Meng Fuyuan didn’t stay long before leaving.

Chen Qingwu continued the work from before going out. After less than ten minutes, she heard footsteps at the entrance.

It was Meng Qiran who entered, carrying a paper bag.

Chen Qingwu’s heart jumped in panic, thinking that if Meng Fuyuan had left just a few minutes later, the two would inevitably have run into each other.

“How did you run off again in the blink of an eye?” Meng Qiran walked over and handed her the paper bag, “Bought you durian cake—almost forgot it was in the fridge.”

Chen Qingwu held a trimming knife in her hands and couldn’t spare them for the moment, “Help me put it in the fridge.”

Meng Qiran put away the item, moved over a stool, and sat down across from her.

Chen Qingwu focused on her work, only looking up once, “Is the party over?”

“No. It’s just the same old things anyway, boring to stay.”

“It’s boring here too.”

Meng Qiran laughed noncommittally.

He sat somewhat lazily on the stool, watching her movements.

Once Chen Qingwu threw herself into work, she rarely got distracted. If the arc of the pottery piece was off by even a fraction, it would be completely wrong—only full concentration prevented mistakes.

After who knows how long, she suddenly heard Meng Qiran yawn.

Her movements stopped. Looking up, “Qiran, you should go back and hang out. Having you watch me makes me nervous.”

Meng Qiran stood up, only saying: “Stayed up a bit late last night writing a song. Wuwu, I’ll lie down on your sofa for a while.”

It seemed like today he was determined to stay here with her no matter what.

Chen Qingwu knew she couldn’t persuade him otherwise, so she let him be.

After working for a moment, she looked up to see Meng Qiran lying on the sofa with one arm over his forehead, breathing deeply and slowly—he had fallen asleep.

The night was already getting cool. Lying like this, he would probably catch a cold.

Chen Qingwu sighed, put down what she was holding, stood up to wash her hands, went back to the bedroom to get a blanket, covered Meng Qiran with it, then returned to the wooden wheel to continue working.

It wasn’t until 10:30 PM that Chen Qingwu finished, tidied up her tools, took off her apron, washed her hands, and walked over to wake Meng Qiran.

Meng Qiran slowly opened his eyes.

“I’m getting ready to rest.” Chen Qingwu said.

Meng Qiran nodded. As he sat up, the blanket slid down. He reached out to catch it, glanced at Chen Qingwu, “You covered me?”

“I was just afraid you’d catch a cold.”

“That afraid I’ll misunderstand?” Meng Qiran raised his eyebrows slightly, “Don’t worry, I believe what you say.”

He placed the blanket aside, yawned, stood up, “I’m heading back. You should also rest early.”

Chen Qingwu saw Meng Qiran to the door and took the opportunity to lock the main entrance.

When turning off the lights, she saw the metal snowflake still on the coffee table and couldn’t help smiling. She picked it up, and when returning to the bedroom, stored it in the nightstand drawer.

Several days later, Liao Shuman called ahead to ask Chen Qingwu what her plans were for the National Day holiday.

In previous years the two families often traveled together. This year Qilin and Meng Chengyong had just finished their road trip and didn’t want to be overly exhausted by travel, so they said why not choose an island hotel and comfortably lie around for a few days.

Liao Shuman asked Chen Qingwu: “What do you think?”

“I’m fine with anything, whatever you all decide.”

The vacation matter was led by the two mothers. The two acted swiftly—in less than half a day, the travel plan was announced in the group chat.

Liao Shuman: See if there’s anything that needs to be modified?

Meng Qiran: Absolutely perfect!

Liao Shuman replied with a smiling emoji.

Chen Suiliang sent a thumbs up and a rose.

Meng Chengyong also sent a thumbs up emoji.

Chen Qingwu replied: OKKK.

Meng Fuyuan: OK.

Qilin: Then we’ll execute this plan. Buy your own plane tickets, send the e-tickets to the group, and get reimbursed by your dads for the expenses.

At the same time, private chat messages had already come through.

Meng Qiran: Wuwu, what day are you planning to leave? Should we book the same flight?

Meng Fuyuan: Which day are you planning to depart?

Chen Qingwu first replied to Meng Fuyuan: Probably the 30th. What about you?

Meng Fuyuan: I might go on the afternoon of the 1st.

Chen Qingwu: So late?

Meng Fuyuan: Still have some things to handle. You go ahead first.

Chen Qingwu: Qiran asked me to go with him.

Meng Fuyuan: Going together you can look out for each other.

Chen Qingwu didn’t quite know how to reply, so she first switched out and replied to Meng Qiran’s message: Morning of the 30th.

After a moment, Meng Qiran sent a screenshot of a flight’s information: This one?

Chen Qingwu: Works.

Meng Qiran quickly booked two tickets and sent over the electronic boarding passes.

Chen Qingwu replied “thanks” and transferred the ticket cost. Meng Qiran didn’t accept it.

Switching out again, Meng Qiran had already sent the flight information to the group.

Meng Chengyong: Same flight as Qingwu?

Meng Qiran: Mm.

Meng Chengyong: Good, two people together can look out for each other.

That black and white movie screenshot profile picture sent a new message.

Meng Fuyuan: Dropped offline?

Chen Qingwu: …Don’t know what to say.

Meng Fuyuan: You must be thinking, this person is really magnanimous.

Chen Qingwu held her phone and couldn’t help laughing, replying: I didn’t say anything.

Meng Fuyuan: Then what to do, Qingwu.

Meng Fuyuan: Will you wait and leave with me on the 1st?

Chen Qingwu: The tickets are already booked.

Meng Fuyuan: Change them.

Chen Qingwu: I want to go earlier.

Meng Fuyuan: Then I’ll have to go alone.

Chen Qingwu: Don’t make it sound so pitiful.

Meng Fuyuan: Isn’t it though?

The delivery person’s voice came from the door. Chen Qingwu responded and quickly put down her phone to walk over.

After getting the food and returning to the table, she picked up her phone again and scrolled up through the messages. Reviewing her state during that WeChat chat with Meng Fuyuan, she discovered she had… seemed excessively cheerful.

She ended this conversation: The delivery arrived, I’m going to eat first.

Meng Fuyuan: Okay.

On the morning of the 30th, Chen Qingwu and Meng Qiran set out together, flying to the vacation island.

They had booked a standalone villa that happened to have exactly five rooms.

Chen Suiliang and Liao Shuman stayed on the first floor, Chen Qingwu and Meng Qiran on the second floor, Meng Fuyuan, Meng Chengyong and Qilin on the third floor.

When Chen Qingwu and Meng Qiran arrived, the villa had already been tidied up by the four parents who arrived early. On the dining table was a wide-mouthed white porcelain vase with double-petaled light purple narcissus flowers.

The arrival day was hotel buffet. The next day the six people chartered a car to visit a nearby temple.

Returning to the hotel was already evening. Everyone busied themselves preparing seafood barbecue.

Chen Qingwu scrolled through the messages in the group—there was no notification of Meng Fuyuan’s departure, so she asked Qilin: “Auntie, didn’t Yuan gege say he was coming this afternoon?”

Qilin was turning grilled squid, “Oh, he said the matter still isn’t handled, so he can’t make it today.”

A garlic scallop was placed on the plate in front of her. Chen Qingwu looked up to say thanks, took the opportunity to look around in a circle, saw no one was paying attention, then lowered her head with her phone to send Meng Fuyuan a message: Changed your flight?

Meng Fuyuan almost always replied to her messages instantly.

Meng Fuyuan: Mm.

Chen Qingwu: Changed to when?

Meng Fuyuan: Haven’t decided yet.

Chen Qingwu looked up, habitually surveyed the area again, then when lowering her head, a new message had already come through.

Meng Fuyuan: Waiting for me?

The phone seemed to scald her hand, nearly slipping out.

She picked up the coconut in front of her, bit the straw and took a sip, then looked at what everyone was doing.

Looking down, staring at these three words Meng Fuyuan sent, thinking and thinking, only replying: Aren’t you the boss? Work is too busy—can’t even rest on holidays.

Meng Fuyuan: Employees get triple pay for overtime, so the boss has to do it himself.

Chen Qingwu smiled.

Just then, Liao Shuman suddenly called out: “Qingwu, pass me the tissues.”

Chen Qingwu quickly locked her phone, then calmly reached out, took the tissue box beside her, and handed it to Liao Shuman.

She picked up chopsticks and ate for a while, confirming there was no further disturbance before unlocking her phone again.

Meng Fuyuan: I need to step away for now. Eat your dinner well, Qingwu.

Qilin had posted photos of the barbecue in the group, so Meng Fuyuan knew they were eating.

Chen Qingwu: Okay.

Placing the phone aside, Chen Qingwu scooped up a spoonful of coconut pudding and put it in her mouth.

Her heartbeat was especially difficult to calm.

Clearly if asked, she could openly say she was chatting with Yuan gege.

But why was concealment the most instinctive reaction instead?

After eating, everyone blew the breeze and chatted together on the beach.

Chen Qingwu had no impression of what they talked about—she was distracted the whole time.

Returning to the villa room, after showering and lying down, Chen Qingwu picked up her phone. Her finger landed on that black and white toned profile picture, paused, then withdrew.

She set an alarm on the phone, turned on airplane mode, placed it on the nightstand to charge, turned off the lights and went to sleep.

The 2nd was still beautiful weather.

Outside the window, the tall palm fronds were dyed with a layer of pale gold by the morning light.

It had just passed 6:30.

Chen Qingwu usually woke up before everyone else. The early morning beach didn’t have many people, the sun wasn’t too strong—perfect for a solo walk.

After washing up, she changed clothes.

Walking to the stairs and about to go down, she suddenly heard a light cough from above.

Chen Qingwu looked up and froze for a moment.

It was Meng Fuyuan.

He wore black silk pajamas, his expression somewhat weary, but his gaze through the lenses looking at her was bright. He said softly: “Good morning.”

“…When did you arrive?” Chen Qingwu found it hard to ignore her slightly surging emotions at this moment. That feeling was undeniable—she was very happy to see him.

Meng Fuyuan walked down, stopping a few steps away.

They happened to be at the “Z” shaped corner of the staircase, one above, one below. When Chen Qingwu looked up, her line of sight met his.

“Arrived in the middle of the night.” Meng Fuyuan said.

“…In such a rush.”

“Wanted to see you.”

Chen Qingwu’s heart clamored, but her breathing involuntarily lightened.

Both their voices were very low, yet she was extremely worried, afraid someone would suddenly come out of a room at this moment.

“Why are you up so early? You probably didn’t sleep many hours…”

Meng Fuyuan chuckled lightly, “My room is above yours.”

“…Did my noise wake you?”

“Not exactly. Wasn’t sleeping soundly.”

“…Insomnia?”

“I already told you.” Meng Fuyuan looked at her, “Because I wanted to see you.”

Chen Qingwu’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

Her hand gripping the wooden railing seemed to develop a thin layer of sweat on her fingertips. “I’m planning to go out for a walk. You should continue resting.” The topic change was very stiff—she knew that.

“I’ll go with you.” Not giving her room to refuse, Meng Fuyuan said, “Wait a moment, I’ll change clothes.”

Chen Qingwu could only say, “Then I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

Chen Qingwu tiptoed downstairs, went to the kitchen to get a bottle of water, unscrewed it and drank most of it in one breath.

Sitting restlessly in the dining room for a while, she heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

A loose short-sleeved shirt paired with dark gray shorts, linen material, appearing extremely casual.

Last year’s National Day everyone was busy, so the two families couldn’t get together.

And the last time she saw him dressed in such vacation style—she had no recollection of when that was.

Chen Qingwu glanced once then withdrew her gaze, “Let’s go.”

The morning sunlight was still gentle. Chen Qingwu hadn’t applied sunscreen.

Stepping out was a coconut grove—passing through it led to the seaside.

After leaving that villa, Chen Qingwu relaxed a bit.

The morning sea was a somewhat faded blue. Waves lapped at the beach then slowly receded. The air held a salty, tidal scent.

She didn’t wear her flip-flops, carrying them in her hand, letting her feet sink into the sand.

Chen Qingwu brushed back her wind-tousled hair, “…Is your work finished?”

“For now. Running your own company—the work is never finished.”

Chen Qingwu smiled, “I remember, Uncle Meng once mentioned wanting you to inherit his company. But later you started your own business. Uncle Meng even said you looked down on his small enterprise.”

“No. It’s all about making money—no hierarchy. It’s just that if I worked for my dad, I’d definitely have to listen to him on many things. I’m the type who likes to do things my own way.”

“I see.”

“Mm.”

Chen Qingwu intuitively felt his “mm” wasn’t entirely straightforward, so she asked: “…Is there another reason?”

Meng Fuyuan paused, seeming somewhat surprised by her perceptiveness.

“Is there?” Chen Qingwu stopped walking and asked him again.

Meng Fuyuan said calmly: “I feel the family company should be left for Qiran to inherit.”

“…Why?”

Meng Fuyuan exhaled lightly, “Sorry Qingwu, you shared your secret with me last time—by rights I shouldn’t keep secrets. But I haven’t yet figured out how to say it. After some time, I’ll tell you everything.”

Chen Qingwu tilted her head, looking at him with a smile: “You’re not adopted, are you?”

“…” Meng Fuyuan rarely showed a speechless expression, “Your imagination is too wild.”

“Can’t blame me for thinking this, because I always feel… you and Uncle and Auntie don’t seem as close as Qiran is with them.”

Meng Fuyuan felt a slight rumbling in his heart, “…You noticed.”

“My intuition is quite sensitive.” Chen Qingwu turned and continued walking forward, “It’s fine. Tell me when you feel you can. But you have to exchange it for another secret first.”

“What secret?” Meng Fuyuan caught up.

“Like…” Chen Qingwu paused. Away from that night on the balcony in the wind, that atmosphere that somehow bewitched people, it seemed very difficult to ask.

But Meng Fuyuan seemed to understand, “When it started, right?”

Chen Qingwu involuntarily quickened her pace, “…Not at all, completely not interested, thank you.”

She heard Meng Fuyuan’s light laugh from behind, her ears heating up even more.

They walked to the end of this section of beach belonging to the hotel, then slowly turned back.

Passing through the coconut grove, they returned to the villa.

Pushing open the wooden fence gate, entering was the front courtyard. On one side of the front courtyard was an outdoor shower area.

Chen Qingwu placed her flip-flops aside and stepped onto the stone tile with a drain. Just as she was about to raise her hand, Meng Fuyuan stepped forward and reached up to take down the showerhead hanging on the wall.

Opening the water valve, he tested the water temperature with his hand. When the temperature was right, he lifted it and aimed at her feet.

The sensation of water flowing over her feet made Chen Qingwu unconsciously curl her toes slightly.

Looking down, it seemed already clean enough. Just as she was about to step out, Meng Fuyuan said: “Wait.”

Chen Qingwu’s movement paused.

Meng Fuyuan crouched down, bringing the showerhead closer to her ankle position, rinsing more carefully.

A patch of light gray, like the color of faded ink—she didn’t know what it was, but it wouldn’t rinse off.

Chen Qingwu turned to look back, not yet seeing clearly, when she suddenly felt Meng Fuyuan’s thumb lightly press against the skin of her ankle, gently rubbing.

She immediately froze, her breathing stopping along with it.

Her gaze fell, only seeing his dark hair on top of his head, and the line from forehead to bridge of nose.

That rubbing motion had not half a hint of improper intimacy.

Yet the sensation on her skin was extremely vivid—clearly similar body temperatures, yet his fingertip was so scorching.

A tall areca palm was planted beside them. The wind sounded vast, sunlight spilling on the stone ground, shimmering like underwater ripples.

Jumping and swaying.

Like her disordered heartbeat.

“So you have a birthmark.”

Just as Chen Qingwu was about to be unable to breathe, Meng Fuyuan finally spoke.

“…Mm.”

Meng Fuyuan stood up, holding the showerhead and rinsed from her ankle to the top of her foot once more before turning off the water valve and hanging it back on the wall.

Chen Qingwu put on her flip-flops and turned to walk inside.

Meng Fuyuan followed behind her as if nothing had happened.

Just as they entered, Meng Qiran happened to be coming down from the second floor.

Chen Qingwu’s heart jumped in fright.

Meng Qiran’s footsteps paused, seeming puzzled by the scene he saw.

Meng Fuyuan’s voice was extremely calm, “Up already?”

Meng Qiran nodded, his gaze moving to Chen Qingwu’s face, “You went out?”

“Happened to run into Qingwu when going out, took a walk together.” Meng Fuyuan said.

In this answer, there wasn’t half a false word.

Probably because Meng Fuyuan’s attitude was too frank, and his tone too ordinary, Meng Qiran didn’t think much of it, only nodded, then walked toward the kitchen, pulling the refrigerator door to get a bottle of water.

Chen Qingwu also walked to the kitchen, holding the refrigerator door Meng Qiran hadn’t closed, took out several eggs from inside, and calmly went to turn on the stove.

“Bro, aren’t you eating breakfast?” Meng Qiran turned to look back.

“Going back to the room to catch up on sleep.”

Chen Qingwu heard footsteps go to the stairs, a series of weakening footsteps on the wooden staircase, then complete silence.

She secretly breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

Meng Fuyuan entered the door and walked to the bedside, his body falling backward.

Raising his arm over his forehead, he exhaled a long breath.

Just now, when his finger pressed on her ankle and he clearly saw that on that patch of fair skin, the light gray mark was a birthmark—only then did he belatedly realize he seemed to have crossed a line.

The sunlight dazzled him so much he almost had to close his eyes for a moment.

Uncontrollable wayward thoughts created an itch in his throat that even coughing couldn’t dispel.

The residue still remained at this moment.