“Today was really fun. I feel so much less stressed.”

“Your grades shouldn’t worry you. Don’t overthink it.”

“Mm-hmm, I won’t. Gotta go shower now.”

“Okay.”

The phone screen flickered before Su Yu’s eyes. He took one last glance, powered it off, and set it on the desk.

They’d sneaked out of school, bought snacks, and wandered freely outside. Barely making it back ten minutes before class ended—luckily, no teacher noticed their escape.

What felt ordinary to Su Yu and Chen Kai left Xia Qian'ge tense. She trailed silently behind him the whole way, torn between fear of getting caught and the thrill of something new.

Growing up slowly tames human nature. Those youthful flutters? Later selves often find them so childish they can’t help but smile wryly.

Su Yu had settled into his reborn life. He responded to everyone around him with effortless ease—no one spotted a single crack in his act.

This second chance wasn’t boring. All he needed now was patience. His life would restart at university—he’d choose a different one this time and begin anew.

“Xiao Yu, thank you so much,” Aunt He said, piling his bowl with food, still visibly shaken. “If not for your offhand comment, Uncle He’s illness might’ve gone undetected. Caught early—it’s treatable. Otherwise… I don’t know what we’d have done.”

“Glad it’s okay,” Su Yu smiled faintly. He glanced at He Muqing beside him, head down, shoveling rice. Something felt off. “Muqing… what’s wrong?”

“Seventh from the bottom of the class.”

Before Aunt He could answer, He Muqing looked up abruptly.

“Was the test too hard?”

“Math went badly. So hard… I just couldn’t solve it.”

She lowered her head again. A trace of grievance colored her voice, but stubbornness still glinted in her eyes—clearly, she and her mom had argued before Su Yu arrived.

“Muqing and I are full.”

Su Yu set down his chopsticks and tugged lightly at her sleeve. She shot him a fierce glare.

“What? I know you aced it,” He Muqing muttered, biting her lip. “Big deal having good grades…”

“My scores aren’t your concern. If you’re stuck, I’ll teach you. Got the paper?”

“You’ll teach me? *You*?” Her voice rose. She stared at him. “Gaokao’s in days—why bother with me?”

“Exactly why I’ve only got one hour. If you don’t want to waste it, we start now.”

Su Yu held her gaze, smiling calmly.

…

“You missed this too? Not because it’s hard—you mixed up the basic formulas. How could you get it right?”

“Ugh, I’m done. I’ll never get it anyway.”

Annoyed, He Muqing tossed her pen aside, ruffling her damp hair. Fresh from the shower, the clean scent of shower gel lingered. Her loose spaghetti-strap nightgown revealed patches of milky-white skin.

Su Yu shifted slightly away, flustered. *She really has zero guard around me.*

“If you’re not in the mood, we’ll try later. You’re only in second year of high school… plenty of time.”

“Tsk. Su Yu, you…”

He Muqing eyed him suspiciously, then leaned in close. Sweet breath brushed his cheek; he could see the fine down on her skin.

“What about me?”

“Lately you sound like an old man. Like you’ve become someone else.”

“If you don’t want me here, just say it. No need to sugarcoat insults.”

“Heh.” She leaned back. The desk lamp’s warm glow softened her eyes. She stared blankly, worries plain on her face. “Do you think… I’m really that stupid? Others learn in minutes. I try for ages and still don’t get it.”

“Stupid? Absolutely.” Su Yu met her eyes, nodding firmly. “But silly people have silly luck—that’s a good thing. Someday, someone who loves you will happily put up with your silliness.”

“Someone who loves me…”

She lowered her long lashes, hiding something. Then—*thwack!*—a delicate foot kicked his shin. He sucked in a sharp breath.

“What was that for? He Muqing, what’s your problem?”

“Calling me stupid? I gave you a chance to comfort me!”

“Whoa, whoa—phone’s ringing.” He showed her the screen. “Dad. Guess I really should go.”

“Then leave. You always come here just to annoy me.”

…

Su Yu stepped out of the He household, answered the still-vibrating call.

“Xiao Yu? What kept you?”

“If you have something to say, just say it.”

A middle-aged man’s voice, tinged with forced warmth. To Su Yu, it sounded only like guilt.

Su Yu never met his mother. His parents divorced soon after his birth. All he knew: she was beautiful. *The old man* always said he looked just like her.

Truth was, Su Yu wasn’t unattractive—just softly androgynous, especially his delicate eyes and brows, mirroring his mother’s photo.

*The old man* worked abroad, home only a few times a year. Su Yu felt distant from his mother, and held little warmth for his father.

As a kid, he blamed *the old man* for driving her away. Even after understanding more, smiling at him still felt impossible.

Family bonds need time. Forced ones? Fragile as spider silk—one breeze, and they snap.

“Can’t I call just to check in? Gaokao’s close—I worry.”

“If you care so much, do you even know the date?”

“I…” The man’s voice hitched. “Forget it. Short on cash? I’ll transfer some.”

“I’m studying. Anything else?”

“Wait… Dad has something to discuss.”

Words stumbled, stuck in his throat. Silence stretched.

Su Yu waited quietly. He knew. *The old man* had remarried a year ago—secretly. In his past life, Su Yu met the woman only twice. She had a daughter his age. Two shared meals. He never expected warmth from that patched-together family. Moved out after graduation.

“Don’t want to say it? Fine. Anything else?”

“Uh… No. Study hard.” A sigh, heavy with regret.

Su Yu hung up. He gazed at the residential complex swallowed by night. Warm lights from countless windows twinkled in his dark eyes. He stood by the corridor window—a long, long time.