After all, they had grown up together, so there was still a bond.
Xu Xiuwen also couldn't bear to see Jiang Ruoyu fail the college entrance exam because of her health issues.
If that happened, it would be a blow to both her and her parents.
Back in the living room, Xiao Youran walked over and asked, "Xiao Xu, what did you go to the balcony for just now?"
Xu Xiuwen briefly recounted what Aunt Gu had said earlier.
"Huh? Is Xiao Yu okay?" Xiao Youran, hearing this, seemed anxious.
Xu Xiuwen reassured her, "It's nothing serious. I'll go check on her tomorrow."
"Xiao Xu, I'll go with you."
"No need. You should go to class. If there's anything, I'll let you know."
"Alright," Xiao Youran knew she wouldn't be able to help much if she went, so she didn't insist.
Before dawn the next day, Xu Xiuwen got up, drove back to Langya, and bought some fruit and gifts at a store near the neighborhood.
He then drove to Jiang Ruoyu's apartment building.
After parking the car, he carried the gifts upstairs.
He reached the door and was about to knock when he suddenly stopped.
He took out his phone and called Aunt Gu.
The call connected.
"Aunt Gu, are you at home?"
"Yes, we're home. Xiao Xu, are you here?"
"Yeah, I'm at the door."
Gu Pandi's voice brightened with pleasure, "Wait a moment, I'll open the door for you."
Xu Xiuwen ended the call.
Soon, the door opened from the inside.
Gu Pandi stood there, smiling at him.
Although she was smiling, her complexion was not good.
It was evident that she might not have slept well the previous night.
"Hello, Aunt Gu."
"Xiao Xu, you're here. Please come in."
Xu Xiuwen carried the gifts inside.
Aunt Gu, seeing this, couldn't help but chide, "Xiao Xu, you didn't need to bring so many things."
"It's nothing. Just bought them on a whim," Xu Xiuwen said.
"That's not the point. You shouldn't have brought all this."
Without another word, Xu Xiuwen placed the gifts in a corner.
Gu Pandi, feeling helpless, stopped protesting.
Gu Pandi picked up Father Jiang's slippers and handed them to Xu Xiuwen.
"Where's Xiao Yu?" Xu Xiuwen asked.
"She's in her room. You can go and keep her company. I'll leave you two alone."
"Alright, Aunt Gu."
Xu Xiuwen changed into the slippers and turned towards Jiang Ruoyu's room.
He reached the door of the girl's bedroom, gently pushed it open, and stepped inside.
The room was almost the same as when he had last visited.
The only difference was that the bed was now uncovered.
Under the blanket lay a young girl.
Her bright teeth and arched eyebrows were visible.
Her face, naturally beautiful, was like that of a fox spirit, fresh and alluring without any makeup.
Her normally rosy lips were now pale, exhaling small puffs of warm breath.
Her usually lively eyes were now half-closed, and her black, smooth hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall.
She lay quietly on the bed, either half-asleep or just resting, resembling a serene and well-behaved snow fox.
Perhaps hearing the sound, the girl slowly opened her eyes.
Her once sparkling eyes, now glistening with a hint of moisture, made one feel an involuntary surge of sympathy.
"Brother Xiuwen?"
The girl's tone was uncertain.
She thought she might be seeing things or still dreaming.
"Xiao Yu, are you feeling better?"
Hearing the voice, Jiang Ruoyu finally realized it was not an illusion.
"Brother Xiuwen, is it really you?"
Xu Xiuwen walked to the girl's bedside and sat down on a nearby chair.
He smiled and nodded, "Yes, it's me."
Jiang Ruoyu immediately became excited.
She wanted to get up, but Xu Xiuwen gently pressed down on the corner of her blanket, saying, "No need to get up. Just stay lying down."
Jiang Ruoyu shook her head, "Brother Xiuwen, I want to sit up."
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Xu Xiuwen let go and helped her sit up.
Jiang Ruoyu leaned against the headboard, gazing at Xu Xiuwen with her big, watery eyes.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Jiang Ruoyu asked, "Are you really Brother Xiuwen?"
Xu Xiuwen chuckled.
He didn't explain but took the girl's hand and placed it on his face.
Jiang Ruoyu let him guide her hand to his face.
When she felt the warmth in his palm, she asked, "Do you believe it now?"
"Mm!" Jiang Ruoyu smiled.
"Brother Xiuwen, why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be busy?"
Xu Xiuwen's face suddenly turned serious.
His stern look startled Jiang Ruoyu.
"Brother Xiuwen, did I say something wrong?"
Xu Xiuwen asked sternly, "I haven't asked you yet why you didn't take care of your health and why you made others worry."
Jiang Ruoyu tried to deny, "I'm not sick…"
Her voice trailed off.
"I'm sorry, Brother Xiuwen."
Xu Xiuwen's expression softened into gentleness.
He reached out and ruffled the girl's hair, "I'm not asking you to apologize. I'm just worried about your health."
Jiang Ruoyu sighed in relief and then felt a surge of happiness.
"Brother Xiuwen, I'm really fine."
"If you're fine, why were you vomiting? Three times?"
Jiang Ruoyu lowered her head in guilt.
Xu Xiuwen not only knew she had vomited but also the number of times, indicating someone had informed him.
Jiang Ruoyu couldn't deny it even if she wanted to.
She thought to herself: Mom really has a big mouth.
Xu Xiuwen seemed to read her thoughts.
"Don't blame Aunt Gu. If she hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known about your condition."
"Mm."
"How are you feeling now?"
"I'm really fine," Jiang Ruoyu quickly replied.
Xu Xiuwen scrutinized Jiang Ruoyu closely.
It was strange.
When he first saw her, her complexion was poor, and her lips were pale.
But in just a short time, her face had flushed, and her lips were rosy.
She looked as if she was in her usual state.
Xu Xiuwen remembered what Aunt Gu had said.
Jiang Ruoyu might be suffering from too much psychological stress, not a real illness.
He gently asked, "Xiao Yu, Aunt Gu mentioned you're under a lot of stress. Can you talk to me about it?"
"I'm not under any stress…"
Jiang Ruoyu's first reaction was to deny it.
She did so as well.
But under Xu Xiuwen's persistent gaze, the girl's attitude gradually softened.
Just as she was about to say something, Xu Xiuwen suddenly spoke up, "Are you really feeling fine now?"
"Yes."
"Then can you go hiking?"
"Hiking?" Jiang Ruoyu was startled.
"Yes, I haven't been hiking in a while and would like to go. Can you come with me?"
Jiang Ruoyu was confused by Xu Xiuwen's line of thinking.
In a daze, she agreed.
Xu Xiuwen said, "Then hurry up and get ready. We'll go hiking later."
"Okay, Brother Xiuwen."
Jiang Ruoyu nodded in agreement.
"I'll wait for you outside."
Xu Xiuwen finished speaking and left the girl's room.
In the living room, Gu Pandi was sitting on the sofa, looking anxious.
Seeing Xu Xiuwen come out, she quickly stood up and asked, "Xiao Xu, how is Xiao Yu?"
Xu Xiuwen reassured her, "Aunt Gu, don't worry. Xiao Yu seems to be in good shape."
"That's good."
"Did she tell you anything?"
Xu Xiuwen understood what she meant.
He shook his head, "Not yet."
"I see." Gu Pandi seemed disappointed but also understood she couldn't blame Xu Xiuwen.
At this moment, Xu Xiuwen suddenly said, "Aunt Gu, I'm going to take Xiao Yu hiking later."
Gu Pandi immediately objected, "No!"
Realizing she had been too stern, she quickly explained, "Xiao Xu, I mean, Xiao Yu is still ill. She should hike another time."
"Aunt Gu, don't worry. Xiao Yu seems to be doing well. Hiking will help her sweat it out and might help her recover completely."
Gu Pandi remained hesitant.
Just then, Jiang Ruoyu walked out of her room, fully dressed.
Seeing her, Gu Pandi immediately approached and asked nervously, "Xiao Yu, are you feeling better?"
Jiang Ruoyu smiled faintly, "Mom, I'm fine. Don't worry."
Gu Pandi noticed her daughter's complexion was much better than before.
Her eyes were also bright and clear.
She felt Jiang Ruoyu's forehead, face, and palms, finding they were neither cold nor hot.
This eased her concerns.
At the same time, she was puzzled.
Just a moment ago, her daughter seemed a bit unwell.
How could she look completely fine in such a short time?
Jiang Ruoyu walked towards the bathroom, saying, "Mom, I'm going hiking with Brother Xiuwen later."
This time, Gu Pandi didn't know whether to support or oppose.
Jiang Ruoyu entered the bathroom to freshen up.
Xu Xiuwen approached Gu Pandi and said softly, "It'll be fine, Aunt Gu. You can trust me."
Gu Pandi nodded.
"Just make sure to take good care of Xiao Yu."
"Don't worry, Aunt Gu."
Soon, Jiang Ruoyu came out of the bathroom, freshened up.
"Brother Xiuwen, are we leaving now?"
The girl smiled as she walked towards Xu Xiuwen.
Xu Xiuwen turned his head in response.
The girl was wearing a white floral knee-length dress, her cheeks slightly flushed, her nose elegant, her lips rosy, and her eyes clear and bright.
Her hair naturally cascaded down her shoulders.
She wasn't wearing any makeup, her face bare and natural.
But with her innate elegance and glowing white skin, she was a beautiful girl.
What's more, Xu Xiuwen could vaguely see a resemblance to Xiao Youran in Jiang Ruoyu.
The two had looked quite alike since childhood, almost like replicas.
Though their personalities were slightly different.
Xiao Youran was more proud and headstrong.
Jiang Ruoyu, compared to Xiao Youran, had always been more obedient and well-behaved.
Xu Xiuwen was momentarily stunned.
When he came to his senses, Jiang Ruoyu asked again, "Brother Xiuwen, are we leaving now?"
Xu Xiuwen nodded, "Yes."
Aunt Gu said, "Xiao Yu hasn't had breakfast yet. Why don't you have breakfast first before going hiking?"
Xu Xiuwen replied, "Aunt Gu, I haven't had breakfast either. Xiao Yu, would you like to eat something?"
Jiang Ruoyu nodded, "Yes, I'd like to."
"Alright, then I'll take you for some potstickers."
Gu Pandi didn't press the issue further.
The two walked towards the door.
Gu Pandi, still uneasy, said, "Xiao Xu, I'm leaving Xiao Yu in your care."
"Don't worry, Aunt Gu. I promise to bring Xiao Yu back safe and sound."
"Okay, Auntie trusts you."
After leaving the Jiang family home, Jiang Ruoyu kept her eyes fixed on Xu Xiuwen's profile.
Xu Xiuwen suddenly turned his head.
When their eyes met, Jiang Ruoyu didn't have time to look away.
But Xu Xiuwen said nothing.
They arrived at a breakfast shop at the neighborhood entrance.
As soon as Xu Xiuwen sat down, the owner recognized him.
"Is that Xiao Xu?"
The owner's wife smiled and asked.
The owner joked, "It's not Xiao Xu anymore. He should be called Boss Xu. He's running a distillery now."
Someone else in the shop who recognized Xu Xiuwen chimed in, "Yes, Boss Xu."
Xu Xiuwen smiled awkwardly, "Auntie, please don't tease me."
"Haha…"
Laughter ensued.
After a while, the owner's wife asked, "What would you like to eat?"
"Ten orders of potstickers, ten meat ones, and two bowls of congee."
After ordering, Xu Xiuwen turned his head again and caught Jiang Ruoyu's gaze.
Her eyes were filled with admiration and awe.
Xu Xiuwen, knowing the reason, asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Jiang Ruoyu asked, "Brother Xiuwen, are you really the owner of Guangming Distillery?"
"Guess," Xu Xiuwen teased.
"Probably so."
"Then why ask me?"
"I just find it unbelievable. You've changed so much in a year, becoming a big boss."
Xu Xiuwen reached out and ruffled the girl's hair, "No matter how much I change, I'm still your Brother Xiuwen, and you're still my Sister Xiao Yu."
Jiang Ruoyu's cheeks flushed immediately.
She quickly lowered her head, looking shy.
But Xu Xiuwen happened to miss this moment.
Because the owner's wife came over with a plate of food.
He hurried to get the congee.
Xu Xiuwen returned with two bowls of congee.
Jiang Ruoyu picked up a small dish of vinegar and poured some into it.
But she only took one dish.
Seeing she didn't mind, Xu Xiuwen didn't bother to get another dish for the vinegar.
"Try it and see if it tastes good."
"Mm." Jiang Ruoyu, who had no appetite before, found herself hungry now.
She picked up a potsticker, took a bite, and couldn't help but praise, "It's delicious. Brother Xiuwen, you should try it too."
Xu Xiuwen also took a potsticker and started eating.
The owner's wife, watching them, asked with a smile, "Xiao Xu, why isn't Xiao Youran with you?"
"She's still at school."
The owner's wife couldn't help but say, "When are you and Youran getting married? Don't forget to send us an invitation. Your Uncle Lu and I will definitely attend."
Xu Xiuwen smiled awkwardly.
Noticing he didn't respond, the owner's wife decided not to press further.
Xu Xiuwen noticed Jiang Ruoyu had stopped eating.
"Why aren't you eating?"
"Oh," Jiang Ruoyu responded.
After finishing breakfast, Xu Xiuwen and Jiang Ruoyu walked together towards the foot of Langya Mountain.
The neighborhood where they lived wasn't far from Langya Mountain.
In less than half an hour, they arrived at the gate at the base of the mountain.
Langya Mountain didn't require an entrance fee in the morning.
Every day, many locals came to hike and exercise, including men and women, old and young.
As soon as they entered the gate, it felt like they had stepped into another world.
The city's noise was instantly blocked by the towering trees on either side.
The tranquil forest was filled with the sounds of insects and birds.
Jiang Ruoyu didn't say much along the way.
Soon, they began climbing the mountain.
There were two main paths to the top.
Xu Xiuwen and Jiang Ruoyu chose the more popular one, which had more stone steps.
Langya Mountain wasn't very high, but the scenery was beautiful.
White clouds surrounded the secluded rocks, and the distant bird calls echoed in the open fields.
Shouting into the mountains, the echo seemed endless, as if they had wandered into a fairyland, making the mood uplifting.
Xu Xiuwen hadn't hiked Langya Mountain in a long time.
Back in school, they almost always came here for the spring outings.
He was very familiar with the place.
But revisiting it now gave him a different feeling.
However, the weather wasn't on their side.
Just as they reached halfway up the mountain, the previously clear and bright sky suddenly darkened with gathering clouds, and the daylight quickly faded.