Ji Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously. Still, he feigned composure and said, “I’m sick.”

Shi Xing glanced at him and immediately understood what he meant. She gently pushed him and said helplessly, “What are you thinking?”

Ji Yu’s Adam’s apple rolled a few times as he instinctively held her hand tightly. For a brief moment, Shi Xing saw a flash of faint red in his eyes.

The distance between them slowly decreased until Shi Xing realized it and softly reminded him, “Aren’t you running a fever?”

Ji Yu raised an eyebrow lightly and replied as if it were obvious: “Yes.” At the same time, he naturally leaned his head closer to her, his pale face tinged with a faint blush.

There was a subtle, lingering sense of intimacy in the air, gradually spreading like invisible threads. Shi Xing, almost hypnotized, cupped his face gently with her hands—this was the first time she had taken the initiative.

The next moment, she kissed him directly. He quickly responded, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her tightly against him, deepening the kiss.

At that instant, it felt as though the world existed only for the two of them.

It wasn’t until Ji Yu reluctantly let her go that Shi Xing gradually regained her composure. Their breathing was somewhat uneven.

“Don’t go home tonight,” he tentatively said, as if seeking her opinion.

Shi Xing glanced at her watch and then at the window. Somehow, night had fallen outside, though the distant city skyscrapers remained brightly lit, clear even in the darkness.

She nodded slightly, as if recalling something, and turned to him, curiously asking, “Do you have holidays during the New Year?”

After a pause, he spoke slowly, “Maybe. Do you want to take me home?”

Shi Xing was rendered speechless by his self-centeredness and laughed, saying, “Stop it. Who wants to take you home?”

He didn’t get offended. Instead, he stood up and embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her head and planting a gentle kiss, murmuring, “So you don’t want to take responsibility for me?”

She felt ticklish and quickly pleaded, “I’ll take responsibility!”

Satisfied with her answer, he lowered his head and chuckled quietly, his gaze dark and ambiguous.

The next day, when Shi Xing reached out to check Ji Yu’s forehead again, his fever had subsided. She sighed in relief, prepared breakfast, and left a note on the table for him.

When she arrived at her post, she noticed that office items previously belonging to Yu Jing were being moved away.

Curious, Shi Xing stopped one of the workers and asked, “What’s going on?”

The worker didn’t know either, only leaving behind, “It’s all arranged by the management,” before quickly leaving.

At that moment, Song Lin appeared from nowhere. Upon seeing Shi Xing, he smugly said, “Seems like you lost your backing. Let’s see how arrogant you can be now.”

Shi Xing rolled her eyes and snapped, “Do you say nonsense every day just to grab attention? Other than showing off your empty brain, it’s completely useless.”

Song Lin was rendered speechless, waving his hands in frustration. “You! You! You!”

Before he could finish, Shi Xing, finding him boring, walked away.

Since most of the ping-pong team was out for a competition, her work that day was noticeably lighter. She overheard colleagues gossiping and paused her work.

“Do you know what happened to Yu Jing? Why was she suddenly suspended?”

“You didn’t hear? I heard she had some kind of relationship with Instructor Su, and his wife found out. Things escalated to the higher-ups, and the management suspended her to avoid trouble.”

“I heard it’s because she chose the wrong faction. With new management arriving, those on the losing side are being marginalized.”

“Who knows the truth? Hard to say.”

Their conversation ended, leaving Shi Xing alone, deep in thought. She couldn’t help but worry about Yu Jing, confident that the rumors weren’t true. But to know the real story, she would have to ask directly.

She opened her phone and saw their chat screen still showing the last message she sent days ago. Her heart skipped a beat.

After work, she went straight to Yu Jing’s home. She rang the doorbell, and after a while, the door opened slowly.

Yu Jing was surprised to see her. “Xiao Xing, what are you doing here?”

Shi Xing quickly stepped inside and asked with concern, “Jing Jie, why didn’t you go to work?”

Yu Jing sighed, gesturing for her to come in. As Shi Xing entered, a faint fragrance filled the room. Yu Jing poured her a cup of hot tea, and they began talking.

“While I’ve been away, has anyone given you trouble?”

Shi Xing thought of Song Lin but shook her head quickly to avoid worrying Yu Jing.

“That’s good,” Yu Jing said, relieved, before asking gently, “You came because of the rumors, right?”

Shi Xing nodded, then quickly shook her head, softly saying, “I didn’t believe them.”

Yu Jing smiled faintly and said slowly, “I did have a relationship with Su Qingbei when we were younger.”

Although Shi Xing had occasionally seen them together with Ji Yu before, hearing it from Yu Jing directly was still shocking, making her catch her breath. Yu Jing quickly changed the topic: “But we’ve long been separated.”

She briefly explained the reason in just two sentences and didn’t want to elaborate further.

Shi Xing didn’t press for more details. Instead, she looked at her with concern and asked tentatively, “Will you come back, Jing Jie?”

Yu Jing shook her head but smiled optimistically, “It depends. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll retire early.”

After leaving Yu Jing’s home, Shi Xing was filled with mixed emotions. At that moment, Chen Jiayu called.

She quickly answered, “What’s up?”

“Are you coming over tonight?” Chen Jiayu asked, his tone ambiguous.

After some hesitation, Shi Xing nodded and said gently, “Yes.”

Hearing her answer, he laughed softly and said happily, “Alright, I’ll buy your favorite fish.”

After hanging up, Shi Xing sent Ji Yu a quick update on her phone:

“I’m going to Chen Laoshi’s house tonight for acupuncture practice.”

Ji Yu replied shortly: “Okay.”

She reminded him again, “Remember to take your medicine.” After sending the message, she tucked her phone into her pocket and headed to the bus stop.

An hour later, Shi Xing appeared at the alley. Chen Jiayu, as if anticipating her, leaned against the wall, waiting. Upon seeing her, he smiled and greeted her.

“Why are you so late today?” He reached to tousle her hair, but she dodged calmly.

Chen Jiayu felt a bit awkward but quickly composed himself. “Let’s go,” he said, leading her into the alley.

The winter night was piercingly cold, the wind cutting through her skin. Shi Xing felt a chill on her nose and touched it—her fingertips were already damp.

Chen Jiayu suddenly looked up at the snowflakes falling gently. His eyes lit up, and he chuckled, “It’s snowing.”

Shi Xing nodded. With New Year approaching, the streets were already decorated, and occasional sounds of laughter drifted from homes.

When they reached the back room, Chen Hanming was unusually standing, playing with a big orange cat. Seeing Shi Xing, he raised his head and casually said, “You’re here.”

She responded with a soft, “Mm.” The table was set with food. Chen Hanming sat first and reminded her, “Eat well. Tonight we’ll finish your acupuncture and massage practice.”

Shi Xing nodded. Chen Jiayu interjected teasingly, “Done already? Chen Laoshi, your lesson is too easy.”

Chen Hanming, still sipping soup, glanced at him without much expression. “What? Want to extend the lesson?”

Shi Xing smiled quietly at their father-son exchange. Misreading her reaction, Chen Hanming joked, “If you don’t want to let her go, just marry Shi Xing.”

Startled, Shi Xing coughed repeatedly. Chen Jiayu’s eyes darkened, but he quickly smoothed over the moment: “That depends if she agrees.”

Putting down her chopsticks, Shi Xing said seriously to Chen Hanming, “Laoshi, I already have a boyfriend.”

It was the first time Chen Hanming heard her mention a romantic relationship. Surprised, he repeated, “You have a boyfriend?”

She nodded firmly. Seeing this, he didn’t press further and jokingly said, “Then next time, bring him here and I’ll take a look.”

In the corner, Chen Jiayu’s hand tightened around his chopsticks, his face gradually darkening.

After Shi Xing finished practicing in the courtyard and helped tidy up, she thanked Chen Hanming: “Thank you for your guidance these past few days.”

He waved it off: “It’s nothing. If you want to learn more, come anytime.”

Shi Xing, excited, turned to Chen Jiayu inside and whispered goodbye: “I’m leaving. Thanks for your help.”

Chen Jiayu still insisted, rushing to her: “I’ll walk you out.”

Even though she politely declined, he didn’t give up. Chen Hanming shook his head but nudged her: “Let him see you to the alley entrance. It’s cold and dark; it’s unsafe for you to go alone.”

Seeing this, Shi Xing had no choice but to agree.

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