After taking the cold medicine Teng Yi brought, Ruan Yu became drowsy. Jian Xiangxiang tried several times to come over and inquire about gossip regarding Teng Yi, but Ruan Yu dismissed her each time with a simple “We’re not close.” Jian Xiangxiang refused to believe this.

“How can you say you’re not close when you’ve been to his house?”

“Just because you’ve been to Beijing, does that mean you’re close with Chairman Mao?”

“That makes sense,” Chen Manbai interjected.

Jian Xiangxiang was left speechless.

Ruan Yu took the opportunity to pull the covers over herself and stopped responding. After lights out, Jian Xiangxiang and the others chatted for a while longer, but she had already fallen asleep, not participating at all.

The cold medicine seemed to work wonders. When she woke up, her previous symptoms had subsided. Her head was no longer dizzy, and her nose was much clearer, though her throat remained hoarse.

After washing up, she felt the jacket by her bedside – it had dried.

Jian Xiangxiang, wearing a face mask, glanced sideways at her. “That jacket wouldn’t happen to be Teng Yi’s too, would it?”

Ruan Yu responded with a “mm-hmm” and found a paper bag to put the jacket in.

“Ruan Ruan, I feel like something is going on between you and Teng Yi.”

“Don’t make wild guesses.”

With that, Ruan Yu picked up the bag and left.

There were no morning classes, so she stayed in the library. After afternoon classes ended, she went directly to the Teng residence. Though she had mentally prepared herself in various ways, when she reached the main gate, she suddenly felt the urge to retreat.

Her shattered self-esteem and the awkwardness of returning here all became vivid at once.

Just as she stood hesitating at the entrance, the door clicked open.

Ruan Yu was startled. Teng Yi stood behind the door, equally surprised.

He looked sharp and refreshed, with his shoes changed, apparently about to go out.

“You’re here.”

“Yes.” Ruan Yu handed him the bag. “Returning your clothes. I didn’t wash them – afraid I might ruin them.”

Teng Yi took the bag and stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter.

This wasn’t her first time entering the house, but she felt more constrained than ever before.

“Teng Hao is upstairs.”

Ruan Yu looked at him – was he suggesting she go up directly? After such a dramatic episode between her and Teng Hao, how could they break the silence now without someone else initiating?

Teng Yi casually placed the bag on the sofa, turned around, and seeing her still standing there, immediately guessed what she was thinking.

“Want me to accompany you up?”

“Aren’t you in a hurry to leave?”

“Let’s go up.” He nodded toward the second floor. “I’ll accompany you.”

His two uses of “accompany” came naturally, but Ruan Yu couldn’t help blushing upon hearing them. She turned and walked ahead, with Teng Yi following behind. In the long hallway, they moved one in front, one behind, one ascending, one following. She felt like she was heading to a battlefield, and he was covering her rear.

With him following, she felt considerably more confident.

“Is your cold better?” he suddenly asked.

Ruan Yu wanted to answer him, but it felt impolite to speak while facing away, so she turned to look at him.

“Yes, much better, than-“

Before she could finish saying “thanks,” she missed a step and began to slip. Teng Yi quickly reached out to steady her, and in her panic to avoid falling, she grabbed his outstretched hand.

“Careful.” He supported her center of gravity.

Only after Ruan Yu regained her balance did she realize their hands were clasped together, palm against palm, both gripping tightly.

She felt dazed for a moment before remembering to let go. As she released her grip, her eyes caught sight of the black hair tie on his wrist, causing her to pause again in surprise.