Unrelenting, He Shou Zheng picked up a pencil and began doodling on the cast on He Su Ye’s left arm.
“Uncle, don’t change the subject. Holding hands is called dating, according to my teacher. So… what does it mean to ‘board the bus before buying the ticket’?”
Finally setting his pen down, He Su Ye looked at him seriously.
“Little rascal, when you take the bus, you board first and then pay. ‘Buying the ticket first’ refers to the days when buses had conductors. Got it?” He silently wondered what kind of teachers the elementary school had, teaching such strange things.
He Shou Zheng looked half-convinced, muttering to himself as he pondered. He remained puzzled even as Shen Xi Fan called them to dinner, muttering,
“It makes sense, but it still feels weird.”
After dinner, He Shou Zheng went to the living room to watch TV, leaving the kitchen to Shen Xi Fan and He Su Ye.
The sound of running water filled the room as Shen Xi Fan washed the dishes. Occasionally, she urged him,
“Go watch TV with the little rascal. I can handle this. You shouldn’t get your hand wet—it might affect your injury.”
He Su Ye smiled helplessly.
“It’s not that serious. Ever since I got hurt, you’ve all stopped treating me like a doctor.”
Shen Xi Fan pouted.
“Dr. He, please approach this situation with a scientific and professional attitude!” She glanced at him playfully as she spoke, her tone teasing.
But as she turned the faucet, the water sprayed wildly, splashing her from head to toe. Even her bangs were dripping. She looked utterly disheveled yet burst into laughter.
“An accident! A typhoon just passed through!”
He Su Ye laughed along, shaking his head. He grabbed a paper towel and, seeing her hands were full, gently wiped her face.
Her eyes sparkled, filled with laughter, a mix of amusement and embarrassment. When his hand accidentally brushed her lips, a flush of red spread across her cheeks like the soft glow of dawn—both shy and passionate.
The sensation lingered on his fingertips, soft and delicate like cotton candy. He wondered if it would taste just as sweet. His heart skipped a beat, and as he instinctively leaned slightly closer, the kitchen door burst open.
“Big Sister! I want ice cream!” He Shou Zheng’s voice shattered the moment.
The sudden interruption made He Su Ye turn, glaring at the boy. The child hesitated, then carefully asked,
“Uh… Uncle, can I have some ice cream? I promise I won’t complain if my stomach hurts.”
Shen Xi Fan seemed oblivious to the tension, quickly replying,
“Go ahead, but only one!”
Still unsure, He Shou Zheng turned his big, pleading eyes toward He Su Ye.
“Uncle…”
He Su Ye finally chuckled.
“You’ve been so obedient today, fine—just one.”
The boy tiptoed up to whisper in his ear,
“Uncle, did I ruin your moment just now? Why did you glare at me like Dad does?”
He Su Ye ruffled his hair and handed him an ice cream bar.
“Kids are cuter when they’re innocent. Otherwise, no one will love you.”
The kitchen returned to its peaceful rhythm, the sound of running water softly flowing. Suddenly, Shen Xi Fan spoke.
“My flight’s the day after tomorrow. Could you… not come to see me off?”
“Why not?” He Su Ye asked, placing the chopsticks into the sterilizer as he gazed steadily into her eyes.
"Because… because if I see you, I won’t want to leave." Shen Xi Fan quickly added, "It’s not that I don’t want you to see me off. I just can’t handle goodbyes."
He Su Ye said nothing, letting out a soft sigh, which made Shen Xi Fan’s heart ache.
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