Meng Fuyuan closed his umbrella and settled into the driver’s seat, rain pattering against the windows outside.

On this rainy dawn at summer’s end, he lit a cigarette, took only one drag, and simply held it between his fingers.

His breathing remained unable to calm. He lowered his head and laughed softly to himself.

As if having survived a catastrophe.

When he first realized he had developed improper thoughts toward his younger brother’s “girlfriend,” the feelings of shock and self-loathing had become somewhat blurred, to be honest.

After so many years, he had grown accustomed to this hopelessness—sometimes after getting used to the pain, there was only a calm numbness.

When he learned that Qiran and Qingwu had never actually been in a romantic relationship, his first thought wasn’t to “step in as a replacement.” In fact, initially he only planned to help mend their relationship.

But people shouldn’t overestimate themselves.

He had always believed that his feelings for Chen Qingwu would gradually fade with further distance, or perhaps one day when she and Qiran’s marriage was settled.

But since she came to Dongcheng, after several encounters.

A contradiction of strength and vulnerability, inappropriate stubbornness and earnestness, and her radiance when devoted to her career… everything about her was more attractive than when he had observed from afar.

That initial faint addiction of yearning for the unattainable viciously rebounded with overwhelming force.

Walking for so long through frozen, snowy deep nights, accustomed to such cold and darkness, it hadn’t seemed like anything.

But once you approach a source of warmth, even if you only briefly sense that warmth and light, how can you willingly return alone to the dark night?

Perhaps, from when he first heard Qingwu planned to open a studio and deliberately inquired about suitable shop spaces, the butterfly by the Amazon River had flapped its wings for the first time.

Today’s spontaneous decision was purely a gamble.

Their relationship was stuck and unable to progress. Continuing to interact would only mean searching for a breakthrough point that perhaps didn’t exist, amid mutual awkwardness and politeness.

Moreover, Qiran would soon move to Dongcheng.

He suddenly thought of that fortune slip he had dismissed at the time: wait for the right moment, and you will surely gain.

He believed in being prepared, that lack of preparation leads to failure. In his life so far, he had never truly gambled on anything.

Today was the first time.

A huge gamble—betting she didn’t dislike him, betting she would give him a chance to draw closer.

He won the bet.

As the cigarette burned down, Meng Fuyuan extinguished it and started the car.

On his return, passing the studio again, the lights in the windows had gone out. In his heart, he wished her a good night’s sleep.

Chen Qingwu couldn’t sleep at all. After washing up, she lay in bed, tossing and turning.

In the darkness, Zhao Yingfei grabbed a stuffed toy from beside her pillow and threw it over, mumbling, “Chen Qingwu, believe it or not, if you turn over one more time I’ll kill you…”

“I can’t sleep!”

“If you can’t sleep then go play with your mud…”

Chen Qingwu most hated when people called her work “playing with mud.” Malice arose in her heart, and she reached out to press the bedroom’s main light switch.

Zhao Yingfei screamed with her eyes closed, “…Are you trying to blind me!”

She threw off her blanket and sat up resentfully, “Alright, tell me, why are you losing sleep?”

“Too lazy to chat with you about relationship issues.” Chen Qingwu climbed up, slipped on her slippers, and headed out.

“…Where are you going?”

“To play with mud.”

They had turned off the central air conditioning in the work area when going to sleep, but today’s weather was cool, and a thin layer of cold air still lingered in the atmosphere.

The glass of water on the coffee table hadn’t been poured out yet; touching it, the cup was already cold.

Chen Qingwu curled her legs on the sofa, resting her chin on her knees, lost in thought.

After calming down, her complex emotions now included a kind of panic. With Meng Fuyuan’s personality, he would definitely take action, but… could she really allow something that somewhat challenged conventional views to happen?

Wasn’t he afraid at all?

What would happen when Qiran found out, and what about when both families’ parents found out?

…But, setting all that aside for now.

Just now, Meng Fuyuan had been sitting in the exact position where she now sat, counting down the seconds as immovable as a mountain.

31 seconds.

No matter what direction things took with him in the future, she would never forget this scene that occurred during this typhoon night’s early morning.

The tremor from that moment still echoed in her body.

Three days after that night, Chen Qingwu received a WeChat message from Meng Fuyuan.

The Dongcheng Museum was holding a special ancient ceramics exhibition, opening soon.

Meng Fuyuan: As a layman, I don’t really understand the quality of this exhibition. Qingwu, are you planning to go?

Chen Qingwu: This exhibition is very high-level. I am planning to go see it.

Chen Qingwu saw the “typing…” indicator flash.

A reply appeared on the left.

Meng Fuyuan: Take me along?

Until this moment, Chen Qingwu still felt somewhat dazed, as if what happened on that rainy typhoon night was some kind of absurd fantasy.

The faint anticipation and slight fear of the unknown had been inflating like a balloon in her heart over these past few peaceful days.

At this moment, the balloon seemed to burst.

She seemed to have granted a ticket—letting Meng Fuyuan take her to an amusement park she had never visited, bizarre and dazzling.

As her breathing slowed, Chen Qingwu replied: Okay.

On the opening day, Chen Qingwu woke up twenty minutes earlier than usual.

She washed her hair, dried it, changed clothes, and already had a message from Meng Fuyuan on WeChat: Ready to leave.

Chen Qingwu replied “Coming,” grabbed her bag, checked for her phone and ID, and walked briskly toward the main entrance.

The car was parked at the entrance, the window rolled down.

Meng Fuyuan casually rested one arm on the steering wheel, his gaze lightly falling on her, “Morning.”

“Morning.” Chen Qingwu glanced at him, then immediately lowered her head to lock the door with her key.

An inescapable strange feeling, because she clearly realized that the person waiting for her at this moment was not Meng Fuyuan as “elder brother” or “family friend.”

Door locked, Chen Qingwu walked over and opened the car door.

In her memory, Meng Fuyuan’s car had always been very clean, and today it had a look of having just been washed.

Meng Fuyuan glanced at her, confirmed she had fastened her seatbelt, and started the car.

For a moment no one spoke, that subtle awkwardness making Chen Qingwu very uncomfortable.

There was bottled water and coffee in the cup holders. She wanted to drink something to ease the tension, “Um…”

Meng Fuyuan looked over.

“Which one is yours?” Chen Qingwu pointed at the cup holders.

“Both are prepared for you. Wasn’t sure what you’d want to drink.”

Chen Qingwu couldn’t help smiling slightly, reaching for the coffee. It must have been bought not long ago, still somewhat hot to the touch.

On the road, Meng Fuyuan mentioned he had contacted his friend and briefly introduced the exhibition situation. The friend said he would consider it and reply later.

“Are you two close? Will this cause you trouble?”

“He’s my graduate school classmate, we have a good relationship…”

“That’s good then.”

Meng Fuyuan looked at her, “You seem very afraid of owing people favors.”

Chen Qingwu nodded yes.

“Qingwu, with me especially, you don’t need to be polite.”

Chen Qingwu’s teeth lightly bit the cup rim, suddenly not knowing what to say, only nodding.

The car arrived at the museum and entered the underground parking garage. The two took the elevator upstairs.

It was a weekday, so there weren’t many people in the museum.

After passing through security and crossing the first-floor lobby, the special exhibition hall was ahead.

Meng Fuyuan picked up an exhibition brochure at the entrance and handed it to Chen Qingwu.

Chen Qingwu flipped through it, somewhat delighted: “This exhibition has one of the museum’s treasures—the Qing Dynasty Yongzheng famille rose bat and peach pattern olive vase.”

Hearing this, Meng Fuyuan naturally lowered his head to look at the brochure spread open in her hands.

A woody, cool fragrance entered his nostrils, like a forest after rain.

Chen Qingwu unconsciously held her breath.

Meng Fuyuan had always been a person with a strong presence, and after making his position clear, he became even harder to ignore.

“Can you help introduce it, Teacher Chen?”

It was clearly a tone of serious inquiry, yet he insisted on adding the teasing title “Teacher Chen.”

“Famille rose was created during the Kangxi period and became famous during the Yongzheng era. Bat and peach patterns like this are generally used more on plates; using them on olive vases is very rare. This one is a unique surviving piece.”

Meng Fuyuan nodded, while also stepping back.

Chen Qingwu breathed a slight sigh of relief.

The two entered the exhibition hall.

Unlike the typical chronological exhibition layout, this ancient ceramics exhibition was organized by type, divided into celadon, white porcelain, black porcelain, high-temperature and low-temperature colored glaze ceramics, underglaze painted ceramics, and overglaze painted ceramics—basically covering most ceramic types.

Museums generally rent electronic guides, but Meng Fuyuan didn’t need one. Whenever he had questions, Chen Qingwu would explain, providing richer and more detailed information than any guide.

Under various ceramic types, there were further subdivisions. For instance, celadon included southern Yue ware, northern Yaozhou ware, as well as Ru ware, Guan ware, Zhanggongxiang ware, Ge ware, Longquan ware, and other precious ceramic varieties.

The two stopped before a Yue ware celadon ewer borrowed from another museum. Meng Fuyuan asked Chen Qingwu, “Both are Yue ware, why are some more blue-green and others more yellow?”

“Celadon uses iron oxide as a coloring agent. The firing conditions at that time couldn’t control the strength of the reducing flame very well. Different strengths mean different ratios of ferrous and ferric iron. If the reducing flame is strong, the ratio is higher, the iron oxide is more fully reduced, and the glaze color is purer and more blue-green; otherwise it’s more yellow.”

Meng Fuyuan said: “Another chemistry lesson.”

Chen Qingwu laughed: “Right…”

The two continued forward.

Reaching the Jun ware section, Meng Fuyuan had another question, “Jun ware is also celadon?”

Chen Qingwu smiled and asked: “You think Jun ware looks multicolored, don’t you?”

Meng Fuyuan nodded.

“Because Jun ware also uses iron oxide as the main coloring agent, so technically it’s still classified as celadon. Besides that, copper oxide is added, and by controlling the firing temperature, kiln transformation phenomena occur, producing complex and varied glaze colors. ‘Enter the kiln one color, exit the kiln myriad colors’—that describes Jun ware. It’s generally divided into three main glaze color families: blue, red, and purple, but there are also red and blue mixed together, red and purple blended…”

Chen Qingwu inadvertently looked up and saw their two reflections faintly mirrored on the display case glass.

Only then did she realize Meng Fuyuan was gazing down at her intently.

That expression was one of unreserved appreciation.

Chen Qingwu’s breathing lightened, her words imperceptibly pausing for an instant, “…The Palace Museum has a rose-purple glazed sunflower-mouth flower pot, blue-gray inside and rose-purple outside, with exquisite craftsmanship and very beautiful glaze color.”

Meng Fuyuan nodded, his voice seemingly extremely calm: “If there’s a chance to go again, I’ll definitely look for that flower pot.”

Chen Qingwu nodded and continued forward as if nothing had happened.

All along, Meng Fuyuan looked carefully, frequently asking questions. His questions were definitely not without substance—they were clearly questions that would only arise after serious observation.

“…So the differences between celadon, white porcelain, and black porcelain are just different iron oxide contents?”

“You’ve gotten right to the essence.” Chen Qingwu nodded with a smile, “Celadon’s iron oxide content is 2%-3%, white porcelain maximally excludes iron oxide, while black porcelain generally has iron oxide content greater than 7%.”

Meng Fuyuan chuckled: “That shows Teacher Chen explained it very clearly.”

In the past, Meng Fuyuan had given her an impression that was excessively proper and serious, making it impossible for her to immediately adapt to his occasional playful attitude after his change of position.

And perhaps this was Meng Fuyuan’s relatively more authentic side.

She seemed naturally to respond playfully as well: “No no, this shows Student Meng has high comprehension.”

At this moment, they were standing before a Jian ware black-glazed tea bowl. Seeing that Meng Fuyuan was reading the descriptive text carefully, Chen Qingwu took the opportunity to supplement: “Jian ware black porcelain has very high iron oxide content in both the body and glaze, basically around 8%. These oil-drop-like patterns on the surface are formed by iron-containing crystals gathering together. Historical texts call them ‘dripping pearls,’ and the Japanese call them ‘tenmoku.'”

“So that’s what tenmoku means.”

Chen Qingwu nodded, “If the kiln cooling time is relatively long, the iron-rich glaze flows downward, creating patterns like rabbit fur. Rabbit fur formed under oxidizing and reducing atmospheres are gold and silver respectively, called ‘golden rabbit fur’ and ‘silver rabbit fur.’ There’s also a type of yohen crystalline glaze where, depending on the angle of sunlight, the halo color around the crystals differs. The Japanese call this ‘yohen tenmoku.’ Only three and a half Song Dynasty yohen tenmoku pieces survive in the world—half a piece was excavated in Hangzhou, and the other three are all in Japan.”

Meng Fuyuan said: “That’s unfortunate.”

“However, yohen tenmoku can now be recreated through firing.” Chen Qingwu smiled, “Many craftsmen are working on restoring lost techniques, like secret-color porcelain.”

Meng Fuyuan nodded, gazing deeply at her.

She was very proud of the profession she was in.

Continuing forward, they reached the high-temperature colored glaze area.

Meng Fuyuan’s gaze settled on a sacrificial red glazed vase.

The image of Chen Qingwu in that red qipao that day appeared before his eyes again.

After a moment, Meng Fuyuan withdrew his gaze and asked Chen Qingwu: “Sacrificial red and Langyao red look very similar.”

“Because Langyao red was originally created during the Kangxi period to imitate the precious stone red glaze of the Ming Xuande era. It’s said that the firing work was supervised by Jiangxi Governor Lang Tingji, so it was named Langyao red.”

“What’s the difference between the two?”

Chen Qingwu smiled: “Zhao Yingfei also asked this question. Generally speaking, there are three relatively simple ways to distinguish them. First, look at the color—sacrificial red is lustrous and rich, deep and opaque; Langyao red has a glassy luster and is relatively translucent. Second, sacrificial red generally has no crazing, while Langyao red does have crazing.”

“Crazing refers to?”

Chen Qingwu pointed through the glass at the Langyao red vase in the display case, gesturing for Meng Fuyuan to look closely, “Crazing is the natural cracking phenomenon on the ceramic glaze surface.”

After finishing, she added: “Sacrificial red generally doesn’t expose the rim or accumulate at the foot—glaze flowing to expose the rim is called exposing the rim, glaze accumulating at the foot is called accumulating at the foot. Because Langyao red has strong glaze fluidity, it exhibits rim exposure and foot accumulation, but the flowing glaze generally doesn’t go past the foot, so it’s summarized as ‘exposes rim, accumulates foot, Lang doesn’t flow.'”

Meng Fuyuan nodded: “Simple, clear, and practical.”

His serious tone made it sound as if the next step was to go appraise treasures.

Chen Qingwu smiled, then said: “Previously in the Porcelain Capital, I tried firing Langyao red with Teacher Zhai. It was very troublesome—the slightest error prevents achieving the most perfect result.”

“You reproduce ancient ceramics?”

Chen Qingwu nodded, “As students, we all start by imitating. Only after accumulating skills to a certain level do we have the ability to create our own works.”

Throughout, Meng Fuyuan found it very difficult to truly take his eyes off Chen Qingwu.

When Chen Qingwu was born, he was already six years old.

A six-year age gap was enough for a person to observe everything from a relatively higher perspective.

Observing from childhood, he always felt she was excessively reserved and sensible. Later, when they each pursued their own paths, seeing each other only a few times a year, no matter how lively the atmosphere at family gatherings, she always had a somewhat out-of-place quietness.

Only when talking about her beloved field, professional knowledge flowing freely, did her voice become clearer and brighter than usual.

Perhaps for this very reason, he deliberately wanted to hear her say more.

Like a dust-covered qingbai porcelain—wipe away the dust to see its white with bluish tint, its delicate and crystalline quality.

After viewing the final overglaze section, Chen Qingwu checked the time and discovered two hours had passed, completely without notice.

It seemed there wasn’t a single moment when she worried these somewhat dry explanations would bore him, because no matter when she turned her gaze to Meng Fuyuan, she could see him listening with great engagement.

Meng Fuyuan also raised his wrist to check his watch, “Do you have other plans this afternoon, Qingwu?”

Chen Qingwu shook her head.

“Have lunch together?”

“…Sure.”

They went to a nearby restaurant.

Being a weekday, no waiting was needed.

A window seat for two, sitting face to face, they could sense that subtle awkwardness again.

Chen Qingwu lowered her head to drink water. When she put down the glass, her fingers unconsciously curled the corner of the brochure, “…Did you find today’s ceramics exhibition interesting?”

“More interesting than any I’ve seen on my own.”

Chen Qingwu slightly raised her eyes, but just as her gaze was about to meet Meng Fuyuan’s, it fell again, “…You’ve gone to see them on your own before?”

“Of course.”

Standing only at the doorway of the world she inhabited, he knew from the glimpses caught how beautiful it was.

Chen Qingwu picked up her water glass. At this moment, her heart had a suspended, weightless feeling. Her voice was as matter-of-fact as possible, “Is it because they themselves are interesting, or…”

Meng Fuyuan looked at her and completed the sentence for her: “Love me, love my dog?”

He chuckled lightly, as if laughing at her—why don’t you dare say it?

Chen Qingwu’s eyelashes fell, only drinking water.

Meng Fuyuan said: “Both.”

Both because they themselves were interesting, and more so because of love me, love my dog. If not for Chen Qingwu, he might not have had this opportunity to understand this profession.

And ceramics were interesting because making porcelain was like being a person—it couldn’t tolerate the slightest falsehood.

After finishing the meal, Meng Fuyuan first took Chen Qingwu back to the studio before returning to the company.

Chen Qingwu changed back into her usual clothes suitable for movement, did some organizing work, and received a WeChat from Meng Fuyuan.

Meng Fuyuan: I’ve arrived at the company, Qingwu.

Meng Fuyuan: I was very happy today. I hope to have the opportunity to invite you to dinner again next time.

Chen Qingwu looked at these two messages and unconsciously broke into a smile.

She had noticed before—Meng Fuyuan had a kind of old-school romance.

Very old-fashioned, but she unexpectedly felt this was quite good, measured with advance and retreat, not giving her any sense of oppression at all.

Several more days passed after that.

In the evening, having finished her proper work, Chen Qingwu was counting all the day’s accumulated packages when her phone screen lit up, indicating a new WeChat message.

Chen Qingwu put down the utility knife and picked up her phone to unlock it.

Meng Fuyuan: Are you busy?

Chen Qingwu replied: Almost done.

Meng Fuyuan: Can I treat you to late-night snacks?

Chen Qingwu: Why the sudden invitation for late-night snacks?

Meng Fuyuan: Wait five minutes, let me think of a reason.

Chen Qingwu laughed out loud on this end.

She didn’t reply, just waited for his reason.

After a moment, a new message appeared on the left.

Meng Fuyuan: I met with an investor today, the conversation went well.

Meng Fuyuan: Is this reason enough?

Chen Qingwu smiled as she typed: Barely enough.

After unpacking all the packages and cleaning the studio, Meng Fuyuan’s car also arrived.

The night breeze on her face was somewhat moist. The car sat quietly in the night, hazard lights flashing.

Chen Qingwu opened the car door and immediately met Meng Fuyuan’s gaze.

As if from the moment she stepped out, he had already been watching through the window.

In the past, Meng Fuyuan’s gaze at her always seemed somewhat indifferent, but now he no longer feared letting her know that the so-called indifference was merely a superficial expression of intensity.

This frank gaze made Chen Qingwu’s breathing slow.

And right at the threshold of her discomfort, he looked away, “Good evening.”

“…Good evening.”

The car started, slowly merging into the night.

Meng Fuyuan occasionally glanced at her, “Have you been busy these past few days?”

“Freelance work allows me to arrange my own schedule. If I can’t finish something, I can push it to the next day. It all relies on self-discipline anyway.”

“You’ve always been very self-disciplined.”

“Have I?”

“Once you were getting an IV and still doing homework.”

Chen Qingwu thought for a moment, “When was that?”

“Should have been when you were in fifth grade of elementary school. I brought Qiran to the hospital to visit.”

Chen Qingwu smiled: “I remember now. Did you ask me whether it was parents’ requirement or school requirement, and I said neither—it was because I’d fallen too far behind in coursework and was catching up on my own?”

She remembered it because at that time Meng Fuyuan’s expression had been very displeased, as if he found it incomprehensible.

He had closed her exercise book and tossed it aside, saying hospitals were places for recuperation.

At that time she was still young and only felt Meng Fuyuan was fierce, completely unable to comprehend the subtle concern within.

The place for late-night snacks was a restaurant-bar, not too far away.

Not long after ordering, the small food platter was served first.

The French fries were fried crispy and golden.

Chen Qingwu ate a few with ketchup, but noticed Meng Fuyuan across from her was only drinking ice water, seemingly without much appetite.

Just as she was about to ask, his phone on the table rang.

He glanced at the caller, put down his water glass, and after answering, directly pressed speakerphone.

It was a woman’s voice.

“Manager Meng, did you go on a business trip?”

Meng Fuyuan said calmly: “Already back. With a friend having food.”

Chen Qingwu paused, glancing at Meng Fuyuan.

So, he came directly to find her as soon as he returned from the business trip?

The woman continued: “About going to Bincheng next Tuesday, can you arrange someone else? Beibei’s parent class is also scheduled for that day.”

Meng Fuyuan said: “Other times I can send someone else, but this time only if you go will I feel at ease.”

The other end seemed to ponder for a moment, “I can go, but you have to find someone to cover the parent class for me—don’t send Pei Shao.”

Meng Fuyuan laughed, “What content are you planning to present?”

“Emotional intelligence management.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll arrange it when the time comes.”

At this point, the phone switched to a little girl’s voice: “Uncle Meng, you can come too!”

Meng Fuyuan responded: “If I come to teach you advanced mathematics, will you understand?”

“What’s advanced tree? A very tall tree?”

Back to the woman’s voice: “That’s settled then, Manager Meng. You must solve this perfectly for me.”

Meng Fuyuan said: “Don’t worry.”

After hanging up, Meng Fuyuan looked toward Chen Qingwu and explained: “An executive at our company called Maggie, a single mother. I want her to help me recruit someone in Bincheng, so I arranged for her to travel there next Tuesday.”

Chen Qingwu nodded.

She suddenly realized why Meng Fuyuan had put the call on speaker.

The other party was a woman, and he didn’t want her to have any misunderstanding.

Even though she currently had no standing to inquire, he still wanted her to know that his interpersonal relationships could be completely transparent to her.

Chen Qingwu was momentarily dazed.

Perhaps she shouldn’t compare, but this spreading association came almost naturally.

Qiran couldn’t do this.

Because he felt himself honest, to him, asking for additional confirmation was actually an offense.

But it actually could be done.

It was possible to give her a sense of security without hurting anyone.

“What’s parent class?” Chen Qingwu picked up the glass and took a sip of orange juice.

“Kindergartens invite student parents to teach classes. Parents have different professions, which serves as a way to broaden the children’s horizons.”

“Kindergartens are this competitive now?”

Meng Fuyuan nodded, “Do you think kindergarten kids can understand programming?”

“Are you going to substitute teach?” Chen Qingwu asked with a smile.

“Maggie was recruited during my company’s most difficult period. I have to rely on her completely for personnel management. As a single mother, it’s not easy for her—sometimes I help when I can. Pei Shao has also helped pick up her kid from kindergarten.”

“Don’t kids nowadays all start programming classes at age three? I think… maybe they can understand?” Chen Qingwu said, then laughed, “…Manager Meng, you should consider other courses. I think the poor children shouldn’t they just be able to play?”

Meng Fuyuan nodded, “True, no different from someone doing homework while getting an IV.”

“Hey…”

Meng Fuyuan chuckled lightly, picked up his water glass and took a sip of ice water, seemingly contemplating what course would be more suitable.

Chen Qingwu looked at him, “Do you need my help? I don’t have any plans next Tuesday.”

Meng Fuyuan paused, “Is it convenient?”

Chen Qingwu nodded, “You’re always helping me. This small matter is within my ability.”

“Qingwu, I told you not to be polite with me.”

“Don’t be polite with me either.”

After those words fell, they both went quiet for a moment.

Only then did Meng Fuyuan speak: “Then I’ll trouble you.”

At this time, Chen Qingwu’s order of bacon tomato skewers was also served.

She took one portion, but saw Meng Fuyuan still only drinking water.

“Don’t you have an appetite?”

“Just got off the plane, don’t really want to eat.”

“…We could go back to rest first, talk about it another time.”

Meng Fuyuan looked at her, “Next time I won’t be able to find a reason to meet you.”

His gaze falling on her cheek seemed to carry slight warmth.

Chen Qingwu took a bite of the bacon roll and looked away.

On Tuesday afternoon, Meng Fuyuan personally drove to pick up Chen Qingwu.

Maggie had already coordinated the class content with the kindergarten, and Chen Qingwu had prepared the teaching materials in advance.

Clay wrapped in plastic wrap was packed in a plastic bucket.

Meng Fuyuan got out of the car and without a word took it from her hands, loading it into the trunk.

Chen Qingwu herself carried a cardboard box containing some wooden tools for trimming.

Maggie’s daughter Beibei and her class teacher were already waiting at the kindergarten entrance.

Having helped pick up the child before, the teacher recognized Meng Fuyuan and greeted him first.

Chen Qingwu crouched down to greet the little girl beside the teacher, “Hello Beibei, I’m Chen Qingwu, Uncle Meng’s friend.”

Beibei smiled somewhat shyly, “Hello, big sister.”

The teacher led everyone toward the classroom.

A small class of only about ten children, all sitting properly in their seats, eagerly anticipating.

Chen Qingwu entered and saw this scene, feeling more nervous than when her teacher watched her throw pottery.

Fortunately, the children were very generous with their face—her self-introduction received a round of applause.

Chen Qingwu got to the point, briefly introducing the shaping method before starting to distribute clay that had been pre-cut into small pieces.

Just as she was about to bend down to get the clay, Meng Fuyuan walked over, crouched down, and took out two pieces to hand to her.

She took them and placed them on a child’s desk.

Like this, one taking, one distributing, they quickly finished.

By the desks, small basins of water had been prepared in advance as instructed. The children were already impatient, and after Chen Qingwu said they could begin, they immediately entered the practical phase.

Soon, someone had a problem: “Teacher Chen, my rabbit’s ear broke off!”

Chen Qingwu hurried over to give hands-on guidance.

Just as she finished guiding this one, the next child started calling for help.

For a while it was one after another.

Chen Qingwu moved between the desks. Finally getting a brief respite, she inadvertently looked up to see Meng Fuyuan standing at the classroom door with his arms crossed, watching her with a smile.

She quickly turned her gaze back.

The forty-five-minute pottery class quickly ended.

Chen Qingwu collected all those decent little practice pieces, separated them with cardboard, and put them in the box, saying she’d take them back to fire and then return them to everyone.

After saying goodbye to Beibei and the teacher, Chen Qingwu and Meng Fuyuan left the classroom.

It was currently break time, and two children who had been chasing and playing were running toward them.

Chen Qingwu was carrying the box, just preparing to dodge aside.

Meng Fuyuan suddenly said “careful,” turned sideways, and extended his arm to loosely embrace her.

A child crashed into Meng Fuyuan, and the paint on his palm left a clear small handprint on his white shirt.

The child was scared and quickly looked up: “…Sorry!”

Meng Fuyuan raised his hand to pat his head, “Watch out not to bump into people when playing.”

His tone was exceptionally gentle.

The child hurriedly nodded, looking at the handprint on his waist, somewhat at a loss.

Meng Fuyuan said: “It’s okay. Go play.”

Only then did the child walk away relieved.

The corridor was narrow.

Chen Qingwu held the box, not daring to move for a moment.

Meng Fuyuan was tall—though only a loose embrace, she seemed entirely enclosed in his arms.

Body heat close, breathing right above her head.

Fortunately the next instant, Meng Fuyuan stepped back.

Chen Qingwu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, looking toward his waist.

Meng Fuyuan said it was fine, “Let’s go.”

At the parking spot, all tools went into the trunk.

Meng Fuyuan opened the back door and took out a spare shirt from a paper bag.

Getting into the driver’s seat, as he closed the door his movement paused, only now realizing that the current scene perhaps wasn’t suitable for changing clothes.

Chen Qingwu, already seated in the passenger seat, saw the white shirt in his hands and also grasped his subtle hesitation at this moment.

“You change, I…”

Chen Qingwu realized that if she got out of the car now, the atmosphere would actually be awkward.

It was just changing a shirt, and a man at that. Deliberately avoiding it would seem overly serious.

Clearly, Meng Fuyuan also realized this.

His expression was very calm. He pulled out the shirt, unbuttoned it, took it off and tossed it into the back seat.

Unfolding the clean shirt, he put it on and buttoned it.

Chen Qingwu looked straight ahead, her expression composed, but in her peripheral vision it was difficult to miss Meng Fuyuan’s movements.

In the past, she had never scrutinized Meng Fuyuan with the gaze one uses to examine the opposite sex. He was an elder brother, also half family, but definitely not… at this moment making her inexplicably nervous, some man.

His buttoning movements were swift and smooth, fingers slender with distinct joints; after dressing, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing a silver watch, making his wrist bones seem more prominent.

She had never felt a white shirt suited a man so well, like deep winter snow setting off solitary, lofty mountain ridges.

Perhaps because Meng Fuyuan was calm enough, as if this was something extremely unusual, they thereby escaped a torturous awkwardness.

The car started. Meng Fuyuan brought up today’s class: “Teacher Chen taught very well. Thank you for the rescue—I’m treating you to dinner today.”

“It should be Maggie treating me.”

“I’m her boss, I’ll treat.” Meng Fuyuan glanced at her, “Finding a reason isn’t easy, don’t scrutinize it.”

Chen Qingwu laughed out loud.

With ample time, they took a long time over this dinner.

Meng Fuyuan paid the bill and the two left the restaurant.

Pushing open the glass door, they met a thin water mist head-on, only then realizing it had started raining.

The wind at the cusp between late summer and early autumn carried a bit of coolness.

Meng Fuyuan glanced outside, raised his hand, took off his suit jacket, and draped it over her, “Wait here, I’ll bring the car over.”

Before Chen Qingwu could react, he had already stridden into the rain.

Drizzling rain, fine and continuous, the night seemed covered with a fog-like filter, distant neon lights spreading, somewhat blurred.

Meng Fuyuan’s figure in white shirt and black pants had only a pure, refined quality untainted by worldly dust.

Chen Qingwu grasped the coat with both hands. The woody, cool fragrance, tinged with a bit of tobacco scent, both very faint, and when the wind blew, even more elusive and uncatchable.

Not the first time wearing his clothes.

But compared to that time he picked her up from the airport, the meaning seemed worlds apart.

Soon, the car pulled up to the shop entrance.

Chen Qingwu stepped down from the platform and walked over in two steps to open the car door.

Meng Fuyuan glanced at her—her hair had gotten some rainwater on it, misty and fluffy.

He thought of that year, which should have been her senior year. After graduating but before going abroad, that summer, she and Qiran spent entire days “together”—at least that’s how it looked from his perspective then.

On a summer afternoon, a thunderclap, the sky seemed to tear open a gap, rain pouring down.

He was staying in Nancheng those days, sitting in the living room at that moment, having just finished a work call.

Someone burst in from the entrance hall.

He looked up to see it was Chen Qingwu, his heart startled.

Chen Qingwu was soaked through, water dripping from her hair.

He asked her why she didn’t bring an umbrella.

She said it started raining when she reached the community gate, so she ran over and got wet.

She smiled and asked, is Qiran upstairs?

He said no, just went out.

She smiled and said no problem, she’d just go to his room to get something, it had been agreed beforehand.

At that time, Chen Qingwu passed by the sofa, and he looked up at her.

She wore a white T-shirt, which after being soaked by rain clung to her body, faintly showing the outline of her undergarments.

He looked away almost as if scalded, deeply reproaching himself for the inadvertent offense.

Even more reproachable was that at that moment he actually felt glad: good thing Qiran wasn’t home.

Soon, Chen Qingwu came down from upstairs.

He sat in the living room the whole time without moving, as if correcting his own error—this time, he didn’t look at her once.

Chen Qingwu often came to the Meng house, and the guest room had her spare clothes.

She very apologetically said she’d borrow the bathroom, then went to the guest bathroom to shower and change clothes.

The rain still hadn’t stopped.

When Chen Qingwu came out of the guest bathroom, Meng Fuyuan had set up an international chess board.

He said quite flatly, wait until the rain stops before leaving.

The advantage of the elder brother position could disguise all selfishness under a commanding tone.

Thus, Chen Qingwu naturally joined the chess game.

Her blow-dried hair was exceptionally fluffy, a warm, fresh fragrance in the air.

The household’s uniformly purchased shampoo, exactly the same as on his own hair.

That moment’s hidden feelings were purely torturous.

Yet even so, he didn’t want it to end.

That afternoon, the rain fell for a very long time.

They played game after game of international chess together.

“Qingwu.”

Chen Qingwu took off the coat, fastened her seatbelt, and hearing him call her, turned her head.

“Do you remember that summer of your senior year, one rainy day, you played international chess with me?”

Chen Qingwu nodded, smiling: “I remember I won from start to finish.”

She paused, suddenly realizing something. In her memory, Meng Fuyuan was very good at all kinds of board games, “…Did you deliberately let me win?”

“No.” Meng Fuyuan looked ahead, starting the car, “I was constantly distracted.”

In a flash, Chen Qingwu tightened her fingers, touching the fabric of the suit jacket.

The heart-stirring feeling at this moment was impossible to ignore.

Perhaps with the rain as accompaniment, they could temporarily not have to speak.

The subtle atmosphere, on this rainy night, ultimately inevitably developed a hint of ambiguity.

The matter of Meng Fuyuan contacting his friend soon had results.

The friend was named Mai Xunwen. Meng Fuyuan told Chen Qingwu that Mai Xunwen had doubts about the exhibition and, if possible, hoped to meet with her face-to-face.

By coincidence, Mai Xunwen was recently returning to his hometown with his father and several uncles for ancestral worship. His hometown was in a village in Zhejiang Province, only a three-hour drive from Dongcheng.

On an early autumn morning, the air held a damp, verdant moisture.

The car stopped in front of the studio, Meng Fuyuan resting one hand on the steering wheel, watching the entrance.

After about five minutes, Chen Qingwu walked out from inside.

She wore a brick-red tank top paired with dark blue jeans. The vintage, eye-catching color made her skin seem exceptionally fair. For convenient travel, she casually carried a black backpack and wore a baseball cap on her head.

“Sorry for the wait.” Chen Qingwu opened the car door, “I confirmed the materials one more time before leaving, so it took a little time.”

“Didn’t wait long.” Meng Fuyuan looked at her, “Have you had breakfast?”

“Mm.”

Chen Qingwu took off her backpack and placed it on her lap, pulling out the seatbelt.

Meng Fuyuan had set the navigation destination and was about to start when Chen Qingwu asked: “Do you need me to drive?”

“Do you want to?”

“I feel like you’re always the one driving…”

Meng Fuyuan’s gaze swept over her, “Did you stay up late last night?”

Chen Qingwu pulled down the sun visor mirror to look, only then discovering that in natural light, her dark circles were somewhat obvious, “I was firing the kiln at night, had to watch and control the temperature the whole time, didn’t sleep until 2 AM.”

“You can drive on the way back, rest well for now.”

“Okay.”

He seemed always able to thoughtfully accommodate her emotions and needs.

The car drove out of the park area and turned left.

Taking advantage of Meng Fuyuan turning his head to observe the road conditions through the car window, Chen Qingwu looked at him.

He wore a casual-style white shirt, appearing more relaxed than usual, with a pure, refined quality of sparse wind and pale sky.

The car merged into the main road, and Meng Fuyuan raised his hand to turn up the music volume slightly.

Chen Qingwu spoke: “Looking at Uncle Meng’s Moments, he and Auntie drove to the northwest.”

“This year is their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary.”

“It seems like Uncle and Auntie have always had a very good relationship.”

Meng Fuyuan was silent for a moment, “Mm.”

Chen Qingwu yawned at this point.

Meng Fuyuan turned to glance at her and said: “If you’re tired, rest for a while.”

Chen Qingwu nodded.

Not long after getting on the highway, Chen Qingwu couldn’t resist drowsiness and slept in the car.

The highway section wasn’t long. After exiting the highway they entered the urban area, then drove toward the town.

Soon, the village arrived.

The village had an entire area of ancient residential buildings designated as a scenic area, but Mai Xunwen’s house wasn’t among them.

A three-courtyard large house with an old man sitting in front of the gate tower smoking a tobacco pipe. His hearing was somewhat poor, and only after asking loudly several times did he say Mai Xunwen lived inside.

Passing through the gate house to the courtyard, footsteps could be heard from inside.

Chen Qingwu and Meng Fuyuan stopped, seeing a mixed-race man walk out.

“Long time no see!” The man greeted with a smile, then looked toward Chen Qingwu, “You must be Miss Chen?”

Chen Qingwu smiled and extended her hand, “Hello, Mr. Mai.”

“Come in and sit.”

Mai Xunwen turned and led the two toward the main hall.

The building carvings were complex, with beam frames set upon lifting beams, and openwork carvings of dragons, sparrows and other patterns beneath the purlins, showing the substantial financial resources when the house was built.

The building had some age to it. Sitting in the somewhat dim room, one felt a stillness of time standing still, all sounds of traffic completely disappearing.

Mai Xunwen had someone come pour tea.

After brief pleasantries, Chen Qingwu went straight to the point.

She took out all materials from her backpack, handing them to Mai Xunwen one by one, “This is the exhibition plan introduction, the application form I filled out, some cases of ceramic exhibitions previously curated by the curator, a brief introduction to the reserved exhibition venue, materials on security measures I found… and also information about the contracted logistics company I got from the person in charge, as well as the insurance plan for exhibited items.”

Mai Xunwen was dumbfounded, “…So much.”

Chen Qingwu smiled: “The more detail you understand, the more convenient it is to make a decision.”

Mai Xunwen laughed, “I thought I’d see at most a PowerPoint presentation.”

To be honest, Meng Fuyuan was also somewhat surprised. He never doubted Chen Qingwu’s diligence, but didn’t expect she could be this thorough.

Mai Xunwen carefully flipped through those materials, and when encountering things he didn’t understand, Chen Qingwu explained at the right moments.

Finally, he set down the materials and said: “I believe you have the ability to protect and exhibit my grandmother’s works. But I still have one major doubt.”

“Please go ahead.”

Mai Xunwen looked at Chen Qingwu earnestly: “My grandmother only made porcelain for relatives and friends, perhaps never planning to leave her name from the start. I’m not sure whether sending them for exhibition would go against her original intention.”

“You think exhibitions are for leaving one’s name? I don’t think so.” Chen Qingwu smiled, “I think it’s more for aesthetic and lifestyle demonstrations. If on this foundation it can resonate with some people, that would be even better. I truly love Teacher Zhuang’s works, especially the optimistic life attitude they contain. I think this life attitude shouldn’t be known by only a few people. Perhaps your next generation, the generation after that, will no longer remember her, but the works she left behind and the stories behind them have the opportunity to continue being passed down, and many, many years later, can still inspire people of that time.”

Mai Xunwen listened, somewhat speechless, “I… I’ve truly never considered it from this angle.”

Chen Qingwu smiled: “She’s not just your grandmother. She’s also ceramic artist Zhuang Shiying.”

As her words fell, Chen Qingwu sensed Meng Fuyuan looking at her, that gaze not evasive at all, containing only frank admiration and appreciation.

Her ears inexplicably warmed.

Mai Xunwen also seemed struck by these words, after a moment saying in a daze: “…You’re right.”

Chen Qingwu talked more about her impressions of Zhuang Shiying’s series of works. Finally Mai Xunwen was persuaded, agreeing to collect the remaining works after returning and authorize them for exhibition.

It happened to be mealtime, so Mai Xunwen hosted them at an old establishment restaurant in town.

The meal was very pleasant. In the afternoon, he took them to tour those magnificent ancient residential buildings in the village.

The village was a tourist scenic area, and every evening there were local opera performances. Mai Xunwen urged them to stay and watch one, saying the quality was quite good.

After it ended it was already 9:30 PM. They had originally decided to drive back to Dongcheng overnight, but Mai Xunwen had already booked them rooms at a very good guesthouse in town.

The guesthouse was designed by a famous architect and worth visiting just to see.

Thus, Chen Qingwu and Meng Fuyuan temporarily changed their itinerary and went to a bar in town for drinks.

Midway Chen Qingwu went to the restroom.

At this time Mai Xunwen smiled at Meng Fuyuan: “Your girlfriend is excellent.”

“Not yet.”

“…Not?” Mai Xunwen was startled.

Meng Fuyuan looked at him, “What’s wrong?”

“I thought you were a couple, so the hotel only booked one room.”

“…” Meng Fuyuan picked up his glass and took a sip.

Mai Xunwen apologized with a smile, “I didn’t ask clearly beforehand.”

“It’s fine. Just add a room.”

At eleven o’clock, the three dispersed. Mai Xunwen had originally wanted to treat them to breakfast tomorrow, but Meng Fuyuan politely declined, saying not to trouble him further as they had to leave early for Dongcheng tomorrow morning.

Leaving the bar, Mai Xunwen took his family’s car back to the village, while Chen Qingwu and Meng Fuyuan walked to the guesthouse hotel.

The small town wasn’t as noisy as the city; once night deepened the streets were already quiet.

Turning a corner, they suddenly saw an entire wall of trumpet creeper flowers ahead, looking like burning red candles in the night.

Chen Qingwu immediately stopped, took out her phone, preparing to take some photos.

Just then, the phone suddenly vibrated.

Chen Qingwu’s movement paused.

Meng Fuyuan looked at her, already sensing it, “Qiran’s call?”

“…Mm.”

The streetlight ahead was suddenly blocked.

Meng Fuyuan took a step forward and stood directly in front of her.

The next instant, a hand raised, slender fingers pinching the upper half of her phone, gently pulling.

The phone spun and ended up in his hand.

Chen Qingwu’s heart leapt to her throat, “…Are you going to answer for me?”

Meng Fuyuan looked down at her, his gaze extremely deep in that moment, “Afraid?”

The phone was still vibrating. Chen Qingwu saw Meng Fuyuan’s thumb descend, hovering.

His gaze still stared straight at her, as if not wanting to miss any change in her expression.

Finally, he pressed lightly.

Her heart almost stopped.

The vibration ceased. He had declined the call.

The phone was stuffed back into her hand, Meng Fuyuan said calmly, “You haven’t taken your photos yet.”

Chen Qingwu quickly opened the camera and walked briskly toward that cluster of flowers.

After taking photos, Chen Qingwu returned to Meng Fuyuan’s side and continued toward the guesthouse as if nothing had happened.

…Compared to previous times together, Meng Fuyuan seemed to deliberately display more intensity.

Like testing, or more straightforwardly declaring war—are you afraid?

It was still possible to retreat.

But she didn’t retreat.

Even she found it difficult to immediately sort out that feeling.

The guesthouse wasn’t far, arriving in moments.

A white building with pale yellow lights, very beautiful at night.

Walking into the lobby, they could hear water flowing down the stone slabs with a trickling sound.

At the front desk, Meng Fuyuan gave the reservation information.

Staff member: “Confirming with you, one panoramic king room, one night stay, breakfast included.”

Meng Fuyuan nodded.

One room?

Chen Qingwu suddenly turned to look at Meng Fuyuan.

Meng Fuyuan also looked at her, as if asking, what’s wrong?

They locked eyes for several seconds like this.

Chen Qingwu gave up and turned to the staff member.

Just as she was about to speak, she heard Meng Fuyuan ask: “Are there still vacant rooms?”

“Yes.”

“Please add one room.”

Chen Qingwu felt like she’d just gone through a full cycle on a roller coaster.

…He had definitely just deliberately teased her.