The next day, I accompanied Jiang Rui to the exam site again. As soon as we got out of the car, Jiang Rui looked around and immediately became excited. “Wow, sis, I told you your romantic encounter would come true!”

He reverted to his usual behavior, pulling me eagerly toward someone while greeting them happily: “Zhuang Fei, Brother Zhuang.”

That’s when I saw Zhuang Xu.

For a moment, all I could hear was Jiang Rui’s enthusiastic voice. Zhuang Fei was talking with him while Zhuang Xu stood quietly beside me, his elegant demeanor making him stand out uniquely in the crowd. I finally understood what Jiang Rui meant by “romantic encounter,” and I felt instantly annoyed with him, unable to comprehend how he could still have such childish inclinations even during the college entrance exams.

After a while, I heard Zhuang Xu say, “You should go in now.”

“Let’s go, let’s go.”

Jiang Rui winked at me before heading through the school gates with Zhuang Fei. I pretended to watch them leave, but their figures quickly disappeared from view. Unable to maintain the pretense any longer, I managed a casual greeting: “What a coincidence.”

“Not really,” Zhuang Xu paused before adding, “I wasn’t planning to come originally.”

If someone else had said those words, I might have read countless meanings into them, like they came because they knew I would be here. But with Zhuang Xu… better not overthink it. Considering I’d already greeted him, I thought about leaving.

However, before I could speak, he asked, “Where did you have lunch yesterday?”

I looked at him in surprise, not understanding why he would ask about that.

“Thank you for taking care of Zhuang Fei. Today, let me treat you all,” he said, his gaze slightly shifting away.

Finally understanding, I realized Zhuang Xu had come for this reason. He was still the same, unwilling to “owe” me even a penny. I treated his brother to a meal, so he made time to come and treat us back, despite having other matters to attend to.

I remembered when I had borrowed money from him before, and when he paid me back, he included 10% interest, making me feel like some kind of loan shark.

With me, he probably needed everything to be exactly even to feel at ease.

“Nie Xiguang.”

Hearing him call my name, I realized I had zoned out. My eyes felt tired, and I didn’t want to look at him. I said softly, “I’ll take you there.”

We went to the same restaurant as yesterday and found seats. Each of us received a menu and started looking through it. As I stared absently at the pictures, I felt Zhuang Xu glance at me, but he didn’t ask for my input before finishing the order.

The dishes he ordered were much more elaborate than what I had ordered yesterday.

After the server left with our order, he paused before speaking, “Yesterday, when you sent my brother home…”

I cut him off before he could finish, “No need to thank me. You’ve already calculated the gas money into the cost of the meal to pay me back.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I caught sight of his hand tightening on the menu from the corner of my eye. When I looked up, I caught a glimpse of embarrassment in his eyes.

I knew I had gone too far, but the words had tumbled out before I could stop myself. We both fell silent. I couldn’t bring myself to apologize, nor could I stay there any longer. I stood up hastily and said, “I’m going for a walk. I’ll be back later.”

There wasn’t much to see in the area, but I still walked around in circles. When I thought enough time had passed, I bought a book and headed back. I had picked up the book randomly, barely glancing at the title – it was just to prove I had been shopping.

Turning the corner, I could see the restaurant. I stopped at the intersection and saw Zhuang Xu’s figure through the glass window.

He sat alone, his back proud and straight, gazing thoughtfully out the window, his whole being emanating a suppressed atmosphere.

As if infected by his mood, I suddenly felt deeply dejected.

He hadn’t been like this when he first appeared today. Had my words hurt him?

I had indeed lost control. It wasn’t his fault that he didn’t like me, so why did I need to be so cutting? It wouldn’t kill me to accept his thanks, and what was wrong with keeping things precisely even?

Lost in my thoughts, I stood there watching him. Suddenly, as if sensing something, he stirred and turned to look in my direction, catching my gaze precisely.

We must have stared at each other for a while.

Then he stood up and came out to me, “They’ll be finishing soon.”

I nodded silently and walked with him to pick up the students.

Jiang Rui was still excited, and Zhuang Fei seemed much better than yesterday – perhaps he felt more at ease with his brother present. At the restaurant, as soon as the food arrived, Jiang Rui exclaimed, “Wow, today’s meal is much more lavish than yesterday! Brother Zhuang ordered this, right? Men do understand men better!”

Despite my inner turmoil, I still had the urge to punch him.

“Hehe, and there’s my favorite ribs! Sis, here’s your favorite sweet and sour pork with pineapple, eat up.” He passed me some with his chopsticks while winking at me.

Zhuang Fei smiled shyly, “Brother asked us what we ate yesterday.”

Jiang Rui waggled his eyebrows, “Brother Zhuang is so thoughtful~~~”

After the meal, Jiang Rui and Zhuang Fei went to rest. As they went upstairs, I was about to find another excuse to kill time outside when Zhuang Xu spoke first: “I have something to attend to for a while.”

I nodded, “Okay.”

“Remember…”

He suddenly stopped, and I looked at him questioningly.

“Nothing,” he said, then turned and left the restaurant.

The book I had randomly bought turned out to be quite good, but I couldn’t focus on it. Eventually, I gave up, not wanting to waste the author’s efforts.

After spacing out for a while, I checked the time and decided it was time to wake up Jiang Rui and the others. Just as I stood up, my phone rang.

It was Zhuang Xu. Perhaps he had something to tell Zhuang Fei? I answered, but it was just a reminder. “It’s about time, remember to wake them up.”

“Yes, I was just about to.”

“I probably won’t be back until their exam is almost over.”

“Alright, I’ll tell Zhuang Fei.”

There was silence on the other end, but he hadn’t hung up. Perhaps he was politely waiting for me to hang up first? After hesitating for a moment, my finger gently pressed the red button.

After sending Jiang Rui and Zhuang Fei into the exam room, I didn’t return to the restaurant. Instead, I found a place to sit outside the exam site. Despite the blazing sun, listening to the uncles and aunts chatting felt better than being alone. After a while, an auntie next to me started talking to me.

“Are you here to accompany your brother or sister for the exam?”

“Yes, my brother.”

“How are his grades?”

“Pretty good. He was first in school in the last mock exam…”

We chatted casually, and two hours passed quickly. Then I heard someone call my name, “Nie Xiguang.”

The auntie smiled warmly, “Oh, your boyfriend’s here to pick you up.”

He probably heard that, stopping where he was without coming closer. I glanced at him, and his expression seemed particularly serene. He looked at me but didn’t speak, perhaps leaving it to me to explain to avoid any awkwardness.

Understanding his intention, I politely smiled at the auntie and said, “No, his brother is taking the exam too.”

We walked together toward the school gate.

“Nie Xiguang, yesterday when you sent my brother home…”

I smiled bitterly, wondering if he had to thank me. Though I had sorted out my thoughts earlier, my heart still ached slightly.

“Does it mean you’re not angry with me anymore?”

I froze. The afternoon sun was intense, and against the light, I couldn’t make out his expression.

“Taking your brother home had nothing to do with you,” I said slowly. “But yes, I’m not angry anymore.”

And also.

“Thank you for the thesis.”

Even though you did it for Rong Rong.

He paused, looking away as he said, “It’s nothing.”

Jiang Rui and Zhuang Fei came out, both looking relieved. Jiang Rui invited Zhuang Fei and Zhuang Xu to join us again.

But Zhuang Fei shook his head, “Not today, we’re going to Xinjiekou. It’s not on the way.”

Zhuang Xu frowned, “What for?”

Zhuang Fei looked puzzled, “Didn’t Sister Rong Rong tell you? She said she was treating us to dinner to celebrate finishing the exam. Mom’s going too.”

Zhuang Xu started, immediately looking at me.

I didn’t know why he was looking at me, so I just nodded and said, “Then we’ll go first.”

He looked quite surprised – perhaps Rong Rong was planning to surprise them?

I got in the car, and as we drove away, I happened to look back. Zhuang Xu was still standing there.

Probably waiting for a taxi… they’re hard to get at this time.

I turned back, silently watching the traffic flow outside the window when Jiang Rui suddenly called me, “Sis.”

I turned to look at him.

He said, “If it’s not on the way, then forget it.”

“We’ll find somewhere better that is on the way. With my sister’s charm, hmph—”

I couldn’t help but laugh, finally acting on my earlier impulse – giving him a couple of playful punches.