Summer vacation arrived, and Jiang Yubai’s uncle suggested that he take Jiang Yubai on vacation in a city in southern France.

Jiang Yubai firmly but politely declined his uncle’s offer.

Jiang Yubai returned to the provincial capital in late June. He had no travel plans and stayed at home studying every day. His uncle found this strange and asked him, “Xiao Jiang, last summer vacation, you were always immersed in the provincial library. Why do you still want to stay cooped up at home this year?”

Jiang Yubai sat at his desk and casually answered, “I’ve discovered the joy of learning.”

His uncle walked to his side: “You need to balance work and rest. Don’t tire yourself out. No matter how busy you are, you still need to exercise.”

Jiang Yubai opened a computer document titled “Summer Course Schedule.” Jiang Yubai explained to his uncle: “I have one martial arts class every day.”

“Good,” his uncle said with satisfaction, “Xiao Jiang, when you grow up, you’ll excel in both academics and martial arts, just like your uncle.”

As his uncle was speaking, the QQ chat window on the computer screen vibrated frequently.

A friend named “Xia Xia” sent a message: “Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang Yubai, are you free at ten o’clock on Thursday morning? Can you come to my house to play?”

Jiang Yubai typed rapidly: “Yes.”

His uncle chuckled: “You’re going to Lin Zhixia’s home as a guest?”

“Yes.” Jiang Yubai admitted without hesitation. He stood up from his seat and tidied up his desk. Dressed in casual clothes, he stood straight by the floor-to-ceiling window, tall and slender with striking lines, embodying the distinguished demeanor of a young man.

His uncle was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said, “Truly a child of our family…”

Before his uncle could finish his sentence, there was a knock at the door.

The manor’s butler stood outside, bluntly reminding him: “Mr. Jiang Shaoqi, Miss Jessica has arrived.”

Jessica was a Singaporean of Chinese descent. She came from a wealthy background with substantial family assets, was about the same age as Jiang Shaoqi, and had majored in “Music and Philosophy” in university. She not only loved music but was also Jiang Shaoqi’s devoted fan, often following him to concert halls around the world. It was said that she had a huge portrait of Jiang Shaoqi hanging in her bedroom.

Jessica was also quite attractive, with a round face, fair skin, and a curvaceous figure, often referred to by the media as the “White Swan of the Socialite Circle.”

Jiang Shaoqi’s parents unanimously believed that Jessica was the perfect choice to be Jiang Shaoqi’s wife.

Recently, Jessica had been traveling in various Asian countries, and Jiang Shaoqi’s sister-in-law had extended an invitation to her. The very next day, Jessica arrived in the provincial capital on a private plane. With Jiang Shaoqi’s tacit approval, Jessica was to have a private meeting with him—commonly known as a “blind date.”

Jiang Shaoqi was a little nervous.

The hallway was filled with warm air, and the spotless white marble floor was so clean it reflected like a mirror. Jiang Shaoqi walked according to a musical rhythm, pausing with each step, when Jiang Yubai patted his shoulder: “Uncle, don’t be afraid.”

Jiang Shaoqi laughed and said, “What am I afraid of?”

Jiang Yubai considered his situation: “If you don’t want to entertain Jessica, I can help you.”

Jiang Shaoqi suddenly stopped: “How do you plan to help me, Xiao Jiang?”

Jiang Yubai glanced at him and said naturally: “I’ll welcome her arrival, chat with her, and see her out.”

“Are you… Trying to drive her away?” Jiang Shaoqi asked uncertainly.

“No, I just might not have much to say to her,” Jiang Yubai admitted frankly.

Jiang Shaoqi quickly educated him: “Xiao Jiang, you must remember the four characters of ‘the art of hospitality.’ The young lady has come from afar just to meet me. We should find suitable topics to discuss so she doesn’t feel awkward or encounter uncomfortable silences.”

Jiang Yubai didn’t respond.

After all, Jiang Yubai was only fourteen years old and didn’t have enough experience—this is what Jiang Shaoqi thought, while muttering to himself: “Ah, when I was young, I was single-mindedly focused on practicing piano and rejected many girls. However, this proves my self-discipline. Men as morally upright as your uncle are hard to find even with a lantern.”

It was early summer, with abundant hibiscus flowers in bloom and roses competing in beauty. The sound of the fountain was serene yet far-reaching, and the garden scenery was magnificent. Jiang Yubai and his uncle walked along a small path, their shoes stepping over a few fallen petals, when Jiang Yubai casually mentioned: “When my father was young…”

Jiang Shaoqi blurted out: “Your father’s experience was extraordinary. Not long after meeting your mother, about three or four months, he married her. Your father also said that having children was too exhausting and difficult, so he only wanted one son—you.”

“Was my mother my father’s first love?” Jiang Yubai asked again.

Jiang Shaoqi smiled awkwardly: “Probably. Your father fell in love with your mother at first sight.”

Jiang Yubai didn’t believe in “love at first sight.” He found it difficult to imagine his consistently calm, rational, mature, and steady father having his head turned by love.

Not long ago, his father had specifically talked with Jiang Yubai, telling him some things a boy must know. The matter was important, so Jiang Yubai took out a notebook, writing down each sentence his father said—but this action was stopped by his father. His father said that Jiang Yubai was acting like a secretary taking notes from a boss, not like an equal exchange between father and son.

For Jiang Yubai, his growth period was both vague and evident. The “vagueness” was manifested in the subtle emotions, while the “evidence” occurred in the various physical changes.

Jiang Yubai fell into deep thought.

At this moment, Jiang Shaoqi suddenly took off his gloves.

Jiang Shaoqi revealed a pair of hands that embodied the beauty of creation. He actively raised his right hand and said in a low tone: “Nice to meet you, Jessica.”

Not far ahead, beyond a dense apple tree, Jessica wore a water-green floral dress as she walked gracefully toward them. Jessica wore a diamond necklace around her neck, with a pendant shaped like a musical note on a staff. She raised her finger, playfully touching the musical note, gazing meaningfully at Jiang Shaoqi.

She said: “Jiang Shaoqi, long time no see.”

Jiang Shaoqi curved his lips into a smile and introduced: “This is my nephew, Jiang Yubai, who will be starting his second year of high school this fall.” His arm paused in mid-air, and he added: “This is our manor’s butler, responsible and orderly in his work.”

The butler bowed slightly.

Jiang Yubai noticed that Jiang Shaoqi’s attitude and tone of speaking had changed, so Jiang Yubai greeted them and then left on his own. At fourteen, Jiang Yubai already understood the meaning of being a “third wheel” and had no interest in his uncle’s blind date.

Previously, Jiang Yubai had thought that his uncle was immersed in his music career with no time to pay attention to trivial matters like “love and marriage.” But he hadn’t expected that his uncle would reject an arranged match by his parents at all. He thought he understood Jiang Shaoqi well, but the facts proved that he hadn’t yet penetrated the world of adults.

*

On Thursday morning, Jiang Yubai left his family’s estate and headed directly to Ancheng Residential Complex, where Lin Zhixia lived.

The driver stopped the car at the entrance of Ancheng Residential Complex and earnestly advised: “Young Master Jiang, please be careful.”

Meanwhile, Lin Zhixia stood outside the car, enthusiastically calling out: “I’m over here! Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang Yubai!”

The weather in early July was scorching, and the city government had issued an orange heat alert. Today’s sun was like a fireball, burning the ground hot. Passersby were dressed in light clothing, and elderly men and women all held palm-leaf fans.

Lin Zhixia wore a light beige dress. The dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her slender waist and long legs. Bathed in brilliant sunlight, her skin was as white as cream and as lustrous as pearls. Her eyes were bright, her gaze following Jiang Yubai. When he came before her, she said very happily: “I finally waited for you.”

Jiang Yubai maintained a distance of twenty centimeters from her: “How long did you wait?”

“Ten minutes,” Lin Zhixia timed precisely, “I stood at the entrance of the complex for ten minutes.”

Jiang Yubai looked up at the sky: “Are you hot?”

“A little,” Lin Zhixia answered honestly.

She pointed at her face: “Look at me, am I sweating?”

Jiang Yubai examined her carefully for a moment, then slowly averted his gaze. He didn’t notice any sweat on Lin Zhixia’s face, only saw his reflection in her eyes. He deliberately maintained a distance of thirty centimeters between himself and Lin Zhixia.

On the street inside the residential complex, there was a small truck filled with watermelons. The owner claimed to be a melon farmer from the countryside. He set up a sign and shouted his sales pitch loudly by the roadside. He held round green watermelons, slapping the rinds with his palm, producing a crisp “dong dong” sound.

Lin Zhixia took hold of Jiang Yubai’s wrist and asked him: “Would you like some watermelon?”

Jiang Yubai immediately withdrew his hand: “Do you want to eat some?”

Jiang Yubai’s movement was so quick that Lin Zhixia was momentarily confused. She remembered that Jiang Yubai hadn’t previously objected to contact with her. Why did he react so intensely when she unconsciously touched his wrist? Was it because they hadn’t seen each other for too long?

Lin Zhixia asked directly: “Why did you react like you were struck by 220-volt AC when I touched you lightly?”

Jiang Yubai didn’t answer her question directly. He changed the subject: “I’ll go buy watermelon.”

Jiang Yubai unzipped his backpack, took out his wallet, and pulled out a hundred-yuan bill. He asked the melon farmer to pick two of the sweetest watermelons for him. The farmer responded loudly: “Sure thing! Wait a moment!”

The farmer selected back and forth several times, finally choosing two watermelons that still had vine leaves attached. He gave Jiang Yubai a handful of change. Jiang Yubai took the money, but before he could put it away, Lin Zhixia suddenly held the back of his hand.

Lin Zhixia wanted to check if the bills were genuine.

Jiang Yubai, however, pressed the change into her palm.

She asked in confusion: “What are you doing?”

Jiang Yubai opened his backpack slightly and asked Lin Zhixia to drop the change into his bag. Lin Zhixia felt that he was somewhat different from before, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what had changed.

Jiang Yubai carried a plastic bag containing two large watermelons. His arm strength was impressive, with smooth arm lines, showing no fatigue even when carrying heavy items. He followed Lin Zhixia into her home, and she quietly told him: “My brother isn’t home today. He’ll be starting his third year of high school next semester. Today he’s taking makeup classes at school and probably won’t come home for lunch.”

Great, Jiang Yubai thought.

He and Lin Zequiu had always had an invisible conflict.

With Lin Zequiu not at home, Jiang Yubai guessed that today, as he spent time with Lin Zhixia, there should be no one to disturb them.