I'm back.

A dozen or so minutes later, the car pulled up beneath Xu Lin’s apartment. Throughout the ride, Xu Lin had done his best to keep conversation with Su Qingwan to a minimum.

Su Qingwan, however, was thoroughly enjoying her chat with Chu Qingchan. Yet the latter kept her mask on the entire time, and for reasons unknown, never removed it. Still, her voice, her manner, even her figure, all struck Su Qingwan as oddly familiar, though she couldn’t quite place who it was.

“Do you both live with Xu Lin as well?” Su Qingwan, never forgetting the matter of the fragrance, began to probe gently.

After all, if they were living together, it meant Xu Lin’s parents knew them, making it unlikely they were his girlfriends. If they were often in contact, it would be normal for their scent to linger on him.

“Mhm, I bought an apartment in this complex too. The renovations are just complete—time I moved in,” Chu Qingchan replied offhandedly.

Su Qingwan nodded. Although Chu Fengyi said nothing, she felt a wave of relief. It must be just friends staying over for a time—thank goodness.

As they got out of the car and prepared to say their goodbyes, a middle-aged man approached from a distance, carrying a wok in one hand and a large bag in the other.

“Isn’t that Uncle Xu?”

“Dad!” Xu Lin called out as well, and the man hurried over.

“Why are you carrying a wok?”

“The one at home broke. I bought a new one, but dinner isn’t ready yet—you’ll have to wait a bit.”

“No rush, Uncle Xu,” Chu Qingchan said with a smile. Xu’s father nodded, then turned his gaze to Su Qingwan, who stood by the car.

Feeling his eyes upon her, Su Qingwan grew instantly nervous, quickly bowing. “Hello, Uncle. My name is Su Qingwan, and I’m Xu Lin’s teacher.”

“Teacher? Oh, right—last time this rascal had a fever, it was Teacher Su who brought him home, wasn’t it? Thank you so much.”

“It was nothing, really. Uncle, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Don’t go—Teacher Su, stay for dinner.”

“No, no, I’ll eat at home. My parents are waiting for me.”

“Just give them a call. Come on upstairs. Xu Lin?” Xu’s father glanced at his son, and Xu Lin had no choice but to add, “Since you came to pick us up, I planned to treat you to dinner as thanks. Let’s consider tonight a return gesture. Please, come along. It’s nothing fancy.”

“That’s too much trouble…”

“Come, Teacher Su, the more the merrier.” Chu Qingchan joined in, earning a furtive eye-roll from Chu Fengyi—what’s with you playing hostess? Honestly.

Hearing this, Su Qingwan felt a bit awkward, yet she found herself unwilling to refuse. After all, this could count as a home visit, she reasoned—not simply a free meal, nor a meeting with Xu Lin’s parents.

“All right then, sorry to trouble you all.”

“No trouble at all, come on up!”

Everyone headed inside together, Xu Lin taking the wok and groceries from his father.

Upon entering, Mrs. Li was momentarily taken aback to see three beautiful young women. Her impression of Chu Fengyi was not particularly good, and she didn’t know Su Qingwan at all.

So she greeted only Chu Qingchan with a hug, taking her small purse, while Chu Qingchan cast a triumphant glance at her sister. Chu Fengyi, however, simply ignored her taunts.

“Mom, you don’t even hug me when I’m carrying all this stuff.”

“What do I want to hug you for, you brat? And this is…?”

“I’m Su Qingwan, Xu Lin’s English teacher.”

“Teacher Su, welcome! Did you bring them back? Thank you so much. Please have a seat, I’ll get some drinks.”

“Auntie, just some water is fine.”

Xu Lin set down the groceries. Xu’s father invited everyone to sit, and Mrs. Li brought over drinks and snacks.

“Teacher Su, how is Xu Lin doing in school lately?”

“Very well. I’m sure you’ve heard about his recent grades—he’s in the top fifty now. If he keeps it up, he can get into an excellent university.”

“This rascal may not have any particular talents, but he does have a good head on his shoulders. Please keep guiding him. I’ll go finish cooking.”

“Auntie, do you need a hand?” asked Chu Qingchan.

Mrs. Li waved it off. “No need. I’ll help in the kitchen—you young people chat.” Xu’s father stood up and went to join his wife.

“Teacher Su, you should call your parents,” Xu Lin said.

“Oh, they were planning to invite you to dinner tonight, actually.”

“Hm?” Both Chu Fengyi and Chu Qingchan looked up, but Su Qingwan continued, “Last time, you happened to help my mother carry groceries at the market.”

“I see.”

Xu Lin wiped the sweat from his brow, certain Su Qingwan was doing this on purpose. As a teacher, did she have to set up her student like this?

Su Qingwan stepped aside to make her call. Chu Fengyi peeled a tangerine, handing it to him, but Chu Qingchan snatched it away.

“Out for a bit and you’ve suddenly become so attentive, Chu Fengyi,” she teased.

“It wasn’t for you.”

“Let your sister feed you a tangerine, open up—ah~”

“Don’t be disgusting. I’m not being gentle; I’ve just come to see things more clearly. I want to be a woman who’s both elegant and capable, not some flashy but useless sort.”

“Oh, Chu Fengyi, that’s a fine ambition,” Chu Qingchan replied, ignoring the implied target of her sister’s words.

Su Qingwan returned from her call and sat beside Chu Qingchan. Seeing her now without her mask, Su Qingwan paused, astonished, then grabbed her hand excitedly—startling Xu Lin.

“You really are Chu Qingchan!”

“Teacher Su? Calm down… Xu Lin, you didn’t tell her who I was?”

“There wasn’t time. Consider it a surprise.”

“I can’t believe you’re this beautiful even with a mask on—I didn’t recognize you at all.”

For the first time, Su Qingwan understood what it felt like to be a fan. Truly, the most beautiful woman in her eyes—up close, she was flawless.

Chu Qingchan was a little surprised; the teacher seemed to really like her, though perhaps just as a fan of her looks, which, if she was honest, was the only kind of fan she had.

“Teacher Su, you’re very pretty yourself.”

“Oh no, not compared to you. Please, call me Su Qingwan. I’d never have imagined I’d meet you here in Linshui!”

“It seems fate has brought us together.”

“Sorry, I got a bit carried away.”

Seeing Chu Qingchan’s slightly awkward expression, Su Qingwan took a deep breath, calming her excitement.

“It’s all right. To be honest, with my poor acting, I’m thrilled to have fans at all.”

“Let’s not talk about acting—Miss Chu, I’ve always loved your performances. You bring the strength of your characters to life so well.”

“That’s all I can do, really. It’s a little embarrassing,” Chu Qingchan admitted, more flustered than at any press conference, unable to sit still.

“No, truly, you inspired me. I used to be very insecure, but during university, after watching your dramas, I became much more confident. You helped me, at the very least.”

“If I really helped you, that makes me happy. When the short film we’re shooting comes out, I hope you’ll enjoy seeing a different side of me.”

“Is it the one you’re filming with Xu Lin?”

“Mhm.”

“Then I’ll absolutely watch it. Miss Chu, are you returning to acting?”

“No, I’m taking a break for now.”

“A break will do you good.”

Su Qingwan nodded, still burning with curiosity about how Xu Lin knew such a famous actress, but she held her tongue, deciding to ask at school when the chance arose.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Xu Lin got up to answer, and before he even opened it, he felt an uncanny premonition.

It was as if the gathering of the twelve zodiac girls he’d once imagined was about to be a third complete!

He opened the door quickly. There, standing on the threshold, was a girl whose eyes sparkled like the night sky, her shyness barely concealing a hint of excitement as she smiled.

“Welcome home, Xu Lin.”

“Yes, I’m home.”