The next morning, soft sunlight fell into the room in delicate strands of gold, filtering through the tiny gaps in the curtains. Gentle and silent, it was like a tender kiss from nature, bringing warmth and brightness to the room.
Ye Zhihan slowly awoke amid the hazy light and shadows. The moment her mind cleared, she jolted in surprise, instantly remembering that Yang Luo had slept in her room the night before. Her gaze was then drawn by some invisible force toward the corner of the room.
But Yang Luo was already gone. Only the blanket he had slept under remained, folded into a neat square like a block of tofu and placed tidily in the corner. The carefully folded blanket seemed to silently speak of Yang Luo’s thoughtfulness and self-discipline. Ye Zhihan turned to check the time and realized it wasn’t even seven yet.
Since he had already agreed to play along with Ye Zhihan’s act, Yang Luo decided he might as well do the job thoroughly. He had gotten up early and gone out for a run as usual. When he returned, he went straight into the kitchen to make breakfast for Ye Zhihan and Shu Qian, the two cousins.
Ye Zhihan and Shu Qian didn’t get up until nearly seven thirty. They appeared in the living room almost simultaneously.
“Good morning, Older Cousin and Cousin-in-law!” Shu Qian’s bright voice rang through the living room, brimming with youthful energy.
Yang Luo smiled and replied, “Morning!”
“You sleep well last night, Cousin?” Ye Zhihan asked with a smile.
“Pretty well.” Shu Qian grinned and continued, “Cousin, did you sleep badly? You seem to have dark circles under your eyes.”
“I slept pretty well, too,” Ye Zhihan replied softly, a faint blush rising on her face. She couldn’t help thinking of Yang Luo sleeping in her room the night before. She had been half-awake all night, and without thinking, she glanced toward him.
At the same time, Yang Luo happened to look at Ye Zhihan as well. Their eyes met, and in an instant, a subtle, awkward atmosphere quietly spread through the air.
Fortunately, Yang Luo reacted quickly and broke the awkward silence. “You’ve both washed up, I assume. I’ll go make you some noodles.”
The apartment had been thoughtfully designed, with a separate bathroom in every room. Ye Zhihan had insisted on this layout because she strongly valued her privacy, and also to avoid any potentially awkward situations.
After all, deep down, Ye Zhihan would never share a bathroom with Yang Luo.
Before long, Yang Luo came out of the kitchen carrying two steaming bowls of egg and scallion-oil noodles. Their rich aroma quickly filled the air, as though an enticing fragrance of delicious food had enveloped the entire living room.
Catching the aroma, Shu Qian curiously glanced toward the kitchen and asked in surprise, “Cousin-in-law, you only made two bowls of noodles? Isn’t there anything else?”
“What? Don’t you like noodles?”
“That’s not it. They smelled so good just now that I thought you’d made something else delicious, too.”
Remembering how Shu Qian had stubbornly refused to admit yesterday that his cooking was good, insisting it was only average, yet now praised his skills without even realizing it, Yang Luo couldn’t help finding it amusing.
Was it really that hard to admit someone else was good at something?
“Take your time eating. I’m going to work.”
“Have you eaten?” Ye Zhihan asked softly, an unexpected note of concern in her voice.
“I’ve already eaten.”
“All right. Go on to work.”
After Yang Luo left, Ye Zhihan gazed quietly at the two fragrant bowls of noodles on the table, her eyes gradually growing distant.
With Shu Qian’s arrival, Ye Zhihan had spent more time with Yang Luo over the past day and night than she usually did. Though much of the time they were merely putting on an act, those little moments together had made Ye Zhihan sink into deep thought.
Ye Zhihan kept asking herself: did her relationship with Yang Luo really have to keep heading toward an irreparable end?
Or should she try to let go of the deep-seated resentment in her heart and interact with Yang Luo with a fresh outlook, like an ordinary married couple? But that was so far from the kind of marriage she had once envisioned…
“Cousin, what are you thinking about?”
Shu Qian’s clear voice swept through Ye Zhihan’s thoughts like a breeze, jolting her back to the present. Ye Zhihan quickly replied, “Oh, nothing.”
“I didn’t expect Cousin-in-law to be so good at making noodles, too.” Shu Qian took big mouthfuls as she praised them. “They smell amazing. They’re delicious!”
“If you like them, eat some more.” Ye Zhihan smiled, then picked up another clump of noodles from her own bowl and placed it in Shu Qian’s. After that, she began eating as well.
The noodles were tender yet pleasantly chewy, soft without being mushy, and wonderfully smooth—as if a lovely dance were unfolding on her tongue. Ye Zhihan had only taken one small bite when their rich flavor filled her mouth. She couldn’t help wondering where Yang Luo had learned to cook. How could he make even a simple bowl of noodles taste so delicious?
“Oh no!” Shu Qian suddenly blurted out, as if she had realized something terrible.
“What’s wrong?” Ye Zhihan asked, looking at Shu Qian in confusion.
“Yesterday I said Cousin-in-law’s cooking was just average, but then I said the food smelled delicious. Doesn’t that mean I was praising him indirectly?” Shu Qian said, sounding a little regretful.
“So what if you were?”
“How embarrassing. But Cousin-in-law’s noodles really are delicious. They look, smell, and taste great.”
Shu Qian was staying in Xinzhou for two days, which left Yang Luo feeling rather helpless.
Since he had already been dragged into this “act” directed by Ye Zhihan, he might as well see it through. After all, if you start something, you should finish it.
As soon as Yang Luo got off work that afternoon, he headed straight to the vegetable market without wasting a moment. He moved from stall to stall, then headed home with bags of groceries in hand.
The moment Yang Luo stepped through the door, still holding the heavy bags he hadn’t yet put down, he saw Shu Qian spring off the sofa like a nimble little rabbit. She stood there, cheeks puffed in anger, staring straight at him with a deeply aggrieved look. “You and Cousin didn’t come home for lunch. I’m your guest, you know! What kind of way is that to treat a guest? I had to eat instant noodles for lunch!”
Yang Luo kept smiling as he patiently explained, “Work was so busy I couldn’t get away. Look, I bought groceries for you on my way back. I’ll cook for you right now.”
Though Shu Qian was Ye Zhihan’s younger cousin, Yang Luo really didn’t want to wait on her. He couldn’t help grumbling to himself: how had he ended up in this state, having to serve a little girl and keep smiling at her all the time?
“Hmph! Cousin promised she’d come back this afternoon to keep me company, but it’s almost six, and she still isn’t home.” Shu Qian pouted, looking so wronged that you’d think she’d suffered some great injustice.
“Your cousin is a complete workaholic. Once she gets caught up in work, she loses herself in it. She forgets the time, and sometimes even forgets to eat.” As he said this, Yang Luo didn’t realize that he had gradually come to understand Ye Zhihan a little better.
“Then hurry up and make dinner. I’m starving. After we eat, take me out for a walk!”
“Huh? Seriously?” Yang Luo exclaimed instinctively, deeply unwilling. He had no interest in taking on this extra “task.”
“What do you mean, ‘seriously’? I don’t know anyone here, and I’ve been cooped up at home all day. I feel like I’m going to suffocate.” Shu Qian continued to complain, her voice full of frustration and helplessness.
“All right!” Yang Luo finally gave in helplessly. Knowing there was no way to win an argument with Shu Qian, he could only agree. He told himself to think of it as a chance to get some fresh air. Besides, there was no point arguing with a little girl.
“Look at how reluctant you are. You’d better remember, I’m your guest.” Shu Qian said it with an air of righteousness, trying to use her status as a guest to “keep Yang Luo in line.”
I’ll put up with it! Though Yang Luo felt utterly helpless, he silently told himself that. For the sake of helping Ye Zhihan with this pointless “act” he had no choice but to take part in, he would just have to endure this little annoyance.
Yang Luo stopped paying attention to Shu Qian, picked up the groceries, and turned toward the kitchen. As soon as he entered, he got straight to work, chopping and preparing the ingredients with smooth, practiced movements. Then he lit the stove and, once the oil was hot enough, quickly added the ingredients to the pan.
The pan began to sizzle, and as the spatula danced through it, the ingredients gradually released their tempting aromas under the heat. The fragrance seemed almost magical, quickly filling the kitchen and drifting into the living room.
Shu Qian sat bored on the living room sofa, still grumbling about what had happened at lunchtime. But when the aroma crept into her nose like a mischievous little sprite, her stomach began rumbling more and more loudly, as if loudly protesting its owner’s hunger.
Shu Qian swallowed instinctively and looked toward the kitchen, her eyes full of anticipation. She looked like a child longing for candy, filled with eagerness and curiosity.
Before long, Yang Luo set one delicious-looking dish after another on the dining table. Shu Qian’s eyes lit up like brilliant stars. She no longer cared about acting ladylike; like a starving child, she grabbed her chopsticks and eagerly shoved a piece of food into her mouth. As she ate, she said through a mouthful, “I didn’t expect you to be such a good cook.”
Yang Luo watched her eat like a ravenous cat and couldn’t help smiling helplessly. Then he sat down at the table and began enjoying dinner, too.
After dinner, Yang Luo swiftly cleared away the dishes and tidied up a little. Then he took Shu Qian out, riding toward one of Xinzhou City’s liveliest pedestrian streets.
Night had fallen. The streetlights on either side of the road shone like loyal sentries, casting a gentle, warm glow to light the way for passersby.
Neon signs above the shops flickered, decorating the entire street in a riot of colors. People streamed along the road, some walking together and laughing, others alone but at ease. The whole pedestrian street was immersed in a cheerful, peaceful atmosphere, like a vivid portrait of everyday life.
As they walked along the bustling, crowded street, Shu Qian was like a happy little bird, captivated by everything around her. Excitement shone in her eyes as she curiously eyed the dazzling array of goods in the roadside shops, chattering away as if she could talk forever.
Yang Luo was the exact opposite. Listening to her chatter gave him a headache. He was in a thoroughly foul mood. If he hadn’t been helping Ye Zhihan perform this baffling “act,” he wouldn’t have bothered with Shu Qian at all, much less taken her shopping.
Yang Luo had no interest in shopping to begin with, and he was even less interested in doing it with a little girl who still had a childish side. He simply couldn’t summon any enthusiasm. All he wanted was to finish this “task” as quickly as possible and return to the quiet world that belonged to him.
Shu Qian suddenly stopped in front of an accessories shop, her eyes fixed on a delicate bracelet in the display window. The bracelet was like a fine work of art, set with several clear, sparkling crystals. Under the shop’s bright lights, they shimmered with a captivating, dreamlike glow, like stars in the night sky, as if telling a story all their own. It instantly captured Shu Qian’s heart.
As if she had discovered treasure, Shu Qian excitedly grabbed Yang Luo’s arm. Her eyes were full of longing and anticipation as she said in a coaxing voice, “Yang Luo, don’t you think that bracelet is pretty?”
Hearing Shu Qian call him “Yang Luo” so casually, Yang Luo couldn’t help thinking, She called me Yang Luo! Shouldn’t she call me Cousin-in-law? But then he thought, Forget it. There’s no point nitpicking with a little girl over such trivial things.
He followed the direction Shu Qian was pointing and glanced at the bracelet without much interest. He gave a slight nod and said flatly, “It’s all right.”
Shu Qian immediately took offense. She furrowed her brows, pouted, and complained, “What do you mean, ‘all right’? It’s obviously beautiful. Hurry up and buy it for me.”
“You want me to buy it for you?”
“That’s right!”
He was only pretending with Ye Zhihan, so why should he buy her this thing? Yang Luo flatly refused. “No. I don’t have any money.”
“Honestly, you’re a grown man, but you’re so stingy. I’m your guest, you know!” Shu Qian continued to press him, trying to use her status as a guest to “blackmail” him.
“I don’t have any money.”
“Cousin-in-law, please, please buy it for me!” Seeing that Yang Luo wasn’t budging, Shu Qian grabbed his arm and shook it back and forth, like a child throwing a tantrum. She brought out her “secret weapon,” hoping her pleading would win him over.
So now she knew to call him Cousin-in-law! Yang Luo grumbled inwardly. But he couldn’t withstand Shu Qian’s relentless coaxing, and in the end, he had no choice but to reluctantly agree.
Just then, Yang Luo’s phone rang. He lifted it slightly and said to Shu Qian, “Go inside first. I need to take a call.”
“Oh, then hurry up,” Shu Qian urged, before eagerly walking into the accessories shop.
Yang Luo looked down at his phone. The screen showed a missed call from Xia Tianlei. He was just about to answer when the call suddenly ended.
“It’s Lao Xia. Why did he hang up after only one ring? Could Xiao Yu have called from his phone?” Thinking of Xia Xiaoyu, Yang Luo’s lips curved into a slight smile, and a tender expression appeared on his face. He muttered to himself, “My son must miss me. Maybe Sister-in-Law was afraid of disturbing me while I was resting, so she hung up.”
Yang Luo loved Xia Xiaoyu from the bottom of his heart. His affection for the boy was beyond words.
“Heh… I should call my son back.” Yang Luo quickly called the number again as he spoke to himself. But a cold, mechanical automated message came through the phone: “The number you have dialed is switched off. Please try again later.”
“Why is it switched off? Could Lao Xia’s phone have run out of battery? Maybe he’s charging it.” Yang Luo frowned, puzzled, but decided to wait a while and try again.
About five minutes later, Yang Luo picked up his phone again and called Xia Tianlei. But the same frustrating message came through the receiver.
By now, Yang Luo had completely forgotten about Shu Qian. He stood still, lost in deep thought as all kinds of suspicions and worries surfaced in his mind…
The sudden disconnection filled Yang Luo with doubt. His brow furrowed tighter and tighter, and after years spent hovering at the edge of life and death, he suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
“Xiao Yu definitely didn’t make that call. Even if the phone had run out of battery, it shouldn’t still be unreachable after all this time. And Lao Xia is a police officer—he’s always been careful with communication devices like phones. He’d never play such a juvenile prank.”
“Something’s happened to Lao Xia.” Yang Luo’s expression instantly turned grave, and anxiety and worry began spreading through his heart. He could no longer stay calm. He had to find out what had happened as soon as possible.
Without another thought, Yang Luo ran toward the motorcycle parking area. He was certain something had happened to Xia Tianlei. His steps were hurried and determined, with only one thought in his mind: get to Xia Tianlei’s home as quickly as possible and make sure he was safe.
“Cousin-in-law…”
“Yang Luo…”
Watching Yang Luo’s retreating figure, Shu Qian stamped her feet in anger and chased him back to where they had parked. Yang Luo and his motorcycle were already nowhere to be seen. She hadn’t expected him to suddenly leave her behind, and it made her furious.
“Yang Luo, you actually left me here and ran off by yourself! When I get back, I’m telling Cousin that you— that you left me to go flirt with girls!” Shu Qian shouted angrily, but could only watch helplessly as Yang Luo disappeared into the night.
Yang Luo raced down the road. He didn’t care whether the lights were red or green; he overtook every vehicle he saw, pushing his superb riding skills to the limit.
At that moment, Yang Luo had only one goal: to reach Xia Tianlei’s home as quickly as possible.