Lu Yan arrived quickly. Xia Ruan and the others had just finished giving their statements when he showed up. When Lu Yuwei saw his cold expression, she gave him two light pats and said, “What’s with that face? If it weren’t for your classmates, who knows if I’d even be standing here!” 

Lu Yan frowned: “Don’t talk nonsense.” 

“I’m not,” Lu Yuwei pouted. Just thinking about that man’s hand touching her sent goosebumps all over Lu Yuwei. If it weren’t for Xia Fei and Xia Ruan arriving in time, she wasn’t sure how she would have reacted. 

Lu Yan nodded briefly to Xia Fei and Xia Ruan as a greeting, then went to ask the police inside about what had happened. 

Xia Ruan looked at his back and thought, Maybe I was being too pessimistic earlier. 

The police quickly explained the situation to Lu Yan in a few words. When Lu Yan walked back toward them, Lu Yuwei couldn’t help but take a step back. 

Lu Yan looked at Lu Yuwei in confusion: “Aren’t you usually against carrying cash?” 

Lu Yuwei looked a bit aggrieved: “The vendors at the market only accept cash, so I just happened to withdraw some.” 

Lu Yan massaged his forehead. She hardly ever goes to the market in a year. Thinking about what might have happened if Xia Fei and Xia Ruan hadn’t stopped that man in time, he could hardly believe the possible consequences. A chill suddenly ran through him. 

Even Lu Yuwei herself wasn’t sure what got into her today that made her decide to carry cash. Seeing the accusatory look in Lu Yan’s eyes, she softened her tone. “I promise I’ll be more careful next time I go out.” 

Lu Yan just stood there silently watching her, saying nothing. 

Seeing this, Xia Ruan guessed maybe because she and Xia Fei were here, they were holding back in their conversation. So she politely said goodbye: “Auntie, since Lu Yan is here, we’ll go home first.” 

Lu Yuwei quickly grabbed her hand: “Don’t go, Ruan Ruan, I said I want to invite you and your brother to dinner. Call your parents and tell them you’re eating at a classmate’s house, or should I call for you?”  

Lu Yan, who was already less upset, raised an eyebrow at that. His mom was already calling Xia Ruan “Ruan Ruan”? Then again, knowing her, he wasn’t all that surprised. 

In the end, Xia Ruan and Xia Fei couldn’t turn her down and went home with them. 

“Yan Yan, you take your classmates inside to watch TV first. I’ll go to the supermarket to buy groceries,” Lu Yuwei said downstairs. 

Hearing Lu Yuwei call Lu Yan that way, Xia Fei couldn’t help but chuckle quietly. When Lu Yan shot him a cold glance, Xia Fei quickly looked up at the sky, as if wondering who he was, where he was, and what he was doing. 

Xia Ruan glanced at Xia Fei amusedly. He’s really no better. Does he think his nickname “Xiao Fei” sounds better than “Yan Yan” for Lu Yan? 

Lu Yan glanced at the supermarket not far away and finally said, “I’ll take them home first and then come find you at the supermarket.” 

“No need, I can manage alone,” Lu Yuwei waved him off. 

Xia Ruan probably understood Lu Yan’s mood. Lu Yuwei was his only family, and the recent events made him more concerned for her safety. So she suggested, “Auntie, let’s go together. I just ran out of notebooks.” 

Lu Yuwei smiled warmly at Xia Ruan: “Perfect, we’ll go together.” 

She happily linked arms with Xia Ruan and walked ahead. Lu Yan and Xia Fei followed behind them. Lu Yan glanced at Xia Ruan, who was now almost as tall as his mom, a thoughtful look passing in his eyes. 

Walking behind them, Xia Fei looked at their backs and couldn’t help sighing. What a small world. The person I happened to help turns out to be Lu Yan’s mom. Maybe he’ll help me out with some exam tips or something as a thank-you? 

Although the books described Lu Yuwei as a simple, enthusiastic, and cheerful person, when she got really passionate, Xia Ruan found it a bit overwhelming. 

At that moment, Lu Yuwei suddenly asked: “By the way, Ruan Ruan, is Lu Yan really unpopular with girls at school?” 

“Not at all, Auntie. Lu Yan is actually liked by many people at school,” Xia Ruan said, then glanced at Lu Yuwei, worried she might have misunderstood her son. 

Lu Yuwei didn’t seem surprised by her answer, smiling warmly: “Is that so? Then, Ruan Ruan, do you like him?” 

Xia Ruan shook her head without hesitation: “Auntie, right now my most important thing is studying.” 

Lu Yuwei’s smile didn’t fade: “Studying and love don’t conflict. A good relationship can even help one improve.” Although you don’t like Lu Yan now, you can slowly grow fond of him later. 

Xia Ruan tilted her head, seeing the smile on her face, and smiled back: “Auntie, you’re right.” 

Lu Yuwei’s smile grew even brighter: “Ruan Ruan, since you agree with me, remember to seize the tail end of your youth.” 

Xia Ruan nodded smiling: “I know, Auntie.” 

Seeing Xia Ruan’s lack of affection for Lu Yan, Lu Yuwei felt a little disappointed but quickly adjusted, continuing to chat: “By the way, Ruan Ruan, is there any girl Lu Yan is particularly close to at school?” 

Xia Ruan pretended to think, then after a while said, “Lu Yan is usually quite cold and indifferent to girls, but he seems a bit different with the new female student.” 

Xia Ruan felt she wasn’t exaggerating. The admiring look Lu Yan gave Fang Yinan was clearly different from others. Besides, it was admiration now—later it would be full of deep affection. 

Lu Yuwei was surprised: “Really?” 

Xia Ruan nodded: “Auntie, you can observe more carefully.” 

Seeing that Lu Yuwei’s attention was finally no longer on herself, Xia Ruan finally exhaled a breath of relief. 

Lu Yuwei didn’t doubt Xia Ruan’s words, but she felt a bit regretful that the person wasn’t Xia Ruan herself—after all, she thought she and Xia Ruan got along quite well. 

When they arrived at the supermarket, Lu Yuwei took a few steps before realizing she had forgotten to push the shopping cart. She tapped her forehead and said to Xia Ruan, “Look at me, I even forgot to push the cart.” 

At this moment, Lu Yan at the entrance silently pushed the cart over, giving Lu Yuwei a look that said, I knew it, then calmly said, “Let’s just go straight to the fresh produce section.” 

Lu Yuwei stuck her tongue out at Lu Yan’s back, then explained to Xia Ruan beside her, “Usually, Lu Yan handles all this stuff at home.” 

Although Xia Ruan had read in books that the male protagonist could cook, now seeing the boy pushing the cart in front of her, a sudden emotion somewhat like pity rose in her chest. Xia Ruan thought that she probably saw a reflection of her former self in him. And before, when reading, she was just a bystander, but now she was immersed in this world, everything was real. It wasn’t just words on a page anymore. 

Lu Yan had lived with Lu Yuwei since childhood. Although materially he lacked nothing, he bore many responsibilities that children his age shouldn’t have to. While other kids enjoyed carefree childhoods, he had already begun to mature. Even after later reuniting with his biological father, what was lost in childhood could never be regained. Xia Ruan thought over the plot: it would still be more than half a year before his biological father discovered their existence. 

Xia Ruan and Lu Yuwei, each with their own worries, followed behind Lu Yan until he stopped to pick vegetables. 

Lu Yuwei casually picked up a broccoli to put into the bag but was stopped by Xia Ruan: “Auntie, this isn’t fresh anymore, let’s choose another one.” 

Lu Yan, who was selecting vegetables, paused and looked up at her. He thought that someone from her kind of family should be like the earlier Lu Yuwei, not even knowing the names of vegetables. Lu Yuwei was an only child, and her grandparents had spoiled her since childhood. Not only did she not cook, she didn’t even know many vegetables. According to her grandmother, it wasn’t until Lu Yan was born that her mother started learning these basic things. 

After leaving the supermarket, Lu Yan took them straight home. Xia Ruan glanced around the house as she entered: the rooms were decorated warmly, and the living room was full of girlish charm.  

Xia Ruan couldn’t help but look at Lu Yuwei and thought, sure enough, she was someone living a Mary Sue life—even though her son was already in high school, she still kept her girlish heart. 

When Xia Fei saw Lu Yan carrying groceries into the kitchen and starting to prep vegetables like it was second nature, he was surprised. “Wait—Lu Yan knows how to cook?” 

Damn. Was there anything this guy couldn’t do? It was almost unfair. Thank god their parents didn’t know him that well yet, or they’d probably be wishing he was their son instead. 

Lu Yuwei said proudly, “Yeah, my Yan Yan’s cooking is really good.” 

Xia Ruan kicked Xia Fei’s foot: “Brother, you should help too.” 

“But I don’t know how to do anything,” Xia Fei said with an innocent face. 

“Then learn! Don’t you still want to chase Fang Yinan? Brother, let me tell you, nowadays girls are all little fairies. Men who can cook are definitely more popular than those who can’t. I’m just thinking ahead for you,” Xia Ruan said seriously. 

“I… I know how to do Sanda,” Xia Fei mumbled after thinking for a second. 

“Are you planning to challenge her to a fight?” Xia Ruan rolled her eyes. “Look at Lu Yan, then look at yourself. Even someone better than you knows how to cook. What are you waiting for?” 

Before he could protest again, she pushed him into the kitchen. Considering they helped Lu Yuwei today, Xia Ruan figured even if her brother was a bit useless, Lu Yan wouldn’t hold it against him. 

By the time dinner at the Lu family was finished, it was almost eight o’clock. There was no chance to prepare the gift today, but Lu Yan’s cooking earlier had given Xia Ruan some inspiration. 

After saying goodbye to Lu Yuwei, she heard her say to Lu Yan nearby, “Lu Yan, go downstairs and see your classmates off.” 

Once they were downstairs, Lu Yan looked at them seriously and said, “Thanks for helping out today. I really appreciate it. If there’s ever anything you need, just ask.” 

Xia Fei’s eyes lit up, licking the corner of his lips, and asked, “Are you serious? Really, anything?” 

Lu Yan nodded, “Of course.” 

Before Xia Ruan could stop him, her brother had already opened his mouth with an eager tone—and when she heard what he said next, she couldn’t help but cover her face. 

Author’s note:  

Guess what Xia Fei said?