After dropping Sang Zhi off at her dorm, Duan Jiaxu returned to his car. He was about to drive home when he suddenly received a phone call. Glancing at the caller ID, he answered and quickly hung up.
He started the engine and drove towards the nursing home in the city.
The atmosphere inside the nursing home was eerily quiet.
Except when necessary, Duan Jiaxu rarely came to this place. He also rarely visited his father, Duan Zhicheng, who had been bedridden for eleven years.
Doctor: “Your father’s condition has been deteriorating recently.”
Duan Jiaxu nodded in response.
”He has been bedridden for more than a decade, so his physical function and resistance are very poor. “Recently the accumulation of fluid in the lungs has become quite severe. It is recommended that he goes through a minor surgery to drain out some of the fluid; otherwise it might lead to a lung infection, and that could become serious.”
”Doctor.” Duan Jiaxu seemed somewhat indifferent to these matters. He said, “Do you think he can wake up?”
The doctor fell silent for a few seconds and stated officially, “As long as he’s alive, there’s always a chance for miracles.”
Duan Jiaxu merely smiled, without commenting on the statement.
Where do these miracles come from?
In truth, Duan Jiaxu didn’t really expect Duan Zhicheng to wake up. So many years had passed, and even the resentment had faded away.
Only weariness remained as a lingering emotion.
Duan Jiaxu lowered his gaze, looking at Duan Zhicheng’s appearance. Due to years of being bedridden, his appearance had changed significantly. He seemed completely unconscious, lying there like a lifeless body.
In reality, Duan Jiaxu was quite curious if he regretted it.
Soon, Duan Jiaxu shifted his gaze away and spoke gently, “Thank you for your assistance.”
Duan Jiaxu arranged for the surgery and the costs for the next two months before leaving the nursing home. This matter didn’t seem to affect his mood much; he quickly cast it aside from his mind.
He returned home and sent a WeChat message to Sang Zhi, reminding her to remember to apply the ointment.
Afterward, Duan Jiaxu took a bottle of cold water from the refrigerator, thinking about Sang Zhi’s reaction today and slowly recalling the words she had said when she was drunk.
I have someone I really like, but he just doesn’t like me.
Zhizhi was unhappy.
He’s a really good person and treats me well. But he’s good to everyone, he’s good to everyone.
He couldn’t be the one who made her so heartbroken, right? Duan Jiaxu felt that something wasn’t quite right.
After all these years apart, if she really developed feelings for him beyond that of a brother during their time together, how did she conclude with “He just doesn’t like me”?
Just because of those few words he said to her, treating her like a child?
Duan Jiaxu pondered for a moment, then dialed a call to Qian Fei.
After a few rings, Qian Fei answered the call, straightforwardly saying, “You’ve got one minute to talk, after that, I need to go take a shower.”
”What you said before is quite right,” Duan Jiaxu took a sip of water, speaking slowly, “That girl’s story about the male fox spirit seems to indeed be non-existent.”
”Right? I’m so awesome. I’m seriously a love expert.” “It’s also possible,” Duan Jiaxu said, “There’s a high probability it’s me.”
”Exactly!” Qian Fei got excited, “Once a flirtatious scoundrel, always a flirtatious scoundrel. I knew it.”
”So, are you going to make a move directly? Why are you guessing around?”
”I can’t do that.” Duan Jiaxu chuckled: “I got to pursue her.”
Qian Fei was puzzled: “Didn’t you say she likes you? Why would you need to pursue her?”
”My girl thinks I just don’t like her.” Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow and explained calmly, “I need to lay my cards on the table with her, make her happy.”
”What? How did your girl become the focus?” Qian Fei was speechless. “And, does this girl know that you know she’s interested in you?”
”She doesn’t know.” Duan Jiaxu chuckled softly. “I’m pretending not to know either. I have to leave some face for my little girl.”
Qian Fei felt a bit sour for some reason. “You’re really something.” Duan Jiaxu: “Alright, one minute’s up, I’m hanging up.”
”One moment,” Qian Fei curiously asked, “How do you plan to lay your cards on the table?” Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow, “I haven’t figured that out yet.”
It was the first time that Sang Zhi didn’t celebrate her nineteenth birthday with her family.
Her birthday fell on a Sunday. Duan Jiaxu had arranged to celebrate with her in advance. She had lunch with her dormmates and then waited in her dorm until the agreed-upon time to meet him.
Duan Jiaxu didn’t drive over. Instead, he waited downstairs in her dorm building. Wearing the black hoodie and slim-fitting pants she had previously gifted him, he stood there looking like a college student.
As she was about to approach him, someone called out to her from the side, “Sang Zhi.”
She subconsciously turned her head.
She noticed Jiang Ming standing under another tree, holding a bag in his hand, his smile fresh and bright. “I sent you a message on WeChat. Did you see it?”
Sang Zhi touched her phone and said, “I didn’t see it.”
With nothing else, Jiang Ming said, “I just wanted to give you the gift.”
Sang Zhi hesitated before accepting, “Thank you.”
Jiang Ming: “Do you have plans later?”
Sang Zhi sensed Duan Jiaxu’s almost imperceptible gaze, and she felt somewhat embarrassed. She forced a smile, pointed in Duan Jiaxu’s direction, and said, “Well, I have plans with someone.”
”I see,” Jiang Ming glanced at Duan Jiaxu with a hint of regret, touched his nose, and said, “I won’t disturb you then, I’ll be on my way.”
Sang Zhi waved her hand: “Sure, goodbye.”
With that, Jiang Ming walked off in the opposite direction.
Sang Zhi walked up to Duan Jiaxu and asked, “Where are we going?”
Duan Jiaxu’s eyelids lifted as he lightly hooked a finger on the bag. Sang Zhi loosened her grip, and the bag instantly fell into his hand. He smiled and naturally said, “I’ll hold it for you.”
”…” Sang Zhi responded with an “oh,” “Then you can hold onto it.”
The two walked in the direction of the school gate.
Duan Jiaxu casually asked, “Is that guy the same male fox spirit?”
I knew he would bring it up.
Sang Zhi fell silent for a few seconds, then gathered her focus and responded seriously, “No.” Duan Jiaxu pondered with a thoughtful “Hmm.”
After a long while, he hadn’t spoken. Sang Zhi couldn’t help but glance at him.
At that moment, Duan Jiaxu happened to stop in his tracks, “Take a good look then.” Sang Zhi responded with a confused, “Huh?”
In the next moment, the corners of Duan Jiaxu’s lips curved up, his brows slightly furrowed, as he leaned down to meet her gaze. After a few seconds, he straightened up, his words carrying a teasing tone, “Done looking?”
Sang Zhi blushed: “What?”
”Do you think I look like him?” Duan Jiaxu’s tone was not entirely serious, with a hint of playfulness, “The male fox spirit you mentioned?”
Peek-Aboo 
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