The day Zhu Shiyu met Meng Siyi was an extremely ordinary day.

Zhu Shiyu had saved a string of unfamiliar numbers on her phone just last night. Before she could communicate with anyone, she was awakened the next morning by a phone call.

On the other end was a gentle and pleasant male voice, asking to meet her in the morning.

At that moment, Zhu Shiyu had just spent a night in the hospital, her mind still not fully clear. After hanging up the phone, she sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes, and gradually realized from the last lingering sound of his voice that it was sharp and refreshing, like freshly crushed mint.

He seemed to be an easygoing person, but one who was difficult to get close to.

She quickly got ready and went out, only to discover that it was raining outside.

Wenbei City is located in the south, and when winter comes, the endless rain seeps deep into your bones.

The rain was light, pattering down from the eaves, and the ground was damp, uncertain of when it would stop.

Zhu Shiyu sighed as she looked at the rain curtain in front of her and resigned herself to going back upstairs to grab an umbrella.

On the way, her aunt called again, saying that Zhou Zhen was not cooperating with treatment in the hospital and was insisting on going home. Zhu Shiyu asked her aunt to hand the phone to her.

“I’m going to meet that boy soon.”

“Okay, take care of yourself.”

After those brief words, the other side fell silent. Zhu Shiyu hung up the phone and looked up to see the restaurant ahead.

The place was chosen by him, and it happened to be around lunchtime. Holding her phone, she pushed the door open and went in.

It was a music restaurant with a few tables occupied. On the stage, someone was playing the violin, and the soothing music floated in the air.

The warm air welcomed her, driving away the chill surrounding her.

Zhu Shiyu looked around and finally settled her gaze on a corner table by the window on her right.

Before this, she had seen his photo.

The boy was wearing a white lab coat and a tie, and his serious expression was directed at the camera, with a straight gaze.

His youthful features were handsome, his facial structure superior; this slightly outdated photo posted online resembled the school god photos circulated during school days.

After being simply dazzled, all Zhu Shiyu was left with was confusion.

Why would someone like him come to a blind date?

At this moment, that was the only thought left in her mind.

Meng Siyi was even more outstanding than in his photo.

He sat quietly there, a coat draped over the back of his chair, wearing a cream-colored sweater with a blue shirt underneath. The cuffs were slightly rolled up, exposing his slender, fair wrists.

In person, he was more vivid and attractive, and what was rare was that he carried a comfortable youthful aura. Perhaps due to his profession, he naturally exuded a hint of steadiness, a special quality between a mature man and a boy.

Perhaps sensing her gaze, he lifted his head. Zhu Shiyu smiled politely at him and pulled out a chair to sit across from him.

About three seconds passed.

He pressed his lips together and introduced himself.

“Hello, I’m Meng Siyi.”

–

The atmosphere during their first meeting was somewhat cold.

Zhu Shiyu was slow to warm up and didn’t have much to say to strangers. Dr. Meng seemed to be low on enthusiasm as well. After his self-introduction, Zhu Shiyu replied with a “Hello,” reciprocating by stating her own name. He seemed momentarily taken aback, then nodded and lowered his gaze.

His long, dark eyelashes concealed the expression in his eyes, making it hard to discern his emotions.

With no progress on this side, after the meeting, they returned home, occasionally chatting a few mundane lines on WeChat, neither hot nor cold.

Meanwhile, her family seemed to be welcoming some great event, displaying unprecedented enthusiasm and closely monitoring her situation.

Her aunt, who had worked as a nurse in the hospital for many years, had a good relationship with Meng Siyi, who was regarded as the most outstanding young talent in the hospital—his desirability was comparable to limited-edition luxury items in the marketplace, expensive and exquisite.

She was deeply pained by Zhu Shiyu’s dullness and lack of ambition. On New Year’s Day, she found an excuse to invite Meng Siyi to their home for dinner as a way to express gratitude.

Two months ago, her uncle had accidentally injured his leg at work, and Meng Siyi was his attending physician.

On that day, Zhu Shiyu wore a winter dress and a wool coat. The thin, soft fabric accentuated her curves, and her bright eyes added a touch of femininity.

Zhou Zhen had been discharged from the hospital a few days ago; she had suffered a sudden heart attack and had spent over half a month in the hospital for treatment. After her condition stabilized slightly, she requested to go home to recuperate.

Now, no one in the family dared to go against her wishes. Just yesterday, Zhu’s father had accidentally broken a cup and had been extremely cautious.

Zhu Shiyu followed her mother’s instructions to dress nicely. Before leaving, she even took out a pair of little lambskin boots that had been buried at the bottom of her closet for hundreds of years.

It wasn’t raining outside today, but it was overcast and very windy.

When Zhu Shiyu arrived, her aunt’s home was already bustling with activity. In addition to the two elders, her cousin had also specially come home today, bringing along a pair of children.

Zhu Shiyu’s aunt and uncle married early, and her cousin is five years older than her. She got married a few years ago, and her second child is already three years old and can walk and call people now.

At this moment, the two children were playing and laughing in the living room. The older sister was holding up a puzzle, and the younger brother was trying to snatch it from her. There was also another person sitting on the carpet between them.

Meng Siyi was wearing a black coat, slightly open, revealing a beige sweater underneath.

He had his head slightly lowered, his bangs falling down to obscure some of his eyebrows and eyes, but his profile looked very gentle.

“Alright, uncle will give each of you a puzzle,” he said.

Zhu Shiyu strangely sensed the patience and reassurance in his voice.

“Auntie, you look really pretty today!” Her sharp-eyed little niece was the first to notice her, sweetly complimenting her out loud.

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a gaze directed at Zhu Shiyu. Meng Siyi paused his actions and turned his head, his gaze landing on her, lingering for a moment.

The air seemed to still for a second. Zhu Shiyu smiled as usual, bending her lips, and reached out to pat the girl’s head.

When she straightened up and looked over again, Meng Siyi had already shifted his gaze away, and there was only one corner of the puzzle left to complete in his hands.