Zhan Jingrui could not eat here. Tang Ma had just returned from the hospital, and he wanted to go back to accompany her more.
Besides, he was not good at socializing, and he was not familiar enough with He Yao to go to her house to play. Staying here would only increase the awkwardness.
He planned to sit for a few minutes and then leave. He Yao's mother's enthusiasm attracted her husband.
A man in a white shirt, black trousers, gold-rimmed glasses, and a slicked-back hairstyle, looking around forty years old, very young, with very proper features, even described as a refined and elegant middle-aged man.
The man approached and nodded at them expressionlessly.
He Yao's mother went to hold his arm and introduced him sweetly.
"Honey, this is Yao Yao's classmate I told you about the other day. This is Xu Zheng, and this is Zhan Jingrui."
"Young people nowadays are really well-nourished. Look at their height and looks, each one like a male celebrity, simply too likable."
Upon hearing their names, the man's expression softened. He smiled, patted He Yao's mother's hand, and then looked at them.
"So you are Yao Yao's classmates. Welcome to our home. Don't just stand there, please sit."
The person at the table greeted him warmly as Uncle and pulled Zhan Jingrui to sit down with them.
The housekeeper brought them fruits and milk. He Yao's mother went to attend to matters in the kitchen, telling them to sit and play. The man sat down opposite them.
"Don't be shy, make yourselves at home. Take whatever you want to eat."
"Thank you, Uncle."
The man's gentle gaze swept over Xu Zheng. "And you are?"
"Oh, Xu Zheng."
"I had something to attend to today and returned midway. I got delayed and forgot to pick up Yao Yao, and her mother is not feeling well. Did you two bring her back?"
"Yes, Uncle. I heard from He Yao that you both are busy with work, and picking her up and dropping her off is too much trouble. Since we're going the same way, let him come back with us from now on."
"Going the same way? Do you two also live nearby?"
Xu Zheng pointed at Zhan Jingrui. "He's your next-door neighbor, lives at number 18. I live in Xiangshan District."
Xiangshan District was also a villa complex, and it went without saying that the people living there were all wealthy and influential.
The man smiled, nodded thoughtfully, and looked at Zhan Jingrui.
"So we're neighbors, what a coincidence. But I only moved here this year, and I've been too busy with work to visit. What do your parents do, and when are they usually home?"
Zhan Jingrui saw the thoughtfulness in his eyes and heard the probing and testing in his words. He knew that the adult world was like this, full of calculations and desires.
It was precisely because of this that he disliked dealing with such clever people.
"I live with my maternal grandparents. They are not in Sucheng. The curfew at home is very strict, and I cannot stay out late. So, I apologize, but I have to leave now."
With that, he stood up to leave.
Because he knew that if he stayed any longer, this person might investigate his entire family history.
Since they were already next-door neighbors, and the connection was unavoidable, the man was not in a hurry.
He stood up with him, smiling cheerfully.
"Classmate Zhan is truly an obedient and good child. Since your family has strict rules, I won't keep you any longer. Come and play again another day. Yao Yao, see your classmate out."
He Yao and Xu Zheng accompanied him to the door. Xu Zheng grumbled in his ear.
"Is it really necessary? It's only a two-minute walk home, and you're talking about curfew? Now that you're leaving, I feel awkward staying alone."
Zhan Jingrui ignored him. If He Yao weren't there, he would have retorted.
Why are you dragging me into your visit to your future in-laws? Wasting my time.
The three quickly arrived at the main entrance. He Yao watched silently as Zhan Jingrui got on his bicycle and sped away.
Xu Zheng smiled at her and scratched his head.
"Since he's leaving, I won't go back either. I feel a bit out of place staying at your house alone. Please tell your mom not to be angry. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning at seven."
Upon returning, before even reaching the living room entrance, He Yao met her stepfather's probing gaze.
She knew what his gaze meant. She had intended to say hello to her mother in the kitchen, but seeing him like this, she changed her path and entered the living room through another door, returning to her room.
The next morning at seven, He Yao was waiting at her doorstep on time.
She didn't see Xu Zheng, but instead, she saw Zhan Jingrui passing by.
His schoolbag was slung over his left shoulder, and he rested one hand on the handlebars, riding slowly and unhurriedly towards her, bathed in the bright morning sun and gentle breeze.
His figure was truly excellent. The loose and old-fashioned school uniform was worn by him in a way that exuded a designer brand aura.
His features were exceptionally clean and sharp, as if he had just stepped out of an idol drama.
He Yao thought that since they had met so many times, spoken a few words, and even met parents yesterday, they were at least acquainted. Why wouldn't he greet her today?
To her surprise, Zhan Jingrui seemed not to see her and sped past her.
After riding for two blocks, his phone vibrated in his schoolbag. Zhan Jingrui stopped his bike and took it out. It was his deskmate calling.
Knowing that it wouldn't be anything good, he still answered.
As expected, as soon as the call connected, his deskmate habitually apologized first and then said.
"I can't go to school today. Something came up at home. Please do me a favor and pick up He Yao. I'll bring you a gift when I get back tomorrow."
Saying that, without waiting for a refusal, he hung up the phone.
Zhan Jingrui didn't care about his cheap gift, nor did he want to deal with his affairs. He hoped that such troublesome matters would no longer involve him.
He tried to call back, but the guy had turned off his phone.
He impatiently threw his phone back into his schoolbag, mounted his bike, and prepared to ignore it.
But looking at the hurried pedestrians around him, and thinking of He Yao who had been waiting at the door just now, he couldn't bear it and turned back.
He met He Yao halfway.
She was walking towards him, carrying her schoolbag with her uninjured hand.
Zhan Jingrui stopped his bike in front of her, and their eyes met, both feeling a moment of awkwardness.
Finally, He Yao broke the silence.
"I received a call from Xu Zheng. He couldn't make it today."
Zhan Jingrui circled her with his bike, turned it around, and He Yao gently sat on the back.
Neither of them touched each other, and the wheels spun rapidly.
On this early autumn morning, the sky was as blue as if it had been washed.
The morning glow cast a gentle light on Zhan Jingrui. He Yao, facing the wind, looked at his clean and refreshing nape, his slender neck, smelled the faint fragrance emanating from him, and felt the beauty of going to school.
Recalling that day countless times afterward, He Yao could always remember the gentle sunlight, the sweet breeze, and the dazzlingly handsome Zhan Jingrui.
Even if life became harder later, if she were given 100 chances to be reborn, she would still choose without hesitation to ride with him.