Song Qingyuan had wanted to take Shen Yue to the cafeteria for lunch, but she refused.
She had just messaged Shen Yun. He should be waiting outside the school by now.
Song Qingyuan was a little disappointed.
The cafeteria and the school gate were in opposite directions, so the two parted ways beneath the teaching building.
When Shen Yue reached the school gate, Shen Yun was indeed already waiting for her.
His style of dress was much like Shen Yue’s: casual and easygoing.
He was 1.8 meters tall, with short, tousled hair that fell slightly over his forehead. His features still had a boyish innocence about them.
He stood to one side of the First High School entrance, repeatedly craning his neck to look inside.
People coming out kept glancing at him. Some even tried to go over and ask for his WeChat, but he ignored them all.
Before long, Shen Yun spotted the familiar figure in the crowd. His face lit up, and he hurried over to meet her.
He stopped in front of Shen Yue, the corners of his eyes slightly red. Grinning, he called, “Sis!”
She was back. It was wonderful.
People who turned to look at him wore envious expressions. No wonder they were siblings—both of them were so good-looking.
Shen Yue looked at Shen Yun, who was now quite a bit taller than her, and felt a little dazed.
When she had left two years ago, Shen Yun had been in eighth grade and about her height. Two years had passed, and he had grown so tall.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back, Sis?”
Shen Yun’s voice was full of reproach.
He went to Second High School. If Shen Yue hadn’t messaged him just now, he wouldn’t have known she was back at all!
Shen Yue came back to herself and raised an eyebrow, her expression softening a little. “I thought Grandpa had told you.”
Even after two years apart, the siblings weren’t at all awkward with each other. As usual, Shen Yun took Shen Yue’s backpack from her and muttered, “I’ll call him and ask later.”
A faint smile touched Shen Yue’s lips. She patted Shen Yun on the shoulder. “Come on. I ordered takeout. Let’s eat at Huayuan Residence.”
Shen Yun knew about Shen Yue’s apartment at Huayuan Residence.
They walked side by side. Shen Yun, who was usually not much of a talker, barely stopped speaking the whole way.
He mostly told her about what had happened around him over the past two years, and hardly mentioned the Shen family at all.
It was as if he wanted to tell her everything he’d had to say over those two years, all at once.
“Sis, I want to transfer to First High School too.”
Shen Yun had gone to Second High School in the first place because of Shen Yue. Now that she was at First High School, he wanted to transfer there without a second thought.
First High School had a better standard of teaching. Shen Yue didn’t object; Shen Yun’s grades were good enough for him to get in.
“Your grades haven’t slipped over the past two years?”
Shen Yun lifted his chin proudly. “Of course not. I’m your student, after all.”
Shen Yue was pleased. While the siblings were talking, a black Volkswagen pulled up beside them.
The rear door opened, and a tall, slender man stepped out.
He wore a simple white shirt, its collar embroidered with traditional Chinese designs that lent him an even more refined air.
His clear, mellow voice rang out. “Miss Shen, heading home?”
Shen Yue stood there casually, the breeze lifting the wisps of hair over her forehead and the sunlight making her skin glow.
She gave a languid “Mm.”
Cheng Sui’s lips curved slightly. “Then it works out—we’re going the same way. Come with us.”
Cheng Di, in the driver’s seat, heard him and rolled his eyes. The same way? Since when?
Cheng Sui stepped aside to make room. It was scorching hot, and Shen Yue didn’t stand on ceremony. She let Shen Yun get in first, then climbed in after him.
Cheng Sui got in too, sitting right beside her.
Shen Yue glanced at the empty front passenger seat and said nothing. She took out her phone and started playing a game.
Cheng Sui quietly glanced at her game username.
A few minutes later, Shen Yue finished a round. At the same time, a message from “Yaowan” popped up.
【Miss Qian, are you busy?】
A puzzled voice came from above her. “Miss Qian?”
Afraid Shen Yue might misunderstand, Cheng Sui explained, “I happened to see it. We’re looking for a Miss Qian, but isn’t your surname Shen?”
Shen Yue calmly swiped away the notification, quit the game, and put her phone away. Without changing expression, she replied, “There’s a ‘Qian’ in my WeChat nickname.”
Cheng Sui: “?”
He chuckled softly. “Come to think of it, the Miss Qian we’re looking for knows how to make medicine and probably knows traditional Chinese medicine too. Do you know how to make medicine, Miss Shen? Maybe you two could become good friends.”
Shen Yue lifted her eyelids and replied coolly, “That’s a shame. I don’t.”
Cheng Di glanced back and pursed his lips.
Even the Cheng family couldn’t get Miss Qian to agree. What made him think she’d become friends with Shen Yue?
The phone Shen Yue had put away buzzed several times.
Yaowan: 【Miss Qian, that Mr. Cheng contacted me again. He said you can name any conditions you want, as long as you’re willing to meet.】
Only after they reached the residential complex and Cheng Sui and Cheng Di left to park did Shen Yue take out her phone and see the message.
A flicker passed through her dark eyes.
【I won’t meet them, no matter what they offer. Tell them to stop looking for me.】
The phone rang again with a call from a number that had tried to reach her many times. Shen Yue answered as she walked.
“What are you doing? I’ve called you so many times, and you still won’t pick up?” Su Yuqing’s tone was far from pleasant, edged with anger.
Su Yuqing’s voice was loud enough that Shen Yun, walking behind her, heard it. He frowned, looking at Shen Yue with concern.
Shen Yue had no idea what she’d done this time to upset the woman who was her mother by blood, but she didn’t care.
Her delicate features showed not the slightest emotion.
“What do you want?”
“Shen Yue! I’m your mother. Do I need a reason to call you?”
Shen Yue could hear a teacup clinking against the table in the background. Su Yuqing must be furious.
Shen Yue didn’t answer. She reached out with a slender finger and pressed the elevator button. The doors slid open, and the two of them stepped inside.
She pressed the button for the sixteenth floor. Once the doors closed and the elevator began to rise, Su Yuqing spoke again.
“Where are you? I need to see you.” She spoke as if issuing an order to a subordinate.
Shen Yue watched the floor numbers change, her eyes narrowing slightly. Only after a moment did she reply, her casual tone carrying a faint chill.
“If you’re calling to talk about First High School, there’s no need.”