Even though 977 had already told him that Wen Lin was outside the door, Ming Che still showed a hint of surprise when he opened the door and saw him in person.

“I’m here to return your clothes.”

Wen Lin lifted the bag in his hand to explain.

Ming Che took the bag from him and placed it in the entryway.

“Have you eaten? I was just about to go out for dinner. Join me.”

“Huh?”

Ming Che tugged him down a flight of stairs before letting go.

Wen Lin found it hard to handle such enthusiasm.

“I’ve already eaten.”

Ming Che turned to look at him, ignoring the statement with a cheeky demeanor, and successfully coaxed him into a restaurant. He ordered a couple of mild dishes. Although he was mostly recovered from his illness, his throat still hurt a bit.

“Eat up.”

Ming Che picked up his chopsticks, signaling Wen Lin to do the same.

Wen Lin’s personality wasn’t particularly difficult to approach, but becoming familiar wasn’t easy either. He was a bit slow to react, only responding when prodded. If Ming Che didn’t act a bit more assertively, their relationship wouldn’t progress.

Wen Lin did start eating, albeit slowly, keeping an eye on the person across from him. Just like his appearance, the way he ate was pleasing to the eye.

His complexion had returned to a healthy, natural glow, and his cheeks moved as he chewed, adding a bit of fullness to his lean face.

“I’m full.”

Ming Che put down his chopsticks, noticing that Wen Lin’s bowl of rice was barely touched. He had only served a small amount to begin with, and it seemed like he hadn’t eaten much at all.

“Classmate Wen, is the food not to your liking?”

Wen Lin looked up, about to explain.

“Don’t force yourself. If you don’t want to eat, then don’t.” Ming Che stood up. “I’ll go settle the bill.”

Wen Lin frowned slightly.

What’s with this tone, like coaxing a child?

“All done.” Ming Che returned after paying, picking up the half-finished drink on the table.

“Let’s go.”

“I’m heading home.”

As they walked out of the restaurant, Wen Lin said.

“Taking the bus?”

“Yeah.”

Ming Che naturally matched his pace. “Let’s go, a walk after dinner is nice.”

The bus wouldn’t arrive quickly, and it would be strange for them to stand in silence at the stop. Wen Lin, after some thought, asked politely.

“Are you feeling better?”

A smile instantly spread across Ming Che’s face. “Yeah, after a few days of rest, I’m much better. Did you feel unwell after going back?”

“No.”

“That’s good. Getting sick would definitely affect your studies, right?”

“It’s okay.”

“Very confident, Classmate Wen.” Ming Che leaned lazily against the bus stop sign, his black jacket tightly wrapped around him. The wind lifted his bangs, and his smile was bright.

“The weather seems to be getting colder again, so take care.”

Ming Che stepped in front of him, casually zipping up his school uniform.

977 said to be nicer to Wen Lin, to show more care.

These little things were easy to do.

Wen Lin was momentarily stunned by his action, then suddenly heard Ming Che say.

“Your bus is here.”

The bus stopped, and Wen Lin got on, finding a seat by the window. He looked at the person outside and pursed his lips.

What’s with this guy?

Wen Lin lowered his head, his chin buried in his school uniform collar, revealing a pair of clear, youthful eyes.

That night, Ming Che diligently went to set up his stall. It was really cold, so he added another layer of clothing. Wen Lin, as usual, stayed by his stall, reading his little notebook when there were no customers.

The vendor next to him had a radio playing, and Ming Che listened in. Although business wasn’t great, he was quite happy.

The neighboring stall sold books, and the vendor, seeing Ming Che bored, picked out a book and handed it to him.

“Want to take a look?”

Ming Che accepted it, glancing at it out of curiosity. Suddenly, a business card fell from above, and he looked up to see the face of a stranger.

“Hello, I’m an agent from Senhai Entertainment. Have you ever thought about acting?”

Ming Che glanced at the business card.

“No.”

His firm response left the other party at a loss for words.

“You really have great potential. Your face is perfect for the screen. Want to give it a try?”

“No.”

The man was about to say more when his phone rang. He answered quickly, stood up, and left. Feeling it was a pity, he quickly snapped a photo with his phone before leaving in large strides.

Ming Che held the book for a while, using the man’s business card as a bookmark.

“How much for this book?”

“It’s on the house.” The neighboring vendor generously waved his hand, not intending to charge him.

Such a good person.

Just as Ming Che was thinking this, a gray figure suddenly flashed before his eyes. The person stormed past him, heading straight for Wen Lin.

Ming Che watched the commotion, seeing the gray-clad man stand in front of Wen Lin and say something before suddenly raising his hand to slap him.

The noise grew, and a crowd quickly gathered to watch. Ming Che remained seated, but his expression darkened.

The gray-clad man caused a scene and then left angrily. The crowd dispersed, and Ming Che heard them muttering about things like flirting with girls at school and dating.

[That must be his adoptive father.]

Ming Che looked at Wen Lin, who was still sitting behind the stall. Despite the humiliation, he seemed unfazed, only lowering his head further.

Ming Che asked the neighboring vendor to watch his stall for a bit and got up to leave.

…

Wen Lin’s mood wasn’t particularly upset. He couldn’t muster much emotion, though his face did hurt a bit.

“Want some of this?”

A voice suddenly came from beside him. The person squatting next to him held a bowl of tofu pudding, and Wen Lin looked at him coldly.

Suddenly, something pressed down on his head—a hat was placed on him.

“It’s cold, isn’t it?”

Wen Lin frowned, but when he saw the other’s gentle eyes, his questioning words changed.

“What are you doing?”

Ming Che leaned closer, holding the freshly bought tofu pudding.

“Of course, I’m treating you to some sweet red bean tofu pudding.”

Wen Lin didn’t respond.

[977, the book earlier wasn’t wrong. Teenagers really are hard to understand.]

“I’m not really in the mood to eat. You have it.”

Wen Lin adjusted the hat.

“Alright.”

Ming Che stood up to leave, but his sleeve was suddenly tugged.

“I’ll return the hat to you tomorrow.”

Oh?

Ming Che smirked, “No rush.”

The second step seemed quite successful too.

Ming Che returned to his stall and picked up the book he had placed on the ground.

While giving kids appropriate care, it’s also important to give them space.

Wen Lin’s adoptive father had caused a scene, so he probably wouldn’t come to pick him up tonight. The people around were gradually packing up, and Ming Che was the last one left. It seemed he would have to be a good Samaritan again today.

“Pack up your things.”

Ming Che squatted in front of him, noticing Wen Lin dozing off. He found it amusing and tapped the brim of his hat.

“Classmate Wen, time to go home.”

The person disturbed from sleep opened his eyes, looking at him groggily.

“Time to go—home—”

Wen Lin’s gaze slowly cleared. He pulled out his phone from his pocket.

“It’s already midnight.”

“Yeah, put your stuff in my car.”

Wen Lin nodded, still a bit drowsy, obediently moving his things to Ming Che’s car. Ming Che supervised from the side, and once he was done, he opened the door for him to get in.

“You’re taking me home?”

Once in the car, Wen Lin seemed to realize.

“Isn’t it a bit late to ask that now?”

The sound of the tricycle starting was loud. Ming Che drove onto the road, heading towards Wen Lin’s home.

The cap covered most of Wen Lin’s face, but the exposed part was a bit swollen. His adoptive father had hit him hard, leaving a handprint that extended to his chin.

With fewer cars at night, they smoothly reached Wen Lin’s street. Wen Lin jumped off the car, opened the gate, and turned on the courtyard lights.

“Sleep early. I’m off.”

After unloading everything, Ming Che waved and drove off.

Standing there, Wen Lin touched his burning face. It still hurt. After showering, he lay in bed, glancing at the black cap he had placed on the table.

He looked away, turned off the light, and went to sleep.

The morning alarm rang, and Wen Lin got up on time. When he opened the door, he saw his adoptive father sitting in the living room, smoking. The smell was choking.

“Who brought you home last night?”

“The person from the stall next door.”

“What’s his name?”

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t bring people home casually. And about that girl from school, the teacher called me later and said it might have been a misunderstanding.”

“Okay.”

Wen Lin didn’t react much and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

The man in the living room took a deep drag of his cigarette, impatiently kicking over the trash can at his feet, muttering about how a child not his own would never be truly raised well.

Wen Lin put on his hat and left for school. He arrived later than usual today, and as soon as he got to the classroom, the girl from yesterday approached him.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. My mom’s been suspecting I’m dating someone. She found your homework in my bag and misunderstood. I’ve been trying to explain…” The girl noticed the slap mark on Wen Lin’s face, and her voice suddenly softened.

“Did I cause you trouble?”

“Class is starting. Go back.”

…

Ming Che slept until he naturally woke up. He went downstairs for breakfast and then checked his phone to see his earnings from the past few days.

The earnings were really meager, but fortunately, his expenses weren’t high, so he could manage.

He spent the day leisurely, and as night approached, Ming Che packed up his things to set up his stall. The night market didn’t have fixed spots, so it was first come, first served. Today, Ming Che deliberately set up next to Wen Lin.

The boy in the school uniform glanced at him. The other half of his face was still a bit swollen. At his age, boys cared about their appearance, and going to school with a face like that would surely attract strange looks. Yet Wen Lin acted as if nothing was wrong.

After staring for a while, Wen Lin looked over, puzzled. “What’s up? Ming…”

Noticing Wen Lin’s hesitation with the address, Ming Che said directly, “Just call me by my name.”

“Ming Che.”

Ming Che was satisfied. “Yeah, have you had dinner?”

“I have.”

“What are you reading?” Ming Che asked curiously, leaning over. Wen Lin cooperatively brought the notebook closer.

It was a passage in English, and Ming Che read it aloud.

He stood on the peak of the snowy mountain, gazing into the distance…

Something like that.

“What’s up?”

Wen Lin looked at him with a bit of surprise.

“Your English… sounds nice.”

Unlike the overly standard pronunciation in listening broadcasts, his voice had a personal touch, soft and gentle.

“Really?”

Ming Che propped his chin, his eyes curving slightly.

“You’re the first to say that.”

Once again, Wen Lin felt that this person didn’t belong here. He should be in a villa garden, holding freshly brewed tea, softly reading English prose laid out on the table.

In the morning, or at dusk.

It was time to pack up.

Ming Che bought the last bowl of tofu pudding. Today, Wen Lin’s adoptive father came to pick him up, so he didn’t interact much with Wen Lin.

He sat and finished the bowl of tofu pudding, then packed up and headed home.

It was already late at night. After showering, Ming Che went to sleep. At the same time, another house still had its lights on.

Wen Lin lay in bed, holding a small booklet. He turned to the page Ming Che had read earlier.

He looked at the sentences, recalling Ming Che’s voice as he read them, and softly spoke.

Indeed, it’s not something easily learned.

Wen Lin shook his head, placed the booklet aside, and turned off the light to sleep.