The Qingming Festival holiday was approaching.

Sheng Xia had lost track of time, only remembering the countdown written beside the blackboard, no longer knowing what day it was.

If she didn’t receive news from the publisher before the holiday, things would get very tense afterward.

Wang Lianhua asked almost daily, “Has it passed?”

She was even more anxious than Sheng Xia.

Sheng Xia also messaged the editor every few days, until she felt embarrassed about it.

This Friday, the sky was especially clear, with clouds like overturned buckets of cream.

Such weather was suitable for good news.

During the long afternoon break, Fu Jie quietly came to Sheng Xia’s side, but Sheng Xia was doing eye exercises with her eyes closed and didn’t notice.

She just heard someone saying: “You passed!”

She didn’t know what had “passed,” opening her bleary eyes to find Fu Jie’s face right in front of her.

“Sheng Xia, your manuscript passed!”

Sheng Xia froze.

“It passed! Are you so happy you’ve gone silly?”

“Ah?!” Sheng Xia suddenly stood up, holding Fu Jie’s hands, “Really, teacher?”

“Of course, why would I lie? The editor said she’s been trying to reach you for a day, but you haven’t replied. With the holiday coming, they needed to notify you quickly!”

Sheng Xia didn’t know how to describe this joy anymore.

It had been too long since she’d felt such emotion.

Too long.

She was nearly crying with joy, and Fu Jie wasn’t much better. The teacher and student stood in the middle of the classroom, holding hands and smiling at each other, just short of jumping up and down.

After Fu Jie left, Xin Xiaohe came over, “What was that about just now?”

Sheng Xia suppressed her wild joy, but her pressed lips still curved upward, her eyes full of smiles as she shared with her friend in a low voice: “Xiaohe, I passed! My publishing manuscript passed the final review!”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhh? Oh my god, published! You’re amazing, my sister! Is it the publishing house you mentioned last time?”

Xin Xiaohe’s voice suddenly drowned out the end of the eye exercise music, startling their drowsy classmates.

Sheng Xia covered her mouth: “It just passed review, it only counts when it’s published, don’t spread it around.”

Xin Xiaohe contained herself: “Oh oh, understood.”

“Then you should tell Zhang Shu quickly! He might recover immediately from happiness!”

Sheng Xia: “Mm!”

Having people who genuinely share your joy is wonderful!

She hadn’t wanted to say anything before, lacking confidence not only in herself but also in their relationship.

Though things still weren’t certain now,… he was already thinking about studying in America to find her, what did she have to be hesitant about?

Sheng Xia couldn’t sit still anymore, even wanting to message him immediately.

But she wanted to tell him in person.

When she got home that evening, Sheng Xia immediately told Wang Lianhua the news.

She thought her mother would be very surprised and happy, but she didn’t seem to be.

There was happiness, but no surprise, as if she already knew.

But her mother was usually unruffled, so Sheng Xia didn’t think much of it.

“Tomorrow afternoon I’m going to Dongzhou to pick up Ahxuan, I’ll be back around when you get out of school, so I’ll pick you up directly from school,” Wang Lianhua instructed.

Sheng Xia thought for a moment: “I can bike to school tomorrow, and come back by myself too.”

Wang Lianhua: “No.”

Then she gave Sheng Xia a “mother knows best” look — don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning.

Sheng Xia deflated, no longer plotting anything.

On the way back with Wu Qiuxuan, Wang Lianhua received another call from Sheng Mingfeng. She answered, her tone lacking its usual impatience, only coolness remaining: “Hello?”

“Is Ahxuan on break?” Sheng Mingfeng asked.

Wang Lianhua: “Yes, I just picked her up, we’re on the way.”

Sheng Mingfeng: “Alright, then I’ll arrange lunch for the holiday, tell them in advance.”

Wang Lianhua: “Okay.”

After a pause, just as Wang Lianhua was about to hang up, Sheng Mingfeng said: “About Sheng Xia’s class, I’ll stop it for now, let her focus on the college entrance exam first.”

Wang Lianhua’s eyebrows lifted, her words sharp: “What was the point of all this drama? Being so inconsistent, it would have been better to just let her focus on the exam from the start.”

Sheng Mingfeng didn’t take the bait: “I don’t see it as drama. I still believe studying abroad is the best choice, I’m just respecting her choice more.”

This seemed to be implying something about her. Wang Lianhua hung up.

They weren’t suited for calm discussion; when views didn’t align, even half a sentence was too much.

A few days ago, she received a call from Sheng Mingfeng, asking if Sheng Xia could get into Heqing University and, if would she still insist on keeping her at Nanli.

Wang Lianhua was furious.

Did her ex-husband think she was so short-sighted?

“Of course not, you think you’re the only one who cares about Sheng Xia’s future?”

Hearing her response, Sheng Mingfeng said: “Then let’s both compromise.”

She was confused by his words.

It turned out Sheng Mingfeng had Li Xu handle the independent recruitment matter, contacting a provincial publishing house, hoping to save some face while not violating principles.

But the publishing house said Sheng Xia had already passed review.

The chief editor even specially called Li Xu, praising Sheng Xia from head to toe, saying she had both talent and integrity, a rare literary talent.

Of course, they didn’t forget to praise Sheng Mingfeng for raising his daughter well.

Though he didn’t save face as planned, his daughter had brought him quite a lot of honor instead.

Sheng Mingfeng was somewhat moved.

Let alone a provincial literary publishing house, even provincial periodicals weren’t easy to get into. Sheng Mingfeng had overseen propaganda work before, he understood the difficulty of the latter.

The former would only be harder.

And Sheng Xia was only seventeen.

All these years, he had prided himself on understanding Sheng Xia better than Wang Lianhua.

Now, Sheng Mingfeng felt dazed – did he understand his daughter that well?

He wavered.

When Wang Lianhua heard this account, she was also secretly shaken.

Though among the three daughters, Sheng Xia had the best grades, when it came to “surprises,” it had always been Wu Qiuxuan, sometimes even Ningning was more surprising than Sheng Xia.

Sheng Xia was too steady, too peaceful, too obedient.

No one had imagined she could quietly accomplish such things.

Wang Lianhua finally asked Sheng Mingfeng: “Why? Why do you suddenly care about independent recruitment?”

She thought Sheng Mingfeng would be the one least hoping for success with independent recruitment. He would rather it failed so she would follow his arranged path.

Sheng Mingfeng answered: “Because Sheng Xia said she wanted to decide for herself once.”

…

Senior year three only got one day off for the Qingming Festival. Learning that Sheng Mingfeng had arranged lunch, Sheng Xia wanted to say it was heaven-sent.

So before leaving, she told Wang Lianhua: “Mom, I’m going to Zhizhi’s house to play in the afternoon.”

Wang Lianhua questioned: “Going to someone’s house to play during Qingming Festival?”

Sheng Xia: …

She hadn’t thought about that problem!

Unexpectedly, Wu Qiuxuan came to her rescue, “Mom, can you update your thinking? Who cares about that for dates nowadays?”

Date.

Though Wu Qiuxuan meant the date with Tao Zhizhi, Sheng Xia felt like she’d been exposed, quite guilty, keeping her head down.

Wang Lianhua paused for two seconds, then nodded thoughtfully.

The three sisters left.

Zheng Dongning suddenly turned back, saying to those inside: “Mom, you should go on a date too!”

Grandma’s voice was very sweet.

Then she held Wu Qiuxuan’s hand on her left and Sheng Xia’s on her right, conscientiously pressing the elevator button.

The shocked ones weren’t just Wang Lianhua inside, but also Wu Qiuxuan and Sheng Xia outside.

But their mother’s expression didn’t seem purely shocked, there seemed to be some panic too.

In the elevator, Wu Qiuxuan swung Zheng Dongning’s little hand: “Ningning, what did you just say?”

Zheng Dongning went quiet again.

This was more normal.

Wu Qiuxuan sighed.

Sheng Mingfeng hadn’t changed much, still gathering in the Zhenpinyuan private room.

But this time, he brought bubble tea.

Ningning happily gulped hers down. Wu Qiuxuan and Sheng Xia exchanged a glance, their eyes conveying the same message: This couldn’t be Sheng Mingfeng’s purchase, must be Zou Weiping’s.

Wu Qiuxuan was the type to drink it since it was free, while Sheng Xia didn’t like bubble tea, leaving it aside.

Sheng Mingfeng asked about each of their studies and life situations and if they needed anything.

Ningning naturally shook her head – what could she need?

But Sheng Mingfeng still prepared a set of paintbrushes for her, two or three hundred of them, dazzling in their rich colors.

Wu Qiuxuan had a bunch of requests, the core being: “I want to go back to Nanli for high school!”

This time, Sheng Mingfeng acted unusually, appearing to consider it, “Study hard, if your scores can get you into First High, Dad will think about it.”

“Really?” Wu Qiuxuan hadn’t expected their father to give in, overjoyed.

“My word is my bond.”

In an instant, Wu Qiuxuan became worried again – with her grades, with only these few dozen days left, getting into First High seemed as impossible as climbing to heaven.

Finally, it was Sheng Xia’s turn.

Sheng Mingfeng: “Did your mom tell you you don’t need to go to the study abroad training anymore?”

Sheng Xia was also overjoyed: “No…”

Sheng Mingfeng repeated it.

Sheng Xia worried: “Was it you who helped me, Dad? With the publishing?”

“No, absolutely not!” Sheng Mingfeng denied, “If you don’t believe me, ask your Brother Li, he’s been following this matter. Dad had that idea, but you were faster.”

Wu Qiuxuan: “Wow, Sis, that’s amazing, can I tell my classmates my sister is a writer?”

Sheng Xia: “Don’t talk nonsense!”

“Study hard for the exam, if you don’t do well, you’ll still need to take the preparatory course,” Sheng Mingfeng emphasized.

Wu Qiuxuan: “Dad, why do you want my sister to study abroad so much, why don’t you send me instead? I’d love to!”

“You going abroad would be for studying? You just want to play!”

“Bleh bleh bleh, just admit you’re playing favorites, no need for so many excuses.”

…

The meal was unusually harmonious.

Sheng Mingfeng had no real holiday to speak of, they could see him constantly declining calls during the meal.

After eating, the driver took them home while Sheng Mingfeng drove back to work alone.

Sheng Xia gave Tao Zhizhi’s home address.

Wu Qiuxuan said she wouldn’t go home either, she wanted to go too. Sheng Xia couldn’t possibly win against Wu Qiuxuan, so had to take her along.

At this, Ningning also wouldn’t let go of Sheng Xia’s arm.

So the three sisters stood side by side at Tao Zhizhi’s community entrance, waiting.

Sheng Xia hadn’t planned to go to Tao Zhizhi’s house, and naturally, Tao Zhizhi hadn’t prepared either, coming to get them disheveled and unwashed.

Tao Zhizhi’s parents had gone back to their hometown for ancestor worship, but she only had one day off and hadn’t gone with them, staying home alone.

She made faces at Sheng Xia: “What’s going on?!”

Sheng Xia pouted, she didn’t know how it had turned out like this either!

Ugh, one lie required so many more lies to cover up.

On her phone, someone was still urging: “Have you finished eating?”

“Are you coming over?”

Sheng Xia could only answer honestly: “My sisters came along, I can’t come yet.”

Song Jiang: “Bring them along.”

Sheng Xia: “…”

Compared to being found out by her sisters, Sheng Xia felt not being able to see him was harder to bear.

Going all in now – worst case, she’d have to pay some hush money.

So, after Wu Qiuxuan’s squealing “Spinning and jumping with my eyes closed” and various dramatic poses, the four sisters took a taxi to the hospital.

…

In the hospital room, Zhang Sujin was quite shocked looking at a certain handsome youth coming out of the bathroom—

Zhang Shu had just called asking her to bring over casual clothes and his shoes.

Now he wore a black T-shirt, jeans, and canvas shoes, bandages all hidden under his clothes, not looking like a patient at all.

He’d cleanly shaved the stubble he’d had for days, and had he even styled his hair?

What was going on?

Just because the nurses called him the hospital heartthrob, was he getting image-conscious?

But Zhang Sujin hadn’t seen Zhang Shu this energetic in quite a while, and her eyes got a bit wet.

“Sis, cut some fruit,” he instructed.

Zhang Sujin: …

Soon, Zhang Sujin learned the truth—Sheng Xia was coming.

And bringing several friends.

Though their age range was quite varied.

Sheng Xia was extremely embarrassed.

She’d seen people visiting patients before but never bringing the whole family along.

She stood at the door, awkwardly raising her hand: “Sister Sujin.”

“You’re here, come in and sit.”

“Okay…”

Sheng Xia froze as soon as she entered.

Zhang Shu sat by the hospital bed, long legs touching the floor, one leg stretched out, one foot casually resting on a chair rung, phone in hand browsing something, now looking up—

Just like when he was in class, leaning against his desk.

Leisurely, lazy, blessed by sunlight, Zhang Shu.

Sheng Xia stood stunned.

She wasn’t the only one stunned.

Tao Zhizhi: Wasn’t this guy stabbed? How does he look so alive and energetic?

Wu Qiuxuan: Damn, forget being a fan of celebrities, this guy has to be my brother-in-law!

The room fell silent.

Only Zheng Dongning moved, breaking free from her sister’s hand, walking up to Zhang Shu, raising her head to stare at him intently, not speaking, just her eyes rolling around.

Her gaze was curious and—entranced.

Sheng Xia: … If she left right now, would it be slightly less embarrassing?

She came back to her senses, hurriedly going forward to pull Ningning’s hand back, “Sorry, my sister, she…”

“She’s adorable,” Zhang Shu interrupted, reaching out to pinch Zheng Dongning’s cheeks, “Really adorable.”

Such bouncy soft cheeks, just like her sister’s.

He pinched again, his abdomen hurting a bit from bending over, making him frown slightly before straightening up.

Zheng Dongning smiled, seeming shy, turning back to hug Sheng Xia’s leg and hiding her face.

Zhang Sujin borrowed several stools, invited them to sit, left the cut fruit, and departed.

Sheng Xia didn’t know what to do.

“Aren’t you going to introduce everyone?” Zhang Shu spoke up.

Sheng Xia belatedly realized: “Oh.”

Tao Zhizhi giggled, whispering in Wu Qiuxuan’s ear: “What does this scene remind you of?”

Wu Qiuxuan and Tao Zhizhi exchanged glances: “Meeting the parents.”

Tao Zhizhi: “That’s too much, I was just going to say it’s like a silly girl bringing her boyfriend to meet her besties.”

Wu Qiuxuan: “Huh? Is that what you thought? Isn’t that exactly what this is?”

Tao Zhizhi gave a thumbs up.

Impressive, when it came to shipping ability, no one could beat fangirls – just being in the same frame meant marriage.

Neither of them heard how Sheng Xia introduced them, they were already very familiar with Zhang Shu anyway.

Wu Qiuxuan had said it countless times at school – that top scholar who acted heroically was in love with her sister.

Unfortunately, no one believed her.

With Wu Qiuxuan present, there was no such thing as awkward silence; the worry was more about not being able to get a word in.

Her questions got increasingly thorny, direct, and blunt, like an entertainment reporter that celebrities hate but can’t get rid of.

“Brother Shu, have you dated before?”

“Not even in middle school? That’s impossible! Don’t worry, I won’t post it online.”

“Why didn’t you date when you’re so handsome?”

“When can you release an EP?”

“Do you think being good-looking conflicts with studying?”

“Which feels better – dating or being a top scholar?”

Zhang Shu was extremely patient as if he wasn’t talking to an unreasonable little sister, they seemed like peers at that moment.

“No.”

“No.”

“Hadn’t met the right person.”

“What’s that?”

“What do you think?”

“Won’t choose between them.”

Wu Qiuxuan looked at her sister, raising an eyebrow and asking softly: “What do you think of my sister?”

Sheng Xia finally couldn’t take it anymore, “Wu Qiuxuan!”

When big sister didn’t show her authority, she thought she could act up.

Zheng Dongning giggled from the side: “Sister is pretty.”

Zhang Shu pinched Zheng Dongning’s cheeks again: “Ningning is right.”

Sheng Xia: …

The afternoon was chaotic, with Wu Qiuxuan going wild and Tao Zhizhi not being serious either, Sheng Xia’s face alternating between pale and red.

She regretted bringing them.

She hadn’t even gotten to talk to him much.

The three of them didn’t know, but she knew how seriously he was injured. They’d been sitting for so long, he must be exhausted.

So she stood up first, “It’s getting late, we should go, you need to rest.”

“What do you mean late? Sis, it’s only four!”

Not realizing until it was mentioned – they’d been here for two hours?

He’d sat there chatting for two hours, laughing and talking.

“No, we’re leaving!” she commanded.

Whenever she emphasized something strongly, Wu Qiuxuan would listen, immediately getting up from Zhang Shu’s hospital bed.

That’s right, as they chatted, seeing the empty bed, she’d half-sprawled on it, leg propped up, making herself at home.

Taking over the nest.

Zhang Shu had let her.

All four sisters stood up together, Sheng Xia meeting Zhang Shu’s intent gaze.

Ah, why did it feel like coming was the same as not coming?

“Then we’ll go first, I’ll come visit you another day.”

She thought with so many people present, he’d just nod or casually agree.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Shu also stood up, standing in front of her, asking: “Which day is ‘another day’?”

“Tsk tsk tsk.”

“Should we step out first?”

“Let’s go, Sister Zhizhi.”

Walking halfway then turning back to pull Ningning, “Ningning, come on, you’re too bright.”

Sheng Xia: …

Sheng Xia lowered her head, glancing at his abdomen, then looking up, “Are you much better now, able to walk like this?”

He stood too close, when she looked up they were almost breathing the same air.

“Mm.” His answer was simple.

Sheng Xia: “Then, can you participate in the second mock exam soon?”

“No.”

Sheng Xia: “Hm?”

“Can’t walk for long, can’t sit for long.”

“Then you sat for so long today…” Sheng Xia gently pushed his chest, wanting him to lie back down, “Go rest quickly!”

Her hand was caught.

His voice came from above: “Do you have anything else to tell me?”

Something else.

Of course!

“My manuscript passed, I should be able to sign the contract after the holiday, this way I can make it for Heqing University’s review!” she smiled, eyes curved, sharing her joy with him.

Zhang Shu’s eyes brightened, his fingers sliding between hers, squeezing gently, “You’re amazing.”

Then he suddenly remembered something, laughing, “No, you’re ni-hai.”

His voice was deep and tender.

Sheng Xia lowered her head shyly, seeing their intertwined fingers, then hurriedly turned her head away.

As she turned, she saw two heads peering through the small window in the door, quickly ducking away when they saw her looking.

Sheng Xia…

Her palms were so hot, her ears were so hot.

She couldn’t stay any longer.

Her fingers slipped from his hand, “You go rest, I’ll come again another day.”

“Promise?”

“Mm, promise.”

He finally let her go.

Sheng Xia walked toward the door, took two steps then suddenly turned back, seeing him still watching her.

“Ah Shu, if I get into Heqing University, please be together with me?” she spoke, her tone calm but firm.

Zhang Shu froze completely.

Sheng Xia pressed her lips slightly, then didn’t wait for his answer, opening the door and leaving.

She didn’t need his answer, because she knew it would be a nod.

Zhang Shu lay back on the hospital bed, his mind full of her last words.

But had she misunderstood, or was he overthinking—weren’t they already together?

Still waiting for university?

What difference did that make, silly!