As long as you stand there, someone will love you…

As she spoke, she took the items from Ji Yu’s hands. Seeing this, several relatives gathered around.

“These gifts must be expensive, right?”
After saying that, a few of them even started to unwrap the presents he had brought. Shi Xing hurried over awkwardly to stop them.

Wei Shufen looked a little embarrassed. “You really didn’t have to spend so much.”

Ji Yu smiled indifferently. “As long as you like them.”

At that moment, Shi Bohua came in carrying two jars of liquor. No one knew when he had arrived. When he saw the two of them, his face lit up with surprise.

“Xiao Xing!”

Shi Xing turned around. “Dad.”
But after taking just a few steps toward him, she caught a strong whiff of alcohol. She waved her hand in front of her face and frowned. “How much did you drink?”

“I’m happy today. Had a few extra drinks.” Shi Bohua laughed, then shifted his gaze toward Ji Yu.

Ji Yu greeted him politely. “Hello, Uncle.”

“Hello.” Shi Bohua spoke as he reached out his hand, but Shi Xing immediately slapped it away. “Dad, what do you think this is, a meeting with a superior? Why are you shaking hands?”

Her remark made everyone burst out laughing. Wei Shufen quickly smoothed things over. “Xiao Ji, don’t mind him. Once he drinks, he starts talking nonsense.”

Shi Bohua was dissatisfied. “What do you know? I know everything under heaven and earth. Even if a leader came, I could chat with them just fine. Not like you women, gossiping all day long.”
After that, he staggered into the bedroom to sleep.

Meanwhile, a few children had already pulled out brand-new toy cars and robots from the gift boxes and were running around the house excitedly.

At the dining table, the aunts and relatives naturally began asking about the couple’s relationship.

“Xiao Ji, what do you do for a living?” one of them asked.

Shi Xing’s heart tightened. She answered first, “He’s a badminton coach at the city training base.”

Ji Yu raised an eyebrow slightly at her response. After catching her subtle glance, he nodded and followed along. “Yes, I’m a badminton coach.”

“A badminton coach makes that much money?” Shi Xing’s eldest aunt questioned skeptically. “These gifts don’t look cheap.”

“He’s just willing to spend,” Shi Xing explained for him.

“So who pursued whom?” her second aunt asked.

Before Shi Xing could speak, Wei Shufen laughed. “Isn’t it obvious? Shi Xing must have chased after Xiao Ji.”

Shi Xing was displeased. Her cheeks were puffed out from chewing food as she frowned and mumbled, “What do you mean by that?”

Fortunately, Ji Yu stepped in. “I was the one who fell for her first.”

Wei Shufen beamed. “What’s so special about her that made you like her?”

The elders chimed in. “Shi Xing has always been quiet since she was little. Who would’ve thought she’d end up with such a good boyfriend?”

Even the kids echoed, “Quiet~”

Though meant as a joke, Shi Xing didn’t feel happy at all. Growing up, she had always lived under constant comparison—grades when she was young, then work and partners as an adult. No matter how well she did, Wei Shufen never truly praised her.

“She’s outstanding,” Ji Yu said calmly.

Shi Xing looked up and met his gaze.

Ji Yu repeated slowly and clearly, “More outstanding than any of us could ever imagine.”

Her heart stirred. Tears welled up in her eyes, and to keep them from falling, she quickly changed the subject.

The relatives continued asking trivial questions, all of which Ji Yu handled with ease.

After dinner, once the relatives had left, Ji Yu stood up to help clean the dishes. Despite Wei Shufen’s repeated attempts to stop him, his enthusiasm prevailed.

At that moment, Shi Xing’s aunt pulled her aside mysteriously. “Xiao Xing, tell Auntie honestly—what does your boyfriend really do for a living?”

Shi Xing thought she had recognized Ji Yu and forced herself to stay calm. “Auntie, didn’t I already say? He’s a badminton coach.”

Her aunt snorted in disbelief and leaned closer. “Don’t lie to me. Is he in that kind of business?”

“…Huh?” Shi Xing was completely confused.

“You know—those nightlife places.”

Shi Xing’s inner thoughts: “…………”

Seeing Shi Xing stay silent, her aunt assumed she had admitted it. She said earnestly, “I’m telling you, men from those places are no good. Sure, they’re handsome, but they’re not someone ordinary families can control. If he messes around behind your back, you’ll regret it.”

At that exact moment, Ji Yu—who was washing dishes in the kitchen—suddenly sneezed.

Wei Shufen asked with concern, “Xiao Ji, did you catch a cold?” She was about to close the kitchen window.

Ji Yu shook his head jokingly. “Someone must be talking badly about me.”

That made Wei Shufen laugh heartily. She soon shooed him out of the kitchen and told Shi Xing to take him for a walk nearby.

With no other choice, Shi Xing led Ji Yu outside.

At dusk, the sun slowly sank below the horizon. The clouds were dyed purple-red, making the sky look like an oil painting.

They walked side by side, a gentle breeze blowing, cicadas chirping loudly in the trees.

“Thank you today,” Shi Xing said softly, pressing her lips together.

“You mean for going home with you to see your mom?” Ji Yu asked, looking down at her, a trace of emotion flickering in his eyes.

“No. I meant thank you for speaking up for me in front of everyone.” She lifted her gaze slightly, her eyes sparkling.

Ji Yu paused for two seconds before saying, “The person you should really thank is yourself. You’re the one who made yourself so outstanding.”

“I’ve always wanted to tell you—you don’t have to live so tiredly. No matter what you do, I will…”
He paused, meeting her eyes. “I will support you unconditionally.”

Shi Xing froze. When she came back to her senses, her eyes felt hot, as if something deep inside her had been gently soaked.

All her life, love had always come with conditions. To meet them, she had worked endlessly. Suddenly, someone told her that simply by standing there, she was already worthy of love.

She sniffed, the wind stinging her eyes, and quickly changed the subject with a choked voice. “Let’s go back.”

“Shi Xing,” Ji Yu called out.

It was the first time in a long while he had called her name so formally.

“Do you remember the promise we made back when we were together?”

She turned toward him. At some point, Ji Yu was holding that medal in his hand. Under the streetlight, it shimmered brilliantly.

“You said that if I won that gold medal, you’d grant me one wish,” he said calmly.

Shi Xing froze. So that was what he had been thinking about during the match.

“I planned to propose to you once I got that medal,” Ji Yu continued, smiling self-mockingly. “But now I’ve changed my mind. Does your promise still count?”

Her heart was already in chaos, a bitter ache rising within. “What’s your wish?”

“I want you to be happy every day.”
Ji Yu looked at her, his dark eyes filled with emotions she couldn’t decipher.

Shi Xing took a deep breath. Tears finally overflowed as she threw herself into his arms, releasing all the grievances she had carried for so many years. Ji Yu gently wrapped his arms around her waist.

Under the streetlight, their heartbeats echoed through their chests.

When they returned home, they found that Wei Shufen had already finished cleaning and was waiting for them.

Shi Xing originally planned to leave after a short while, but Wei Shufen firmly insisted they stay.

“Why leave? You hardly ever come back. Stay a few more days,” she decided for them.

Shi Xing frowned and looked at Ji Yu, intending for him to refuse together with her. Instead, he agreed immediately.
“Perfect. I really like Auntie’s cooking. I’d love to stay.”

Wei Shufen smiled at that, then immediately turned stern toward Shi Xing. “Tomorrow, go help your cousin take care of Xiao Yu for a day.”

Shi Xing was already used to the change in attitude. She tugged at the corner of her mouth helplessly. “Got it.”

After Wei Shufen left, Shi Xing asked Ji Yu quietly, “Did you bring clothes?”

Ji Yu nodded honestly. “I’m used to competitions, so I always keep a suitcase in the trunk.”

She didn’t think much of it, but soon an awkward problem arose—there were only two bedrooms in the house. Separating too obviously might make Wei Shufen suspicious.

Ji Yu came out of the bathroom after washing up. He wore a simple white T-shirt. His hair was still damp, droplets of water sliding down along his defined abs.

Shi Xing’s breathing hitched. She quickly looked away, coughed lightly, and pointed to a sofa bed she had somehow found. “You’ll have to make do with this tonight.”

Ji Yu didn’t mind at all.

Just then, Shi Bohua’s snoring drifted in from the master bedroom, loud and uneven.

Shi Xing said awkwardly, “My dad’s like that. He snores every time he drinks.”

As night fell and everything quieted down, Shi Xing tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

She turned her head toward him and asked softly, “Are you asleep?”

“No.”

After hearing his answer, perhaps because she had drunk a little that night, she suddenly felt like talking.

“Do you know? I actually envy you, in some ways…”

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