The next day, Li Wu woke up early—or more accurately, hadn't slept at all. By a little past six, he was already in the kitchen helping Aunt Tang prepare breakfast, even subtly asking if Cen Jin had any favorite breakfast spots so he could go buy something for her.
Cen Jin, too, had barely slept through the night. She knew that once she woke up the next day, everything would be different. A part of her still clung to the carefree "sibling" relationship that required no direct confrontation or responsibility.
Ultimately, she was a rather self-centered person, and last night's conversation had been tinged with her own ulterior motives. It seemed like she had comforted the young boy, but in reality, she had deepened their bond—a gamble, a mutual baiting with their own selves. She could already anticipate how Li Wu's attitude toward her would shift after waking up this morning.
A little after eight, Cen Jin opened her eyes and faintly heard voices outside, guessing that her father was having breakfast with Li Wu.
Worried that the boy might get overly excited and slip up in front of her parents, she decided to set some ground rules with him in advance.
She really was a natural worrier.
With that thought, Cen Jin opened WeChat and scrolled through last night's chat history. Her gaze lingered on the word "man," and she couldn't help but curl her lips into a slight smile.
She patiently waited until she heard her father leave for work before sending Li Wu a message: Come to my room.
The instruction was clear, and in the blink of an eye, a soft knock sounded on the door.
Cen Jin straightened her sleepwear as if preparing to meet an important client. "Come in."
The young boy pushed the door open and entered. Today, he wore a gray T-shirt and black shorts, revealing his slender, sturdy calves.
Their eyes met, but Li Wu was the first to look away, silently taking a seat on the chair.
Cen Jin noticed his quickly reddening ears and the slight upward curve of his lips. She asked, exasperated, "Why are you blushing?"
He looked back at her, his eyes dark and bright with amusement. "I don't know. I can't help it."
Cen Jin's lips twitched. "Stop 'not helping it.' If you react like this every time you see me, won't everyone suspect there's something going on between us?"
Her words only made his face and ears burn hotter. He glanced back at the door, strode over to close it firmly, and then returned to his seat with relief.
Cen Jin watched him sideways, crossing her arms. "I called you here to remind you—can you try to control yourself a little?"
Li Wu immediately pressed his lips into a straight line, his expression turning as serious as if he were in military training. "Okay."
Seeing him like this, Cen Jin couldn't hold back a soft laugh, her eyes crinkling. "You look like this? I should take a picture and show it to you."
She even pretended to reach for her phone by the pillow.
Feeling that nothing he did was right, Li Wu grew anxious. "Then how should I act?"
Cen Jin thought for a moment. "Just act normal, like before. My mom will probably be discharged from the hospital today or tomorrow. Once my cast is off and I can walk with crutches, you won't need to carry me around anymore. My mom is incredibly sharp—I'm afraid she'll notice something, and it won't be good for you."
Li Wu fell silent for a few seconds before replying, "Okay."
After watching him for a while, Cen Jin's attention shifted to the area under his eyes, searching for signs of fatigue. "Did you sleep last night?"
Li Wu answered truthfully, "I didn't sleep."
Cen Jin raised an eyebrow. "How come you don't have any dark circles?"
Li Wu found it strange too. "I don't?"
Cen Jin sighed with a hint of envy. "Youth is wonderful—staying up all night leaves no trace at all."As soon as the words fell, Li Wu also began studying her intently, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.
His large, clear, and intense eyes were practically criminal. Cen Jin felt her cheeks grow slightly warm under his stare and demanded, "What are you looking at?"
Li Wu quickly averted his eyes: "Did you sleep well last night?"
Cen Jin answered without hesitation: "I slept very well."
"Good," the boy's lips curved into a smile, as if her good sleep quality made him even happier. He looked at her again: "Shall I carry you to brush your teeth?"
Cen Jin paused for a moment, then extended one arm.
Li Wu immediately stood up, like a young knight who had finally received his queen's favor, quickly walking to the bedside and scooping her up horizontally.
―
That afternoon, Cen's Mother returned home after recovering from her illness. She had already heard from her husband during her convalescence that Li Wu had come to keep their daughter company. When she saw him, she happily pulled him aside to chat for quite a while, even praising him for having grown taller, his head nearly reaching the doorframe.
Cen Jin sat on the single-seater sofa, expressionlessly scooping out watermelon.
Several times during this, she glanced at Li Wu. The boy was as obedient as ever, not sneaking glances at her at all. Sitting upright and proper, he listened attentively to her mother's chatter, occasionally responding, the picture of a well-behaved child.
Tch, what an actor.
Cen Jin felt relieved, yet somewhat unsettled. She picked up the remote control and started channel surfing to dispel her boredom. After a while, she stopped on a cartoon channel and turned her head to make conversation: "Li Wu, do you watch cartoons?"
Li Wu glanced at the TV screen, not quite understanding her meaning, but figured agreement was safe, so he simply said, "Oh."
Cen's Mother snorted: "How old is he already? Still watching cartoons."
Cen Jin said: "How old can he be? He's only eighteen."
Cen's Mother retorted: "You think everyone is like you, still watching cartoons at eighteen."
Cen Jin argued back: "When did I watch cartoons at eighteen?"
Cen's Mother remembered clearly: "The summer after your college entrance exams, you clung to your computer every day watching Shugo Chara and Cardcaptor Sakura, not even sleeping. Did you think I forgot?"
Li Wu's lips twitched: "Sister, if you want to watch, just watch. I don't mind."
"I'm not watching," Cen Jin changed the channel without changing her expression, muttering: "I only watch things for adults now."
Cen's Mother shot her a sharp glare: "What nonsense are you spouting in front of the child!"
Cen Jin set the watermelon back on the coffee table, feigning innocence: "What did I do? Isn't Li Wu already eighteen? Hasn't he reached adulthood? Mom, you're really contradicting yourself."
Who's the one contradicting themselves? Cen's Mother was left speechless. She stopped sitting on the sofa, exchanged a few pleasant words with Li Wu, then went to the kitchen to help Aunt Tang prepare dinner.
The spacious living room was left with only two people.
The TV remained on CCTV-5, with the incessant commentary of a sports match filling the entire space through the speakers. Beyond that, there was no other sound.
Cen Jin kept her eyes fixed forward; Li Wu also watched the screen, occasionally stealing sidelong glances at her.
Cen Jin was also distracted, able to sense every one of the boy's frequent, fleeting gazes, but she never turned to catch him. Gradually, she imagined his intense yet cautious eyes, and her heart grew slightly restless. Uncomfortable, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
The woman's movement held a certain soft grace. Li Wu was instantly captivated, his gaze freezing on her profile, then staring unblinkingly, unable to look away.
Cen Jin felt it. Unsure what foolishness the boy was up to, she turned her head and glared at him sharply.
Li Wu still didn't look away. Instead, he grew even more unabashed.Cen Jin grew tense, glancing repeatedly toward the kitchen before slanting a look back at him with warning in her eyes. Yet the boy’s smile only widened further. Only when he feared he might truly provoke her did he lower his thick, long lashes and turn his attention back to the television.
Cen Jin took out her phone and typed an accusatory message: What are you doing?
Li Wu also checked his phone and replied: Just looking.
Cen Jin narrowed her eyes and tapped on the keyboard: Is that just looking? You’ve been staring for almost a year.
Li Wu: But it feels like I haven’t seen you in a year.
Honest words always left one with no retort. Cen Jin put her phone away. Perhaps she had been single for too long; she seemed to be enjoying this a little, savoring this long-lost feeling—the subtle undercurrent of being cared for, watched, and sincerely treated.
By dinnertime, Cen’s Father had also returned. The table was filled with a circle of people chatting and laughing, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.
Li Wu had reverted to that quiet, well-behaved boy. Only when the elders initiated conversation did he respond earnestly with a few words. The rest of the time, he either sipped his soda or kept his head down eating, occasionally breaking into a faint, inexplicable smile.
Sitting beside him, Cen Jin found his act a bit overdone—so stiff and restrained—so she picked up a piece of fish and placed it in his bowl as a hint: “Eat more, don’t be so polite.”
Li Wu froze for a moment, shot her a quick glance, and replied seriously, “Thank you, sister.”
Cen’s Father said, “We told you not to be polite, why are you still so formal?”
Cen’s Mother chimed in, “Exactly.”
Cen’s Mother ladled soup for him: “Xiao Wu, when does your school start?”
Li Wu accepted it with both hands: “September.”
Cen’s Father said, “You’ll have military training then.”
“Mm.”
Cen Jin sighed softly: “He’s going to get tanned again. I worked so hard to raise him fair and plump.”
Cen’s Mother said, “What does it matter if a boy has darker skin?”
Cen’s Father laughed: “Since he’s going to get tanned anyway, why not learn to drive next month? Uncle happens to have a friend who runs a driving school. It’s the perfect time to learn right after graduating high school.”
Cen Jin let out an “Ah”: “Then he’ll be even darker, and even fewer girls will like him.”
Li Wu, who had been silently drinking his soup, paused and asked indirectly, “Do girls really not like guys with dark skin?”
“Nonsense, don’t listen to your sister Jinjin’s nonsense,” Cen’s Mother said with a look of disdain. “My former son-in-law was as pale as a scholar, and he wasn’t all that great either. With your strong eyebrows and big eyes, plenty of girls will like you once you start university.”
Cen Jin retorted, “I was just stating my personal preference. Did you have to say all that? Li Wu can do whatever he wants; it’s not like I have any say in it.”
…
That night, back in his room, Li Wu mulled over the dinner conversation and sent a message to Cheng Rui for help: I’m going to learn how to drive. How do I protect myself from the sun?
Cheng Rui was probably gaming and didn’t reply immediately. Li Wu had to video call him to get his attention. The other end finally responded, grumbling: Traitor, how dare you come to me.
Li Wu apologized and urged anxiously: Just tell me quickly.
Cheng Rui found it strange: Why the sudden need for sun protection?
Li Wu said: Cen Jin doesn’t like dark skin.
Cheng Rui: Damn, I’m going to kill you.
After a while, Cheng Rui sent over a few Taobao links—baseball caps, sunscreen—and claimed they were the best he’d personally tested.
Li Wu looked at the links for a moment and replied: I’ll download Taobao first.
Cheng Rui was incredulous: ………………Don’t tell me you’ve never shopped online before?
Li Wu was unfazed: I’ll figure it out.
Cheng Rui was utterly defeated.Following the online tutorial, Li Wu quickly registered an account and placed orders for all the products Cheng Rui had recommended. He then browsed through items women typically like, hoping to select a birthday gift for Cen Jin, but remained undecided. It wasn't until a certain image flashed through his mind that he had a sudden inspiration. He carefully recalled the English brand names on the bottles and jars he had seen on Cen Jin's bathroom counter a few days prior and began searching for them.
When the search results appeared and he saw the prices, Li Wu was momentarily taken aback. Nevertheless, he opened each product one by one, meticulously comparing their effects and uses. He worked until late at night before finally placing the order.
The day of her cast removal happened to be Cen Jin's birthday. While she and Aunt Cen were at the hospital, Li Wu sneaked into her room and placed the green jar of eye cream he had purchased earlier on her vanity, right beside the one she had been using. It blended in perfectly, and he hoped to surprise her with it.
In the evening, Cen Jin returned home. She and her mother had gone shopping at the mall and came back carrying several bags. Cen's Mother also brought a beautifully decorated cake, making it clear that they intended to celebrate her daughter's birthday.
Having been cooped up for so long, even just wheeling around in her wheelchair was enough to lift Cen Jin's spirits. She had even put on a full face of makeup for the occasion, her complexion radiant and lively.
Cen's Father took the ceremoniousness a step further. When it was time to sing "Happy Birthday" after dinner, his voice boomed the loudest, completely drowning out the others. Eventually, everyone fell silent and let him carry the tune alone, lost in his own performance.
Cen Jin adjusted her birthday hat, which had tilted from her laughter. "Dad, are you holding a concert?"
Cen's Father cleared his throat. "Of course, we must treat our daughter's birthday with the utmost seriousness." With that, he formally handed her the cake knife.
Cen Jin carefully divided the cake into six roughly equal portions and then passed the task to Aunt Tang.
Aunt Tang placed each slice on a small plate and handed them out one by one: first to Cen Jin, then her parents, Li Wu, and finally herself.
Once the adults had moved aside to enjoy their cake, Cen Jin turned her attention to the quiet boy standing across the table. He had barely spoken the entire time, as if he wasn't quite comfortable with or used to such a lively family celebration.
Lost in thought, Cen Jin glanced down at her own slice of cake. She then picked up the cake knife, carefully scooped up the two characters for "happiness" written in cream on the top layer, and called out to him, "Li Wu, come here."
The boy was slightly startled but walked over to her.
Cen Jin crooked her finger.
Li Wu immediately leaned in attentively.
She lifted the knife handle to show him. "I'm giving you 'happiness.'"
Li Wu declined. "You should eat it."
Cen Jin raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you don't want it?"
Li Wu replied, "Yes."
No sooner had he spoken than he felt a sudden coolness on his cheek—a small smear of cream. He turned to look at her and met her eyes, brimming with mischievous laughter. They sparkled like a lake scattered with sunlight, so vivid and beautiful that they could captivate anyone. Her triumphant smile was equally undeniable. "You have to take it, little brother," she said.
Li Wu's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at the adults watching TV and eating cake in the living room, confirming they weren't paying attention. Then, without a word, he wiped off some cream with his thumb and smeared it back onto her cheek.
The cream was cold, but the boy's fingertip was warm. The touch startled Cen Jin, and her heart fluttered as if dipped in cream—soft and tingling. She quickly wiped it off with the back of her hand, pretending to be annoyed. "Are you rebelling?"
Li Wu, however, looked somewhat innocent. "Isn't it better to be happy together?"She lifted her right foot and kicked him squarely in the knee.
Caught off guard, Li Wu laughed, nearly forgetting the smear of cream still on the left side of his face.
―
Before bed, Cen Jin leaned on her crutches and made her way to the bathroom. As she sat in front of the sink, going through her nightly skincare routine, she suddenly noticed an identical twin to her eye cream sitting beside it.
She unscrewed the cap to check—it was completely full—then tightened it again and gently placed it back where it had been.
There was no need to guess who the fool was who’d left it there. She immediately picked up her phone and interrogated Li Wu: “Did you buy this eye cream?”
It seemed he’d been waiting for just this message, as his reply came instantly: “Yes. Happy birthday, sis.”
Cen Jin pressed further: “When did you buy it?”
Li Wu replied: “Just a couple of days ago.”
Cen Jin: “Where did you buy it?”
Li Wu: “Online.”
So careless. Cen Jin decided on the spot to escalate her questioning into a full investigation: “Come to my room. Bring your phone with you.”
Following her instructions, the boy next door immediately rolled out of bed and headed to Cen Jin’s room. The living room was empty and pitch-dark. As soon as he entered, the woman’s voice came from the bathroom: “I’m in here. Close the door.”
Li Wu gave a quiet “Mm,” shut the door, and walked over.
Cen Jin shot him a displeased glance and held out her hand. “Show me your online purchase history.”
Li Wu promptly pulled up the screen and handed her his phone.
Cen Jin scrolled through it. Good kid—at least he’d known to order from the official flagship store. She couldn’t decide whether to be angry or amused as she scolded him lightly, “Who gave you the nerve to buy such expensive eye cream?”
Li Wu stayed quiet for a moment, then answered honestly: “You’d use it.”
Cen Jin took a deep breath. “I wouldn’t dare use it. Who in their right mind would? Do you even have the means to spend like this? All that money you worked so hard for, slaving away from morning till night at the café—did you use it all on this? Is this tiny little thing really worth it? You’d have been better off buying more books, or even a tablet would’ve been more useful than this.”
He could clearly sense she was angry with him—truly upset. Li Wu knew he was in the wrong and offered neither excuses nor explanations, just stood there with his hands at his sides, silent and sullen.
Cen Jin continued scrolling through his purchase history and, spotting something else, frowned again. “And what are these?”
Li Wu glanced at the screen. “For driving lessons in a couple of days.”
Her gaze lingered on the items, her thoughts drifting, and the frustration in her heart eased considerably. Suppressing a smile, she teased, “What, afraid of getting a tan?”
“Mm.”
“I only mentioned it in passing. Must your brain be so quick on the uptake?”
Slightly moved, Cen Jin pressed the phone back into his hand. Li Wu hurriedly took it, holding it without daring to look at it again. After a few seconds of silence, he glanced at the small jar of eye cream he’d bought and said earnestly, “Sis, please accept it this time. Next time, I’ll only buy gifts within my means.”
Cen Jin pressed her lips together and relented. “Fine. But don’t let it happen again.”
“Will you use it?” Seeing her mood improve, Li Wu pressed a little further.
“Of course not. I’m going to keep it forever as a cautionary tale against thoughtless gift-giving.” The woman stared straight ahead, deliberately provoking him.
Li Wu’s lips curved slightly. “That’s fine too.”
“Fine, my foot.”
Just as she was about to scold him again, a man’s baritone cough sounded abruptly from outside. Cen Jin froze, guessing it was her father going downstairs for a smoke. Sure enough, the yard light flicked on, and her father’s concerned voice carried over from the corridor facing the window: “Jinjin, you’re still up?”In the dead of night, Cen Jin panicked instantly. She glanced at the frosted glass window of the bathroom, then at the overly tall presence beside her, quickly tugging at him and whispering urgently, "Get down."
She then turned on the faucet, raised her voice, and replied to her father, "Yeah—I'm washing my face."
She turned the water down slightly and teased, "Sneaking a smoke behind Mom's back again?"
Her father chuckled, "Yeah, just one. Don't tell her tomorrow."
"Okay, get some rest early."
"You should sleep soon too. Don't stay up late—it's not good for your bone recovery."
Cen Jin responded sweetly, her heart pounding fiercely. She turned the faucet back up and finally had a moment to glance at Li Wu's situation. With just one look, she fell into a pair of deep, dark eyes.
The distance between her and the young man was unexpectedly close. Their breaths, after a momentary pause, grew rapid and intertwined.
Cen Jin guessed he might have been watching her from this close for a while, deliberately waiting for her to turn around. Otherwise, how could his eyes be so captivating? She couldn't escape.
Hot water gushed noisily into the sink, growing hotter and steaming, filling the narrow space with a humid warmth.
As they locked eyes, Li Wu's Adam's apple moved.
Hearing the sound of him swallowing, Cen Jin snapped out of her daze and averted her gaze.
Li Wu, embarrassed, hurriedly tried to stand up and create distance but was pulled back.
The woman's face flushed pink, her breath quick and warm as it brushed against his nose. "Do you want my dad to find you?"
Her slightly parted lips were also rosy and moist. As if scalded, Li Wu didn't dare look any longer and abruptly lowered his head.
His chest heaved restlessly, tormented as if by a hundred claws. The scenes he had dreamed of so many times were now within reach, stirring a surge of impulse within him that was almost unbearable. Unable to control himself, he lifted his head to look at Cen Jin again. His eyes were slightly moist and profound, quietly taking in her eyes, her lips, every part of her face.
With just one glance into his eyes, Cen Jin understood most of it.
Oh my god, Cen Jin turned her face away. Who could withstand being stared at like that? Such youthful vigor, such intense longing and desire—it made her want to respond, to fulfill it. But she had to restrain herself, not give in prematurely. Suppressing her racing heart, she forced out harsh words through gritted teeth, "I know what you want to do. No. Not allowed."
Hearing this, the young man hung his head in shame, like a dejected little animal.
Finally, the light outside the window went out. Cen's father returned indoors and went upstairs.
Cen Jin let out a long sigh of relief and turned off the water. The entire bathroom finally fell silent.
Li Wu sprang to his feet and hurriedly fled her room.
Cen Jin slumped weakly against the chair back, looking around. Steam swirled in the air, the temperature unbearably high. She cupped her face in her hands. Well, it wasn't much different.
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