On Saturday evening, just before six, Teddy was already rallying the troops in the group chat, reminding everyone to wrap up their work and get ready for dinner.
Lù Qíqí, never one to lag behind when it came to food, was the first to respond: I'm ready!
Teddy shot back: Ready to foot the bill?
Lù Qíqí promptly went offline with a tactical retreat: My mistake.
Cen Jin chuckled to herself. After saving her work, she checked the time and typed in the group: Can you wait half an hour for me? Something came up—you can order first.
Teddy: Is there anything more important than having dinner with everyone?
Cen Jin thought for a moment and replied honestly: Picking someone up.
Over the past few months, aside from academic concerns, picking up and dropping off Li Wu had become a ritual in Cen Jin’s life, as indispensable as brushing her teeth.
Teddy: If it’s a handsome guy, I don’t mind.
Cen Jin replied: It’s my brother. He’s coming home for the weekend.
Teddy said: Then he must be handsome. Why not bring him along for dinner?
Cen Jin rubbed her forehead: Not appropriate.
Teddy dropped the teasing: Alright, we’ll wait for you.
...
Neon lights streaked past on both sides as the pristine white coupe sped along, pulling up as usual in front of Yi High School.
Cen Jin had texted Li Wu before setting off, and as expected, the young man was already waiting there.
He stood alone by the flowerbed, his tall figure cast in shifting leaf shadows, seeming somewhat distracted.
Cen Jin honked the horn to catch his attention. Startled, he looked up like a frightened bird and then walked over.
Without a word, he slid into the passenger seat.
Cen Jin, already braced for good news and in high spirits because of the dinner, felt unusually cheerful, her tone light and buoyant: "How did you do on the recent exams?"
Li Wu turned to gaze out the window, and after a long pause, muttered three words in a low, heavy tone: "Not bad."
Noticing his unusual demeanor, Cen Jin glanced at him and asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Li Wu didn’t answer.
Receiving no response, Cen Jin called again, "Li Wu?"
The young man clearly had no desire to talk.
Cen Jin took the opportunity of a red light to study him. He was leaning away, his upper body almost turned completely from her, exuding a sullen, dejected air. Over the past few weeks when she’d picked him up, he’d been like an obedient deer, his large eyes bright with energy. Today, he was a young, untamed lion, radiating resistance and indifference, shrouded in a dark, impenetrable fog that kept everyone at a distance.
Completely baffling.
Cen Jin had no idea why he was in such a mood, and her own tone cooled: "I’ll drop you off at the entrance today. I have other plans."
Li Wu replied, "Mm."
Cen Jin had to admit—his indifferent response irritated her.
She had gone out of her way, delaying the dinner and making everyone at the company wait, just to pick him up. What right did this kid have to give her the cold shoulder for no reason?
For the rest of the drive, Cen Jin gripped the steering wheel tightly and didn’t attempt further conversation.
Not a single word.
When the car stopped at the entrance to the residential complex, Cen Jin’s expression was stern, her words icy: "Get out."
The moment the doors unlocked, Li Wu immediately stepped out without even a goodbye.
The tall, lanky boy strode straight into the complex as if she were invisible. That dismissive attitude finally pushed Cen Jin over the edge. She slammed the accelerator and drove after him.
Noticing a car keeping pace beside him, Li Wu paused briefly, his eyes slanting over to meet the woman’s gaze through the window.
With just that one glance, she accelerated again. The snow-white four-wheeled beast surged past Li Wu and roared to a stop in front of their building.
Li Wu’s steps faltered slightly, but he continued walking in the same direction.Cen Jin temporarily pushed the dinner gathering to the back of her mind and waited for him at the stairwell entrance.
Soon enough, Li Wu arrived as well. Cen Jin glanced at him, then tilted her chin to signal him into the elevator first before following him inside.
The elevator car was silent and desolate, its metal walls clearly reflecting the two figures standing side by side, yet neither looked at the other, as if separated by a thousand mountains.
A few seconds later, ding—they stepped out one after the other.
This time, Cen Jin led the way.
Once home, Cen Jin didn’t change her shoes and headed straight for the sofa, tossing the car keys onto the coffee table with a clatter.
The boy, who had been bending over to change his shoes, seemed startled by the sound. His hand paused briefly, but he could no longer hold back. Slipping into his house shoes, he strode over to Cen Jin. “Was it you who asked the homeroom teacher to change my dorm?”
His voice was hoarse and strained from prolonged silence.
Cen Jin froze for a moment, thought back briefly, and replied with a neutral expression, “Yes, it was me. What about it?”
Li Wu’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. He met her gaze squarely for a moment before turning and heading toward the study.
That glance, though lacking force, was deeply suggestive—like an unexpected blow from a blunt knife. At first, it felt nothing, but as the delayed sting set in, her skin began to burn fiercely.
Annoyed by her own flushed reaction, Cen Jin’s anger surged. She refused to stand there foolishly and followed him as if in pursuit.
Behind the desk, the boy had already settled into his seat.
Perhaps not expecting her to follow, he glanced up hastily at her before lowering his eyes to search for another textbook.
“What, am I not allowed to ask your teacher to change your dorm?” Cen Jin stood by the door, determined to get an answer then and there.
Li Wu placed his lecture notes on the desk, remaining silent for a few seconds as if restraining himself, then looked at her. “Why didn’t you discuss it with me first? They are them, and I am me. Can you please stop meddling so much?”
The moment the words left his mouth, Cen Jin’s mind exploded like gunpowder, igniting with a fierce, crackling intensity:
“Do you think I want to meddle? Weren’t you the one who broke the rules first, prompting your teacher to call me? Do you think I have nothing better to do than interfere in your school life?”
“Do you think I enjoyed swallowing my pride to ask your homeroom teacher to change your dorm? Do you think I enjoyed being treated like a parent when I don’t even have a child? Without you, I wouldn’t have half as many troubles!”
“And now you say this to me? Who was it that called me back then? Who was it that made those promises? And what has become of all that now?”
“Who was it that spoke so convincingly, saying all they wanted was to study, that they’d do anything just to learn? And now, not even a semester in, you’re already rebelling, throwing tantrums, lying through your teeth, and using that messy profile picture—where did all this come from?”
“Search your conscience—can you honestly say you haven’t been influenced by those boys in your dorm? They make you take the fall, and you take it out on me. What did they ever offer you to make you so blind to right and wrong?”
Cen Jin kept talking, while Li Wu remained with his head lowered, his chest heaving intensely. After a long pause, he spoke clearly, “They’re my friends.”
“Hah,” Cen Jin let out a derisive, light laugh. The outburst had finally eased her emotions somewhat. Her face paled, and her tone calmed, but it was chillingly detached. “How impressive. What a grand friendship.”
Li Wu clenched his hand into a fist, lifted his head resolutely, and stared straight at her. “Wasn’t it you who told me to fit in and make friends?”
Cen Jin felt as if something were stuck in her throat, her eyes brimming with disbelief. She immediately turned and strode back to the living room, snatched up her car keys, and left.
Slam!The woman's slam of the door as she stormed out felt like a vicious kick to Li Wu's spine, the pain in his chest so intense he nearly curled over.
Yet he remained upright, shoulders squared, staring blankly at the lecture notes cover before him. Silent, sorrowful, he sat so still it seemed he might never move again.
―
By the time Cen Jin arrived at Zhiwei Hall, it was nearly eight o'clock.
The restaurant, with its blue-tiled roofs and upturned eaves overlooking the lake and mountains, exuded classical charm—Yishi's premier destination for Hangzhou cuisine.
Following the pale yellow lanterns along the lakeside, rounding a cluster of slender bamboos, and ascending the wooden stairs, Cen Jin effortlessly found the private room Teddy had earlier specified in the group chat.
The door was closed. After two knocks, someone inside shouted, "Come in!"
Cen Jin pushed the door open.
Whoosh—colorful streamers and petals flew at her from all directions. Before she could retreat, she was covered head to toe, transformed into a living Christmas tree.
"Woo-hoo—" The room erupted in howls and applause.
"Hey—come on," she protested, though the absurdity of the situation ironically swept away her bad mood. Cen Jin sighed with a laugh, "This is just a welcome party, not a birthday or New Year's celebration."
Teddy, seated at the head of the table, waved his arms enthusiastically, "Let's treat it as your birthday! Cen Jin's birthday is in August! Consider this a belated celebration. Hurry, take your seat—the cake awaits!"
There was indeed a cake.
Lù Qíqí brought it out—a four-inch confection adorned with delicate pale pink roses, exquisitely lifelike.
Brushing petals from her shoulders, Cen Jin took her seat with a smile.
Lù Qíqí sat beside her, eyes pleading, "Can I have a piece later?"
Cen Jin replied, "You can take the whole thing home if you want."
"Never mind then," Lù Qíqí tossed her head, adhering to her own logic about food, "Begged-for treats taste better; freebies stink."
Teddy had brought his own drinks—several bottles of an expensive aged grape wine.
He personally left his seat to pour for his subordinates, starting with Cen Jin, filling her glass especially full.
Male colleagues clamored for equal treatment, only to be sharply rebuked by Teddy. When they persisted, the director declared, "Whoever comes home with me tonight gets the most wine."
Some fell silent instantly; others threw open their arms, yelling "Bring it on, I beg for favors!" as if facing certain doom. The women doubled over laughing.
With ample food and drink, the atmosphere grew warm and lively.
The new colleagues bantered wittily, their words sparkling. Cen Jin found herself constantly amused, her eyes crinkling with laughter. Gradually, bathed in the soft amber light, she grew tipsy.
Worried that another drink would leave her seeing double, Cen Jin set down her cup and rested her cheek on her hand, watching the others debate and vent about clients and the client side.
During the conversation, someone mentioned Cen Jin's former company:
"We lost the Lifu Treasure project to Yichuang this time."
"Their media support is stronger than ours."
"It's not about media, okay? Their all-around ACD is something else. That sign language ad he wrote, filmed, and edited himself recently won a OneShow—I'm genuinely impressed. His brain must be like a honeycomb, extracting ideas wherever needed..."
Cen Jin's smile stiffened slightly—they were talking about Wu Fu.
An art director glanced her way, "Cen Jin, he was your mentor, right? Your writing is so sharp."
Cen Jin smiled demurely, "Yes, and he's also my ex-husband."
The table fell silent until someone couldn't hold back a snort of laughter.
Then everyone burst into foolish grins together, some even slapping the table and clinking bowls, successfully dissolving the awkwardness.Approaching midnight, the madhouse at the advertising agency finally dispersed.
Cen Jin’s cheeks were flushed a rosy red, giving her an unusually adorable contrast to her usual self.
But her mind remained relatively clear. She bid farewell to her colleagues one by one, exchanged a few words with Teddy, and then hailed a cab home.
Settling into the back seat, Cen Jin was about to tell the driver her residential address when a sudden flash of inspiration struck her. Instead, she gave another location.
Chun Chang’s home.
The woman’s arrival was entirely spontaneous. Chun Chang was still in the shower, wrapping herself in a towel before sliding out to open the door.
The moment their eyes met, Chun Chang pointed at her in mock annoyance: "Well, well, drinking without me."
Cen Jin, dazed and warm-eyed, waved her hand dismissively as she walked inside: "It was a company dinner."
She collapsed onto the sofa, murmuring: "Oh my god, it’s been so long since I’ve had such a satisfying Saturday. Just lying here like this, not having to think about anything… I should move in with you, Chun Chang."
Chun Chang went to the bathroom to grab a towel to dry her hair: "Why’s that?"
Suddenly remembering something, her eyes lit up: "What about your little brother? Is he home alone?"
"Ah—" Cen Jin covered her face, letting out a pained groan: "Why bring him up—"
"What’s wrong?" Chun Chang was completely baffled: "What happened?"
Cen Jin grabbed a pillow and hugged it tightly, recounting the drama of the past two days in detail.
Chun Chang’s grin stretched wide: "You two are just too funny."
Looking down at her friend, she nudged Cen Jin’s slender leg, which was listlessly propped on the coffee table: "So you came here to spend the night?"
Cen Jin nodded mournfully, again and again, utterly exhausted: "Just thinking about having to share a space with that kid again makes me feel suffocated. I really brought this on myself…"
"Cen Jin, I’ve noticed something about you," Chun Chang sat down beside her, "Why is it that every time you argue with a guy, you’re the one who leaves? The apartment is yours, the home is yours—when are you going to kick them out?"
"How can I?" Cen Jin sat up abruptly, "He has no one else to turn to. Where would he go? Walk for seven days and seven nights back to Shengzhou?"
Chun Chang tapped her arm, enunciating each word deliberately: "You, you’re just too soft-hearted."
"What else can I do? Can we not talk about him? Just hearing his name makes my head throb." Riding the buzz of alcohol, Cen Jin began to whine: "Chun Chang~ Changchang~ I want some water."
Chun Chang stood up and went to the kitchen, returning with a glass of warm water: "If you’re not going back tonight, what if your brother comes looking for you?"
Cen Jin took the glass and took a small sip: "He won’t come looking for me."
At that very moment, a vibration came from the handbag on the coffee table.
"See, here he is," Chun Chang reached for it, and Cen Jin let her. Unexpectedly, as soon as she got hold of the phone, she pointed at the screen and exclaimed with newfound discovery: "Li Wu? That’s him, right? So his name is Li Wu? Aww~ even your kept brother has a heart."
"Stop talking nonsense," her friend’s choice of words made Cen Jin flush with embarrassment. She hurriedly stopped Chun Chang’s eager fingers: "Don’t answer it!"
Chun Chang had no choice but to lower her hand: "What’s the issue between you and that kid?"
"You have no idea how angry he made me today. If you were there, you’d think the same—was that even human language?"
Chun Chang smiled nonchalantly, completely without principles: "If a handsome guy called me an idiot, I’d gladly agree."
"…"
Amid their bickering, the vibration stopped.
Chun Chang gently placed the phone back on the coffee table: "My guess is, Brother Li Wu will call again."Cen Jin snorted coldly, pulling over the half-empty bag of cereal loops Chun Chang had left behind. She curled up on the sofa just like she would at home, munching crunchily while keeping a sidelong watch.
Sure enough, five minutes later, the phone vibrated again.
Chun Chang leaned over to check: "See?"
Cen Jin, holding a cereal loop between her teeth, mumbled back: "Ignore it. Let's see how many he'll make. If it exceeds ten, I might consider answering."
Two nearly thirty-year-old adult women sat side by side on the sofa, initiating an endurance test targeting a high school boy.
Chun Chang kept count: "Third time."
"...Fourth time."
"Fifth!"
"Sixth time already, damn, he's persistent."
"Seven! Did you notice? He calls exactly every five minutes. Does he have OCD or something?"
"Eight, it's the eighth! Amazing!"
...
After the eighth call ended, nearly ten minutes passed without a ninth.
Cen Jin puffed her cheeks, looking unsurprised: "See? My years of raising him are only worth eight phone calls to him..."
Before she could finish, Chun Chang's phone vibrated violently.
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