It was nearly a two-hour drive from the South City High-Speed Rail Station to the Lakeside Villa Area in the North, yet the journey was far from awkward.
Pei Yue was a warm and fashionable elder, well-versed in the latest trends. Soon after they got into the car, Shen Xingruo was pulled into a selfie session with her. After taking the photos, Pei Yue even brought out a photo editing app popular among Instagram influencers, offering tips and tricks while editing the pictures.
By the time they arrived, it was already late evening. The gentle night breeze from the Lakeside created a serene atmosphere. Looking around, the villas by the lake were low and scattered, with cobblestone paths winding through ornate iron gates. Along the way, English-style street lamps cast a warm yellow glow, reminiscent of the solitary lanterns in “Spirited Away,” bowing in greeting as people passed by.
Pei Yue was like one of those lanterns, radiating goodwill to Shen Xingru, who had arrived alone in this unfamiliar city.
Uncle Liu, the driver, helped with the luggage, while Pei Yue led Shen Xingruo into the house. The Lu family’s villa was a three-story standalone building, with a lawn, swimming pool, and a small garden outside. The interior decoration was different from what Shen Xingruo had imagined in terms of luxury; it was exquisite and warm, giving off a homely vibe.
Pei Yue led her around, both inside and outside, saying, “You can take a walk by the lake after dinner. There’s also a music hall nearby, an art center, and the Xingcheng Library moved here last year. It’s only a seven or eight-minute walk away.”
“Your room is on the third floor. I’ve already prepared it for you. Oh, and your room overlooks Lake Stars; you can open the window at night, and the natural breeze is quite comfortable. Come, let me show you your room.”
“Auntie Pei, there’s no need to go through so much trouble.”
Shen Xingruo was led upstairs, gradually realizing that things were quite different from what she had imagined. She had thought she was just visiting the Lu family for a couple of days and would move into the dormitory when school started. But now…
“Just think of it as staying in your own home. Although Mingli requires students to live on campus, there are no weekend classes for sophomores. So, from now on, after school on Fridays, I’ll have Lao Liu pick you up.” Pei Yue sighed, “I’ve always wanted a daughter. Unfortunately, I had some health issues when I gave birth, and now I’m getting older.”
After a pause, Pei Yue smiled again, “Your dad said he would send you over before the new year. I’ve been eagerly anticipating your arrival day by day. Finally, you’re here. Your Uncle Lu is busy, and Lu Xingyan isn’t very attentive. Look, during winter vacation, he went out with friends for ten days or more without a word. He only sent a message after he decided to return, expecting me to pick him up. I just ignored him.”
Lu Xingyan.
Shen Xingruo repeated the name in her mind.
Pei Yue pushed open the door, turning back to wave at her, “Come on, take a look at your room.”
Shen Xingruo walked to the doorway as instructed.
What met her eyes was a vision of soft pastel hues, dreamy in color scheme yet modest in decoration. A crystal vase adorned the table, filled with fresh and delicate lilies as if welcoming the new owner. In the shadowy corner of the room sat a white Steinway grand piano.
“No one in our family plays the piano. It used to be placed in the living room as a decoration. Your Uncle Lu specifically instructed someone to move it up here. Do you like it?”
She used to have a Steinway grand piano, and seeing one again after so long felt particularly familiar to her.
Shen Xingruo nodded, “Thank you, Aunt Pei, and thank you, Uncle Lu.”
“Don’t mention it, you’re such a polite child.” Pei Yue looked at Shen Xingruo with eyes full of affection, unable to contain her smile.
Everything Pei Yue said earlier was true. She had always wanted a daughter; after all, daughters were like close-knit sweaters, while her son… was barely a pair of long johns. Comparing her son to Shen Xingru, who was beautiful, well-mannered, and well-raised, not to mention reportedly very smart, was like comparing a down jacket to a patch of warm sunlight.
Considering that Shen Xingruo had been traveling all day, Pei Yue didn’t drag the conversation on. She just asked her to freshen up and rest early.
Shen Xingruo agreed and escorted Pei Yue to the door. It seemed that no one else from the Lu family was around. She watched Pei Yue’s figure disappear around the corner of the staircase, then leaned against the door for a moment before gently closing it.
At fifteen past ten in the evening, at the Zangling Sports Arena in Xingcheng, the “Love You” national tour concert by the popular idol singer Lin Yu, ended abruptly fifteen minutes ahead of schedule.
Lin Yu himself had already left the venue under the management team’s arrangement, leaving behind a scene of chaos and wailing inside the arena.
Burgundy glow sticks representing Lin Yu’s fanbase were thrown around the arena, torn banners and posters lay scattered on the ground, and the broken lights no longer illuminated, creating a mess.
Finally squeezing out of the arena, several boys felt a sense of relief, as if they had survived a disaster. They tilted their heads back, gasping for fresh air, yet still couldn’t escape the haunting melodies.
Chen Zhu was so angry that she tore her T-shirt with her bare hands. “I don’t want to like him anymore! I endured hunger and thirst to get VIP tickets, and now he’s proposing to another woman! Ahhh!”
The concert merchandise T-shirts she bought at the entrance were priced at eighty yuan each, and their quality was surprisingly good. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t tear them apart. Chen Zhu struggled, biting and tearing at the fabric until she finally managed to secure it with ten hairpins, her meticulously arranged natural bun now falling apart. With each sob and shake, she perfectly embodied the image of a mad rabbit.
Several other girls, also fans of Lin Yu, were similarly distraught. Holding tissues, they wiped away their tears and snot.
One girl echoed loudly, “But that woman is so mean! Why does she get to be with Lin Yu? I’m so mad!”
“Yeah! She’s even five years older than him! I’m going crazy!”
Bian He, usually quiet and honest, pushed his glasses up and muttered to Xu Chengzhou beside him, “Didn’t they praise the male lead for singing to the female lead at the concert in the movie we watched a few days ago?”
The girls collectively stomped their feet, “Shut up!”
Bian He instantly quieted down as if someone had hit the mute button on him.
Xu Chengzhou was speechless. “Seriously, are you guys ever going to stop?”
But instead of a response, he was met with an even louder chorus of “Ahhh” and “Whimper” from the group.
He couldn’t understand. “That pretty boy is barely five feet seven, with a six-pack and daring to lift his shirt, blowing kisses, and his voice is so effeminate. Do you guys have a problem in your heads?”
The final question, coming straight from the depths of his soul, seemed to reverberate with a 3D surround sound effect, freezing the air in that moment.
Several girls looked up at him, silent for three seconds, then suddenly grabbed whatever they had in their hands and started throwing them at him.
“But Mu Mu is five feet eight! Stop spreading rumors!”
“Do you even pass math, and you dare to diss our Mu Mu!”
“You’re the effeminate one, your whole family is effeminate!”
“Damn it!” Xu Chengzhou dodged the projectiles, then before he could even stand up straight, another barrage came flying at him.
Seeing these crazy girls seemingly ready to call in the Heartbroken Alliance to besiege the entire arena, Xu Chengzhou panicked. He shouted for help while ducking behind Lu Xingyan, completely devoid of the bravado he had just displayed in dissing someone else’s idol.
Lu Xingyan’s patience had worn thin from the incessant noise and being dragged around by Xu Chengzhou. He frowned and glanced ahead. A sparse breeze brushed his forehead, tousling his stray hair.
The girls abruptly stopped throwing things, sensing Lu Xingyan’s sour mood. It was like a bucket of cold water had been poured over them, sobering them up considerably.
Though the north wind blew, there was no snowfall. After a brief moment of clarity, the girls fell back into a low emotional state. Sometimes they’d get excited and diss Lin Yu’s fiancée, while other times they’d wallow in tears.
It was clear they weren’t in a suitable state to go home alone. If they did, they’d likely get a thorough scolding from their parents, and if they lost control halfway and did something drastic, like sacrificing themselves for their idol, these boys might end up in the headlines as society’s latest moral degenerates.
So Xu Chengzhou took the initiative to mediate and console them once again. With the rallying cry of “There are plenty of idols out there, why get hung up on one who’s dating?” the girls gradually calmed down and decided to join the boys for some barbecue to lift their spirits.
The night barbecue stalls were bustling with activity, with businesses worth thousands upon thousands. Draft beer bubbled and frothed, filling the air with the aroma of barbecue spices.
Lu Xingyan had little appetite and wasn’t in a good mood. He half-listened to Xu Chengzhou boasting for a while, then listened to the girls discussing whether or not to stay loyal to their idol. Sleepiness washed over him once again.
The girls’ post-breakup tenderness towards him was the perfect opportunity, which was why Xu Chengzhou had suggested the barbecue in the first place. But seeing Lu Xingyan so unenthusiastic and indifferent now, even Xu Chengzhou felt frustrated.
When Chen Zhu got chili powder in his eyes while eating beef skewers, he urged Bian He to help out. One-handed Lu Xingyan a bottle of mineral water, and the other passed him a wet tissue. But Lu Xingyan didn’t seem to catch on. Feeling a bit drowsy, he opened the bottle and took a few sips, then wiped his hands with the wet tissue.
“Thanks,” he said, showing some courtesy.
Xu Chengzhou’s eyes widened. He had misjudged. Lu Xingyan deserved to stay single for another sixty years.
They returned to Fallen Star Lake well into the night. Lu Xingyan had messaged Pei Yue earlier, promising to return tonight. But the wall clock had already struck midnight, and Lu Xingyan instinctively checked his phone.
To his surprise, there were no new messages.
He slipped on his slippers, tossed his coat onto the edge of the couch, and headed upstairs. The second floor housed a study, a gym, a multipurpose theater room, and his parents’ bedroom, all unlit and quiet.
Lu Xingyan’s room was the first on the left on the third floor. Without pausing, he made his way to his room and reached for the doorknob, his eyelids drooping with the motion.
Before he could even turn it halfway, his hand froze. There was light seeping from under the door. His gaze lingered on the faint glow for a few seconds before memories of past unpleasant encounters flooded back, prompting him to release the knob and take two steps back.
The hallway remained silent as Lu Xingyan scanned his surroundings. Eventually, torn between the lengthy torment of facing his mother’s lectures with a bowed head and the temporary comfort of slipping into a spare guest room for the night, he chose the latter. It wasn’t a hard decision; he was truly exhausted.
The guest room to the right, the largest of them all and symmetrically aligned with his room, beckoned to him. Without much thought, he walked over and pushed the door open.
A rush of cool night air greeted him, momentarily snapping him awake. The room was illuminated by a floor lamp, casting a warm, gentle glow that starkly contrasted with his memory of the guest room’s decor.
He stood frozen for a few seconds before his gaze settled on the young woman seated by the bay window. Outside, the night breeze swirled the layers of curtains, lifting the hem of the girl’s ankle-length skirt. She toyed with a lighter in her hand, its flame dancing in the wind.
Before the wind could extinguish it, *click*—the lighter snapped shut.
Their gazes finally met in midair. She didn’t seem pleased, her lips downturned in a cold frown.