Chapter Twenty-Eight

The last summer breeze swept past the street corner, carrying the last trace of heat. The sycamore leaves cast dappled shadows in the sunlight. In the ordinary days that passed, Zhiyu's skirt was about to brush past the threshold of fourth grade, while Yufeng's figure was about to step into the fence of junior high school.

In the hallway between classes, Aiko Ito leaned close to Chiyu, her voice brimming with excitement: "Want to go to that newly opened boutique this weekend?"

Zhiyu paused, then looked up at her: "Is it the one next to the tennis equipment store?"

“Yes, yes,” Aiko Ito nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling. “I heard there are discounts for the first three days after opening.”

Zhiyu's fingers, which were holding the pen, curled slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her lips: "I was just thinking of buying a graduation gift for Brother Yufeng, so let's go together."

"Are you talking about your childhood sweetheart?" Ito Aiko blinked, her tone sly.

Zhiyu blushed slightly and waved her hand gently: "I don't think so, he's three years older than me."

“But I heard he’s incredibly good at tennis!” Takahashi Taro, who was passing by, suddenly interjected. “The boys in my class are all saying that several middle school tennis clubs have already approached him.”

Zhiyu proudly raised her chin, as if speaking of her glory: "Yes, but Uncle Tezuka graduated from Seigaku, so Brother Yufeng will most likely go to Seigaku."

The weekend morning sun was still cool. Zhiyu was nestled in bed, dreaming, when she was suddenly awakened by a gentle knock on the door. Yusheng pushed the door open and walked in, holding a phone in his hand: "Zhiyu, it's Yufeng calling you."

Zhiyu rubbed her sleepy eyes as she answered the phone, her voice still soft and sweet from just waking up: "What's wrong, Brother Yufeng?"

A clear, crisp voice came from the other end of the phone, carrying an undeniable gentleness: "Didn't you say you were going to go shopping at a boutique yesterday?"

“Yes, with Aiko and Taro.” Chiyu sat up, her hair sticking up in a mess.

“I’ll take you there.” Yu Feng’s tone left no room for negotiation.

Zhiyu stuck out her tongue and obediently replied, "Okay."

The wind chimes outside the boutique tinkled, and Ito Aiko and Takahashi Taro were already waiting there. Seeing Zhiyu approaching with Yufeng from afar, Ito Aiko immediately waved, "Zhiyu, over here!"

Zhiyu ran to her companion, turned back to Yufeng and said, "Brother Yufeng, I've arrived. Go and train."

Yu Feng stood there with his tennis bag on his back, his gaze fixed on her, and said seriously, "I'm at the training hall nearby. Come find me after you're done shopping, don't wander off."

"Okay!" Zhiyu nodded vigorously, then turned around and rushed into the boutique arm in arm with Aiko.

As Ito Aiko watched Yu Feng's departing figure, she nudged Zhiyu's shoulder and said, "You two are still inseparable on the weekend."

“He was worried about me coming alone,” Zhiyu said matter-of-factly, but her cheeks were secretly getting hot.

Aiko Ito and Taro Takahashi exchanged a glance and teased in a drawn-out tone, "Oh~ childhood friends!"

Zhiyu, embarrassed, pushed them away and turned to ask Takahashi Taro, "Taro, are you here to browse boutiques too?"

Takahashi Taro sighed with a bitter face, "Sigh, it's my cousin's birthday, and she's been pestering me for a present. I really can't think of anything to buy, so I came here to try my luck. Please help me out, ladies!"

Zhiyu and Ito Aiko exchanged a smile and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The boutique was much larger than I had imagined, with two floors filled with a dazzling array of small items, from cute accessories to exquisite ornaments.

Ito Aiko stood on tiptoe to look around and exclaimed, "It's really nice! It's much more interesting than the stationery store next door!"

Zhiyu's gaze was suddenly drawn to a music box in the display case. She grabbed Aiko's hand and ran over, exclaiming, "Wow, look! This music box is so pretty!"

Inside the transparent glass dome, a ballerina wears a pink tulle skirt, and the base is adorned with tiny rhinestones. With a gentle twist, it produces a crisp melody.

Aiko Ito nodded in agreement: "It is very beautiful, but it doesn't seem appropriate to give it as a gift to an elder."

"What are you planning to give your mother?" Zhiyu turned to ask her.

"How about some pretty hair clips or other small accessories?" Aiko Ito looked at Taro Takahashi. "Taro, what do you think?"

Taro Takahashi scratched his head, looking embarrassed: "I just bought the latest game disc, and I don't have much pocket money left. That music box is over budget."

"Is it that Star Wars?" Zhiyu's eyes lit up. She had seen the game's promotional poster at the toy store last week.

"Yeah, yeah!" Takahashi Taro immediately perked up. "The visuals are super cool, and there's even a two-player battle mode!"

"I want to play too, but Mom says I'm too young and won't let me buy a game console." Zhiyu said with a downcast face, her tone full of envy.

"I have a game console at home~" Aiko Ito patted her chest. "Want to come to my house to play after we're done shopping?"

"Great idea!" Zhiyu immediately perked up. "How about we go after we're done shopping?"

“Yes, yes!” Aiko Ito readily agreed.

Taro Takahashi chimed in, "I'll be passing by my house soon, so I'll go get the game disc and we can play together online!"

The three of them chatted and laughed for two hours. Ito Aiko picked out a white round hat with a small lace flower on the brim, which made her skin look even whiter. Zhiyu chose a few wooden bookmarks with delicate cherry blossom patterns, thinking that Yufeng would be able to use them when reading. On the advice of the two girls, Takahashi Taro bought a pink bow hair clip, which is said to be very popular with young girls.

When leaving the boutique, Aiko Ito and Taro Takahashi accompanied Chiyo to the tennis equipment store next door.

Zhiyu wandered around the shelves for a long time before finally choosing a black wristband. It was made of soft material and had a small "T" logo embroidered on it. It was the same brand of racket that Yufeng often used.

Lunch was rice balls bought at a convenience store on the street corner. The salty aroma of seaweed mixed with the sweetness of rice. The three of us quickly finished eating on a park bench and then walked together towards Aiko Ito's house.

"Auntie, we apologize for disturbing you." Zhiyu and Takahashi Taro followed Ito Aiko into the room, bowing politely in greeting.

Aunt Ito greeted us with a smile, her eyes gentle: "Come in and sit down, don't be shy."

She poured chilled plum juice for the three children, took a plate of delicate dorayaki, and then went back to her room with a smile, leaving the living room space to them.

The game console was already plugged into the TV. Takahashi Taro skillfully inserted the disc into the console, and the cool opening sequence of Star Wars immediately popped up on the screen.

Zhiyu leaned close to the screen, her eyes wide: "The visuals are really good."

Aiko Ito and Taro Takahashi each picked up a game controller and eagerly began their first game.

Light and shadow danced on the screen, and the sound of keys clicking filled the air. Before long, Takahashi Taro let out a wail and collapsed onto the sofa: "Ouch! I lost again! Aiko, you're too cruel!"

"Wow, Aiko, you're so good at video games!" Zhiyu was stunned and couldn't help but applaud her.

Aiko Ito proudly raised her chin: "Of course, I'm a veteran player with three years of gaming experience."

Seeing them having so much fun, Zhiyu felt a little itchy to try it herself, so she reached out and took the game controller from Takahashi Taro: "I'll give it a try too."

She held the unfamiliar game controller, her fingers still a little stiff, but it didn't take long before she gradually got the hang of it.

After three rounds of the game, Ito Aiko put down the game controller and looked at her incredulously: "Chiyo, are you sure you've never played games before?"

Zhiyu scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "I've never played before, this is my first time."

"I'm already exhausted!" Aiko Ito exclaimed, clutching her chest dramatically. "Your learning ability is just too amazing!"

Zhiyu smiled awkwardly, her cheeks slightly flushed: "Maybe it's because this game is easier to learn."

"No way, I won't accept this!" Aiko Ito picked up the game controller again, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit. "Then let's play a few more levels, I refuse to believe I can't beat you!"

As the sun gradually slanted westward, it cast long shadows on the floor through the window.

Two hours later, Aiko Ito and Taro Takahashi collapsed onto the sofa, their expressions utterly dejected.

"Zhiyu, I'm never playing games with you again. I can't win a single game," Ito Aiko said weakly, her voice full of frustration.

Takahashi Taro nodded repeatedly: "Your reaction speed is amazing. Have you been secretly training?"

Zhiyu put down the game controller, turned to look out the window, and realized that it was already dark. She was shocked to find that she had been playing for too long. "Oh no, it's too late, I have to go!" She stood up abruptly, her heart skipping a beat.

“It’s getting late,” Aiko Ito said, glancing at the sky. “Call me when you get home and let me know you’re safe.”

"Okay!" Zhiyu said, hurriedly changed her shoes, grabbed the gift bag placed at the door and ran out, heading towards the tennis training hall.

Her heart was pounding like a rabbit's—she had completely lost track of time while playing and had forgotten that she had promised to meet Yu Feng after they finished shopping.

Panting, Zhiyu ran to the entrance of the boutique and immediately spotted that familiar figure.

Yu Feng, carrying a tennis bag, stood under a streetlamp waiting. The glow of the streetlamp cast a long shadow of him. His face was expressionless, yet it conveyed a subtle sense of solemnity.

Zhiyu slowed her pace and walked over carefully, her voice as low as a mosquito's buzz: "Brother Yufeng, I lost track of time playing with Aizi and the others, I'm sorry."

Yu Feng turned to look at her, his brows furrowed slightly, his tone carrying a hint of suppressed anger: "I've been looking for you for a long time. Next time you're going to be home late, you must tell me first."

"I understand," Zhiyu said, her head bowed, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes, her eyes slightly warm. "I will definitely be more careful next time, and I will never make you worry again."

The two walked side by side on their way home, the cool evening breeze ruffling Zhiyu's hair.

She secretly observed Yu Feng's expression; he remained very serious, clearly still angry about her late return.

After walking for a while, Zhiyu mustered up her courage, gently reached out, and grabbed Yufeng's sleeve.

"Brother Yufeng, I really know I was wrong." Her voice was soft, with a hint of grievance.

Yu Feng paused, sighed, and took her hand in his.

His large, warm palm enveloped her small hand, carrying a reassuring strength: "I'm not angry that you stayed out late, I'm worried about you. It's really unsettling to suddenly not be able to find you."

Zhiyu's heart felt warm, as if it had been soaked in lukewarm water. She nodded vigorously, gripped his hand tightly, and the two walked slowly home hand in hand, their shadows nestled close together in the moonlight.

Yu Feng's elementary school graduation party was scheduled for Friday night, and Tezuka Kunimitsu and Miyamoto Mina made a special trip to attend.

The family stood at the school gate, with Yu Feng, dressed in a formal suit, in the middle. Tezuka Kunimitsu rarely showed a gentle smile, and Miyamoto Mina gently put her arm around her son's shoulder. The photographer pressed the shutter, capturing this heartwarming scene.

Zhiyu had been waiting at the entrance of the Tezuka residence. Upon seeing them return, she immediately went to greet them. She first politely greeted Tezuka Kunimitsu and Miyamoto Mina, and then, holding onto Yufeng's sleeve, followed him into the room.

The room still retained the youthful innocence of a teenager, with textbooks and tennis magazines neatly arranged on the desk. Zhiyu took a small box from the gift bag behind her and handed it to Yufeng, her eyes full of anticipation: "Brother Yufeng, this is a graduation gift for you."

Yu Feng took the box and slowly opened it. Inside the black velvet box was a black wristband embroidered with a small "T"—his usual brand.

He picked up the wristband and put it on. It fit perfectly, conforming to the curve of his wrist, and a warm feeling welled up inside him.

"I really like it, thank you, Zhiyu." He looked at her, the frost in his eyes had melted away, replaced by tenderness.

After saying that, Yu Feng turned around, took out an exquisite white box from the drawer, and handed it to Zhi Yu: "This is for you."

Zhiyu took the box with a puzzled look, opened it, and found a small pink mobile phone inside with cute cartoon stickers on the screen.

She opened her eyes wide in surprise: "Brother Yufeng, this is too precious, I can't accept it."

“Take it,” Yu Feng said, pressing down on her hand that was about to be handed back. “This was bought with the prize money I won from a tennis tournament, and I’ve already talked to my parents and your parents beforehand, and they all agreed.”

He paused, then added, "Take it with you next time you go out, so that even if you come home late, I can still contact you and won't have to worry like before."

Looking into his earnest eyes, Zhiyu felt a warmth in her heart. She nodded vigorously and hugged her phone tightly to her chest: "Okay, then I'll accept it. Thank you, Brother Yufeng!"

The night, like a soft velvet, gently covered the entire block.

The living room of the Tezuka residence was lit by warm yellow lights, dispelling the chill of the night. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of cake and a faint fragrance of tea—Yukimura Seiichi and Miyamoto Mina had come specially to celebrate Yufeng's elementary school graduation.

"Yufeng, come here." Miyamoto Mina smiled and beckoned, handing a beautifully wrapped gift box to the boy. "This is a graduation gift from your aunt and uncle. Keep up the good work in junior high school and don't let your efforts go to waste."

Yu Feng stepped forward, solemnly accepted the gift box with both hands, and bowed slightly: "Thank you, Uncle and Aunt."

He ran his fingertips along the ribbon on the gift box, slowly unwrapping it. Inside lay a black tennis bag. He unzipped it, and a brand-new tennis racket was revealed, its frame adorned with simple silver patterns, exuding a professional and refined quality.

"Wow, what a beautiful racket!" Zhiyu exclaimed, her eyes sparkling, as she leaned closer.

Yu Feng gripped the racket tightly, feeling the weight and curve of the shaft. A hint of joy flashed in his eyes as he earnestly thanked them again: "Thank you, uncles and aunts. I will definitely give it my all and live up to your expectations."

Yukimura Seiichi stood to the side, a gentle smile on his lips, his gaze fixed on Yu Feng, carrying the expectations of an elder for a junior: "Seigaku's tennis club is a great platform. I hope you can find your own brilliance there."

"Yes, I will." Yu Feng nodded vigorously, carefully put the racket back into his bag, and held it cherished in his arms.

In addition, he also received a gift from his parents—a silver-gray bicycle with a slender yet sturdy frame, the perfect size for his growing height in junior high school.

"I can ride my bike to school by myself from now on." Yu Feng touched the cold handlebars, his heart filled with anticipation.

The celebration was warm and lively, with adults sitting around the sofa in the living room chatting about everything from the children's studies to tennis matches, with laughter frequently heard.

Zhiyu and Yufeng quietly slipped back to their room, closed the door, shutting out the noise from the outside world and leaving only a quiet space.

Only the small desk lamp next to the desk was on in the room, casting a soft halo of warm light on the pages of the book.

Yu Feng sat at his desk flipping through tennis magazines, while Zhi Yu leaned against the bed, holding a children's book. Occasionally, she would glance at the boy by the window, her gaze lingering for a moment before quickly looking away, pretending to be engrossed in her book.

The quiet time passed for a long time. Suddenly, Yu Feng put down the magazine, got up, took out a small amulet bag from the drawer, walked up to Zhi Yu, and gently handed it to her: "This is for you."

Zhiyu took the bag with a puzzled look. It was light blue, embroidered with tiny cherry blossom patterns, and felt soft to the touch.

She carefully opened it, and inside lay a small white shirt button, its edges polished smooth and carrying a faint scent of sunlight.

"Is this Brother Yufeng's button?" Zhiyu looked up at him, her eyes full of confusion.

Yu Feng stood by the window, the evening breeze gently blowing into the room, brushing against his chestnut hair, which fluttered in the wind, outlining the handsome profile of the young man.

He looked into Zhiyu's clear eyes, his voice gentle yet solemn, as if making a silent promise: "Yes, these are buttons from my elementary school uniform. Please keep them safe."

Zhiyu gripped the small button tightly, feeling the delicate touch on her fingertips. A sudden surge of warmth welled up in her heart, as soft as if she had been bathed in moonlight.

She nodded vigorously, put the button back into the amulet pouch, and clenched it tightly in her palm: "I will, I will definitely keep it safe!"

Looking at her earnest expression, Yu Feng couldn't help but smile slightly. Under the lamplight, the boy's eyes shone as if they held stars, blending with the night outside the window to create a tender moment.