Shu Nian stared at him in a daze.

The phone felt strangely hot in her hand. Her palm was gradually becoming sweaty.

This wasn’t going public. Xie Ruhe hadn’t made any suggestive statements, just said that a song he wrote sounded good, which happened to be sung by Shu Nian.

Also, she was the only person on his following list.

Many people who noticed these two things might speculate, or might even consider it a fact. Although unconfirmed, those speculations remained just that—speculations.

But later, whenever Shu Nian was mentioned, many people would probably associate her with Ahe.

The two of them seemed tied together now.

Earlier, when she had asked about meeting his grandfather, she had received a negative answer.

At that time, though not very angry, Shu Nian had worried that perhaps he didn’t want his family to know about her. But now it seemed he didn’t mind others knowing at all.

Shu Nian licked her lips, and withdrew her gaze, feeling as if something was filling her heart, expanding bit by bit, almost overflowing. Her nose stung, and she rubbed her eyes, letting out a soft “mm.”

Hearing her tone, Xie Ruhe turned his head and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Shu Nian didn’t hide anything and honestly said, “I feel like you’re too good.”

She felt that she could never meet someone as good as him again.

So she was anxious, worrying that someday in the future they might separate. By then, she would find it very difficult to adapt, to accept, to return to living alone.

Hearing this, Xie Ruhe’s eyelashes fluttered, understanding her thoughts. He pondered for a moment, then said seriously, “Shu Nian, when I date you and don’t hide our relationship from others, that’s showing respect to you. It doesn’t mean I’m especially good.”

Shu Nian looked up: “Ah, ah?”

“It’s what I should do.”

Shu Nian was confused by his words, her emotions dissipating in an instant. She nodded dumbly, “Oh.”

Xie Ruhe raised his hand to pat her head, his expression unchanged, as if explaining principles to her: “You should accept it as something natural and deserved.”

The two walked out of the building and returned to the car.

Xie Ruhe opened the door, letting Shu Nian get in first, then leaned over to fasten her seatbelt. After starting the car, he suddenly remembered what Shu Nian had told him earlier.

The next second, Xie Ruhe looked up meaningfully: “Assistant Fang.”

Fang Wencheng rarely heard Xie Ruhe address him this way—usually, he called him by his full name—and thought he might be hearing things. He felt inexplicably nervous, wondering what he had done wrong, and after several seconds carefully replied: “Young Master, is there something you need?”

Xie Ruhe tugged at the corner of his mouth, saying casually: “Good afternoon.”

“…”

Fang Wencheng: ???

Two days later, Shu Nian arrived at the recording studio on time for her audition. As usual, Xie Ruhe waited for her outside. After passing the audition, she didn’t plan to stay long, intending to go back and study the script.

Just as she was about to say goodbye to Huang Lizhi and leave,

A woman entered the studio.

She wore a pure white long dress, with light, pleasant makeup, and when she smiled, she revealed a small tiger tooth. She greeted the staff warmly, appearing very approachable.

Shu Nian had only seen her on screens or various online platforms.

It was Miao Man.

Noticing Shu Nian, Miao Man’s smile didn’t change at all: “Hello, I’m Miao Man.”

Shu Nian nodded: “Hello, I’m Shu Nian.”

“Shu Nian…” Miao Man made an “ah” sound, realizing, “Have you dubbed for me before?”

Shu Nian said: “Yes.”

“‘While He’s Still Here,’ right?” Miao Man said with a smile, “You dubbed well.”

Shu Nian pressed her lips together, saying softly: “Miss Miao acted very well too.”

Miao Man laughed, waving her hand at Shu Nian: “I know my limitations, but I’ll work hard. Thank you for your encouragement.”

Just then, Miao Man’s phone rang. She gestured to Shu Nian, then walked to a corner to answer the call. It must have been from someone she liked, as her face showed a bashful smile, and the words “Ze Yuan” could faintly be heard.

Shu Nian no longer focused her attention on her and walked out of the recording studio.

Xie Ruhe was sitting on a chair not far away.

Shu Nian walked up to him and patted his lowered head.

For a moment, their height difference seemed reversed. Xie Ruhe looked up but didn’t immediately stand, allowing her to pat his head as he took her things: “Ready to go?”

“Yes, I’ll start recording the day after tomorrow,” Shu Nian said. “I’ll take the script home to study first.”

Xie Ruhe made an affirming sound.

Shu Nian waited for a while, then asked curiously: “Why aren’t you getting up?”

Xie Ruhe raised his eyelashes, pointing to his head, looking very obedient.

“Waiting for you to finish patting.”

Shu Nian blinked and withdrew her hand: “I was just patting for a moment.”

Xie Ruhe stood up.

They walked toward the elevator, with Shu Nian softly humming a tuneless song, not minding if Xie Ruhe heard. Soon, out of boredom, she told him about what had just happened: “I just met Miao Man.”

“Oh?”

“She said she thought I dubbed for her well.”

“What else?”

“Nothing else,” Shu Nian answered honestly. “I think she seems pretty nice.”

Xie Ruhe found this somewhat amusing: “Because she complimented you?”

Shu Nian was silent for a moment, hesitantly nodding: “But not entirely. She just seems easy to get along with, not putting on airs, and even greeting the staff.”

Silence fell.

Xie Ruhe stared at her for a few seconds: “I understand.”

Shu Nian was startled: “Understand what?”

Xie Ruhe thought she was hinting at something, and combined with her previous criticism, he promised in a low voice: “I’ll greet others in the future too.”

“…”

Shu Nian didn’t often see Miao Man during recording sessions.

Probably due to her busy schedule, her arrival times were irregular, and she generally didn’t stay long. To avoid delaying progress, they recorded separately.

Shu Nian’s character had a substantial role, and with the drama being forty episodes, recording would take quite some time. On a good day, she could record about five episodes.

But needing to coordinate with others’ schedules, she couldn’t finish all at once.

So it took a considerable amount of time.

On the evening of the Dragon Boat Festival,

Shu Nian had agreed to go home with Deng Qingyu. She left the recording studio and got in the car with Xie Ruhe.

During this time, Xie Ruhe had been practicing driving. This time, he drove over himself. Although he quickly regained his driving feel after a while, with Shu Nian in the car, he didn’t dare drive fast, maintaining a leisurely pace.

Shu Nian sat in the passenger seat and suddenly asked: “Should we buy some fruit to bring up?”

Xie Ruhe said: “Already bought some.”

“Huh?” Shu Nian thought again, “Then should we buy some gifts?”

“Already bought those too.”

Shu Nian turned her head, asking curiously: “When did you buy them?”

“I prepared them earlier,” Xie Ruhe said. “I just bought the fruit nearby.”

“Oh,” Shu Nian reminded him softly, “Don’t buy too much.”

This meeting was with Shu Nian’s parents, and Xie Ruhe should have been the nervous one, but Shu Nian seemed even more anxious than him, for reasons unknown.

Perhaps it was because of Deng Qingyu’s previous attitude toward Xie Ruhe. With this preconception, Shu Nian constantly worried that Deng Qingyu might not be nice to Xie Ruhe.

And he might be unhappy because of it.

Then they might argue, and end up breaking up over it.

A frightening outcome.

Shu Nian was very worried.

On the way, Shu Nian repeatedly and tactfully spoke to Xie Ruhe.

“When we get to my mom’s place, I’ll speak up for you.”

“I mean, if you feel uncomfortable… you can tell me, I’ll help you.”

“If my mom says something too harsh, you can tell her directly. She, she’s quite reasonable, she’ll listen to you…”

Xie Ruhe listened quietly, occasionally responding.

They drove to Deng Qingyu’s building.

The night was gradually falling, with the moon hanging in mid-air, obscured by thick clouds. The heat in the air had dissipated somewhat, and a cool breeze could faintly be felt.

They got out of the car.

Xie Ruhe went to the trunk to get out the fruit basket and health products he had bought.

Shu Nian followed like a little tail beside him, looking at his expressionless face. Feeling some psychological imbalance, she couldn’t help asking: “Are you nervous?”

Hearing this, Xie Ruhe looked at her, and they stared at each other for a few seconds. Soon, he licked his lips slightly and reached out to grasp her wrist. Shu Nian could feel the warm sweat in his palm.

Then, Xie Ruhe admitted in a low voice.

“Nervous.”

They took the elevator up.

Before they could knock, Deng Qingyu, hearing movement outside, came directly to open the door.

Xie Ruhe greeted her: “Hello, Auntie.”

Deng Qingyu smiled, lowering her head to notice Xie Ruhe’s full hands, and couldn’t help saying: “Why bring so many things for a visit?”

Xie Ruhe said: “Just a small token.”

Just then, Wang Hao came out from the kitchen, calling: “Come in quickly.” Then he turned back and shouted, “Xiao Xi! What are you doing? Your sister’s back! Come out!”

Deng Qingyu looked at Shu Nian, staring for a while: “You seem to have gained weight?”

Shu Nian touched her face, her voice small: “Mm, two pounds.”

“You couldn’t gain weight no matter how we tried before…” Deng Qingyu rambled on, her gaze toward Xie Ruhe also softening considerably, “But now you’ve gained some.”

Wang Hao smiled kindly: “Sit down for a while, dinner will be ready soon.”

Hearing this, Xie Ruhe volunteered: “Let me help you.”

Before he could walk over, he was pulled by Deng Qingyu and pressed onto the sofa: “It’s fine, sit down. There’s just one dish left, no need to help.”

Shu Nian rarely visited, and now felt somewhat awkward, hesitantly sitting down next to Xie Ruhe.

Deng Qingyu sat on the sofa next to them, discreetly observing Xie Ruhe, and smiled: “Ruhe, do you remember Auntie? It’s been years since I’ve seen you.”

Xie Ruhe nodded: “I remember. Auntie hasn’t changed much.”

Deng Qingyu sighed: “How can I not have changed? I’ve aged a lot.”

As it turned out, all the things Shu Nian had stressed to Xie Ruhe on the way, making him even more nervous when he was only a little nervous to begin with, were completely unnecessary.

Deng Qingyu’s attitude toward Xie Ruhe was very good.

Just like meeting the son of an old friend.

But Wang Linxi wasn’t quite right.

No matter how they called, he wouldn’t come out, until dinner was ready when he reluctantly emerged from his room. His hostility toward Xie Ruhe was strong, and he completely ignored Xie Ruhe’s friendly gestures.

After being scolded by Wang Hao, Wang Linxi simply sat at the dining table with a stern face.

Just like Shu Nian’s attitude before.

Shu Nian didn’t know where his hostility toward Xie Ruhe came from and found it puzzling.

Deng Qingyu continued talking with Xie Ruhe: “Have you two been in contact all this time?”

Xie Ruhe glanced at Shu Nian, then said: “We lost contact for a few years. Earlier, I had some problems with my leg, and happened to meet Nian Nian at the hospital.”

“Your leg?” Deng Qingyu asked with concern, “How is it now?”

“Much better.”

“By the way, what do you do for work now?”

“I’m in music. I’m a songwriter, writing songs for people. I used to sing as well,” Xie Ruhe said without reservation. “I haven’t sung much in the past two years, mostly writing songs for others.”

Shu Nian silently ate her food on the side, feeling she wasn’t being of any use.

Hearing Xie Ruhe’s words, she suddenly remembered that Wang Linxi seemed to be a big fan of Ahe. Just as she was considering whether to mention this to give him some points,

Wang Linxi suddenly said loudly: “Sis! Your boyfriend farted!”

“…”

The dining table was silent for a good while.

After recovering, Wang Hao angrily shouted: “What nonsense! Shut up, you little brat!”

Deng Qingyu was also embarrassed, looking at Xie Ruhe: “Ruhe, don’t mind this naughty boy…”

Wang Linxi just wanted to cause trouble for Xie Ruhe, completely unafraid of being scolded by both parents, shouting: “I’m not making it up! Sis! You absolutely mustn’t be with someone like—”

Wang Hao stood up and covered his mouth.

Xie Ruhe looked at Wang Linxi, his expression not changing much: “It’s fine, let’s continue eating.”

Deng Qingyu reluctantly steered the conversation back: “Your profession is writing songs? What have you written? Auntie will listen sometime, to support you.”

Xie Ruhe thought for a moment, figuring Deng Qingyu probably hadn’t heard his songs but would listen to what Shu Nian sang: “The recent song ‘Star Falls Down’ that Nian Nian sang was written by me.”

“Ah?” Deng Qingyu said with surprise, “That was written by you? I was wondering how Nian Nian, who is so tone-deaf, could sing such a nice song.”

At this moment, Wang Linxi stopped struggling, and Wang Hao released him.

Soon, Wang Linxi stared at him with wide eyes, saying incredulously: “How could you have written it? That was written by Ahe! Ahe even posted on Weibo.”

Xie Ruhe nodded: “Ahe is my pen name.”

“…”

Wang Linxi turned to look at Shu Nian as if seeking confirmation.

Shu Nian nodded to him.

Wang Linxi instantly quieted down.

Deng Qingyu and Wang Hao were older and didn’t pay much attention to such things. But they knew that Wang Linxi was quite fond of this singer Ahe, and had even filled the house with his albums.

Deng Qingyu smoothed things over with a smile: “Xiao Xi quite likes listening to your songs.”

“Oh?” Xie Ruhe turned to look at Wang Linxi, saying softly: “Thank you.”

The little episode just now passed.

Deng Qingyu smiled broadly and discussed other topics with Xie Ruhe.

After a few minutes.

Wang Linxi raised his head with determination. He interrupted their conversation and announced with feeling and solemnity: “Dad, Mom, Sis, Brother-in-law.”

“…”

“That fart just now was mine.”

“…”