This remark exploded in Sang Zhi’s mind like fireworks, leaving her dizzy and disoriented. Her lips parted, but she was too bewildered to utter a single word.

Her heart felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.

Thump, thump.

Almost drowning out the sound of the whistling wind.

Sang Zhi even felt her palms start to sweat in the almost freezing weather.

Before she could think of how to respond, Duan Jiaxu silently released her wrist, turned around, and stood right in front of her.

The distance between them closed instantly.

Sang Zhi averted her gaze, caught off guard.

Duan Jiaxu leaned down slightly, his peach blossom eyes curving with an unnamed emotion as he looked at her for two seconds. Then, he reached out and pulled down her scarf, revealing her entire face.

The young woman had delicate features, her lips involuntarily curving upwards making dimples appear on her cheeks. Her bright eyes avoided his gaze uncomfortably before quickly looking back at him.

Due to an allergy, her face was slightly swollen and her cheeks were marked with red rashes.

Looking at her like this, it seemed as if she were blushing.

Duan Jiaxu’s gaze darkened and his Adam’s apple rolled slowly. His hand, resting on her scarf, moved up, gently brushing her dimple with his fingertip.

Sang Zhi’s back stiffened.

In just a moment, Duan Jiaxu withdrew his hand, his thumb and forefinger unconsciously rubbing together. He straightened up, letting out a low chuckle. “Why are you blushing again?”

“……”

He drawled, “And even sneaking a smile.”

Sang Zhi’s mind went blank. She pulled the scarf back up, trying to stay calm, and mumbled, “You’re smiling too.”

Amused, Duan Jiaxu asked, “Then tell me, why am I smiling?”

“How would I know? It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve smiled like that.” Sang Zhi walked past him, continuing forward on her own. “Don’t just stand there, it’s cold.”

Watching her back, Duan Jiaxu stood in place for a few seconds before laughing and quickly following her.

Even in the car Sang Zhi still hadn’t removed her scarf.

Duan Jiaxu didn’t start the car right away. Turning his head, he teased, “Little friend, aren’t you going to take off your scarf? Aren’t you afraid of suffocating?”

Sang Zhi, maintaining her composure, explained, “I’m covering the stuff on my face.”

“I’ve already seen it.” Duan Jiaxu said with a laugh, “What are you still covering?”

Sang Zhi paused, finding some truth in his words. She reached up and took off the scarf. She didn’t say anything more, instead lowering her head to play with her phone and then turning to look out the window.

Taking advantage of a red light, Duan Jiaxu glanced her way.

He could only see her profile.

She seemed to be in a daze, her fingers tapping unconsciously on the window sill and her eyes drooping. The corners of her mouth lifted, unable to hide her emotions.

Before long, as if realizing something, she touched the corner of her mouth, her expression stiffening. Perhaps afraid he would see, she deliberately restrained her expression a bit.

Duan Jiaxu looked away, his eyelashes lowering, and he smiled too.

———pr


Since the following day was the weekend, only Ning Wei was in the dormitory. The other two were probably out participating in department activities or on dates with their boyfriends.

Hearing the movements on the door, Ning Wei looked over. She was startled when she saw Sang Zhi. “What happened to your face?”

“I accidentally drank milk tea.” Sang Zhi placed her things on the table. “I’m allergic to milk.”

“Ah? Are you okay? Did you go to the hospital?”

“Yes, I got a shot.”

“That’s good.” Ning Wei sighed. “You’re so unlucky. Being allergic to milk, there are so many things you can’t eat, right?”

Sang Zhi thought for a moment. “It’s not that bad.”

She took off her coat and casually asked, “Why didn’t you go out today?”

“I did, but I came back after eating.” Ning Wei opened a bag of chips. “My boyfriend has to finish an assignment tonight so he didn’t have time to accompany me. How about you? How did your date with that ‘brother’ go?”

Hearing her question, Sang Zhi fell silent, then suddenly squatted next to her.

Ning Wei turned her head, offering her the chips. “Do you want some?”

“I’m not eating. I’m already full.” Sang Zhi, like a little puppy, her eyes round and bright, whispered as if sharing a huge secret, “Ning Wei, let me tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“My brother’s friend,” Sang Zhi tugged at her sleeve, her eyes smiling, “seems to like me a bit.”

“You look like you just won the lottery.” Ning Wei laughed. “How did you find out?”

“He introduced me to his colleague as his friend and asked me,” Sang Zhi imitated his tone, “’Did you really take me as your brother’?”

“Hey, that sounds like he’s telling you not to randomly recognize relatives.”

Sang Zhi blinked. “Do you think he’s trying to distance himself from me?”

After saying that, Ning Wei realized her words might not be right. Worried about affecting Sang Zhi’s mood, she quickly said, “No, I was just saying.”

“It shouldn’t be.” Sang Zhi thought back to what happened earlier and said seriously, “I think he means he’s no longer treating me like a little sister. But it’s not to distance himself.”

“Does he know you like him too?”

“I don’t think so.” Sang Zhi smiled. “I haven’t shown it.”

“You could pretend not to be interested in him at first, let him chase you for a while.” Ning Wei suggested. “After all, men are like that. If you agree too quickly when he confesses, he might not cherish you.”

Sang Zhi was stunned, muttering, “What if he doesn’t chase me?”

“……” Ning Wei said, “He probably will.”

“Moreover, I’m not particularly sure.” Sang Zhi muttered, “I don’t know why he likes me…… I find it quite strange.”

“Why wouldn’t he?” Ning Wei asked, “Then why do you like him?”

Sang Zhi honestly said, “Because he’s handsome.”

“……” Ning Wei said, “You’re so shallow.”

“And he’s nice and treats me well,” Sang Zhi listed seriously, “his grades are good, and except for being a bit old, there’s nothing bad about him.”

Ning Wei munched on her chips. “Aren’t you the same? Except you’re younger than him, there’s nothing bad about you.”

“Then,” Sang Zhi cleared her throat, “I’ll just wait for him to chase me?”

“Yeah.”

“If he doesn’t chase me,” Sang Zhi still felt uncertain, muttering, “I’ll…… I’ll just chase him.”

“……”

———pr


After dropping Sang Zhi off at the dorm, Duan Jiaxu returned to his car, ready to head home. Suddenly, his phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he answered it, then quickly ended the call.

Starting the car, he drove to the city’s elderly care center.

The facility was eerily quiet.

Except when necessary, Duan Jiaxu rarely visited this place to see his father, Duan Zhicheng, who had been bedridden for almost eleven years.

The doctor said, “Your father’s condition has worsened recently.”

Duan Jiaxu acknowledged with a sound.

“He has been bedridden for eleven years so his body functions and immunity are very poor.” The doctor continued, “Recently, there has been a serious issue with fluid buildup in his lungs. We recommend a minor surgery to drain some of the fluid. Otherwise, it could lead to a lung infection, which would be severe.”

“Doctor,” Duan Jiaxu spoke indifferently, “do you think he can wake up?”

The doctor paused for a few seconds before responding formally, “As long as he’s alive, there’s always a chance for a miracle.”

Duan Jiaxu just smiled, not commenting on that statement.

Miracles were rare.

Duan Jiaxu didn’t expect Duan Zhicheng to wake up at all.

So many years had passed that not even a trace of hatred remained.

The only emotion left was exhaustion.

Duan Jiaxu lowered his eyes, looking at Duan Zhicheng. After years of being bedridden, his appearance had changed significantly. He lay there unconscious, looking like a dead man.

Duan Jiaxu wondered if his father had any regrets.

Soon, Duan Jiaxu looked away and said gently, “Thank you for your help.”

He paid for the surgery and the next two months of expenses before leaving the elderly care center. This matter did not affect his mood much and was quickly forgotten.

When he got home, he sent a WeChat message to Sang Zhi, reminding her to remember to apply her medicine.

After that, Duan Jiaxu took a bottle of ice water from the refrigerator. He thought of Sang Zhi’s reaction today and slowly recalled what she had said when she was drunk.

——”I have someone I really, really like, but he doesn’t like me.”

——”Zhizhi is unhappy.”

——”He’s very nice and treats me well. But he’s nice to everyone. He treats everyone well……”

It couldn’t be him who made her so sad, could it?

Duan Jiaxu felt that it wasn’t quite right.

They hadn’t seen each other for so many years, and if she truly developed feelings for him beyond seeing him as a brother during this time, then how did she conclude that he didn’t like her?

Was it because of the things he said before, treating her like a child?

Duan Jiaxu thought for a moment and then called Qian Fei.

After a few rings, Qian Fei picked up and said directly, “You have one minute to speak. I need to wash up after that……”

“You were right before.” Duan Jiaxu took a sip of water and spoke slowly, “The male vixen she was talking about probably doesn’t exist.”

“See? I’m awesome. I’m truly a love expert.”

“But he might also exist.” Duan Jiaxu said, “There’s a high probability that it’s me.”

“Right?!” Qian Fei got excited, “As soon as I heard flirtatious and shameless, I knew it was you!”

“……”

“Why don’t you just go for it? Why guess around?”

“I can’t.” Duan Jiaxu smiled. “I have to court her.”

“……” Qian Fei was puzzled. “Didn’t you say she likes you? What’s the point of courting her?”

“My girl thinks I don’t like her.” Duan Jiaxu lifted his eyelashes and said slowly, “I need to clear things up and make her happy.”

“What? How did she become your girl?” Qian Fei was speechless. “Also, does she know that you know she likes you?”

“No, she doesn’t.” Duan Jiaxu chuckled softly. “I’m pretending not to know too.”

He needed to save some face for his girl.

Qian Fei felt a bit envious. “You’re really something.”

Duan Jiaxu said, “Okay, one minute’s up. I’m hanging up.”

“Wait.” Qian Fei asked curiously, “How are you going to clear things up?”

Duan Jiaxu’s eyebrows rose. “I haven’t figured it out yet.”

———pr


Sang Zhi’s 19^th birthday was the first birthday she wouldn’t be celebrating with her family.

It fell on a Sunday. Duan Jiaxu had made plans with her in advance to celebrate that day. Sang Zhi arranged to have lunch with her roommates and then returned to her dormitory to wait until the agreed time before going out to meet him.

Duan Jiaxu didn’t drive over. He was standing outside the dormitory dressed in a black hoodie and fitted pants she had given him before, looking like a college student.

As Sang Zhi was about to walk over, someone suddenly called out to her, “Sang Zhi.”

She turned around instinctively.

She saw Jiang Ming standing under a tree on the other side, holding a paper bag with a bright and cheerful smile. “I sent you a message on WeChat. Did you see it?”

Sang Zhi touched her phone and said, “I didn’t check.”

“It’s nothing.” Jiang Ming said, “I just came to give you a gift.”

Sang Zhi hesitated but accepted it. “Thank you.”

Jiang Ming asked, “Do you have plans later?”

Noticing Duan Jiaxu’s subtle gaze, Sang Zhi felt a bit awkward. She forced a smile and pointed in Duan Jiaxu’s direction. “Yes, I have plans with someone.”

“I see.” Jiang Ming glanced at Duan Jiaxu, looking a bit disappointed as he touched his nose. “Then I won’t disturb you. I’ll leave now.”

Sang Zhi waved. “Mm, goodbye.”

Jiang Ming left in another direction.

Once he was gone, Sang Zhi walked up to Duan Jiaxu and asked, “Where are we going?”

Duan Jiaxu raised his eyelids and hooked his finger around the bag Sang Zhi was holding. She let go and the bag fell into his hand. He smiled naturally. “I’ll hold this for you.”

“……” Sang Zhi replied, “Alright.”

The two of them walked toward the school gate.

Duan Jiaxu asked casually, “Is that guy the male vixen?”

She knew he would bring it up.

Sang Zhi was silent for a few seconds, then seriously replied, “No.”

Duan Jiaxu hummed in acknowledgment.

After a long while, he still didn’t speak.

Sang Zhi couldn’t help but look at him.

At that moment, Duan Jiaxu stopped walking. “Then take a look.”

“Huh?”

In the next moment, Duan Jiaxu’s lips curved up. He bent down slightly to look at her at eye level. After a few seconds, he straightened up and asked teasingly, “Have you looked closely?”

Sang Zhi was confused. “What?”

“Do I look like,” Duan Jiaxu’s tone was a bit playful, “the male vixen you talked about?”