"Everyone has to grow up and enter society eventually."
Sun Ruodi leaned back dejectedly. "Now I struggle to get out of bed every morning, not knowing what the purpose of going to work is. There's no anticipation at all. I'm really worried that if this continues, I'll become as resentful and bitter as my colleagues."
"If you're truly unhappy, consider changing jobs."
"That's easier said than done. You know my major is niche and it's hard to find jobs. I don't want to quit after just a few months and have my parents nag me about it - they already think I'm not mature enough."
"Why not marry me then? That way they won't keep treating you like a child."
Sun Ruodi was quite surprised and looked at him puzzled. He held the steering wheel steadily, watching the road ahead, his expression no different from when he'd say "Why don't we go eat the Sichuan food you like." She had always loved how he was more mature and composed than their peers, but hearing him bring up marriage so casually made it hard for her to feel happy.
"Why are you suddenly thinking about marriage?"
"We've both reached the legal marriage age."
Sun Ruodi had long known Gao Xiang wasn't romantic, but hearing this reason made her so frustrated she felt like vomiting blood. Angrily, she said, "I'm not at the desperate-to-marry age yet."
"I didn't say you were desperate to marry. Right now, I'm the one afraid you'll run away, eager to marry you and bring you home."
"Who proposes like this?"
"If you're willing, I'll go buy a ring and flowers right now. Do we need music and champagne too?"
His half-coaxing, half-joking tone somewhat eased her anger. Pouting, she said, "First tell me why you suddenly want to get married."
"We've been dating for quite some time. I'm serious about you. Getting married now is a bit early, but there's nothing wrong with it. Of course, if you don't feel the same way, I understand - you're still young after all."
Gao Xiang didn't often speak romantically, but when he occasionally did, it made her heart bloom with joy. Happily, she reached over and placed her hand over his right hand on the steering wheel. "Hmph, you're putting me in check."
Gao Xiang smiled. "There's one more thing I don't want to hide from you. I don't think you'll mind."
"What is it?"
"I plan to register Bao Bao under my name. After we marry, we'll nominally be his parents. Of course, he'll still be cared for by my mother."
Sun Ruodi was shocked and withdrew her hand. After a long moment, she said, "You mean when Bao Bao grows up, you'll tell him you're his father, and I'm... his mother?"
"Yes. Grandfather has already chosen his name - Gao Fei."
"I completely don't understand. Bao Bao is your uncle's child. Your mother told me last time that he's the only descendant to carry on the Chen family line. Why would you be his adoptive father, and why would he take your surname? This messes up the generational order and doesn't make sense."
"We don't want Bao Bao to grow up with shadows from his past."
"It's truly unfortunate that both his parents passed away, but with your grandfather, your parents, and you loving and caring for him, he'll definitely grow up well. Why is it necessary to fabricate a background story and claim he's your child?"Gao Xiang realized that without the major premise of Bao Bao's true origins, any reason he gave wouldn't hold much water, while Sun Ruodi's questions were entirely justified. He was momentarily at a loss for words and could only evade the main issue by saying, "Registering the household in the provincial capital will make it easier for Bao Bao to attend school in the future."
"But that doesn't mean you have to be listed as Bao Bao's father." A sudden suspicion arose in Sun Ruodi's mind, and she stared at Gao Xiang for a long time.
"What's wrong?"
"Tell me honestly, is this the reason you want to marry me?"
"Of course not. Don't take this so seriously. I told you, it's just a formality."
"Can such formalities be taken so lightly?"
"Bao Bao will be taken care of by my mother, so it won't be any trouble for you. I really don't understand why you're reacting so strongly. I thought you liked Bao Bao."
This subtle accusation instantly angered Sun Ruodi. "Pull over."
Gao Xiang ignored her. She suddenly grabbed the cloth bear from the center console and threw it at him. He instinctively dodged, and the car swerved slightly. The car behind them immediately honked its horn. Startled, he quickly steadied the steering wheel and said angrily, "What are you doing? That's dangerous."
"I said, pull over."
Gao Xiang was also getting angry. He drove to the side of the road and stopped. Just as he was about to speak, she opened the car door and jumped out. He had no choice but to unbuckle his seatbelt, get out, and chase after her for nearly 20 meters before catching up to her.
"Hey, even if you don't want to get married now, there's no need to get so angry, is there?"
Sun Ruodi tried to shake off his hand forcefully, tears involuntarily streaming down her face. Her voice trembled as she said, "You don't care about my feelings at all."
Gao Xiang sighed. "I just don't understand why you're so bothered by this."
"That's because you don't value me, Gao Xiang. You never consider things from my perspective."
"Alright, alright, stop crying. Let's find another place to talk. There are people coming and going on the street. You don't want to make a scene, do you?"
He said it casually, but when he looked up, he realized someone was indeed watching them—Zuo Si'an and a boy were standing at a bus stop not far ahead.
Gao Xiang hadn't seen Zuo Si'an since returning from Ali. Several months had passed. Her hair was neatly tied into a ponytail, and she carried a backpack, wearing a loose white T-shirt and black trousers. She seemed to have grown taller but appeared even thinner. Coincidentally, the boy standing next to her, wearing the same school uniform, was also someone Gao Xiang recognized—Aunt Mei's stubborn nephew, Liu Guanchao.
Being caught by two children arguing and pulling at each other on the street was quite embarrassing for Gao Xiang. He let go of Sun Ruodi's arm and said quietly, "Stop making a scene. Xiao An is over there."
When Sun Ruodi saw Zuo Si'an, she suddenly sneered. "Taking me to Tibet was actually about sending her there. Now marrying me is just to give Bao Bao a ready-made background. I'm always just an afterthought to you. What exactly do you take me for?"
He hadn't expected her to bring Zuo Si'an into this and was even more unwilling for her to mention the child in front of Zuo Si'an. His face darkened. "Get in the car with me. We'll talk somewhere else."
Sun Ruodi wiped her tears, strode to the roadside without a word, hailed a taxi, jumped in, slammed the door shut, and told the driver to go.Gao Xiang could only watch helplessly. He glanced at Zuo Si'an again, noticing her visibly uncomfortable expression. Feeling both irritated and frustrated, he turned to leave when Zuo Si'an suddenly called out, "Hey, wait." He stopped, somewhat surprised, and saw Zuo Si'an say to Liu Guanchao, "Xiao Chao, go back to school for self-study first."
"How can I do that? Even if you won't let me walk you home, I should at least see you get on the bus."
"No need. I have something to say to him. I'll go back after we're done. Don't worry, my mom knows him. It's fine."
Liu Guanchao clearly wasn't reassured and seemed about to say more, but Zuo Si'an pressed her lips together and shook her head. Unable to argue, he shot another glance at Gao Xiang before turning and leaving silently.
5_
Zuo Si'an walked over and stood about a meter away from him, hesitating as if unsure how to begin.
"What are you doing here?"
"School's over. I'm waiting for the bus home."
Gao Xiang remembered Yu Jia had arranged for her to transfer to the provincial key school, Shida High School, for ninth grade. "What about Xiao Chao?"
"He tested into Shida High School for tenth grade."
"That's good. You can still be classmates."
Zuo Si'an's gaze drifted away briefly, avoiding the topic. "Don't argue with Sister Ruodi."
Gao Xiang hadn't expected her to stay behind for this. Recalling how she'd overheard his argument with Sun Ruodi back in Shiquanhe Town, he felt even more awkward. "We weren't really arguing, just disagreeing on something. She's probably just a little upset."
"She looked more than just a little upset. You should go comfort her properly and try not to fight. My parents never used to argue, but once... it started, they kept arguing endlessly, saying increasingly hurtful things. Nothing was ever the same again."
In the deepening twilight, she seemed to have grown taller, but her face remained childlike, her speaking tone still carrying the hesitation and uncertainty of a child addressing adults. Yet there was something indefinable about her that set her completely apart from her peers. Her eyes appeared especially deep and weary, with the tired look of someone who'd suffered long-term insomnia, as if she'd already stepped into the adult world and had to bear all its worries. Gao Xiang felt a pang of sympathy and could only smile gently. "Don't worry about us. I'll talk to her properly later."
"That's good then. My bus is here, I should go."
"It's rush hour—too crowded. Let me see you home."
After another brief hesitation, she silently followed him onto the bus. She picked up the cloth bear from under the seat, recognizing it as hers but confused about how it got there.
"You left it in my car when I took you to the hospital last time."
She examined it and murmured "Oh" with a blank expression, clearly still unable to recall the incident. Not wanting her to keep trying to remember, he asked, "How long is your daily commute to school?"
"Half an hour. It's quite convenient."
"Is Shida High School very strict?"
"After studying at Qinggang Middle School, anywhere else feels relaxed."
"That's true. Are you keeping up with the coursework?"
"I ranked 19th in my class on the monthly exam."
"That's already impressive. Don't rush—take your time."She appeared absent-minded, so he stopped questioning and let her hold the teddy bear while staring blankly ahead. As they neared her home, she suddenly said, "Stop here. I need to pick up my boxed dinner from the restaurant."
He pulled over, surprised. "Doesn't your mother cook?"
"She went on a business trip yesterday. She pre-ordered meals for me before leaving. I just need to pick them up."
"She left you home alone?"
Zuo Si'an froze, then suddenly grew angry. "So what? Do you think I need 24-hour supervision?"
She got out of the car and entered the restaurant without looking back. Gao Xiang didn't know whether to laugh or cry, feeling this girl's moods were even more unpredictable than his girlfriend's. He waited. About ten minutes later, Zuo Si'an emerged carrying a large plastic bag. Spotting his car, she approached and asked hesitantly, "Why are you still here?"
Gao Xiang got out. "Even if you dislike being supervised, I need to make sure you're alright. Is it safe for you to be home alone?"
"If home isn't safe, then nowhere is."
The answer was so reasonable he couldn't refute it. "When will your mother return?"
"The day after tomorrow."
"Does she travel often?"
"Not really. This is her first business trip in months—just four days. She arranged everything before leaving, even took my temperature. She listed ten precautions on the fridge, bought me a new phone, and wrote the number prominently so I can contact her anytime."
Gao Xiang had to admit that for Yu Jia, who single-handedly managed a household while balancing work and caring for her daughter, the arrangements were meticulous. Zuo Si'an seemed calm and normal. Even if he couldn't fully set his mind at ease, there was nothing more to ask.
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