

The other: *After landing, send Qiran a message.*

Chen Qingwu was just about to reply when another new message popped up on the left:

*Take care of yourself.*