Wang Zheng, on the other hand, always followed Chen Tingyan’s lead, nodding in agreement to whatever Chen Tingyan said.

After lunch, it was almost 2 PM when they exited the Hangzhou-style restaurant.

“Zhu Jia Jie, do you need to rush back to class? Yan Ge can give you a ride.”

Chen Tingyan walked to a cool black motorcycle, turned around, and looked at Zhu Jia. “Where are you headed? I can give you a ride.”

“I’m going to the library, I’ll walk there myself.”

“Are you sure? The library is far from the east gate, it’s near the south gate of the school.” Chen Tingyan took out a black helmet and handed it to Zhu Jia. “It’ll take about half an hour to walk.”

Zhu Jia thought for a moment. It would be better to borrow the books early and get back home to spend time with Xiao Wen. She took the helmet, “Thank you, sorry to trouble you.”

Zhu Jia put the helmet on, but it was too big and couldn’t fit properly.

“I don’t have a women’s helmet here, let me adjust it for you. You’ll have to make do with this one.”

Chen Tingyan moved in front of Zhu Jia, leaned over, and a scent of soap and mint rushed toward her. His hand wrapped around her neck to adjust the helmet and fasten it securely.

“All set.” The scent faded as Chen Tingyan straightened up, walked over to the motorcycle, and swung his long leg over.

Zhu Jia adjusted the helmet, ready to get on the bike, but then realized how big and high the bike was! She wasn’t short among girls, but it still took some effort to climb onto the back.

How long were Chen Tingyan’s legs to handle such a bike?

Zhu Jia made an awkward and clumsy move before finally managing to sit on the back seat.

“Hold on tight.” Just as he finished speaking, the motorcycle sped off like a flash.

Zhu Jia was startled and immediately grabbed Chen Tingyan’s black hoodie. Her heart raced.

The black motorcycle soon turned onto another road, apparently, Chen Tingyan didn’t plan to drive into the campus. He seemed to be going around the school to enter through the south gate and then head to the library.

After the initial shock, Zhu Jia realized that riding a motorcycle was really exhilarating! Watching the scenery fly by, she felt a sense of freedom, like the wind.

But the good times didn’t last. Suddenly, a small car changed lanes illegally, and Zhu Jia heard Chen Tingyan mutter a curse before quickly slamming the brakes.

With the sudden stop, Zhu Jia was thrown forward uncontrollably, landing against Chen Tingyan’s back. She felt him tense up.

“S-sorry, I didn’t hold on tight.”

Zhu Jia shifted her position, sitting back properly. Her chest hurt from the impact, and Chen Tingyan’s back felt stiff. “Did I hurt you?”

“No,” Chen Tingyan’s voice was hoarse, as if it were quieter than usual.

After the little scare, the black motorcycle soon arrived at the library. Zhu Jia felt like her heart was about to jump out of her chest. Panting, she asked, “Do you usually drive that fast?”

“Today was actually quite slow.”

Zhu Jia, feeling weak all over, got off the motorcycle, took off the helmet, and handed it back to Chen Tingyan. “Thank you.”

Chen Tingyan gave a low “Mm” and took the helmet, his expression somewhat awkward.

Zhu Jia was about to ask why his face seemed flushed, but it wasn’t hot today.

Unexpectedly, the motorcycle revved, as if eager to escape, and sped off, leaving only a quickly fading black silhouette.

After finishing the Montessori Education and Practice course on Wednesday, Zhu Jia took a course on Pre-School Hygiene on Thursday. This subject focused on understanding children’s physical development and mastering related nutritional knowledge.

Zhu Jia had been absorbing a lot of new knowledge in recent days, and her brain felt overloaded.

On Saturday noon, after putting Xiao Wen to sleep, Zhu Jia went to the study on the third floor to read. She pulled out the books she had borrowed from the library earlier and began reading and making notes.

In the early winter afternoon, the sky outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was gloomier than in other seasons. Zhu Jia sat in a large executive chair, looking at the dense text, and soon unintentionally dozed off at the desk.

Not long after, the door to the study was quietly pushed open.

The person who should have appeared in four days, Mo Yichen, entered the room. He was wearing a tall, slim gray suit with a hint of fatigue in his eyes.

He gently tugged at his tie. After rushing through things, he had finally returned ahead of schedule. When he saw Zhu Jia lying at the desk, her cheeks flushed with a soft pink hue, her sleeping face sweet and obedient, he smiled gently. He took a light blanket and walked over to gently cover her.

On the desk, there was a bouquet of tulips.

The narrow glass vase held what seemed like golden, soft fabric petals carefully crafted into a flower.

Next to the vase were a few thick books. Mo Yichen closed the open books, neatly placed them back where they belonged.

When he reached for the last book, the phone at the bottom of the pile was revealed.

Mo Yichen narrowed his eyes. Had Zhu Jia changed phones? She used to have a white one, but now it was a light purple phone.

He opened his desk drawer, which contained five unopened black phones, neatly placed.

The purple phone on the desk suddenly vibrated, and a WeChat message popped up. The prominent avatar and text caught Mo Yichen’s eye.

Y.: “I just realized that when I bought you the phone the other day, it came with a phone case. Do you have time on Monday to pick it up?”

Mo Yichen’s narrow eyes coldly stared at the avatar. A young man around 20, holding a cat in his arms. From the small image, Mo Yichen could tell that his arms were muscular, and his smile was bright.

Childish!

Mo Yichen scoffed and silently opened the books he had just closed, returning them to their original places.

Covering up the annoying WeChat message, he quietly left the study.

Zhu Jia had fallen into a deep sleep, and when she woke up, she was momentarily disoriented, unable to tell what time it was.

Sitting up and rubbing her eyes, she noticed the sky outside had darkened. She glanced at the wall clock—it was already 5 PM!

Oh no, why isn’t the camera app on Xiao Wen’s bed ringing!?

She quickly grabbed her phone and rushed downstairs. By the time she reached the second floor, she heard a rhythmic children’s song and Xiao Wen’s giggles coming from downstairs.

Zhu Jia let out a deep breath. It seemed that Aunt Liu had already taken Xiao Wen to the first floor to play.

Zhu Jia hurried down the stairs and went straight to the living room, where she saw Xiao Wen holding onto the square coffee table and standing up on the crawling mat.

Mo Yichen, dressed in white loungewear, was sitting on the sofa.

“Mo Yichen, how come you’re back?” Zhu Jia was surprised. Wasn’t he supposed to return next week?

“I finished my work early and came back.” Mo Yichen looked at Zhu Jia with a calm tone. “How are you adjusting to school?”

“Mm, school is good, but the classes are a bit difficult.” Zhu Jia smiled and sat down on the sofa next to Mo Yichen.

“Baba…baba,” Xiao Wen shouted at them both.

“Xiao Wen started calling ‘daddy’ a few days ago!” Zhu Jia turned around and smiled at Mo Yichen. “I wanted to surprise you when you came back, so I didn’t tell you.”

Mo Yichen leaned forward, extended his arms, and made a gesture as if to hug him. “Xiao Wen, try walking over to me.”

Xiao Wen really wanted to be with his parents. He held onto the low coffee table and took a few steps. Daddy’s arms were right in front of him, and mommy was sitting across from him. He really wanted to run over to them right away.

But there was nothing in front to hold onto anymore.

Xiao Wen carefully took his hand off the coffee table.

Huh, he could actually stand without holding anything?

In a hurry to reach his parents, Xiao Wen took a step forward, then another.

“Xiao Wen actually learned to walk!”

Today was the 20th day of his 11th month! Zhu Jia quickly noted down this important moment. She clapped her hands excitedly, “Baby is so amazing, come over here!”

Xiao Wen took four or five steps and walked right into Mo Yichen’s arms. Mo Yichen picked him up and sat him on his lap.

“Mo Yichen, put him down over there and let him walk a couple more steps. I want to record a video.”

Mo Yichen placed Xiao Wen back on the crawling mat. Zhu Jia picked up her phone, switched to video mode, and sat next to Mo Yichen, who also took out his phone to record.

Zhu Jia was a bit surprised. Mo Yichen rarely took photos, so it seemed like today’s “first step” was indeed a memorable milestone.

Xiao Wen thought this was a fun game and, as expected, he smiled and walked toward them, though unsteadily. From the coffee table to the sofa, four or five steps was his current limit.

Mo Yichen scooped him up onto his lap again, and Xiao Wen kept laughing, his mouth wide open, giggling non-stop.

Zhu Jia kissed his round forehead and patted the back of his head. “You’re really amazing, baby. Later, I’ll reward you with an extra bowl of rice!”

Zhu Jia suddenly remembered. “Oh, by the way, Liang Sisi sent me a video with a recipe for baby food. I need to go make it!”

Liang Sisi had sent her a video of a “Pumpkin Cheese Chicken Leg Braised Rice” recipe, suitable for an 11-month-old baby. It was simple and delicious, perfect for someone like Zhu Jia, who wasn’t great in the kitchen.