Xu Xing raised her hand to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, about to speak when she paused—
How did Wang Jiao Jiao know she had been incarcerated?
She recalled that Wang Jiao Jiao was an art student, studying piano, and had gone to Lan City for the college entrance exams.
Typically, after such a parting, many would fade from memory over time, but Wang Jiao Jiao was different. During their university years, she was highly active on social media, posting at least ten times a day, each accompanied by selfies. Xu Xing found it nearly impossible to forget her.
However, none of her university classmates, nor even some graduate students, knew about her imprisonment; how did Wang Jiao Jiao…?
Xu Xing shifted her gaze toward Zheng Yang.
Caught off guard by Xu Xing's piercing scrutiny, Zheng Yang was momentarily surprised.
He intended to greet her, but Wang Jiao Jiao stepped forward first, scrutinizing Xu Xing from head to toe before abruptly asking, "When did you get out? By the way, do you remember me? I'm Wang Jiao Jiao, your high school classmate. I heard you lost your memory—surely you haven't forgotten me as well?"
She even knew about the amnesia.
Xu Xing maintained her composure and replied, "Of course not. It's been a long time; how have you been?"
Wang Jiao Jiao raised an eyebrow, "I'm doing well, but you don't look so great. If you're in trouble, I can lend you some money."
"…"
Facing someone as shallow and dense as Wang Jiao Jiao, Xu Xing felt somewhat exasperated.
Noticing Xu Xing's silence, Wang Jiao Jiao recalled something else and glanced back at Zheng Yang, stating rather rudely, "Oh right, you came to see A Yang, didn't you? If it weren't for your imprisonment affecting him, he would have been a professor by now. Aren't you embarrassed to approach him?"
"Jiao Jiao!" Zheng Yang suddenly interrupted, attempting to halt her comments.
Wang Jiao Jiao rolled her eyes at Xu Xing but, surprisingly, chose not to speak further.
Had Zheng Yang also been affected by her? Xu Xing was taken aback.
But thinking it through, it made sense; after all, he was her mentor, and if his student encountered trouble during their graduate studies, it could certainly tarnish his reputation.
At that moment, Zheng Yang stepped closer, wrapping an arm around Wang Jiao Jiao's shoulders and giving her a light pat.
Wang Jiao Jiao turned her head away, ignoring him with a huff, falling silent.
Soon, he withdrew his hand and turned back to Xu Xing, speaking gently, "Xu Xing, it's been a long time."
Xu Xing remained silent, still struggling to reconcile her graduate advisor with the young man before her.
Zheng Yang, undeterred by her reaction, continued, "Are you… still unable to remember? That's alright. But you're here to see me today, so you must know I'm your mentor, correct?"
His lips curved into a soft smile, his voice warm and unhurried, making it hard for anyone to harbor ill feelings toward him.
After a few moments of silence, Xu Xing nodded, "I wanted to ask you… about my time in graduate school."
Zheng Yang raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, then laughed heartily, "You're calling me 'teacher'?"
Was there something wrong with that?
Xu Xing opened her mouth to respond, but Wang Jiao Jiao was already impatient, clinging to Zheng Yang's arm and shaking it, playfully complaining, "What more is there to discuss? Our parents are still waiting for us to eat!"
Zheng Yang momentarily faltered but quickly regained his composure.
Glancing at the time, he explained to Xu Xing, "I'm truly sorry. My family lives in Star City, and I made plans to have dinner with them. I need to head over now."
He offered an apologetic smile, pausing before adding, "Why don't you give me your phone number or WeChat, and I'll contact you later?"
Xu Xing nodded, "Alright."
After exchanging numbers, Xu Xing tactfully took her leave first.
She hadn't yet sorted through her thoughts and remained puzzled about Zheng Yang's connection with Wang Jiao Jiao.
They seemed to be in a romantic relationship, and although no wedding ring adorned Wang Jiao Jiao's finger, her words suggested that their transition from couple to spouses was imminent.
If that were the case, Wang Jiao Jiao might become her mentor's wife?
The thought sent a shiver down Xu Xing's spine.
She found her advisor's taste questionable; he appeared intelligent, emotionally astute, and handsome. How could he be attracted to someone as abrasive as Wang Jiao Jiao, whose words could make one want to slap her?
It was utterly perplexing.
As Xu Xing walked toward the campus exit, a text from Kang Chen suddenly pinged her phone.
Kang Chen: Come over and cook.
How typical of him—short and to the point.
Xu Xing wrinkled her nose and replied with three words, "On my way."
Fortunately, Star City Normal University was in the same direction as his place, not far at all.
After twenty minutes, Xu Xing arrived at Kang Chen's home and, as usual, prepared two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes.
With the meal set on the table, she waited for Kang Chen to come downstairs but saw no sign of him.
"Kang Chen? Kang Chen! Dinner's ready!"
She called up the staircase several times, but there was only silence from above.
Was he still asleep? Xu Xing wondered and tentatively called out, "I'm coming up!"
Receiving no response, she grasped the railing and quietly ascended the stairs.
Reaching the study door, she knocked lightly.
Still no sound.
Could something have happened?
A hint of anxiety crept in as she pressed her ear to the door, trying to listen for any sounds from within.
But all was silent.
This was strange; skeptical, she closed her eyes, focusing intently to hear.
Just as she was about to catch a sound, the door suddenly swung open.
Xu Xing, leaning against the door, stumbled forward and collided with a firm chest, before instinctively stumbling back two steps, only to be caught and drawn into an embrace.
For a few seconds, her mind went blank, and by the time she registered what was happening, Kang Chen was holding her close.
What on earth had Kang Chen been doing in the darkened study, with the curtains drawn tight and no lights on?
In the dimness, her other senses heightened.
The familiar scent of bergamot enveloped her, and she could hear the rapid thumping of his heart, accompanied by his slightly labored breathing.
---
Xu Xing wanted to move, but Kang Chen held her firmly, one hand resting on her shoulder and the other clasped around her waist. Her slight struggles proved utterly futile.
Through the fabric, Xu Xing felt that hand on her waist… shifting ever so slightly.
Was it… suggestive?
With that thought, she intensified her efforts to break free from Kang Chen's grip, stepping back hurriedly.
She stumbled a couple of steps before steadying herself, a flush of color rising to her cheeks, unsure if it was from anger or embarrassment.
Kang Chen remained perfectly still, not budging at all.
The light from outside seeped into the room, swallowed by the encroaching darkness, casting him in a half-shadow where he seemed enveloped in drowsiness.
Xu Xing felt a bit dazed and eventually asked, "Are you… sleeping?"
Kang Chen responded with a lazy "Mm," his tone drawn out and languorous.
"…"
Was he a pig? How could he sleep so soundly, not even noticing her calls?
Xu Xing rubbed her nose, somewhat disgruntled, "Then… let's go eat. The dishes are ready. I called you several times, and I thought something had happened. You scared me to death."
"I would have had an accident, and you'd be worried?"
Kang Chen's voice was low and hoarse, likely due to just waking, reminiscent of tobacco steeped in cold water.
"…"
Xu Xing found his question ambiguous. After a moment of silence, she awkwardly fidgeted with her hair, gesturing with her hands, "Of course… You're a living person at home; you even opened the door for me earlier. If something suddenly went wrong, anyone would worry."
She added unnecessarily, "Even a pig would be concerned."
For reasons she couldn't comprehend, she felt her words were becoming jumbled, and she dared not meet Kang Chen's gaze.
After standing there for several seconds, she felt a tingle of anxiety creeping in, her legs growing weak.
Unable to stay any longer, she hurriedly turned to leave, saying, "You should come down quickly. I'll go reheat the dishes."
Kang Chen leaned against the door frame, watching Xu Xing's flustered retreat, the faint curve of his glasses glinting in the half-light.
***
Moments later, Kang Chen joined her at the dining table, appearing unfazed.
Xu Xing stole a few glances at him, convincing herself she had overthought the situation, and attempted to suppress the peculiar feelings inside her.
She had intended to enjoy a quiet meal, but Kang Chen broke the silence, asking, "Did you see Zheng Yang today?"
Xu Xing nodded, then, curious, inquired, "You call him Zheng Yang… do you know him?"
"When you went, he was leading the group. You introduced him to me, so we've met once."
Xu Xing replied with an "Oh" and recounted her encounter with Zheng Yang, "He looks so young! I expected him to be much older, but he seems like he could be my peer."
Kang Chen showed no particular reaction.
Of course, he had only seen him once.
"By the way, it's quite a coincidence—his girlfriend was there today. Do you know who she is? Wang Jiao Jiao!"
Kang Chen still displayed little reaction, quietly helping himself to a serving of hollow vegetables.
Xu Xing slapped her forehead, "Oh right, you wouldn't know Wang Jiao Jiao. She was my classmate after the class division in our sophomore year."
She then began to complain about Wang Jiao Jiao's absurdity and expressed disbelief that Zheng Yang would date her.
Unexpectedly, the usually quiet Kang Chen suddenly spoke up, "You think they're mismatched? Do you feel you and Zheng Yang would make a better pair?"
???
Just as she was about to swallow a bite of egg, Kang Chen's words caught in her throat.
He maintained a calm demeanor.
But after spending time with him, Xu Xing sensed a palpable tension in the air.
A strange thought occurred to her: Did he have some connection with Wang Jiao Jiao? Was he upset because she was speaking ill of her?
Before she could process this unexpected shift in Kang Chen's demeanor, her phone chimed with a new message. Glancing down, she saw it was from Zheng Yang.
Zheng Yang: Xiao Xing, are you free tonight? Let's meet.
Tonight.
Given Wang Jiao Jiao's presence, would he really come out tonight?
After contemplating the sensitive timing, she noticed the way Zheng Yang addressed her.
Xiao Xing?
Were they that familiar?
She held her phone for a moment, then candidly shared the latest news with Kang Chen, "My mentor wants to meet tonight."
Kang Chen paused.
"Why would he ask a girl to meet at night when he has a girlfriend? And he called me Xiao Xing? Kang Chen, don't you think this mentor of mine is a bit strange…"
Kang Chen nodded, maintaining a neutral expression.
"Should I go?" Xu Xing felt torn.
"I'll accompany you."