During the summer vacation, He Xiang had to leave early for Capital University, so Ji Nian and Lu Jinghuai accompanied him to the high-speed rail station to see him off. Yang Xinyu and Xiang Wan also came along.
Xiang Wan had performed well in her exams and secured a spot at her target university. Yang Xinyu, on the other hand, fell slightly short but still made it into his desired institution, though likely not for his dream major. Nevertheless, both were quite satisfied with their results.
Wei Yang handed over two bags—one filled with supplies pooled together by friends, and the other containing pickled vegetables and sauces sent by Yuanyuan’s family (He Xiang’s former neighbors in Linshan Village), which He Xiang particularly enjoyed.
With the Ji family’s help, Yuanyuan’s older sister had successfully completed her studies and a few years prior had been admitted to a reputable university in the south. Every year, she would send local specialties to Ji Nian and He Xiang, maintaining their long-standing connection.
“Go on in. Once you’re settled, we’ll come visit when you have time,” Ji Nian said, waving at him.
He Xiang nodded. “Sure.”
Lu Jinghuai mimicked her, raising his hand to wave as well.
Yang Xinyu, reluctant to part, stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
Xiang Wan simply gave him a nod.
After separating from Yang Xinyu, He Xiang picked up his luggage and headed into the station.
He thought to himself that once he arrived in the capital, he’d make sure to scout out all the best places for fun and food in advance.
After seeing He Xiang off on the train, Ji Nian sighed nostalgically and remarked to Lu Jinghuai, “How wonderful. Even our little He Xiang is old enough for university now.”
He had truly grown up.
Lu Jinghuai found it both amusing and exasperating. Her tone sounded so much like a proud parent—he wondered how He Xiang would react if he heard.
Ji Nian’s summer had been incredibly fulfilling. It was often said that the post-college-entrance-exam summer was the most carefree vacation of one’s life.
In the beginning, she had gone wild with fun, traveling to several small countries with Chen Mo and returning with a trove of exotic specimens to study. Later, Lu Jinghuai took her on another extended adventure.
He even introduced her to storm chasing. The two of them drove across wilderness areas where storms were likely to form, as if starring in a high-stakes adventure film.
It sounded thrilling, but in reality, most of the time was spent sitting in the car. The excitement only peaked when they actually encountered their “target.”
Still, Ji Nian never found it boring. With Lu Jinghuai around, things were always exhilarating—especially when she had nothing to do, and he would pull her into the backseat for some… intense distraction.
By the time she returned, Ji Tingzhou, who had initially planned to lecture her, took one look at her glowing complexion and immediately halved his prepared scolding.
...
“Seriously, Wei Junze, just let me talk to them.”
Ji Nian glanced up as Wei Junze strode into her office, his face still flushed with lingering irritation.
His once-vibrant red hair had been dyed black, and he wore a tailored suit—a stark contrast to his usual rebellious image. Anyone familiar with him would’ve been shocked to see him playing the part of a polished “corporate elite” in public.
But of course, that professional facade was reserved for outsiders. The moment he stepped into Ji Nian’s office, he yanked off his tie in disgust, slung an arm over the back of a chair, and sprawled into it with his usual irreverence.
“Fine, give it a shot. Those foreigners are a pain to deal with.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
After her summer escapades, Ji Nian had started working at Weilan Technology. Now, even Wei Junze had to address her formally as “Director Ji” during business discussions.
Watching him casually grab a can of cola from her fridge, Ji Nian handed him a tissue, signaling for him to wipe the rim before drinking.
She had certain fastidious habits, and Wei Junze had long since gotten used to them.
“Alright, I’ll set up a meeting later. Oh, by the way—did Professor Jin agree to advise your team?”
Wei Junze leaned lazily against the fridge, taking a slow sip of his soda. The fizz spread across his tongue, making him squint in satisfaction. “Yeah, it’s settled.”
He had been eyeing the professor for a while, visiting him even before retirement to run errands and build rapport. Now that the old man had finally retired, Wei Junze wasted no time in recruiting him.
“Speaking of Professor Jin, his son is an associate professor at your college. You’ll meet him once the semester starts—remember the bespectacled guy who picked him up last time we had dinner?”
Ji Nian winced.
She suddenly had a feeling that she’d be surrounded by familiar faces once school began.
...
“Isn’t this a bit small?”
The moment Ji Tingzhou stepped inside, his brows furrowed as he scrutinized the apartment’s layout.
Since Ji Nian would be attending S University, she had decided against dorm life and opted to buy a place nearby.
Both Ji Tingzhou and Chen Mo had offered to gift her one, but she refused. She rarely touched the money she had invested over the years, relying instead on her father and Chen Mo’s cards for daily expenses. Now, she wanted to purchase a home with her own savings.
“I think it’s fine. It’s just me living here—why would I need something huge?”
The apartment she had chosen was just over 170 square meters—smaller than her dog Big Egg’s kennel, but she was perfectly content.
What mattered most was that many students from her university rented in this complex, and it was only a short walk from campus.
Knowing how much she liked it, Ji Tingzhou reluctantly agreed. If S University hadn’t been so far from home, he would’ve insisted she commute rather than live alone at such a young age.
As her father began dictating renovation plans, Ji Nian obediently deferred to his judgment, letting him tweak whatever displeased him while she lounged on the sofa texting Lu Jinghuai.
The sofa itself was a gift from him—it carried a faint, pleasant scent and was incredibly comfortable, making it her favorite spot.
Aware that Ji Tingzhou disliked eating out, Ji Nian decided to cook lunch for him herself.
What she served?
A bowl of rich, spicy rice noodles.
Topped with a perfectly runny poached egg.
Ji Tingzhou stared at it, unimpressed. “You feed your own father junk food?”
Despite his complaints, he ate it anyway.
Apart from his aversion to broccoli, Ji Tingzhou wasn’t particularly picky about food. Growing up in harsh conditions had stripped him of the luxury of preferences, though he had since developed a refined palate.
Ji Nian paid him no mind, slurping her noodles with relish.
At home, no one outright forbade her from eating such things, but they certainly disapproved. Now that she had her own place, she was determined to indulge in all the processed delights she craved.
“Are you going to eat that fried tofu skin? If not, give it to me.”
Noticing Ji Tingzhou hadn’t touched the crispy tofu skin soaking in broth, Ji Nian’s chopsticks hovered eagerly.
Seeing her anticipation, Ji Tingzhou picked it up with his chopsticks.
Ji Nian held out her bowl expectantly—only for him to abruptly pop it into his own mouth.
Ji Nian: “……”
Meeting her father’s smug gaze, she silently vowed to tattle to “Sister Cicada” later.
After lunch, Ji Tingzhou accompanied her for a short walk around the neighborhood before leaving.
After seeing her father off, Ji Nian stretched lazily and wheeled her cart to collect a package.
Their residential complex had two units per floor, and as Ji Nian pulled her cart upstairs, she noticed the door across from hers was wide open.
Wondering if her new neighbor might also be a student at S University, she headed back to her own place.
At her doorstep, she spotted a sticky note on the door—apparently from the new neighbor. It apologized for potential noise over the next few days and asked for her understanding. Hanging from the doorknob was a basket filled with fruit.
Ji Nian thought the gesture was overly polite. Since the opposite door was still open, she turned to greet them.
But as she stepped closer—
Her gaze landed on a man standing in the entryway, his back to her. His bare upper body bore a vivid crimson tattoo that stretched from his neck down to his waist and beyond.
The stark contrast between his pale skin and the blood-red ink created such a striking visual that Ji Nian couldn’t look away.
The design etched there was—
