…

The bathroom filled with steamy mist.

Completely emptying her mind, she soaked for twenty minutes. Eyelashes wet, breath wet, hair also wet. She smelled the scent of men’s body wash in the steam, her chest rising and falling slightly as she exhaled a long breath.

Some effect.

Lian Shaozi didn’t lie to kids.

Soaking until her fingertips wrinkled, feeling it was about enough, she’d just let people say whatever they wanted to say. Mental preparation complete, she wrapped herself in a bath towel and left the bathroom. While drying her half-wet, half-dry hair, she used her foot to push open Jin Yiken’s closet door and went in to pick out a t-shirt to sleep in tonight.

She was too lazy to open her suitcase.

Picking and choosing, she wanted this one and also wanted that one. Jin Yiken’s clothes on her were oversized. Many brands’ men’s designs had strong aesthetic appeal, so since high school this had been a disaster zone she’d constantly “claim as her own.” She picked out all the ones she liked, then went to inspect his shoes lined up along an entire wall. He really was the trendy boy who wore a different pair every day since high school. If not for the size difference, half the wall of trendy shoes could also be swept away by her. Looking at them reminded her that at this time Jin Yiken should be out of class and should have turned on his phone.

Leaning against the closet’s central cabinet, her phone had just powered on when Lao Ping’s multiple missed calls popped up, along with Ban Wei’s, Fang Xuan’s, Shu Meng’s—vibrating nonstop. Her heart actually felt warm. Then right on time, Jin Yiken’s video call also came through.

He definitely knew everything.

She answered. Before he could speak, she first blocked with one sentence: “Okay, I’m fine.”

Then she turned the camera, turning it toward those clothes placed on the cabinet, saying the second sentence: “I want these.”

This stunned Jin Yiken.

He sat there, asking: “Where’s this?”

Asking again: “What’s this?”

“Your room, your clothes.” She turned the camera back, propping her cheek. “Your girlfriend.”

Jin Yiken fell silent again for two or three seconds, but she could see through his eyes that brain running at high speed. She took the initiative to say: “Don’t overthink it. Your mom took me in.”

“Say that again?”

She turned the camera again, filming toward his bedroom, then also sat on the bed: “This is my first time sleeping alone in this bed. What experience do you have to give me?”

But Jin Yiken had a look of “falling into a trap.” His left hand fingers tapped once on the back of his right hand, as if thinking. Long Qi then reacted, bringing the camera closer, hearing the slightly noisy airport sounds on his end: “Where are you again?”

“Airport.”

“Which country’s?”

“Haven’t flown yet.”

“Don’t come back,” she said immediately. “I can handle this small matter domestically. Besides, I’m stuck at your house right now. If you come back, you won’t see anyone and can’t go home either. How miserable.”

“Like this,” he changed his mind. “You pack up now. I’ll buy you a ticket. You come to me.”

“Why? I have food and drink at your house.”

“You’d have food and drink at my place too.”

“England doesn’t have fish maw soup or red-braised lion’s head meatballs.”

“My house has those?”

“Your house has lots of good things.”

This conversation had Jin Yiken going in circles. He immediately threw out: “My mom is getting back at me. Don’t fall for it.”

“It’s great—she gave me a safe haven.”

“Your man is your safe haven.”

“I think your mom has more of a sense of security.”

The screen shook. He’d slid the phone onto the table with a bit of frustrated energy. In less than three seconds he picked it back up, rubbing his face, seeming to surrender: “I miss you so much I can’t stand it.”

Her body went soft all at once. She lay back on the pillow. A spark starting a prairie fire.

“I miss you too, Jin Yiken. But your mom taking me in is a pretty meaningful interaction for me. Don’t be too anxious. Wait a few more weeks for me, until I get my blood test report.”

He looked at her.

“Decided?”

“Mm,” she replied. “You should head back. It’s too late. I want to sleep. Tomorrow I still need to discuss things with Lao Ping. You study well. Lao Ping is handling my matters—he’s my proper agent.”

He had an expression of “see if I listen to you or not.” She couldn’t guess what scheme he was plotting again. Long Qi propped her cheek on the pillow: “Your mom is tired enough already. Let’s give her less to worry about. She said she’d make soup for me to drink.”

“She said that?” His attention returned.

“She said it.”

Jin Yiken’s elbow propped against the chair armrest, supporting his face. After a while, he replied: “Sleep early. The clothes are all yours.”

“Alright. And don’t do things behind my back.” She pointed at him.

He nodded perfunctorily.

Fortunately, the online news only mentioned her getting AIDS, didn’t mention her situation with Ge Yinling. But after hanging up the phone, she vaguely felt Jin Yiken would still wade into this muddy water, and would do it without anyone knowing, letting her only see results without seeing the process. Ge Yinling was at least Director Shao Guo’an’s “imperial relative.” She was afraid of the collision between two circles being unfavorable to Jin Yiken’s future career development. So she called back again, wanting to have a good talk with him.

Voice prompt—he was currently on another call.

…

Forget it.

Then with one sleep, she slept straight through until 3 PM the next afternoon.

The bedroom’s light-blocking was too good. If she hadn’t looked at the time on her phone, she would have thought it was 6 AM before sunrise. She’d put her phone on silent before sleeping, so those familiar or unfamiliar calls hadn’t disturbed her sleep. Her chin buried in the covers, she opened Weibo. The number one trending topic had two keywords: Long Qi, AIDS.

Seems Lao Ping still couldn’t withstand Xi Jing’s team’s money-throwing offensive. After a day and night, it had fermented more and more severely. At this moment online was a scene of heated passion. Male artists who had working relationships with her were all affected and trending along with her. The yacht incident from three months ago had also been pushed up—like a pathological public opinion carnival. Several studios that couldn’t sit still rushed to issue statements. Zhou Yicong’s agent reacted fastest. The “Cold Cicada” movie hadn’t even released yet, but they’d already denied any relationship with her once, even setting the pace with one sentence “Mr. Zhou Yicong has never liked bundling works for hype,” directing public opinion toward “hype.” Compared to the original “AIDS” topic, she really didn’t know if this was kicking her while she was down or throwing her a lifeline. Zang Xipu’s studio didn’t respond. Ban Wei ranked third on trending topics because he’d specifically liked one of her daily Weibo posts at the height of the storm. Jin Yiken had no social media accounts, but his old photos were making the rounds again, trending as usual.

People in the class probably hadn’t expected things to develop like this. This kind of “celebrity effect” bringing negative impact was their first experience. The counselor sent a message in the class group warning against participating in spreading public opinion. They said one by one that online violence was too scary, but who knew if those IDs speaking gleefully online were also in this class group, wearing a different face to echo it all.

However, Long Qi knew Ge Yinling indeed hadn’t participated in “spreading.”

Accurately speaking, Ge Yinling was only responsible for tearing off her face in a crowded place, then retreated and disappeared without a trace. She also had an acting career to pursue. She was still a semi-debuted artist who knew the terror of so-called “black marks.” Long Qi had already been connected with “AIDS.” If Ge Yinling magnified those messy things about Fu Yu’ao, sooner or later she’d be devoured by public opinion. Ge Yinling at least had some brains in this aspect.

The official blogs of all the brands she endorsed had suffered varying degrees of spectator baptism.

For Lao Ping, this was the most serious matter.

Messages came saying all the brand merchants were very concerned about this image damage issue. He’d already sternly denied the AIDS rumors to them, telling her not to go to hospitals recently to prevent anyone from catching wind.

Now she wanted a blood test but was being blocked. The curtains blocked tightly. Only the screen light from her phone weakly illuminated the room. She locked the screen, silently sighing.

After washing up and leaving the room, arms crossed, walking listlessly, just as she was about to go downstairs she heard a baby’s milky voice. Looking toward the nearby nursery, she paused two seconds, then slowly walked that direction.

Inside the room, the wet nurse sat by the crib, gently patting a baby with eyes open, kicking little legs. Hearing sounds and seeing her come, she wanted to stand. Long Qi made a shushing sound, smiled at the wet nurse as greeting, walked closer to the bedside, leaning in to look at the little baby lying inside.

Wearing powder-blue little clothes, very big eyes, very cute, especially bright. When looking at her, those big eyes also looked over. Little mouth opening and closing, little legs kicking.

“Madam is downstairs,” the wet nurse said softly.

“Mm.”

Long Qi withdrew her gaze, nodding.

Going downstairs, she didn’t see Auntie Wu, but smelled a trace of milk fragrance. Three PM in the afternoon was when the sunlight was best. Fresh flowers were arranged on the dining table in the living room, dewdrops on the flowers sparkling.

She followed the fragrance, arriving at the kitchen doorway to see Lian Shaozi taking out a freshly baked square cake base from the oven. A chocolate fragrance spread out. The milk fragrance came from a pot of milk cooking on the counter. Various dessert molds and ingredients were neatly arranged on the counter. Lian Shaozi had her hair up, wearing an apron. Seeing her, she unhurriedly removed the heat-resistant gloves: “Up now, Qiqi?”

Speaking while going to the counter, opening another pot: “First drink some seafood congee to warm your stomach. Tonight try mousse cake.”

Taking it: “Thank you, Auntie. I got up late.”

“I had you drink wine last night. You should rest well. Besides, Yiken kept you on video call last night too.”

A small wave in her heart, feeling Lian Shaozi knew all this. But soon heard Lian Shaozi add without lifting her head: “Couldn’t get through at first. After connecting he told me. I criticized him—how could he do things that make girls worry during nighttime beauty sleep.”

“…”

“Help me get eggs from the fridge.”

Long Qi turned to get eggs. Lian Shaozi took them, cracked them, picked out yolks in a bowl, added them to the milk.

“Go to the dining room, child. Slowly drink the congee. Don’t leave your stomach empty.”

But Long Qi still leaned by the counter, using a spoon to scoop congee: “It’s fine, Auntie. I’ll stay here. I want to watch you make cake. I don’t know how.”

Lian Shaozi smiled, very lightly: “Then watch.”

The seafood congee was especially fresh. She drank a mouthful, instantly opening her appetite. Asked: “Where’s Auntie Wu?”

“She went to buy groceries.”

Nodding, watching Lian Shaozi cook milk: “When I came here before, I once ate strawberry cake from the fridge. That was deep summer. That piece of cake was icy cool and sweet. Jin Yiken said you’d made it for him and little brother as afternoon tea before leaving. I always remembered it—especially delicious.”

“Strawberry cake…” Lian Shaozi raised her forehead slightly. “Yiken’s summer vacation of sophomore year, right?”

“Mm.”

“That summer vacation he refused to go to France with me. Originally went every summer.”

Long Qi drank another spoonful of congee. Lian Shaozi shook her head: “During video calls then, I’d see marks on his neck and arms. Asked him, he said he’d picked up a little wild cat with quite a temper. Only retracted claws when given food. He wanted to keep that cat.”

“When did he ever pick up a cat?”

Blurted out, but reacted within two seconds.

“I said those claws were too sharp. Keeping it might hurt people. Not allowed. He said the cat was like that from being used to wandering. Give it a home and it would be very clingy. I let him be. Later a summer vacation passed. I returned home, asked him where the cat was. He said once it got fat, it ran away.”

Her ears burned.

Lian Shaozi laughed aloud: “He lost quite a bit of weight looking for that cat then.”

The oven made soft sounds. After several seconds of silence, Long Qi said: “Didn’t mean to scratch him. He always provoked me. His hands never stayed idle. Who likes being touched under the chin while eating?”

But after speaking she wanted to glue her scissor-mouth shut with strong adhesive. Lian Shaozi knew everything. She was currently pouring the egg-milk mixture into chocolate sauce, seeming to smile yet not smile.

Long’er came over.

Probably smelling the seafood congee scent, running thump thump thump to her side. Two front paws with a whoosh landed on Long Qi’s waist begging for food. Lian Shaozi called out “Hans” once. Only then did Long’er retract its paws and sit, panting while looking at Long Qi with a loyal honest appearance.

So Long’er’s original name was “Hans.” No wonder no matter how she’d trained it before it was always mischievous—it hadn’t even recognized its changed name yet. She asked: “How old is Hans this year?”

“Almost nine years old. An old dog. Yiken raised it in middle school.” Saying this, Lian Shaozi’s index finger pointed once into the air, untying her apron and walking out. “There are photos. Hans was very cute as a puppy.”

In less than two minutes, a photo album was brought by Lian Shaozi and placed on the central storage cabinet in the kitchen. Long Qi put the congee aside and looked together. The album flipped to the middle section showing Hans when it first came home, toddling in the yard as a little puppy. Compared to now, it was adorable to death. Flipping forward one page, she saw middle school Jin Yiken.

Remembering what he’d said before: “Do you know how awesome your husband was in middle school?”

So now she really saw his photos from that time. Just after school in late dusk, he and his brother both wore private school uniforms—his was middle school, his brother’s was kindergarten. He had his hands in his pockets, holding Long’er’s collar leash. His brother gnawed on a piece of bread, not looking at the camera at all. Back then he was already quite tall, especially handsome, upright posture, but mouth smiling crookedly—looking like an academically excellent little troublemaker. There was late dusk light in the yard, shining on his shoulders, and some wind blowing his forehead hair and Hans’s fur.

Really did have a qualitative difference from Fu Yu’ao. Fu Yu’ao was already the most handsome little boy in her middle school.

Staring at this photo for ages, Lian Shaozi took rum from under the cabinet, turned back to continue making cake. Long Qi flipped the album forward, seeing many daily photos from that stage. Seems the academically excellent little troublemaker persona was already very popular with girls then. One class group camping activity photo showed him with head lowered studying a tent while half the female classmates in the background, near or far, were all secretly watching him.

Going further forward, seeing photos from even younger ages, she said: “He was too cute as a child.”

“He even has photos from his tooth-loss period.”

“I’ve seen them,” Long Qi immediately laughed, looking up. “Si Bolin posted them on the campus network before, made him so angry. But the premise was that he first posted a photo of ten-year-old Si Bolin getting his head shaved.”

“Bolin’s photos aren’t few either. The two of them played together growing up. Flip forward.”

Following instructions, she indeed saw many photos of Jin Yiken, Si Bolin, Pengzi and Shu Meng playing together. Speaking of it, the four of them were childhood sweethearts. Back then Shu Meng dressed like a little princess, playing even more invested than those three boys. That action amplitude didn’t care at all about exposing anything—hilarious. Later she also found a photo of Jin Yiken, Si Bolin, and Pengzi standing in a row facing the wall as punishment. Pengzi was so funny, standing there crying.

“They were naughty as kids, didn’t like playing with girls. Mengmeng loved following them, so they shot Mengmeng with water guns. Got discovered at home, took a beating.” Lian Shaozi told Long Qi this while putting the used rum back in the cabinet.

“Too naughty.”

“Yiken didn’t like playing with girls until before high school. I was worried he wasn’t romantic, wouldn’t have a girlfriend in the future.”

“How could that be, Auntie? Your son is amazing at attracting girls.”

Lian Shaozi laughed again. Long Qi flipped forward another page, seeing his little appearance from elementary school. Immediately after she saw his photo with another girl.

Different from the four childhood sweethearts before, in this photo Lian Shaozi and that girl’s mother were also in frame. Jin Yiken wasn’t looking at the camera, being held by the hand by Lian Shaozi, looking bored. That girl sat on her mother’s lap. The four people looked like they were at an old friends’ tea gathering.

Her movements paused for one or two seconds. Lian Shaozi glanced over: “This is Aiting.”

She remembered—Bai Aiting and Jin Yiken were also childhood sweethearts. Also remembered Lian Shaozi used to like Bai Aiting very much. Long Qi’s hand tapped restlessly on the table: “…Bai Aiting doesn’t seem to play much with Pengzi and them.”

“This child is more quiet, doesn’t like playing with boys. She often followed behind Yiken watching. The two children’s personalities didn’t quite match.”

Lian Shaozi had her back turned, slowly pouring the prepared mousse mixture into molds.

The album under her hands continued flipping pages. Then, she actually saw a photo of him crying bitterly by the sofa—looked three or four years old, with a scratch mark at the corner of his eye, crying with his whole face red and sweaty. She specifically asked: “Is this older brother or younger brother?”

Lian Shaozi glanced: “Older brother.”

“He’d cry like this?”

Long Qi propped her cheek watching, taking out her phone to prepare photographing. Lian Shaozi put the finished mousse cake into the fridge for preservation: “Rare sight, right?”

“Wouldn’t see it once in a lifetime.”

“He was hit by a girl at kindergarten. The teacher said he’d made a small toy. That girl thought it was impressive, followed to watch. He wouldn’t let her, treated her the same as Mengmeng. As a result he got hit once. Knocked him senseless.”

“That little girl was so fierce.”

“The other mother was also fierce, felt her daughter did completely right. Even scolded the teacher who called parents over this matter. The next week found a new school, took her daughter and transferred kindergartens. That little girl was very cute. I remember her well.”

Hearing this, suddenly felt this story was somewhat inexplicably familiar. That fierce mom’s actions in Lian Shaozi’s mouth were especially familiar too. Her fingertips silently rubbed on the album. Long Qi asked: “Auntie, what was that kindergarten called?”

“Yizhu Private Kindergar…” Lian Shaozi said halfway while raising her forehead, paused. “That little girl was also a little mixed-race child.”

…

…

…

This kind of damned coincidence—Long Qi’s heart was absolutely cursing at fate.

Kindergarten memories for her now were already blurred images, but reminded by this photo and Lian Shaozi’s recollection, she really remembered such an incident existing. Back then Long Ziyi protected her outside, but came home and starved her severely for two meals. After that transferred to a public kindergarten, dumped her at Long Xinyi’s home to have her aunt look after her. Comparing like this, Jin Yiken didn’t have it as bad as her.

But really hadn’t expected she and Jin Yiken had once been at the same kindergarten. Lian Shaozi looked at her, forehead tilting once. Long Qi deleted the photo she’d just taken from her phone.

Just then, car lights flashed past the kitchen window. A car passed through the front yard toward the garage. Lian Shaozi’s attention was diverted: “Auntie Wu is back.”

“I’ll go help Auntie Wu get things.” Changing the topic.

Then immediately headed outside, walking toward the entrance hall. Just about to open the door when the door also clicked open from outside. Her hand gripped the door frame, but immediately what met her eyes wasn’t Auntie Wu. A shadow fell across her shoulders, blocking the entrance hall’s light. The arrival was clearly taller than her. She raised her forehead, meeting the other person’s gaze at such close distance.

Immediately recognized who he was. Retreated half a step. Also because of this unexpected meeting, the heart in her chest trembled once. Immediately following the kitchen sounds and turning her head, Lian Shaozi had also come out, arms crossed, standing in the hallway, looking at the arrival, saying lightly: “You’re back.”

Long Qi turned her head back.

Jin Yiken’s father was looking at her.

She also looked at him. Before, in Bai Aiting’s album she’d also seen one or two photos with Jin’s father. This was the first time seeing him in person. Finally understood why Jin Yiken could be rebelliously defiant yet still submit to most of the family’s arrangements. The old man’s aura was too powerful. If Zang Xipu was that kind of idle clouds and wild cranes underworld boss aura, Jin Yiken’s father was the steady-as-Mount-Tai unfathomable legitimate world big boss aura. He used to always say marrying her home would get him skinned by his dad.

“This is Long Qi, Yiken’s girlfriend. She’s staying here for a few days.”

Lian Shaozi continued.

“Hello, Uncle.”

“Oh, Long Qi.” He slowly responded.

As if he’d known about her long ago. Inserted his hands into his suit pants pockets, didn’t enter: “Have you eaten?”

“…”

“Auntie Wu is buying groceries, hasn’t returned yet,” Long Qi hadn’t answered when Lian Shaozi said.

“Tell Auntie Wu not to cook. Son’s girlfriend’s first time visiting home—let’s eat this dinner out.”

Jin’s father said this while tilting his head toward the garage direction: “Old Gu, don’t need to park the car. Bring it out—we’re going to a restaurant.”

The back of Long Qi’s neck stiffened.

She really wasn’t prepared to single-handedly attend a dinner party with Jin Yiken’s parents. Couldn’t even speak smoothly, and it wasn’t good to refuse. When turning to look at Lian Shaozi, Lian Shaozi loosened her gathered hair, continuing unhurriedly to cross her arms: “Then Qiqi, you go upstairs to change clothes. We’re going out to eat dinner.”

…

As soon as she went upstairs, she quickly video-called Jin Yiken. As soon as Jin Yiken answered, regardless of what he was doing, she rapidly threw words in a low voice: “Your dad came back, wants to take me out to eat. My first time seeing your parents and I have to eat with just the two of them. Is this any way for a first meeting? I’m going crazy!”

“You’re that awesome?”

Jin Yiken actually laughed after listening, sitting slanted at a desk.

“Awesome my ass. I’m scared to death. Your dad isn’t fierce? Three seconds to see through my lack of education and skills.”

“My dad is very gentle with girls.”

“Think of a way to get me out of this. I don’t want to eat dinner.”

“It’s fine. Didn’t you say it was meaningful?”

Simply collapsing. But although panicking on one side, she still couldn’t help changing clothes. Jin Yiken sat up straight, finally seriously saying: “Don’t be nervous. My dad just got back, calling you out to eat the first dinner—the intention isn’t the meal. He’s coming for my mom. You just take care of eating there. Leave the talking to them.”

Remembered they were getting divorced.

Jin Yiken’s light-as-clouds tone was like discussing someone else’s family matters. Long Qi finished changing clothes, holding her phone: “You even called your mom last night?”

“Mm. Chatted a bit about your matters.”

“You’re settled down, not anxious to come back now?”

“You’re in luck.”

Jin Yiken only said this one sentence, then leaned toward the screen: “Can’t talk to you now. I need to go out. You go eat something good. My dad’s taste is quite like yours. The restaurant he picks, you’ll definitely like. Also, if he gives you a meeting gift, don’t be polite—accept, accept everything. He has lots of good things. Whatever you take is yours.”

Long Qi clearly heard the subtext behind these words of “dividing family assets soon anyway.” She gave Jin Yiken a look. He grinned and hung up the video.

At this moment online should still be storming and lightning-flashing about her AIDS topic, while she busily groomed and dressed in Jin Yiken’s room. Lian Shaozi and Jin’s father waited in the living room downstairs. She quickly put on clothes, smoothed hair, put on earrings.

Same lightning flashing, same anxious unbearable feeling.