Yu Nuo was taken aback, a faint sense of puzzlement rising in her heart.

She stopped in her tracks.

Xu Yitong tilted her head to look at Yu Ge, let out an “oh,” and obediently said, “Then I’ll put it in the fridge for you first?”

Yu Nuo hesitated, not daring to step forward rashly.

Though they were only a few steps apart, neither of them noticed her.

Xu Yitong was still in high spirits, holding the plate up to him as if seeking praise.

“I picked this watermelon after a long time. Look, isn’t the color beautiful? The old lady selling it kept praising my good taste.”

She chattered away without pause, leaving Yu Ge no room to interject.

Yu Nuo glanced worriedly at Yu Ge’s expression.

His eyelids were slightly lowered as he listened silently to Xu Yitong’s rambling, showing neither impatience nor any awareness of the person standing nearby.

Watching this scene, Yu Nuo instinctively felt awkward.

She felt as if she had accidentally stumbled upon some private moment of her brother’s…

Xu Yitong shook her head and swayed, enthusiastically introducing the watermelon she had bought.

After a long, animated speech, the small hairpin on her head swayed childishly along with her.

The sunlight at past five was already a gentle hue, streaming in through the glass window beside them, dyeing the fine fuzz on her cheeks a warm orange.

Yu Ge’s hand, hanging at his side, suddenly moved.

He was already much taller than her, and standing two steps higher on the stairs, so with just a slight lift of his hand, he reached right in front of her face.

Xu Yitong was surprised and abruptly fell silent, not daring to move.

For a moment, she had the absurd thought—he wanted to touch her face.

Her eyes were bright and full of confusion.

The next second, Yu Ge paused, and his hand landed on the plate in front of her.

He took a piece of watermelon.

That fleeting absurd thought was quickly forgotten by Xu Yitong. She asked cheerfully, “Are you going to try it first?”

Under her direct, expectant gaze, Yu Ge didn’t deny it.

Xu Yitong noticed his hair was still dripping, the collar of his T-shirt soaked through.

She swallowed and stopped herself,

“Then I won’t bother you. Dry your hair first, or you’ll catch a cold.”

She turned to head back to the kitchen to put the watermelon in the fridge, only to exclaim in surprise,

“Huh, Xiao Nuo, what are you standing here for?”

Hearing her name, Yu Nuo finally snapped out of her daze.

She looked up and met Yu Ge’s glance.

Seeing the watermelon still in his hand, she felt inexplicably awkward.

She wasn’t sure if it was for him or for herself.

She stiffly explained, “I was just… passing by.”

“Oh, okay.”

After Xu Yitong happily ran off, the siblings were left standing there, staring at each other.

The world fell silent again.

For a moment, no one spoke.

The lobby was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Yu Ge remained as indifferent as ever, no different from usual.

Seeing his lips part, Yu Nuo quickly shook her head.

“I didn’t see anything just now.”

After a pause, Yu Ge frowned habitually.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Yu Nuo: “Nothing. I’ll go check on my soup.”

……

In the kitchen.

Xu Yitong hummed a cheerful tune as she put the watermelon in the fridge and clapped her hands.

Yu Nuo entered and asked, “Tongtong-jie, are you hungry?”

“Huh? Not yet.”

“If you’re hungry, I can get you some soup first.”

Xu Yitong sniffed the air again and smiled.

“No wonder it smells so good! So it’s the soup you made. Your cooking skills are amazing. Chen Yuzheng is so lucky.”

Yu Nuo put a finger to her lips.

Xu Yitong immediately covered her mouth.

Amused by her reaction, Yu Nuo glanced around and lowered her voice.

“Let’s talk outside.”

There was a wicker swing in the courtyard outside the base.

The area was shaded by trees. Yu Nuo led Xu Yitong to sit down. “Is it too hot out here?”

Xu Yitong rubbed her arms.

“Not at all. The air conditioning inside was way too strong. I was feeling a bit cold earlier.”

Yu Nuo: “If you get cold later, I’ll find you a jacket.”

“Hehe, you’re so thoughtful.”

Xu Yitong felt utterly comforted and patted her head.

“How have you been with Chen Yuzheng lately? He hasn’t bullied you, has he?”

Yu Nuo smiled faintly. “He’s been great.”

“When are you planning to meet the parents?”

Yu Nuo: “Huh?!”

“Just kidding! You’re free to date as you please. I won’t interfere!”

Xu Yitong: “But, when are you planning to tell your brother? He still doesn’t know?”

Yu Nuo thought for a moment.

“I’ll tell him when our relationship is more stable.”

Xu Yitong nodded sympathetically.

“I get it. Chen Yuzheng isn’t exactly the most impressive catch.”

“No, no, it’s not because of him.”

Yu Nuo hurriedly explained.

“You know how my brother is. His personality is a bit…”

Xu Yitong finished the sentence: “A bit too perfect?”

Yu Nuo choked.

Xu Yitong paused, then couldn’t help but laugh at herself.

Gazing at the distant security booth, she said casually, “When I went to deliver the watermelon earlier, I noticed the security guard uncle seems to have trouble walking.”

“Oh, Uncle Li. He’s had a hard life. He was in a car accident a couple of years ago, spent half a year in the hospital, and lost his previous job.”

“Wow, what did he do before?”

Yu Nuo: “He was a cook at my brother’s high school cafeteria.”

“So Yu Ge arranged for him to work here as a security guard?”

“Yeah.”

Xu Yitong sighed. “Yu Ge is such a good person.”

Yu Nuo’s expression darkened.

She lowered her head and replied after a moment, “Uncle Li… was very kind to my brother back then.”

Xu Yitong didn’t dwell on it.

“This uncle seems like a good person. He’ll surely have good fortune in the future.”

Yu Nuo suddenly asked, “By the way, Tongtong-jie, you and… my brother, have you gotten close now?”

Xu Yitong looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“You were talking for quite a while earlier.”

Xu Yitong waved it off. “Oh, that was just me making small talk.”

Yu Nuo felt doubtful.

Was that really it?

But for someone like Yu Ge, patiently listening to someone’s rambling wasn’t his style at all.

Xu Yitong: “What’s your brother’s type? Do you think a lively, pretty girl like me stands a chance?”

“He never talks to me about these things.”

Yu Nuo answered honestly.

“But a lively, pretty girl like you—I don’t think anyone could dislike you.”

Xu Yitong burst into laughter at her earnest expression.

Yu Nuo, however, didn’t laugh. She stared at Xu Yitong, lost in thought.

In Xu Yitong, she seemed to see Chen Yuzheng’s shadow.

Especially when they smiled and spoke—their expressions were identical, bold and vibrant.

The winter sun, when it appeared, was bound to be dazzling.

Insects that had lived in darkness for too long would instinctively feel uneasy upon seeing light.

They might hover nearby, hesitant, even if it burned them, unwilling to stay away.

Yet, in the end, they would still be drawn to it, throwing themselves toward it without hesitation.

Yu Nuo thought, even if one grew accustomed to darkness and solitude, who wouldn’t yearn for the warmth of the sun?

She was that pitiful little insect, begging for a moment of warmth.

What about Yu Ge?

*

At around six, the base’s housekeeper called them in for dinner.

The base had a separate dining hall. When Xu Yitong and Yu Nuo entered, Awen and the others were already scattered around a large round table.

A large TV hung on the wall, playing a recording of a recent LPL match.

They watched intently while discussing it.

Xu Yitong thought to herself, no wonder OG was so strong—they were this diligent even in their private time.

Noticing the empty seat to Yu Ge’s left, Xu Yitong naturally walked over and sat down beside him.

He glanced up at her briefly, said nothing, then lowered his eyes back to his phone.

Little C handed her a set of chopsticks.

Awen: “Nice to see you again.”

Xu Yitong chatted with them, her hands restless, twisting the ring on her finger—taking it off, putting it back on, then taking it off again.

The ring slipped from her fingers, rolled across the table, and landed right on Yu Ge.

She had done it on purpose.

Yu Ge picked up the ring and handed it back to her.

Xu Yitong whispered, “Thank you.”

She leaned in slightly. “What game are you playing?”

Yu Ge tilted his phone screen toward her.

It seemed to be a speed-based mini-game with a simple white background and colored dots popping up continuously.

Yu Ge showed her while his fingers moved swiftly, eliminating the dots.

Xu Yitong was dazzled, but he remained methodical.

She watched intently, her head inching closer and closer.

Xu Yitong’s head soon blocked half the screen, but she didn’t seem to notice, eagerly directing him,

“Top left, right, right, bottom, bottom—yes! Oh no, you missed two!”

Yu Ge: “…”

When the round ended, he had scored his lowest record ever.

Xu Yitong sighed and lifted her head, disappointed. “That’s it?”

Yu Ge said flatly, “Want to try?”

Xu Yitong’s eyes lit up.

“Let me give it a shot. I’ve got pretty quick reflexes.”

Yu Ge restarted the game and handed her his phone.

Xu Yitong grinned confidently and took it.

As she played, her smile faded.

The dots appeared faster and faster. Xu Yitong panicked.

“Wait, wait—why are there so many?”

Yu Ge, like an emotionless machine, reminded her, “You missed all the ones at the top.”

She was flustered, scrambling to tap with one hand, then resorting to both hands in desperation.

Game Over.

Xu Yitong looked at the pitiful score, not even a fraction of Yu Ge’s earlier result, and nearly cried.

Unaware of the amusement in his eyes, she handed the phone back dejectedly.

“Okay, you’re better.”

Yu Ge said nothing. “Want to play again?”

Xu Yitong surrendered. “No thanks.”

The table was lively with chatter, everyone deliberately ignoring the scene.

Awen and Will exchanged meaningful glances.

Little C, sitting closest, overheard and thought to himself:

This game’s difficulty could be adjusted. Yu Ge had given Xu Yitong the pro-player mode for practicing reflexes—was he teasing her on purpose?

……

Xu Yitong hadn’t been hungry, but the food was unexpectedly delicious.

She ate two full bowls of rice, her stomach already full, yet she kept stuffing her cheeks like a chipmunk.

Awen teased her, “How long has it been since you last ate?”

Xu Yitong: “I’ve been running around for renovations these past two days. It was too hot to eat.”

“Oh, your friend’s shop?”

Xu Yitong admitted sheepishly,

“Actually, it’s a joint venture with my friend.”

“Wow, that’s great.” Awen joked,

“I’ll help promote it for you.”

“Thanks!” Xu Yitong beamed.

“You know, CC and I were just discussing how to promote it. I thought of asking my brother to make an appearance at the opening. He’s been pretty popular lately.”

“Conquer?”

Xu Yitong: “Yeah! Pretty smart, right?”

“Well, he’s popular, but…”

Awen’s tone shifted.

“Why not ask the guy next to you to make an appearance instead?”

Xu Yitong blinked. “Huh?”

Yu Ge ignored them.

Awen: “In terms of popularity, Conquer can’t hold a candle to our Fish. Millions of Weibo followers, the face of LPL’s traffic—ready-made cash cow, and you’re not taking advantage?”

Xu Yitong muttered, “I can’t afford him.”

Even so, she turned to Yu Ge and asked playfully, “So, big influencer, would you be willing to make an appearance?”

Yu Ge finally looked at her. “You said you can’t afford me.”

Xu Yitong scoffed. “I’ve got plenty of money. How much do you want?”

Before he could reply, Roy suddenly groaned in frustration and called out to Xu Yitong.

“Hey, Tong, do you know the cake brand Conan?”

“Yeah, why?”

Roy: “Yi’s birthday is next week, and she loves their cakes. I meant to order early, but I forgot. Just asked, and the owner said they’re fully booked for the next half month. Do you know anyone who can help?”

Xu Yitong: “A friend of mine ordered from them before, but I don’t have their contact.”

Roy: “Oh well…”

Seeing his disappointment, Xu Yitong reached out.

“What did you say to them? Let me try asking.”

Roy handed her his phone.

Xu Yitong skimmed the chat history.

Conan wasn’t some high-end brand—it had only gained popularity recently thanks to influencers and loved putting on airs.

Xu Yitong knew exactly how to deal with them.

She dialed the number directly.

The call connected.

After a brief exchange, Xu Yitong nodded.

“Next week, yes. A double portrait cake, crown, white roses, nothing else.”

She glanced at Roy for confirmation.

Roy nodded.

The person on the phone continued their rehearsed spiel: “Sorry, miss, the earliest we can do is next month. We need time to prepare special ingredients—”

Mid-sentence, Xu Yitong suddenly turned to Yu Ge and exclaimed, “Hey, stop it! Enough already!”

Everyone froze, looking at Yu Ge, who hadn’t said a word.

Yu Ge: “?”

Xu Yitong sounded exasperated.

“Stop bragging about your millions of Weibo followers! So what if you’re a big influencer? The cake shop said they’re busy—they don’t care how famous you are!”

Yu Ge: “…”