Hidden Love

"……"

Hearing it that way, it did seem a bit unfair to him.

Sang Yan's expression carried traces of weariness and irritation as he walked with long, quick strides. Sang Zhi could only jog to keep up with him, forcing herself to say, "Well, he didn’t know you were living with your girlfriend, and besides, there’s no way he’d misunderstand, right…"

Sang Yan remained silent.

Sang Zhi added, "You could just explain a few words. Or if not, I can help explain for you."

As he walked, Sang Yan pulled his phone out of his pocket and glanced down at it.

"And Dad was the one who told you to pick me up in the first place," Sang Zhi insisted, feeling she wasn’t entirely in the wrong. "You didn’t come to get me—I didn’t even hold that against you, and now you’re the one getting angry with me."

"……" Sang Yan shot her a look. "How old are you this year?"

Sang Zhi replied, "Twenty."

"When I was twenty," Sang Yan said, "not only did no one pick me up when I came home on break, but I also had to pick up an extremely annoying brat like you from school every day. Remember that?"

"Why do you always compare yourself to me?" Sang Zhi was baffled. "When you’re at home, do you have the same status as me?"

"……"

Sang Yan couldn’t be bothered with her anymore. He hadn’t driven over, so after leaving the airport, he headed toward the taxi stand. He gave the driver an address, then turned to put the suitcase in the trunk.

Sang Zhi got into the car before him and sent a message to Duan Jiaxu: 【I’ve arrived. My brother came too.】

Soon, Sang Yan also got into the car and sat beside her.

The driver started the car.

Sang Zhi asked casually, "Why are we going to your place? I want to go straight home."

Sang Yan didn’t respond. Seeming genuinely tired, he closed his eyes as soon as he got in the car, leaning back against the seat to sleep.

"Mom and Dad aren’t home," Sang Zhi said, feeling a bit hungry herself. She took the initiative to suggest, "How about you treat me to lunch?"

"……"

After playing on her phone for a while, Sang Zhi grew bored. "Why aren’t you talking to me? Is your girlfriend really that angry? You just need to explain—it’s such a small thing."

Sang Yan still showed no reaction whatsoever.

Sang Zhi remembered something else: "But, have you already started living with your girlfriend?"

"……"

"What about Yifan-jie then?" Sang Zhi asked curiously. "Didn’t you say you couldn’t bring your boyfriend or girlfriend back? Isn’t this inappropriate? Won’t she feel awkward?"

Hearing this, Sang Yan’s eyelids twitched, and he glanced at her lazily.

Sang Zhi realized, "You’re not sharing the rent with her anymore?"

Sang Yan closed his eyes again, silent as if he’d lost his voice, not uttering a single word.

Sang Zhi found it dull and didn’t feel like bothering with him anymore.

The car drove all the way to the residential complex where Sang Yan lived.

Sang Zhi hadn’t planned to get out with him; she intended to have the driver continue straight to her home after he left. But Sang Yan pulled her out of the car, lifted his chin, and said, "Go up and call your sister-in-law down. We’re going out to eat."

"……" Sang Zhi was stunned. "Why don’t you go yourself? I don’t even know her."

Sang Yan hauled Sang Zhi’s suitcase out and urged impatiently, "Hurry up."

Sang Zhi held back her irritation. "Fine."

Taking the keys from Sang Yan, Sang Zhi entered the building. This complex wasn’t too far from home, but she hadn’t visited often—mostly back when she was in high school.

She hadn’t been here much in the past couple of years.

Taking the elevator upstairs, Sang Zhi hesitated for a moment but decided against using the key to open the door directly. She rang the doorbell and waited outside. Before long, the door opened from the inside.The woman wore a simple set of pajamas, her face free of makeup. With striking features and long hair cascading down her back, she exuded a lazy charm. The corners of her eyes tilted slightly upward, her pupils bright and clear, and her lips were naturally red—exceptionally beautiful.

Sang Zhi paused for a moment before calling out, "Sister Yifan."

Perhaps surprised to see her outside, Wen Yifan visibly froze. She was holding a pair of chopsticks and glanced behind Sang Zhi. "Zhizhi, what brings you here?"

"My brother sent me up," Sang Zhi said as she stepped inside, slipping off her shoes. "Are you still sharing the apartment with my brother?"

Wen Yifan hummed in agreement and walked over to the coffee table to pour her a glass of water.

Sang Zhi took a sip and lowered her voice. "Where's my brother's girlfriend? In the room?"

The TV was on, playing a recently popular drama. Wen Yifan sat back on the sofa, watching with interest as she continued eating from the takeout box on the table. Hearing the question, she casually replied, "It's me."

"..."

As if unable to believe what she had just heard, Sang Zhi stared blankly for a long moment before stammering, "Huh?"

Wen Yifan tucked her hair behind her ear, her tone gentle. "What's wrong?"

Not wanting to overreact, Sang Zhi scratched her head. "Nothing."

Just as she was about to say more, Sang Zhi noticed a small receipt attached to the takeout box Wen Yifan was eating from. The note contained a long string of remarks—exactly what Sang Yan had relayed to her earlier.

Sang Zhi immediately pointed at it. "Sister Yifan, did you get angry with my brother because of this?"

Following Sang Zhi's gesture, Wen Yifan also looked at the receipt. After a moment, she lifted her head and said blankly yet directly, "No, I'm already eating it..."

Sang Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought you might misunderstand and think my brother was cheating."

Wen Yifan fell silent for a few seconds, as if pondering, then quickly said, "Oh, so this means he's cheating?"

"..."

"I thought he wrote that because he was afraid he wouldn't wake up to get the delivery."

Sang Zhi explained, "No—"

Wen Yifan: "So he really is cheating?"

Sang Zhi shook her head hurriedly, about to explain further, when Wen Yifan spoke again, thoughtfully adding, "If he's cheating, he actually dared to give the same address to two people."

"..."

Wen Yifan gave a thumbs-up, impressed. "Incredible."

"..."

Perhaps tired of waiting, Sang Yan called several times to hurry her along and soon returned in person. Hearing the doorbell, Sang Zhi hurried to let him in before retreating to the kitchen.

Sang Yan glanced around. "What are you two doing?"

Sang Zhi: "Sis-in-law is cooking noodles for me."

Wen Yifan had tied up her hair and was holding a knife, slicing meat on the cutting board. Hearing this, she turned her head and gently reminded, "Don't call me that. Your brother is cheating."

Sang Yan: "..."

Sang Zhi tactfully left the kitchen to give them space. She sat on the sofa, peering through the glass kitchen door, though she couldn't make out what they were saying.

After watching the drama unfold for a while, Sang Zhi started chatting with Duan Jiaxu: 【Do you know who my brother's girlfriend is?】

Duan Jiaxu: 【He hasn't mentioned it. Why?】

Sang Zhi: 【A super pretty sister.】

Sang Zhi: 【She's his high school classmate. She's been sharing the apartment with him all along—I never imagined they'd get together. I really don't think my brother is worthy of her at all.】Duan Jiaxu: [That beautiful?]

Sang Zhi: [?]

Sang Zhi: [Why are you so curious?]

Sang Zhi suddenly regretted what she had just said. She stared at the screen for a long moment before awkwardly adding: [Well obviously, I'm a bit prettier.]

Sang Zhi felt like she was being a third wheel. While listening to Sang Yan and Wen Yifan talk, she slowly finished her noodles. Afterward, not wanting to disturb them further, she said she was leaving.

Wen Yifan happened to be heading out too and drove Sang Zhi home.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Sang Zhi continued chatting with Duan Jiaxu: [Why did you order takeout for my brother too?]

Duan Jiaxu: [A thank you gift.]

Duan Jiaxu: [For picking you up.]

Sang Zhi laughed out loud.

Hearing her, Wen Yifan asked, "Talking to your boyfriend?"

Sang Zhi blinked and nodded, "Mm-hmm."

"I heard from your brother that your boyfriend was his college roommate?"

"Yes."

"That's nice too. He's older than you and knows how to take care of people." Wen Yifan spoke slowly, chatting casually with her. "And since he's someone your brother knows well, I can tell your brother really trusts him."

It was rare to find someone whose first reaction wasn't to criticize Duan Jiaxu. Sang Zhi felt happy hearing this and responded with a cheerful "Mm."

"But that's not really the important part. Before this, your brother showed me a photo of your boyfriend," Wen Yifan then changed the subject and sighed, "He's just way too handsome."

"..."

"Compared to him, your brother looks like—" Wen Yifan suddenly stopped, probably remembering that the person's sister was right there, and swallowed her original words. "He's... not bad either."

"..."

Sang Zhi didn't know if Sang Yan had told Li Ping about having a girlfriend. She didn't bring it up either, returning to her daily routine of doing nothing but eating and sleeping.

After a few days of this, Sang Zhi grew genuinely bored and, through a high school classmate's referral, found a tutoring job nearby. She hadn't forgotten that Duan Jiaxu might visit, so she occasionally mentioned it to Li Ping.

Li Ping quickly caught on: "Is Duan Jiaxu coming to our place for New Year's?"

Sang Zhi nodded nervously, "Is that okay?"

"Better not." Li Ping thought for a moment, speaking slowly in her gentle tone. "Spending New Year's at someone else's house might make him uncomfortable. And if it's a formal visit, it's still a bit early for that."

Sang Zhi stayed quiet for a while before deciding to have a serious talk with her. "Mom, have you even been listening to what I've been telling you lately?"

Li Ping: "I have been listening."

"I know you're worried about me and want what's best, that you're afraid I won't have a good life." Sang Zhi said earnestly. "But you should know what kind of person Duan Jiaxu is. If he weren't good, brother wouldn't have agreed either."

"..."

"His financial situation isn't bad now. He worked really hard in college, always getting scholarships, and he's diligent at his job too. He's not someone who lacks ambition." Sang Zhi continued, "I'll study hard too, find a good job later, and earn my own money. I think everything will be fine."

Li Ping listened quietly."And regarding his family matters, there was indeed a woman who came looking for me before, but he always protected me. Now there aren't such situations anymore." Sang Zhi pursed her lips and said softly, "He's also unhappy about this himself, but there's nothing he can do about it. I think he's already done very well in many aspects."

"Mm."

"I've been telling you so many things before because I wanted you not to worry about me, to let you feel more at ease here." Sang Zhi said, "I also wanted you to know that I'm serious, that I haven't made this decision without consideration or on impulse. I genuinely feel everything is good."

"Mom knows."

Sang Zhi didn't know whether Li Ping had taken her words to heart this time. She felt somewhat frustrated, always feeling like her words had no effect at all, but afraid that saying too much would annoy Li Ping, so she didn't bring it up again afterwards.

In this situation, Sang Zhi didn't dare bring Duan Jiaxu home either.

Time passed day by day, and the New Year was approaching.

A few weeks in advance, Duan Jiaxu booked tickets for the fourth day of the new year.

Duan Jiaxu told her that all tickets for earlier dates had already been sold out. He also told her that he would go to Wen Siyun's place to celebrate the New Year with their family, telling her not to worry too much.

But Sang Zhi knew very well that these were just words to comfort her.

During the three days before the New Year, Sang Zhi was also busy, accompanying her parents to visit relatives every day and meeting people she hadn't seen for a long time. When she returned home, after washing up, she would go to bed and video call Duan Jiaxu all night.

It wasn't until the fourth day that she gradually had more free time.

Duan Jiaxu arrived in Nanwu on the afternoon of the fourth day.

Sang Zhi didn't hide it from her parents. After telling them directly, she went out to meet him.

Duan Jiaxu didn't let Sang Zhi go to the airport. After getting off the plane, he took a taxi over.

The two met at the entrance of Sang Zhi's residential compound.

Sang Zhi accompanied him to the hotel to drop off his things, then they went to a nearby commercial district that was still open. She accompanied him to have dinner outside, then he walked her back to the downstairs of her home.

Just as Sang Zhi let go of Duan Jiaxu's hand and was about to say goodbye to him, they happened to run into Sang Rong and Li Ping who had just returned from outside.

Perhaps because it was so unexpected, Duan Jiaxu was clearly taken aback and obviously somewhat flustered. Soon, he straightened up, showed them a smile, and proactively greeted them.

Thinking about it, it really had been a long time since they last met.

Sang Rong's expression showed nothing inappropriate. He greeted him very politely, asked about his situation briefly, then said, "Come on up and sit for a while. It's been so long since you've come to Nanwu, and we haven't heard much about your situation from A-Yan either."

Duan Jiaxu nodded and responded politely.

Their reactions seemed as if they didn't know about his relationship with Sang Zhi.

Sang Zhi followed behind them, couldn't help but grab Li Ping's hand, and called out quietly, "Mom."

Li Ping found it amusing, "What's wrong? Do you think your dad and I would eat him alive?"

"..."

Back at home, the four of them sat on the sofa. Sang Yan wasn't home, apparently having gone out to meet friends too. Sang Zhi felt nervous, not knowing what they would talk about, and remained anxious throughout.

Sang Rong and Li Ping indeed didn't say much.

Their attitude toward him was exactly the same as toward their son's friend, no different from before.After sitting for a while, Li Ping suddenly stood up and said she was going to cut some fruit. She walked toward the kitchen, but after just a few steps, she called out to Sang Zhi, saying, "Zhizhi, come help Mom."

Sang Zhi was taken aback, glanced in Duan Jiaxu's direction, and then stood up hesitantly. "Okay."

Cutting fruit didn't take much time. Sang Zhi helped by taking some fruit out of the refrigerator and washing it under the running tap. Li Ping didn't let her handle the knife, so she just stood there with nothing else to do.

Sang Zhi said awkwardly, "Should I go out now?"

Li Ping replied, "Help Mom get a plate."

"..." Sang Zhi's attention kept drifting outside. She whispered, "Okay."

They stayed in the kitchen for a few minutes.

When Sang Zhi came out, Sang Rong and Duan Jiaxu were still chatting casually. The atmosphere hadn't changed much compared to before, and both of their expressions were normal, no different from when she had entered the kitchen.

Sang Zhi stared at Duan Jiaxu for a long time and only relaxed after confirming that nothing seemed wrong.

Another half hour passed, and Duan JiaXu took the initiative to say, "It's getting late, Uncle and Auntie. I should head back now so I don't disturb your rest. I'll visit again another day."

Both Sang Rong and Li Ping stood up and walked him to the door.

It was already past nine o'clock.

Sang Zhi put on a jacket and said, "I'll walk you out."

Duan Jiaxu chuckled, "No need, it's just a short walk."

Li Ping didn't stop her and said, "Wear more, it's cold outside."

Sang Zhi agreed, put on her shoes, and said, "Let's go."

Duan Jiaxu didn't say anything more and reminded her, "Zip up your jacket." Then, he glanced toward Sang Rong and Li Ping and said gently, "Happy New Year, Uncle and Auntie."

They left the apartment and waited for the elevator in the hallway.

Sang Zhi finally found a chance to ask, "Did my dad say anything to you? While I was in the kitchen cutting fruit?"

"Nothing much," Duan Jiaxu said casually. "Just casual conversation."

"Really?"

Duan Jiaxu looked at her and chuckled softly, "What else would he say?"

For some reason, Sang Zhi felt a bit uneasy, but his reaction didn't seem unusual. Just then, the elevator arrived. She stepped inside and muttered, "Never mind."

Duan Jiaxu didn't let her walk him far. When they reached the entrance of the residential complex, he told her to go back.

Sang Zhi stopped in her tracks and then struggled to pull a red packet out of her pocket, stuffing it into his hand. "Happy New Year."

Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow, "You're giving me a red packet?"

"Yeah," Sang Zhi said, "This isn't one I received—it's from my tutoring earnings."

Duan Jiaxu flipped it over to look.

Sang Zhi grinned, "I drew the red packet myself. Isn't it pretty?"

It was painted with pigments.

The background was red, and in the center was a chibi-style portrait of a man, complete with ears and a tail, looking incredibly cute. Below, in small letters, it read—"Duan Jiaxu's 2016 Red Packet."

Duan Jiaxu pointed at it, "Is this me?"

"Yep."

Duan Jiaxu chuckled softly, "Why did you draw dog ears?"

Sang Zhi rolled her eyes, "Those are fox ears."

"So you're admitting it?" His eyes curved as he leaned in to kiss her forehead. "The male fox spirit is me?"

Sang Zhi looked at him and whispered, "Mm-hmm."

Duan Jiaxu lowered his gaze to meet her eyes, "Alright, the male fox spirit is me.""……"

"I won't accept being called a central air conditioner."

Duan Jiaxu returned to the hotel.

He took off his coat and tossed it onto the bed. Two red packets instantly fell out of the pockets, scattering across the white bedsheet. One was from Sang Rong, the other had just been slipped to him by Sang Zhi.

The hotel room was quiet and cold.

The expression Duan Jiaxu had maintained gradually faded, the smile at the corners of his lips slowly receding.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he suddenly recalled many years ago.

Because of Xu Ruoshu's illness, for the first time, he had called every relative he knew, one household after another, to borrow money. What he received in return were either curses or the mechanical sound of the call being hung up directly.

Everyone avoided his family like the plague.

Back then, Duan Jiaxu had no other options.

At the final moment, he could only think of Sang Yan, whom he had known for just a year, solely because he knew his family was well-off. It was extremely difficult for Duan Jiaxu to bring it up, but he forced himself to appear calm and asked to borrow money.

He borrowed thirty thousand yuan from Sang Yan, who was still a university student at the time.

Sang Yan didn't ask too many questions. Knowing only that it was for his mother's illness, he turned around and helped him borrow from Sang Rong. Not long after, Duan Jiaxu received a call from Sang Rong, asking about the general situation.

After clarifying the details, Sang Rong immediately transferred the money to his bank account and sent him a text message: 【Son, there's no need to rush to repay the money. Take good care of your mother. We can talk about it after you've started working and settled down. If there's anything else you need, you can always come to Uncle.】

Duan Jiaxu would never forget how he felt at that moment.

It was like receiving help in a time of desperate need.

No one was willing to help them, not even relatives bound by blood. But this family, these people who had no connection to him, had selflessly extended a helping hand without asking for anything in return.

It was a kindness he would never forget in this lifetime.

Duan Jiaxu bent down and picked up the red packet from Sang Rong.

He then recalled what Sang Rong had said to him after Sang Zhi entered the kitchen earlier.

His tone was no different from all those years ago on the phone—still calm, without causing any discomfort.

Sang Rong had said many things. Duan Jiaxu remembered every word, listened carefully to each one, and responded appropriately to all. But now, for some reason, only one sentence lingered in his mind.

—"Given your family situation, Zhizhi's mother and I... do have some concerns."

If others had said such words to him, Duan Jiaxu likely wouldn't have felt much.

But this was Sang Zhi's family.

They were also the only ones willing to help him during his most difficult times.

Duan Jiaxu lowered his gaze, sat on the bed, and picked up the red packet drawn by Sang Zhi. His eyes darkened, the curve of his lips straightened, and all the strength he had been forcing himself to maintain crumbled in an instant.

All that remained was an overwhelming, powerless sense of inferiority.