On an afternoon when the light fiercely swallows and spits out heat, Cheng Zhirang received a message from his dear girlfriend.

[Qiuqiu: Cheng Zhirang, you’re so annoying]

At first sight, he was a bit stunned, but quickly reacted.

She had said that sentence last time, with a sticky voice, filled with grievance, but it wasn’t really annoyance, it was... a pout.

Probably only a pout could define the meaning behind her words.

He pursed his lips and smiled, then called her.

Once the call was connected, there was silence on the other side.

Cheng Zhirang tentatively called her: "Qiuqiu?"

No response.

He called again: "Baby."

A sound came from the other side: "Hmm."

He almost chuckled, and patiently said, "What did you do with Uncle and Auntie today?"

"Went out to the supermarket. Why did you tell them all the details about me fainting?"

It wasn’t really a question, still with some grievance.

His heart softened: "It’s my fault for telling them without your permission. But you need some ice-breaking opportunity. I couldn’t bear to let you start it, so I had to trouble Uncle and Auntie. Did you cry?"

"Didn’t cry."

"Okay, you didn’t cry," even though he clearly heard the crying tone in her voice, "When do Uncle and Auntie leave?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"I’ll come to see them off."

Mu Qiu mumbled: "No need, I can send them myself."

"I can’t be at ease. I’ll come over at seven in the morning, okay?"

There was silence again, then a sound: "You already know what time they leave."

"There are only three flight times to Feiyun City tomorrow morning; it’s easy to guess."

Mu Qiu: "Then can you guess if I’ll go back with them for a couple of days? Quick, guess."

It felt like an assignment. Cheng Zhirang’s gentle voice didn’t hesitate at all, and he directly said: "I guess you won’t."

"Why?"

"Because you want to be alone for a while."

A hum came from the other side, followed by: "Cheng Zhirang, you’re so annoying."

He laughed heartily.

"Mm, I’m annoying. So do you still like me?"

He patiently waited for her answer, not feeling anxious despite the prolonged silence.

It seemed more like he was just waiting for the confirmation of the only answer from her, unconcerned that she wouldn’t say it, or that she might say something else.

After a while, Mu Qiu’s voice sounded again: "I like you. Because you’re good-looking."

The latter half was just to save face.

He knew this inherently, and finally, with a gentle and soft voice, said: "I like you too."

...

Mu Zhi and Yuan Chun, being professors, had quite a few classes at school and couldn’t leave for long. They had to return to Yun City on Thursday morning.

Cheng Zhirang drove over early and even brought breakfast, including an orange steamed egg for Mu Qiu.

She hadn’t said anything yet, but Yuan Chun kept praising him, nodding repeatedly at Cheng Zhirang.

Women pay attention to detail, and Yuan Chun was really pleased with certain small details about Cheng Zhirang, even speaking to him in the tone reserved for a son.

Mu Qiu, sitting at the dining table eating the orange steamed egg, curled her lips, thinking her mother was too easily charmed.

Today, she dressed quite casually, in a white printed T-shirt with light blue jeans, tied a high ponytail, looking youthful and vibrant.

She seemed like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old student.

Cheng Zhirang couldn’t help but glance at her a few more times. Incidentally, he was wearing a white T today too.

Originally to minimize the chance of being recognized by passersby, but now felt like they had a telepathic connection, wearing not just any white T but matching outfits.

"Eat slowly, no rush." He sat at the dining table, gently reminding her.

Mu Qiu said "Oh," looked up and asked him: "Have you eaten? Want some porridge? This pickled mustard is made by my grandma herself, the craft not shared outside."

Cheng Zhirang originally intended to say he ate, as his recent breakfasts had been high-protein meals for fat reduction, just two eggs and a meal replacement drink. Upon hearing the latter part, he changed his mind, shook his head, and said: "Haven’t. Can you spare a bit?"

"I’ll get you a bowl!" Mu Qiu ran to the kitchen, fetched a pretty ceramic bowl, served half a bowl of porridge, and gave half of the pickled mustard to him.

"I’m not sharing the orange steamed egg with you, it’s weird to eat it by yourself."

Cheng Zhirang: "......I’m not an orange steamed egg."

"You are, and equally delicious......"

The word "delicious" wasn’t clearly enunciated, immediately covered by Cheng Zhirang’s cough.

Yuan Chun looked up: "What’s wrong, Xiao Cheng? Got a cold?"

Cheng Zhirang coughed a bit urgently, and indeed felt some discomfort in his throat.

But that was a minor issue.

"I just choked, it’s nothing."

He took a sip of porridge to soothe his throat, glanced at someone beside him.

The culprit sighed at her quick tongue, now huddled like a quail, focused on eating the orange steamed egg without speaking.

After breakfast, Cheng Zhirang drove them to the airport.

Yuan Chun and Mu Zhi kept discussing various aspects of Mu Qiu’s life along the way, expressing concern, noting things they hadn’t bought for her, worrying about her not eating on time once they left... it didn’t matter if anyone chimed in, just speaking whatever came to mind.

Mu Qiu initially replied to each point, but later became listless from the nagging, only responded with a few hums and ohs.

As they neared the airport, they suddenly stopped speaking.

Without the lectures and reminders, Mu Qiu quieted down, but felt an unease creeping inside her.

Once entering the airport’s underground parking lot, Yuan Chun spoke again.

"Xiao Cheng, we’ll trouble you to take care of our Qiuqiu a bit more. She’s still young, not mature enough, can’t manage many things, and we’re not often here, hence need to bother you."

Cheng Zhirang opened the car door to help with the luggage, shaking his head: "No bother Auntie, it’s all what I should do."

Mu Qiu also got out of the car, stood beside Mu Zhi, ready to help carry a small bag upstairs.

But Mu Zhi stopped her.

"Don’t go up, just head back."

Mu Qiu was taken aback: "Dad?"

"Go back, even wearing a mask they’ll recognize you."

She slowly tightened her lips.

Cheng Zhirang handed the suitcase to Mu Zhi and apologized with lowered eyes: "I’m really sorry, Uncle, because of me..."

"It’s not all your fault, she chose to be on the show, chose to date you, it’s already destined.

Previously blamed your profession; Uncle also apologizes. You young people have your preferred paths, yet not willing to let go, can’t say it’s wrong. Since it’s not wrong, no one takes the blame, having many fans is also good. Just go back."

He acknowledged, watching them enter the elevator.

Mu Qiu already sat in the passenger seat, wearing his hat with the brim pressed down, hiding her face.

He got back into the car, closed the door, and watched her profile for a while.

Then leaned over, lifted the brim with his fingers, and kissed her lip corner.

"Sorry."