In the blink of an eye, the final week of August arrived, and the rare long holiday was almost over.
When Zhou Wu finished his video call with his maternal grandfather and came out, Qin Yun was sprawled across the sofa in his living room, staring blankly into space.
The moment he saw Zhou Wu, Qin Yun sprang upright.
“So? Horse riding this afternoon? Racing? Hey, why don’t we go skydiving?”
“No. I have plans.”
Without looking at him, Zhou Wu turned from the study and entered his bedroom.
“You’re going to the library again?”
Qin Yun was speechless.
“Bro, I’m not trying to criticise you, but who pursues someone like this? Going to the library every day?”
“If you’re chasing a woman, shouldn’t you at least take her skiing in Japan, go shopping, or spend a holiday in New Zealand?”
Zhou Wu’s lazy voice came from the bedroom.
“Have you managed to get hold of Dou Yiqing these past few days?”
Qin Yun, who had been left on read for three consecutive days and blocked twice by Dou Yiqing:
“…”
“I genuinely don’t understand these teachers.”
Qin Yun became increasingly agitated and sat upright.
“They earn only a few thousand yuan a month, so why are they working this hard? Every time I call, she’s preparing lessons, attending meetings or making some class planning chart.”
“She doesn’t even go to the library. She stays busy at home.”
“I said fine, I’d lower myself and go to her house to keep her company, but she told me to get lost.”
“This is how she treats me after sleeping with me? Doesn’t this count as abandoning someone after getting what she wanted? Would the police handle something like this?”
“I don’t know. I certainly won’t.”
Zhou Wu emerged after changing his clothes, his black backpack hanging loosely from one shoulder.
He said coldly, “Before you leave, check Yeye’s dog food. Add more if he’s running low. Goodbye.”
“Wait, why are you dressed like that again?”
Qin Yun stared at Zhou Wu’s T-shirt and cargo trousers, unable to adjust to the sight.
Although Zhou Wu had always dressed casually, he had never worn so many light colours before.
“And you’re carrying a schoolbag?!”
Zhou Wu pulled out a pair of trainers and put them on.
Remembering the man who had tried to speak to Wen Ci, he sneered.
“The place is full of male university students. How could I not dress like this?”
Qin Yun:
“…”
Did someone with that face genuinely need to worry about such things?
Qin Yun was impressed.
He raised his head.
“Wait for me. I’ll come with you. It must be boring with only the two of you sitting there.”
“Wen Ci will be busy working and won’t talk to you, so I can keep you—”
The merciless sound of a door closing answered him.
…
At their usual spot in the library, Zhou Wu casually flipped through a book.
One arm rested over the back of Wen Ci’s chair, while an earphone hung from his left ear. Wen Ci had shared it with him, and an online public lecture played through it.
A faint fragrance drifted closer.
Wen Ci leaned backwards and turned towards him, her back pressing softly against his arm.
With school about to begin, the library had become busier.
Afraid of disturbing other people, they had to lean close whenever they spoke.
Wen Ci had the same concern as Qin Yun.
“Do you find this boring? You really don’t need to keep me company.”
Zhou Wu did not find it boring.
On the contrary, it was interesting.
He had discovered that Wen Ci was not actually that quiet while preparing lessons or reading.
Whenever she encountered something difficult, she bit her pen, bit her thumb or pressed the end of her pen beneath her nose, pushing it upwards.
At first, she had been conscious of him watching.
After Zhou Wu imitated her twice, Wen Ci had shaken with suppressed laughter before abandoning all restraint and continuing her unattractive study habits.
Sometimes, she went into the lounge to attend meetings with other teachers from her school.
Zhou Wu followed her there too and shared one earphone as usual.
Occasionally, he commented that a teacher’s Mandarin was not standard.
At other times, he identified a school leader who had caught him skipping classes when they previously worked in the high-school department.
He would even tell Wen Ci to turn on her microphone because he wanted to catch up with the leader.
As a result, whenever it was Wen Ci’s turn to speak, she first had to cover Zhou Wu’s mouth before smiling and turning on her microphone to answer.
After spending the afternoon in the library, they would go to dinner.
For the first two days, Zhou Wu booked expensive restaurants.
Wen Ci insisted on splitting the bill with him.
Helpless, Zhou Wu eventually agreed that they would alternate paying for meals.
Wen Ci took him to a private restaurant hidden deep inside Shen Alley, where the food tasted no worse than the meals served at those estate banquets.
Zhou Wu did not answer her question.
Instead, he asked, “Why are you dressed like this today?”
Wen Ci looked down at the oversized brown sweatshirt she wore.
“Didn’t you say you liked it when I wore your clothes?”
“…”
He did like it.
It made him feel that Wen Ci’s entire body carried his scent, satisfying a possessiveness he found difficult to admit.
Besides, when the clothes were this loose, it was easy to slip a hand underneath.
Sometimes, he asked Wen Ci to hold the hem for him.
Even when she had already been touched until she could barely think, she would still raise trembling hands and roll the fabric upwards, piling it beneath her neck until it covered half her face.
Everything had felt good during the days Zhou Wu spent pursuing her, except—
He lowered his eyes.
His gaze rested on Wen Ci’s lips for several seconds.
His throat moved before he looked away and patted her hair.
With a sigh, he said, “Listen to the lecture, Teacher Wen.”
By the time they left the library, it was already dusk.
The golden sun sank westward while fiery clouds spread across the sky.
Wen Ci entered the car and fastened her seat belt.
After connecting to the car’s Bluetooth, she was about to start the navigation towards the restaurant when a message appeared first.
Mother Wen had sent her a voice message and a location.
Her voice sounded throughout the car.
“Come here for dinner tonight.”
Wen Ci typed:
**Mum, didn’t I say I was having dinner with colleagues tonight?**
Mother Wen replied again.
“Colleague dinners happen often. You can attend next time.”
“Tonight’s meal is more important.”
“Mum knows this is sudden. Explain it to your colleagues. They’ll understand.”
Holding her phone, Wen Ci turned towards Zhou Wu apologetically.
Zhou Wu lifted his chin and said lazily, “Start the navigation. Your colleague will drive you there.”
After dropping Wen Ci near the restaurant, Zhou Wu did not immediately leave.
He loosened the brake and slowly followed behind her until he saw her enter.
The restaurant had floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
As Zhou Wu drove past, he casually glanced inside, curious to see what kind of lively family dinner had forced her to cancel plans with her colleagues.
After only one look, he stepped on the brake.
The car jolted and stopped where it was.
…
“Hello. You must be Wen Ci?”
The man stood and extended his left hand.
“My name is Zuo Cheng. Auntie Li introduced us.”
“…”
Only after Mother Wen led her to the assigned table did Wen Ci realise that something was wrong.
It was already too late to leave.
She shook his hand.
“Hello.”
“Please sit. You’re even prettier than your photograph—”
“I’m sorry.”
Wen Ci interrupted and apologised.
“My mother arranged this without asking me. I didn’t know, and I have no intention of going on a blind date.”
“I may have wasted your time.”
Zuo Cheng froze, then smiled.
“It’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with making another friend.”
“I ordered a set meal for two, and I can’t finish it alone. Sit down and eat with me.”
Wen Ci glanced at the order beside the table.
It genuinely was a meal for two and had not been cheap.
After hesitating, she nodded.
“All right.”
Despite what he said, Zuo Cheng continued steering the conversation towards romantic territory throughout the meal.
Wen Ci either gave a perfunctory smile or nod, or ignored him completely.
“You could get to know me better before deciding so quickly.”
Zuo Cheng smiled.
“Think about it a little more. I was also planning to visit your home in a few days.”
“My father and your father have known each other since they were young—”
“I’m not considering it.”
Seeing that he was speaking endlessly and becoming increasingly enthusiastic, Wen Ci simply said,
“I already have someone I like. I’m sorry.”
“That’s impossible.”
Zuo Cheng smiled.
“Auntie said you’ve worked hard at your studies since childhood and rarely speak to men—”
“It’s true. The clothes I’m wearing belong to him.”
“…”
Zuo Cheng looked at the sweatshirt, which clearly did not fit her, and frowned.
“You have a boyfriend? Then why did your family contact me?”
“He isn’t my boyfriend. I only like him secretly. My family doesn’t know.”
“Then why do you have his clothes?”
“…”
Wen Ci touched her nose and began inventing a story.
“Actually, he’s my ex-boyfriend.”
“But I still like him very much and have absolutely no intention of beginning another relationship.”
“So… I’m sorry.”
Anyone her family arranged for her to meet would naturally be a decent match.
After hearing her explanation, Zuo Cheng nodded with dignity and said he understood.
He did not make any more inappropriate remarks.
They finished eating quickly and summoned a server to pay.
With a complicated expression, the server informed them that the guest who had been seated at the table behind them had already settled their bill.
Wen Ci’s phone vibrated.
She looked down.
**Zhou Wu: Waiting outside for you, ex-girlfriend.**
Wen Ci:
“…”
…
When Wen Ci left the restaurant, Zhou Wu was leaning against a tree, whistling towards a stray cat by his feet.
The cat was not afraid of people at all and affectionately rubbed against his leg.
Hearing her approach, Zhou Wu raised his eyes.
He looked as though he wanted to smile.
“My turn now?”
“…Sorry. I didn’t know it was a blind date.”
“I know.”
Zhou Wu glanced at the completely dark sky.
“Want to take a walk and digest dinner?”
A lake lay not far beyond the restaurant.
Some people were running around it, while elderly residents danced together in the square.
Neither of them had genuinely come to walk.
They found a quieter area and sat on a bench.
Wen Ci lowered her head and messaged her mother, clearly expressing that she would not attend any blind dates.
When she looked up again, the man beside her sat lazily with his arms folded, chin slightly raised as he stared carelessly at the night sky.
Wen Ci also looked upwards.
The sky was pitch-black without a single star.
Seeing her imitate him and stare blankly upwards, Zhou Wu laughed.
“Ask what I’m thinking.”
Wen Ci asked, “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking…”
He spoke slowly.
“How did I become your ex-boyfriend before I’ve even managed to win you over?”
“…”
Wen Ci fell silent for a moment, then admitted frankly,
“I was lying.”
She had been busy preparing for the new school term recently and spent every day with her head lowered.
Her neck felt slightly sore.
Wen Ci habitually tilted it backwards.
When she straightened again, a hand appeared behind her neck.
Zhou Wu casually massaged it, speaking as though making ordinary conversation.
“Do you think there’s any way to make your mother arrange a blind date between us?”
Wen Ci remained silent for several seconds before politely asking,
“How many times did she catch you climbing over the school wall and skipping PE or art classes?”
Zhou Wu also fell silent.
His expression became slightly unpleasant.
“Eight times out of ten.”
“She originally wanted to expel Qin Yun and me together.”
“Fortunately, my grandfather had some connections. Otherwise, I might not even have finished high school.”
Wen Ci:
“…”
“If I’d known back then that I would eventually pursue her daughter—”
“You wouldn’t have skipped class?”
“I would have climbed faster.”
“…”
The neck beneath his hand began trembling faintly.
Wen Ci shook with laughter and leaned towards the other side.
Zhou Wu laughed too and caught her by the neck, pulling her back.
Half leaning against him, Wen Ci raised her eyes.
The night breeze was gentle.
Under the warm yellow streetlamp, Zhou Wu’s hair moved across his forehead.
The lines of his profile were neat and sharp, and a careless smile rested on his face.
For a moment, Wen Ci remembered Zhou Wu in high school.
He would lean sleepily against the corridor wall.
Whenever the students nearby discussed something interesting, he smiled in exactly the same way.
Occasionally, when he noticed her gaze, he would glance towards her—
Just like now.
His hand still rested against her neck.
Their skin felt faintly hot.
Zhou Wu’s palm was large enough to hold any part of her body with ease.
His lowered gaze was dark and deep.
His head tilted slightly, carrying an openly seductive air.
Wen Ci’s heartbeat collided with the distant rhythm of the square-dancing music.
It took her no more than three seconds to take the bait.
Heat filled both their eyes.
She raised her chin and moved closer.
Zhou Wu’s faint breath brushed against her lips.
They were about to touch.
“Teacher Wen.”
Zhou Wu suddenly spoke.
He did not move away.
Dragging out his words, he slowly asked,
“Kissing me before we’ve even confirmed our relationship doesn’t seem appropriate, does it?”
“I’m not such a casual man.”
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