There seemed to be a light drizzle in the middle of the night.

The cold wind beat on the windows, giving off an endless chill.

Song Fengwan had drunk too much water last night. If she hadn’t woken up from the urge to urinate, she probably would have slept until late in the morning. She crawled out of bed and made her way to the bathroom by groping around. She was in a daze the whole way…

Only when she turned on the tap to wash her hands did the cool water wake her up. She opened her eyes to look at the person in the mirror…

Why is my mouth…

In an instant, she recalled the half-true, half-false dream last night.

She reached out to touch the corner of her lips. It was a little painful.

She had dreamed about Fu Chen many times, and there had been some indescribable scenes. But such a situation had never happened when she woke up the next day before.

She splashed her face with water, and the memories of what had happened last night surfaced intermittently. Fu Chen had said a lot of stuff to her. Although she couldn’t remember the complete sentences, she did have a few deep impressions.

Stumbling around, she ran out of the room, took out her phone, and started searching Baidu for Mang Ke’s poem.

The dream was a virtual mirror created in her mind. She didn’t even know about this person Mang Ke, so how could she know his poem? Her fingers trembled as she typed a few words. Soon, the complete content of the poem ‘A City’ popped up on the web page…

The poem on Fu Chen’s phone wallpaper jumped out.

Everything that happened last night…

… wasn’t a dream.

Song Fengwan dropped onto the bed. Her fingers gripping onto her phone were slightly hot.

Many images flashed through her mind intermittently. They were absolutely shocking.

Her heart was in turmoil.

All things happened with some signs. When she thought about how she had interacted with Fu Chen over the past two months, she realized that they were indeed much more intimate than ordinary people.

Even the basic hand-holding and hugging had happened many times between them under different circumstances, and he always liked to tease her. This degree of interaction had obviously crossed the line, and he had lost his sense of propriety.

Fu Chen was Fu Yuxiu’s uncle. Sometimes, when she thought about the connection, she selfishly thought that she might be imagining things.

This was because Fu Chen could always control his behavior well and restrain himself.

No one could find the slightest fault.

But Song Fengwan could no longer deceive herself with mere dreams…

Fu Chen likes me?

She repeatedly confirmed this in her heart, but she didn’t seem to be as resistant to it as she had thought. It wasn’t hard to accept.

She lay on the bed, her chest burning up…

She was at a loss and didn’t know what to do next.

***

It was not until Qiao Xiyan came to knock on her door that she abruptly jumped out of bed. She licked her lips and felt inexplicably guilty. She only opened the door after a long time.

“Why are you so slow?” Although Qiao Xiyan had drunk too much last night, it didn’t affect him at all the next day. He was wearing an exquisite three-piece suit and had a cold expression.

“I just woke up and had to tidy up. Girls are a bit slow.” Song Fengwan moved aside to let him in.

After Qiao Xiyan entered, he glanced at the pile of review materials on the table. “You even studied after coming back yesterday?”

“For a while.” Song Fengwan sat down on the bed, her guilty heart thumping.

When she returned last night, she had indeed read for a while. Later, she fell asleep due to exhaustion. She got thirsty in the middle of the night and went downstairs to drink water, and then…

“Pack your things. We’ll go back in the afternoon,” Qiao Xiyan said casually.

Actually, he could have slept more since he had been drunk last night.

But at five in the morning, the sound of wooden fish knocking and chanting sutras came from next door.

It kept going on and on.

It was so noisy that his head hurt.

He wanted to kick Huai Sheng’s door open and beat him up.

Actually, Qiao Xiyan was not a good-tempered person. When he was in his teens, he had been young and frivolous and also recalcitrant. Although he had grown up with a carving knife and was interested in this craft, he had only become obsessed with carving when he was around sixteen years old, which toned down his temper.

His temperament became reserved at the time.

If this little monk had met his old self, he would have thrown him out the window.

“In the afternoon?” Song Fengwan bit her lip, her heart thumping uneasily. “Cousin, it’s Christmas today.”

“What’s there to celebrate on a Western holiday? Besides, it’s not like Christmas is only celebrated in the capital.” The Qiao family was traditional. Other than traditional festivals, they never celebrated foreign festivals.

“But…” Song Fengwan lowered her head and stared at her slippers. “How long will it take to get home if we leave in the afternoon?”

“We’ll probably arrive at around seven or eight in the evening. Aunt said that she’ll wait for us for dinner. After eating, we can rest. There are still four days left until the exam, so you can also review for the final spurt.”

The time for the art examination in Yuncheng was just before New Year’s Day. The various provinces were different. In some places, the art examination had already ended, and Yuncheng was considered late.

“Have you discussed it with Third Master?”

Qiao Xiyan suddenly raised his eyebrows, his handsome and cold brows furrowing slightly. When he looked at Song Fengwan, there was a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.

“Why…” Song Fengwan felt a chill run down her spine. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I told him a few days ago that we would be returning soon. As for the specific time, we can set it ourselves. Why should I discuss it with him?”

As a straightforward person, Qiao Xiyan felt that his cousin was acting abnormally today.

She was being coy.

Song Fengwan had nearly forgotten that her cousin had always been someone who did whatever he wanted.

“Besides, what does it have to do with him if I take you back? You can simply go say goodbye to him later. Don’t tell me he won’t let us leave, and you won’t go back for the exam either?”

“That’s not what I meant.” Song Fengwan twisted her fingers together. Her cousin was too sharp and keen.

“By the way, what happened to your mouth? Why is it swollen after a night?” Qiao Xiyan raised an eyebrow.

Song Fengwan’s breathing was erratic, and her heart raced…

“I got up to drink water last night. My head was dizzy, and I accidentally got scalded by hot water. My mouth was about to be burned off…” She hurriedly came up with a lie.

Last night…

She didn’t dare think about it again.

“Be careful in the future. Okay, hurry and pack up. I won’t disturb you anymore. We’ll go back after lunch.” Qiao Xiyan knew that his cousin was obedient, so he didn’t expect her to lie to him.

As soon as Qiao Xiyan left, her body went slack, and she reached out to cover her face.

Oh no…

Why do I keep thinking about it?

Song Fengwan, why are you so…

… shameless.

***

Song Fengwan packed her things simply in boxes and then walked downstairs softly, afraid that she would meet Fu Chen.

She wasn’t mentally prepared and didn’t know how to face him.

While she walked downstairs distraught with anxiety, Uncle Nian said to her, “Third Master took Huai Sheng to the school to settle the paperwork. He’ll probably be back at noon.”

“Okay.” Song Fengwan tugged at her clothes and heaved a sigh of relief but also felt a little disappointed.

“Wanwan, are you done packing?” When Qiao Xiyan went downstairs, he was still wearing the long trench coat he wore the other day. He was cold and lean, giving off a cold vibe.

Song Fengwan nodded. She didn’t bring many things with her when she came here, so she didn’t need to pack much.

“I’m going to visit Old Master Fu and Old Madam Fu later. You can come out with me now to buy some things and then go over directly.” Qiao Xiyan greeted Uncle Nian and walked out.

Song Fengwan returned to her room to get her bag and followed him out.

She was a little distracted along the way.

In the past few years, the festive atmosphere of Christmas had been getting stronger and stronger. The streets were exceptionally lively, but she wasn’t interested at all.

***

Old Fu residence…

Qiao Xiyan and Song Feng arrived at the old residence late, and it was already past ten in the morning. Uncle Zhong led them in and kept saying, “You didn’t have to bring gifts. You’re too polite.”

“This is what we should do.” Qiao Xiyan’s face remained cold.

After the two entered the house, they found that there were guests in the Fu residence.

“Yo, Little Sister Song.” Duan Linbai jumped up from the sofa with a smile. “Why are you here?”

“Hello, Grandpa Fu, Grandma Fu.” Song Fengwan greeted the two elders before calling out, “Big Brother Duan.”

Besides the three people in the living room, there was also a middle-aged man she hadn’t seen before. He was mature and steady, and his nose and mouth resembled Duan Linbai’s. The two of them were also sitting together, so he had to be his father.

“Hello, Uncle.”

“Mhm.” The man nodded in response. Upon seeing his son’s silly smiling face, he took another look at Song Fengwan.

Although Duan Linbai got along well with others, he wasn’t very keen on the opposite sex. He only knew how to talk endlessly and was satisfied with just this.

“It’s fine so long as the two of you come. Why did you bring so many things?” Old Madam Fu pulled Song Fengwan to sit beside her. “I felt that you just came to our house. Why are you leaving? I really can’t bear to part with you.”

“I’ll come see you when I’m free.” Song Fengwan smiled.

“You children like to say such things to fool me. Everyone says that they’ll go home often, but you’re all so busy…”

Song Fengwan smiled awkwardly.

“You and Xiyan should stay here for dinner later. I’ll get someone to inform Third Son.”

At the mention of Fu Chen, Song Fengwan felt her heart go into turmoil again.

She nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Qiao Xiyan was sitting beside Old Master Fu. Their conversation topic was nothing other than his father.

Song Fengwan looked at the Duan father and son opposite her, lowered her voice, and approached Old Madam Fu. “Grandma Fu, you have guests. Why don’t you greet them first?”

It would be rude to keep them waiting.

“It’s all right. Our families are too familiar with each other. We’re like a family. We don’t care about those things.” Old Madam Fu held her hand.

She sighed. This child is really sensible. Fu Yuxiu is stupid and without this good fortune. He was deceived by that girl with a few words and will suffer in the future.

“By the way, Xiyan, you came at a good time.” Old Madam Fu suddenly thought of something and smiled at Qiao Xiyan.

A bad feeling arose in Qiao Xiyan’s heart.

“Little Bai is here to discuss blind dates. I’ve found a lot of good young ladies for him. You can come along and take a look as well. If there’s anyone suitable, I’ll arrange for you to meet them when you’re free.”

The corners of Qiao Xiyan’s lips stiffened instantly. “It might not be convenient for me since I live in Suzhou.”

“What’s so inconvenient about that? Transportation is so developed nowadays. Come to think of it. It can be done in less than five minutes.

“If this succeeds, she might not be willing to go back with me.” Qiao Xiyan kept wanting to find excuses to dodge the issue.

“I’ll definitely inform her in advance about this. The young lady will only meet you if she’s willing to marry far away. In the future, if the two of you fall in love, who knows? You might even want to settle down in the capital. It’s not set in stone yet. Why are you thinking so far ahead?”

Old Madam Fu was glib-tongued, so how could a ‘clumsy-tongued’ person like Qiao Xiyan be her match?

“Look, there are many photos. Take a look with Little Bai first.”

Qiao Xiyan hadn’t expected that one day, he would actually end up in the same situation as this dimwit Duan Linbai.

But Duan Linbai started to take pleasure in his misfortune. It was better to have someone suffer with him than to be alone.

***

While the two were looking at the photos, Song Fengwan kept talking to Old Madam Fu.

About ten minutes later, there was the sound of a car outside. Uncle Zhong smiled. “Third Master and Huai Sheng must be here.”

Song Fengwan’s heart skipped a beat.

In less than two minutes, Fu Chen appeared at the door, holding Huai Sheng’s hand. He greeted Duan Linbai’s father before taking out a pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet and handing them to Huai Sheng.

“Huai Sheng, let Grandma take a look.” Old Madam Fu liked children. When she saw Huai Sheng, she hurried over.

Song Fengwan was a little lonely now.

She held a glass and drank the half-cold tea, not daring to look up at Fu Chen.

Suddenly, the middle-aged man opposite her said to her, “You’re Old Master Qiao’s granddaughter, right?” His words were meticulous and artfully selected. He didn’t mention the Song family and only focused on the Qiao family.

“Yes,” Song Fengwan answered politely.

“Are you familiar with our Linbai?”

“Well enough.”

“Do you have any hobbies?”

“Just reading and drawing.” As a senior in high school, what else could she do other than these things?

“What a coincidence. Our Linbai likes to read too. He used to study classical music, and you know how to draw. Both of you are in the arts.”

Duan Linbai was dumbfounded. What is Dad doing?

“Hehe, is that so?” Song Fengwan lowered her head and drank her tea. She wasn’t stupid. This uncle had been staring at her since a while ago. She had not thought much of it at first, but why was he now…

“Our Linbai is twenty-six this year and hasn’t been in a relationship yet. He has an entertainment company and a few entertainment media companies under his name. He has a lot of savings and many cars. He has three houses in the capital and a villa overseas…”

“Dad! What nonsense are you spouting?!” Duan Linbai was so frightened that he was stupefied.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Fu Chen. The latter was taking off his coat slowly, and his expression was piercingly cold…

Dad, you are f*cking pushing me into a fire pit?

“Uncle, I’m still a student…” At this moment, everyone’s eyes were on her. She didn’t know if Fu Chen was looking at her, but she felt inexplicably guilty.

“A student is fine. Our Linbai has no intention of getting married at the moment. You can interact first and give it a try.”

“Dad!” Duan Linbai was infuriated and ran over to stop him.

“I saw you being intimate with this young lady just now. You call each other little sister and big brother. I’ve never seen you so attentive and flattering to a girl before. If you don’t take the initiative, I’ll help you, alright?”

“It’s not like that at all. You’re overthinking it.” Duan Linbai wanted to cry but had no tears. She was the person Fu Chen liked, and Fu Chen was vengeful. It was very important to please her and cozy up to her.

His father was deliberately getting him into trouble! She’s my f*cking future sister-in-law.

“Yes, Uncle. Big Brother Duan and I are ordinary friends,” Song Fengwan explained as well.

“Do you look down on our Linbai?” Father Duan seemed unwilling to give up.

“No, Big Brother Duan is very good. I just don’t have the intention now.”

“Then when will you have such intentions?”

Song Fengwan simply wanted to cry. What kind of logic is that?

“Dad, it’s really not like that. I don’t like her at all. You’re really overthinking things…”

Qiao Xiyan didn’t expect this family would suddenly point their target at his cousin. When he regained his senses, he helped her reject them.

“Mr. Duan, I’m really sorry. My sister is still young. Besides, many things have happened recently. She’s about to start taking her exams. She really shouldn’t be distracted by anything else…

“I’m really sorry.” Qiao Xiyan handled interpersonal relationships appropriately.

This person was his elder. If he was of the same generation and had designs on his cousin, Qiao Xiyan definitely would not treat him nicely.

“She is indeed young, but there’s no hurry. If you have the chance to come to the capital to play again, I’ll get Linbai to take you around…” Although he compromised because of what Qiao Xiyan said, it was obvious that he hadn’t given up.

“You were too sudden. Look at how scared she is.” Old Madam Fu smiled as she smoothed things over.

“That’s right, Dad! I really don’t have any feelings for her!” Duan Linbai’s words were meant for Fu Chen to hear.

“I just think that she’s pretty good. Her young age isn’t a problem either. There is just enough time to cultivate feelings…”

He had been observing Song Fengwan. Although she was young, she spoke and handled matters well. She was also good-looking, gentle, and well-behaved, which complemented his Linbai perfectly.

***

Upon hearing this, Song Fengwan finally heaved a sigh of relief…

Suddenly, she felt the sofa cave in, and she could smell a cool sandalwood fragrance.

Fu Chen had just come in from outside. There was a chill around him as he sat beside her. And his aura…

… was wet and cold.

His expression was fine, but Song Fengwan clearly felt that he was in a very bad mood.