As evening fell, the sky was ablaze with the colors of sunset.

Ying Qian forcefully dragged Chen Wenzhi out for a walk. After a ten-minute walk, they arrived at Hemu Park, a huge park with an artificial lake in the middle.

"It seems you come here often." She said in a flat tone, admiring the plants along the lakeside path.

Honestly, the willows and wild grasses in autumn have turned a sallow yellow, and there's nothing to see there, especially by the lake, where there are only a few wildflowers and grasses, and the flowers don't bloom at this time of year.

Chen Wenzhi didn't deliberately keep his distance; their arms were almost touching. He seemed exceptionally happy today, and a smile never left his face.

He answered seriously, "When I was in the first year of junior high school, this place had just been built. At that time, I didn't live in Amber. I lived with my grandparents in an old neighborhood here. My grandparents liked to take walks, so I would come out and walk with them."

"Is that so?" Ying Qian asked, puzzled. "Do your grandparents still live here?"

If they still live here, perhaps I could give them a visit.

Unfortunately, Chen Wenzhi shook his head, "I'm in another city, living with my uncle's family."

She was visibly lacking energy, so all she could do was take walks!

Chen Wenzhi glanced at her, noticing her disappointment, and said, "My junior high physics teacher happens to live nearby, we can go over there."

"Your middle school physics teacher! Not mine... and besides, my physics was terrible..."

She was about to offer another excuse for refusing.

Chen Wenzhi shut her up with one sentence: "He keeps a lot of pets."

That sounds appealing...

Ying Qian's eyes darted around in their sockets. "Then I'll reluctantly agree."

Chen Wenzhi took the opportunity to hold her hand.

She didn't flinch. She noticed a familiar face casting a malicious glance her way. She recognized her – it was the girl who had run for her last time. She should have gone up to thank her…

However, the girl's gaze was so intense it could kill her. Even if she could overcome that, someone's hand was firmly gripping hers, and she couldn't even take a single step away.

All I could do was force a smile.

Upon seeing this, the girl turned and left.

She muttered to herself, "Oh no... I've offended someone again..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wenzhi just smiled indulgently, his dimples seeming to be permanently etched on his face.

His eyes were fixed on Ying Qian's every smile and frown, and no one else.

"So you're afraid of offending people? You're always barging around recklessly and don't respect anyone."

"How can that be the same! Didn't this girl help me run?" Ying Qian broke free from his hand. "She's actually quite good at running! I really wanted her to teach me, but you're in the way!"

Chen Wenzhi's eyelids drooped immediately: "Are you blaming me?"

His tone was full of grievance, like a bullied big dog.

Ying Qian tugged at Chen Wenzhi's cheek, her voice laced with amusement, "If it's not your fault, who is it?"

"It's my fault, it's my fault!" he confessed.

When Ying Qian let go, she left a red mark on his cheek.

She exclaimed, "Oh dear! You're so shy! It turns red with just a gentle pinch!"

Chen Wenzhi laughed, "Gently?"

Ying Qian chuckled, trying to hide the fact that she had hit him a little too hard.

They chased each other, exchanging words, until they left the park.

The teacher's home is not far from Harmony Park, in the old neighborhood next door.

The community has a huge courtyard, and none of the buildings have elevators; the tallest building is only five stories high.

Ying Qian lived in a similar neighborhood when she was a child. Coming here, she reminisced about her past. Although she wasn't wealthy, her life was happy and fulfilling. Back then, she was a child who was loved and cared for.

Now, however, things have changed.

Seeing her standing blankly by the rusty iron gate, Chen Wenzhi put his large hand around her shoulder and asked gently, "What are you spacing out for? Are you scared?"

"No." She blushed and pushed him away.

It was getting late, and there weren't many residents in the neighborhood. Only a few houses still had their lights on. A small table was set up in the parking shed downstairs, and a group of middle-aged people were playing cards.

It was lively and bustling, full of the warmth of everyday life.

It was dinnertime, and Ying Qian questioned Chen Wenzhi: "You're not just going to your teacher's place for a free dinner, are you?"

"My teacher's wife is an amazing cook, a five-star chef!" he praised without reservation. "She's way better than my mom, like heaven and earth!"

Ying Qian clicked her tongue twice, and was pushed forward by him. "Aunt Zhao will get angry again if she hears this! Chen Wenzhi, can't you speak a little nicer?"

"My mom's not here," he said nonchalantly. "You're not going to tell her, are you?"

"..."

"You little spy..."

Ying Qian stuck out her tongue: "Hehehe—"

Chen Wenzhi laughed in exasperation, ruffled her hair, and said, "Childish."

She patted his head back in return, angrily saying, "I don't have much hair to begin with, and you keep rubbing it, I'm losing hair every day! We're best buddies, so let's lose hair together!"

She wasn't angry at all.

She enjoys this kind of daily life; it's easy and happy, and it always gives her the illusion that she doesn't have to worry about anything.

Chen Wenzhi led her upstairs. The stairwell was dark, with no lights.

She noticed that the other hand she was holding tightly was trembling slightly, and she chuckled softly, "So, you're afraid of the dark..."

Chen Wenzhi did not make any dramatic excuses or show off as she had imagined. He replied, "I'm afraid of the dark. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I was abandoned in an old house when I was a child."

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid," she said reassuringly, unconsciously moving a little closer to him.

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