Today was unusually hot in Nanli.
Zhang Shu wore a black shirt over his black T-shirt, which displeased Zhang Sujin greatly: "Are you going to a funeral?"
Only then did Zhang Shu realize it might indeed be inappropriate. He had simply thought that whenever he wore black, Sheng Xia would glance at him a few more times.
But today was a special occasion, so Zhang Shu changed into a white T-shirt with a blue shirt over it. He casually pushed up the sleeves to his forearms, looking clean and fresh—though perhaps a bit too casual.
Lu Zheng had sent a car to pick them up. The driver communicated with Zhang Sujin using sign language, which surprised Zhang Shu slightly.
"Almost all the service staff around him are people with disabilities," Zhang Sujin explained.
Zhang Shu raised an eyebrow—an unconventional discovery indeed.
By the time they arrived at the hotel, the Lu family was already there.
Lu Zheng had no parents but had invited close uncles, aunts, and relatives to lend their presence. Lu Youze and his family were also present.
Over a dozen people sat around a massive round table with a diameter of several meters, each exuding an air of dignity and poise.
Compared to the Lu family's grand assembly, Zhang Sujin and Zhang Shu seemed a bit outnumbered.
This was Zhang Shu's first time meeting Lu Zheng face-to-face. His future brother-in-law had a somewhat frivolous appearance.
When they shook hands, Zhang Shu subtly exerted force, suddenly pressing the web of Lu Zheng's thumb. Most people would wince in pain if caught off guard, but Lu Zheng remained unfazed. Instead, he used the gesture to pull Zhang Shu closer, patting his shoulder and back. "So this is A-Shu! Handsome!"
He carried himself like an elder brother, as if nothing had happened.
Zhang Shu released his grip—this guy had some tricks up his sleeve.
The entire group stood up to exchange pleasantries.
Lu Youze remained seated, calmly observing the cheerful atmosphere.
His gaze lingered on Zhang Shu.
Compared to the Lu family's formal attire, Zhang Shu seemed far too casual.
Yet, it had to be admitted that in the opulent and refined private room, Zhang Shu didn’t look out of place at all.
He couldn’t remember which classmate had once said that Zhang Shu "looked expensive." He carried a natural air of nonchalance, as if he didn’t care about anything—as if he already had everything.
Without knowing his background, many would assume he came from a wealthy family.
Both he and his sister were like that. Despite having nothing behind them, they walked as if backed by an army.
Even now, Zhang Shu had likely never been to a place like this before, yet he didn’t glance around or fidget—no nervous movements or wandering eyes. To him, it was no different from walking into a classroom.
—Unfazed by the wealth around him.
"Cousin, your classmate is so handsome!" a younger cousin whispered to Lu Youze.
Lu Youze replied expressionlessly, "Yeah, he’s the school heartthrob."
"Wow, what about you?"
"Me?" Lu Youze suddenly smiled self-deprecatingly. "They call me the Crown Prince."
"Hahaha, that fits!"
Lu Youze glanced at his carefree cousin. "If it were you, would you choose the heartthrob or the Crown Prince?"
"If you're the Crown Prince, doesn’t that make me a princess? Then of course I’d choose the heartthrob."
Oh, really?
Perhaps. Since ancient times, princesses have never been interested in crown princes. They’ve always fallen for poor scholars or lowly guards—from folktales to idol dramas, it’s always been that way.
The Lu family’s dinner had many formalities. Lu Zheng introduced both sides, followed by three rounds of toasts led by the elders, each with increasingly lengthy speeches. Beneath the capitalists’ polished words, it was impossible to tell whether they were sincere or merely going through the motions. Regardless, the atmosphere remained lively and harmonious.
Zhang Shu wasn’t exactly annoyed, but he wasn’t particularly fond of it either.This was his sister’s future family. He didn’t seek to blend in, but he showed respect.
“So, Zhengzi, are you two planning to get engaged first or what?” The elder at the head of the table spoke up.
Lu Zheng had his arm around Zhang Sujin’s shoulder. The table was so large they had to raise their voices. “Whatever works! The sooner, the better!”
It was the first time Zhang Shu had seen his sister look bashful.
Lu Zheng finally said, “We’ll register the marriage first. Once A’Shu and Youzai finish their college entrance exams, we’ll hold the wedding!”
You…zai?
Like a cub?
Zhang Shu nearly spat out his drink.
“Lu! Zheng! Call me that again?” Lu Youze was furious.
The table erupted in laughter.
“Youze, mind your manners. Don’t address your uncle like that,” Lu Youze’s father, Lu Cong, chuckled as he raised his glass. “Once you’ve made your decision, who can say otherwise? Congratulations in advance then. Leave the rest of the preparations to your sister-in-law!”
The group chatted about wedding customs.
No matter how wealthy the family, conversations ultimately revolved around their children.
Academic performance was an unavoidable topic.
“A’Shu is the top scorer at Affiliated High!” Lu Zheng praised.
This compliment created an awkward situation—what about his classmate Lu Youze?
Zhang Sujin pinched Lu Zheng’s thigh.
“Oh, that impressive? Seems your family’s genes are something else, Xiao Jin!”
“What a fine young man. Would your brother like to work at the group in the future?”
“Is this your HR mindset? Scouting talent from high schoolers now?”
“Hahaha…”
“Isn’t Youze also going abroad to business school?”
Lu Youze’s mother said, “Yes, he’s headed to the University of Pennsylvania.”
“That’s impressive too! You can aim for grad school at your uncle’s alma mater later!”
“Our family is truly full of talent…”
“Absolutely…”
After some time of conversation, another round of toasts began. Zhang Shu excused himself to use the restroom.
When he stepped out, he saw someone sitting in the atrium—Lu Youze.
Unexpected, but not entirely surprising.
From the moment Zhang Shu entered the private room, Lu Youze had worn the expression of someone with something to say.
Admittedly, capitalists really had too much money to burn.
It wasn’t unusual for a high-end hotel’s private room to have its own restroom, but having a spacious atrium in between, complete with a tree that never saw sunlight, was downright absurd.
The oddly shaped sofa under the tree wasn’t anything new either.
Zhang Shu mentally scoffed but didn’t dwell on it.
He walked over and sat on the other side of the S-shaped sofa.
This way, he and Lu Youze each occupied a curve, like separate harbors—independent yet aligned if they turned to face each other.
Ah, the artistry of it.
“Do you think your sister will be happy?” Lu Youze spoke first.
Zhang Shu’s brows furrowed sharply as he turned, his gaze like a blade.
Lu Youze turned as well. “I think she will.”
Only then did Zhang Shu’s tense expression ease slightly.
Lu Youze continued, “Because the man she’s marrying is my uncle—Lu Zheng. Someone who was left to his own devices growing up yet excels effortlessly at everything. Someone whose decisions brook no dissent. Someone who, if he wants something, can remove all obstacles and silence any opposition.”
Zhang Shu listened quietly, neither interrupting nor responding.
“Otherwise, you wouldn’t see such a harmonious scene today. Your sister is lucky because there are few men like Lu Zheng in this world.”
Zhang Shu had an inkling of where this was headed.Lu Youze: "But there aren't many Lu Zhengs in this world."
He emphasized the word "but" with particular weight.
Zhang Shu tightened his grip on his phone and said solemnly, "If you have something to say, don't beat around the bush."
Sometimes, he really hated this kind of conversation—having to start from the very bottom of the logical chain, as if not spouting some life philosophy would make him seem shallow.
But Lu Youze wasn’t about to be led by him and continued with seemingly unrelated remarks: "When I saw you fighting in our first year of high school, I thought it was wrong, so I told the teacher. I believed the teacher could set you back on the right path. I meant no harm—it was what my upbringing taught me was the right thing to do. But you saw solving problems with fists as perfectly normal, which is what your environment taught you. Neither of us was wrong, yet we’ve been... at odds for over two years..."
"Later, I changed my mind and realized everyone has their own way of dealing with things, so I didn’t pay much attention to your hostility toward me."
Zhang Shu cut him off: "More like it was useless to care, right? Can you out-talk me or out-fight me?"
"..."
"True."
Zhang Shu: "No need to be so sanctimonious. Let me guess what you’re really thinking. It’s just that you look down on us but force yourself not to show it, afraid it’ll make you seem petty, shallow, and unrefined.
"So you always act like you’re holding back. That look you give Hou Junqi, like he’s not worth arguing with... Why not just snap at him? Then maybe he wouldn’t target you so much.
"Who holds a grudge over a tattletale for two years? You act like you’re above it all while pretending to treat everyone equally—that’s what’s most annoying. Ever heard the phrase 'the more concealed, the more conspicuous'?"
Lu Youze stiffened, his eyes flashing with denial and protest.
Zhang Shu looked at him and suddenly understood. "So shocked? You don’t think you’re like that, huh? A behavior pattern, once used long enough, seeps into your bones."
"But you’re right about one thing—neither of us was wrong, just raised differently. So say what you want to say. I won’t yell at you or hit you today. Speak your mind, and spit it out already."
Lu Youze averted his gaze. "Talking like this just makes it clearer how different we are. Our upbringing, our family backgrounds—they matter, obviously. Earlier, I said there aren’t many Lu Zhengs in the world. You’re not Lu Zheng. How wide is the gap between you and Sheng Xia? Can you bridge it? You’re talented and hardworking—you can change your future, but not the gap you were born with."
Sheng Xia.
Finally, the keyword appeared after all this talk.
Zhang Shu laughed. "If you like her, go after her. Stop wasting my time."
Lu Youze: "Like I said before, I mean no harm, and I won’t pursue her. If our paths align, many things would happen naturally. I won’t deny I like Sheng Xia, but I’m telling you this now not to compete with you. I’m not interested in teenage romance, nor would I stoop to stealing someone’s partner. But you and Sheng Xia dating is like banging your head against a wall—it’ll do neither of you any good. I’m just stating facts."
Zhang Shu fell silent for a moment before replying, "Everyone acts with a purpose. Denying it because your motives aren’t noble—that’s just who you are. Still can’t see it? You’re saying all this for yourself, not for me, aren’t you?"As for the southern wall, how do you know you can't crash into it without trying? You privileged kids weigh risks too heavily, waiting for everything to fall into place. But us grassroots folks believe more in divine rewards for diligence and fighting for what we want. There’s nothing you can’t get if you give it your all. And if there is, it’s only because I don’t want it anymore."
"No," Lu Youze retorted. "If there is, it’s only because you know you can’t get it, so you don’t want it anymore."
"True," Zhang Shu didn’t deny it. "But for Sheng Xia, so far—maybe for my entire life—I’ll never not want her."
Lu Youze: "But she doesn’t take 'a lifetime' lightly, and she won’t wait for you. She’s going to the U.S. for college—are you going too? Or are you planning on a long-distance relationship spanning four, five years, or even longer? You have no foundation, and you’re from completely different worlds. Are you really that confident you can bridge that gap?"
As he finished speaking, Lu Youze noticed a crack in Zhang Shu’s perpetually indifferent expression.
"Her family is also prepping her for UPenn, but she looks unhappy. I hate to admit it, and I’m jealous—the reason she hesitates is because of you."
"You might be impressive, pulling someone’s score from below the first-tier cutoff to over twenty points above in just two months. But so what? You’re going to college in Heyan, right? Either Heqing or Haiyan—those are your two choices, aren’t they?
And her?
Even if, against all odds, she’s willing to stay in the country for you, with her current scores, she’d probably only get into the lower-tier schools in Heyan. How does that compare to UPenn? And if she applies elsewhere, you’ll be long-distance. How long have you even known each other? Can your relationship withstand that? An international separation is even more hopeless."
"This is your reality—every path leads to a dead end. She has better options. She deserves better options. But if things continue like this, she’ll end up with nothing. You know that."
You know that.
He knew.
He should know.
Silence stretched between them until Lu Youze added, "Don’t make childish, selfish decisions, Zhang Shu."
Zhang Shu suddenly stood up but didn’t speak. Half a minute later, he finally said, "Are you done with your report, nephew?"
Lu Youze also rose to his feet, taking a moment to process the address. After all that, he still had the nerve to joke? Furious, he snapped, "Zhang Shu!"
Zhang Shu turned to leave, tossing over his shoulder, "Alright, kiddo. Uncle got it."
Lu Youze: "…"
……
Before 2 p.m., the luncheon ended—punctual, as if no one wanted to stay a second longer.
The timing clashed with the supposedly warm atmosphere. Given how harmonious it all seemed, shouldn’t it have dragged on with toasts and chatter well into the afternoon?
But no.
Outside the hotel entrance, Zhang Shu said a quick word to Zhang Sujin before leaving alone, declining a ride from Lu Zheng’s driver.
He considered hailing a cab, but after checking, he saw the hotel was less than three kilometers from Yifang Bookstore. It was still early, so he decided to walk.
The alcohol made him drowsy, especially after the latter half of the meal, where he’d accepted every glass of red and white wine offered. The breeze made his head feel heavy.
The weather was beautiful, the sun blazing, the camphor leaves a glossy green. Walking under the shade, Sheng Xia’s voice echoed in his ears—
"The camphor trees in Nanli—Ah Shu cheated!"
"Ah Shu, Ah Shu, Ah Shu…"
How could just hearing a name make someone’s heart race?
That evening during self-study, she’d stood by the lectern and called out to him: "Zhang Shu, the teacher wants you."Zhang Shu's heartbeat slowed at that moment.
She didn’t know.
And back then, he hadn’t paid it much mind either.
Scenes he hadn’t really noticed before began replaying in his head on a loop.
Finally, they settled on their first meeting.
Or rather, their second encounter.
To Zhang Shu, it counted as their first meeting. It was a shame he hadn’t gotten a good look at her during the bike crash.
The second time, in the senior year bike shed.
Who would’ve thought that after half a year, every detail would still be crystal clear?
The purplish-red sunset, the scorching evening breeze, the rustling leaves…
Everything about summer was blazing and noisy.
Only the flustered girl’s face was cool and serene.
Like a glass of cucumber juice handed to you after an intense workout.
It soothed all the restlessness.
Zhang Shu suddenly chuckled.
If this wasn’t love at first sight, then what was?
He was done for, utterly defeated.
When he arrived at Yifang Bookstore, it was only 2:30 p.m.
Zhang Shu wandered around the shop and spotted the sunlit table from his dream.
In that dream, he had kissed her breathless right there.
Shaking his head, the alcohol left him slightly dizzy. Suddenly craving something sweet, he stepped out of the bookstore and crossed the street to a newsstand, buying a lollipop and a bottle of water.
Just as he was gulping down the water, a familiar white electric scooter came into view.
Across the street, the girl braked but didn’t get off. She checked her watch, seemed to hesitate, then turned her bike around and rode away.
Zhang Shu sat on a low stool by the newsstand, unwrapping the lollipop.
The shade of the trees hid him in the shadows, as if separating him from the bright world outside.
A sense of defeat and helplessness, unlike anything he’d ever felt before, weighed on him.
From the moment he left the hotel until now, it had been lodged in his throat, threatening to burst out.
Never had he felt this way.
His friends’ words from last night’s gathering echoed in his ears again.
“Sheng Mingfeng’s political record is rock-solid… At his age, he’s probably due for another promotion… One more step up, and he’ll be someone ordinary folks only see on the evening news…”
“Would someone with that kind of background really slog through the gaokao like the rest of us? I thought they’d all have connections to study abroad?”
“I think so too. If not now, then later, right?”
……
Zhang Shu’s mind was a mess of images and voices. He crunched down on the lollipop, quickly finished it, then bought another and popped it into his mouth.
Sucking lightly, the faint sweetness lingered.
Sheng Xia appeared again.
This time, he saw clearly—she was wearing a dress.
A white dress, almost blending into her fair skin.
So beautiful.
Zhang Shu thought no words in the world could do her justice.
She was too perfect.
Dizzy, he even found it amusing to wonder—had she ever truly existed in his reality, or was she just a beautiful illusion from his youth?
During the time he learned about Sheng Mingfeng’s identity, he had thought:
So what?
He wanted her. He wanted to have her.
Maybe it was youthful arrogance, but that arrogance made him realize—in all his life, nothing and no one had ever made him so obsessed, drawing out a reckless audacity he didn’t know he had.
He watched her enter the bookstore and sit by the window at that sunlit table.
She kept checking her phone, then pouted, clearly unhappy.
She took out a pretty hairpin and clipped it by her ear.
It sparkled brilliantly.Sigh, should he tell her that no adornment could outshine her own radiance?
His phone vibrated, and he tapped to check.
Unconsciously, it was already half past three.
Moli Hua: "Where are you now?"
His girl was waiting for him.
A date.
It had to be said, some of Lu Youze's words were harsh, yet painfully true.
"You can change the future, but you can't bridge the innate gap."
Right. So when he sent Sheng Xia back, he could only bid her a hasty farewell across the intersection.
While Lu Youze was someone her mother approved of—someone who could escort her right to her doorstep.
This was the innate gap.
"This is your current reality. Every path leads to a dead end... If things continue like this, she'll end up with nothing from either side."
Zhang Shu wanted to look up at the heavens, but above him was only the dense canopy of camphor trees.
No one could give him the answer.
Was possession truly selfish?
Lowering his head, he typed.
"Sorry."
Coward. Delete.
"We can't continue this,"
Coward. Delete.
"I need to think things through,"
He did need to think, but not like this. Delete.
He dialed her number.
He watched as the girl answered immediately.
They spoke at the same time—
"Are you—"
"Sheng Xia, you should go back first."
Silence lingered for a moment before her soft voice came through: "Hmm?"
Zhang Shu: "I can't meet you today."
Afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself—afraid he'd say something irreversible, do something irreversible.
She seemed dazed for a second before replying cheerfully, "Oh, that's fine! You go ahead with your work. I haven't arrived yet either, so I'll just turn around and head home, okay?"
"Mm."
Fool. How could there be a girl like this? He—this useless waste—was standing her up, yet she was still finding excuses to make him feel less guilty?
The call ended.
But Sheng Xia didn't leave. Neither did Zhang Shu.
She sat there quietly, listlessly removing her hair clip again. A server refilled her water, likely asking if she wanted to order. She placed an order, then zoned out. When the food arrived, Zhang Shu couldn't make out what it was, but he could see she didn't touch a bite.
She picked up a book to read, staying until the sunset glow filled the entire floor-to-ceiling window. Glancing outside, she closed the book, gathered her things, and left.
Only when her little white car disappeared from view did Zhang Shu rise from the bench. Under the curious gaze of the newsstand owner, he bought his fifth lollipop of the day and walked away.
After an afternoon spent in the wind, most of the alcohol had worn off. Had he figured anything out?
Nothing.
He still wanted her—desperately.
She wasn’t just a passing whim to him.
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