Early Friday morning, Song Mian and Chu Jiangmin specifically took a day off and drove to pick up an old classmate.
They heard they’d need to accompany the classmate’s child to an interview at Jiang’s Pharmaceuticals before discussing lunch plans.

Unfortunately, the flight was delayed. The plane that was supposed to land in Huai City at 9:30 a.m. was postponed to 12:30 p.m.
To show their sincerity, Song Mian and Chu Jiangmin decided to wait at the airport the whole time.

The airport restaurant was expensive, so they bought some bread and bottled water from a convenience store to fill their stomachs.

Meanwhile, Chu Tao and Chu Xingning had lunch together in the school cafeteria.

It had been a long time since they did something together. For one, their classrooms were far apart, and their dismissal times didn’t align, so there was no need to forcefully meet.
Moreover, Chu Xingning often left campus to meet his “little friend,” and Chu Tao now had Jiang She.

But today was a bit special.

Jiang She was planning to spend the evening with Chu Tao, so he had lunch with his old buddies off-campus instead.
As for Chu Xingning, his “little friend” suddenly had unavoidable plans at noon, leaving him free.

Both ended up alone and decided to grab a spicy hot pot together.

The cafeteria was crowded and noisy, with the aroma of various dishes filling the air.

Being particular about cleanliness, Chu Tao found a spot near the entrance so that the smell wouldn’t cling to their clothes.

They made a call to Song Mian.

Chu Xingning asked, “Mom, have you picked up Uncle Yu yet?”

Chu Tao stopped chewing, his movements slowed as he listened to Song Mian’s response.

Sounding a bit tired, Song Mian yawned and said dejectedly, “The plane just landed. I’m waiting at the arrivals gate.”

Song Mian’s job was far from relaxed. Taking even a single day off was a hassle. Although her position wasn’t high, she was swamped with random tasks. Even stepping away for half a day had prompted several new colleagues to call her with questions.

If it weren’t absolutely necessary, Song Mian wouldn’t have bothered with this trip.

Chu Tao paused his chopsticks and exchanged a glance with Chu Xingning.

Chu Tao asked, “Why are you waiting there? Why not find a place to rest and contact them when they’re out?”

Song Mian sounded distracted. “Isn’t Brother Yu rushing for an interview? We’re worried about being late. Your dad went to the parking lot to get the car, so we can leave as soon as they come out.”

Chu Tao let out a light chuckle, his tone not particularly friendly. “Didn’t they say the interview was this morning? The time has already passed, hasn’t it? If they’re so eager to find a job, why didn’t they come earlier?”



He checked the flight status on FeiChangZhun, and the on-time rate for that flight was notoriously low—delays of one or two hours were typical.

While he didn’t care whether the others would make it to the interview on time, Chu Tao couldn’t help but feel annoyed that his parents had to endure such a hassle all morning.

But Song Mian spoke up to smooth things over for the others. “Maybe the interview was rescheduled for the afternoon. You two just focus on eating and studying; don’t worry about us.”

Chu Xingning asked again, “Mom, are we going to Yujiang Changwan for dinner tonight?”

That was the family’s go-to casual dining spot: generous portions, reasonable prices, great taste, and conveniently close to home. It was also highly recommended by Huai City locals.

Song Mian responded vaguely, “Maybe not. We’ll see.”

Chu Tao lowered his eyelids and said casually, “Don’t go to anything too flashy—it’s unnecessary.”

He understood Song Mian’s tendencies. She had a touch of vanity and always felt the need to present an image of living well in front of others. It didn’t benefit anyone, least of all herself.

Song Mian grew impatient. “This is an adult matter—don’t concern yourself. Chu Tao, remember to come home early tonight. If your plans finish quickly, come over and at least greet your uncle.”

“Brother, have a crab stick,” Chu Tao said, not answering, instead steering the conversation away.

After hanging up, Chu Tao grabbed a few strands of shredded potatoes, mixed them messily in his bowl, and took a big bite with rice.

Chu Xingning sighed. “Dad’s job isn’t looking great right now. At forty, he still has to travel for work like the younger employees. Who knows how much longer he can keep it up? Uncle Yu is in a management role—he might help Dad find a better job in the future.”

Although he was uncomfortable with his parents’ eagerness to please, he could understand it.

Song Mian, someone so proud, wouldn’t have humbled herself to this extent unless she had no choice.

Chu Jiangmin’s situation likely felt even worse. Twenty years ago, they’d all been classmates starting on the same level. Now, the gap between them was staggering.

Chu Tao muttered softly, “Dad just had bad luck.”

Back then, lacking foresight, he’d chosen a small, obscure company after graduation to earn a better paycheck. A few years of work yielded little growth—no pay raises, and his resume couldn’t compete.

A single misstep in a career path often leads to a cascade of missed opportunities, especially in fields that rely on youth. Time is money, and wasted time is something you can never reclaim.

After a pause, Chu Xingning asked again, “Are you really not going tonight?”

Chu Tao shook his head. “I really can’t. Going wouldn’t help anyone, and I might end up offending someone.”

Chu Xingning studied Chu Tao for a few seconds and said slowly, “Chu Tao, I really think you’ve changed. You weren’t this assertive before—talking back to Mom, to Aunt Tang, and now even to Uncle Yu. You’re sharp and unyielding.”

Before Chu Tao could respond, Chu Xingning continued, “But maybe that’s a good thing. You used to be so withdrawn, bottling everything up. You’d rather suffer silently than tell anyone what was bothering you. It left people unsure of how to care for you.”

“Brother…” Chu Tao frowned slightly, unsure how to reply.

Chu Xingning smiled. “So I think it might not be a bad thing.”

Chu Tao blinked. “What’s not a bad thing? You’re talking without a subject—it’s confusing.”

With an enigmatic expression, Chu Xingning raised a hand to pat Chu Tao’s shoulder. “Your brother will support you.”

As it neared 11 a.m., the summer heat had mostly subsided. Apart from occasional days of lingering warmth, the weather was mild and comfortable.

The magnolia tree leaves on campus were curling, showing signs of decay, while the climbing vines on the stone pillars and beams of the woodland corridor created an even richer tapestry of colors—lemon yellow and fiery red leaves interweaving into a vibrant scene.
—

Fang Sheng leaned lazily against the wall, flicking the lid of his lighter repeatedly. “Bro, now that you’ve got a girlfriend, you’re abandoning your bros, huh?”

Jiang She glanced at him. “Be clear—what girlfriend are you talking about?”

Fang Sheng slammed the lighter onto the desk. “No, I mean, you used to celebrate your birthday with me and Xu Yuan. Now that you’ve got… *cough*, you’ve ditched us?”

Sitting at the desk in front of them, Chu Tao could only sigh deeply, unable to say anything in response.

Dai Wenjian, who had only caught part of the conversation, turned to Fang Sheng and asked, “What does She-ge have?”

Fang Sheng waved him off. “None of your business. Cover your ears and stop listening.”

Jiang She chuckled. “Shut up. I’m treating you guys to lunch later, aren’t I?”

Fang Sheng let out a playful ‘tsk’ and poked Chu Tao in the back. “Hey, class rep, what gift did you prepare for She?”

Chu Tao straightened up, balled up a piece of paper, and threw it at Fang Sheng. “Quiet down, it’s self-study period.”

The teacher wasn’t around, but Fang Sheng couldn’t keep his mouth shut. He picked up the paper ball, leaned over his desk, and whispered into Chu Tao’s ear, “If you ask me, you don’t need to give him a gift at all. Just tie a bow around your neck—my bro would lose his mind with joy.”

Chu Tao shoved Fang Sheng’s head away, disgusted. “Control the garbage in your head.”

Truthfully, he hadn’t found a suitable gift.

Ever since receiving the professor’s email on Tuesday, Chu Tao had been unsettled.

He didn’t know how to offer comfort to someone who had far more life experience, knowledge, and perspective than him.

Eventually, he gave up on trying to comfort them. After all, a bad situation couldn’t be turned into a good one. The fact that it had reached the point of forced separation meant there was no way back.

He struggled with how to reply, writing and deleting drafts repeatedly, but none of the emails felt appropriate or satisfactory.

It wasn’t until just after midnight yesterday that his phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with the words *Jiang She’s Birthday*. He suddenly felt a strange sense of detachment, like he was in another world.

It was Friday already, almost without him realizing it.

He sent Jiang She a birthday message, not expecting a response. But a few seconds later, Jiang She replied with a voice message.

“Got it. Go to sleep.”

Chu Tao, surprised, immediately called him.

Wearing headphones and hiding under the covers, he spoke softly, afraid his parents might hear.

The air under the blanket was thin, making his voice sound muffled. “Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”

Jiang She was speaking close to the microphone, his voice low and soft, carrying a hint of sleepiness. “Waiting for you. You’re so thoughtful—I was worried you’d message me, and I might miss it.”

Chu Tao was silent for a moment before saying softly, “Jiang She.”

He simply called his name, pausing afterward to listen to Jiang She’s steady breathing.

“Mm,” Jiang She responded, and the sound of rustling blankets came through the earphones.

Closing his eyes, Chu Tao felt tired and drowsy from the thin air. He murmured, “What if I can’t find a suitable gift?”

Jiang She chuckled lightly. “Then don’t bother.”

Chu Tao’s eyelids trembled. “Would you be upset?”

Jiang She’s voice carried a teasing undertone. “I’m not someone who takes losses lightly. I’d make up for it elsewhere.”

Chu Tao was curious. “Where, exactly?”

Jiang She laughed softly. “You’ll find out. For now, go to sleep. See you at school tomorrow.”

After their call, Chu Tao emerged from under the covers, suddenly wide awake.

He got up, turned on his computer, and sat at his desk in thin pajamas to write his reply to the professor.

His fingers felt slightly sweaty as they hovered over the keyboard. The screen’s blue light illuminated his face, making his skin look especially pale.

—

‘Professor, thank you for your recommendation letter and guidance. However, I’ve decided to stay with him. I think a dull, monotonous life is more painful than withdrawal symptoms. Though I’m still young, I’ve found the courage to take responsibility for my choices.’

‘You once said that those with a “soul gland” can experience pleasures beyond normal human imagination. I seem to have touched the tip of that iceberg. It is indeed captivating, enchanting, and all-consuming.’

‘Today is his birthday. I spent a week thinking about what gift to give him, but nothing seemed good enough. If, beneath the romantic façade of the soul gland, there lies a cold, harsh reality, then I’d like to give him freedom. Even if, one day, we have to part ways, he’ll be able to leave without any burdens.’

‘He will never know about the mental gland.’

—

“Where are we going?”

After getting into the car, Chu Tao couldn’t help but ask Jiang She.

The last class ended at 5:30, and the two of them skipped evening study hall.

Though they could’ve gotten permission from Ms. Yang, there was always a risk of Chu Tao’s parents finding out.

“To a great spot. They make amazing desserts. I’ve wanted to take you there for a while,” Jiang She replied mysteriously.

The only upside of his recent dinner with his parents was discovering that private kitchen.

Chu Tao couldn’t help but laugh. “Is it your birthday or mine? Why are we going to a place I’d like? You don’t even like sweets.”

Twisting the cap off a bottle of water, Jiang She took a large sip and said calmly, “Birthdays are just an excuse. They’re not important to me. What matters is taking you somewhere nice to eat.”

Chu Tao glanced up and leaned closer to Jiang She. “How can birthdays not be important?”

Because he and Chu Xingning were born on the same day, they always celebrated their birthdays together. Every year, Song Mian would take them to a photo studio for pictures and buy an expensive ice cream cake.

The family gathered together, lit candles, made wishes, and ate cake. Even without a lavish party, it was still quite happy.

Jiang She was silent for a moment before casually saying, “When I was young, my parents often forgot my birthday. It would sometimes take them over a month to remember, and then they’d send me a late birthday gift or transfer some money. So, back then, I actually looked forward to getting the money a month later more than the actual birthday.”

“Jiang She,” Chu Tao tightened his grip on his hand, “I’ll remember. I’ll be with you.”

Jiang She ruffled Chu Tao’s hair. “Hey, don’t feel sorry for me. I’m fine with it.”

Chu Tao, his hair a bit messy, spoke slowly, “Last time, when I was in a vulnerable period, it wasn’t just an accidental encounter with my uncle. He actually wanted to talk to me alone but didn’t expect the timing to be off.”

Jiang She was taken aback for a second. “Oh, I guessed. He must’ve heard about you from my mom. With his capabilities, it was only a matter of time before he found out.”

Chu Tao continued, “He didn’t object to us being together. He even said he would make things easier for us, though I declined.”

Jiang She paused for a few seconds, then said, “He just likes to argue with my mom, always competing. He used to argue about his career, and now he’s arguing about me.”

Chu Tao chuckled, his chest shaking slightly as he continued, “I think he’s quite cautious around you, just like how my mom is with me now.”

Jiang She raised an eyebrow. “Your mom is cautious with you?”

Chu Tao nodded, resting his head on Jiang She’s shoulder. “Maybe it’s because of Shen Hongfang. What he said was really harsh. Now, my mom feels guilty and regrets neglecting me before. She’s afraid I’ll follow Shen Hongfang’s path, so she’s been a bit sensitive.”

“Honestly, when I first met you, I was interested in your looks. But do you know when I started taking things seriously?” Jiang She suddenly changed the topic.

Chu Tao straightened up, blinking and looking at Jiang She, clearly curious.

Jiang She’s voice softened. “It was that rainy day when you took your brother to the hospital. I wanted to give you an umbrella, but I didn’t make it in time. I saw you running in the rain, your clothes soaked. The entire playground was empty, just the two of you. You held up your uniform to shield him. I’ve never felt sorry for anyone before, but you were the first.”

“My brother isn’t well,” Chu Tao responded.

“Mm.”

“Don’t think too much about it. My brother takes good care of me and treats me well,” Chu Tao worried that Jiang She might misunderstand, thinking their family was as terrible as Shen Hongfang had described.

Jiang She laughed lightly. “I didn’t think too much. Just like how you feel sorry for my parents ignoring me, I don’t think it’s a big deal. I just feel sorry for you.”

Chu Tao poked Jiang She. “Come on, tell me where the restaurant is. Even though I couldn’t find a gift, I still ordered a cake. They’re going to deliver it.”

“38 Fangting Road, Sijichun,” Jiang She replied.

—

Meanwhile, Song Mian and Chu Jiangmin were picking up the Yu family father and son on their way to get Chu Xingning from school.

Song Mian, sitting in the front seat, smiled and said, “It’s local cuisine, Sichuan, Hunan, and Western food. Let’s see what Yu Wei wants to eat.”

Yu Xinrong smiled. “Sister-in-law, it’s really no trouble. We can eat anything.”

Song Mian was enthusiastic. “No, don’t worry. Jiangmin has been looking forward to this for a long time. He wants to gather and spend some time with you. Since Yu Wei’s back from abroad, he can also share his overseas study experiences with Xingning and help him avoid some pitfalls.”

Chu Jiangmin added, “Right, don’t stand on ceremony!”

Yu Wei, wearing a baseball cap, was playing with his phone, looking tired. “I don’t want Western food. I’ve had enough of that abroad.”

He had gotten off the plane without even eating, rushing straight to an interview, only to be scolded for being late. He was both tired and frustrated.

Song Mian asked tentatively, “Can you eat spicy food?”

Yu Wei shook his head. “No, I can’t. I’ve been in the UK for so long, I’m not used to spicy food.”

Song Mian glanced at Chu Jiangmin. “Then let’s go to that place. It’s a famous private restaurant, but we’ll need to hurry. I’m not sure if we’ll need to wait for a table.”

Yu Wei finally looked up. “Private restaurant? In foreign countries, the waiting time for those kinds of places can be two hours.”

Song Mian replied, “This one’s the same, but it gets crowded around six or seven. Now, since it’s already late, we might be able to get in without waiting.”

Yu Xinrong, older and a supporter of vegetarianism, wasn’t too interested in food. “If we have to wait, then forget it.”

Yu Wei glanced at his father. “Just eat here. Do you know what I learned in the UK these years? If you’re going to spend money, spend it on quality. Those people who eat standing up at Joe’s Pizza or buy street-side Turkish kebab rice or discount grocery store food, their lives have no quality. They’re just a bit better off than homeless people.”

Song Mian awkwardly laughed. “Little Yu has learned quite a lot abroad. I thought foreigners just liked to casually grab a trendy pizza and roll it up to eat.”

Yu Wei replied, “Those people are just lazy, they don’t want to make extra money, and they’re too cheap to even leave a tip at restaurants.”

Yu Xinrong scolded, “Only you know how to spend money. You’ve spent so much this year, but you don’t even know what you’ve learned.”

Yu Wei rolled his eyes. “It’s useless talking to you.”

Song Mian quickly stepped in to defuse the situation. “Little Yu is very capable. Jiang’s Pharmaceutical Lab has hired PhD chemists and biologists from abroad these years. After working for five years, they even get a house. He’s already been invited for an interview there, so he must have a solid background.”

Yu Xinrong liked to argue with his son in front of others, but that didn’t mean he truly disliked Yu Wei.

In his eyes, Yu Wei had not let him down. He had returned home after finishing his studies, and the interview invitations he received were from big domestic companies.

“It’s just that Huai City is a bit far from home. I haven’t decided if I should have him stay here. If the interview doesn’t go well, he can always go back home and look for a job, and I can take care of him.”

Yu Wei had just graduated with a master’s degree and was applying for a position at Jiang’s Lab. His research background was a bit weak, so he was applying for a QC (quality control) position, doing tasks like process analysis and equipment inspection—jobs on the periphery, not related to actual drug development.

But since Song Mian and the others misunderstood, Yu Xinrong didn’t bother explaining.

Yu Xinrong casually gazed out of the window, his fingers lightly tapping his knee. The tall buildings outside flashed by, and the wide, smooth roads were filled with traffic, bustling and noisy.

Huai City was actually a great place. Its GDP per capita was already among the top in the country. The city was young, well-established, and full of vitality. In recent years, housing prices had steadily risen, yet people kept pouring in.

Private companies like Jiang’s Pharmaceutical had brought in a lot of investment to Huai City and created thousands of jobs. Development was like a rolling snowball—human efforts sped up its momentum, and it grew bigger and bigger, becoming the city’s lifeblood, affecting everything.

Pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and chemical research were industries that would never go out of style. The more experience, the stronger the competitiveness. Jiang’s Pharmaceutical had become the city’s focus due to its impressive market share. It was stable, wealthy, and promising, like a large ship navigating calmly through the storms.

This was why Yu Xinrong had encouraged Yu Wei to apply to Jiang’s.

The car soon arrived at the entrance of the high school. Chu Xingning was already waiting on the side of the road.

Yu Wei, who had been playing with his phone and feeling a bit carsick, was about to get out to get some fresh air. As he opened the car door, he saw a handsome young man walking toward him.

Yu Wei froze for a moment, unable to snap out of it.

He had never seen such a beautiful Omega. Every strand of hair was perfect, and he was like a natural light in the crowd.

And Chu Xingning wasn’t even an adult yet, just a high school student, as clean as a blank sheet of paper.

Yu Wei could already imagine how captivating this person would be once he grew older and more mature.

Song Mian put her arm around Chu Xingning. “Xingning, this is your Uncle Yu, and this is Brother Yu Wei.”

Chu Xingning squinted his eyes.

He had seen this kind of look from Yu Wei before—unconcealed and blatant, full of desire. It was disgusting.

So he only nodded at Yu Xinrong in the car to greet him.

Yu Wei, noticing this, took the initiative to give up his seat for Chu Xingning. After a moment of hesitation, Chu Xingning got in the car.

With three people in the back seat, the space was cramped, and Chu Xingning was sitting so close to Yu Wei that there was barely room to breathe.

His phone vibrated. Chu Xingning intentionally shielded the screen and glanced at it.

A message from a little friend: “I’m watching you, big brother. If that person can’t control his eyes, I’ll help him dig them out.”

Chu Xingning quickly turned off his phone and looked out of the window.

A little kid stood at the gate of the high school, playing with a phone, smiling harmlessly at him.

Chu Xingning muttered silently in his heart, “Little jealous brat.”

Song Mian broke the silence. “I also have a son named Chu Tao, but he’s having dinner with his teacher today, so he couldn’t come.”

Yu Wei casually responded with an “Mm.” After meeting Chu Xingning, he no longer had any interest in anyone else. Chu Tao, who?

Chu Xingning smelled fresh and sweet, with the unique scent of an Omega, making people want to get closer.

Seeing Yu Wei disinterested, Song Mian asked Chu Xingning, “Has Tao Tao already left?”

Chu Xingning snapped back to his senses. “Mm, he left about ten minutes ago. Where are we going to eat?”

Song Mian replied, “Sijichun, a restaurant with specialty private dishes.”