Chuxia wasn’t in the mood to exchange pleasantries with Guan Yan.

She just glanced at the nephew Guan Yan was holding by the hand, nodded politely to the group, and said, “Hmm.”

Then she turned to Cen Huai’an and asked, “An’an, have you made the bed yet? Your uncle and sister are still waiting for us.”

“It’s done,” Cen Huai’an replied, sensing a noticeable drop in his mother’s mood since Guan Yan and her group entered.

The bed was nearly made, so he finished arranging the quilt, stepped down from the ladder on the bed, and stood beside them.

Guan Yan’s smile stiffened slightly.

Her sister-in-law nudged her curiously, asking, “Xiao Yan, is this your friend?”

Even though her sister-in-law didn’t finish the sentence, Guan Yan understood the implication: “Why does it seem like your friend isn’t interested in talking to you?”

Guan Yan glanced at Chu Xia and smiled at her sister-in-law, saying, “We used to live in the same family compound. Let’s hurry up and get everything in order.”

Not wanting her sister-in-law to see this side of her, Guan Yan urged her to pack quickly, especially since her brother’s wife, who often doted on her, was still in the dorm room.

Eight people shared the dormitory, so the small space became crowded quickly.

After Cen Huai’an came down from the ladder, Cen Zhengnian and Chu Xia had already stuffed his clothes and daily items into the cabinet.

There was a large built-in wardrobe against the wall, divided into several rectangular compartments for students to store their belongings.

Cen Huai’an had already checked out the dorms during his previous visit here with Zhang Lu for the entrance exam, so he was familiar with the dormitory layout.

Besides, Zhang Lu knew a lot of friends, and some of them had also attended this high school.

Thanks to her, Cen Huai’an was well-informed about all the dormitory rules and tips.

Following Zhang Lu’s advice, Cen Huai’an had bought a lock in advance.

After securing his locker, he looked at Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian and said, “Mom, Dad, let’s go.”

He casually picked up his backpack, which contained a few high school math Olympiad books.

As they left, the family didn’t speak to Guan Yan or her group, which made Guan Yan, who had been watching them out of the corner of her eye, frown slightly.

Guan Yan’s sister-in-law glanced at the door too, then turned to give Guan Yan a meaningful look.

---

The scorching autumn heat hit them as soon as they stepped out of the dormitory building.

The coolness of the shaded stairwell disappeared instantly, and the blazing sun beat down on their faces and bodies, so bright that they could hardly keep their eyes open.

“Uncle! Aunt! An’an!”

Zhang Lu was quicker than Chu Xia and her family.

She stood across from the boys’ dormitory, waving and shouting, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand.

Next to her stood Jiang Zhida, hands in his pockets, looking completely relaxed.

The girls’ dormitory was opposite the boys’ dormitory.

After calling out, Zhang Lu ran over, laughing as she slipped under Chu Xia’s large black umbrella. “Auntie, it’s so much better here. No sun.”

Chu Xia smiled and patted her head. “Then stay by my side.”

Cen Huai’an glanced at Zhang Lu and took a step forward, moving closer to Chu Xia’s umbrella.

Jiang Zhida walked over slowly, hands still in his pockets, with a nonchalant smile that made him seem rebellious and unreliable.

But as you got closer, you could feel that this attitude was just a facade.

It was hard to guess what he was really thinking behind that constant smile.

“We’re pretty close to Yunmengze here. Why don’t you all come to my place for lunch?”

The distance between No. 4 High School and Yunmengze was less than three kilometers, just a few minutes by car.

One of the reasons Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an chose this high school was because of its proximity to Yunmengze.

If they needed anything, they could easily go to Yunmengze and find Jiang Zhida.

Chu Xia had no objections, and when she looked at Cen Zhengnian, he nodded in agreement.

As they walked out, Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an started chatting and soon walked ahead, leaving Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian behind.

“Let me hold the umbrella,” Cen Zhengnian said, reaching out.

His long, well-defined fingers covered hers, radiating warmth unique to a man.

Chu Xia quickly looked ahead, glared at Cen Huai’an, and let go of the umbrella, lowering her voice. “Be mindful of where we are.”

She knew Cen Zhengnian liked to subtly show affection in front of others, and while she secretly enjoyed it, she was easily embarrassed.

So whenever he overdid it, she would warn him.

“No one noticed,” Cen Zhengnian said in a deep voice, tilting the umbrella toward her, shielding Chu Xia entirely, while most of his body remained exposed to the sun.

But he didn’t seem to mind.

Chu Xia understood that he knew his limits, but public displays of affection still made her uncomfortable at times.

“Was the woman talking in the dorm earlier from the family you didn’t like back in the compound?” Cen Zhengnian asked, his good memory kicking in as he recognized the people and Chu Xia’s attitude.

Chu Xia was usually friendly to everyone, even strangers, but her coldness toward Guan Yan’s family was so apparent that Cen Zhengnian had always found it unusual, which left a lasting impression on him.

“Hmm,” Chu Xia responded, frowning slightly at the mention of Guan Yan and her family. “Don’t bring them up. It ruins the mood.”

Cen Zhengnian wanted to ask if Guan Yan’s family had ever done anything bad to Chu Xia or Cen Huai’an, but seeing her reluctance, he suppressed his curiosity.

They reached the car parked outside No. 4 High School, and as soon as they rolled down the windows, the cool breeze made the car instantly refreshing.

Yunmengze was indeed close to the school.

Chu Xia felt like they had barely started the journey when the car stopped, and the gates of Yunmengze appeared before them.

Jiang Zhida had already arranged everything with the friend who was managing the shop today.

As soon as they entered, they were led to a reserved private room. Less than a minute later, his friend Tu Hongxiao appeared.

“Brother Dazi, An’an, Lulu…” Tu Hongxiao greeted them.

He was of average height and looks, easily overlooked in a crowd, but among Jiang Zhida’s friends, he was known for being steady and reliable.

Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an often spent their summer holidays playing at Yunmengze.

Sometimes they brought friends, and other times it was just the two of them.

Over time, all of Jiang Zhida’s friends who worked at Yunmengze had come to know and like the two kids.

“Uncle Tu,” Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an greeted him politely.

After the greetings, Zhang Lu immediately asked with a familiar tone, “Uncle Tu, do you have the buttered snail pastry today?”

“Yes,” Tu Hongxiao replied.

This dessert was one of the most popular at Yunmengze.

Shaped like snails, it was made of milk and sugar frosting, with a sweet yet not overpowering flavor that melted in your mouth.

Both Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an loved it, and Chu Xia would always order it whenever she visited Yunmengze.

Jiang Zhida ruffled Zhang Lu’s hair and said, “Knowing that you and An’an were coming, how could Uncle Tu not save you some buttered snail pastries?”

Tu Hongxiao nodded and asked Jiang Zhida, “Should I serve the dishes?”

“Yes, serve them!” Jiang Zhida replied.

Knowing how much everyone liked the buttered snail pastries, Tu Hongxiao brought out two plates.

Both Cen Zhengnian and Cen Huai’an kept reaching for the pastries with their chopsticks, finishing them before turning to the other dishes.

Zhang Lu quickly grabbed more, afraid there wouldn’t be any left if she didn’t eat fast enough.

Watching both father and son devouring the pastries with such sweet enthusiasm, Chu Xia couldn’t help but laugh.

She whispered to Cen Zhengnian, “You and Huai’an really are father and son—your expressions are exactly the same when eating the buttered snail pastries.”

Cen Zhengnian turned to her with a smile in his eyes and placed the last piece of pastry in her small bowl. “Of course.”

Chu Xia picked up the buttered snail pastry and popped it into her mouth.

The rich flavor of cream cheese and the subtle sweetness filled her mouth, and the pastry melted, bringing a big smile to her face as if her whole being was filled with sweetness.

Jiang Zhida noticed the interaction and clicked his tongue, thinking to himself how, after all these years, his cousin and cousin-in-law still acted like a couple newly in love.

Everyone had a great meal at Yunmengze that afternoon.

As they sipped the drinks that were served afterward, Zhang Lu patted her stomach and groaned, “I can’t anymore. I’m so full!”

Jiang Zhida teased Zhang Lu for not knowing how to control herself, and Zhang Lu complained, “The food here is so delicious, I can’t stop myself.”

Chu Xia sighed and handed her a hawthorn pill, then suggested they go for a walk outside to digest the food, dragging Cen Huaian along.

In Yunmengze, there was no need to worry about safety.

Two attendants stood outside each private room, and every half hour, security personnel disguised as attendants would patrol the area.

Among the attendants guarding the private rooms were retired soldiers skilled in martial arts.

If someone caused trouble in Yunmengze, they would be subdued immediately and sent to the nearby police station.

However, most visitors to Yunmengze, whether for business or leisure, knew that it had several powerful shareholders.

No one with sense dared to cause trouble. Even the street hooligans who did make trouble would not dare to do so again after being “educated.”

Nearly all the employees in Yunmengze recognized Zhang Lu and Cen Huaian.

As they wandered down the corridor, attendants frequently smiled and nodded at them, making Zhang Lu feel embarrassed.

She quickly pulled Cen Huaian back to their room, pleading with Jiang Zhida to switch to a larger one where they could play billiards.