A faint displeasure began to gnaw at him. Fu Shize glanced at Lin Jingran and asked, "Have you ever been in a relationship?"
"Huh? Yeah, I have." Lin Jingran quickly deduced that Fu Shize was facing romantic troubles. "Senior, what do you want to know?"
"Do you usually communicate frequently on WeChat?"
"Yeah, when bored, we'd send each other stickers. Especially at the start of a relationship—you'd want to stick together every day." Lin Jingran drifted into reminiscence but still remembered to advise Fu Shize, "But every couple has their own dynamic. You and Senior Yun should just find what works best for you."
What works best?
Fu Shize checked his chat history with Yun Li again—their messages to each other were sparse.
He looked at Lin Jingran. "Send me some stickers."
...
"Senior, these are commonly used between couples. This sticker pack is pretty mushy—don't use it right away; it might scare her off. Start with these milder ones first. And you can send the same sticker multiple times in a row—it makes the emotions feel stronger."
In the lab, it was usually Fu Shize guiding his juniors through experiments and papers. Rarely did Lin Jingran get a chance to help him, so he went all out, scouring a massive collection of stickers for him.
Fu Shize saved them one by one, then looked up and said, "Thanks."
His fingers scrolled up and down before sending a sticker of a cat peeking out from under a table—just to make his presence known.
Soon after.
Yun Li: "[Confused]"
Fu Shize sent the same sticker three times in a row.
Yun Li: "[Confused]"
It seemed Yun Li had no idea he was just trying to make his presence felt. Thinking Lin Jingran's advice wasn't reliable, Fu Shize pondered for a moment before choosing another sticker.
Fu Shize: "[Miss you]"
Fu Shize: "[Miss you]"
Fu Shize: "[Miss you]"
After a short wait, Yun Li replied.
"[Miss you]"
Setting his phone aside, Fu Shize moved his mouse to unlock his computer screen. But after typing just a few words, he recalled Yun Li's response. Propping his chin on his hand, he couldn’t help but curve his lips into a smile.
...
Before heading out to pick up Fu Zhengchu, Yun Li and Fu Shize had dinner at the cafeteria.
It was already late October, but West Fuling was still sweltering. Groups of students strolled around campus in light summer clothes, holding ice cream cones.
Beads of sweat formed on Yun Li’s forehead as she eyed the ice cream in the hands of a girl walking toward them. She licked her lips.
"Want some?" Fu Shize turned to ask her. Yun Li nodded.
"Wait here."
A convenience store stood nearby. Yun Li lingered outside the glass door as she watched him pay. He exchanged a few words with the girl at the counter, who smiled brightly as she handed him the cone.
When Fu Shize came out, he passed the ice cream to Yun Li. The cone was piled high with scoops, and she accepted it quietly.
Noticing her subdued mood, Fu Shize took her hand and asked, "Did I get the wrong flavor?"
"No."
Yun Li had initially planned to keep it to herself, thinking the feeling would pass.
But remembering how their last big conflict stemmed from poor communication, she hesitated before muttering softly, "You were talking to that girl for a while just now."
Normally, Fu Shize wouldn’t exchange unnecessary words with other girls.The cashier from earlier had fair skin, starry eyes, and pearly white teeth. The more Yun Li thought about her, the more frustrated she felt, to the point where she didn’t even want to eat the ice cream cone in her hand anymore.
Fu Shize chuckled beside her and asked, “Do you understand what I said now?”
Yun Li remained silent.
Fu Shize casually hooked his arm around her neck, pulling her toward him. The back of her head lightly bumped against his collarbone.
Their intimate gesture on the street made Yun Li a little self-conscious.
Fu Shize leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I told her to pile my girlfriend’s ice cream cone higher.”
Realizing she had misunderstood him—and because of his words whispered so close—Yun Li lowered her head and quickly took a few more bites of her cone.
Fu Shize laughed lazily and remarked, “Jealousy incarnate.”
The sunlight was nearly melting her, and her face burned with heat. She wanted to hurry into the car, but Fu Shize refused to speed up, keeping his arm around her neck as they strolled leisurely down the street.
Yun Li had no choice but to lean forward, forcibly increasing Fu Shize’s pace.
Once inside the car, she immediately turned on the air conditioning, and the stifling air gradually cooled.
“We’ll pick up Fu Zhengchu first. Tang Lin is with him,” Yun Li said, having already called Tang Lin earlier. Tang Lin had found work near West Fuling University of Technology.
Fu Shize had little impression of Tang Lin and simply hummed in acknowledgment. Then, out of nowhere, he said, “Today, my junior mentioned that in a relationship, you have to find a way of being together that feels comfortable for both people.”
Yun Li, who had been eating her ice cream, paused mid-bite at his words and asked uncertainly, “Do you feel uncomfortable now?”
“Mhm,” Fu Shize replied.
Yun Li numbly took two more bites of her cone, mulling it over.
She lifted her gaze and asked softly, “Why?”
Was it because she had gotten upset earlier?
Fu Shize watched her, noticing her nervous expression. He leaned forward, gently moved her ice-cream-holding hand aside, and pressed his lips to hers.
As his tongue deepened the kiss, the sweetness of the ice cream faded from rich to faint. He cradled the back of her head, and for a moment, the sunlight seemed blinding. The pressure of his lips intensified, accompanied by a faint sting, and her breath was nearly stolen away completely.
When Fu Shize finally released her, Yun Li gasped lightly and looked at him. He used his fingers to wipe away traces of ice cream from the corner of her lips and said slowly, “We don’t spend enough time together.”
That was why he always felt unsatisfied and uncomfortable.
He wanted more time with her.
Yun Li snapped out of her daze and glanced out the car window. They were parked right by the roadside, and there were plenty of students passing by. During their heated kiss, she hadn’t noticed at all.
Right now, she just wanted to find a mask to cover her face.
She stared at Fu Shize for a moment, but he showed no sign of remorse. Instead, he reminded her, “It’s melting.”
The melted ice cream had dripped to the bottom of the cone’s crispy shell and was about to spill onto the car seat.
Yun Li hurriedly opened the car door and held the cone outside, whispering, “You can’t do this next time. Finish eating first before kissing—it’ll dirty the car.”
“Mhm, got it,” Fu Shize replied lazily.
Yun Li glanced at him, puzzled by his unwavering gaze. “What?”
He urged softly, “Hurry up and eat.”
“…”
“Why did Fu Zhengchu invite us?” Fu Shize only brought up their plans to visit the dog kennel once they arrived at West Fuling University of Technology.
“Well, Tang Lin is my roommate, and she’s pursuing Fu Zhengchu, so we all decided to hang out together,” Yun Li explained. “Maybe Fu Zhengchu feels awkward being alone with Tang Lin.”She thought for a moment and added, "Or maybe they wanted to set us up."
Yun Li still remembered that night when they had barbecue, Fu Zhengchu had already pulled Fu Shize back into the group chat.
Fu Shize's gaze shifted to the middle of the road where Fu Zhengchu and a tall, slender girl stood by the roadside. After Yun Li parked the car, the girl quickly slipped into the back seat.
"Yun Li, the last time I saw you was over a year ago. I didn’t expect we’d meet again because of Fu Zhengchu..." Tang Lin leaned against the seat backrest as soon as she got in, glancing sideways. When she saw Fu Shize, whose features somewhat resembled Fu Zhengchu’s, she exclaimed in surprise, "You and your boyfriend came to West Fuling too?"
Yun Li gave a vague response. Tang Lin sat back dejectedly and poked Fu Zhengchu unceremoniously. "Look at my roommate—she’s been dating your uncle for two years already. Can’t you let our relationship start a little sooner?"
Fu Zhengchu didn’t reply, just scooted slightly to the side. Tang Lin pretended not to notice and inched closer to him.
The dog kennel was run by a friend of Tang Lin’s parents, located just a ten-minute drive from West Fuling University of Technology. The owner, aware of their visit in advance, had reserved a spot for them.
A quarter of the shop space was occupied by a bar counter. After they sat down, a staff member handed them the menu.
After they placed their orders, Fu Shize pointed at the black tea on the menu.
Fu Zhengchu quickly intervened, "He doesn’t need that. Just give him a glass of water." The interruption and his words were so natural, as if this scenario had played out many times before.
Fu Shize: "..."
Fu Zhengchu turned to explain to Yun Li, "After Uncle’s surgery, Grandpa and Grandma said he shouldn’t drink tea, coffee, or anything stimulating."
"Oh..." Yun Li responded.
Even though she was his girlfriend, it was Fu Zhengchu who had to remind her of these things.
Yun Li felt an indescribable emotion. She picked up a corgi plushie from the side and played with it for a while.
Fu Shize noticed her faint melancholy and lightly hooked his finger around hers.
The gesture left Fu Zhengchu utterly bewildered. He stammered, "Uh, Li Li-jie, Uncle, you two..."
Fu Shize ignored him and said to Yun Li, "Let’s go play with the dogs."
A few corgis were let loose in the café area of the kennel. Fu Shize crouched down and stroked one’s head. The corgi lifted its head contentedly, letting him scratch its neck.
Yun Li recalled the first time they went to the OT Bar, when Fu Shize had poked fish balls to tease a stray dog across from the late-night eatery.
Compared to back then, his demeanor now was much gentler, yet his slender frame inexplicably brought that memory back to her.
After hesitating for a moment, Yun Li walked over to Fu Zhengchu. Tang Lin had been pulled aside by the owner to catch up.
Yun Li was at a loss for words, but Fu Zhengchu quickly accepted the news of their reconciliation. Leaning back in his chair and swinging his legs, he sighed, "Li Li-jie, people who are meant to be together will find their way back."
"What about you and Tang Lin?" Yun Li curled her lips and countered. Fu Zhengchu’s face instantly flushed, and he stammered without giving a clear answer.
After chatting for a while, Yun Li asked him, "Fu Zhengchu, was your uncle’s perforated gastric ulcer surgery very serious back then? He didn’t tell me the details."
"At the time, Uncle’s grandmother passed away. He was probably too grief-stricken—he had a high fever for days and didn’t eat anything, so it was pretty severe."Seeing Yun Li frozen for a long moment, Fu Zhengchu comforted her, "Lili-jie, don't worry too much. It should be almost healed by now, just avoid eating anything irritating."
"Mm." Yun Li smiled, her gaze lingering on Fu Shize.
Her heart felt like it was weighed down by several heavy stones. She moved closer to him, and when Fu Shize noticed her approach, he nudged the corgi toward her, wanting her to pet it.
As she stroked the corgi's neck, her hand gradually shifted to the side, grasping one of Fu Shize's fingers before covering the back of his hand.
"Are you happy now?" Yun Li asked him.
Fu Shize clasped her hand in return, lightly scratching her palm. "Mm."
The tension in Yun Li's nerves eased considerably.
She couldn't change the past, but at least, from now on, Yun Li could always stay by his side.
Before leaving, Yun Li noticed a wish wall in the café. She lingered for a long time in front of the assorted sticky notes before picking up a piece of paper and neatly writing down her wish.
"Write a wish too," she said, handing paper and a pen to the person beside her who was still playing with the dog.
Fu Shize wasn't particularly interested but straightened up to see what Yun Li had written. She quickly pulled him back, her tone carrying a hint of warning. "No peeking."
"Fine," Fu Shize glanced at her. "Then you won't look at mine either?"
"I won't," Yun Li put some distance between them to show she wouldn't peek. She tilted her head and said, "When both our wishes come true, we'll come back here together."
Fu Shize lowered his gaze and voluntarily handed his sticky note to her. "You can look at mine."
"I won't," Yun Li knew he wanted to see hers. She walked to the door first, staring at Fu Shize with a warning in her eyes.
Basically telling him not to peek at hers.
Fu Shize sighed helplessly and found a high spot to stick his note.
After dropping off Fu Zhengchu and Tang Lin, Yun Li noticed that when they got out of the car, Tang Lin was still dragging Fu Zhengchu forward while he looked reluctant but obediently followed.
The two would most likely end up together.
...
The next day was Friday, and as usual, Yun Li went to pick up Yun Ye from school. After entering the house, they both headed straight for their rooms but were stopped by Yun Yongchang.
Yun Li turned around and saw that besides Yun Yongchang and Yang Fang, Yin Yucheng was also sitting on the sofa. He gave her a gentle smile.
She froze for a moment, thinking something had happened again between Yin Yunyi and Yun Ye. After putting down her bag, she hurried to the living room to sit down.
Yun Yongchang: "Xiao Yin, though I'm not very educated, I'm still quite satisfied with how my children turned out."
Yin Yucheng: "Uncle, you're too modest."
Yun Li was completely lost and made faces at Yun Ye, who was silent beside her.
Yun Yongchang: "Lili, go wash some fruit."
Seizing the opportunity, Yun Li pulled Yun Ye into the kitchen. As she took some fruit from the fridge, she whispered, "Didn't you say you haven't confessed yet? Are you and Yin Yunyi settling things this quickly?"
Yun Ye replied blankly, "No way..."
"Seems like your future sister-in-law has strict parents, Yun Ye. You better brace yourself—dating her will probably be like getting married straight away." Yun Li nudged him with her elbow. "Who knows, Dad might set up eight or ten tables when you confess."
"..."Yun Ye barely put up any internal struggle and nodded resignedly, "It's not impossible."
Yun Li laughed, "Dream on. You've been chasing her for so long, and who would've thought the biggest credit goes to Yin Yunyi's parents."
Yun Ye took out his phone and sent a message to Yin Yunyi: 【Hey, is your brother in West Fuling?】
Yin Yunyi: 【Yeah, he said he came to West Fuling for a blind date. My parents set him up.】
Yun Ye blinked and glanced at Yun Li, who was humming beside him, momentarily speechless.
He wasn’t mentally prepared to break this bad news to Yun Li.
Yun Li happened to finish cutting the fruit and noticed his constipated expression. She shot him a sidelong glance, "What’s wrong with you?"
"Uh..."
Yun Li idly leaned over to peek at his screen.
Seeing Yin Yunyi’s reply, her expression instantly froze.
The siblings silently cooperated to clean the melon rinds from the cutting board into the trash.
After a moment of eerie calm before the storm, Yun Li grabbed Yun Ye’s collar and hissed, "Tell me the truth—did you know about this?"
This was just too damn ridiculous.
Yun Li had imagined a thousand possibilities, but never this one.
Yun Ye: "Hell no, how would I know?"
Yun Li eyed him suspiciously, already labeling him as an accomplice, "Was this why you fought with Yin Yunyi last time?"
Yun Ye: "Nothing about you could ever shake our relationship, okay? You’d better figure out how to deal with her brother first."
"Lili, is the fruit ready yet?" Yun Yongchang called from the living room.
Yun Li gripped the edges of the fruit plate, anger flaring up. She had emphasized this to Yun Yongchang more than once. While he had restrained himself before, this time he’d outright dragged someone from Nanwu to West Fuling.
Anyone else would’ve been bad enough, but this time it was Yin Yunyi’s brother. The situation left Yun Ye in an awkward spot too.
Yun Li carried the fruit plate out, and Yun Yongchang vacated his seat, gesturing for her to sit next to Yin Yucheng.
With outsiders present, Yun Li had no choice but to suppress her displeasure. She declined politely, "I still have work to finish, so I need to get back to it. Please enjoy."
Without waiting for Yun Yongchang to respond, she turned and headed straight to her room.
After stewing in her room for a while, Yun Li heard the front door open and close, guessing Yin Yucheng had left.
Yun Yongchang bellowed from the living room, "Yun Li."
She didn’t answer.
Soon, heavy footsteps thudded down the hallway, and Yun Yongchang pushed her door open, "Is this how I raised you? Where are your manners?"
"He even brought gifts. What kind of attitude is this?" Yun Yongchang scowled, and only then did Yun Li notice the fruit and tea on the living room table.
"Dad, why don’t you marry the next person you bring home?" Yun Li couldn’t hold back anymore, her voice tight with anger. "I’ve told you more than once—I don’t want blind dates. I don’t need them."
"With your personality, how can you not need them? Do you even know how highly educated and successful he is? He’s from West Fuling, and he doesn’t mind at all that you’re hard of hearing!"
"Dad!" Yun Ye couldn’t help but shout. Yun Yongchang stiffened, realizing his mistake, and awkwardly added, "His conditions are..."
Yun Li cut him off coldly, "His conditions are great. Your daughter is half-deaf and unworthy."She held back the tears welling up in her eyes and said calmly, "Stop making arrangements. This time, I won't put you in a difficult position. I'll go talk to him myself."
As she reached the door, her steps slowed, and her voice choked with emotion, "Dad, next time, could you please consider my feelings?"
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