As it approached 1 AM, Yun Li prepared to leave Fu Shize’s home. Fu Shize stood at the doorway, nodding to her. Yun Li hesitated for a moment before walking up to him, reluctantly holding his hand. Noticing his bare neck, she took a scarf from the coat rack and stood on her tiptoes to wrap it around him.
Her movements were no longer as awkward as before. Fu Shize gazed at her focused eyes, unconsciously touching her face with his fingertips. After being outside for just a few seconds, his fingers had already grown cold.
Yun Li instructed, “Let me know when you get home.”
Jiangnan Garden was about a 30-minute drive from Qilixiang Estates. By the time he’d arrive home, it would be close to 2 AM. He considered this and said, “You should go to sleep first.”
Yun Li insisted, “No way. I’ll wait for you.”
She was usually a night owl anyway, so sleeping half an hour more or less wouldn’t make much difference.
Having someone waiting for him to return home, even though they weren’t physically together, gave Fu Shize a special feeling. He couldn’t remember the last time this had happened.
His parents worked at Xi’an University of Science and Technology, while he grew up in Nanwu. He had lived with his grandparents since childhood, but after their health rapidly declined, he was left alone in Jiangnan Garden.
Fu Shize got into his car and rolled down the window. As he took out a cigarette from his pack, he realized that he had barely smoked in the past few days, spending most of his time with Yun Li. The pack was still nearly full.
He lit a cigarette and from the car, he could see the light from her window. Leaning against the window, he occasionally caught glimpses of her shadow moving inside the room. Tilting his head, he tracked that faint silhouette until it disappeared from view for a while.
He snapped back to reality.
Flicking off some ash, Fu Shize started the car. After driving a short distance from Qilixiang Estates, past two intersections, he slowed down.
Not far away, the blue-haired guy Yun Li had encountered earlier appeared to be quite drunk, looking intoxicated. He was now hugging a tree by the street, howling like a ghost, while the burly man next to him laughed hysterically, recording the scene with his phone.
The blue-haired man’s name was Cen Hefeng, Xu Qingsong’s cousin. He had spent his youth drinking and partying with unsavory friends. Though not a bad person, he had caused plenty of trouble due to his drunkenness.
He and Fu Shize had crossed paths before. Several months ago, when Fu Shize was completely drunk on a few occasions, Blue Hair had been kind enough to take him to Xu Qingsong’s place instead of sending him home.
Fu Shize pulled over to the side of the road. The burly man had contacted him earlier and cleared the way. Fu Shize pushed Blue Hair, who groggily recognized him and mumbled, “Bro, bro, don’t always push me like that.”
“Where is he?” Fu Shize asked concisely.
Reeking of alcohol and unable to stand steady, Blue Hair tried to lunge at Fu Shize, who swiftly stepped aside. Blue Hair fell onto the burly man instead but didn’t forget the task at hand. He slurred, “He’s playing mahjong outdoors in the back alley.”
The burly man added some information: “That street has surveillance cameras. He was caught, but he changed his story, saying he stole something while drunk. He negotiated with the victim and was released immediately.”
“Bro Shize, why are you looking for this guy? Is the person who got robbed related to you?” Blue Hair asked.
Fu Shize remained silent.
The back alley was the first bar and entertainment street nearby, combining noisy bars, mahjong, and other leisure activities. Fu Shize didn’t waste words with him and headed straight for the back alley.
The burly man tried to stop him: “Bro Shize, don’t go. Your uncle and aunt will blame us later.”
Fu Shize glanced at him but didn’t respond.
Dragging Blue Hair along, the burly man hurried to keep up. The back alley was bustling with people. Fu Shize walked in, passing by several outdoor mahjong tables. His gaze was fixed on a table near the edge where an exquisite silver-white gift bag sat, bearing the letters “Aroma.”
Blue Hair followed his line of sight and hiccupped: “It’s that guy.”
Fu Shize approached, stopping beside the man who was drawing a tile. The man shouted, “Self-draw!” But those around him didn’t respond, instead staring at the newcomer beside him.
The man turned around to find Fu Shize opening the gift bag, which contained only a few red banknotes. He turned the bag upside down and shook it, letting the money flutter onto the table.
The stares from the others didn’t seem to affect Fu Shize. He glanced around before lowering his gaze to focus on the man before him.
The oppressive atmosphere made the man light a cigarette, while Fu Shize continued to stare at him impassively.
His completely unfazed, cold expression put some pressure on the man. Having just caused trouble tonight, he didn’t want to visit the police station again. He grumbled, “What do you want…”
Fu Shize asked, “Where’s the item from inside?”
Someone nearby said something to the man, who reluctantly stood up and retrieved a transparent green air freshener from a nearby drawer, handing it to Fu Shize.
The transparent gel contained a white heart in the center, emitting a grassy and lemony scent. Fu Shize placed the air freshener in the bag and left without another word.
The burly man followed Fu Shize. Over the past year or so, Fu Shize had frequented this area, and he wasn’t sure how this supposed top student had ended up mixing with this crowd.
He always seemed indifferent to things, but when he truly got angry, he feared nothing and was relentlessly vindictive.
After getting into his car, Fu Shize ignored the two men behind him and drove straight back to Jiangnan Garden. It was already 2 AM, and Yun Li had sent several messages asking if he was stuck in traffic.
After replying to her, Fu Shize returned home and lit the air freshener. He didn’t turn on the lights; the room was illuminated only by the flickering flame, with the fragrance permeating the air.
Placing the air freshener on the bedside table, he sat on the bed. His phone screen lit up, and he was about to wish her goodnight, but his gaze lingered on the lock screen.
Remembering their last kiss from the previous year, after he had spoken, she had proactively explored with her tongue, tightly embracing his body. He drank a full glass of cold water, and his phone vibrated. Yun Li finally remembered to ask: [You still haven’t told me your New Year’s wish!]
Yun Li had fallen asleep before receiving Fu Shize’s goodnight message. The next morning, she received his New Year’s wish: [My wish is for you to be well in every way.]
The early morning drowsiness was dispelled by this message. Yun Li jumped up and opened the curtains. As sunlight streamed in, she realized that most of the snow had already melted.
The final exam period flew by quickly. Fu Shize frequently visited her apartment to tutor her and cook for her. Unlike most people she knew, when he cooked, he only looked at the recipe once, relying entirely on memory for the process, and his memory never failed him.
After half a month, when Yun Li weighed herself again, she had gained five pounds.
Not long after the robbery incident, Yun Li heard news that the robber had been arrested and, combined with previous offenses, would likely be sentenced to at least seven or eight years.
Fu Shize spent more and more time with her, driving her to and from work, and staying until she fell asleep before leaving. They spent almost every weekend together as well.
After finishing her last exam, because of Fu Shize’s presence, Yun Li had no plans to return home, wanting to delay her return to Xifu as much as possible.
Remembering that her roommate Tang Lin had mentioned the Pangao Outdoor Club’s routes, she looked up their official account and found a stargazing camping trip scheduled for the following week. Yun Li signed up both herself and Fu Shize.
The camping site was in the suburbs of Nanwu City, with temperatures around freezing.
Having never participated in such outdoor activities before, she wasn’t sure what equipment they needed. Yun Li added the consultation WeChat account from the post, and a familiar avatar popped up – it was Fu Zhengchu.
Feeling slightly awkward, she still messaged: [Hello, your uncle and I plan to join the stargazing camping activity.]
Fu Zhengchu: [!]
Fu Zhengchu: [I’ll arrange it!]
Yun Li replied with a “hehe” emoji.
He immediately got back to business: [This activity involves outdoor camping, so you’ll need a tent and sleeping bags. Uncle should have these at home. You won’t need to bring them; couples usually share one.]
Fu Shize did have a tent and sleeping bags at Jiangnan Garden, only lacking a set of equipment for her.
She made plans with Fu Shize to visit Nanwu City’s largest outdoor store on Saturday. After getting out of the car, he took Yun Li’s hand. In the store, as they passed the tent section, Yun Li remembered what Fu Zhengchu had said and turned to ask him, “Are we sleeping in one tent?”
Fu Shize: “Mm-hmm.”
He didn’t seem to care much about this matter.
This meant that on that night, they would be sleeping in the same tent. But so far, she and Fu Shize had only tried lying on the same sofa.
Their relationship had become much closer, but they had only progressed to kissing. Yun Li’s face grew hot as she followed him to the next section.
The adjacent area mainly featured sleeping bags. She immediately noticed the family and a couple of sleeping bags on sale. The promotional couple’s sleeping bag was connected on the inside. Yun Li imagined the scene, and her heart, which had just settled, started racing again. She couldn’t help but ask, “What do you usually wear to sleep?”
Fu Shize: “…”
Fu Shize: “Nothing.”
Yun Li: “…”
Her imagination ran wild, and she couldn’t help but blush. Fu Shize noticed the sleeping bag section and guessed what she was thinking. He said helplessly, “Two separate sleeping bags.”
She realized her mind had wandered into inappropriate territory.
Yun Li let out an embarrassed “Oh” and moved closer to carefully examine the couple’s sleeping bag. If two bodies were nestled inside, it did seem quite enjoyable.
Seeing her lingering, Fu Shize looked at her and asked, “Want to buy one?”
Yun Li: “…”
Fu Shize: “Shall we get one then?”
Yun Li: “…”
She immediately turned and walked towards the hiking shoe section. Fu Shize, not done teasing her, traced her palm and pulled her to the side.
Seeing him draw close regardless of the setting, Yun Li stepped back, bumping into a shelf, and looked around. She put her hand on his chest to stop him, embarrassed: “There are people…”
Fu Shize obligingly looked around: “I don’t see anyone.”
Yun Li: “…”
The store was lit with cold white lights, and his features appeared even cooler up close, the emotions in his eyes unconcealed. Yun Li didn’t know how he could say such things with that face. She resignedly let go of her hand, which he took in his.
He kissed the corner of her lips, and Yun Li felt a tingling sensation. Just as she was anticipating further action—
“Uncle?” Fu Zhengchu’s sudden voice made them both freeze. Yun Li’s first reaction was to find a way to escape, pretending she had never been here.
She had already retreated to a corner with nowhere else to go, and could only look up at him reproachfully.
“Uncle, it is you! I saw your and Sister Li’s registration information. Are you here to buy equipment?” Fu Zhengchu’s voice was already right in front of them. Yun Li saw the familiar chest before her, perfectly shielding her from view.
“You didn’t reply to my messages on WeChat. Even after getting a girlfriend, your personality hasn’t changed a bit.” Fu Zhengchu patted Fu Shize’s shoulder.
Fu Shize turned around and asked emotionlessly, “How should it change?”
Fu Zhengchu: “…”
Seeing the person behind him, Fu Zhengchu dropped his teasing tone and comforted Yun Li: “Sister Li, you don’t need to blush. Dating is a very normal thing.”
Yun Li: “…”
Yun Li changed the subject: “Why are you here?”
“Oh, I’m bringing some people to buy things.” He pointed to a spot not far away, where a group of people had just turned the corner. Her roommate Tang Lin was among them, but she hadn’t noticed Yun Li yet, heading straight for Fu Zhengchu instead.