After the two packed their suitcases, they stopped in the center of the room.

Everything in the room was already tidied up, with two small suitcases placed on the floor, holding all of Wen Yao's belongings from the past to the present.

Jiang Shuyi glanced around the now empty room and quietly turned to Wen Yao. "It's quite incredible."

As she looked at the room, it felt like she was watching the flow of time within it.

"I still remember the first day I came here, it was snowing..." Jiang Shuyi recalled softly, thinking back to a few months ago.

". . ."

Wen Yao seemed to also reminisce about that day as she looked at Jiang Shuyi, "You always seem to be waiting for me on snowy days."

"Don't do that in the future, you'll catch a cold."

Jiang Shuyi rested her face on Wen Yao's shoulder, laughing as she hugged her tightly. "In the future, if I wait for you, you should come pick me up earlier, and then I won't catch a cold."

". . ."

"By the way, you've taught me here in this room before and even cooked for me."

"You're good at everything you do." Jiang Shuyi felt a sense of happiness welling up inside her.

Listening to her recount those past memories, Wen Yao also felt a sense of nostalgia, "They were all very ordinary things."

Jiang Shuyi cleared her throat and continued, "I also made congee for you here."

"Wen Yao, do you still need me to feed you?" Jiang Shuyi whispered softly in Wen Yao's ear.

Wen Yao turned away, deliberately trying to change the subject. "I don't know what you're talking about..."

Jiang Shuyi saw her turn away and thought that Wen Yao must not have forgotten.

She leaned in slightly, trying to jog Wen Yao's memory. "It was after I made you congee that you asked me the next day, remember?"

With a playful expression, Jiang Shuyi looked at Wen Yao. "Did you really forget?"

"I forgot a long time ago."

Wen Yao frowned, casually pushing Jiang Shuyi's arm away and picking up the handle of a nearby suitcase.

". . ." Jiang Shuyi cleared her throat and mimicked Wen Yao's tone. "'Are you not going to feed me today?'"

". . ."

Wen Yao listened to her words, silent for a few seconds, then put down the suitcase and turned to hit Jiang Shuyi. 

Jiang Shuyi laughed and didn't dodge, instead pulling her back into an embrace.

"Hey, I knew you still remembered."

"Annoying." Wen Yao frowned.

Jiang Shuyi laughed foolishly, "Actually, back then, I never thought you would end up with me..."

Wen Yao quietly watched Jiang Shuyi wrap her arms around her and smiled faintly. "Indeed."

She once thought that the future was always within her control, that she understood what her future would look like, so she never had any expectations.

But Jiang Shuyi was beyond her expectations.

"Let's go."

Wen Yao glanced at Jiang Shuyi, looked around the room, took out the key, and together with Jiang Shuyi, they dragged the suitcases out.

"We're going home." Jiang Shuyi said, holding Wen Yao's hand and smiling brightly.

—Going home.

Wen Yao didn't object to that word.

It wasn't yet night, the sky was beautifully dyed purple by the sunset, and the old building was bathed in golden light under the orange glow of the sun.

The two walked home, shoulders brushing against each other.

"Jiang Shuyi," Wen Yao looked at the purple sky, feeling the dazzling afterglow of the sunset, "You have many things, and you have given me many things."

"Perhaps in the future, I can also make up for you, but what I can give you is still very little."

"I'm older than you, have no family, and not a single close friend."

"Being with me, you may not receive the blessings of many people."

"So," Wen Yao continued to walk quietly ahead, "I often think that one day you will break up with me—"

The street lamps began to light up one by one. Jiang Shuyi glanced at Wen Yao's face illuminated by the light, interrupting her.

"I would never say that."

". . ." Wen Yao turned to look at Jiang Shuyi, whose eyes remained very clear.

"I've only ever liked you," Jiang Shuyi said clearly. "I can't imagine how I could ever dislike you."

Jiang Shuyi looked seriously into Wen Yao's eyes. "I won't do anything to hurt you... and I won't leave you."

"Really?" Wen Yao quietly observed her expression.

"Really." Jiang Shuyi affirmed confidently.

"But, what if I do something to hurt you?" Wen Yao asked, looking at Jiang Shuyi.

Jiang Shuyi's heart sank as she looked at Wen Yao. She lowered her head in frustration and asked, "... Are you planning to hurt me?"

"I'm just asking." Wen Yao said quietly.

As Jiang Shuyi looked at the two of them under the streetlight, she continued, "As long as you don't neglect me, don't skip meals with me, and keep liking me, always liking me, then I shouldn't get hurt..."

". . ."

She pursed her lips and said reluctantly, "If you have a valid reason to ignore me, not eat with me, just tell me the reason, I can understand."

"If you don't have a valid reason, I am willing to forgive you once, but even if I forgive you, I'll still feel wronged, and at that time, you have to comfort me."

"But I won't allow you to stop liking me..."

Jiang Shuyi lowered her head and, like a big dog with drooping ears, reached out and hugged Wen Yao.

Wen Yao felt enveloped by the warmth of her embrace, as if she were wrapped tightly in lemon balm.

Feeling the happiness, she leaned into Jiang Shuyi's arms.

"Mm."

By the time Tang Wenzhen and Jiang Haichao returned home, it was already seven o'clock. The two had been flying back and forth for the past few days and hadn't been home for a long time.

As soon as they entered the hallway, they heard Jiang Shuyi's noisy voice coming from the living room.

Tang Wenzhen felt a lot lighter in her heart. She took off her coat and hung it on the side before walking towards the living room.

But as soon as she turned the corner, she leaned against the wall and didn't move.

Jiang Haichao glanced at Tang Wenzhen leaning against the wall. "Honey, why aren't you moving?"

Following Tang Wenzhen's gaze into the living room, he saw Jiang Shuyi holding a spoon and trying to feed Wen Yao, who was reluctantly opening her mouth.

Sensing some movement by the wall, Wen Yao alertly raised her head to look in that direction.

Jiang Shuyi, noticing Wen Yao's reaction, also looked in the direction of Wen Yao's gaze.

Tang Wenzhen leaned elegantly against the wall, wearing a black turtleneck sweater and showing no particular expression.

Jiang Haichao was dressed in a dark suit, looking very neat.

The two exchanged calm glances as they watched the two young girls being affectionate.

A few moments of silent understanding passed among them.

"Hey, Mom, Dad, why are you back so early today?" Jiang Shuyi was the first to speak.

"The meeting ended, so we decided to take an early flight back."

Tang Wenzhen walked into the living room.

As she took off her gloves, she squinted at the two of them.

"Oh, I see." Jiang Shuyi said without any embarrassment, seemingly still intent on feeding Wen Yao with the spoon.

Wen Yao gently pushed Jiang Shuyi's hand and politely said, "I can eat by myself."

"But you've already been fed half!" Jiang Shuyi looked at Wen Yao, the spoon still not withdrawn.

"I can manage on my own, thank you."

Wen Yao said stiffly as she placed Jiang Shuyi's spoon back into her own bowl.

Jiang Shuyi pulled her hand back with some disappointment, reluctantly putting the spoon into her own mouth.

"We brought back gifts for both of you." Jiang Haichao said with a smile, taking some snacks and local specialties out of his bag.

He sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV, which began broadcasting the evening economic news.

Tang Wenzhen called for the auntie to bring new bowls and chopsticks, then sat down opposite them and started serving food.

She glanced at Jiang Shuyi and Wen Yao, Jiang Shuyi still looked unrefined while Wen Yao sat even more upright than usual.

As Jiang Shuyi began to eat, she started talking non-stop. Everyone had grown accustomed to it, quietly listening and occasionally responding.

"Oh, Mom, Dad, I'm going to study at A university in Beijing in the future."

While stuffing food into her mouth, Jiang Shuyi suddenly said, "I have to take the entrance exam for A University, so I might be in Beijing all of May."

Both Tang Wenzhen and Jiang Haichao froze momentarily.

Tang Wenzhen raised an eyebrow and looked at Jiang Shuyi, her tone serious. "Hmm, are you really going to take the entrance exam for A University?"

Jiang Shuyi paused, slightly stunned. "... Is there a fake A University?"

"Oh, I knew our Shuyi could do it!" Jiang Haichao exclaimed with delight.

Hearing this, Jiang Shuyi laughed happily.

Tang Wenzhen frowned and glanced at Jiang Haichao, "Don't get too excited too soon."

"This is still just in the planning stages. Anyone can apply for the A University, but can just anyone get in?"

"Don't forget what kind of person your daughter is." Tang Wenzhen quickly doused their enthusiasm with cold water.

". . ."

Jiang Shuyi and Jiang Haichao exchanged glances, pouting and saying nothing.

Tang Wenzhen looked at Jiang Shuyi, "Once you finish your meal, go wash some strawberries."

"...Oh." Jiang Shuyi responded obediently and got up to wash the strawberries in the kitchen.

Tang Wenzhen watched Jiang Shuyi head to the kitchen and then turned her gaze towards Wen Yao.

Wen Yao felt Tang Wenzhen's gaze and silently picked up her chopsticks to serve herself.

"Xiao Wen, Jiang Shuyi just said she wants to take the entrance exam for A University. Is that true?" Tang Wenzhen asked.

Wen Yao quietly set down her chopsticks and nodded earnestly. "Yes."

"Does Jiang Shuyi have a chance of getting in?" Tang Wenzhen looked toward the shadow in the kitchen, somewhat worried.

Wen Yao quietly looked up. "If she won't neglect it, she should have a seventy percent chance."

Jiang Haichao, standing nearby, smiled with satisfaction.

"Wow, rounding that up gives us a hundred percent, that's basically a sure thing."

As he spoke, he took out his phone as if he were about to make a call. "If you both get in, I'll arrange a banquet for you."

Jiang Haichao was genuinely happy. In the past, during meetings with ministers, they would always boast about their children—winning second place in a league, being champions in a programming competition, or representing the country internationally...

He actually thought his own child was pretty good too, but it just seemed like she couldn't stand out among all those champions.

Occasionally hearing others praise their kids also made him annoyed, like when someone would say, "Your daughter is really beautiful."

Hearing this would make him angry, feeling as though apart from looks, there were no other merits worth mentioning.

But in reality, everyone in his family had a solid educational background.

Jiang Haichao graduated from a prestigious university abroad, Tang Wenzhen held dual degrees from a top domestic university, and even Jiang Jinian, the elder, had attended university during a rare era and had once been a chief engineer.

Although none of them graduated from A University, they could still be considered a well-educated family.

However, the Jiang family had always believed in the principle that no matter how tough times got, the children should not suffer. From the elder down to Jiang Haichao, they practiced a loose, free-range style of education for Jiang Shuyi. Tang Wenzhen often remarked that this family was getting worse with each generation.

Yet, despite saying this, Tang Wenzhen was actually a person with a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

Although the couple also harbored hopes for their child to excel, more than anything, they hoped Jiang Shuyi would grow up happy.

Therefore, Jiang Haichao and Tang Wenzhen had never considered the possibility of Jiang Shuyi attending a prestigious university. They had thought they would just send Jiang Shuyi anywhere abroad in the future to gain some experience.

But if Jiang Shuyi were to get into A University, then he would have a solid footing. He could hang a banner at his company and boast all he wanted.

Tang Wenzhen knew Jiang Haichao's character well. She patted Jiang Haichao's shoulder and furrowed her brow, reminding him, "Don't tell your relatives and friends just yet. If Jiang Shuyi doesn't get in, wouldn't that be embarrassing?"

"It's not just your faces that would be lost, but mine as well."

"Oh." Jiang Haichao obediently put down his phone.

After a moment of thought, Tang Wenzhen added, "Just tell Grandpa for now. The old man likes to hear good news."

Wen Yao watched their exchange without saying anything.

After a while, Jiang Shuyi came out holding strawberries, her steps light and her expression happy.

She placed the strawberries in front of everyone, with strawberry juice lingering at the corners of her mouth, indicating she had sneakily eaten a few.

"Enjoy the strawberries!"

Tang Wenzhen looked at her face, which seemed to get food all over it, and pressed her fingers to her forehead.

Wen Yao took a tissue and wiped Jiang Shuyi's face.

Jiang Haichao cleared his throat and said seriously, "Shuyi, if you really get into A University, Dad will reward you."

"Really?"

Jiang Haichao nodded beside her. "Didn't you want a car before? Once you have your driver's license, whatever car you want, Dad will buy it for you."

Jiang Shuyi immediately asked, "What about a house? Is that possible?"

Jiang Haichao smiled generously and nodded, "Sure, as long as you get into A University, anything is possible."

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