At these words, Cheng Hao froze for a second, his expression shifting to utter disbelief.

"Dad... what... what’s going on?"

Cheng Hao did have an older sister—Tang Yuxiao, the only daughter of the Tang family who’d taken him in as a child.

But three years ago, she’d vanished without a trace. No messages, no contact. It was as if she’d evaporated into thin air.

Hearing about her now, straight from his father’s mouth, left him reeling. Words couldn’t capture the storm in his chest.

"It’s complicated. Let’s just say she made a bet with her father," Cheng’s dad said casually, sipping tea. He glanced up, studying Cheng Hao’s face. "What the bet was about? I’ll keep that to myself for now. Ask her yourself when she returns next month. But brace yourself."

"Brace myself for what?" Cheng Hao frowned.

"Nothing serious..." His father patted his shoulder, voice turning grave. "You’re eighteen now. An adult. I won’t guide you through every choice like I did when you were little. You’ll need to figure things out on your own."

"Dad, what are you really saying? Are you... sick?" Cheng Hao asked, half-joking with filial concern.

"You little rascal!" His father swatted his head. "Point is—I can’t help you with this. You decide your path. Whatever you choose... your mother and I will stand behind you."

Cheng Hao had never seen his father this solemn. He often wore a stern face, but today his tone carried a weight he’d never heard before—as if deliberately setting things in order.

"I understand, Dad," Cheng Hao replied. Though confused, he didn’t press further. Answers would come in time.

"Good. Trust your judgment." His father stood, ambling toward the door. "I’ve got an early flight tomorrow. Say hello to Zihan for me."

"Mhm."

And just like that, their talk ended.

...

Li Shiying was heading back to her dorm after accompanying her cousin Xu Kexin around Shanghai. They walked toward the crowded streets—only there could they hail a taxi this late. Kexin would be leaving soon.

But Shiying had been distracted all day. Lately, Cheng Hao kept drifting into her thoughts. And after seeing her father again... the raw emotion he’d shown her...

She only saw Cheng Hao as a friend. Never imagined anything more. Yet here she was, unable to shake thoughts of him.

Kexin shot her a sly look. "Daydreaming again? Pining for your little boyfriend?"

"I—I’m not! I was just—" Shiying cut herself off, eyes widening. "Huh? It’s him!"

"What?"

Shiying pointed excitedly at the bus stop across the street. "N-Nothing! I just spotted my... no, my friend!"

Fifty meters away on the pedestrian street, the crowd was thick. Kexin squinted until her eyes crossed but couldn’t spot anyone matching Shiying’s "boyfriend."

"How do you even see him in this mess?" Kexin grumbled.

"Sharp eyes!" Shiying chirped, already dashing off with her shopping bags. "Sorry, sis—I’ve gotta go!"

"So it *is* your boyfriend!" Kexin called after her.

The air hung heavy and humid, the sky bruised with impending rain. Cheng Hao had shed his jacket, slinging the light gray tee casually over his arm.

Then he saw her—a girl with a bouncing ponytail sprinting toward him across the road.

"Cheng Hao! Fancy meeting you here," Shiying beamed, her voice stretching sweet and soft like taffy.

He stared. "What are you doing here?"

She blinked. "My cousin’s visiting Shanghai. I was showing her around. Heading back to campus now."

Cheng Hao studied her face for a long moment before a faint smirk tugged his lips. "So you expect me to walk you back?"

Shiying tilted her chin up, grinning. "W-Well, I’m just a girl. It’s dangerous out here alone."

Cheng Hao: "... ..."

"Hey, are you taking a taxi back too?" she pressed.

As if on cue, a taxi pulled up nearby. Cheng Hao seized her wrist without a word, yanking her toward the door before anyone else could grab it.

The instant his palm touched hers, Shiying’s cheeks flushed crimson. Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird.

But she didn’t pull away. Let him hold on.

Once inside, Cheng Hao released her hand and turned. "I’ll drop you at campus first. It’s late—unsafe for girls. Though..." he added dryly, "with curfew, you might not get in. If not, I’ll book you a hotel room."

Shiying’s blush deepened. Fingers twisting together, she stammered, "Cheng Hao, isn’t this too fast? I believe in waiting until marriage. I mean—we’re not even dating! I can’t possibly agree to that!"

Cheng Hao: "... ..."

*Sigh.* This girl’s imagination rivaled Ye Zihan’s.

"You’re overthinking," he said flatly. "I meant booking a room *for you* with my ID. Curfew violations mean disciplinary action."

"Oh... oh! I’m so sorry!" Shiying wanted to vanish into the seat cushions.

"Why stay out so late just for shopping?"

She sighed, fiddling with her jacket zipper. "My cousin insisted. I couldn’t just bail on her."

"I see."

"Aren’t you heading back to the dorms?" she asked.

"Nah. I bought an apartment near campus. Easier when I’m out late."

He glanced at her. From his height, he could see the whorl at the crown of her head, soft hair bobbing with the car’s motion. His gaze drifted down—her flushed cheeks glistening with sweat, the unzipped school jacket revealing a floral blouse beneath. The top button undone, a sliver of pale collarbone visible... then lower, a glimpse of smooth skin.

Cheng Hao shifted his stance, shielding her in the empty corner between the door and handrail. Eyes fixed ahead, he said tonelessly, "Shiying. Zip your jacket up."

Shiying: "???"

Confused but obedient, she tugged the zipper to her throat.

"Higher."

She pulled again. Now it covered her neck.

Satisfied, Cheng Hao fell silent.

Shiying felt stifled.

But she endured it. For him.

She blinked up at him with wide eyes. "Hey, Cheng Hao—who lives with you? Just you?"

He nodded. "Who else would I live with?"

"Oh! I see..."

Thirty minutes later, Cheng Hao stepped out of the taxi.

Shiying followed, curiosity sparkling in her eyes as she scanned the quiet street.

"What’s this road called?" she asked. "Where’s your place?"

The unspoken *"Can I visit?"* died on her lips as Cheng Hao’s phone rang.

He pulled it out. His father’s name flashed on the screen.

*Why’s he calling so late? We just met.*

A prickle of unease shot through him. He answered anyway.