In other people’s eyes, we’re simply meant to be…

In the darkness, Shi Xing could feel Ji Yu’s gaze slowly settling on her.

Suddenly, she became interested in talking.
“Did you know? I actually wanted to study traditional Chinese medicine because of my grandfather. But my mom was always against it. She thought the training period was too long—that by the time I finished my PhD, I’d be almost thirty. Back then, I was really stubborn. I kept thinking that one day I’d definitely make a name for myself in this field and prove her wrong.”

She paused briefly, then let out a self-mocking laugh.
“But ideals are always full, while reality is painfully thin. After all these years, life has worn down all my edges. That’s why I really admire you—for being able to achieve so much in the field you love at such a young age.”

After a short silence, she continued,
“I used to really dislike my dad. I felt like he never did anything serious and dumped everything on my mom. But whenever I tried to stand up for her, she would stop me and say, ‘He’s your father. How can you talk about him like that?’”

“Over time, I stopped defending her. Then she turned around and complained that as I grew older, I was becoming less close to her.”

Shi Xing spoke on and off for a long time. By the end of it, she thought Ji Yu had already fallen asleep.

Only after she finished did Ji Yu speak softly,
“Why have you never told me any of this before?”

“Didn’t want to,” Shi Xing replied briefly.

In the past, she truly wouldn’t have told him. But at some point, without realizing it, her mindset had changed. She had slowly made peace with the stubborn version of herself from before.

Just then, Ji Yu said quietly,
“I’m not as outstanding as you think.”

She didn’t remember what else he said after that. Half-asleep, Shi Xing drifted off.

When she woke up the next morning, she realized Ji Yu was already gone. After washing up, she noticed breakfast laid out on the table.

Wei Shufen was busy in the kitchen. Seeing her awake, she complained,
“You’re up so late. Look at Xiao Ji—he’s been up since early morning.”

Shi Xing glanced at her watch. Seven o’clock. She sat down at the dining table and looked around.
“Where’s Ji Yu?”

“He went next door to help Auntie Li fix her TV.”

At that moment, Shi Bohua walked out of the master bedroom, stretching and yawning. He grabbed a steamed bun from the table, took a bite, and asked,
“Where’s your boyfriend?”

“He went next door to fix the TV,” Shi Xing repeated.

“Didn’t expect that—he’s pretty capable. What was his name again?” Shi Bohua scratched his head.

“Ji Yu.”

Hearing the name, Shi Bohua clicked his tongue, rubbed his temples, and muttered,
“Why does that sound so familiar?”

From the kitchen, Wei Shufen called out,
“You two are standing around doing nothing—can’t you mop the floor? Everything gets left to me. I really must owe something to your Shi family.”

Shi Bohua spread his hands and ordered,
“You go do it.”

Just as Shi Xing was about to grab the mop, Wei Shufen continued nagging,
“Shi Xing, you’re not young anymore. You should be more diligent. Otherwise, what will you do after you marry into another family?”

Shi Xing felt speechless. She didn’t respond and walked straight out the door.

Behind her, Wei Shufen’s voice followed,
“I say a few words to her and she gets upset.”

As soon as Shi Xing stepped outside, she saw Ji Yu coming out of the neighbor’s place. She composed herself and said,
“Let’s go pick up my niece and have breakfast outside.”

Ji Yu could more or less guess what had happened. He nodded.
“Alright.”

When they arrived at Shi Xing’s cousin’s house, they saw her cousin standing outside with Xiao Yu, waiting. As soon as Xiao Yu spotted Shi Xing, she ran over and hugged her excitedly.
“Auntie!”

Shi Xing picked her up and pinched her cheek.
“Did you miss me?”

“Yes!” Xiao Yu replied, while curiously eyeing Ji Yu. The cousin couldn’t help laughing.
“Xiao Yu, you’re only greeting your aunt—why not call him uncle too?”

Xiao Yu caught on quickly and sweetly called out,
“Uncle!”

After chatting briefly, Shi Xing put Xiao Yu into the car. Ji Yu turned on the navigation and started driving. As soon as Xiao Yu got in, she began looking around curiously. Then she quietly pulled on Shi Xing and whispered,
“Auntie… Uncle is really handsome.”

Shi Xing found her bluntness adorable. She patted her head and teased,
“Say it louder, or he won’t hear you.”

Xiao Yu bit her lip shyly and shook her head. Meanwhile, Ji Yu’s lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

Soon, Ji Yu parked in front of a dim sum restaurant. As soon as they sat down in a private room, a server came over with a menu.
“Sorry to interrupt. We’ve just launched a new family set meal that comes with a free children’s toy. Would you be interested?”

Shi Xing was about to explain, but Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up at the word toy.
“Auntie, I want the toy!”

Ji Yu smiled slightly and said in a low voice,
“Then let’s get one. Anything else you’d like to eat?”

Both of them shook their heads.

After the server left, Xiao Yu started playing nearby. She slowly moved closer to Ji Yu and stared at him intently. Sensing her gaze, Ji Yu looked down at her. Embarrassed, she quickly ran back to Shi Xing’s side.

Shi Xing couldn’t help laughing and explained,
“She’s a total looks-obsessed kid. She likes staring at good-looking people.”

Ji Yu hummed softly and turned his head slightly to the side, pressing his lips together.

After breakfast, Shi Xing asked,
“Where do you want to go next?”

“The children’s amusement park!”

The park was unusually crowded due to the holiday—mostly middle-aged couples with kids. In contrast, Shi Xing and Ji Yu stood out a bit.

Once Xiao Yu arrived, she immediately blended in with the other kids, playing enthusiastically.

A nearby mom glanced at them and said curiously,
“You two look so young. I didn’t expect your child to be this big already.”

Shi Xing waved her hand to explain, but another mom chimed in,
“Nowadays, young people either don’t have kids at all—or they have them really early.”

She then added teasingly,
“Hey, handsome, make sure you treat your wife well.”

Before Shi Xing could clarify, Ji Yu responded quietly,
“Mhm.”

After the moms left, Ji Yu’s shoulders trembled slightly as he finally laughed.
“This is already the nth person who’s mistaken us for a married couple today.”

“What does that prove?” Shi Xing asked, puzzled.

“It proves that, in other people’s eyes, we’re a perfect match.”

While they were talking, an accident happened on Xiao Yu’s side.

When Shi Xing and Ji Yu rushed over, they saw that her game console had been taken by another child, and Xiao Yu was crying loudly nearby.

Shi Xing wiped her tears gently, while Ji Yu looked at the group of boys and said coldly,
“What kind of skill is it to bully a little girl?”

The boys weren’t scared at all. One of them provoked,
“If you don’t accept it, then play a round with us.”

Shi Xing frowned and tried to stop Ji Yu.
“Forget it. Let’s go somewhere else.”

But Ji Yu refused calmly.
“If Xiao Yu gets bullied this time and we don’t stand up for her, then next time it happens, she’ll just endure it silently—and she won’t trust us anymore.”

His words struck Shi Xing deeply. She carried Xiao Yu aside and comforted her softly.

Ji Yu nodded toward the boys.
“What game?”

The leader pointed at one on the console.
“This one.”

“And if you lose,” the boys grinned maliciously,
“you have to call us ‘Dad.’”

Ji Yu snorted lightly.
“Fine. If you lose, kneel and call me ‘Grandpa.’”

With that, Ji Yu and the lead boy sat down on opposite sides.

In the corner of the arcade, a silent battle began.

At first, the boy’s score pulled far ahead. The boys grew smug and even started celebrating in front of Shi Xing and Xiao Yu.

But when they realized what was happening, the situation had already reversed.

Ji Yu quickly evened the score. His expression remained calm, as if everything was under control. In the final ten seconds, he widened the gap decisively.

Only then did Shi Xing realize—Ji Yu had been controlling the score the entire time.

When the match ended, Ji Yu raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled.
“A bet’s a bet. Go ahead.”

The boys exchanged looks, unwilling but forced to comply. Ji Yu relented,
“No need to kneel. Just call me Grandpa.”

Gathering their courage, they shouted,
“Hello, Grandpa!”

Everyone nearby burst into laughter. These kids were notorious bullies in the park, always taking advantage of the fact that adults wouldn’t deal harshly with them. Seeing someone finally put them in their place was immensely satisfying.

Ji Yu patted each of their heads and nodded.
“Good kids.”

Shi Xing couldn’t help laughing too. She felt that Ji Yu seemed different now—more human, warmer than before.

Thankfully, Xiao Yu didn’t suffer any lingering fear from the incident.

As they exited the park, a photographer approached them.
“Hello, we’re photography students from Jiangcheng University. Our assignment this week is called ‘A Moment of Happiness.’ You all looked really happy just now—would you mind if we took a photo?”

Xiao Yu got excited at the mention of photos. Shi Xing glanced at Ji Yu helplessly.
“I’m fine with it.”

“That’s fine,” Ji Yu replied quietly.

After getting their permission, the photographer began directing them.
“You two can stand a little closer. Some intimate gestures would be even better.”

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