Mao Jun’s relationship with his blind date was developing quite well, currently in a not-quite-official stage. Mao Jun was talkative and could spend one or two hours on the phone during breaks, providing maximum emotional value.

Since he was in the honeymoon phase, Qiu Xing was willing to give him more time. If Mao Jun wasn’t going out, Qiu Xing generally wouldn’t ask him for help with anything.

Though Qiu Xing had a cold face, everyone at the shop knew he was a good boss—easy to talk to without many rules, and often working alongside them.

Mao Jun went out for a date at noon, and since Qiu Xing had nothing particular to do, he took some tools and went to work under a car. This was usually Mao Jun’s job, but Qiu Xing learned quickly and could now work as a master mechanic.

When his phone rang in his pocket, Qiu Xing was lying under the car removing screws, his gloves covered in oil.

He didn’t answer at first, but when a worker passed by, Qiu Xing slid out from under the car. With cardboard under his back, he slid halfway out and called out, “Someone come here.”

Xiao Zhang ran over and asked, “What is it, Brother Qiu?”

Qiu Xing said, “Help me get my phone out.”

Xiao Zhang reached into his pants pocket, took it out, and said, “Here you go, Brother Qiu.”

Qiu Xing asked, “Whose call is it?”

His phone had no password; it unlocked as soon as it was opened. Xiao Zhang glanced at it and said with a smile, “Xiaochuan… Sister-in-law’s! Brother.”

Qiu Xing slid back under the car and said, “Call her back for me, on speaker.”

Xiao Zhang made the call for Qiu Xing, placing the phone near him, and perceptively stood up to leave.

Before he could walk far, he heard the call connect and a pleasant, gentle voice came through: “Hello?”

Xiao Zhang quickly ran off, not wanting to eavesdrop on his boss’s call.

“What is it?” Qiu Xing asked.

Lin Yiran asked him, “Are you busy?”

“Not busy, what is it? Tell me.”

Since those two phone calls nearly a week ago, they hadn’t spoken on the phone again. Lin Yiran, worried about disturbing him, generally didn’t call him proactively.

Lin Yiran had left her dormitory and was walking toward the library to do some research.

It was noon, when most students were resting in their dorms. The weather was overcast, and there weren’t many people on campus. Lin Yiran walked alone along the tree-lined path, talking on the phone with Qiu Xing.

“Did you call Aunt Fang today?”

Qiu Xing said, “Not today, but yesterday morning.”

“I just called her,” Lin Yiran’s voice sounded troubled, showing some concern. “I think she’s not doing so well.”

Qiu Xing asked, “What did she say?”

“She was talking about your schooling again, like before.” Lin Yiran frowned. “She hasn’t been like this for a long time… I’m a bit worried, Qiu Xing.”

Qiu Xing said, “Last time I went back, she was a bit confused. I don’t want to send her to the hospital again, and she doesn’t want to stay there either.”

Lin Yiran thought for a moment and said softly, “I’ll go see her next weekend, stay with her for a couple of days.”

“You don’t have anything else going on?” Qiu Xing asked.

“I don’t think so,” Lin Yiran said. “I’ll book tickets later.”

Qiu Xing made a sound of acknowledgment, putting the screws he had removed to the side, and said, “Last time I went back, she said she missed you. If you’re free, go see her.”

“Okay.” Lin Yiran paused and asked, “Will you come back?”

Qiu Xing answered, “Not necessarily.”

Lin Yiran maintained close contact with Qiu Xing’s mother, and they often spoke on the phone. Lin Yiran spent time with her during every school break. Aunt Fang’s condition had improved over the past two years. Qiu Xing had taken her out of the hospital, not letting her return to the old house, but renting a small apartment for her and hiring a caretaker specifically to look after her.

Whether she was lucid or confused, Aunt Fang was very fond of Lin Yiran, showing her maternal love. Lin Yiran was also attached to her. Aunt Fang called Lin Yiran more often than she called Qiu Xing, and she didn’t have much to say to her son.

Elders typically preferred girls, who wouldn’t like a pretty and considerate girl?

*

“Yiran, let’s go out together. I saw online that it’s really interesting,” Li Qianduo held Lin Yiran’s arm, swaying back and forth, pleading, “Come with me.”

Li Qianduo had been trying to persuade Lin Yiran to go to a popular trendy bar with her. Although all four roommates got along well, Li Qianduo was closest to Lin Yiran and preferred going out with her.

Lin Yiran remained firm: “I’m not going. I’m going home.”

“Just to avoid going with me to feel pecs! You’d even go home!” Li Qianduo wrinkled her face in protest.

Lin Yiran smiled and pinched her face, saying, “Go with Xin Ran and the others.”

“I just want to go with you.” Li Qianduo pouted, her round face looking quite amusing.

She was already younger than the others, and with her personality, everyone in the dorm treated her like a mascot, enjoying teasing her. Lin Yiran took care of her the most, so she was especially attached to Lin Yiran.

“I heard you talking to your aunt yesterday. Do you miss your mom?” Li Qianduo asked.

Lin Yiran smiled and said, “Yes, so I’m going to see her.”

“Fine,” Li Qianduo said glumly. “You wouldn’t go with me even if you weren’t going home. You don’t like male eye candy.”

Lin Yiran smiled without responding, letting Li Qianduo grumble beside her.

No one at school knew about Lin Yiran’s family situation, only that she occasionally called her mother, speaking softly, never seen arguing.

Everyone said Lin Yiran’s good temperament must be like her mother’s, and Lin Yiran just smiled and tacitly agreed.

She never discussed her family matters. Even Li Qianduo didn’t know much about her, only that she had a good upbringing and was hardworking. When unfamiliar people discussed her behind her back, they guessed she probably came from an intellectual family.

Lin Yiran was well-liked at school, but besides Li Qianduo, she had no particularly close friends. Most of the time, she was alone, preferring to come and go on her own.

Lin Yiran was carrying a coat she had previously bought for Aunt Fang when she heard someone calling her as she reached the building.

She looked up to see Aunt Fang smiling and waving at her from the second floor.

Lin Yiran smiled: “What are you doing on the balcony?”

“I’m watering the flowers. I saw you entering the complex and knew it was you right away,” Aunt Fang said, wearing a shawl and leaning on the railing. “Come up quickly.”

“Then open the door for me,” Lin Yiran pointed at the entrance door.

The last time Lin Yiran had visited was during the winter break, more than two months ago.

Aunt Fang had missed her greatly. As soon as Lin Yiran entered, she took her hand and led her to sit inside. Lin Yiran had her try on the clothes, which Aunt Fang liked very much.

“What would Xiaochuan like to eat? Aunt Fang will make it for you,” she held Lin Yiran’s hand and said, “I went to the market with Xiao Yu this morning and bought many ingredients. I’ll make you something delicious tonight.”

Lin Yiran was quite at ease, smiling as she said, “I want dumplings, only the ones you make. The wrappers from outside are too thick.”

“Aunt Fang will make them for you. What filling would you like?” Aunt Fang was very happy. “What other dishes do you want?”

“I want zucchini and egg filling,” Lin Yiran thought for a moment and added, “And maybe some braised beef brisket?”

“No problem.” Aunt Fang touched her face, saying she had lost weight.

Lin Yiran was very familiar with this place, having stayed here many times. She had her toiletries here and a set of pajamas.

Her things were kept in Qiu Xing’s room, which served as a guest room since Qiu Xing rarely returned.

The caretaker was a 40-year-old woman whose family was from the countryside. Her child was in junior high school, and she had rented an apartment in this complex to accompany the child’s studies. Each morning after her child went to school, she would come here, returning in the evening after the child finished evening self-study. This arrangement allowed her to be with her child while earning extra money. Qiu Xing paid a good salary, and the work wasn’t tiring. Her employer didn’t make many demands, and there wasn’t much to do each day—it was just like spending time in a different place.

Aunt Fang got along well with the caretaker Xiao Yu. The two had gone to the market early to buy many ingredients. Both were good cooks and discussed in the kitchen what each would prepare.

Lin Yiran leaned against the glass door of the kitchen, smiling as she said, “Don’t make too much, there are only three of us. We can’t finish it all.”

“We’ll pack some for Xiao Yu to take home for her child tonight,” Aunt Fang said, then added, “And there’s Qiu Xing too.”

“Is Qiu Xing coming back?” Lin Yiran asked.

“Yes, Qiu Xing is working hard. School is tiring,” Aunt Fang said, looking down.

The caretaker glanced over, meeting Lin Yiran’s eyes, and secretly shook her head.

Aunt Fang had previously stopped mentioning Qiu Xing’s schooling. She had gradually accepted the reality, which was a long process. She had accepted Mr. Qiu’s death and also accepted that Qiu Xing was already in his twenties, no longer a high school student.

So when she had mentioned Qiu Xing being in school during their last phone call, Lin Yiran had felt a heaviness in her heart.

Now that she mentioned it again, Lin Yiran silently sighed and stood quietly by the door for a while.

The three of them chatted and laughed as they made dumplings. Lin Yiran helped out and learned to cook alongside them. Whenever Aunt Fang finished making something, she would use chopsticks to serve some to Lin Yiran to taste first, her tone and gaze full of affection.

As the three were nearly finished eating, the door lock suddenly clicked.

Lin Yiran turned to look and saw Qiu Xing coming in.

Everyone was surprised. Aunt Fang asked in amazement, “Why did you come back?”

Qiu Xing smiled and said, “I wanted to come back, so I did. Can’t I return?”

“Why didn’t you tell us in advance?” Aunt Fang was happy to see him, though obviously not as enthusiastic as she had been with Lin Yiran. She didn’t even stand up. “Have you eaten?”

“Of course not,” Qiu Xing said.

“Next time, let me know in advance, or I won’t save food for you,” Aunt Fang said.

Lin Yiran had been watching him the whole time. Qiu Xing changed into slippers and came in, meeting her gaze and asking, “When did you get back?”

Lin Yiran answered, “A little after one o’clock.”

Qiu Xing washed his hands and sat directly beside Lin Yiran.

The caretaker had already brought new bowls and chopsticks. Lin Yiran placed her plate of dumplings next to Qiu Xing, who immediately took some to eat.

“Don’t eat Xiaochuan’s. There’s still filling left, I’ll boil more for you,” Aunt Fang told him.

The caretaker quickly said, “There’s still plenty. I won’t take any home. I’ll make him some fried rice when I get back.”

Lin Yiran waved her hand and said, “I’m full, and I can’t finish them anyway.”

She then ladled a bowl of soup for Qiu Xing and placed it beside him.

Qiu Xing turned his head slightly and asked her, “Are you full?”

Lin Yiran looked at him and nodded, so Qiu Xing continued eating.

They hadn’t seen each other for a long time. Lin Yiran’s gaze remained on Qiu Xing, while the caretaker and Aunt Fang sat across from them, watching the pair. The caretaker gave Aunt Fang a gossipy look.

They had never told Aunt Fang about their relationship, and she had never asked much. It wasn’t clear if she knew or not. Sometimes she acted as if she didn’t know, and other times she seemed to tacitly accept them as a couple.

That evening, after the caretaker left, Lin Yiran watched television with Aunt Fang while Qiu Xing slouched on a single sofa, looking at his phone.

When it was time for bed, Aunt Fang brought out a quilt and placed it on the sofa.

Lin Yiran looked up at her, and Qiu Xing also shifted his gaze from his phone to his mother.

“You sleep on the sofa tonight, and let Xiaochuan sleep in the room,” Aunt Fang took a throw pillow from the sofa and tucked it by the armrest, telling Qiu Xing, “Use this as your pillow.”

Lin Yiran blinked, saying nothing.

Qiu Xing lowered his gaze again, maintaining his slouched posture, and made a sound of acknowledgment.

That night, Lin Yiran lay alone in the bedroom, her long hair spread across the pillow as she lay on her side, occupying half the bed.

After showering, Qiu Xing didn’t come in, remaining in the living room.

Aunt Fang had long gone to her room to sleep, though it was unclear if she was asleep yet.

There was no sound from Qiu Xing in the living room, as if he had fallen asleep.

Lin Yiran’s fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of the pillow. Just as she was about to get up and go to the living room, Qiu Xing pushed the door open and came in.

The room had a small night light on. Lin Yiran watched Qiu Xing in the soft yellow glow, completely silent. She wore pajamas and hadn’t covered herself with the blanket. Her exposed ankles had beautiful bone structure.

Qiu Xing was also wearing pajamas. His expression and gaze were calm as he closed the door and lay directly on the bed, closing his eyes, ready to sleep.

Lin Yiran gently turned to face him, her voice very low as she called, “Qiu Xing.”

Qiu Xing opened his eyes to look at her, raising his eyebrows slightly, signaling her to speak.

“You,” Lin Yiran was almost mouthing the words, “You don’t…”

She struggled to ask her question. Before she could finish, Qiu Xing turned to his side and pulled her close, one hand passing under her neck, the other around her waist. Closing his eyes again, he asked, “Did you bring any?”

Lin Yiran’s eyes widened as she said in an extremely low voice, “I don’t have any… I didn’t know you were coming back.”

“That’s that, then,” Qiu Xing lowered his head slightly, his chin brushing against her forehead. “Sleep.”