Summer vacation arrived, and Jiang Yubai's uncle suggested taking him on a holiday to a city in southern France.
Jiang Yubai firmly yet politely declined the offer.
By late June, Jiang Yubai had returned to the provincial capital. With no travel plans, he spent every day studying at home. His uncle asked curiously, "Xiao Jiang, last summer you were always at the provincial library. Why are you holed up at home again this year?"
Seated at his desk, Jiang Yubai casually replied, "I've discovered the joy of learning."
His uncle walked over and said, "You should balance work and rest. Don't overexert yourself—no matter how busy you are, you need to exercise."
Jiang Yubai opened a computer document titled "Summer Vacation Schedule" and explained, "I have a Martial Arts Class every day."
"Good," his uncle said approvingly. "Xiao Jiang, when you grow up, you'll be accomplished in both literary and martial arts, just like your uncle."
As his uncle spoke, a QQ chat window on the computer screen buzzed repeatedly.
A friend named "Xia Xia" sent a message: "Jiang Jiang Jiang Yubai, are you free at 10 a.m. on Thursday? Can you come over to my place?"
Jiang Yubai typed rapidly: "Sure."
His uncle chuckled. "Going to visit Lin Zhixia's home?"
"Yes," Jiang Yubai admitted without hesitation. He stood up from his seat and tidied his desk. Dressed in casual clothes, he stood tall and straight by the floor-to-ceiling window, his slender frame and striking posture exuding the remarkable grace of youth.
His uncle was momentarily stunned before smiling. "Truly a child of our family..."
Before he could finish, a knock sounded at the door.
The manor's butler stood outside and bluntly reminded, "Mr. Jiang Shaoqi, Miss Jessica has arrived."
Jessica was a Singaporean Chinese. Born into privilege with vast family assets, she was around Jiang Shaoqi's age and had majored in "Music and Philosophy" in university. Not only was she passionate about music, but she was also Jiang Shaoqi's devoted fan, often following him to concert halls worldwide. Rumor had it that a giant portrait of Jiang Shaoqi hung in her bedroom.
Jessica was also strikingly beautiful—her round face fair-skinned, her figure curvaceous—frequently dubbed by the media as the "White Swan of high society."
Jiang Shaoqi's parents unanimously believed Jessica was the perfect candidate to be his wife.
Recently, while traveling across Asia, Jessica had received an invitation from Jiang Shaoqi's sister-in-law. The very next day, she flew to the provincial capital on a private jet. With Jiang Shaoqi's tacit approval, they were to have a private meeting—commonly known as a "matchmaking session."
Jiang Shaoqi felt slightly nervous.
The hallway was bathed in warm breezes, its pristine marble floors spotless and gleaming. Walking in time to a musical rhythm, Jiang Shaoqi paused with each step until Jiang Yubai patted his shoulder. "Uncle, don't be afraid."
Jiang Shaoqi laughed. "Afraid of what?"
Jiang Yubai considered for him. "If you don’t want to entertain Jessica, I can help you."
Jiang Shaoqi suddenly stopped. "How do you plan to help me, Xiao Jiang?"Jiang Yubai glanced sideways at him and said naturally, "I'll greet her when she arrives, chat with her, and see her off."
"Are you... trying to get rid of her?" Jiang Shaoqi asked uncertainly.
"No, it's just that we might not have much to talk about," Jiang Yubai replied without concealment.
Jiang Shaoqi promptly lectured him, "Xiao Jiang, you must remember the importance of 'hospitality.' The young lady has come all this way just to see me. We should find suitable topics to discuss and not make her feel awkward or leave her in an awkward silence."
Jiang Yubai did not respond.
After all, Jiang Yubai was only fourteen and lacked sufficient experience—or so Jiang Shaoqi thought to himself. He muttered under his breath, "Ah, when I was young, I was completely focused on practicing the piano and turned down many girls. But that's proof of my self-discipline. A man like me, who keeps himself pure and upright, is hard to find even with a lantern."
It was early summer. The hibiscus bushes were lush, roses bloomed in vibrant competition, the sound of the fountain was faint and distant, and the garden scenery was magnificent. Jiang Yubai and his uncle walked along a small path, their shoes stepping over a few fallen petals. Jiang Yubai casually brought up, "When my dad was young..."
Jiang Shaoqi blurted out, "Your dad's experiences were unusual. Not long after he met your mom—about three or four months—he married her. Your dad also said that having children was too exhausting and difficult, and that having just one son, you, was enough."
"Was Mom Dad's first love?" Jiang Yubai asked again.
Jiang Shaoqi chuckled awkwardly, "Probably. Your dad fell in love with your mom at first sight."
Jiang Yubai didn't believe in "love at first sight." He found it hard to imagine his consistently calm, rational, and mature father being swept off his feet by love.
Not long ago, Dad had specifically sought out Jiang Yubai for a chat, telling him some things every boy must know. The matter was significant, so Jiang Yubai took out a notebook, jotting down every word his dad said—until Dad stopped him. Dad said Jiang Yubai was acting like a secretary taking notes from a boss, not like an equal exchange between father and son.
For Jiang Yubai, his growth period was both vague and distinct. "Vague" in the elusive nature of emotions, and "distinct" in the clear physical changes he experienced.
Jiang Yubai fell into deep thought.
Just then, Jiang Shaoqi suddenly took off his gloves.
He revealed a pair of hands that seemed to embody the beauty of creation. He proactively raised his right hand and said in a low tone, "Nice to meet you, Jessica."
Not far ahead, separated by a dense apple tree, Jessica walked gracefully toward them, wearing a light green floral dress. Around her neck was a diamond necklace with a musical note pendant. She lifted a finger, toying with the note, and gazed meaningfully at Jiang Shaoqi.
She said, "Jiang Shaoqi, long time no see."
Jiang Shaoqi smiled faintly and introduced, "This is my nephew, Jiang Yubai. He'll be starting his second year of high school this fall." His arm paused mid-air as he added, "And this is the butler of our estate. He's responsible and keeps everything in perfect order."
The butler gave a slight bow.Jiang Yubai noticed a shift in Jiang Shaoqi's attitude and tone of speech. After exchanging greetings with them, he took his leave first. At fourteen, Jiang Yubai already understood the meaning of "third wheel" and had no interest in his uncle's matchmaking activities.
Previously, Jiang Yubai had thought his uncle was too devoted to his music career to bother with trivial matters like "love and marriage." But he hadn't expected his uncle to show no resistance to the match arranged by his parents. He had believed he understood Jiang Shaoqi well, but it turned out he hadn't yet seen through the world of adults.
On Thursday morning, Jiang Yubai set out from his family's estate and went straight to Ancheng Residential Complex where Lin Zhixia lived.
The driver parked the car at the entrance of Ancheng Complex and reminded him earnestly, "Take care, Little Jiang."
Meanwhile, Lin Zhixia stood outside the car, calling out enthusiastically, "I'm here! Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang Yubai!"
The weather in early July was scorching hot, and the city government had issued an orange high-temperature alert. The sun blazed like a fiery ball, baking the ground until it was sizzling. Pedestrians coming and going wore light clothing, and elderly men and women held palm-leaf fans in their hands.
Lin Zhixia wore a light beige dress that fit her perfectly, accentuating her slender waist and long legs—a typical teenage girl's figure. Bathed in the brilliant sunlight, her skin was as fair and smooth as fine jade, glowing with a pearlescent radiance. Her bright eyes followed Jiang Yubai closely. When he walked up to her, she said happily, "I've finally waited for you."
Jiang Yubai maintained a distance of twenty centimeters from her. "How long have you been waiting?"
"Ten minutes," Lin Zhixia said, having kept strict track of the time. "I've been standing at the entrance for ten minutes."
Jiang Yubai glanced up at the sky. "Are you hot?"
"A little," Lin Zhixia admitted honestly.
She pointed to her face. "Look at me. Am I sweating?"
Jiang Yubai examined her carefully for a moment before slowly looking away. He didn't notice any sweat on her face, only his own reflection in her eyes. He deliberately kept the distance between them at thirty centimeters.
On the street inside the complex, a small truck was parked, loaded with watermelons. The owner claimed to be a melon farmer from the countryside. He had set up a sign and was shouting his sales pitch at the top of his lungs by the roadside. Holding a round, green watermelon, he slapped its rind, producing a crisp, hollow sound.
Lin Zhixia grabbed Jiang Yubai's wrist and asked, "Want some watermelon?"
Jiang Yubai immediately pulled his hand back. "Do you want some?"
His reaction was so swift that Lin Zhixia was taken aback for a moment. She remembered that Jiang Yubai hadn't minded physical contact with her before. Why did he react so strongly when she unintentionally touched his wrist? Was it because they hadn't seen each other for too long?
Lin Zhixia asked directly, "Why did you jerk away as if you'd been struck by 220 volts of alternating current when I barely touched you?"
Jiang Yubai didn't answer her question directly. He changed the subject: "I'll go buy some watermelon."
He unzipped his backpack, took out his wallet, and pulled out a hundred-yuan bill. He asked the melon farmer to pick the two sweetest watermelons for him. The farmer responded loudly, "Sure thing! Just wait a moment!"The melon farmer picked and chose several times, finally selecting two watermelons still attached to their vines. He handed Jiang Yubai a handful of change. As Jiang Yubai took the money but hadn't yet put it away, Lin Zhixia suddenly cupped the back of his hand.
Lin Zhixia wanted to check the authenticity of those banknotes.
Instead, Jiang Yubai pressed the change into her palm.
She asked blankly, "What are you doing?"
Jiang Yubai opened his backpack slightly and invited Lin Zhixia to drop the change inside. Lin Zhixia felt he was somewhat different from before, though she couldn't quite pinpoint exactly what had changed.
Jiang Yubai carried a plastic bag containing two large watermelons. His arm strength was considerable, with well-defined muscles that showed no strain even when carrying heavy objects. Following Lin Zhixia into her home, she quietly told him: "My brother isn't home today. He's starting twelfth grade next semester and is attending extra classes at school today. He probably won't come home for lunch."
Perfect. Jiang Yubai thought to himself.
He and Lin Zeqiu had always maintained an unspoken tension.
With Lin Zeqiu absent, Jiang Yubai guessed that no one would disturb his time with Lin Zhixia today.
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