"She asked: 'What are you laughing at?'"

  "Nothing much," I said. "You can go do something else." "I'll just stay here and keep an eye on things."

  "She was clearly a little moved, and also a bit hesitant: 'That's not good, you're still injured...'"

  I said: "Haven't I already washed the dishes?"

  She giggled, and in the sunlight, she was truly bright-eyed and beautiful, with a smile like a flower. She pushed open the door and got out of the car, saying: "Okay, then I'll just go with the flow, take a stroll around and come back. Exercise my limbs to better grasp the situation."

  I said in a low voice: "Mmm, you've worked hard."

  She covered her mouth and laughed again, looking very happy.

  I also feel a faint and unfamiliar happiness.

  The Zhu family had no one entering or leaving, but through the curtains, several people could be seen in the living room. There was no other movement.

  Not long after, Tan Jiao reappeared outside the car window, holding two ice creams. I rolled down the window and she said seriously: "I think you should like Tiramisu flavor."

  I have a bit of a headache.

  In fact, I rarely eat this kind of thing and don't like sweets. In the past when our family didn't have money, how could we afford to eat this? Occasionally buying one was also given to Wu Miao. At that time she was just like Tan Jiao, holding an ice cream cone and eating it very sweetly. Only Wu Miao's expression was treasured and abnormally happy. And Tan Jiao was calm and had a hint of joyful color.

  I said: "Can you finish two?"

  Tan Jiao let out a mournful cry, insisting on handing me the ice cream and saying, "Do you want to fatten me up to death?" I had no choice but to take it and eat slowly. She also didn't get in the car, leaning against the door frame, eating big mouthfuls.

  "Is it delicious?" She asked me with her face against the car window.

  "Uh-huh."

  Everything around was quiet, with a gentle breeze blowing. Unconsciously, we were a little close. My arm rested on the car window, and she leaned against my hand, her face only a few inches away from mine. The sunset's afterglow fell on her face, with a smudge of unlicked whipped cream still on her lips, her mouth and eyes equally moist.

  "Mine is also delicious," she said.

  "Really?" I heard myself ask.

  "Hmm." She looked at me, pushed the ice cream forward and said, "Want a taste?"

  I didn't say anything, just looking at that little bit on her lips.

  My throat suddenly feels a bit dry.

  She didn't say a word either, as if she hadn't noticed anything, but in those clear eyes, something flashed silently. It flashed and then left.

  This moment, this time, is like the layered soft light of a summer evening, warm and quiet, with a hint of sweetness like ice cream, like the subtle sweet scent on her body. In the darkness, in my wandering, she is the only anomaly. Many secrets, many dangers still await us ahead, the deep-seated grudge I have not yet resolved. Yet she has come back into my life once again.

  Before meeting her, I had never fantasized about love. Now, what can be used to hold on to the woman in front of me, the current Ou Yu?

  "Someone has come out." I said, looking to one side.

  She glanced at me, and the ice cream cone was put down, following my gaze. It turned out that not far away, the door of the Zhu family's house opened, and several people came out. There were old and young, men and women, a total of five people. They should be Zhu Fengxian, Zhu Jia lao er fu couple, as well as their youngest daughter and her fiancé.

  Everyone was tense and no one spoke. Zhu Zihang's mother still had red eyes. They got into a car at the door and left.

  "Get in." I said.

  Tan Jiaofei quickly got in and I started the car to follow. All the ambiguity temporarily retreated, disappearing from my line of sight like smoke and clouds. Tan Jiaofei's expression also turned serious, as if the little episode just now was simply my illusion. She said thoughtfully: "Where are they going?"

  "I replied: 'Today is a working day, what's the matter that made them all not go to work, gather at home, wait for an afternoon, and now head out together?'"

  Tan Jiao's mouth curled up into a smile as he said, "Because that fox has finally shown its tail, it's going to lure its prey into the cave."