After dinner, everyone went home. Xin An’an and Cheng Song took one path, while Xu Zhilu and Shen Siyan took another.

Shen Siyan glanced at the bags in her hand. “Give them to me.”

Xu Zhilu looked at him without much politeness. “Then help me carry these two; they’re a bit heavy.”

Shen Siyan took them calmly. “Give me the other one too.”

“It’s heavy.”

Shen Siyan glanced at her. “I have the strength; don’t worry.”

“Oh.”

Xu Zhilu handed him two more bags. “That’s enough.”

Shen Siyan glanced at the small bag she was still holding but didn’t insist.

Walking out into the street, the evening breeze was cool.

“Want to take a taxi or the subway?”

Xu Zhilu spotted a bus passing by and had a sudden idea. “Let’s take the bus.” She looked at Shen Siyan with a smile. “I haven’t taken the bus for a long time.”

Shen Siyan didn’t refuse. 

The two walked to the bus stop, which had a direct bus to within two stops of their home, so they could then walk back.

The summer evening breeze was a bit warm but still comfortable.

Xu Zhilu’s hair was messy and a little itchy. She tucked it behind her ears and looked at the other side of the intersection, waiting for the bus to arrive.

“Please sit down for a while.”

Shen Siyan looked at her and asked, “Aren’t you tired after walking around all afternoon?”

Xu Zhilu shook her head. “How can shopping be tiring?”

Shen Siyan: “…”

Xu Zhilu looked at him and asked, “Did you read during the summer vacation?”

“Um.”

Shen Siyan smiled. “Didn’t I report my progress to you every day?”

Xu Zhilu rolled her eyes and whispered, “Who knows if you were lying to me?”

Shen Siyan was amused. “When have I ever lied to you?”

“…”

Seeing Xu Zhilu’s silence, he frowned. “Have I lied to you?”

Xu Zhilu raised her eyes to look at him. “No.” At least, not in this life.

Shen Siyan thought her face looked a bit strange and wanted to ask again, but Xu Zhilu remained silent.

He frowned, paused, and said, “If you have any questions, you can ask me directly.”

“…Um.”

Xu Zhilu didn’t want to dwell on the topic, so she looked around and said, “Here comes the bus.”

Shen Siyan didn’t say anything else. He glanced around and said, “There aren’t many people here; let’s go ahead.”

“Good.”

There weren’t many people on the bus at this time. After they boarded, they went straight to the back row and found two seats to sit in.

Xu Zhilu opened the window to let the natural breeze in, which felt very comfortable. She looked at the neon lights outside the window and the beautiful night view, feeling lucky to have a few more years to come back and appreciate this city.

Shen Siyan occasionally glanced at her from the side, his expression unclear and difficult to read.

Xu Zhilu could sometimes see his expression through the glass window but chose not to ask. She didn’t want to disrupt the quiet and harmonious atmosphere.

_

When Xu Zhilu got home, both Xu’s mother and Xu Zhijia were there. Seeing her arrive, both were momentarily stunned.

Xu Zhilu greeted them calmly and then went upstairs with her things.

Mother Xu came to her senses only after Xu Zhilu had gone upstairs.

She said angrily, “Look at her attitude! She’s been away all summer and comes home just to greet me so nonchalantly.”

Xu Zhijia reflected on the scene she had just witnessed and felt that her sister seemed to be growing more outstanding.

She glanced at the stairs and tried to calm her mother. “Mom, my sister must be tired.” 

She coaxed gently, “Don’t be angry. Don’t let it upset you.”

Mother Xu sighed and glared at Xu Zhijia. “If it weren’t for what happened last time, your father wouldn’t have treated you like this.”

Xu Zhijia pursed her lips, looking apologetic. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m just… a little jealous that Brother Si Yan treats her so well.”

Seeing her aggrieved look, Mother Xu said with a distressed expression, “You don’t need to apologize to me. I understand.”

She patted Xu Zhijia on the back. “It’s Shen Siyan who has poor judgment.”

Xu Zhijia bit her lip and said nothing. She didn’t know whether Shen Siyan had good judgment, but she wouldn’t let Shen Siyan’s relationship with Xu Zhilu develop smoothly.

_

Xu Zhilu, unaware of what was happening downstairs and not curious, found that Aunt Liu had prepared her room and dried her quilts in advance.

As Xu Zhilu entered her room, she was greeted by the scent of sunshine.

She looked at the suitcase and smiled silently. After unpacking her things, she went into the bathroom to wash up.

When she came out, there was a message from Shen Siyan on her phone:

Shen Siyan: Will you continue to give me extra lessons tomorrow?

Xu Zhilu: …

Shen Siyan: ?

Xu Zhilu: I want to sleep.

Shen Siyan: Let’s start the day after tomorrow.

Xu Zhilu was speechless but also felt a bit relieved, like an old mother. Maybe the “child” who wasn’t doing his job properly had finally come to his senses and realized the importance of studying?

She couldn’t quite figure out why she thought that was funny. Laughing at herself, she replied:

Xu Zhilu: Let’s talk about it tomorrow. I’m going to sleep.

Shen Siyan: Good night.

Xu Zhilu didn’t reply further. She turned her phone to silent mode, turned off the lights, and went to bed.

Only then did she feel a little tired and find it hard to stay awake.

That night, Xu Zhilu had many fragmented dreams.

Shen Siyan had similar dreams.

He dreamed of many different scenes. In one, Xu Zhilu fell, and he rushed her to the hospital. The doctor told him she might remain unconscious, that her will to live was weak, and that she might never wake up.

In his dream, he saw her frail body and pale face lying in a hospital bed. The ward was filled with the harsh sound of machines, drowning out her weak breaths.

Shen Siyan stood beside her. Days turned into months, half a year, or even a year. Everyone urged him to give up, insisting that Xu Zhilu would not wake up. But he didn’t want to.

He firmly believed in his heart that Xu Zhilu would wake up. She still had many dreams to realize and wouldn’t be willing to remain asleep.

He hadn’t told her yet; he had many secrets and promises yet to fulfill.

Suddenly, the scene changed.

They were in a place surrounded by flowers. He saw Xu Zhilu in a wedding dress running towards him, and he opened his arms.

She fell into his embrace.

_

A knock on the door jolted Shen Siyan awake.

Shen Man’s voice called out from outside: “Shen Siyan?”

Shen Siyan closed his eyes, relaxed, and said nothing.

“Shen Siyan, are you up?”

“Um.”

Shen Siyan rubbed his temples and replied, “Mom, I’m up.”

Shen Man responded, “Oh, I’m going to Grandpa’s house today. Hurry up and get ready. I’m waiting for you.”

Shen Siyan was momentarily stunned, then remembered what Shen Man had said last night.

He got out of bed and responded, “Got it, I’ll be quick.”

After Shen Siyan washed up and went downstairs, Shen Man looked at him with a tired expression and raised her eyebrows. “Did you stay up late playing games again last night?”

“No.” Shen Siyan replied softly.

Shen Man subconsciously reached out to touch his head. “Why do you look so tired? Are you sick?”

Shen Siyan shook his head. “No.”

He didn’t really want to talk.

Shen Man looked at him, nodded, and said, “If you don’t feel well, don’t go to Grandpa’s house. Let him know.”

Shen Siyan smiled and looked down at her. “Thanks, Mom.”

Shen Man was momentarily confused by his sentimental tone. She reached out and patted Shen Siyan on the back. “What are you doing? Your dad will be coming down soon, and he’ll be jealous.”

Just then, Shen Guangyuan appeared behind them.

“What am I jealous of?” Shen Guangyuan asked.

Shen Man: “…”

Shen Siyan immediately let go of her.

“Dad.”

Shen Guangyuan glanced at him and said, “Put the things in the car.”

“Oh.” Shen Siyan replied obediently.

After he left, Shen Man looked at her husband with a smile. “Boss Shen, are you really jealous?”

Shen Guangyuan looked at her helplessly. “Why would I be jealous?”

He smiled and said, “What’s wrong with Shen Siyan?”

“I don’t know.” Shen Man shook her head. “I feel something is off. His mood and appearance seemed strange just now.”

Shen Guangyuan pondered for a moment and asked quietly, “Is it because Zhilu is back?”

“He should be happy that Zhilu is back.” Shen Man shook her head. “I’m not sure. If you have time, talk to Shen Siyan more. I have a feeling he’s become more profound.”

Though subtle, as a mother, she always noticed such changes.

Shen Guangyuan nodded. “Okay, I’ll find a chance to talk to him when we get to Grandpa’s house.”

“Yes.” Shen Man straightened her collar and smiled gently. “Let’s go.”

Shen Siyan sat in the passenger seat, not disturbing the loving couple in the back. He turned his phone over in his hand, thought about it, and sent a message to Xu Zhilu.

But she was likely still asleep and hadn’t replied.

Shen Siyan tilted his head and looked at the passing scenery with an unreadable expression.

Shen Man looked at him and tugged at her husband’s clothes.

Shen Guangyuan glanced in the direction Shen Siyan was looking, frowned, and called out, “Shen Siyan.”

Shen Siyan turned around.

Shen Man, picking up on her husband’s hint, asked bluntly, “Son, are you going for the melancholy prince^[1]refers to someone who appears sad, introspective, or brooding—possibly with a romantic or dramatic flair. look today?”

Shen Siyan: “…”