”Huh? “Another year and you’ll be 27…” His words seemed a bit disconnected, so Sang Zhi didn’t immediately catch on. Soon, she felt something was amiss. “No, why did you suddenly ask about my age?”
”I noticed you kept bringing up this topic tonight.”
”…What’s wrong with that?”
”I didn’t realize it before,” Duan Jiaxu chuckled, “but I get it now.”
”What do you mean?”
”The implication behind your words is something like,” Duan Jiaxu’s tone was light and teasing, “after seeing Qian Fei get married, are you thinking about getting married too?”
Sang Zhi: “…”
”What thoughts are running through your young mind?”
”…”
”Gege’s giving you an estimated age. Did you realize you haven’t reached the legal marriage age yet?” Duan Jiaxu said. “Another year, and we both will be able to get married. Don’t rush.”
”…” Sang Zhi held back, choosing not to look at him. “I don’t feel like talking to you.”
”Also, in another year, I’ll only be 26, not 27,” Duan Jiaxu continued. “I don’t acknowledge that extra year.”
Sang Zhi couldn’t resist countering, “You’re turning 26 this year, not 25.”
”My birthday hasn’t arrived yet, so I can only say I’m 25,” Duan Jiaxu turned the steering wheel, driving the car into the community where Sang Zhi lived. “For those of us getting older, we’re sensitive about our age, understand?”
After a few seconds of silence, Sang Zhi felt something was off and began to speculate, “Has someone been really calling you old lately?”
Duan Jiaxu lazily replied, “Apart from you, who else could call me old?”
Sang Zhi hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit guilty. “I haven’t said it that many times.”
”Well, you’ve been saying it since I was 20,” Duan Jiaxu’s voice paused for a moment before he added in a subdued tone, “It’s made me feel like I’ve never been young in my life.”
”…”
It just so happened that the car arrived downstairs at Sang Zhi’s home.
Sang Zhi quickly unbuckled her seatbelt, pretending not to have heard his words. “Well, I’m home now. Thanks, Jiaxu-ge. With such an early flight tomorrow, remember to rest early.”
”Hold on a moment.”
Sang Zhi turned her head. “What is it?”
Duan Jiaxu loosened the tie around his neck and suddenly took out a square box from another pocket, curling his lips. “A New Year’s gift for you.”
”…”
She thought he had forgotten.
Sang Zhi blinked slowly and reached out to take it. “Thank you.”
-
Sang Zhi returned home and glanced at the living room. As expected, neither Sang Rong nor Li Ping had come back yet. She went straight to her room, sat on the carpet by the bed, and took out the box that Duan Jiaxu had given her.
It was a simple solid-colored box with a logo in the center.
She opened the box with her hand.
Inside was a silver bracelet, with the design resembling a fox. The two ends were respectively the head and the tail, connected by a chain, adorned with small diamonds and wrapped around once.
The letters “SZ” were engraved inside.
Sang Zhi put it on her wrist and stared at it for a while.
Then, she took out her phone, hesitated, and searched online for the meaning of “giving a bracelet as a gift.” The first result that popped up said — The meaning of giving a bracelet varies depending on the person who gives it.
Sang Zhi tapped on it to read more.
— When a man gives a bracelet, it symbolizes affection and a promise to be with you for a lifetime.
Upon reading this, Sang Zhi’s heartbeat skipped a beat. She licked her lips and continued reading.
— Elders also often give bracelets as gifts to younger generations, symbolizing everlasting care and blessings.
”…”
Fair enough.
Sang Zhi’s mood inexplicably became somewhat desolate.
After a while, she sighed and placed the bracelet back into the box. She didn’t dwell on it further, got up, pulled her suitcase over, and began packing her belongings for school the next day.
In addition to the things she had brought before, Sang Zhi looked around and also packed the set of cosmetics that Duan Jiaxu had given her. After taking a shower, she went to the living room and cut a slice of cake to eat.
Then, she returned to her room and lay down on the bed.
Sang Zhi took out her phone, set an alarm, and then sent a message to Duan Jiaxu: [Shall we leave at six tomorrow? We’ll take a car there.]
Brother No. 2: [Hmm.]
Sang Zhi remembered something else and asked: [Jiaxu-ge, how come you don’t drink alcohol at all?] 】
At Qian Fei’s wedding, even she had a small glass, but he hadn’t taken a single sip. Sang Zhi had thought he might be forced to drink quite a bit.
As she thought about it, she realized she had never actually seen him drink before.
After a while, Duan Jiaxu sent a voice message.
Brother No. 2: [I’m allergic to alcohol.]
Sang Zhi: [Oh, that’s fine then.]
Sang Zhi: [Anyway, it doesn’t taste good either. It’s much better than me not being able to drink milk and eat beef.]
As the evening grew late, Sang Zhi held her phone and began to feel drowsy. She closed her eyes and fell into a sleepy haze. Just before she completely lost consciousness, she suddenly remembered the words Duan Jiaxu had said today.
— [I’m giving it to our Zhizhi, how is it a loss?]
-
Peek-Aboo 
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