The name after the character “Meng” was particularly unclear, making it difficult to distinguish.

Meng Qi Ran hesitated for a moment before ultimately giving up on thinking further. He extended his arm and embraced Chen Qing Wu, gently patting her back in a comforting manner. “Don’t be afraid… It’ll be warm once we get to the hospital.”

He tightened his coat around her and took off his own padded jacket to cover her.

It was as if he had returned to his childhood, when he would visit the Chen family to check on Qing Wu after school.

She had to take many different pills every day, but she never complained.

He had asked her if they were bitter.

She said she swallowed them in one gulp and didn’t bother to taste the bitterness.

But when he secretly put chocolate in her pocket, she smiled happily.

Meng Qi Ran squeezed her hand gently and said softly, “Just hold on a bit longer, we’ll be at the hospital soon.”

At the clinic, after a doctor’s examination, a fever-reducing injection was prescribed.

Many people were sick with fevers during the winter, so the beds in the clinic’s infusion room were all occupied, leaving only seats available.

Meng Qi Ran let Chen Qing Wu lean on his shoulder, holding her with one arm while occasionally checking the amount of fluid left in the infusion bag.

With his other hand, he replied to messages from Liao Shuman, reassuring her not to worry, as he would stay with Qing Wu.

When half of the injection fluid remained, Chen Qing Wu’s fever subsided.

She opened her eyes drowsily and was about to lift her hand when a hand reached over to hold her hand down, whispering, “Don’t move.”

Just as she was about to turn her head to look, she heard the voice and stopped moving.

It wasn’t him.

Chen Qing Wu stared at the needle in her hand, processing the current situation, and asked, “…What time is it?”

“A little after seven,” Meng Qi Ran replied.

“…I’ve slept this long.”

“Why didn’t you say something when you got sick? What if the fever hadn’t gone down?”

“I took some fever-reducing medicine.”

Chen Qing Wu glanced at the infusion bag, “Is this the only bag? Can we leave once it’s done?”

Meng Qi Ran nodded.

Meng Qi Ran hadn’t brought her phone, and he imagined that after most of the day, there must be some order information accumulated, or perhaps there would be new messages in the exhibition coordination group…

She felt inexplicably anxious and reached out to adjust the flow rate.

“If it’s too fast, you won’t be able to handle it,” Meng Qi Ran caught her wrist, “Don’t rush.”

“…I need to hurry back, there’s a lot to do.”

“You’re sick, rushing won’t help,” Meng Qi Ran said somewhat irritably, “Your health is more important.”

Chen Qing Wu sighed.

Meng Qi Ran gently held her head, “Sleep a bit more, I’ll wake you as soon as it’s done.”

Chen Qing Wu, feeling weak, leaned against his shoulder and closed her eyes, feeling heavy-lidded but unable to sleep.

Finally, when the infusion was finished, Meng Qi Ran called a nurse to remove the needle.

Instead of driving back to the studio, he took her to his place.

Chen Qing Wu only realized this when the car stopped.

Meng Qi Ran said, “It’s too cold at your place, I’m worried you’ll get a fever again if you stay up late. Rest at my place for now…”

“Take me back, Qi Ran,” Chen Qing Wu looked at him with a firm tone and expression.

After a moment of standoff, Meng Qi Ran said, “Then let’s go to a hotel.”

Chen Qing Wu was about to speak when he interrupted, “Even if you were my employee, I wouldn’t leave you alone while you’re sick.”

Chen Qing Wu closed her eyes and sighed, ultimately compromising, “…I didn’t bring my phone.”

“I’ll take you back to get it.”

Meng Qi Ran booked a room at the best hotel nearby.

After entering, he adjusted the air conditioning temperature higher and went to boil some water.

Chen Qing Wu leaned against the headboard, handling accumulated WeChat messages.

When the water boiled, Meng Qi Ran mixed it with cooler water and brought it over for her to take her cold medicine.

Then, he sat on the sofa opposite her, as if intending to keep watch over her.

Chen Qing Wu said, “You should go home, Qi Ran. You don’t need to stay here.”

Meng Qi Ran, legs crossed and leaning back on the sofa, just lifted his eyes slightly at her words.

Chen Qing Wu continued, “I need to take a shower… It might be inconvenient with you here. I’ll go to bed right after.”

Meng Qi Ran stood up, “I’ll go buy some porridge.”

Having sweated a lot, Chen Qing Wu took a hot shower while Meng Qi Ran was out, and changed into the hotel’s bathrobe.

After a while, Meng Qi Ran returned and knocked on the door.

Chen Qing Wu opened the door halfway, thanked him, and took the takeout bag from his hand, “Thank you, Qi Ran. You should go home, I should be fine now…”

Seeing her in a bathrobe, Meng Qi Ran realized it was indeed inappropriate to stay any longer. He said, “Even if you have no appetite, eat a little. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

Meng Qi Ran hesitated for a moment before closing the door.

---

Chen Qing Wu woke up at nine the next morning, feeling less exhausted, but still had symptoms of a cold with a cough and runny nose.

She messaged Meng Qi Ran and prepared to check out.

Within five minutes, Meng Qi Ran was knocking on the door.

Chen Qing Wu was surprised, “Where did you come from? How did you get here so fast?”

“From the room next to yours.”

Chen Qing Wu was taken aback, “…You didn’t go home last night.”

“Mm.”

He stayed close by in case she needed anything and he couldn’t get there in time.

After checking out, Meng Qi Ran drove her back to the studio.

On the way, her phone suddenly started vibrating continuously.

In the family group chat, Liao Shuman @ed Meng Fu Yuan.

Liao Shuman: Your mom said you won’t be coming back to Nancheng for your birthday today?

Meng Fu Yuan: Busy with work, can’t make it, Auntie.

Immediately after, both Liao Shuman and Chen Suiliang wished him a happy birthday and sent red envelopes.

Liao Shuman: Then have a good time with your friends.

Meng Fu Yuan didn’t accept the red envelopes and only replied with a thank you.

Everyone was accustomed to Meng Fu Yuan’s typically aloof demeanor.

After a while of silence in the group chat, Qi Lin sent a message, @ing Chen Qing Wu and asking: Qing Wu, is your cold better?

Chen Qing Wu replied: I’m fine now, Auntie.

Qi Lin: With the weather change, it’s easy to catch a cold. Take care of yourself.

Chen Qing Wu responded with a smiling emoji.

Almost unconsciously, she switched back to the chat list and looked at the pinned black-and-white avatar.

She couldn’t deny that she was hoping for something.

He must have seen the messages in the group, right? Would he privately message her to check on her cold?

She waited for a few minutes, but no new messages came from that avatar.

Meng Qi Ran glanced over at her from the driver’s seat.

Chen Qing Wu held her phone, lost in thought, with a somewhat sad expression as if she felt a bit disappointed.

Back at the studio, Meng Qi Ran spontaneously helped Chen Qing Wu pack the shipments that needed to go out that afternoon.

They had lunch together, and in the afternoon, Meng Qi Ran had business at his own studio and left, reminding Chen Qing Wu to contact him if needed.

Chen Qing Wu sent a WeChat message to Pei Shao: Is Meng Fu Yuan at the office?

Pei Shao: Unlucky timing, he just left for a business trip this morning. Wait until he gets back to see him.

Chen Qing Wu: …I don’t want to see him.

Chen Qing Wu: Can I come by to drop something off?

Driving to the tech park, Pei Shao came down to the reception to meet her.

Seeing Chen Qing Wu carrying a suitcase, Pei Shao reached out, “Is it heavy? Let me carry it.”

“No, no, I can manage.”

As they walked in, Chen Qing Wu asked, “Where did he go for his trip?”

“Bavaria.”

“He has to go on a business trip on his birthday too.”

Pei Shao laughed, “I’d like to go, but I can’t. He went with SE’s CEO, taking a team to Nuremberg Medical Valley for an inspection.”

“For how long?”

“At least five days.”

As they spoke, they arrived at Meng Fu Yuan’s office.

Pei Shao swiped his card and accompanied her inside.

The office was decorated in a minimalist black and white style.

Chen Qing Wu approached the desk and carefully placed the suitcase down.

As she was about to leave, she noticed a cup placed next to the mouse on the neat desk.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She immediately reached out and picked it up.

Pei Shao was startled, “Be careful with that! Fu Yuan cherishes that cup. I almost broke it once, and he gave me the cold shoulder for three days.”

The cup was rather crude, made of white earthenware with uneven rock-like textures on the surface.

Such a cup might only be worth ten yuan.

The reason she could recognize it at a glance was that she had made it.

Back in high school.

“Did Meng Fu Yuan ever mention where this cup came from?”

Pei Shao thought for a moment. “I think he once mentioned that it was rescued from somewhere.” Suddenly, he slapped his forehead. “Could it be that I was blind and didn’t recognize a treasure? Is this some invaluable antique relic?”

Usually, the word “rescue” was reserved for antique relics, objects of significant importance.

But at that time, wasn’t her situation akin to a collapsing building?

It was the summer break before her senior year of high school. When Chen Suiliang found out she wanted to give up her excellent grades to apply to an art school for ceramics, he was furious after failing to dissuade her.

The items she made during her extracurricular activities in the pottery room were stored in the sideboard.

Chen Suiliang ruthlessly picked them up and threw them on the ground.

Each piece of her hard work was shattered to pieces in front of her.

During the most intense moment, someone knocked on the door.

It was Meng Fu Yuan, who had come to deliver cosmetics from abroad on Qi Lin’s behalf.

With an outsider present, Chen Suiliang temporarily ceased his tirade.

Meng Fu Yuan put down the items, exchanged a few words, and left.

Afterwards, Chen Qing Wu endured a lengthy scolding.

It wasn’t over yet. Chen Suiliang watched her clean up the shattered pieces and throw them out.

She never recalled the events of that day, as if her brain had sealed those memories.

How did this cup survive?

The only explanation was that Meng Fu Yuan had taken it with him at the time.

Perhaps out of a moment of compassion, he “rescued” this unique piece.

Chen Qing Wu gripped the cup, overwhelmed with emotion.

He had said he couldn’t do anything for her anymore, yet he had done so much behind her back.

His love was like an iceberg, only a small part visible above the surface.

Pei Shao felt a bit awkward seeing her stunned expression and teary eyes.

He scratched his head and cautiously asked, “What’s wrong? Do you like this cup? If so, wait for Meng Fu Yuan to return and ask for it… He might not give it to others, but he certainly will to you.”

Chen Qing Wu couldn’t help but laugh. “Could you go on his next business trip instead? Five more days…”

“Are you in a hurry? If you are, just take the cup now.”

“Don’t you know taking without asking is stealing?”

“Then you’ll have to wait for him,” Pei Shao shrugged. “Don’t worry, it won’t grow legs and fly away. It’ll be yours sooner or later.”

---

In the following days, Chen Qing Wu shipped the remaining orders, posted a notice about the studio closing for the Spring Festival, cleaned the studio, and then drove back to Nancheng.

At home, Liao Shuman inquired about her health, reminding her to stay warm and not overwork herself.

Finally, she remarked, “You should have someone by your side, at least someone to look after you when you’re not feeling well.”

Chen Qing Wu replied, “You’re right.”

Liao Shuman couldn’t help but notice how unusually compliant and agreeable Chen Qing Wu seemed today, not her usual subtly resistant self.

During dinner, Chen Suiliang’s usual lecture topics were met with Chen Qing Wu’s cooperation.

It was as if she had a personality change after her illness. Liao Shuman silently wondered.

After dinner, Liao Shuman went to the bathroom and, upon returning, saw Chen Qing Wu staring at the sideboard.

Liao Shuman paused, “What are you looking at?”

“Do you remember I made some ceramics in high school and displayed them here?”

Liao Shuman stared at her without speaking.

“You remember, right? Because my dad smashed them all,” Chen Qing Wu suddenly turned to look at her. “Just like he smashed the wedding anniversary set you bought.”

Liao Shuman frowned, “What are you trying to say?”

Chen Qing Wu smiled and shook her head, “Nothing.”

Nothing. It no longer mattered.

The next day, both families had a gathering.

Liao Shuman brought a pre-cooked fish dish to Qi Lin.

The fathers exchanged pleasantries.

New year’s flowers filled the vase, their fragrance lingering in the room.

Above the fireplace were photos from various stages: baby pictures, anniversaries, family portraits, graduation photos…

Everything seemed harmonious.

After they sat down, Chen Suiliang asked, “Isn’t Fu Yuan back yet?”

Qi Lin smiled, “He said he’d be back tomorrow.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Meeting after the new year is just as good.”

The dinner’s atmosphere was no different from previous years; both families summarized the year and looked forward to the next.

As if all conflicts could be dissolved in the festive mood.

Chen Qing Wu smiled throughout.

With an unusually forgiving attitude.

After dinner, the four parents started a card game, while Meng Qi Ran disappeared quickly.

Unable to bear the indoor stuffiness, Chen Qing Wu went to the backyard, sat in the shadow of the olive tree, and lit a cigarette.

She looked up.

Directly above was the window of the third-floor study.

Last year at this time, was Meng Fu Yuan watching her from here?

Chen Qing Wu extinguished the cigarette and stood up.

Passing through the living room, she heard Qi Lin’s voice from the tea room, asking, “Where did Qing Wu go?”

Meng Chengyong replied, “Maybe she went out with Qi Ran.”

Chen Qing Wu quietly went upstairs without disturbing anyone.

Reaching the third floor, she stopped at the study door.

She instinctively tried the door handle and, surprisingly, it wasn’t locked.

The room was dark.

She took a moment to adjust before walking in.

She stopped by the window, drew back the curtains, and looked outside.

Something fell on the glass.

In the darkness, tiny flurries danced.

It was snowing.

After a while, footsteps approached from outside.

Chen Qing Wu turned sharply.

The door opened, light from the hallway streaming in.

A figure stood silhouetted, cold and imposing.

In the light, snow rested on his shoulders.

As if he had traversed the snowstorm, he spoke coolly:

“…Who let you in?”