Chapter 20: The Date

The woman in the photo frame smiled gently. The turning signal blinked repeatedly, teasing at one’s nerves.

Fu Yingcheng’s lips moved slightly, his tone kept deliberately calm: “Because… she looks like you.”

Ji Fanling said, “Like me? How so? I don’t think we look alike at all.” However, her attention had already shifted to the photo, with a hint of smugness, naturally accepting this explanation.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the man’s knuckles on the steering wheel quietly loosening.

Ji Fanling stroked the photo and then looked up. “Um, it’s okay if I take this photo home, right?”

“What could possibly happen?”

Ji Fanling hesitated for a moment but decided to speak honestly: “Because I just brought this back from the cemetery. It wasn’t there for long, though; the administrator collected it pretty quickly. If you think it’s…”

She carefully chose her words, stammering, “Unlucky or something, I can just take the frame apart and keep only the photo. After all, the frame is…”

Fu Yingcheng interrupted her: “Do I look like someone who believes in superstitions?”

“Oh, that’s good.” Ji Fanling let out a sigh of relief, feeling she had been overthinking.

She suddenly recalled the tradition from years ago at Beiwan No. 1 High School, where a statue of the God of Literature was placed beneath the teaching building. According to folklore, failing to pay respects when passing by would result in failing exams.

During midterms and finals, the offerings in front of the God of Literature would pile up so much that they couldn’t all be collected. Even though the school explicitly prohibited it, students would still sneakily place fruits and snacks before the statue in waves.

Regardless of their grades, whenever students passed by the God of Literature, even if they were in a hurry, they would at least nod as a sign of respect.

Only Fu Yingcheng always walked past without even glancing at it.

One time, as the warning bell for class rang, Ji Fanling was walking to the classroom with her hands in her pockets when she saw Fu Yingcheng ahead of her once again ignoring the statue.

Their classmate Chen Jun clasped his hands together and gave a quick bow, then turned his head in surprise: “Hey, Top Student Fu, you don’t pay respects to the God of Literature?”

Fu Yingcheng replied coldly, “I’m the one taking the test. Why should I worship him?”

Chen Jun was at a loss: “…Uh, because he can bless you to do well on the exam?”

Fu Yingcheng continued walking upstairs without looking back. “Superstition. If you want to pray, you pray.”

“…You’ll fail the exam,” Chen Jun muttered.

“I can pass on my own. No need to pray to him.”

Standing on the staircase, Fu Yingcheng looked down from above, one hand casually in his pocket, his posture straight and commanding. His side profile, with lowered but sharp eyes, exuded both arrogance and indifference.

The sweltering summer breeze billowed his white shirt.

The young man looked down from his lofty position, casting a faint glance:

“…If he needs blessings, he can come worship me.”

Chen Jun: “…”

With his eyes closed, Chen Jun raised his hands above his head, muttering under his breath: “Forgive me, forgive me, I didn’t hear anything, I didn’t hear anything, I didn’t hear anything…”

Fu Yingcheng couldn’t be bothered to wait any longer and turned to leave.

Behind them, Ji Fanling watched the scene, blinked, and couldn’t help but laugh.

Old Tang always held Fu Yingcheng up as a model of rule-following: doing his duty on cleaning days, wearing his uniform as required, never being late or skipping class, and never whispering during lessons.

Always, he followed the rules meticulously, without a single flaw.

Yet, he clearly didn’t believe in heaven, didn’t believe in earth, and didn’t even regard gods with any reverence.

It was as if…

The embodiment of—

—those four words: youthful arrogance.

Ji Fanling stepped forward, stood under the statue, clapped her hands twice, pressed them together, and closed her eyes, earnestly thinking: “God of Literature, you’re also up there in the heavens.”

…

“If you see my mom, please treat her kindly.”

…

The scenery outside the car window slid past.

Ji Fanling rested her chin on her hand, staring out the window. Snapping out of her thoughts, she suddenly remembered and turned her head: “Where are we going?”

Fu Yingcheng replied, “A restaurant I’ve been to before. The food is decent.”

Ji Fanling let out an “Oh.”

In fact, she had originally planned to treat Fu Yingcheng to Jiang Family Noodles.

It wasn’t that she particularly craved those plain noodles. It was just that ever since she had called Jiang Baixing to ask about the bracelet, he had been texting her every few days. Sometimes it was about their new winter special chicken soup noodles, inviting her to try them. Other times, it was about their New Year’s promotional deal, offering a free steamed egg dumpling for every visit.

Occasionally, he’d add a line: 【Sister, when are you coming to eat noodles?】

And even follow it up with: 【It’s free, my treat.】

Then he’d add again: 【My mom says she’s treating you.】

Ji Fanling figured it was because of the sponsorship for his studies. He probably wanted to invite Fu Yingcheng but couldn’t bother him, so he ended up pestering her instead.

But she was always working during meal times. Where would she find the time to go eat noodles?

At first, Ji Fanling responded seriously.

Ji Fanling: 【Work is busy, and Fu Yingcheng is busy too. I’ll go when I have time.】

Ji Fanling: 【Stop focusing on attracting customers all the time. Focus on your studies.】

Ji Fanling: 【Why are you on your phone again?】

Later, as the number of texts she received became overwhelming, her replies turned into:

【Got it.】

【1】

【TD^[1]“TD” stands for “退订” (tuìdìng), which translates to “unsubscribe” in English. This term is commonly used in China to opt out of promotional or bulk messages.】

Jiang Baixing: 【Sister, I’m a real person, not a mass message. Don’t unsubscribe from me.】

Ji Fanling: 【TDTDTD】

…

Plans were plans, but since she was the one treating today, it was only natural to go with whatever Fu Yingcheng wanted to eat.

In her heart, Ji Fanling silently apologized to Jiang Baixing and nodded, saying, “I’m fine with anything.”

However, this sense of calm began to fade as Fu Yingcheng drove toward a private estate-like white building surrounded by a hedge maze.

When the valet, dressed in formal attire, took the car keys in front of the marble fountain with its intricate sculpture and flowing water, a vague sense of unease began to creep in.

As the soft accompaniment of a classical orchestra played in the background, Ji Fanling opened the luxurious black-and-gold velvet menu.

That vague sense of unease reached its peak.

The menu, minimalist in design, consisted of only two pages. Aside from drinks and music, the only choices were set meals.

The set meals were priced per person and included appetizers, main courses, and desserts. There were two options: a ten-course VIP set and a twelve-course premium set. The ten-course option cost her an entire month’s salary, while the twelve-course option equaled her monthly income with overtime and no sleep.

Ji Fanling: “…”

That being said, whenever Fu Yingcheng treated her to a meal, he had never been stingy.

Even though most of their meals were eaten at home, the cook, Aunt Tong, was no ordinary housekeeper. Rumor had it that in her younger years, she had been a chef specializing in French cuisine at the renowned Rembrandt restaurant. Later, the stress became too much, and she fell ill, forcing her to step away from the demanding profession. However, she couldn’t stand being idle, so she began cooking for others. It wasn’t unusual for her to whip up a Wellington steak on a whim or make intricately piped macarons as after-dinner desserts.

So, Ji Fanling couldn’t bring herself to say something like, “I’m suddenly a bit short on cash and don’t feel like treating you anymore, how about we turn around and go eat Jiang Family Noodles instead?”

But.

But.

How ruthless, Fu Yingcheng!

One meal costing her an entire month’s salary!

He might as well just eat her instead!

Ji Fanling slowly raised her head, looking at the man sitting across from her. Fu Yingcheng casually pointed at the menu, his expression calm. With a knowing glance, the waiter responded, “Very well, sir,” and then turned to Ji Fanling.

Ji Fanling awkwardly licked her lips. “…How about I just have lemon water?”

The waiter gently confirmed, “The lemon sea salt sparkling water for 28 yuan per glass, correct?”

Ji Fanling: “…” What kind of establishment is this?! At our street food stalls, lemon water is complimentary! And unlimited refills!

“Then I won’t have it.”

With a forced smile, Ji Fanling closed the menu and pushed it away. “Whatever he ordered, I’ll have the same.”

The waiter respectfully took the menu and left. Ji Fanling stared at Fu Yingcheng, her heart utterly defeated.

Fu Yingcheng lifted his eyes to look at her, the corner of his eye curving ever so slightly, a fleeting hint of amusement: “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Ji Fanling replied emotionlessly, “Just thinking about my mom.” Thinking about my mom coming to take me away.

Subtly, the playful hint of a smile at the corner of the man’s eyes disappeared.

He was silent for a moment before speaking in a deep voice, “What does Auntie do?”

“She does classical dance. She used to be the lead dancer in the city dance troupe. After having me, she started working as a dance teacher at the cultural center near our home so she could take care of me.”

“So, can you dance?”

“Do I look like someone who can dance?”

Ji Fanling rolled her eyes at him in exasperation before drifting into her memories. “But when I was little, I often followed her to the dance studio. While she taught, I’d play around in the back. I could do backbends, splits, and even stretch my leg all the way up to my head…”

As she spoke, she glanced at Fu Yingcheng without thinking.

The warm, flickering flame of the scented candle on the table reflected in the man’s dark, deep eyes, casting a soft glow.

His gaze was dark and deep, with an unspoken emotion quietly rippling within.

Ji Fanling’s heart skipped a beat, and she abruptly stopped talking.

Damn, I let myself ramble too much.

It was something from so many years ago, yet she had brought it up again. How embarrassing.

Ji Fanling touched her nose and casually changed the subject: “What about your mom?”

~