Tang Qianmiao had just reached the ground floor when she rubbed her ears, her fair and beautiful face showing a look of mild exasperation.
That maddening deep voice had drilled into her ears without missing a beat.
Strangely, it tickled.
Who would've thought—this man was rather full of himself.
When she returned next door and made her way upstairs, she bumped into Qiao Shiwan, who was about to knock on her door.
"Aunt Wan."
Qiao Shiwan turned around, immediately beaming with delight, "Auntie made you some late-night snacks. I've been learning new recipes lately, so give them a try. If they're not good, tell me, and I'll fix them."
Qiao Shiwan's down-to-earth warmth took Tang Qianmiao by surprise.
She couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed.
The contrast between the two families living in the East and West wings was stark.
She accepted the snacks, "Thank you, Aunt Wan."
"What's there to thank me for? We're family—no need for that. Just enjoy it and get some rest. Tomorrow, you'll be going to school with Ah Can, so don't worry about anything else. Auntie's got it all covered."
After Qiao Shiwan left, Tang Qianmiao stared at the snacks but didn't pick up her chopsticks.
Her calm eyes held a thousand unspoken thoughts.
After a while, she ate one of the glutinous rice dumplings. It was sweet, yet there was an indescribable flavor that lingered—something comforting.
The next morning, at seven o'clock.
Feng Can was being ushered into the car by Qiao Shiwan.
"Go to school and study hard, don't get into trouble. You're in your final year now, it's time to focus! Old Qin, let's drive."
Feng Can, his face full of drowsiness, squinted and asked, "Mom, aren't we waiting for Tang Qianmiao?"
"She left half an hour ago. Oh, and I'm giving you a task—Miao Miao just transferred to this school, so she might not be used to it yet. Take care of her, alright?"
Feng Can's eyes widened slightly. "Buy me a car, and I'll agree."
"We'll talk about it when you get into Jing University. Old Qin, let's go."
Feng Can, looking utterly defeated, pulled out his phone and began playing a game to ease his frustration.
Not long after, Old Qin suddenly stopped the car.
Feng Can glanced up. "Why did we stop?"
"Young Master, look."
Outside, Lin Wenyu stood at their gate, dressed in her school uniform, her straight bangs and ponytail giving her an obedient, well-behaved look.
Feng Can rolled down the window, his delicate face tinged with confusion. "What are you doing here?"
Lin Wenyu walked up, biting her lip. "Ah Can, is my cousin here?"
"Your cousin?"
Feng Can's mind whirred for a moment before he realized who she meant. "She left a while ago."
Lin Wenyu bit her lip again. "Oh? I brought breakfast, hoping we could eat together and go to school together."
"She didn't tell you she'd already gone?" Feng Can asked, puzzled.
Lin Wenyu looked innocent, "I had no idea... What should I do? Class is starting soon, and I don't know where to find a ride around here."
Feng Can opened the door. "Why take a cab? Get in, I'll drop you off."
Lin Wenyu's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you, Ah Can."
Once inside, she discreetly surveyed the car's interior.
"Ah Can, is this your brother's car?"
Feng Can, absorbed in his game, replied casually, "No, my brother never lets anyone use his car."
Lin Wenyu's eyes flickered with thought, but she stayed silent.
Soon, they arrived at the gate of Jing University High School.
As Lin Wenyu followed Feng Can out of the car, they had barely taken a few steps when he suddenly stopped, raising his chin toward a direction. "Your cousin."
Lin Wenyu looked over just in time to see Tang Qianmiao ride into school on a mountain bike. She wasn't wearing her uniform; a black baseball cap worn backward, paired with jeans and a jacket, gave her a cold, almost masculine vibe.
There wasn't a trace of feminine softness about her.
Yet, despite that, her face alone attracted countless admiring glances.
Lin Wenyu bit her lip, her eyes darkening.
"Didn't she leave earlier? Why is she only getting to school now?" Feng Can asked instinctively.
Lin Wenyu pressed her lips together, then murmured, "Honestly... my cousin is quite hard to describe."
Feng Can raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"