Xu Youqing had been run off her feet lately.
Professor Zou had an archaeology project in hand and was selecting a field assistant—only one spot available, and Xu Youqing wanted it.
These past few days, she had practically lived in the library and the lab, looking up materials, running analyses, and poring over all kinds of relevant sources, including the notes she had taken during her time at the museum.
Joining the archaeology team was something Xu Youqing had long been looking forward to.
In the evening, Xu Youqing returned to the dorm carrying a stack of materials. Her roommate Lin Xiao was already back.
"Finally, you're here." Lin Xiao set the bread she had bought for her on Xu Youqing's desk. "Hey, your wardrobe door isn't closed properly."
Lin Xiao's sharp eyes caught a coat hanging inside Xu Youqing's wardrobe.
Curious, she leaned over and reached out to touch it. "Tsk tsk, this texture… Youqing, when did you secretly buy something this expensive? This must have cost several months of living expenses, right?"
Xu Youqing walked over. "It's not mine."
"Not yours?" Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow and looked more carefully at the cut. "This… looks like a men's style? It's this long, this shoulder width…"
"It belongs to a client." Xu Youqing closed the wardrobe door. "Last time I went out to discuss business, the wind was too strong. They kindly lent it to me to block the wind, and I haven't had a chance to return it yet."
"A client?" Lin Xiao dragged out her tone. "What kind of client is so 'gentle and considerate'?"
"Ah, sure enough, being in bronze restoration means no one cares about you. Day in and day out, dealing with rusty lumps. Unlike you ceramic folks—even the people you meet are warm and refined…"
Warm and refined? Those four words seemed to have nothing to do with that man at all, Xu Youqing thought to herself.
Lin Xiao changed the subject and asked, "Han Zheng hasn't been coming around to see you much lately, has he?"
Xu Youqing was tidying her desk. "He's pretty busy. Besides, I don't have the time either."
Lately, her mind was completely filled with archaeology materials—she truly couldn't spare any attention for anything else.
"How long are you two going to stay in this 'more than friends' state?" Lin Xiao leaned against the desk. "He won't say it outright, and you won't make the first move either."
"I don't have the headspace for that right now." Xu Youqing's gaze fell on the assistant application materials on her desk, and her eyes became focused and clear again. "I absolutely have to win that assistant spot under Professor Zou."
Lin Xiao shrugged, said no more, and went about eating her meal and scrolling through her phone.
The dorm fell quiet. Xu Youqing's gaze unconsciously drifted toward the closed wardrobe door.
That coat… she needed to return it.
She put down her pen, took out her phone, deliberated over her wording, and sent a message:
[Hello, Mr. Jin. This is Xu Youqing. Regarding your coat, when would be convenient for me to return it to you?]
She tapped send.
Xu Youqing set her phone aside, ate the bread, and continued reading her materials. It wasn't until she had washed up and gone to bed that Jin Zongmin finally replied—he didn't.
The next day, he still hadn't responded. The coat couldn't just stay with her forever, so she made a phone call. Fortunately, the phone rang a few times before being picked up.
"Hello… this is Xu Youqing."
After she briefly explained the situation, Jin Zongmin spoke: "Bring it over tomorrow. I'll send you the address."
Xu Youqing had originally planned to send it by courier, but the address Jin Zongmin gave didn't include a unit number. Afraid it might get lost in delivery, she decided to deliver it in person.
The address Jin Zongmin gave was in Xishan District—a prime location, low-key and secluded, with excellent privacy.
Flanking the wide driveway were meticulously trimmed yet imposing pine and cypress trees.
Xu Youqing carried the paper bag holding the coat, planning to hand it to the security guard and leave. But the guard on duty looked up from behind the intercom phone and said, "Mr. Jin asks you to go in."
Xu Youqing had no choice but to enter.
After passing through a large gate, the inner courtyard was still spacious, and the greenery was clearly meticulously trimmed.
A middle-aged woman in an elegant uniform came forward and led her through another corridor: "Miss Xu, the master is upstairs changing. The weather is nice, so please wait in the garden for a moment."
Xu Youqing was escorted over. In the garden, there was a cobblestone path lined with several jagged Taihu rocks. White camellias, winter plum blossoms, and cotton roses along the path were in full bloom, arranged in staggered layers, their colors seemingly deliberately coordinated.
Xu Youqing couldn't take it all in—this place was truly enormous. Boss Zheng's garden seemed rather cramped in comparison.
The sunlight was just right. Xu Youqing turned sideways and was about to sit down on a garden chair when a white blur suddenly darted out, charging straight toward her.
Startled, Xu Youqing stepped back half a pace, her waist bumping into the chair back behind her.
She focused her eyes and saw it was a pure white pony.
Its mane was trimmed neatly, with a soft fringe falling over its forehead. It was now staring at her with big round eyes, curiously and a little mischievously drawing close, its damp nose almost touching her arm.
It was her first time being this close to a horse, and she was a bit flustered.
Suddenly, a hand with well-defined fingers reached out from the side and firmly grasped the leather reins on the pony's neck.
"Who was watching it?" Jin Zongmin's voice rang out, clearly displeased.
He wore a simple mocha-colored cashmere sweater and matching trousers, yet the imposing aura around him was in no way diminished.
The servants nearby and the gardener who had rushed over at the sound instantly turned pale, lowering their heads, not daring to respond.
"It's… it's fine, it didn't touch me." Xu Youqing's voice still carried a hint of lingering shock.
Jin Zongmin's gaze withdrew from the servants and landed on Xu Youqing's face, the coldness in his eyes easing slightly.
He tugged at the reins to make the pony stand still, then explained, "This little one is being kept for someone else. Its temperament isn't fully tamed yet."
After getting a clear look at the pony, Xu Youqing wasn't as scared anymore. Instead, she was drawn to the beautiful little creature. "It's… actually quite adorable. It just appeared a bit suddenly."
Jin Zongmin stepped closer to Xu Youqing. "Good, as long as you weren't frightened." He patted the pony's head. "This little thing does seem to appeal to you girls."
He paused, then asked Xu Youqing, "Want to go over there and feed it some apple slices?"
Xu Youqing hesitated for a moment, but the pony was truly endearing, and she felt a bit tempted. She nodded.
Back in its familiar surroundings, the pony grew more lively.
Xu Youqing took the apple slices Jin Zongmin offered and carefully held them out. The pony immediately leaned in, its damp lips brushing against her fingertips, ticklish.
After feeding the apples, Xu Youqing saw that the pony had become much gentler and wanted to reach out and pet it. But just as her fingers drew near, the pony suddenly shook its head playfully, dodging her hand, and let out a snort.
"It's not that obedient." Jin Zongmin's voice sounded beside her.
Jin Zongmin stepped closer, casually resting his arm on the railing next to her, forming a semi-enclosing space.
"If you want to pet it, you first have to let it know you like it."
Jin Zongmin demonstrated by extending his hand, palm up, slowly approaching the top of the pony's forehead, gently stroking the soft fur there.
"Like this, touch its head first, let it get familiar with your scent and goodwill."
Xu Youqing followed suit, carefully extending her hand and gently placing it on the pony's broad forehead, stroking down along the direction of the fur. The pony blinked, and sure enough, it calmed down, even voluntarily nuzzling its head against her palm.
"Yes, just like that." Jin Zongmin's voice was low, right beside her ear.
The pony seemed to be in a playful mood again, suddenly stamping its hooves lightly and nudging into Xu Youqing's embrace. She let out a soft gasp, her body leaning back slightly.
An arm wrapped around her from behind, forming an invisible barrier behind her back to prevent her from losing her balance.
Feeling the presence behind her, Xu Youqing froze, her hand still resting on the pony, her heart pounding violently.
The pony settled down, and the arm that had been loosely guarding Xu Youqing was naturally withdrawn.
Xu Youqing was about to breathe a sigh of relief when a dry, warm hand gripped her wrist.
"Continue."
Jin Zongmin's hand guided hers, stroking down the pony's neck more slowly and with more pressure—he was teaching her how to soothe it.
"Like this, it'll feel more comfortable." Jin Zongmin's voice sounded low by Xu Youqing's ear, his breath brushing against the finest down on her earlobe.
She could almost feel the heat radiating from his chest against her back, and her cheeks flushed instantly.
The pony squinted its eyes in contentment.
Seizing the brief moment when Jin Zongmin loosened his grip, Xu Youqing quickly turned around, ready to escape this space that made her blush and her heart race.
But as she turned, she found herself face-to-face with Jin Zongmin, who was mere inches away—she had practically been half-enclosed in his arms just moments before.
Her forehead nearly brushed against his jaw. Jin Zongmin didn't step back, only lowered his gaze slightly to look at her.
"Running away from what?" Jin Zongmin spoke.
He reached out, planting his hands on the railing on either side of her, completely trapping her within his space.
Xu Youqing couldn't move forward, and she couldn't move back.
Jin Zongmin looked down at her. "There's something I want to ask you."
His gaze slowly traced over her brows and eyes, finally coming to rest on her lips, where it lingered.
Xu Youqing felt as if she were pinned to the spot by that gaze, unable to move. Her throat went dry, and her voice came out as faint as a mosquito's buzz: "…What is it?"
Jin Zongmin stared at Xu Youqing, watching her lips part slightly with nervousness, watching the moist sheen on them.
He leaned forward another inch, the pressure intensifying, his voice dripping with ambiguity. "You really don't have time… to help me fix something?"
Jin Zongmin's breath was warm, each word like a tiny feather brush, burrowing into Xu Youqing's ears and tickling them.
The temperature around them seemed to be rising, the air as if sucked away, leaving only the two of them breathing all too clearly, and Xu Youqing's violent heartbeat.
Overwhelming embarrassment and panic seized her.
Xu Youqing turned sideways to leave, but Jin Zongmin's arm showed no sign of moving aside.
"I returned your clothes… I should be going back now." She tensed her body, trying to keep as much distance from him as possible.
Jin Zongmin was relentless, staring at her. "You haven't answered me yet."
"I…" Xu Youqing's words hadn't even left her mouth when her phone rang—it was a call from Han Zheng.
She clutched the phone, hesitating without immediately answering.
Jin Zongmin glanced at the name on the screen, a slight curve forming at the corner of his lips. "Why aren't you answering?"
He lowered his head, his breath heavy against her ear. "Want me to answer it for you? Tell them you're busy right now."
Jin Zongmin didn't seem to be joking, which startled Xu Youqing into hastily hanging up the call.
She forced herself to stay calm and said, "Mr. Jin, I really don't have the time. You'd be better off finding someone else."
Xu Youqing stared at Jin Zongmin's hand resting on the railing. His sleeve was loosely bunched around the middle of his forearm, a silver watch on his wrist, and the veins on the back of his hand lay hidden beneath his skin, rising and falling gently with each flex.
She didn't dare look any longer and murmured, "I really should be going."
Jin Zongmin curled his lips as he watched her, his eyes holding an expression that suggested he saw right through her.
"Fine."
He released his hold and stepped back half a pace.
Only then did Xu Youqing breathe a sigh of relief and turn to leave.
…
In the afternoon, Xu Youqing emerged from the library, clutching a few reference books she'd just borrowed as she walked through the plane tree-lined path at Jing University.
Suddenly, she heard someone call out hesitantly, "Xu Youqing?"
"…Is that Xu Youqing?"
She turned around and saw a tall, pretty girl in a light brown coat looking at her with delighted surprise.
The girl's features were somewhat familiar, but Xu Youqing couldn't immediately place where she'd seen her before.
"You are…?"
"It's me! Xu Weiyue! From the 'Little Swan' dance class! You forgot?" Xu Weiyue stepped forward with a radiant smile.
During the summer after eighth grade, Xu Youqing's mother and aunt had been at the hospital caring for her sick grandmother and had no time to look after her. Xu Wenyuan was on a business trip to Jingxi, so he simply brought Xu Youqing along.
On the street, father and daughter ran into a dance class instructor promoting summer courses. The instructor said Xu Youqing had great potential, and since she had nothing better to do anyway, Xu Wenyuan signed her up.
That was where Xu Youqing had met Xu Weiyue.
"Oh my," Xu Youqing said, looking at the person before her. "You've changed so much."
"Right?" Xu Weiyue didn't seem to mind at all. She smiled and spun around. "I lost fifty pounds."
Xu Weiyue grabbed Xu Youqing's arm. "You left so suddenly back then—we didn't even exchange contact information."
At the time, Xu Youqing's grandmother had passed away, so her departure had indeed been abrupt.
Xu Weiyue pulled out her phone as she spoke. "Quick, let me add you."
After the two had exchanged contact details, Xu Youqing asked curiously, "You go to Jing University too?"
Xu Weiyue shook her head. "I'm studying architecture at Ke University. I came with my professor today to attend a symposium at Jing University. I never expected to run into you!"
She linked her arm affectionately through Xu Youqing's. "Come on, come on, let's go eat! We've got so much to catch up on."
"I remember you're from Pingcheng, right? I know this place with authentic Pingcheng cuisine—you've got to try it!"
Xu Youqing was pulled out of the school gates.
When they arrived, Xu Youqing realized it was the very same restaurant Jin Zongmin had brought her to last time.
Xu Weiyue navigated the place with ease, clearly a regular.
When the female manager spotted Xu Weiyue, she greeted her with a beaming smile. "Miss Xu is here! Mr. Duan happens to be in today as well."
Then, as her gaze shifted to Xu Youqing's face, the manager's expression faltered for a moment—wasn't this the woman Mr. Jin had brought the other day?
Her smile deepened immediately as she hurriedly greeted her. "Hello."
After sending someone to attend to them, the manager turned and headed into the inner courtyard, where Duan Sikai had just finished a phone call and was walking out.
"Mr. Duan, that woman Mr. Jin brought last time—she's here today with Miss Xu."
"Is that so?" Duan Sikai's face lit up with amusement. "Take a photo and send it to me."
With that, Duan Sikai headed to the right. "I'll go drop by Young Master Deng's place first."
Xu Youqing's photo was quickly sent to Duan Sikai. The girl sat sideways, listening to Xu Weiyue across from her, a smile rippling across her face—indeed, the kind of looks that would catch one's attention.
Duan Sikai studied it for two seconds, then smiled and forwarded the photo to Jin Zongmin, deliberately asking:
【What do you think of this girl?】