Chapter 79

Zhenzhen and Xi Junjie spent the whole afternoon at the Imperial Capital Bookstore. They only left when it closed, each carrying a backpack full of books. It was summer, and although it was already evening, the sky was still bright. Zhenzhen glanced at her watch and turned to Xi Junjie. “I’m planning to take the bus home.”

“I’ll go with you,” Xi Junjie said naturally, moving to her left side to shield her from the passing bicycles. After spending most of the day browsing the bookstore together and having lunch, the two had grown quite familiar with each other. As they walked together to the bus stop, Xi Junjie glanced down at Zhenzhen, who barely reached his shoulder, and bravely asked, “Do you have a phone at home? If you ever want to go to the library or bookstore, maybe we could go together.” He quickly smiled to mask his nervousness. “I think we could discuss the books together, or maybe even practice our speaking.”

Practicing spoken French together? Zhenzhen was tempted. After all, Master Xie was already very busy with work, and visiting him once a week already felt like an imposition. She couldn’t expect a master of traditional opera to keep practicing conversation with her all the time. But Xi Junjie had learned French in France from a young age—his accent was as native as it gets.

After a moment of thought, Zhenzhen replied, “There’s no phone at my place, but don’t you also live in Houyang? Then we shouldn’t be far apart. If you’re free, you can come by and find me.”

“Come to your house?” Xi Junjie was starting to sweat a little. “Would your family be okay with that?”

Zhenzhen laughed heartily. “It’s fine, we’re classmates and we’re just studying. My parents won’t say anything.”

Xi Junjie looked at her easygoing demeanor and couldn’t help but smile wryly. “Then I guess I should start showing up earlier.” Before Zhenzhen could respond, he added, “I go running around Houyang every morning at five-thirty, then I study French for an hour. Want to join me?”

Zhenzhen did a quick mental calculation. Half an hour for a lap around Houyang, another hour for French study—just enough time to head over to Mr. Zhang’s house afterward for medicinal cuisine lessons. She smiled and nodded. “Sure. Let’s meet at five-thirty tomorrow morning.”

Xi Junjie beamed with delight, and Zhenzhen was stunned for a moment by the brightness of his smile. Her mind went completely blank, flooded only with imaginary pop-up comments: “Ahhh! He’s so good-looking!” “I want to lick him, what do I do?” “My idol! My idol!” “How can someone look this good—it’s unfair!”

Xi Junjie found her dazed expression adorable and sweet, and he had a strong urge to pat her head. But remembering that they were still just classmates, he restrained himself and quietly shielded her from passing pedestrians and bicycles.

Beep beep… The electric bus arrived. The sharp honk snapped Zhenzhen out of her daze, and she realized she had been staring at him absentmindedly. She quickly wiped the corners of her mouth, relieved that she wasn’t drooling.

The bus ride only took five stops to reach home. As they walked into the alley, they realized their houses were in the same direction—and surprisingly close to each other. Xi Junjie pointed to a slightly open courtyard gate and said softly, “This is my home. You’re welcome anytime.”

Zhenzhen’s eyes lit up with a smile, and she pointed to the gate next door. “I live here.”

Though he’d been hoping their houses were nearby, Xi Junjie hadn’t imagined they’d be this close—literally next-door neighbors in what used to be the same residence. Zhenzhen’s home was the central four-section compound of the old princely mansion, while Xi Junjie’s home was the eastern wing. A wall now separated the two.

“What a coincidence!” Zhenzhen said in delight. “I never thought we’d be neighbors. Seriously, you should come over more. Neighbors should visit each other often.”

“Alright!” Xi Junjie didn’t hesitate this time. Smiling at her, he said, “Then let’s meet tomorrow at five-thirty right outside.”

“Okay, see you in the morning.” Zhenzhen waved at him and walked into her gate with her backpack.

Xi Junjie watched her enter, then turned into his own courtyard. He’d barely taken a few steps when he spotted his grandfather sitting by the door with a mournful expression. “Where’s my fan?”

Xi Junjie quickly took off his backpack, pulled out five or six books, and finally retrieved the fan from the very bottom, handing it to Grandpa Chen.

Old Chen almost fainted from how heartbroken he was seeing that. He snatched the fan carefully, unfolded it with trembling hands, and only relaxed when he saw there were no creases or stains.

“You treasure this fan so much, yet you left it at my place last night,” Xi Junjie said as he stuffed the books back into his bag.

Old Chen sprang up and poked Xi Junjie’s forehead. “You ungrateful brat! Didn’t I have too much to drink last night? Tell me, where exactly did you go with my fan today?”

Xi Junjie dodged his grandfather’s finger and walked ahead casually. “To the bookstore. Bought some books.”

“Books?” Old Chen trailed him with a skeptical look. “You’ve finished all the books on the shelves at home?”

“Yeah.” Xi Junjie headed through the corridor toward his room. Old Chen darted in front of him, blocking his path. “You think your grandpa’s that easy to fool?” He snorted. “I heard everything at the door.” Seeing Xi Junjie’s alert expression, Old Chen gave him a cheeky smirk. “It’s the girl next door, right? She’s pretty cute, huh?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Xi Junjie opened the door, set his backpack on the desk by the window, and began taking the books out one by one.

“You’re such a bad liar!” Old Chen sat at the tea table, plugged in the kettle, and started brewing tea. “I could hear your laughter through the wall. You don’t even laugh like that around me!”

Xi Junjie gave him a blank look and sat on the other chair, pouring himself a cup of tea. “Don’t mention her to my parents yet.”

“Why not?” Old Chen asked, clearly intrigued. “Is it because she’s not interested in you?”

Xi Junjie looked down and took a sip of tea. “We’ll talk after graduation.”

Old Chen gave him a meaningful look. “Oh, aiming for marriage, are we?”

“No shit,” Xi Junjie shot him a glare. “Any relationship not aimed at marriage is just fooling around.”
—

Back home, Zhenzhen walked through the hanging flower gate and heard cheerful chatter coming from the main house. She first went to the west wing, dropped off her backpack, washed her hands and face, and downed a big mug of water before heading into the main room.

The moment she walked in, she saw the whole family sitting in the main hall. On a cabinet sat a modest black-and-white TV, with two antennas stretching upward on either side. An old film was playing on screen.

Grandma Li, wearing reading glasses, sat in front with Li Muwu and Wang Sufen. Mingnan and Meng Xiaoxi were on the left with sesame flatbread and dumplings. Mingbei and Wang Xinwen sat on the right with bowls of noodles. Mingxi and Xie Yanan sat to the side eating fruit, occasionally turning to glance at the screen.

Before Zhenzhen could say anything, Grandma Li turned and waved excitedly. “Zhenzhen, come quick! Your uncle brought us a TV. It’s just like watching a movie at the theater—just smaller.”

Having gotten used to modern 40- to 50-inch TVs, the small 18- or 19-inch screen felt a bit odd. Still, she hadn’t watched TV in 17 years—it was surprisingly novel.

Grandma Li scooted over on her chair to make room and patted the seat. “Zhenzhen, come sit by Grandma. I’ll hug you while we watch.”

Zhenzhen walked over with a cheerful grin and sat down. “This TV is really lively! Nai, you’ve got something to do now—just turn it on every day at home and enjoy. It’ll help pass the time.”

Grandma Li nodded with a smile, her eyes still on the screen, full of emotion. “Life is really good now. Back then we couldn’t even eat our fill. Every day was about working more and harvesting more so we wouldn’t starve. But look at us now—we can eat well every day, watch TV at home, and live in such a big house. I wouldn’t have dared dream of this in the past.”

Zhenzhen clung to Grandma Li’s arm, acting spoiled. “Life’s only going to get better! You just need to live in peace. One day, I’ll take you on a plane to see the ocean, eat seafood, even travel abroad!”

Grandma Li thought for a moment and shook her head. “No good. That airplane thing flies through the sky shooting fire—there’s no way I’d dare get on that.”

Zhenzhen burst into laughter, almost doubling over. “Nai, you’re too funny. It’s definitely a plane for people, not some fire-spitting contraption!”

Grandma Li couldn’t imagine what a “plane for people” looked like, but she still chuckled and patted Zhenzhen’s head. “Alright, I’ll wait for you to take me and your parents out for some fun.”

Zhenzhen hugged Grandma Li with one arm and held Wang Sufen with the other, grinning brightly. “Just wait. You’re all going to live the good life with me!”

Because of the novelty of the new TV, the whole family gathered around it, so captivated they didn’t even think about cooking. When Meng Xiaoxi went to get a drink of water and looked up at the wall clock, she quickly handed the baby over to Mingnan. “Oh no, it’s time to make lunch! I better hurry!”

Wang Xinwen also stood up, but Xie Yanan pushed both of them back into their seats. “You all just keep watching. I’ll show off my cooking skills today—let you try a taste of my handiwork.”

Wang Xinwen laughed. “It’s a family meal—we’ll help out at least.”

So the three sisters-in-law headed to the kitchen together. Grandma Li, reluctant to miss the movie playing on TV, turned to Wang Sufen with a plan. “Let’s move the TV and the table into the yard when we eat. We can eat while watching TV and enjoy the breeze too.”

Seeing Grandma Li’s excitement, everyone sprang into action—some moving tables, some pulling cords. The food wasn’t even ready yet, and the whole family was already seated in the courtyard.

After dinner, Zhenzhen took a hot bath in her space, set her alarm for 5:10 a.m., then sat in bed reading under a lamp before finally going to sleep.

Zhenzhen always slept well—once she lay down, she was out. She didn’t have anything pressing to do lately, so she just let her body rest completely, not sending her consciousness anywhere else.

She slept through the night, and the next morning, she woke up, changed into a comfy T-shirt and shorts, washed her face with cold water, tied her hair into a simple ponytail, and stepped out.

Xi Junjie was already waiting at the door. The moment the old Li family’s door opened, he eagerly turned his head and waved at Zhenzhen, who had just stepped out. He also flashed a bright, dazzling smile. “Good morning.”

Zhenzhen looked at his handsome face and immediately felt that getting up this early was totally worth it.

After greeting him, Zhenzhen gave him a quick once-over. From head to toe, Xi Junjie was dressed in a professional sports outfit from a famous international brand not yet available in the country. She was used to seeing him at school in shirts and slacks, so seeing him in full-on casual wear really made her realize—looks truly matter. A good-looking face made anything look stylish.

The two ran side by side from the house toward the lake. Since running required proper breathing, they didn’t talk. But as they ran, Xi Junjie started to lose focus, syncing his pace with hers and breathing in the faint scent from her—it nearly threw off his rhythm.

Taking a deep breath, he realized they’d already run more than half a lap, yet Zhenzhen’s breathing remained steady. Surprised, he turned to glance at her, then picked up his pace. Zhenzhen immediately caught on and sped up too, flashing him a bright grin. “There’s half a lap left. Let’s sprint to the big tree near the gate and see who gets there first.”

Xi Junjie looked at her and smiled. “Won’t that be a bit unfair to you?”

Zhenzhen shook her finger at him. “When I was running up and down mountains, you were probably still in kindergarten eating candy. Don’t believe me? Let’s race.”

“Alright,” Xi Junjie agreed. He stopped to catch his breath and lined up beside her. Turning to her with a smile, he teased, “No crying if you lose.”

“I’ve never cried in my life.” Zhenzhen crouched into a running pose. “You count us off!”

Seeing her amateurish starting position, Xi Junjie shook his head with a helpless smile. Matching her stance, he waited until she was ready and then called out, “Ready—go!”

In an instant, Zhenzhen shot forward like an arrow. Xi Junjie was stunned by her speed. He hesitated for just a second, and she was already over ten meters ahead. He scrambled to catch up, but once they were truly sprinting, he realized she was even faster than he’d expected.

Zhenzhen had always been strong and energetic—she could run around the mountains all day without tiring. And with her supernatural abilities, her speed was whatever she wanted it to be.

Since it was just a fun game between them and not a serious race, Zhenzhen didn’t go all out. She kept checking on Xi Junjie with her awareness, adjusting her pace accordingly.

Xi Junjie had no idea Zhenzhen was monitoring his every move. He was giving it his all, sweat already covering his forehead and cheeks, which only made his handsome features look even more striking.

Zhenzhen glanced at his strong, taut thighs and muscular arms and secretly swallowed: In two lifetimes, I’ve never seen a man this good-looking. And he actually seems to like me… Letting someone like this go would be such a waste.

So caught up in watching the hottie behind her, she accidentally sped up even more. Xi Junjie watched helplessly as she passed their agreed finish line and kept going, getting farther and farther away.

At the same time, Zhenzhen realized she had overshot and quickly turned back. When they met again mid-track, Xi Junjie sighed, “You really beat me. I feel kind of embarrassed.”

Zhenzhen laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder. Then she pulled a clean handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to him. “Here’s your handkerchief—wipe your sweat.”

Xi Junjie brought it to his face and immediately caught a whiff of floral scent—it smelled exactly like Zhenzhen. He paused for a second, then carefully folded it up and put it in his pocket. From another pocket, he pulled out a different handkerchief to wipe off his sweat.

His clothes were already half soaked. Even though it was summer in the Imperial Capital, the early mornings were still cool. Worried he might catch a chill, Zhenzhen said quickly, “I’m heading home for some water. You should change clothes too. Let’s meet in ten minutes on the bench by the lake. I’ve got some French questions I want to ask you.”

Seeing how refreshed Zhenzhen still looked, Xi Junjie could clearly sense her thoughtful concern. His heart warmed. “Alright, see you in a bit.”

As the sun rose in the east, casting golden light across the sky, Zhenzhen and Xi Junjie sat side by side on a bench by the river. They spoke in French, sharing their thoughts on a book. Since Zhenzhen’s French still wasn’t great, she often struggled to say what she meant. But Xi Junjie never rushed her—he just watched her with a gentle smile, occasionally offering a word or two when she got stuck. And once she managed to express herself, he’d give her a big thumbs-up and shower her with compliments like they were free, making Zhenzhen grin and blush like a blooming flower.

Old Man Chen, who had never stayed overnight at his daughter and son-in-law’s house before, stubbornly refused to leave last night. When he got up in the morning, he noticed that his grandson’s bedroom door was wide open—he had already disappeared without a trace. Following the path out the front door, Old Man Chen had only just reached the lakeside when he caught sight of his grandson. The boy was gazing tenderly at a young girl, his whole face lit up with affection, a smile he couldn’t hide. Chen sighed deeply: “The pig I raised for nearly twenty years is finally running off with someone else’s cabbage!”

“Ring ring ring…” The alarm in the space chimed. Zhenzhen glanced at the watch on her wrist—it was already 6:50. She turned off the alarm with a thought, then stood up and looked at Xi Junjie with a touch of apology. “Sorry, I have an appointment with a gentleman at seven. I’ve got to go now.”

Xi Junjie stood up as well, looking a bit surprised. “So early? How are you getting there? I could give you a ride on my bike.”

“No need,” Zhenzhen said with a smile. “His house is in the alley right next to the bus stop. I’m starting to learn medicinal cooking from him today.”

“Medicinal cooking?” Xi Junjie seemed thoughtful. “Is it to help someone at home recover their health?”

“Not entirely,” Zhenzhen said a little shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as her cheeks turned a bit red. “It’s mostly because I love to eat. A lot of medicinal dishes are both healthy and delicious. I want to learn how to make them so I can cook whenever I get a craving.”

“That’s a great idea.” Xi Junjie nodded with a smile. “I was just planning to pick up some breakfast from that direction. I’ll walk with you.”

Zhenzhen nodded, and the two of them followed a cobbled path toward the outside. Xi Junjie turned his head slightly and glanced at the top of Zhenzhen’s head, then asked curiously in a low voice, “What kind of dishes do you like?”

“Oh, there are so many!” As soon as the topic of food came up, Zhenzhen couldn’t stop talking. “I grew up in the northern province, in a little town in a forest area. Since I was young, I went hunting with my older brother. Wild rabbits, pheasants, roe deer—we caught them all easily. At home, we ate a lot of rabbit and pheasant. They taste best braised, though I prefer them grilled with a brush of honey—it’s absolutely delicious.” She licked her lips, then continued counting on her fingers, “Besides meat, I love fish, shrimp, and crab. Whether they’re steamed, braised, or spicy, they’re all tasty. I also love fresh vegetables and fruit, but only if they’re super fresh. Oh right, I’ve got a garden with tons of veggies. The tomatoes and cucumbers are really good—I’ll pick some for you next time.”

“Thanks!” Xi Junjie looked at her with a smile in his eyes, already thinking about what he could give her in return. “I don’t grow vegetables, but we have lots of flowers in our yard. There are some wild ducks in our pond too. Do you like wild duck? I can catch a couple for you.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly,” Zhenzhen said, hesitating and shaking her head. “Wild ducks are kind of rare.”

“It’s fine,” Xi Junjie quickly said. “My parents don’t really like duck, and we have a lot of them—over a dozen. Each one weighs about three or four pounds. If we keep feeding them, they’ll be too tough to stew.”

“Well, all right then,” Zhenzhen agreed. “What kind of flowers do you like? I’ll trade you for them.”

Xi Junjie couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re just like a little kid at daycare—everything has to be traded. Can’t I just give them to you?”

“Nope,” Zhenzhen replied earnestly. “I can’t accept something for nothing. If I just took your ducks, I wouldn’t feel right eating them.”

“Alright then,” Xi Junjie said with mock defeat. “Any kind of flower will do. Anything from you is great.”

Although Xi Junjie didn’t say it outright, it wasn’t hard for Zhenzhen to figure out. With a thought, she scanned the Xi family’s garden and spotted several plump wild ducks gliding across the lake. There was also a separate area where flowers were grown. Although there were quite a few types, it was clear that the orchids were the ones being cared for the most attentively.

Zhenzhen smiled. “Then I’ll give you a pot of orchids.”

That afternoon, Xi’s mother brought a bag of bread crumbs to the garden pavilion to feed the wild ducks she’d been lovingly raising. In her younger days, she’d been a dancer in a cultural troupe, and now that she was older, she’d been reassigned to a more relaxed position. The Xi couple had a happy marriage, and their son was outstanding. From the elders to the younger ones, there was hardly anything at home that troubled her. Her only hobbies were growing flowers, raising birds, and letting some wild ducks roam in the lake. She’d come morning and evening to watch them feed, finding joy in their wild antics.

She scattered a handful of crumbs onto the lake. The ducks, already accustomed to feeding time, swam over one after another, scrambling to eat the bread floating on the surface.

Xi’s mother watched for a while but felt something was off. It wasn’t until she was leaving the garden that it hit her—where were the two fattest wild ducks she usually fed?