“I’ve only memorized half so far; I haven’t looked at the rest yet,” Lin Xi explained modestly.

“You’re planning to memorize this entire book?” Xu Wantang looked at her with blatant skepticism. She flipped to the first page. “Since you say you’ve done half, why don’t you recite the first page for me?”

A surprise quiz? Lin Xi actually welcomed the challenge. It was the perfect opportunity to check if she had made any errors in her memorization.

She recalled the contents of the first page and began to speak fluently: “Acceptance: a manifestation of assent to the terms of an offer…”

Lin Xi’s voice was clear and tranquil, her pace steady and articulate. Her pronunciation was crisp, flowing like a cool spring into the ear and settling into the heart.

Xu Wantang’s mind gradually grew calm as she listened. It had been a long time since she had heard a voice that felt so grounding. Her thoughts began to drift.

—

Song Xu and Song Chen stood by the doorway, listening to Lin Xi recite the legal terminology. They were both struck by the fact that she wasn’t just reciting words, but complete definitions with nuance. Both brothers were high achievers, yet standing before Lin Xi’s focused dedication, they felt like mere amateurs.

Lin Xi finished the page quickly. Noticing that Xu Wantang seemed to be in a daze, she spoke up softly. “Madam Xu? I’ve finished.”

“Oh!” Xu Wantang snapped back to reality. She closed the book and set it back on the desk. “You are quite impressive.”

The way Xu Wantang looked at Lin Xi softened considerably. She smiled and walked further into the room, heading toward the walk-in closet.

The closet wasn’t large, and it was nearly empty. Only a few low-quality, older garments hung on the rack.

“Are these your clothes?”

Lin Xi nodded. “I only brought a few summer pieces. My autumn and winter clothes are still at home.”

“Wait, what are these?” Xu Wantang pointed toward several neatly folded items at the bottom, each sealed in a clear bag.

“Those are items others have left with me,” Lin Xi replied honestly. “They’ve asked me to help sell them on second-hand platforms.”

“You can actually sell clothes?” Xu Wantang knew that luxury watches or jewelry held their value, but she hadn’t realized that pre-owned clothing had a market.

“Absolutely. There’s a huge market for it because the prices are much lower than retail. Designer bags are actually the easiest to move,” Lin Xi explained. She was incredibly patient; after all, every wealthy person was a potential client.

“I had no idea!” Xu Wantang said, genuinely surprised. Most of the clothes she bought but never wore were given away; the ones she liked were piled up at home, and the ones she didn’t were simply tossed.

“The market for women’s fashion and bags is even larger,” Lin Xi said, seizing the opportunity to pitch herself. “If you ever find it too much trouble to manage, I can handle the listings for you. I only take a ten percent commission on the final sale price as a service fee.”

Xu Wantang was intrigued. She didn’t need the money, but the idea of selling things seemed like a fun way to pass the time.

Just as she was about to agree, her phone began to buzz. She glanced at the caller ID, rolled her eyes, and answered. “What is it?”

Lin Xi lowered her gaze, waiting quietly for Madam Xu to finish her call.

“I’m at Xiao Xu’s place. He’s sick, and I’m staying to look after him,” Xu Wantang’s tone was sharp. Whatever the person on the other end said made her look frustrated, and she stole a quick glance at Lin Xi. “It’s not convenient for you to come here.”

“Fine, fine! I’m coming back now. Just don’t disturb Xiao Xu.” Xu Wantang finally conceded and hung up, looking annoyed.

The conversation about selling clothes was completely forgotten. She turned and headed for the door, shouting as she went, “Chen-chen, come and take Mommy home.”

—

In the other room, Song Chen pressed a hand to his forehead. She had promised never to call him that in front of outsiders. How was he supposed to look Lin Xi in the eye after this?

Song Xu quickly scrambled back into bed and pulled up the covers, stifling a laugh as he looked at his brother. “Chen-chen, better get going. Mommy is calling.”

Song Chen’s face darkened. “I could always carry you home instead and let Mom and Dad look after you together.”

“Brother, I was wrong!” Song Xu’s apology was swift and sincere.

“Hmph.” Song Chen turned on his heel and left.

“Mom,” Song Chen said as he met her at the door, his voice tinged with complaint. “I told you not to call me that in public. It’s embarrassing.”

“This isn’t ‘in public’,” Xu Wantang shot back. “You’re my son. I’ll call you whatever I like.”

Song Chen went silent. It was a classic case of the scholar meeting the soldier—logic had no place here. His mother was a law unto herself, and no one in the family could reel her in.

Xu Wantang suddenly remembered Lin Xi and doubled back. “Young lady, what was your name again?”

“Lin Xi.”

“Oh, right. Xixi. I’m leaving Xiao Xu in your care,” Xu Wantang said. She seemed quite at ease with Lin Xi now. “Give him another dose of that fever medicine later—the white pills.”

“Give me your phone number so it’s easier to get in touch.”

Lin Xi provided her number, adding a quick clarification: “Madam Xu, I’m still a student. My phone is on silent during classes, so please don’t worry if I don’t answer immediately. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”

“A student? I see,” Xu Wantang noted, less surprised this time. “Very well. I’ll try to call you in the evenings.”

“That works perfectly.”

—

Xu Wantang and Song Chen departed as quickly as they had arrived. In her haste, she didn’t even go back in to say goodbye to her son.

Song Xu was used to this. He lay in bed, waiting for Lin Xi to come in.

He waited and waited, but she never appeared. A flash of irritation sparked in his chest. Now that my mother is gone, she’s stopped pretending to care?

“Lin Xi!” he called out.

Silence.

Song Xu sat up, a sudden worry gnawing at him. What if something had happened? Perhaps she had seen some blood and fainted somewhere in the apartment.

Thinking the worst, he abandoned his “sickbed” act and got up to find her. He used the wall for support as he made his way to her bedroom door. A gentle push, and it swung open.

“Lin Xi?” He didn’t hear a voice, but he did hear the sound of running water.

She was taking a shower.

As he listened to the splash of the water, a vivid image began to form in his mind—one that sent his pulse racing. He knew he should turn around and go back to his room, but his feet refused to move.

Song Xu, wearing nothing but his pajama pants, swayed toward Lin Xi’s bed. He climbed in, resting his head on her pillow and pulling her duvet over himself. The lingering scent of her on the linens only served to heighten his excitement.

—

Lin Xi had been busy looking after Song Xu all day and was covered in a layer of sticky, uncomfortable sweat.

Since he had finally hydrated and eaten some congee, she figured he was stable for the moment. She decided to sneak in a quick shower before heading back to give him his next dose of medicine.

Stepping out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, she realized she had forgotten to bring a change of clothes. She started toward the closet to grab her pajamas.

As she passed the bed, a movement in her peripheral vision caught her eye. She turned and saw a figure under her covers.

“Ah!” A sharp scream escaped her.

Song Xu poked his head out from under the duvet. “What’s wrong?”

Recognizing him, Lin Xi clutched the towel tightly to her chest. “You… how did you get in here?”