Xu Yecheng turned on his computer, then remembered he still had online courses to complete.
He sighed, tidied his desk a bit, and logged into his MOOC account.
The hairdryer’s hum from the bathroom faded. He Xiaohan stepped out just as his phone rang—a jazzy tune that Xu Yecheng found oddly catchy.
Xu watched him pick up the call.
The light in He Xiaohan’s eyes softened instantly.
“What’s up?” He Xiaohan sat down, gazing out the floor-to-ceiling window at the clear, azure sky.
“Yeah, it’s been ages… How have you been? I’m doing well.”
His clear voice deepened slightly, rippling like gentle waves.
Xu Yecheng frowned, curious about who He Xiaohan was talking to.
He Xiaohan took a bite of his rye steamed bun, sipped soy milk, and Xu Yecheng stood up to open the window.
Xu Yecheng put on headphones, minimized the lecture video, and opened Bilibili.
...
He Xiaohan swiped his ID card to leave. He wore an all-white outfit: a pure white T-shirt printed with light blue letters, and white shorts edged with a hint of green.
Sunlight poured over his cool, porcelain-like skin. The eye-catching white ensemble drew many glances.
“Hey, classmate! Can I add your WeChat?” A girl appeared with her friend, stepping into He Xiaohan’s view.
He Xiaohan smiled charmingly.
“Sorry, I’m taken.”
His voice stayed calm, yet carried a touch of summer heat.
“Oh… I see. Sorry to bother you.” The girl’s face flushed red, and she hurried away with her friend.
He Xiaohan entered the subway station. After a fifteen-minute ride, he walked to a fruit shop on the street and bought some cherries, oranges, and green grapes—all her favorites.
He paid, then headed into a residential compound. Familiar with the route, he found the innermost building and took the elevator upstairs.
He stopped at a door and knocked.
“Coming!” a woman’s voice called from inside.
The door opened after a moment. The woman wore thin pajamas, her hair in a messy bun. Her pretty face showed clear exhaustion.
“You actually came.” Her expression brightened with surprise.
They looked the same age, but her demeanor held a different weight than He Xiaohan’s.
He Xiaohan smiled warmly. “You said you wanted me to visit.” He handed over the fruit bag. “Here, I brought you some.”
The woman took it happily. “Thanks~”
She fetched him slippers.
“Come in quickly.”
As she spoke, a baby’s cry echoed from inside.
A flicker of helplessness crossed He Xiaohan’s face. He slipped off his shoes and entered. The woman dashed into the bedroom.
“Shh, shh… what’s wrong, sweetie?” He saw her cradle the infant, cooing softly.
He Xiaohan walked from the bedroom doorway to the living room. His eyes swept over the space—a man’s clothes on the sofa, a crib in the corner, photos on the wall. Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing a potted succulent. He Xiaohan stared at it, his gaze growing distant.
The woman was Shu Tingyun, twenty years old, He Xiaohan’s peer.
Shu Tingyun carried the baby out and sat beside him.
“Little Su’s been so fussy lately.” She sighed wearily.
He Xiaohan’s eyes settled on the infant’s calm face. Her wide, dark eyes stared back. As he looked at her, he saw Shu Tingyun’s features reflected.
Xu Wensu, nestled in Shu Tingyun’s arms, gazed curiously at He Xiaohan, her eyes slightly red-rimmed.
Little Wensu grinned at him, tiny white buds of baby teeth visible.
A small smile curved He Xiaohan’s lips.
“She looks just like you.”
Shu Tingyun chuckled and poked the baby’s nose.
“She’s all smiles now, but this little troublemaker drives me crazy.”
Wensu let out a soft “Ya!” and waved her tiny hands.
He Xiaohan blinked.
“Give her your hand,” Shu Tingyun said.
He Xiaohan reached out. Wensu grabbed his finger with surprising strength for her size.
“That’s your uncle’s hand,” Shu Tingyun murmured gently.
A trace of pity flickered in He Xiaohan’s eyes.
She no longer resisted the little life in her arms.
Watching mother and child, He Xiaohan felt a wave of emotion.
The girl who once declared she’d marry him was now another man’s wife.
He Xiaohan exhaled quietly.
“How have you been lately?” he asked.
“Okay, I guess. Little Wensu just cries all night.” Shu Tingyun tilted her head, looking utterly helpless.
“How’s university life?” she asked next.
“Fine. Lots of interesting people.” He Xiaohan’s harmless smile returned.
“Got a girlfriend?” Shu Tingyun’s expression turned delicate.
“No.” He Xiaohan paused. “What about your plans?”
Shu Tingyun’s face clouded with worry.
She stared at Xu Wensu in her arms, her brow furrowing tightly.
“I hate this home. I never liked that man.” Her lips pressed thin, her voice trembling with suppressed hurt.
“But I can’t support Wensu alone if I leave him.”
Wensu blinked up at her mother’s strained face, reaching a tiny hand toward her cheek.
“The best choice now is to stay put,” He Xiaohan said firmly. “Wensu needs a whole family. We’ve come this far.”
“He Xiaohan, I’m so tired. I have dreams. Things I want to do.” Shu Tingyun’s voice cracked.
He Xiaohan glanced at the smiling baby in her arms, pity deepening in his eyes.
“Wait until Wensu’s older. Then chase what you want.” He Xiaohan’s tone was gentle.
“Can we ever go back to how we were?”
He Xiaohan froze for a moment, then offered a polite smile.
“Not really.”
