Guyen folded his arms in a dramatic way and gave a shiver. "I seriously had no idea, President Jiang. With you around, no AC needed in summer, huh."

"You don’t know plenty. Move."

"Okay, okay, I’m going, I’m going." Guyen walked to the entryway and put on his shoes. Suddenly he seemed to recall something and looked up at Jiang Juan.

"What else?" Jiang Juan arched a brow at him.

"Almost forgot." Guyen tossed both pieces of clothing over his shoulders, then lifted his hands and made a heart over his chest.

"Thanks for Brother Juan’s one coin. Thank you, Brother Juan. Brother Juan is generous!" He delivered it with full voice and expression, brimming with feeling.

Jiang Juan’s icy aloofness cracked like melting snow. His cold pale skin picked up a flush. His brows shot up, the corners of his eyes lifted. He opened his wallet, didn’t even look, pulled out a random fistful of bills, and flung them at Guyen. "Get out!"

"Hahahaha—" Guyen didn’t look back. He pushed the door and bolted outside. Inside, only Jiang Juan remained, and that annoying laughter ringing in his ears.

Jiang Juan clenched his teeth. He stared at the money scattered on the floor, face tight with regret. "Ah, so annoying. That lunatic."

Guyen stepped out of the apartment building. The sky was a flawless blue. He stretched lazily. "That was fun. How did I never realize Jiang Juan’s this entertaining?"

"Head back." He thought for a moment and decided to use that one yuan to buy a pack of latiao. As for the route, he’d walk home.

Guyen stood at the door, hesitating for a while. In the end he raised his hand and knocked. "I’m back."

No sound from inside. He knocked a few more times. "I’m back!"

Footsteps came from within, faint at first, then clear. The door opened. Before Guyen could say anything, Gu Yu’an turned and headed for the kitchen.

He scratched behind his ear, awkward, and craned his head toward the kitchen. Gu Yu’an was frying eggs in a skillet. At this hour she’s usually finished eating. No need to ask who this was for.

Guyen’s guilt deepened at the thought. He wanted to apologize. The words rose, but stuck.

"Wash your hands. Eat." While he wrestled with it, Gu Yu’an spoke first.

Mother and son, both prickly. When they argued, this was how they made peace. Others laughed and let grudges go. The two of them let a meal wash it away.

Guyen’s mouth hung slightly open. His usual briskness had vanished. The speech he drafted on the walk home was useless. He slunk into the bathroom to wash up.

He looked at the bruised face in the mirror and sighed. He lifted a hand and patted his lips twice. "You’re not much of a man."

"Forget it. Just don’t make her angry anymore." He wiped off with a towel and pushed the door open.

As he stepped out, he looked up and saw Gu Yu’an setting breakfast on the table. Two fried eggs, three steamed buns, and a bowl of tofu pudding from downstairs, slick with red chili oil.

He looked at her in profile. Still dazzling, as if yesterday hadn’t touched her. But the faint redness at the corner of her eyes gave away her fragility.

In a moment, a sour ache flooded his chest. His lips moved. He took a quick step forward and hugged Gu Yu’an from behind.

He felt the body in his arms go stiff. The familiar voice came to his ear. "What are you doing? Not hungry? Eat."

Guyen squeezed her tighter, then let go. All the words inside burst like a flood breaking a dam. "Mom, I’m sorry. I made you worry. I’m trash. I never meant to cause you trouble, or say those hurtful things."

"What are you talking about? I didn’t take it to heart. Okay, eat." Gu Yu’an didn’t turn around. She kept straightening utensils that were already straight.

"Really. I’ve never been wronged in my life. I don’t need that man. I have you, and that’s enough. You know me. I take after you—tongue-tied, stubborn. But, Mom, getting to be your son… that’s the best thing."

Hearing that, Gu Yu’an finally couldn’t hold back. Her shoulders trembled. She raised a hand and covered her mouth.

"Mom, I’m sorry. I love you!" From childhood to now, Guyen had never said that once. He often thought, a man, right? Honeyed words don’t matter. What matters is what you do.

But now he felt, if you care, say it out loud. Don’t save your coldest face for the person closest to you. It may be embarrassing. It may make you flinch. You won’t regret it.

"What are you doing? I just finished my makeup. I’m going out later. Why say this now?" Gu Yu’an turned to look at Guyen. Her face was already streaked with tears. Her eyeshadow was a mess, yet on her pretty features it somehow looked endearing.

"Okay, no more crying." Guyen reached out and wiped the tears at her eye corners.

Gu Yu’an didn’t speak. She kept sobbing, hiccups breaking through.

"I said, stop crying!" Guyen raised his voice, then tilted his head back a little and stared at the ceiling.

"So annoying. You’re making me want to cry too."