Yun Li hadn't expected to mess up the pronunciation again after practicing for over ten minutes beforehand.
Noticing his lack of enthusiasm, she said sternly, "You don't seem very happy."
Fu Shize found it amusing. "I am happy."
Yun Li was dissatisfied. "If you're happy, you should show it."
"How?"
On camera, Yun Li pressed her index and middle fingers together against her lips, then flicked them outward in a blowing kiss gesture. After demonstrating, she stared at him. "Like this."
"..."
Fu Shize had no idea how she came up with such an exaggerated motion. Seeing her determined gaze, he made an excuse: "You didn't even pronounce my name right."
"..."
Caught red-handed, Yun Li flushed. "I'll practice more and get it right next year."
Fu Shize asked, "What if you still can't next year?"
"Then I'll celebrate your birthday every year until I get it right." Yun Li said seriously, "Don't underestimate me—"
Fu Shize thought she was referring to her Mandarin, but instead she smiled: "I can be with you for a lifetime."
So there should be plenty of opportunities.
"I'll make it up to you when I get back—I'll bake you a cake." Yun Li had only learned yesterday that his birthday fell on New Year's Eve and hastily prepared the light display for remote celebration.
"Those things don't matter." Fu Shize said indifferently, though his tone carried a hint of urgency beneath the calm facade: "Just come back soon."
...
After meeting Yin Yunyi in Nanwu, Yun Ye spent most of his holiday studying. The siblings only saw each other during meals.
Yun Yongchang and Yang Fang's vacation wasn't as long as the students', so once the New Year passed, only Yun Li and Yun Ye remained at home.
Concerned about Fu Shize's stomach issues, Yun Li took advantage of the winter break to learn various congee recipes, posting a series of congee-making videos on E-Station.
Since resolving to improve her personality, Yun Li had been livestreaming for half an hour nearly every night, usually just chatting with fans about random topics.
Gradually, her regular viewers grew in number.
One fan in particular caught her attention—this "efe" never joined the voice chat but frequently replied in the comments.
For example:
Yun Li: "—The streamer is the queen of overthinking, taking ages to respond to others."
efe: [My wife is thoughtful]
Yun Li: "—The streamer always kills conversations with strangers."
efe: [My wife gets straight to the point]
Yun Li: "—The streamer is a bit socially anxious and makes her brother answer all delivery calls."
efe: [My wife is meticulous]
"..."
Even a pheasant could be praised as a phoenix.
Yet this self-disclosure resonated with many viewers, who admitted they also hated making or receiving calls—especially from strangers.
The things she once used to judge herself harshly were actually common experiences. What she had long considered personal flaws now seemed utterly ordinary.
She had always lived in her own world.
Arbitrarily categorizing herself as some special case, blindfolded in self-pity—wasn't that just another form of arrogance?Many fans took the mic to share their own introverted experiences—some with relatives, others with colleagues—filled with plenty of socially awkward stories. Throughout, the barrage of comments was filled with supportive and encouraging words from others. Though they were all strangers, they were willing to comfort each other with warmth.
Yun Li watched, her heart touched.
Gradually, the topic veered off course.
[Wifey, where’s little bro? Aaaaaah!]
[Today’s social training for the introvert is over, let’s have an exhibition for little bro!]
[Little bro, mommy loves you!]
In the early days of Yun Li’s videos, Yun Ye frequently appeared on camera. Over the past four years, many long-time fans had witnessed his growth—but she had watched him for sixteen years. She had memories of him from the moment he was born.
Step by step, she watched him grow from a babbling toddler into the lively teenager he was now. Yun Li fell into thought—if she really stayed in Nanwu, she’d have very few chances to see Yun Ye again.
Yun Li ended the livestream.
After dinner, Yun Ye had complained of a stomachache, and Yun Li had teased that Yang Fang’s cooking had poisoned him. Now, he was curled up under the blankets, asleep. Yun Li went in and stared at his sleeping face, ruffling his hair.
Yun Ye woke up, saw it was her, and turned his face away. “Go away, I’m sleeping.”
She had intended to be a proper older sister for a while, but now her temper flared. “Fine, I’ll go. I’m heading back to Nanwu tomorrow.”
Yun Ye immediately sat up. “I told you to go away, not to leave.”
He frowned. “It’s only the eighth.”
Yun Li said, “I’m going back to celebrate your brother-in-law’s belated birthday.” She added deliberately, “Oh, my little brother probably wouldn’t understand, since I’m the one in a relationship.”
Suddenly force-fed this unsolicited affection, Yun Ye wordlessly pulled the covers over his head. Yun Li clapped her hands and stood up, only to hear Yun Yongchang’s cold voice behind her. “Who are you dating?”
“…”
The walls were thin at home. Whenever Yun Li called Fu Shize, she had to speak softly, and Yun Yongchang had never discovered their relationship.
Yun Ye peeked out from under the covers, giving her a sympathetic look. Yun Yongchang glared at him. “Oh, so you’ve grown wings, huh? Colluding with your sister to lie to us.”
“…”
The silent night simmered with rising anger.
“Who is he?”
“A colleague.”
“How long have you been together?”
“A month.”
“Where’s he from?”
“Nanwu…”
Yun Yongchang’s face darkened instantly. “Not only did you run off to Nanwu for school, but now you’re planning to marry someone from there too? Are there no men left in West Fuling?”
Having anticipated this outcome, Yun Li kept her tone gentle. “Dad, can’t you give me a little more freedom when it comes to dating…?”
“What freedom! If you go to Nanwu and get bullied, who’s going to stand up for you when we’re not there?” As usual, he laid down the law without hesitation. “Break up with that guy as soon as you get back. You’re still young—if you want to date, find someone from West Fuling.”
Yun Li’s heart stung.
“I don’t need anyone to stand up for me. I can protect myself,” she snapped, her anger flaring.
She didn’t understand. She had always been cautious and never caused Yun Yongchang any trouble, yet he always treated her as if she were incompetent.
Why did some parents insist their children follow the life paths they’d mapped out for them?
“I’ve met his parents. They’re reasonable people—both professors at West Science and Technology University.”Originally, she had hoped Yun Yongchang would be more accepting of them, but her words only added fuel to the fire. Furious, he cursed a few times before storming out and slamming the door behind him.
Yun Li returned to pack her belongings with a cold expression, her heart aching unbearably from the harsh words he had thrown at her.
— You even secretly met his parents?
— Do I even exist in your eyes anymore?
— Are you looking down on my low education and trying to climb to a higher branch now?
Yun Yongchang was being unreasonable, and for once, Yun Li didn’t yield as she usually would. Coincidentally, a relative was hosting a first birthday banquet, so both parents had left early in the morning to help. Seizing the opportunity, Yun Li dragged her suitcase out, only to see Yun Ye emerging from his room at the same time.
He seemed to have just finished washing up—his hair was tousled with droplets of water, and a faint sleep mark lingered on his cheek. His eyelids drooped lazily as he asked, "You’re really leaving?"
Yun Li gave a quiet hum.
Yun Ye stood there, hands in his pockets.
The hallway was narrow, the lighting dim.
The tall teenager had dark brows and wore an oversized baseball jacket.
Partings always stirred up inexplicable emotions. The silence and dim light exaggerated the atmosphere, adding a weight that hadn’t been there before.
Against the backdrop of the empty house, Yun Ye seemed to take on another identity in that moment.
— A troubled, left-behind older child.
After hesitating briefly, Yun Li nagged, "Mom and Dad won’t be back until the day after tomorrow. You’ll be alone at home these two days, so just eat out."
Yun Ye glanced at her. "Oh."
Yun Li: "Or order takeout."
Yun Ye: "Oh."
Yun Li: "Or you could go to Auntie’s place for meals."
Yun Ye: "Oh."
"..." The three monosyllabic replies seemed loaded with something. Though unsure why, Yun Li, uncharacteristically patient, asked, "What’s with the attitude? Do you have a problem with your sister?"
"Nope," Yun Ye said. "Just feels like a holiday."
"?"
Yun Ye tilted his head and slowly repeated, "Eat out, order takeout, go to Auntie’s..." He paused before asking, "Weird, right?"
Yun Li didn’t get it. "What?"
Yun Ye shrugged. "You leaving means I don’t have to cook anymore."
Yun Li: "..."
Stung by his blatant sarcasm, Yun Li fell silent. Yun Ye then took her suitcase and headed for the door.
It had never crossed Yun Li’s mind that making Yun Ye cook instant noodles twice would breed such deep resentment.
Downstairs, Yun Li checked her phone before turning to Yun Ye, who was still pulling her suitcase. "Alright, I’m off. Go back and do your homework. The station’s just a short walk away."
"You’re taking the bus?" Yun Ye set the suitcase down. "With this luggage?"
"It’s not heavy."
"Aren’t you tired? I’ll take you to the airport."
"How?" Yun Li laughed. "By bus with me?"
"Obviously not." Yun Ye cocked an eyebrow arrogantly, pulling a car key from his pocket and tossing it lightly in his hand. "I’ll drive."
"..."
The offer was touching.
But it would’ve been even more touching if Yun Ye were an adult.
Yun Li was stunned. She smacked his head in disbelief. "Where did you get Dad’s car key again?"
Caught off guard, Yun Ye frowned. "It was just on the table."
"Then let it stay there," Yun Li said, unable to resist hitting him again. "Did it wave at you or something, making you take it?""Can you stop hitting me?" After taking two smacks, Yun Ye suppressed his anger. "It's not like I don't know how to drive."
Yun Ye wasn't lying.
His father, Yun Yongchang, had been a driving instructor for over a decade, and Yun Ye had spent countless hours hanging around the driving school. After years of exposure, he'd long since mastered driving.
For the rest of the journey, Yun Li played the role of the elder sister, earnestly lecturing Yun Ye, trying to make him understand what was and wasn't appropriate for someone his age.
Yun Ye remained silent the entire time.
By the time they reached the station, Yun Li had finished her lecture. Glancing at Yun Ye's expressionless face, she wondered if she'd gone too far.
Yun Li sighed. "I didn't mean to scold you. I'm just worried about your safety—"
Before she could finish, Yun Ye suddenly raised his hand and hailed a taxi.
Without responding, Yun Ye opened the rear door and practically shoved her inside. Then he addressed the driver, "To West Fuling Airport, please. Could you pop the trunk?"
With a stranger present, Yun Li immediately quieted down. Sitting on the left side, she fidgeted with her phone and sent Yun Ye a message: [?]
Yun Li: [???]
Soon, Yun Ye finished loading the luggage and got in.
Yun Li: [What are you doing?]
Yun Ye: [I'm paying for this ride.]
Yun Li: [Then I could've just gone by myself. It's such a waste for you to make a round trip.]
Yun Ye: [I'll take the bus back.]
Yun Ye didn't text again during the ride. Only when they reached the security checkpoint did he speak up: "Just stay in Nanwu. If things really don't work out, you can always come back to West Fuling."
After a pause, he added, "Though being with Dad is probably what makes things not work out the most."
"..."
As soon as she reached the arrivals gate, Yun Li spotted Fu Shize standing to the side. The gloom of the past two days suddenly lifted as she dashed toward him with her luggage, crashing into his arms.
Fu Shize staggered back a step, caught off balance. "Easy there."
Yun Li laughed. "Eat more meat, or people will say my boyfriend is delicate."
"Delicate?" Fu Shize repeated the word. Yun Li had only meant it as a joke, but seeing how seriously he took it, she was about to explain when he pulled her to a quieter spot.
Yun Li: "In broad daylight, you can't—"
She didn't finish.
Fu Shize had already tilted her chin up, his dark eyes burning with longing. He finished her sentence: "Can't be in love?"
"..."
Once in the car, Fu Shize asked, "You came back today specifically?"
Yun Li: "Yeah..."
A few old streetlights lined the roadside, and headlights frequently flashed ahead. Yun Li sat silently in the passenger seat, the argument with Yun Yongchang still churning in her mind.
"Are we going to Seven Mile Fragrant Capital first to pack your things?" Fu Shize glanced at her a few times. Yun Li nodded absently.
After two weeks apart, Yun Li didn't feel the expected joy at seeing him. When Fu Shize parked at Seven Mile Fragrant Capital, he asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just tired from the flight." Yun Li snapped out of her thoughts and suddenly asked, "How long have we been together?"
Fu Shize: "46 days."
Less than two months.
Perhaps it wasn't yet time to worry about such things.
Back at the apartment, Yun Li only packed essential daily items and some clothes."The landlord said breaking the lease would forfeit three months' deposit, which means we'd only save two months' rent. So I thought we could keep this apartment—it'd be convenient for early morning classes."
"Later, we can bring some clothes from your place too. Even though that creep hasn't been caught yet, he probably wouldn't dare show up with you around."
Yun Li had everything neatly arranged, only to notice Fu Shize watching her from the couch. She paused, "What's wrong?"
Fu Shize: "There's only one bed here."
Yun Li: "I didn't say you'd sleep on the couch."
"..."
After a long pause, Fu Shize asked slowly, "We'd share the bed?"
Yun Li hesitated but nodded. She trusted his character, and they likely wouldn't stay over often anyway.
Once in the car, he asked, "When do you have early classes?"
"..."
His expression was utterly serious when he asked, making Yun Li blush belatedly. She murmured, "Haven't finalized my schedule yet."
At South River Garden, Fu Shize went straight to the fridge to thaw some meat. His cooking skills were now proficient enough that he prepared dinner without Yun Li's help.
Yun Li wanted a drink, so Fu Shize opened a bottle of whiskey, mixing her a small glass with Sprite.
The dining table was softly lit by a small lamp.
Throughout the meal, Fu Shize watched Yun Li, who seemed distracted, her reactions slightly delayed. After two small glasses, her face showed no flush, but her eyes had grown moist.
"..."
The night was young, and Fu Shize didn't want it to end so soon.
He reached for Yun Li's glass, but she flared up: "You drink so much normally! If you dare stop me now, I'll—I'll..." She stumbled over her words.
Fu Shize, completely sober, asked, "You'll what?"
"Delete your WeChat!"
"..."
The threat worked. He didn't stop her again. Staring at his calm face, Yun Li felt an overwhelming urge to disrupt it. She grabbed his collar and yanked him onto the couch.
"Why do you always look like this?" she grumbled.
Fu Shize: "How should I look?"
Yun Li rarely drank and never realized she had both low tolerance and poor drunken behavior. After a standoff, she stubbornly declared, "Just not like this."
The man on the couch let her tug his collar, chuckling softly.
Hearing what sounded like mockery, Yun Li glared and began pinching his cheeks freely.
"This is your home," she said after her fill, sitting up to look around. Fu Shize corrected, "Ours."
When she tired, he produced a small box from behind him: "A gift." Similar to the mother-of-pearl box he'd given her before, it sobered her slightly as she took it.
She tilted her head. "Is it my birthday?"
Fu Shize: "..."
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