The next day, Li Wu woke up early—or more accurately, hadn’t slept at all. By six, he was in the kitchen helping Aunt Tang prepare breakfast, indirectly asking if Cen Jin had any favorite breakfast shops so he could go buy something.

Cen Jin had also barely slept well. She knew that everything would be different when she woke up tomorrow, so she still cherished their current “sibling” relationship that required no confrontation or responsibility.

In the end, she was still quite a self-centered person and had mixed personal motives in last night’s conversation. While it appeared she had made concessions to the young man, she had deepened their bond—it was a gamble, a mutual baiting with themselves as lures. She could already anticipate how Li Wu’s attitude toward her would change this morning.

Around eight, Cen Jin opened her eyes, vaguely hearing conversation outside, guessing it was her father having breakfast with Li Wu.

To prevent this kid from getting too excited and speaking carelessly in front of her parents, she decided to set some ground rules first.

She did worry too much.

Thinking this, Cen Jin opened WeChat, reviewing last night’s chat history. Her gaze fell on the earnest characters for “man,” and she couldn’t help but curve her lips.

After patiently waiting for the sound of her father leaving for work, she sent Li Wu a message: Come to my room.

The words were like a command, and in the blink of an eye, there was a gentle knock on the door.

Cen Jin adjusted her pajamas as if preparing to meet an important client: “Come in.”

The young man pushed open the door. Today he wore a gray T-shirt and black shorts, revealing his long, sturdy calves.

Their eyes met, and Li Wu looked away first, sitting down on the chair without a word.

Cen Jin noticed his quickly reddening ears and upturned mouth corners, asking exasperatedly: “Why are you blushing?”

The young man looked back, his eyes black and bright with joy: “I don’t know, I can’t control it.”

Cen Jin’s mouth twitched: “Stop being uncontrollable. If you react like this every time you see me, aren’t you afraid others will notice something between us?”

The mention made his face and ears burn even hotter. He looked back at the door, strode over to close it, and only then returned to his seat with peace of mind.

Cen Jin glanced at him sideways, crossing her arms: “I called you here to remind you to control yourself a bit.”

Li Wu immediately straightened his lips, his expression becoming as solemn as military training: “Okay.”

Seeing him like this, Cen Jin couldn’t help but snort a laugh, her eyes curving: “Your manner right now—I should take a photo to show you.”

She even pretended to reach for her phone by the pillow.

Why was neither way acceptable? Li Wu grew anxious: “Then how should I act?”

Cen Jin thought for a moment: “Just interact normally, like before. My mom will probably be discharged from the hospital in the next day or two, and once I get my cast removed and can walk with crutches, you won’t need to carry me around anymore. My mom is incredibly perceptive—I’m worried she’ll notice something’s up, which wouldn’t be good for you.”

Li Wu was quiet for two seconds before responding “Okay.”

Looking at him for a while, Cen Jin noticed his under-eye area, searching for traces of dark circles: “Did you sleep last night?”

Li Wu answered honestly: “No.”

Cen Jin raised an eyebrow: “How do you not have any dark circles?”

Li Wu was puzzled himself: “I don’t?”

Cen Jin sighed enviously: “Youth is something—pulling an all-nighter doesn’t leave any traces.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Wu also began studying her intently, his eyes slightly evaluating.

Those clean, intense large eyes of his were completely unfair. Cen Jin felt her cheeks warming under his gaze and demanded: “What are you looking at?”

Li Wu quickly withdrew his gaze: “Did you sleep well last night?”

Cen Jin answered without thinking: “I slept very well.”

“Good,” as if her good sleep quality made him even happier, the young man’s lips curved up as he looked at her again: “Shall I carry you to brush your teeth?”

Cen Jin paused for a moment, then extended one arm.

Li Wu immediately stood up, like a young knight who had received the queen’s favor, quickly moving to the bedside to lift her horizontally.

—

That afternoon, Mother Cen recovered and returned home from the hospital. She had already heard from her husband about Li Wu coming to keep their daughter company while she was recuperating, and when she saw him, she happily chatted with him for quite a while, even praising how he had grown taller, his head almost reaching the doorframe.

Cen Jin sat in a single armchair, expressionlessly scooping watermelon.

Several times she observed Li Wu—this boy was as obedient as ever, completely avoiding stealing glances at her, sitting properly and listening attentively to her mother’s chatter, occasionally responding, every bit the good boy.

Tch, what an actor.

Cen Jin relaxed, though feeling somewhat unsettled. She picked up the remote to change channels, dispelling her boredom. After a while, she stopped on a cartoon channel and turned her head, making conversation: “Li Wu, do you watch cartoons?”

Li Wu glanced at the TV screen, not understanding her intention, but figuring agreeing couldn’t be wrong, so he just made an “oh” sound.

Mother Cen snorted: “How old is he now, still watching cartoons?”

Cen Jin said: “How old could he be? Only eighteen.”

Mother Cen said: “You think everyone’s like you, still watching cartoons at eighteen?”

Cen Jin retorted: “When did I watch cartoons at eighteen?”

Mother Cen recalled clearly: “That summer after your college entrance exam, you hugged your computer watching Shugo Chara and Cardcaptor Sakura every day, not even sleeping. You think I don’t remember?”

Li Wu raised his lips: “Sister, if you want to watch, just watch. I don’t mind.”

“I’m not watching,” Cen Jin changed channels with a straight face, muttering: “I only watch adult things now.”

Mother Cen shot her a glare: “What nonsense are you saying in front of the kid!”

Cen Jin put the watermelon back on the coffee table, innocent: “What did I say wrong? Isn’t Li Wu already eighteen, an adult? Mom, you’re contradicting yourself.”

Who’s contradicting themselves? Mother Cen was speechless. She stopped sitting on the sofa, said a few kind words to Li Wu, then went to the kitchen to help Aunt Tang prepare dinner.

Only two people remained in the spacious living room.

The TV stayed on CCTV-5, with the endless match commentary filling the entire space. Besides this, there were no other sounds.

Cen Jin stared straight ahead; Li Wu also watched the screen, occasionally stealing glances at her.

Cen Jin was also distracted, able to sense each of the young man’s continuous fleeting looks, but never turning to catch him. Gradually, she imagined his intense yet cautious eyes, feeling slightly restless, unconsciously tucking her hair behind her ear.

The woman’s movement was somewhat graceful; Li Wu was instantly transfixed, suddenly stopping at her profile, then staring unblinkingly, unable to look away.

Cen Jin felt it and, unsure what this kid was spacing out about, turned to give him a stern glare.

Li Wu still didn’t turn away, instead becoming more forthright.

Cen Jin grew nervous, repeatedly looking toward the kitchen, then back at him with warning glances, but the young man’s smile only grew wider until, finally fearing he had truly annoyed her, he lowered his thick, long eyelashes and returned to watching TV.

Cen Jin took out her phone to reprimand: What are you doing?

Li Wu also checked his phone, replying: Just looking for a moment.

Cen Jin narrowed her eyes, typing: This is looking for a moment? You’ve been looking for nearly a year.

Li Wu: But I feel like I haven’t looked for a year.

Sincere words were always hard to refute; Cen Jin put her phone away. She had probably been single too long, seeming to also find some enjoyment in this, some pleasure in these long-lost feelings—these undercurrents of being cared for, being watched, being treated with sincerity.

At dinner time, Father Cen also returned home. The table was full of people, with laughter and conversation, a scene of perfect harmony.

Li Wu returned to being that quiet, sensible young boy, only seriously responding when the elders actively spoke to him, otherwise either sipping his soda or eating with his head down, occasionally smiling for no apparent reason.

Cen Jin sat beside him, seeing him acting a bit too much, being stiff as death, and put a piece of fish in his bowl as a hint: “Eat more, don’t be so polite.”

Li Wu froze for a moment, quickly glancing at her, very seriously: “Thank you, sister.”

Father Cen said: “We tell you not to be polite, yet you’re still so polite.”

Mother Cen agreed: “Exactly.”

Mother Cen ladled his soup: “Little Wu, when do you start school?”

Li Wu accepted with both hands: “September.”

Father Cen said: “Military training time then.”

“Mm.”

Cen Jin sighed lightly: “Going to get tanned again when I’d just managed to get him white and plump.”

Mother Cen said: “What does it matter if a boy’s skin is darker?”

Father Cen smiled: “Since you’ll be getting tanned anyway, why not learn to drive next month? Uncle happens to have a friend who runs a driving school. Right after finishing high school is the perfect time to learn.”

Cen Jin made an “ah” sound: “Then he’ll be even darker, and girls will like him even less.”

Li Wu bent over his soup, suddenly stopping, indirectly asking: “Do all girls dislike darker skin?”

“Not at all, don’t listen to your Sister Jin Jin’s nonsense,” Mother Cen looked disgusted: “My former son-in-law was like a delicate scholar, and that wasn’t necessarily better. You with your strong brows and big eyes, once you’re in university, plenty of young girls will like you.”

Cen Jin choked: “I was just stating my personal aesthetic preference, why do you need to say so much? Li Wu can do whatever he wants, it’s not like I can control him.”

…

That evening, Li Wu returned to his room and, pondering the dinner table scene, sent a message asking Cheng Rui for help: I’m going to learn to drive, how do I prevent getting tanned?

Cheng Rui was probably playing games and didn’t reply immediately. Li Wu had to resort to video calling to get a response, with the other side finally answering with curses: Traitor, you still have the nerve to ask me for help.

Li Wu apologized, then urgently pressed: Quick, tell me.

Cheng Rui was puzzled: Why do you suddenly care about sun protection?

Li Wu said: Cen Jin doesn’t like dark skin.

Cheng Rui: Fuck, I’m going to kill you.

After a while, Cheng Rui sent several Taobao links for baseball caps and sunscreen, saying these were his personally tested best options.

Li Wu looked at the links for a moment, replying: I’ll download Taobao first.

Cheng Rui in disbelief: ………… Don’t tell me you’ve never shopped online before.

Li Wu was unconcerned: I’ll figure it out after looking it up.

Cheng Rui was floored.

Following online instructions, Li Wu quickly registered an account and ordered all of Cheng Rui’s recommended products. Then he started browsing things women like, wanting to choose a birthday gift for Cen Jin but remained clueless. Until a certain image flashed by, suddenly enlightening him—he carefully recalled the English brand names on the bottles he’d seen on Cen Jin’s washstand over the past few days and began searching.

When the search results came up showing the prices, Li Wu was slightly stunned, but still opened them one by one, meticulously comparing effects and uses, busy until early morning before placing his order.

The day Cen Jin was getting her cast removed happened to be her birthday. While she and Mrs. Cen were at the hospital, Li Wu snuck into her room, placing the green bottle of eye cream he’d bought early on her dressing table, arranging it alongside her existing one, blending in perfectly, wanting to give Cen Jin a surprise.

In the evening, Cen Jin returned home. The mother and daughter had gone shopping at the mall, carrying numerous bags, and Mother Cen had brought a beautiful cake—her intention to celebrate her daughter’s birthday was obvious.

Not having gone out to enjoy herself for so long, even just wheeling around casually was enough to make Cen Jin happy. She’d even put on full makeup for the occasion, her complexion bright and animated.

Father Cen was even more ceremonious. During the after-dinner wishes and birthday song, his voice was the loudest, completely drowning out everyone else until they finally gave up and just listened to him passionately hitting high notes by himself.

Cen Jin steadied her birthday hat that had gone crooked from swaying back and forth: “Dad, are you having a concert?”

Father Cen cleared his throat: “It’s my daughter’s birthday, of course, we must treat it with proper ceremony.” He then formally handed the cake knife to Cen Jin.

Cen Jin lowered her eyes and cut six roughly equal pieces, then passed the cake to Aunt Tang.

Aunt Tang put the cut pieces onto small plates and distributed them one by one to Cen Jin, her parents, Li Wu, and finally herself.

Seeing the adults go to the side to eat cake, Cen Jin finally looked at the young man who had been quietly standing across the table. He had barely spoken throughout, seeming somewhat uncomfortable and unable to blend into this family birthday celebration atmosphere.

Cen Jin pondered this, looking down at her portion, then picked up the cake knife and carefully lifted the cream characters for “Be Happy” from the top layer, calling to him: “Li Wu, come here.”

The young man paused slightly, walking to her side.

Cen Jin curved her hand.

Li Wu immediately leaned in attentively.

Cen Jin lifted the knife handle to show him: “The ‘happiness’ is for you.”

Li Wu declined: “You eat it.”

Cen Jin raised her eyes: “Really don’t want it?”

Li Wu: “Mm.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his cheek suddenly felt cool—she had smeared a small patch of cream on it. He reacted and turned to look at her, just catching her eyes full of mischievous laughter, bright and lively like scattered light on a lake, beautiful enough to daze one’s mind, and her smile was equally triumphant, brooking no argument: “Whether you want it or not, you’re getting it, little brother.”

Li Wu’s heart fluttered. He glanced at the elders watching TV and eating cake in the living room, confirming they weren’t paying attention, then immediately used his thumb to scoop some cream and unhesitatingly smeared it back on her cheek.

The cream was cold, but the young man’s fingertip was very warm. Being touched like this, Cen Jin froze, her heart feeling like it was dipped in cream, tingling with a dense sweetness. She hurriedly wiped it off with the back of her hand, pretending to be angry: “Are you rebelling?”

But Li Wu appeared somewhat innocent: “Isn’t it good to be happy together?”

She directly raised her right foot to kick his knee.

Li Wu was caught off guard by the kick but also smiled, nearly forgetting that his left cheek still had cream on it.

—

Before bed, Cen Jin used her crutches to wash up. While sitting at the washstand performing her daily skincare routine, she suddenly discovered her eye cream had gained an identical twin sister.

She opened the cap to look, found it full, then tightened it and gently put it back.

No need to guess who the big spender was who had left it there. She immediately picked up her phone to interrogate Li Wu: Did you buy the eye cream?

The other side seemed to have been waiting for this, replying at lightning speed: Yes. Happy birthday, sister.

Cen Jin asked again: When did you buy it?

Li Wu replied: Just a couple of days ago.

Cen Jin: Where did you buy it?

Li Wu: Online.

Really troublesome. Cen Jin decided to upgrade her interrogation to an investigation: Come to my room, and bring your phone.

Receiving these instructions, the young man next door immediately got out of bed and went to Cen Jin’s room. The living room was empty and dark. Just as he entered, a woman’s voice came from the bathroom: “I’m in here, close the door.”

Li Wu made an “mm” sound, closed the door, and walked over.

Cen Jin glanced at him with displeasure, holding out her hand: “Let me see your shopping records.”

Li Wu immediately pulled up the interface and handed her the phone.

Cen Jin scrolled the screen for a look—good kid, he even knew to order from the official flagship store. She couldn’t help but laugh as she scolded: “Who gave you the right to buy such expensive eye cream?”

Li Wu was quiet for a moment before answering honestly: “You use it.”

Cen Jin took a deep breath: “I wouldn’t dare use it, who would dare use it? Can you afford this kind of spending? Those wages you earned working from dawn to dusk at the café, you used them all to buy this? Such a tiny thing, is it worth it? You’d be better off buying more books, even buying a tablet would be better than this.”

Feeling her arguing with him, truly angry, Li Wu knew he was wrong and neither quibbled nor explained, just stood there dejectedly with lowered hands.

Cen Jin continued browsing his purchase history, inadvertently seeing other items, and frowned again: “What are these?”

Li Wu also glanced: “For learning to drive in a few days.”

Cen Jin’s gaze lingered on those items, her thoughts extending, the irritation in her heart immediately dissipating by half. She suppressed a smile: “Why, afraid of getting tanned?”

“Mm.”

“I just mentioned it casually, can’t your brain be less quick?”

Cen Jin was slightly moved, holding the phone back out to him. Li Wu hurriedly took it, holding it without daring to look again. After several silent seconds, he glanced at the small jar of eye cream he’d bought and said seriously: “Sister, please accept it this time. Next time I’ll only buy gifts I can afford.”

Cen Jin pressed her lips together, reconciling: “Alright, but don’t let it happen again.”

“Will you use it?” Seeing her mood improve, Li Wu pursued with another question.

“I won’t use it, I’ll keep it forever as a negative example of gift-giving.” The woman looked straight ahead, deliberately speaking to annoy him.

Li Wu curved his lips: “That’s fine too.”

“Fine your head.”

Just as she was about to scold him more, a male voice suddenly coughed outside. Cen Jin froze, guessing it was her father coming downstairs to smoke. Sure enough, the courtyard lights came on, and her father’s concerned voice came from the corridor directly outside the window: “Jin Jin, not asleep yet?”

In the middle of the night, Cen Jin suddenly panicked. She glanced at the bathroom’s frosted glass window, then at the too-tall presence beside her, hurriedly pulling him once, commanding in a whisper: “Crouch down.”

Then she turned on the faucet and raised her voice to respond to her father: “Mm—I’m washing my face.”

She lowered the water sound and teased: “Are you sneaking down to smoke again behind Mom’s back?”

Her father chuckled: “Mm, just one cigarette, don’t tell her tomorrow.”

“Okay, go to bed early.”

“You should sleep soon too, don’t stay up late, it’s not good for your bone recovery.”

Cen Jin sweetly agreed her heart racing. She turned the faucet up again, finally having time to turn and check on Li Wu’s situation. Just one look and she fell into a pair of deep black eyes.

She was unexpectedly close to the young man. Their breathing, after a moment of stagnation, became rapid and intertwined.

Cen Jin guessed he had probably been watching her from this close distance for a long time, deliberately waiting for her to turn around, otherwise, how could his eyes be so captivating—she couldn’t escape at all.

Hot water rushed into the sink, getting hotter and hotter, giving off white steam, and making the narrow space grow humid and warm.

During their eye contact, Li Wu’s Adam’s apple moved.

Hearing the sound of him swallowing, Cen Jin finally broke from her trance and averted her gaze.

Li Wu was embarrassed and hurriedly tried to stand up to create distance, but was pulled back.

The woman’s face was tinged pink, her breath hot and rapid against his nose tip: “Do you want my dad to find you?”

Her moving lips were also rosy as if burned. Li Wu didn’t dare look anymore and suddenly lowered his head.

His chest was restlessly turbulent, unbearable like a hundred claws scratching his heart. The scene he had dreamed of many times was within reach, causing waves of impulse to surge through his body, making him somewhat unable to bear it. He couldn’t help raising his face again to look at Cen Jin, his eyes slightly wet and deep, just quietly looking at her like this, looking at her eyes, her lips, everything on her face.

Cen Jin met his gaze once and understood most of it.

God, Cen Jin turned her face away—who could withstand being stared at like this, this kind of youthful vigor, and particularly intense desire and longing, making one unable to resist wanting to respond, to satisfy. But she had to control herself, couldn’t surrender early. Cen Jin suppressed her heartbeat, squeezing harsh words through her teeth: “I know what you want to do. Not. Allowed.”

Hearing this, the young man lowered his head in shame, like a dejected little beast.

Finally, the light outside went out, and Father Cen returned inside and went upstairs.

Cen Jin let out a long breath, turned off the water, and the entire bathroom finally quieted down.

Li Wu abruptly stood up and quickly fled her room.

Cen Jin leaned back against the chair weakly, looking around at the surrounding steam, the temperature terrifyingly high. She cupped her face with both hands—well, it wasn’t too bad.