The journey from Hai City to the Xie Family takes several hours.

After finishing the call with her family, Yu Xia found herself with nothing to do, so she could only enjoy the natural scenery outside the car window, and occasionally glance at the beautiful view in the driver’s seat.

Time flies, she thought, watching Xie Qingci transform from a cold and silent teenager into such a charming man, overflowing with hormones, who even drives with one hand quite attractively, and it all happened in just two years.

Two years, from thinking they had no chance to now reaching the point where they’re meeting each other’s parents.

Fate is truly mysterious, she mused to herself.

"Why are you staring at me?" Xie Qingci suddenly spoke, glancing at her sideways, "It’s easy for you to distract me like that."

Yu Xia nonchalantly withdrew her gaze and said, "Just seeing what a beast in human clothing looks like."

"..." He let out a breath that sounded like laughter.

And without any retort, he added, "If you’re tired, just sleep. I’ll wake you up when we arrive."

"Whose fault is it if I’m tired?"

He turned the wheel half a circle and raised an eyebrow at her, "My fault, I admit it."

She gave him a sideways glance before reclining her seat and closing her eyes to rest.

...

They passed through the not-so-busy riverside greenway to reach a row of riverside villas.

Someone was walking a dog by the roadside and, upon seeing a luxury car slowly stop in front of the house across the street, turned to discuss with their companion.

"Who is that?"

"Stopped in front of Professor Xie’s place, probably a relative? Only a student has been at that house before, and it’s been a while since Professor Xie came back. When they returned the other day, I thought the villa had changed owners."

"Didn’t they say their son went to become a celebrity?"

"Hey, two people are getting out, but they’re wearing masks and hats so you can’t see their faces."

"Let’s go, let’s go, they’re looking over here. It’s kind of awkward."

Yu Xia, being sensitive to the gaze of paparazzi lenses, instinctively looked over when she felt someone watching them.

Xie Qingci took down the luggage and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Those are the aunts and uncles from a few houses down, considered neighbors. Let’s go inside."

Just as he finished speaking, the door atop the steps opened, and a very graceful middle-aged woman stepped out.

At a glance, it was clear she was related to Xie Qingci. They really had similar features.

Xie Qingci stepped forward, greeting her with a cool and indifferent, "Mom."

Xu Yan looked him up and down, seeming surprised at how much her son had changed in the two years since they last met. But she quickly shifted her attention to Yu Xia, smiling as she reached to take the suitcase from Yu Xia’s hands.

"Is this Xiaxia? Was the journey tiring? Come in and have a seat first."

Her words were unhurried and carried the weight of a well-educated woman, making one unconsciously want to sit up straight and listen to her, doing as she said.

Yu Xia removed her mask and smiled, greeting, "Hello, Auntie."

Xie Qingci held her hand and adjusted her scarf.

"Let’s go inside; it’s cold outside."

Xu Yan led the way, pushing Yu Xia’s suitcase and occasionally turning back to chat with her.

"It’s a bit chilly today; sit down and have some warm water first. We’ve prepared a room for you upstairs. Later, Ci will show you up." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

She subtly raised an eyebrow, noting that Xie Qingci was called Ci at home.

As they walked into the living room, someone emerged from the kitchen.

Slightly lean, with glasses giving off a scholarly elegance, but with a slight furrow in the brow, adding a touch of seriousness.

Xie Qingci closely resembled him in appearance, but their temperaments differed vastly.

"Back, are we? Looking a bit sturdier now."

"Dad," Xie Qingci greeted just as coolly, shaking the hand he was holding lightly before making the introduction, "this is my girlfriend, Yu Xia."

"Hello, Uncle." Yu Xia greeted, her demeanor poised and confident.

Xie Yin nodded, his tone noticeably milder, "Make yourself at home, let Xie Qingci show you around."

Their gazes didn’t linger too long on her, they instead glanced at Xie Qingci a few more times.

It really seemed like "the biological daughter brought an interloping son-in-law to visit" in their eyes.

After a brief meeting and exchanging a few pleasantries over gifts, Xie Qingci played the role of a waiter, silently moving their luggage inside, pouring her a cup of hot water, before pulling her upstairs.

"Why don’t you stay downstairs a bit longer?" she asked softly while climbing the stairs.

"Nothing worth staying for, let me show you your room, real lady of the house."

He opened the door to his room, which had been transformed from a simple boy’s room into a girl’s bedroom. A single layer of white sheer curtain billowed softly in the wind, letting in sunlight that was gentle and not glaring.

"There’s a water cup prepared for you on the desk," he said, scanning the room before picking up the cup, with his back leaning against the desk, then lazily added, "It’s got little stars on it. I think their decor taste is stuck in the ’family with middle school kids’ phase."

"I think it looks quite nice."

She stepped forward lightly and hugged his waist, looking up to ask in a gentle voice, "It’s been a while since you’ve seen them, why not say a few more words? You don’t seem very enthusiastic."

He continued to twirl the cup between his fingers, as if bored.

"There’s nothing much to say, not like when I was a kid."

"You’re silent and they’re too; are you just going to coexist as housemates these days? I’m here to meet the parents, not the housemates."

She poked his arm with her finger, adding, "I noticed they were really looking at you, maybe they think you’ve changed a lot? Hmm — you have changed a bit."

As she spoke, her hand traced along his face, following the line of his jaw.

His features were sharper, growing from a boy into a man. While others still enjoyed laughter in their college ivory tower, he had already stepped into the working world, making him more mature than peers his age.

And more attractive.

Xie Qingci caught her fingertips, bringing them to his lips for a kiss, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Thanks to you."

Yu Xia pressed her fingertip against his lips, "My credit, huh, then say thank you and let me hear it."

"Oh, thank you, sister."

The way he said it really made her want to tease him.

She laughed inexplicably and pulled her hand free, snatching the starry cup from his other hand.

"I realize, your features strongly resemble Auntie, while your eyes, nose, and mouth are like Uncle’s. You’ve inherited well; no wonder you’re so good-looking. Does Auntie always call you Ci?"

Xie Qingci murmured an "Mm."

"Ci —" she mused aloud, "how does Uncle call you? Just now he directly called you Xie Qingci."

"That’s just how he addresses me directly. It’s rare when he calls my name, usually he uses it when he wants something done."

She leaned in to whisper, "Seems kind of stern."

"Not really, he’s quite easygoing. It’s just the time spent at home is limited, so calling other names might feel strange."

Ultimately, it boils down to the limited time spent together, causing a lack of closeness in father-son and mother-son relationships.

Yu Xia wanted to comfort him, but before she could speak, he leaned in and whispered in her ear,

"You calling me Ci is the best. Can you say it again?"