The early morning sunlight filtered gently through the trees, casting dappled patterns across the courtyard. The air was damp and fresh.
After getting up, Wen Shiqing had a piece of sponge cake in her mouth. She let the little chick, Sansan, out, took a few bites herself, and then broke the rest of the cake into pieces to feed the chick.
Sansan pecked at the crumbs on the ground, bobbing its tiny head, eating with obvious delight.
Wen Shiqing poured a bowl of malted milk to cool and went to get a honey bun to eat. Stepping outside, she suddenly noticed that Sansan was gone.
She quickly stuffed the entire bun into her mouth and rushed to search, calling out: “Sansan, Sansan, where did you go?”
Worried that the chick might have wandered out of the yard, she hurried toward the gate—only to crash headfirst into a solid wall of flesh.
Her head spun from the collision. Looking up, she froze at the sight of that handsome face and, in a few quick motions, chewed and swallowed the bun in her mouth.
“Brother, why are you back?”
Xie Yucheng rubbed his chest, which had been hurt by her bump, and lightly tapped her head, scolding, “What are you doing?”
“I’m looking for Sansan… Sansan is missing.”
Xie Yucheng pointed behind her, where, somehow, a soft, adorable little chick was strutting out nonchalantly.
“Did you grow eyes on the soles of your feet?” His thick brows were stern, exuding a cold, imposing aura.
The girl scooped up the chick and softly hummed, speaking in her Suzhou dialect: “Thirteen o’clock.”
He knew she was scolding him in her hometown dialect again, and in that playful tone, it felt like a feather brushed against his chest, sending a light, tingling sensation from his heart to the rest of his body.
Suddenly, he grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him. Leaning close, while Wen Shiqing’s eyes widened in shock, Xie Yucheng gently brushed a crumb from the corner of her mouth with his thumb.
Her lips were soft, lightly pink, like fresh, juicy cherries on a branch.
Xie Yucheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. He released her, lips curving in a faint smirk as he teased, “You even get your mouth full while eating bread, as clumsy as your chick!”
He strode into the house and asked, “Where are they?”
Feeling embarrassed from earlier, Wen Shiqing quickly wiped her mouth with the back of her hand to avoid leaving any crumbs.
“Uncle Xie and my mom left early this morning.”
Xie Yucheng understood, glancing at her. “Didn’t go on a date?”
“A date?”
“With your little boyfriend.”
The girl hesitated: “He… he’s been busy lately.”
The man raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment, heading to his room to pack.
Leaning against the door, Wen Shiqing watched him. “Brother, are you going on a long trip?”
“Mm.” He grabbed some clothes from the wardrobe and stuffed them haphazardly into his bag.
Her eyes lit up immediately, and she bounced with excitement. “Brother, are you going on a long trip? Can I come with you?”
He pushed her away with a hand on her forehead, coldly rejecting: “No!”
The light in her eyes dimmed. She softly murmured, “Oh,” her disappointed tone drifting into Xie Yucheng’s ears.
Actually, Xie Yucheng had taken her out once before. Wen Shiqing had been fourteen at the time, and he had only gone on a short trip, delivering supplies to the neighboring city. Before leaving, Wen Shiqing had clung to his leg like chewing gum, refusing to let go, insisting on going with him. Yang Ying had been away visiting her mother, so Xie Yucheng had reluctantly accepted the task, despite his grumpy face.
Throughout the short two-day trip, Wen Shiqing was thrilled, like a little bird leaping out of its nest into a new world. She rolled down the car window and stretched her hand out, feeling the wind brush against her skin.
She had talked constantly during the journey, chattering endlessly, yet Xie Yucheng didn’t find it bothersome.
Snapping back to the present, the man finished packing, flicked his eyes toward Wen Shiqing, who was still leaning by the door.
The girl was slender, wearing a beige sleeveless top and loose navy trousers, slippers at home, her delicate toes peeking out.
Her head was slightly bowed, long eyelashes like fans, fingers intertwined and twirling, right foot swaying idly, lost in thought. She looked pitiful, almost wronged.
Xie Yucheng cleared his throat lightly. She looked up, meeting his gaze. Her lips parted slightly, she hesitated, said nothing, and pouted before lowering her head again.
Sometime over the past year or two, she no longer threw tantrums as she had in childhood, clinging to his leg. Now she simply gazed at him with that pitiful expression, her large, glistening eyes seeming on the verge of tears.
Xie Yucheng sighed. “Go pack your things. This trip will be longer.”
The girl’s eyes widened in disbelief. He added gruffly, “If you dare cause trouble, I’ll sell you to some remote mountain village. You’ll never see your mom again in this lifetime.”
Wen Shiqing leapt with excitement, a huge smile spreading across her face. She ran forward, tiptoed, and hugged his neck, jumping in place several times. “Brother, you’re the best!”
She even wanted to plant a few kisses on his handsome face but didn’t dare.
Xie Yucheng calmly pushed her away, expression cold: “Enough nonsense. You have ten minutes.”
Once she left, he exhaled heavily, pressed his hands to his waist and forehead, wishing he could slap himself twice.
Why did I agree to this?
Wen Shiqing dashed back to her room, quickly packing several outfits, shoes, and socks. She feared that if she delayed even a few minutes, Xie Yucheng might change his mind.
Summer clothes were light and compact; a small handbag was enough.
“Brother, I’m ready!” Less than ten minutes later, sweat dotted her forehead, and she stood at his door, slightly out of breath.
Xie Yucheng lazily glanced at her, eyebrow raised. “That fast?”
“Mm.”
“Then let’s go.”
Wen Shiqing packed the remaining snacks and left Sansan with the neighbor to look after.
After locking the door, Xie Yucheng slung his bag across his shoulder, swung a leg onto the motorcycle, and tilted his chin toward her, exuding a confident, rugged charm. “Get on.”
Wen Shiqing climbed onto the back, carefully wrapping her arms around his slim waist and resting her head against his back. “Brother, I’m settled.”
Xie Yucheng looked down at the delicate arms encircling his abdomen, lips twitching slightly in a small smirk.
Twisting the throttle, the motorcycle shot forward with a “whoosh,” and her grip tightened instinctively.
Her soft chest pressed against his back, body warmth seeping through the thin summer clothes. Xie Yucheng’s whole body stiffened—riding a motorcycle had never felt this difficult.
Tall and broad-shouldered, he exuded a sense of security. Each muscle was firm but not overdeveloped, powerful yet agile. His fresh, slightly sharp scent—like a winter forest tinged with tobacco—enveloped Wen Shiqing.
Her head leaned against his back, her eyes sparkling like they were filled with honey, sweetness ready to spill over.