About a month before Song Fengwanâs college entrance examination, the school held another parent-teacher meeting.
The day was set before International Labour Day on May 1st.
At this time, Qiao Aiyun had already been discharged from the hospital. She only had a fractured toe on one foot, and her fractured calf had already recovered quite well. She could walk on the ground for a period of time, but she wasnât able to withstand long periods of pressure.
All of the Qiao family members had already left half a month ago, so Yan Wangchuan was the one taking care of her entirely now.
She naturally couldnât go to the parent-teacher meeting this time, so Yan Wangchuan went in her stead.
He was tall to begin with, and his expressions were scarce. Among the group of parents, his cold and severe face looked very eye-catching.
Most people in Yuncheng knew about Song Fengwanâs family matters. In the previous farce, Yan Wangchuan had shown his face before, and many people recognized him. Seeing the two of them appear at the same time, they couldnât help being a little critical, but they didnât dare to say it out loud.
Song Fengwan, sitting beside him, also felt very stressed. From the corner of her eye, she saw him rummage for a small notebook from his pocket, take out a fountain pen, and write two wordsâ¦
[Meeting Log]
âUncle Yan, youâ¦â Song Fengwan leaned over. âWhat are you doing?â
âYour mother asked me to convey the essence of the meeting to her. Iâm taking notes,â Yan Wangchuan said, deadly earnest.
Song Fengwan was sitting in the third row, facing the podium. Yan Wangchuan was afraid of blocking the person behind him, so he turned the chair sideways while sitting on it and stared attentively at the studentsâ homeroom teacher, making the latter feel strangely nervous.
âActually, you donât have to do this. Itâs just a run-of-the-mill speech.â Song Fengwan glanced around. Some parents were still playing with their phones with their heads lowered. He was the most serious.
Before the parent-teacher meeting, they had conducted a joint examination in five cities. Song Fengwanâs results ranked seventh. For an art student, it was already a very high score, and the teacher praised her.
Song Fengwan saw Yan Wangchuan write a sentence in his notebook.
[Ranked seventh, praised for the third time.]
Song Fengwan didnât know whether to laugh or cry.?Thereâs no need to count this kind of thing, okay?
***
After the parent-teacher meeting, because it was May Day, the school had a day and a half break. It was rare for Song Fengwan to get to rest. After eating, she sat in front of the French windows and basked in the sun while playing with her phone.
The few pots of orchids in front of the windows had already been replaced with succulents.
Orchids were delicate and needed to be tended to properly. After Qiao Aiyun was hospitalized, there was no one to take care of them. By the time everyone noticed them, they were basically all dead. Some orchids were tens of thousands of yuan for a pot. Qiao Aiyun had nurtured them for many years, and her heart ached terribly.
At this moment, she was sitting on the sofa with her leg with her fractured toe on a cushion and reading Yan Wangchuanâs [Meeting Log] seriously.
Yan Wangchuan was sitting on a sofa at the side, wearing a Bluetooth headset. From Song Fengwanâs angle, she could vaguely see the split window with multiple images on his laptop screen. They were probably the senior management of his company, and he was likely in a meeting.
His side profile was stiff and cold as he listened seriously without saying a word from start to end.
âWhat does this mean?â Qiao Aiyun didnât think that he was in a meeting and pointed at the words on the notebook.
Yan Wangchuan left the laptop and sat beside her to talk for a long time. âHow does your calf feel todayâ¦â
âItâs alright, but I canât exert force on my toes yet.â
âLet me take a look.â
During this period of time, Qiao Aiyun had gotten used to him taking care of her, so she naturally placed her feet on his legs. The cast on her leg had already been removed, and a certain someone skillfully checked everything for her.
He placed the laptop on the coffee table. âLetâs continue our discussion.â
âAre you in a meeting?â Qiao Aiyun lowered her voice. She tried to withdraw her legs, but he pinned her down forcefully with his fingers, not allowing her to move an inch. Only his face was visible on the video camera lens and not what his hand was doing underneath.
â⦠There are still some revisions to be made in the proposal just now.â Yan Wangchuan was very serious when he worked. He could always hit the nail on the head and mention the crux of the problem.
Originally, Qiao Aiyun was still looking at the meeting minutes. But after looking for a while, her gaze landed on himâ¦
Itâs true that men at work are the most handsome.
Perhaps noticing her gaze, Yan Wangchuan turned his head to look at her. Their eyes met, and Qiao Aiyun smiled faintly. âContinue with your meeting. Donât worry about me. Iâm just looking.â
A certain old manâs ears instantly heated up, and he had no idea what the people opposite him were talking about.
The senior executives opposite were dumbfounded.
Their boss hadnât been to the head office for more than half a year already, and he had been giving them instructions for work remotely. That was allâ¦
At his advanced age, it was right for him to pursue his happiness.
But weâre in a meeting now. Are you blatantly getting distracted?
Furthermoreâ¦
Do you know that your ears are very red?
Itâs simply unbearable to watch.
âWhy are you looking at me? Get to work.â Qiao Aiyun frowned.
âOkay.â Yan Wangchuanâs gaze moved to the laptop. These people had followed Yan Wangchuan for many years, but they had never seen their boss smile so radiantly like the return of spring beforeâ¦
It was said that spring was the season for all things to revive. Once again, the season for the animals to go into heat and mate again had arrived.
This saying was true.
Song Fengwan sized up the two people nearby and lowered her head to continue texting Fu Chen.
[Iâm already on the plane. Iâll be in Yuncheng at around three. Letâs have dinner together tonight.]
Song Fengwan bit her lip and held back her smile. [Okay, Iâll pick you up at the airport.]
[No need. You can leave the house when I arrive.]
After replying to the message, she leaned her head to the side to look at Qiao Aiyun. âMom, Iâm meeting a classmate for dinner tonight.â
âWho are you going out with?â
âJust a classmate.â Song Fengwan felt a little guilty. âIâll be back after dinner.â
It was rare for her to have a holiday, so Qiao Aiyun didnât hold her back. âThen, come back early. You canât play too late into the night. Bring your phone. Donât be unable to find her when the time comes.â
âI know.â Song Fengwan smiled and ran upstairs. She washed her hair and tidied herself up for nearly two hours before leaving.
***
When Song Fengwan went downstairs, the afterglow of the setting sun shone diagonally into the house. The soft, light yellow light coated the whole house with a layer of gold. A big bone broth was boiling in the kitchen, and the rich fragrance filled the entire house.
âMom, Iâm going out.â Song Fengwan carried her small bag and was about to run off.
âWait a minute!â Qiao Aiyun stopped her and sized her up with narrowed eyes. âAre you going to see a male classmate or a female classmate?â
âFemale.â Song Fengwan was standing at the entryway to change her shoes, feeling flustered under her gaze. âMy classmate is already waiting for me. Iâm leaving now.â
Before Qiao Aiyun could speak, she slipped away and disappeared. âWangchuan, could Wanwan be in a relationship? I saw that she actually put on lipstick. This dress is new, and itâs also her first time wearing it.â
Yan Wangchuan hadnât learned anything else during this period of time, but his soup-simmering skills were pretty good. Standing in the kitchen, he clasped the spoon tightly in his hand without saying anything.
âI just think itâs quite strange. Why did she suddenly dress up? She didnât like to tidy herself up in the past and didnât like to wear new clothes even after buying them. Does she finally enjoy looking pretty and dressing up?â
When Song Fengwan was coming downstairs, her long hair fluttered. For a moment, she suddenly felt that her daughter seemed to have grown up.
Yan Wangchuan didnât say anything.
He gritted his teeth.?This brat Fu Chen is having a secret rendezvous but caused me to be in a difficult position where nobody will be happy.
***
On the other sideâ¦
Song Fengwan arrived in front of the bus information board near the community as promised. She looked around but didnât see anyone. She looked at her phone.?Itâs already half past four. Heâs not here yet?
Just as she was about to call Fu Chen, her waist was grabbed, and she was dragged to the back of the bus stop sign.
When she came back to her senses, the tip of his nose was rubbing against her face, and they were only inches apart.
â⦠When did you arrive? Why didnât you tell me?â Song Fengwan looked around, and her heart was beating so fast that it was about to jump out of her throat.
âNot long ago.â Fu Chen leaned over gently, his voice carrying an uncontrollable smile. It shook her heart bit by bit, and the sandalwood fragrance exuding from his body enveloped her in a clear and domineering aura.
As long as she breathed in a little, her nose would be full of an ambiguous and enchanting smell, and her face would unconsciously burn up.
âThereâs someone here.â Song Fengwan pushed his arm.
âActually, Iâve been looking at you over there for a long time.â His thin lips rubbed against hers as if he would kiss her the next second. This heart-palpitating feeling tormented her until it made her entire body go weak.
âThen why didnât you come over?â
âI was very anxious to rush over and hug youâ¦â
Fu Chen tilted his head and whispered into her ear.
âDo you know?
âI missed you too much. I missed you every dayâ¦
âBut I didnât want to appear too impatient either. I was afraid of scaring you.â
As he breathed, his scorching breath seemed to burn her ears.
âBut didnât you end up rushing overâ¦â Song Fengwan reached out and grabbed the clothing at his waist. Her palms were hot.
âI couldnât take it anymore.â
Song Fengwan suddenly remembered that she had called Duan Linbai some time ago. His vision had recovered a little, but it would still take some time for him to resume being a normal person. Perhaps he had been bullied by Fu Chen, so he had called her in the middle of the night to complain to her. He chewed Fu Chen out harshly.
â⦠Little Sister, let me tell you. Third Fu isnât a f*cking human. He bullied a disabled person like me. Do you think he has any shame?
âDonât give him any benefits! You have to be firm with him. Itâs best to leave him hanging!
âDonât let him eat meat! Donât let him push his luck!â
âEat meat?â Song Fengwan was so embarrassed at the time that her entire face turned red.?What nonsense is this person saying?
âYour college entrance exam is about to end, and that fellowâ¦â Duan Linbai was speechless. âLet me tell you. Heâll definitely eat you up until there are no bones left. You have to be careful. â
âThird Brother wonât.â Song Fengwan lowered her voice, feeling increasingly embarrassed.
âWhy not? Could it be that he hasnât displayed any desire even though you two have been dating for half a year?â Duan Linbai was very straightforward.
âDe⦠sire?â Song Fengwanâs tiny face was completely red.
âItâs just a manâs needs. Say, heâs twenty-eight this year, but heâs still a virgin. At his age, he definitely has some desire.â
Duan Linbai had just suffered a hidden loss at Fu Chenâs hands and was speaking enthusiastically.
âLet me tell you. Before you, heâs never even held a girlâs hand.
âA man in his thirties is as fierce as a tiger. His energy is at its peak right now. How can he possibly endure it? If he doesnât have any desire? Then, heâs not a f*cking man!â
â¦
Song Fengwan couldnât listen to him anymore and stammered, âIâm still young.â
It wasnât like she didnât know anything. She had even had erotic dreams a few times.
âOh myââ Duan Linbai suddenly laughed very unrestrainedly. This laughter was simply asking for a beating. âI almost forgot that our little sister hasnât graduated yet. You havenât even reached your eighteenth birthday yetâ¦
âLetâs inhibit that old male virgin to death!
âLittle Sister, let me tell you something. You canât give a man whatever he wants. Once youâve spoiled him, he doesnât know how to cherish you. This is especially true for your first time. You have to be prudent.â
Then she could only hear a certain someoneâs wanton and presumptuous laughter.
â¦
While holding her hand, Fu Chen pulled her onto the bus. It was May 1st, so there were many people on the bus. Fu Chen protected her as they walked forward, but she was a little distracted the whole time.
Her face was getting redder and redder. He reached out to touch his forehead. âAre you feeling unwell?â
Song Fengwan suddenly came back to her senses and lowered her head guiltily. âNo.â
âYour face is very red.â
âIs, is it?â Song Fengwan smiled awkwardly and suddenly pointed at the TV mounted on the bus. âHey, this hostess is really pretty.â
Fu Chen knew that she had been distracted just now, but he didnât expose her and looked in the direction of her finger.
The mounted TV was currently broadcasting a popular domestic legal program. The hostess was wearing a black and white suit and reporting on a property dispute.
âYu Manxi? This hostessâs name sounds quite nice.â Song Fengwan smiled and tried to divert Fu Chenâs attention.
Fu Chen looked at the mounted TV and narrowed his eyes without saying anything.
This program had quietly become popular in the past few months, and the neighbor opposite Fu Sinianâs house was now the most popular female anchor in the capital.
The host was pretty, and she dared to report certain topics on the show. Even his mother was a loyal fan of this show. As long as she was free, she would be on standby in front of the TV on the dot.
Fu Chen had met her once.
Her usual dressing style was very different from that of on TV. She looked glamorous and charming, but she was actually hosting a legal program?
Actually, most of the audience for such programs were not young people. Yu Manxiâs face was so striking that it carried an overbearing glamor, and it wasnât compatible for hosting such a serious program. But Old Madam Fu said, âHer comments are very tasteful. She is a person with a story.â