Su Yumian hadn’t experiehe feeling of doing things herself in a long time.

  During her years with Jiang Yihuai, she wouldn’t say she was pletely pampered, but she definitely never had to do any manual bor.

  Even in the early years, when he was just starting his business and money was tight, they still had a part-time ing dy e in for the weekly housework.

  Now, after finishing a bucket of paint, Su Yumian stretched her sore back. She had been living in fort for too long—this was going to take some getting used to.

  She stepped into the hallnning t in the remaining paint. But before she could react, she actally kicked over a bucket. She quickly tried to save it, but a small puddle still spttered in front of the neighbor’s door.

  She immediately grabbed a mop and started ing. Just as she was halfway dohe tightly shut door suddenly swung open. Their eyes met. She was about to apologize when she realized—she khis person.

  "You live here too?"

  "Why is it you?"

  They both spoke at the same time.

  Shao Wenbai g the spilled paint, then at her apartment behind her. "So, the enant today was you?"

  Su Yumian hadn’t expected this ce either. "As you see, from today on, we’re neighbors."

  Shao Wenbai’s gaze flickered. He had chosen this pce because it was close to his b and the uy, making it ve for teag and research.

  But what about Su Yumian? Why was she here?

  It was obvious that this enviro wasn’t ideal for a young woman. The fact that the building had no elevator alone made it an unlikely choice. Seeing him remain silent, she assumed he mihe mess. "Sorry, I spilled some paint just now. I’ll it up right away."

  She worked quickly, and soon, the hallway otless again. As she headed downstairs, she noticed the trash bag in his hand. "Since I’m already going down, I take that for you."

  Shao Wenbai didn’t refuse. Iurn, he brought out a folding dder from his apartment. "If you’re painting, this will make things easier."

  "Thanks."

  With the dder, her work sped up. By the end of the m, she had repainted all the peeling walls in her apartment. The pce immediately looked much er and tidier. Later, she went to a furniture store, picked out a sofa and some chairs, and arranged her new home. By the time she was dohe sky had darkened.

  Su Yumian stretched her shoulders and looked around. The warm glow of the lights erased the old, worn-out feel of the pce. It was pletely transformed.

  Her cozy spaow had her favorite light-colored cotton bedding, freshly sun-dried and carrying the gentle st of undry detergent. The potted pnts she bought that afternoon lihe windowsill, bringing a lively touch. The bd-white beanbag chair held a plump pillow, perfect for curling up with a book.

  Small but plete—her home.

  "This is your new pce? It actually looks really nice." In a video call, Shao Weiwei sighed in admiration.

  "Your DIY skills are still as impressive as ever. No wonder you mao renovate our dorm room all by yourself back then."

  Su Yumian smiled. "Well, it’s my own pce. Of course, I have to make it feel like home."

  "Yumian, you’re strohan I thought. You’ve already found a new dire."

  Shao Weiwei had guessed a few things when she heard the new address but didn’t say anything. "I’m really happy you’re moving forward."

  After the call, Su Yumia a wave of mixed emotions. She had realized things too te—but at least she still had the ake things right.

  At six o’clock, after a long day, she still haden. Her fridge had some bread, fresh vegetables, and millet. It was te, so she quickly made some pe and a sandwich. Wheurning the dder, she decided t ara portion of food.

  Shao Wenbai was busy adjusting experimental data for his thesis. Hearing a knock, he left his study and opehe door. "Thanks for the dder. Also, I made some dinner—if you don’t mind, have some."

  Uhe warm light, her eyes were bright and clear. Shao Wenbai hesitated for a moment before taking the food. "Thanks."

  Ba his apartment, he tinued adjusting the data, paring it to previous experimes. By the time he finished, it was already 8 PM. His stomach was empty and rumbling. Out of habit, he reached for his phoo order takeout—

  Theiced the ly packed meal on his desk.

  Ihe sandwid pe were still warm, thanks to a thermal yer. He took a bite of the sandwid paused.

  The crispy ba paired perfectly with the fresh vegetables and a fried egg, cooked just right. The fvors were simple but incredibly satisfying.

  After finishing the sandwich, he took a spoonful of pe. The smooth texture and mild sweetness were more f than most of the takeout he’d had.

  After a few more bites, his stomach felt warm. If anyone who knew him saw his expression, they’d reize it immediately—

  He was enjoying himself.

  Not bad… her cooking was really good.

  Within minutes, he finished everything.

  —

  At 10 PM, Shao Wenbai was returning from his night run when he ran into Su Yumian. She had ged into a casual outfit, her hair tied in a bun, still standing out in the crowd.

  "Out for a walk?"

  "Night running?"

  They spoke at the same time.

  Su Yumian nodded. "Yeah, just getting some air—and pig up a package."

  He slowed his pace slightly, adjusting his breathing to walk alongside her. "Thanks for the dinner. It was good."

  Su Yumian: "You helped me twice, so I should be the one saying thank you."

  Across two stohways, there was a children's park. The sounds of kids pying nearby were especially clear. "It's quite lively here."

  In Jiang Yihuai’s vil, it was always eerily quiet.

  Shao Wenbai followed her gaze. He had been living here for over two months but had rarely paid attention to things like this.

  Recalling the message he received before heading out, he spoke calmly "I just asked my junior. Professor Ouyang has beeing at home these days. I pn to visit at ten tomorrow m. Does that work for you?"

  "Ten tomorrow m?"

  That’s so soon...

  Right at the st moment, she thought about seeing her professain after six years and suddenly felt uneasy.

  "Is there a problem?"

  "No."

  Shao Wenbai g her profile. He could sense her emotional shift but didn’t ask further. He wasn’t oo pry into others' privacy.

  The two parted ways at her doorstep a inside separately.

  Su Yumian absentmindedly took a shower and y down, trying to fall asleep.

  Late at night, a light rain began to fall. She tossed and turned, barely getting any sleep. She got up early, had breakfast, and waited for Shao Wenbai. At exactly ten o'clock, there was a kno the door. She ope immediately, already dressed and ready.

  Shao aused for two seds. "Let's go."