No matter where she went in this weather, it was unbearably hot. Su Hao pushed her suitcase as she walked out of the platform. What hit her head-on was the scorching ground mixed with waves of hot air. She took out a tissue and wiped her cheek, then continued forward.

 

The phone clenched in her hand hadn’t rung once. She hesitated, unsure whether she should be the one to make the call.

 

Passing through the relatively cool high-speed rail hall, she reached the exit. Cold air and hot air collided against her body. She wiped her cheek again, her gaze falling outside.

 

Golden pavement.
Endless rows of towering buildings.

 

This place was, after all, very different from Huiyang City.

 

A black Hummer pulled up near the exit, stopping some distance away. Inside the car, the man rolled down the window, a cigarette between his fingers, his gaze sweeping toward her.

 

Su Hao raised a hand to shade her forehead and looked over.

 

That handsome face—those long, narrow eyes—met hers.

 

She froze for a few seconds, instinctively tightening her grip on her phone.

 

With a sharp sound, the car door opened. The man got out and walked around the front of the vehicle as if heading toward her. Feeling slightly nervous, Su Hao hurriedly pulled her suitcase and walked over.

 

When they were close, Zhou Yang bit the cigarette between his lips and smiled.
“Why didn’t you call? ”

 

Su Hao tilted her head, gave a soft hum, and said, “I was just about to.”

 

“Is that so? Get in.” Zhou Yang took the suitcase from her hand and turned toward the black car. Su Hao watched his tall figure for a moment, hesitated, then quickly followed.

 

Before putting the luggage away, Zhou Yang casually opened the rear door for her.

 

Su Hao held onto the handle, got in, and settled into her seat.

 

The air-conditioning was strong and pleasantly cool, instantly easing much of the heat clinging to her body. Her gaze swept over the steering wheel, then outside. Zhou Yang walked over but didn’t get in right away. Unhurried, he finished his cigarette, stubbed it out, and only then opened the door and got in.

 

The door slammed shut. Zhou Yang glanced back at her, a smile in his narrow eyes.
“Shall we go home and eat first? ”

 

Su Hao pinched the hem of her dress and nodded. “Okay.”

 

Zhou Yang withdrew his gaze, took hold of the steering wheel, and started the car.

 

The vehicle merged onto the main road.

 

Soft music played inside—light instrumental music.

 

Su Hao glanced at the rearview mirror but couldn’t see anything. She leaned slightly toward the door, deliberately lowering her sense of presence. For her now, living well was enough.

 

The man in the driver’s seat was not someone she should be thinking about.

 

The high-speed rail station was some distance from the Zhou family estate. The two of them had nothing to say. If not for their mothers knowing each other, Su Hao and Zhou Yang would never have crossed paths.

 

There would have been no youthful acquaintance—no one-sided love in her teenage years, no years ago when she accompanied his mother back to Huiyang City, no being pursued, no entanglement.

 

Su Hao let out a soft sigh.

 

Very soft.

 

Yet in the brief pause of the music, it reached Zhou Yang’s ears.

 

His long fingers rested on the steering wheel. He tilted his head slightly, checked the road outside, then casually glanced at the rearview mirror.

 

He didn’t see her—only a corner of her skirt.

 

He smiled faintly and withdrew his gaze, unconcerned.

 

Su Hao, avoiding him, didn’t see that smile.

 

If she had, she would have remembered how he always smiled like this when she used to chase him—
a smile that carried cold indifference beneath it,

 

carelessness and distance.

 

As the car neared the estate, Su Hao grew a little drowsy. Looking at the villa district, she felt even more clearly the gap between them.

 

From the front came the man’s voice—low and pleasant.

 

“Su Hao, I haven’t asked—have you been doing well these past few years? ” Zhou Yang finally asked as they were almost there.

 

Su Hao became more alert, sat up straighter, and looked at her hands resting on her lap.
“Pretty well.”

 

“That’s good. I heard you finished your degree in financial management? ”His voice always carried a hint of a smile—pleasant and compelling.

 

Su Hao replied softly, “Mm. I finished it.”

 

Zhou Yang nodded. “That’s good.”

 

Ahead was the Zhou family home—a European-style villa with a courtyard. The black Hummer stopped in the parking space by the gate. Su Hao opened the door, smoothed her skirt, and got out. She wore white sneakers with the dress—simple and modest, bare-faced, carrying a gentle and unadorned air.

 

Completely different from the women who usually surrounded Zhou Yang.

 

Zhou Yang lifted the suitcase. Su Hao instinctively stepped forward to take it, but Zhou Yang smiled at her teasingly.
“What? You think I can’t even carry a suitcase? ”

 

Her outstretched hand froze midair. Then she smiled and withdrew it.

 

He was always like this—

 

Carefree, cynical, flirtatious.

 

So easy to be misleading, making people think they might have a chance.

 

It was still hot. Su Hao walked beside Zhou Yang up the steps. Just three short steps, and she could already feel the cool air spilling out from inside.

 

Madam Zhou.

 

Su Qian, wearing a qipao and high heels, came out to greet them. The moment she saw Su Hao, her eyes lit up with a smile.
“Su Hao! Auntie finally gets to see you again! ”

 

“Auntie, it’s been a long time.” Su Hao smiled unconsciously.

 

“These past years—ah, you…” Su Qian stepped forward and hugged her tightly.

 

She smelled faintly of perfume, holding Su Hao without reserve. Su Hao smiled and hugged her back.

 

She knew what Su Qian hadn’t said. She smiled faintly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhou Yang set down the suitcase, take a towel from the housekeeper to wipe his hands, and then lazily lean against the cabinet, head lowered as he played with his phone.

 

Tall and slender, radiating effortless charm.

 

Su Hao withdrew her gaze and stopped looking.

 

Su Qian released her, holding Su Hao’s arms and looking her up and down with pity.
“Since you’re divorced, live well from now on. Your mother entrusted you to me—I’ll take good care of you.”

 

Su Hao smiled gently. “I can take care of myself.”

 

“Alright, I know you’re strong now.” Su Qian touched her face. The girl’s face was still fair and tender—just a little too gentle.

 

She glanced toward her son.

 

And sighed softly.

 

Dinner was soon ready. There were only three people at home. Zhou Yang had taken a call and was about to leave, but Su Qian refused to let him go, insisting he stay until after dinner.

 

Zhou Yang didn’t argue. He called back and said he wouldn’t be coming over tonight.

 

It was a woman’s voice.

 

Su Qian instinctively looked at Su Hao.

 

Su Hao was looking down at her phone, replying to messages, seemingly unaware.

 

Seeing this, Su Qian finally relaxed. Zhou Yang sat nearby, frowning at his mother. After a few seconds, he tapped the table lightly—

 

a warning in his eyes.

 

Su Qian rolled her eyes and mouthed, “I know.”
I won’t try to match you two up!

 

Dinner was lavish. Thinking Su Hao looked thin, Su Qian kept piling food into her bowl. Su Hao found it hard to refuse and ate whatever was given. The two chatted happily.

 

Zhou Yang, in contrast, barely joined in, occasionally glancing at his phone as if waiting for a message.

 

After dinner,

 

Su Qian took Su Hao upstairs and settled her into a guest room on the second floor. The décor was exquisite. It was Su Hao’s first time staying in such a room—it felt just like a hotel.

 

Su Qian showed her the wardrobe, the bathroom, the balcony, and the vanity, then turned back with a smile.
“How about living here from now on? ”

 

Su Hao shook her head. “No.”

 

Why?

 

Su Qian was about to ask, but when she saw Su Hao’s beautiful eyes, she paused and dropped the subject.

 

Su Hao had once liked Zhou Yang.

 

Having her live here would indeed be difficult for her.

 

Thinking of this, Su Qian wanted nothing more than to beat Zhou Yang to death.

 

Forget it.

 

She pulled Su Hao into the bathroom and said, “Freshen up first. Come down later—Auntie will take you for a walk in the backyard.”

 

“Okay.” Su Hao nodded.

 

After Su Qian left, Su Hao opened her suitcase, crouched down, and took out her pajamas. After a moment’s hesitation, she chose a simple set of loungewear and went into the bathroom to shower. There was both a bathtub and a shower, fully separated into wet and dry areas. She chose the shower and set the water to a low temperature.

 

After showering, she dried her hair, standing barefoot on the carpet, looking out the window.

 

Outside was a lake.

 

Beyond the high wall on the other side of the lake were the countless lights of the city.

 

Huiyang City couldn’t compare to Licheng.

 

Here, opportunities were everywhere—
And so were setbacks.

 

After drying her hair, Su Hao put on her slippers, opened the door, and went downstairs to find Su Qian. Her hair was still slightly damp as she held the railing and adjusted it.

 

The downstairs lights were bright.

 

Just as she was about to reach the bottom, she heard Su Qian speaking.

 

The words made her stop.

 

“So in the end, Su Hao just isn’t your type, is that it? ” Su Qian said.

 

“Yes,” Zhou Yang replied lazily, indifferent. “What else do you want to say? ”

 

Su Qian snorted. “Aunt Ling has always been worried about Su Hao. It seems she doesn’t plan to look for anyone else either.”

 

“How about I introduce someone to her? ”Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow.

 

Su Qian froze.

 

Zhou Yang chuckled softly. “I guarantee I’ll find her an excellent man.”

 

“Alright,” Su Qian said.

 

After a few seconds’ pause—

 

Still unwilling to give up, she asked, “You yourself? ”

 

“I’ll pass,” Zhou Yang replied