Yun Li was quite pleased, not expecting Fu Shize to be so cooperative. She continued watching the match with a smile.
Compared to the initial icy atmosphere, Yun Li now felt much warmer beside him. Fu Shize leaned back in his chair, occasionally waving the hand clapper.
Just as Yun Li was stealing glances at Fu Shize, the stadium’s atmosphere ignited once again. She hurriedly joined the white section fans in shaking her clapper vigorously. The announcer’s voice grew increasingly excited: “The match has entered a critical state. If they can score just one more goal – just one more – victory is practically assured. We can see the white team’s forward breaking through the defense. This is…”
The announcer’s pace quickened, followed by a burst of cheers and screams from the crowd. Though Yun Li didn’t understand soccer, she could grasp the meaning of the “2-0” on the scoreboard.
The stadium cameras zoomed in on the players, rapidly switching between jubilant, hugging athletes on the big screen and LCDs in the stands. Then, they panned to the nearly frenzied white-clad fans, who excitedly waved at the camera when spotted.
As the announcer continued his passionate commentary, Yun Li glanced at Fu Shize. He was leaning back in his chair, looking bored, slowly waving his clapper a couple of times.
Suddenly, the camera focused on the two of them.
Exposed to thousands of spectators, Yun Li abruptly stopped shaking her clapper, her smile fading as she awkwardly set it down. Beside her, Fu Shize shifted, crossing his arms and staring coldly at the camera with a rebellious air.
The camera seemed to malfunction, showing no signs of moving away.
At that moment, the announcer happened to comment on the scene: “It’s unbelievable! The goal has left some fans stunned into silence…”
“…”
Fortunately, this oppressive situation didn’t last long. As the camera moved away, Yun Li felt like she could breathe again.
Realizing her performance in front of the camera, Yun Li understood that her “atmosphere killer” trait had leveled up once more.
For the next few minutes, Yun Li just sat there, lost in thought.
Noticing the sudden quiet beside him, Fu Shize glanced at her. Yun Li was staring wide-eyed at the clapper in her hands, looking like a wilted eggplant.
Fu Shize turned his gaze back to the field. He shifted, resting his elbows on his knees and leaning forward, holding the clapper. After a moment, as if overcoming great obstacles and steeling himself, he suddenly clapped vigorously a few times.
Hearing the noise beside her, Yun Li looked over in surprise.
Fu Shize glanced at her sideways: “Didn’t they just score?”
Yun Li was taken aback, not having noticed another goal. She joined Fu Shize in enthusiastic clapping, saying, “This team is amazing.” Then, glancing at the black team’s seating area, she smiled and sent a message to Fu Zhengchu.
[Fu Zhengchu, you should switch to supporting a different team.]
Xian Pu Jiu Minshu: [Damn it, wuwuwu, I’m so frustrated.]
Yun Li returned to her initial carefree state, waving her clapper along with the white-clad fans like a child.
Seeing this, Fu Shize rubbed his tired eyes and leaned back in his chair.
…
Ten minutes later, the match ended with the white team winning 3-1. Almost all the fans around Yun Li were hugging each other excitedly, celebrating their first championship in years.
The atmosphere brought tears to Yun Li’s eyes. Perhaps this was the supreme pride one feels when something they wholeheartedly love achieves glory.
Until her gaze met Fu Shize’s again.
He looked somewhat drowsy.
Yun Li snapped back to reality, lightly coughing to cover up her previous ‘loss of self.’
Fu Shize, sitting on the aisle side, stood up first, moving with the crowd towards the exit. From Yun Li’s perspective, his tall figure resembled a slender pen, hands in his pockets, only his bony wrists visible.
From childhood, Yun Li had always been among the fairer-skinned in any group.
But compared to her, he was pale to the point of appearing sickly yet bewitching. His oversized white jacket made his frame seem as if it could collapse at the slightest touch.
Wait.
Was she thinking about… touching him?
Dismissing her chaotic thoughts, Yun Li guiltily maintained a two-step distance from Fu Shize.
The people behind her, eager to leave, didn’t give her a chance. As soon as the match ended, they pushed forward as if rushing to be reborn. Yun Li lost her balance and her forehead collided with Fu Shize’s shoulder blade.
His slender build made his bones feel like a hard shell from the earth’s core, causing Yun Li’s head to throb with pain.
The pain was so intense that tears welled up in her eyes.
Seeing Fu Shize turn to look at her, thinking she had bumped into him, Yun Li apologized despite the pain.
With her hand covering her head, feeling as if the people behind her were pushing for their lives, Fu Shize, without much emotion, unceremoniously pushed back the person in front of them.
“Step back a bit.”
“What’s your problem!” The man who was pushed reflexively shouted.
But upon meeting Fu Shize’s gaze, he immediately fell silent.
Although the person before him was tall but not burly, and his speech was far from intimidating, the man inexplicably felt a shiver. The man who had been pushing forward could only retreat a step in submission, pouting.
Fu Shize lowered his eyes, stepping aside to gesture for Yun Li to walk in front of him.
Earlier, while sitting in their seats, even when Yun Li was most engrossed in the match, she hadn’t forgotten to maintain some space, avoiding any situation where they might touch.
The aisle was narrow, and as she walked past him, even though she deliberately leaned outward, contact was unavoidable.
When their clothes brushed against each other, it felt like flint striking steel.
Yun Li kept her head down, pretending not to notice anything.
Once Yun Li was in front, Fu Shize maintained a one-step distance behind her. Compared to the post-match clamor around them, Fu Shize was so quiet he seemed almost non-existent.
Yun Li had never liked being touched by strangers since childhood.
Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, even in college, many overly familiar male classmates would get too close, directly take her headphones while she was wearing them, pat her shoulder when excited, or grab her clothes when calling out to her.
These behaviors had frightened her to varying degrees.
But since knowing Fu Shize, he had always been polite and proper, consciously avoiding physical contact with others.
From these small details, Yun Li could tell that he was well-mannered, never losing his temper, never overstepping boundaries.
Except that he didn’t like to talk much.
Or smile.
Outside the stadium, Fu Zhengchu was already waiting at the entrance. He had taken off his black outerwear, leaving only his school t-shirt.
Fu Shize asked, “Where’s your jacket?”
Fu Zhengchu grumbled, “Threw it away.” He wailed, “I’m never supporting them again.”
His displeasure only lasted a few minutes before vanishing completely. Just as they were about to leave, a few average-built young men at the stadium entrance greeted him.
After chatting briefly, Fu Zhengchu returned: “Haven’t seen them in a while. We’re going to play a quick game before heading back.”
Yun Li looked at Fu Shize: “Are you going?”
Fu Shize admitted without hesitation: “I don’t know how.”
“Then do you usually—” The words had barely left her mouth when Yun Li felt it inappropriate, thinking Fu Shize might not play any ball sports. She quickly changed her question: “Don’t you play sports?”
Fu Zhengchu, who had just been handed a Snickers bar by Fu Shize, answered for him: “Uncle doesn’t play soccer, he plays badminton. I’m an all-rounder. Let’s play badminton together next time, Sister Yun Li.”
“Ah, sure.” Yun Li glanced at Fu Shize, who remained silent. Fu Zhengchu, dissatisfied, nudged him with his elbow. “Uncle, Sister Yun Li is talking to you.”
Yun Li: “?”
Fu Zhengchu: “Sister Yun Li asked if you want to play together.”
Yun Li immediately felt embarrassed, but fortunately, Fu Shize didn’t seem to mind and just nodded.
The friends at the entrance were calling out, so Fu Zhengchu said goodbye and went over to them.
Yun Li followed Fu Shize to the parking lot, both were silent along the way.
If everything hadn’t happened so naturally, Yun Li might have suspected that Fu Zhengchu was some kind of divine wingman.
Autumn had arrived, and the wind in Nanwu carried a chill. A few low-wattage lamps hung high in the open-air parking lot, with shadows and whispers clinging to the darkness.
Fu Shize opened the passenger door for Yun Li.
“Get in first.”
After she was seated, he closed the door but didn’t immediately return to the driver’s seat. Instead, he leaned against the left front of the car. Yun Li saw his shoulders tilt as he rummaged in his pocket for a moment.
He lowered his head, and in a flash of faint light, gray-white clouds spread through the air.
The first cigarette didn’t bring an end.
The solitary figure seemed to sink into boundless darkness, with the weak flame serving as an antidote to the long night.
When Fu Shize returned, he rolled down the car window. The swift evening breeze carried the scent of tobacco to Yun Li’s nose. He started the car and drove towards Qilixiang, relying on memory.
Midway, Fu Zhengchu sent a voice message. Fu Shize glanced at it and continued steering.
The car had just reached a secluded stretch when Fu Shize turned on the headlights, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. He said softly, “Can you check that for me?”
This was the first thing either had said since getting in the car. Fu Shize’s voice seemed to be right next to Yun Li’s ear, his tone gentle. Yun Li inexplicably felt a hint of intimacy. She picked up Fu Shize’s phone, unlocked it, and opened WeChat.
She hadn’t expected him to allow her to use his phone.
The WeChat homepage showed several chat windows. Yun Li didn’t want to pry, but she couldn’t help noticing the first few chats. The second one was labeled “Lin Wanyin,” with over a hundred unread messages. The most recent message began with [Ah Ze, my mom made some zongzi for you, she wants me to bring them to you].
Yun Li couldn’t see what came after, but she could tell it was a girl’s name.
For some reason, she felt a slight discomfort in her heart.
She opened Fu Zhengchu’s chat window and played the voice message. Fu Zhengchu’s panting voice filled the quiet car, likely sent mid-game.
“It’s so late, Uncle, remember to drop Sister Yun Li off at her building entrance. Remember,” Fu Zhengchu emphasized, “don’t go upstairs.”
Yun Li blushed and put down the phone.
A car overtook them from behind. Fu Shize glanced at the rearview mirror, his tone unconcerned: “Don’t mind him, he’s quite noisy.”
“Mm…” Yun Li responded quietly, then suddenly remembered something and asked, “Oh, are Xia Xia and Fu Zhengchu full siblings? Their surnames seem different.”
“Fu Zhengchu took my sister’s surname,” Fu Shize explained.
“Oh, I see,” Yun Li responded, unsure how to probe further. She fell silent after acknowledging his answer.
The scenery outside the window flowed past like a waterfall. Just as Yun Li thought the rest of the journey would pass in silence, Fu Shize unexpectedly spoke up: “Originally, we planned for Xia Congsheng to take my sister’s surname too.”
Yun Li slowly processed this information before asking, “So, was Fu Zhengchu originally supposed to have his father’s surname?”
“No, my brother-in-law is quite afraid of my sister.”
Yun Li naturally followed up, “Are you afraid of her too?”
The air suddenly grew quiet again.
Yun Li, realizing her mistake, hurried to explain: “I meant, are you afraid of your sister, not asking if you’re afraid of… um, a wife…”
This time, the silence was so complete that even breathing seemed inaudible.
…
The journey wasn’t long. Ten minutes later, the car smoothly pulled up at the entrance of the residential complex. As usual, Yun Li thanked Fu Shize. When she opened the car door, the warm air from inside collided with the cool breeze outside, causing her to tighten her collar.
“I’ll head in now. Drive safely,” she said.
“Wait a moment.”
Yun Li paused before closing the door and leaned down. Fu Shize turned sideways and nodded towards the bag of snacks on the back seat.
“Take these home to eat.”
Unlike that night, the car’s silhouette quickly compressed into a vanishing point in the darkness, drawing a straight line with two fading red lights at its end.
Back home, Yun Li first placed the large bag of snacks on the coffee table. Taking out the cookies from the canvas bag, she was enveloped by the aroma of butter.
She recalled Fu Shize’s silhouette as he stood in line that evening, his outline blurring with the boundary of the beautiful sunset.
After pouring the cookies into a glass jar, Yun Li sealed it and placed it in the corner of her computer desk.
Opening her computer, she typed “Fu Shize” character by character into the search bar. The web page quickly displayed information related to him. As expected, several pages were densely packed with notices of his academic achievements, from elementary school through his doctoral studies, too numerous to count.
The previous drone video was already old news from several years ago. The most recent information was from March of last year, discussing a significant breakthrough made by his research group in a certain field, published in a top journal.
“This research was completed by Professor Shi Xiangzhe’s team, with the first author being our school’s 2012 direct Ph.D. student, Fu Shize…”
Yun Li silently recited this passage. Today was October 10, 2016. A direct Ph.D. program typically lasts five years, meaning Fu Shize should graduate in about 8 months.
For a long time, Yun Li had thought he had already graduated. But now it seemed things weren’t as she had imagined. Even today at the convenience store, Fu Zhengchu had mentioned that Fu Shize had been staying in Nanwu.
Sliding her hand across the touchpad, web page information flashed across her retina like bullet comments, showing photos of Fu Shize from different periods.
Yun Li’s thoughts drifted.
Regardless of which period he was from, none of them were the current him—living under the sun, yet gloomy and melancholic.
She had some guesses that something unpleasant might have happened in the past two years. Thinking about this, Yun Li felt a heaviness in her chest.
By the time Yun Li finished her shower, it was already 12:30 AM. Her phone’s notification bar showed a message from ‘Xian Pu Jiu Minshu’ with two images attached.
Opening the first one, she saw a screenshot of her and Fu Shize on the big screen. They were sitting upright, with the camera capturing her awkwardly placing her overlapped hands on her legs, staring blankly ahead. Beside her, Fu Shize had his arms crossed defiantly, lips tightly pressed, and eyes looking in her direction.
Neither of them showed any expression, looking like a young couple who had just had a tiff.
The second image was a chat screenshot between Fu Zhengchu and Fu Shize. Fu Zhengchu asked him: [Uncle, why were you sneaking glances at Sister Yun Li?]
Fu Shize’s reply came half an hour later, without even punctuation: [Looking openly]
Yun Li swallowed hard, feeling that interpreting this sentence from any angle seemed inappropriate. Touching her cheeks, she realized they were burning hot. Fu Zhengchu had sent her another message, questioning: [Sister Yun Li, look at Uncle! Doesn’t he look like a peeping pervert?!]
Yun Li’s lips curved into a smile. Fu Zhengchu had a nice personality. After casually sending him an emoji in response, Yun Li enlarged the first image, cropping it to show just the two of them.
This was their first photo together.
She liked it so, so much.
Another message was from He Jiameng, informing her that she had received an offer from EAW.
The wording was very tactful, stating that the technical department had interviewed many people recently, so unfortunately she hadn’t made it to the second round of interviews. If she was willing, she could intern in the HR department without a second interview, working three days a week, and they needed her response as soon as possible.
She hadn’t expected the results to come so quickly.
Yun Li’s tense nerves finally relaxed a bit. She lay down on the bed, resting her chin on her cat-shaped pillow. She sent a WeChat message to Deng Chuqi: [EAW officially sent me an offer! They’ve assigned me to the HR department.]
Deng Chuqi: [Why aren’t you jumping at the chance?]
Yun Li: [I’m still a bit conflicted qaq I originally applied for the technical department, but was reassigned. This doesn’t match my major.]
Deng Chuqi: [Have you found anything else?]
Yun Li: [All the others rejected me…]
From a personal development perspective, the position EAW offered wasn’t the best choice, but EAW was indeed a good platform, after all, its parent company was YouSheng Technology.
Deng Chuqi teased her: [But EAW has Xia Xia’s uncle, isn’t that tempting?]
She added: [Come on, you rented a place so close by, didn’t you have this in mind from the start?]
Although she hadn’t done these things because of Fu Shize, Yun Li felt as if her secret had been exposed, and she became flustered from afar.
She tossed her phone aside, preparing to sleep.
After tossing and turning in bed for a long while, Yun Li let out a heavy sigh, got up, and directly replied to Fang Yuning’s text.
[Alright, I can start to work the day after tomorrow ^_^]
As soon as she arrived at the company, Yun Li ran into He Jiameng, who was there to help out in the HR department.
The naturally friendly He Jiameng eagerly showed Yun Li around the company, giving her a detailed introduction to each department.
EAW Tech City was a subsidiary of YouSheng Technology, mainly focusing on VR experience halls and related hardware equipment customization and retail. The products were initially developed by YouSheng Technology, so the employees here generally referred to YouSheng Technology headquarters as the main office.
The manager of the HR and Administration department where Yun Li was assigned was Fang Yuning, the interviewer from before. Since EAW had only been established for a few months, the entire department, including Fang Yuning, had only six full-time employees.
“Teacher Xian Yun, I didn’t expect you to join our company,” He Jiameng looked very happy and asked mysteriously, “Is it because our boss is too charming that even Teacher Xian Yun couldn’t resist?”
As always, she couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning handsome men.
Yun Li laughed awkwardly. Being new, seeing He Jiameng again helped dissipate much of her first-day nervousness.
After He Jiameng briefly introduced the main situation at EAW, she led Yun Li to her workstation, clearing away the remaining plastic wrap from the desk.
As a new employee, Yun Li wanted to appear as proactive as possible, so she asked, “Sister Jiameng, what should I do now?”
He Jiameng pondered for a moment, as if facing a big problem, “Teacher Xian Yun you’re our first intern. So, to be honest, I’m not quite sure.”
“Should I go ask the interviewer from last time?”
“Uh… she’s not too sure either. Maybe just help out here and there.”
Yun Li suddenly felt like she had stepped into another pit.
Noticing the change in her expression, He Jiameng tried to reassure her, “Don’t worry too much. Remember the boss’s relative? Fu Shize, I heard he was originally supposed to go to the R&D department at headquarters, but somehow ended up here as a worker…”
Realizing her poor choice of words, she quickly corrected herself: “No, an equipment maintenance technician.”
“The boss assigned him to the experience hall, but those are mostly new machines, so they rarely have issues. So he usually just helps out wherever needed, which isn’t so bad.”
“But I heard he has a high level of education, he must be quite capable,” Yun Li unconsciously defended Fu Shize.
“That may be true, but he’s really difficult to work with,” He Jiameng’s delicate eyebrows furrowed. “He talks to everyone with a cold face, even I can’t stand it. Only our boss can tolerate his temper.”
Mentioning Xu Qingsong, He Jiameng’s expression did a 180-degree turn, full of admiration, “He does listen to the boss though.”
“Sister Yuning is still in interviews now, and there shouldn’t be much else to do this morning, so you can familiarize yourself with the environment a bit more,” He Jiameng glanced at the time.
“Alright, I’ll look over some more materials then.”
“The company doesn’t have a cafeteria, we all order boxed meals, but they can only be delivered to the entrance, so we have to go pick them up. Don’t say I didn’t think of you, I happen to be arranging people to go pick up the meals, two people go together each time.” He Jiameng smiled mischievously at Yun Li, looking quite devious.
“So, do you have anyone in mind?”
Yun Li thought for a moment before saying, “No.”
He Jiameng was more direct: “How about Fu Shize?”