Hospital.

After completing the hospitalization procedures, Shen Fang headed towards the operating room.

Outside the operating room, a girl in a long dress with messy hair stood in the corridor. Her hair was slightly yellow, her eyebrows and eyes were delicate, her lips were tightly pursed with a hint of stubbornness, and her eyes were filled with tears.

Chen Fang paused slightly in his steps.

When he arrived at Ruan Tang's house, Ruan Tang was struggling to carry her father out. When she saw him, her eyes immediately reddened, and she murmured helplessly, "Help me, save my father."

They took Mr. Ruan to this private hospital, called in a doctor who was on good terms with the Shen family to perform the surgery, and completed all the formalities in one go.

I guess... he's out of the picture now.

Shen Fang pursed his lips and glanced at the time; it was almost one o'clock in the afternoon.

Hearing the footsteps, Ruan Tang looked over at him, her eyes still red and a few tears still on her face. Her expression was filled with lingering fear, and she was still somewhat at a loss.

Shen Fang stepped forward and handed her the documents in his hand: "I've taken care of the formalities," he paused, then added, "Uncle will be fine."

Ruan Tang looked down at the receipt in his hand, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

She had always thought Shen Fang was a spoiled brat and a delinquent, but today she discovered that he also had a soft and considerate side.

She knew that Song Yan was working. Song Yan lost both his parents when he was young and was raised by his grandmother. His family was not well-off, and everything he had was earned through his own hard work. But at this moment, she really needed someone by her side.

Seeing that she remained silent, Shen Fang paused for a moment and then said, "After the surgery, if anyone asks, you can mention my name..."

His words came to an abrupt end.

Ruan Tang hugged him tightly, her voice choked with emotion: "Thank you, Shen Fang."

Chen Fang's body stiffened.

"Thank you for coming to help me. Without you, I really don't know what I would have done..." Ruan Tang said, her voice becoming increasingly hoarse and filled with sobs.

Chen Fang stood frozen in place, not moving an inch.

This was the first time Ruan Tang had taken the initiative to hug him and get close to him. He should have been nervous, but he didn't feel the joy he expected.

He even thought of the feeling of Jiang Fei sitting on the back of his motorcycle at noon today, her arms around his waist—a tingling, warm, and fragrant sensation.

But that shouldn't be the case!

At the very least, it shouldn't be Jiang Fei!

"Shen Fang?" Ruan Tang's voice came barely audible as she cautiously observed his somewhat somber expression. "What's wrong?"

Shen Fang snapped back to reality, shook his head, and forced a smile: "It's nothing..."

As he spoke, he glanced at the time again.

Noticing his movement, Ruan Tang panicked, bit her lip, and finally mustered up her courage to ask, "Can...can you stay here with me?"

Chen Fang was taken aback.

Ruan Tang lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling, her voice full of unease: "Just for an afternoon, I don't want to be alone. I'm so afraid that something might happen to Dad if I'm alone here. Shen Fang, okay?"

Shen Fang looked at the girl's pale face for a long time before nodding, "Okay."

With tears still in her eyes, Ruan Tang smiled and said, "Thank you, Shen Fang."

Right now, she really doesn't want to be here alone.

Shen Fang looked down at her, his mind momentarily dazed. Then he thought that Jiang Fei liked him so much that she would definitely understand him. He just needed to explain things properly when he got back, and everything should be fine.

And the stairwell on the side.

Soaked to the bone, Song Yan watched the boy and girl embracing in the corridor for a while, then lowered his eyes slightly, his expression remaining calm, before turning and leaving silently.

By the time Mr. Ruan's surgery was over, it was already dark.

When Shen Fang left the hospital, it was already close to 8 p.m.

The sky remained overcast, not a single star in sight, and the wind carried a chill.

Seven hours had passed since lunchtime; Jiang Fei must have gone home long ago.

As Shen Fang thought this, twenty minutes later, the motorcycle inexplicably stopped at the restaurant entrance.

The restaurant was still quiet and lit, with some elegantly dressed men and women having dinner.

But Jiang Fei had already left.

When he heard the waiter say that to him, Shen Fang frowned involuntarily. His stomach, which hadn't eaten all day, began to ache slightly. It seemed that... ever since Jiang Fei stayed at the apartment, he had rarely overeaten, and he had even drunk less alcohol.

But the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She knew it was normal for her to leave, so why would she wait here for seven hours?

However, I still felt a sense of gloom that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

Shen Fang tightened the grips in slight annoyance, the motorcycle's hum echoing in the night, and he went straight back to his apartment.

He parked the motorcycle in the parking lot and strode towards the entrance.

The next second, however, their steps stopped when they saw the figure sitting there quietly with his knees drawn up to his chest.

Under a dim lamp, Jiang Fei was still wearing the long dress she wore during the day. She hugged her knees, buried her head between them, and let her long hair fall from her shoulders to her sides. She looked as if she had fallen asleep and was completely still.

But occasionally, when a draft passes through, she will involuntarily shrink her body.

Shen Fang opened his mouth, only to feel a sore throat and difficulty breathing. His heart pounded so hard that his eardrums could hear it. It took him a while to find his voice: "Jiang Fei?"

Upon hearing the voice, Jiang Fei stiffened, then slowly raised her head. Her pale face looked delicate under the light, and her expression was initially blank. After recognizing him, she pursed her lips and stood up.

"You're back." Jiang Fei smiled, her voice low and husky.

Chen Fang's Adam's apple bobbed, but he didn't know how to respond. He only said in a hoarse voice, "Why don't you go in?"

He remembered that he had given her a spare key.

Jiang Fei lowered her head slightly, her voice like a murmur: "Because I was going out to eat today, I didn't bring the spare key... You promised I would come back, and I was worried something had happened to you, which is why you haven't come back so late..."

She paused for a few seconds before saying, "Thankfully, you're alright."

With that, Jiang Fei tilted her head and smiled, then turned and walked past him.

"Jiang Fei!" Shen Fang suddenly exclaimed.

Jiang Fei paused for a moment, then hurriedly disappeared at the apartment entrance.

Shen Fang stared blankly at her retreating figure, his heart filled with shock, confusion, bitterness, and a mixture of... secret joy.

Turning around, Shen Fang was about to open the door when he caught a glimpse of a damp paper bag on the ground. He paused, bent down, and picked up the bag. Inside were dishes that had gone cold.

Chen Fang walked into the room and turned on the light, which was still warm-toned.

He placed the food on the table, looked at it quietly, and ate it bite by bite after a long while.

She's angry, isn't she? She's waited so long, of course she'd be angry.

I'll explain it to her when she comes tomorrow.

She certainly won't be angry with him for long.

Shen Fang didn't expect that he would wake up at 7:30 the next day, which was unusual for him. He sat on the sofa waiting for the door to open, but there was no sound at the door until 9 or 10 o'clock.

He was all alone in the empty apartment.

Around eleven o'clock, his stomach started churning. He felt a surge of anger. Since she was still angry, he figured she could just keep giving birth. At worst, he would just have to go back to his old life.

We ordered takeout for lunch and dinner. At 7 p.m., Chen Fang sat by the window and watched many elderly people and children taking a walk on the lake not far away.

He was one of them yesterday.

today……

Thinking of this, Shen Fang's face darkened, and he snapped the curtains shut.

He was thinking about returning to his old life, but he still woke up on time early in the morning. Chen Bing called and asked if he wanted to go out and play a game of billiards. Shen Fang didn't say anything, but just stared at the clock without blinking.

Chen Bing eventually hung up the phone, jokingly saying before hanging up: "Why are you acting like a good stay-at-home boy now?"

Shen Fang's face darkened, and he almost threw his phone away.

Not just these past two days, but even the third day, the fourth day...

Jiang Fei never appeared again, not even once.

Shen Fang grew increasingly irritable. Even if she was really angry, she had been angry for far too long.

Besides, I was already planning to explain it to her...

On the sixth day, Shen Fang was curled up in bed with his brows furrowed when his phone suddenly rang. He answered it almost instantly.

The voice that came through the receiver was Ruan Tang's: "Shen Fang, thank you for Dad's matter. I've been busy until today..."

Shen Fang didn't respond, and Ruan Tang's voice faded into the distance. In the past, receiving a call from Ruan Tang would make him very happy, but why was he feeling... down now?

The call eventually ended, and Chen Fang rubbed his phone.

I was just asking, just asking.

After all... the two companies are quite good, and they certainly have no other intentions.

As the phone rang repeatedly, even his deep breathing slowed down.

After ringing five or six times, the call was connected.

Shen Fang's grip on his phone tightened: "Jiang..."

"Xiao Fang?" It wasn't Jiang Fei.

Shen Fang's expression hardened slightly: "Auntie."

"Are you looking for Jiang Jiang?" Wenjuan glanced at Jiang Fei lying on the bed. "Jiang Jiang got caught in the rain a few days ago and has been running a low-grade fever ever since. She's been resting at home these past few days..."

She has a fever?

Shen Fang frowned, suddenly remembering that her dress seemed to be wet that night, yet she waited for him for seven hours...

"Do you need to see Jiang Jiang for something?" Wenjuan asked again.

Shen Fang paused for a moment: "...It's nothing."

The call was disconnected.

Shen Fang was still clutching his phone, but his mind was hazy.

Night fell.

The Jiang family.

Jiang Fei sat on the sofa in the room, showing no signs of illness, but rather joy in her eyes.

Chen Fang's favorability rating has risen to 70.

Tomorrow is his birthday.

The holiday is coming to an end.

Jiang Fei laughed: "That was fast."

...

The next morning.

apartment.

Chen Fang sat on the sofa, his eyes were dark and swollen, clearly he hadn't slept all night.

Today is his birthday.

He remembered that Jiang Fei had mentioned this to him not long ago, but there had been no news about it today.

A knocking sounded suddenly.

Shen Fang suddenly looked up and glanced at the time; it was a little past eight.

His heart stopped for a moment, his breath hitched, and then he quickly got up and walked towards the door.

"So fast!" Chen Bing's surprised voice came as soon as the door opened.

Shen Fang stared at Chen Bing, the faint light in his eyes gradually dimming.

Chen Bing looked at him in confusion: "I used to be rewarded for not waiting at the door for half an hour, why are you up so early today? Did you not sleep last night? You look terrible."

Chen Fang's expression darkened slightly. He didn't speak, then turned and went back to the living room.

"Hey, who offended you, Young Master Shen?" Chen Bing followed behind him, sat down to the side, and threw the paper bag in her hand onto the table.

Shen Fang glanced at him, his voice a little hoarse: "Why did you come?"

“Look what the good boy at home has been up to lately. He doesn’t go to the club, and his motorcycle is almost covered in dust. He’s been cooped up at home all day,” Chen Bing said, pushing the paper bag toward Chen Fang. “He’s also sending him a birthday present.”

Shen Fang glanced at the paper bag, pursed his lips, and said nothing.

"What?" Chen Bing looked puzzled, then suddenly remembered something, "I heard that you've been spending all this time with Jiang Fei?"

Shen Fang frowned deeply: "Who told you that?"

"Last time at the billiards club in Sai Wan, the security guard downstairs also said the same thing."

Sinking down with its head bowed.

"What's wrong?" Chen Bing looked at his expression and couldn't help but chuckle softly. "You said before that you were just playing around with Jiang Fei, but now you're... serious?"

"What are you saying!" Shen Fang's heart skipped a beat, and he raised his head to retort.

"Isn't that right?" Chen Bing winked at him mischievously. "You and Jiang Fei have been engaged since childhood. If things really get serious, wouldn't it be perfect..."

Shen Fang's face grew increasingly gloomy. The fear that had been elusive before seemed to have become clearer now, yet he instinctively rejected it: "How could I possibly like her!" he said in a deep voice.

Chen Bing was taken aback.

“If I really liked someone like Jiang Fei, I would have liked her seven or eight years ago. Now? Is that even possible?” Shen Fang’s brows furrowed even more. “I allowed her to stay by my side only because of a promise!”

"I don't like soulless vases!"

The air was completely silent.

With a "snap," the sound of a key falling to the floor echoed from the entryway.

Shen Fang froze, and almost immediately looked towards the door.

Jiang Fei stood there, pale-faced, holding an exquisite box in her arms. The key in her hand had fallen to the ground, and she was staring at him blankly.

Neither of them spoke.

Sensing the strange atmosphere, Chen Bing silently stood up and said, "I'll be leaving now."

Nobody paid him any attention.

Chen Bing walked out dejectedly, but thoughtfully closed the door behind her.

Hearing the door close behind her, Jiang Fei couldn't help but chuckle to herself. It had come at just the right time, though her face remained pale and fragile.

After a long silence, Shen Fang stood up, his throat tightening as if he wanted to ask her what she had heard, but what came out was, "When did you arrive?"

Jiang Fei looked at him blankly, then suddenly realized: "Just now."

Shen Fang fell silent again.

Jiang Fei stepped forward gently, still holding the gift box in her hands, and forced a smile, saying, "Today is your birthday, Shen Fang."

Shen Fang's expression was somewhat moved.

Jiang Fei whispered again, "The holiday is almost over."

Shen Fang paused, a chill ran down his spine, and a pang of sadness gripped his heart. The holiday was over, which meant their promise was about to be fulfilled.

—He treated her better, so she went to get closer to Song Yan.

“It’s fine.” Jiang Fei lowered her head, looking at the gift box in her arms. “You don’t like sweets, and the cakes from the bakery are all a bit too sweet, so I bought some cream and ingredients…”

As she spoke, she turned and walked into the kitchen.

Shen Fang watched her retreating figure without saying anything to cancel the agreement.

He thought that Jiang Fei liked him, and even if she got close to Song Yan, the person she liked would still be him.

As Shen Fang entered the restaurant, Jiang Fei was already preparing, head down, gently whipping egg whites with an egg beater, a wisp of hair swaying gently by her ear.

I was so engrossed in watching that I lost myself in thought.

"Can you help me get the flour?" Jiang Fei suddenly asked.

Shen Fang snapped out of his daze, looked at her now-normal gaze, nodded blankly, and handed her the flour.

"Thank you." Jiang Fei smiled and continued working.

Shen Fang stared at her intently, as if he had returned to that time in the past.

By the time the cake was finished, it was already afternoon. The milky white cream was decorated with flowers, and there were also several dishes. Jiang Fei even brought a bottle of red wine.

"Happy birthday." At the dinner table, Jiang Fei held a wine glass and smiled at him with her eyes narrowed.

After dinner, the two went for a walk as usual.

Jiang Fei greeted the people around her with a smile, as usual.

Night gradually fell, and darkness descended.

The two stopped at the apartment entrance. Jiang Fei looked at Shen Fang and said, "I'm leaving."

Chen Fang nodded.

Jiang Fei smiled, then turned and left.

I felt depressed and restless.

But he didn't need to worry at all, especially about Jiang Fei.

She simply couldn't live without him.

"Shen Fang!" someone suddenly called out to him.

Shen Fang looked up, but his vision went dark. Then, a tingling sensation spread across his lips, and his heart began to pound uncontrollably.

Jiang Fei tiptoed and quickly kissed the corner of his lips with her soft, crimson lips before pulling them away.

She was smiling at him: "This is how I feel today."

"goodbye."

After saying that, Jiang Fei turned and left without looking back.

Chen Fang's favorability rating: 80.

...

That night.

Jiang Fei was in her bedroom organizing the original owner's memories from her time at school.

The original owner and Shen Fang were in the same class, which was mostly filled with the second generation of elites.

Song Yan and Ruan Tang were in the opposite class on the same floor. The class there was mostly filled with ordinary students, but Song Yan, who stood out for his appearance and abilities, was known throughout the grade.

A door opened downstairs, and Mr. Jiang returned.

Jiang Fei stepped out of the room and saw Aunt Wen and her father talking.

“Dad.” Jiang Fei stood on the second floor, looking down at his father.

Mr. Jiang looked up at her: "Jiang Jiang? Still not asleep?"

"Thinking about something." Jiang Fei smiled, walked downstairs, stood in front of her father, and said seriously, "Dad, I want to transfer classes."