Between Shi Zhi and Fu Xiling, this kind of gentle, soft kiss was a rare thing—noses brushing against each other, breaths mingling together.

Their lips rubbed, lightly licking, tangling in an ambiguous dance.

In the past two months, they’d only met once abroad a few days ago, and the urge to demand more from each other had been damn near impossible to rein in.

Mindful of his injury, Shi Zhi’s temper hadn’t cooled off yet. She was so pissed she actually found some clarity, asking Fu Xiling, “You still going to the hospital or what?”

“Yeah.”

“Then quit teasing me.”

She straight-up swatted Fu Xiling’s hand away, leaned back to dodge his lips, and threw a pointed glance downward. “How you gonna go like that?”

Fu Xiling yanked her back, resting his forehead against her collarbone, chuckling through shallow breaths. “Give me a sec to cool off.”

Shi Zhi knew Fu Xiling was tight-lipped. No way he’d spill family drama to his uncle.

Forget Fu Xifeng just running his mouth like a lunatic—even if he stormed over and tore the roof off, Fu Xiling wouldn’t say a peep, all for the sake of his uncle’s health.

Shi Zhi grabbed a cotton swab, dabbed at the cut on his lip, and wiped away the fresh trickle of blood. “How you gonna explain this injury to your uncle…?”

Fu Xiling didn’t miss a beat. “My girlfriend bit me.”

Shi Zhi spun around on his lap, tossed the swab, and bent over to pack up the first-aid kit on the coffee table. “Oh, please. We kissed for, what, a few minutes? Didn’t even do anything. I’m not taking the blame for—”

She froze mid-motion and mid-sentence, turning to look at Fu Xiling.

His arm was still draped over her thigh. “Let’s be real. The injury’s on my mouth, not like I’m paralyzed. If I didn’t have any reaction, I’d be the one needing a hospital bed next to my uncle.”

Shi Zhi stood up, grabbed a chilled bottle of soda from the fridge, and chucked it at him. “Then keep cooling off.”

You could tell Fu Xiling was tight with his family, no question.

When his mom called, he was already on his way out. His phone, plugged into the charger, sat on the couch, set to speaker mode.

Shi Zhi overheard his mom asking if his injury was serious, then his aunt chiming in, all worried. “Xiling, should you go get it checked at the hospital?”

Fu Xiling reassured them, “It’s just a tiny scratch. Going to a doctor for this? I’d get laughed outta there. Hurts less than a canker sore—no need to stress.”

His knit cardigan had some bloodstains on it. Before heading out, he peeled it off and swapped it for a fresh outfit.

Every move happened right in front of Shi Zhi. He asked her, “You’ve seen Fu Qian already?”

“Yeah.”

“How long you planning to stay this time?”

“Haven’t decided. Depends on my mood.”

Shi Zhi had booked a flight for tomorrow morning. She needed to check on Shi Mei first—other plans could wait till she got back.

Fu Xiling mulled it over for a sec. “I can’t get away from here…”

“I know. You do your thing, I’ll do mine. No stepping on each other’s toes.”

“When you coming back?”

“Day after tomorrow.”

Shi Zhi headed off alone to see Shi Mei.

It was nearing year-end, and the small city was thick with festive vibes. Even the “Mental Health Center” had red couplets plastered on its gates.

The weather was decent, and the doctors had some patients out in the courtyard doing exercises.

The patients followed the music, stretching arms and legs in a messy rhythm. One of them suddenly cackled and bolted—only to get nabbed by two nurses and dragged back…

Shi Zhi sat on a bench, watching for a long while.

When she left, she didn’t look back. Stepping over the dry, yellowed grass, she said in her heart:

Mom, I’m doing good now, but I’ll do even better later.

She flew back, and before she even boarded, Fu Xiling was already calling to set up a meet.

No one dared tell the still-recovering Fu family uncle the truth. In the end, the blame for Fu Xiling’s lip injury got pinned on Shi Zhi.

So she had to step up. After landing, she hopped into Fu Xiling’s car, cradling a huge bouquet of flowers to go visit his uncle.

She’d told him over the phone she didn’t want to meet his other relatives.

Fu Xiling was reliable as hell. When she got to the hospital, sure enough, no one else was around.

The uncle’s complexion looked a bit better than a few days ago. He still had two tests lined up and only chatted with Shi Zhi for a bit.

The sick old man’s tone was gentle. “Studying abroad must be tough, huh? If Xiling ever dares to bully you, you tell me. I’ll set him straight for you.”

Shi Zhi nodded sweetly. “Got it, Uncle.”

The doctor came to nudge him for his tests, and the nurse helped him out.

Now it was just the two of them in the room. Fu Xiling lounged on the couch, handing her a peeled pomelo. “If Uncle knew his son got kicked out by you once, he wouldn’t be worried about you getting bullied.”

Shi Zhi took the pomelo.

Fu Xiling wiped his hands with a wet tissue, tossing out casually, “How’d you get that mad? Went in too hard.”

“Your cousin’s too loud. Like a damn fly. Big guy like him, nagging and whining nonstop—drives anyone up the wall.”

That’s what Shi Zhi figured her reason was for throwing hands.

She thought it, so she said it.

Even now, thinking back, it still annoyed her. She added, “If he weren’t your relative, I wouldn’t have just aimed for the stomach.”

“…Let’s not. Fu Xifeng’s brain’s already half-baked, but my uncle’s family can’t lose their line.”

Fu Xiling seemed pretty amused by her scrapping, always bringing it up like it was his favorite story.

Kinda like how he used to go on about that blessed Hetian jade bracelet of hers.

He even asked Shi Zhi, “You know Fu Xifeng’s no gentleman. You still went at him like that—weren’t you worried he’d come back for revenge?”

Shi Zhi peeled off the membrane stuck to the pomelo flesh, not even looking up, and threw his own words back at him. “Your injury’s on your mouth, not like you’re paralyzed.”

Translation:

If Fu Xifeng tried to retaliate, you, Fu Xiling, couldn’t handle it?

Fu Xiling got the hint and laughed, clearly enjoying himself.

The room was stacked with get-well gifts—honestly, kinda in the way.

After Shi Zhi tripped over a fruit basket, Fu Xiling started eyeing the clutter like it personally offended him.

He borrowed a cart from the head nurse, sorted out the less useful gift boxes, and planned to load them into his car later to drop off at his uncle’s place when he had time.

“Need help?”

“Nah, just wait here. It’s cold out.”

After Fu Xiling headed downstairs, Shi Zhi sat alone in the room, munching on the pomelo.

No clue how much a room like this cost. The sunlight streamed in, warming the leather couch—cozy and comfy.

Someone knocked on the door. Shi Zhi got up, all chill and confident.

Whoever it was, they were here to visit.

She figured she’d just play the same card as before—Fu Xiling’s girlfriend—put on a meek act, welcome them politely, maybe hand over a bottle of water and say a couple words.

Anyway, Fu Xiling was just dropping stuff off downstairs. He’d be back soon.

The door swung open, and there stood Shen Jia.

Shen Jia’s smile froze awkwardly. It took him a solid moment to stammer out, “I… I’m here to see Uncle Fu.”

Familiar face—nice. No need to fake it.

Shi Zhi stepped aside. “He’s off getting tests. Come in and sit.”

Back then, all that fondness, trust, resentment, and disgust…

Years had passed, and for Shi Zhi, it was ancient history.

Facing her ex, she felt nothing—not even a flicker of “enemies crossing paths.” Just thought, Oh, it’s Shen Jia. Easier than dealing with Fu Xiling’s other relatives.

Good enough.

The weird one was Shen Jia.

He set down the stuff he’d brought but didn’t sit. “Shi Zhi, I heard you went abroad.”

“Yup.”

Shen Jia stood up, walking over to her. “Heard you joined Xingrong Group, and that you’re working under Boss Fu…”

“You’ve heard a little too much.”

“Just wanted to ask—how’ve you been these past couple years?”

“Pretty good.”

Shi Zhi peeled a pomelo segment. Shen Jia’s staring killed her appetite, so she set it on the table uneaten.

She couldn’t wrap her head around this delayed emotional crap. Frowning a bit, she stared back at Shen Jia, saying nothing more.

A light chuckle came from the doorway.

Fu Xiling strolled in, rocking a loose sweater. That deep red lip injury somehow looked kinda sexy. He leaned against the doorframe, all suave and carefree. “Hey.”

Every time Shen Jia ran into Fu Xiling, his face soured.

He glanced at Shi Zhi, then at Fu Xiling, before heading to the door, his tone stiff. “My dad’s been under the weather lately. Heard Uncle Fu was sick, so he asked me to check in. Since Uncle Fu’s getting tests, I’ll come back another day.”

“Cool, I’ll walk you down.”

Fu Xiling was all manners, heading out with Shen Jia.

Barely two minutes later, her phone rang. At first, Shi Zhi didn’t suspect he was up to no good—thought maybe he forgot something—and picked up quick.

Fu Xiling said, “Forgot to ask—when you went to see your mom alone, she didn’t get mad at me, right?”

Who’s your mom?!

Shi Zhi snapped back, “You telling me ghost stories now?”

The guy on the line played it straight, his tone like he was wrapping up with Shen Jia—

“Tell Uncle Shen thanks for me. Uncle’s side’s been nonstop lately. Once he’s discharged, I’ll make time to bring my girlfriend over to visit him.”

A few minutes later, Fu Xiling was back.

Shi Zhi asked, “You bored or what?”

“Helping you out.”

“Helping me with what?”

“Don’t you know what your ex is like? Classic case of eating what’s in his bowl while eyeing the pot. Back when he was with you, Tao Jia was his white moonlight. Now he’s with Tao Jia—you try flirting with him a little, see if his soul doesn’t get snatched away.”

Shi Zhi’s takeaway from seeing Shen Jia was just how fast time flies.

Thinking back to the year she split with Shen Jia, she’d been so let down but still charged ahead. Kinda proud of herself for that.

So she half-listened and tossed him an absent, “Oh…”

“Oh what?”

Fu Xiling shifted, pulling Shi Zhi into his arms. “I was just saying. Don’t actually go do it.”

“You think I’m nuts?”

“Hm? Even peeled a pomelo for your ex? How sweet of you.”

“Looks like you’re the nutcase. That was for me.”

Fu Xiling nabbed that pomelo segment and ate it. Still not satisfied, he took advantage of the empty room,缠着 her for a kiss.

After, he asked, “Don’t rush off. Work doesn’t start till the second anyway. New Year’s Eve is coming—stay for it?”

“Don’t you have to stay put for New Year’s Eve?”

Fu Xiling shot back, “How do you know I can’t get out?”

Like time rewound, this New Year’s Eve, Shi Zhi was back at Fu Xiling’s place, tapping away at her thesis.

His place hadn’t changed much—just a row of misty fireplace lights newly installed under the projector screen.

The water vapor danced and swayed like soft flames. Pretty cool.

Fu Xiling rolled in later than that one year, close to midnight.

He still smelled of booze. Brought Shi Zhi dumplings and dessert, set the food down, shed his coat, yanked off her earbuds, pulled her in for a long kiss, then finally handed her the goods.

The dessert was from his aunt—apparently made a ton, all for Shi Zhi.

But the batch with homemade cherry sauce? He didn’t grab that. Quick hands snagged this plain one instead.

“Auntie said thanks for visiting Uncle and taking the fall for Fu Xifeng. Wanted to invite you over for dinner, but I said you’re shy and turned it down for you.”

Shi Zhi had already eaten, so she tried a dumpling. Not bad—Fu Xiling didn’t meddle this time, so the filling was finally normal.

His aunt’s caramel baked brie was solid—not too sweet. She polished off most of it.

Fu Xiling had rushed out, drank too fast, and slumped beside Shi Zhi, sobering up for ages.

After downing half a bottle of water, he told her this year’s New Year’s Eve was a big family mash-up.

“Uncle just got out of the hospital, and Fu Xifeng’s still a mess. Everyone figured a crowd would liven things up, cheer Uncle up.”

Shen Jia was there too.

Yao Yao and Shen Jia got into it. At first, the elders didn’t step in, but it escalated—shouting turned to smashing a set of dishes.

Big scene. The elders had no choice but to head downstairs and break it up.

Fu Xiling said, “I got dragged into playing peacemaker. Took a bit longer, or I’d have been here sooner.”

Shi Zhi frowned. “Shen Jia arguing?”

Shen Jia was a jerk in relationships—wishy-washy as hell—but not dumb.

Decent to girls, solid with guys too.

Only ever gave Fu Xiling the cold shoulder—probably ‘cause he couldn’t measure up.

Even after busting his ass, he still couldn’t top Fu Xiling, so he got more petty.

At least in Shi Zhi’s memory, Shen Jia wasn’t the type to bark like a rabid Fu Xifeng, especially not in front of elders…

Fu Xiling agreed. “More like Yao Yao picking a fight solo. Seems she’s had it out for Shen Jia for a while now—keeps happening these past two years.”

Shi Zhi remembered when she first interned at Xingrong Group, Yao Yao would swing by to chat all the time.

Yao Yao once said, “Us folks, if you really break it down, we’ve got more bond than outsiders.”

Back then, from her tone, Yao Yao didn’t approve of their circle actually crossing each other for real.

Just like how Shi Zhi later figured out why Yao Yao kept chatting her up, she also knew why Yao Yao was gunning for Shen Jia.

She didn’t get it, but she knew it was what she thought.

So she looked at Fu Xiling. “Love the house, love the crow.”

She was the “crow.” Shen Jia, in some twisted way, was the opposite “crow.”

Fu Xiling was the “house.”

Curtains drawn, TV off, all the New Year’s bustle locked out.

The house was dead quiet—just the two of them.

Pent-up desire from days of restraint flickered like the flames in the misty fireplace, swaying and growing.

Fu Xiling’s hands were restless, already fumbling with Shi Zhi’s bra clasp.

He didn’t catch what she said, slipping his hand in. “What?”

“I said, Yao Yao’s still into you.”

Fu Xiling popped the clasp, whispering in her ear, “Jealous?”

“Nope.”

Shi Zhi wouldn’t admit it, and Fu Xiling didn’t care. He scooped her up and headed for the bedroom.

No lights on in there—dim as hell. He knelt on the bed, peeled off his turtleneck and tank top. Fireworks outside started popping off, one after another.

When he leaned down, their foreheads pressed together.

“Happy New Year.”