The living room lights were bright.
The staircase lights were a warm orange—small lamps mounted on the wall. Su Hao stood beneath one of them, silent for a few seconds. Then she turned around and went back upstairs. She paused again at the stair landing before finally walking toward the elevator and pressing the button.

 

The private elevator was small. After stepping inside, the doors closed, and she pressed the button for the third floor.

 

The elevator ascended.

 

She thought of Zhou Yang from those years ago—the Zhou Yang she had chased after. She had always been reserved by nature, gentle and obedient, yet she had never liked a man so deeply before. So much so that she pursued him directly, doing many things completely unlike herself. She had become the subject of ridicule for many people, yet she never believed she would fail.

 

But she did.

 

Back then, she couldn’t see Zhou Yang clearly.

 

Tonight—

 

She finally did.

 

Sure enough, forced affection never tastes sweet.

 

So this was the reason.

 

She… was not his type.

 

And really, that made sense. Leaving aside their difference in status, the worlds they had experienced were never the same.

 

Her hair was still damp when the elevator reached the third floor. The doors opened—and then closed again. Su Hao pressed the button for the first floor.

 

The elevator descended.

 

When it arrived, the doors opened.

 

They should be done talking by now, right?

 

Su Hao took a deep breath and walked out.

 

By the wine cabinet in the living room, Su Qian and Zhou Yang were standing together. Zhou Yang had a jacket draped over his arm, leaning casually against the cabinet as he spoke to his mother. When he noticed Su Hao coming down, he glanced over with a faint smile and stopped talking.

 

Su Qian turned around and immediately walked toward her.
“You washed your hair but didn’t dry it? Come, come—Auntie will help you.”

 

Su Hao held her hair and said, “I couldn’t find the hair dryer.”

 

“Silly girl, it’s on the bedside table—the second drawer. You didn’t even look properly.” Su Qian pulled her toward the window, completely ignoring her son.

 

Su Hao didn’t want to trouble her. She took the dryer herself and lowered her head to turn it on.

 

The tall man by the wine cabinet picked up a cigarette, held it between his lips, and walked toward the entryway. He changed his shoes, grabbed his car keys, opened the door, and left.

 

The door closed softly.

 

Only Su Hao and Su Qian remained.

 

The hair dryer hummed loudly as Su Hao dried her hair. Su Qian stood beside her, smiling as she gave advice.
“There’s still some at the back. Don’t hold it too close—it’s bad for your scalp.”

 

Su Hao obediently moved it farther away.

 

That evening, Su Qian took Su Hao to walk around the backyard. They visited the swimming pool and the rose garden she had planted. There was also a separate building in the back yard. The door on the first floor was shut tight.

 

Growing animated, Su Qian said, “That building is full of Zhou Yang’s things—mostly airplane models and the like.”

 

Su Hao glanced at it and hummed softly in response.

 

Only then did Su Qian realize she had said too much. She looked at Su Hao and, seeing her calm expression, finally let out a sigh of relief.

 

After the walk, they returned to the main house. Not long after, Zhou Yang’s father, Zhou Qinkai, came home. Seeing Su Hao, he smiled.

 

“Long time no see, Su Hao.”

 

“Hello, Uncle Zhou.”

 

He hung up his coat and said with a smile, “You look thinner.”

 

“Exactly. I keep telling her she’s too thin,” Su Qian added.

 

Not only thinner—Su Hao now carried a much calmer aura. The youthful innocence she once had was gone, replaced by a faint, understated femininity. It was clear she had been through hardship.

 

With Zhou Qinkai back, Su Qian became visibly more affectionate. Not wanting to disturb them, Su Hao excused herself and returned to her room on the second floor.

 

The curtains were open. She walked over to close them, then lay down on the bed. She opened WeChat and chatted with her mother for a while, then texted her best friend.

 

Liao Liao: How’s Li City?
Su Hao: Haven’t explored yet. Lots of tall buildings.
Liao Liao: First-tier cities are definitely different.
Su Hao: Come visit during National Day.
Liao Liao: Only if you’re settled. Will you live at their place?
Su Hao: No.
Liao Liao: Good. Is Zhou Yang still handsome? Married yet?
Su Hao: I don’t know. I didn’t ask.
Liao Liao: Right. No need to ask.

 

Liao Yun wanted to ask whether Su Hao still liked him—but didn’t. After all these years, any feelings would have changed long ago.

 

Besides, Su Hao had already been through a relationship.

 

She slept until morning.

 

When Su Hao woke up, she was still holding her phone. She had forgotten to put it down after chatting the night before. The phone rang beside her bed. She answered it.

 

“Good morning, Hao Hao. Are you awake?” Su Qian’s voice came through.

 

“Just woke up.”

 

“Alright, wash up and come down for breakfast.”

 

“Okay.”

 

After hanging up, Su Hao got out of bed, opened the curtains to let the sunlight in, then went to wash up. Afterward, she changed into a floral dress and went downstairs in her slippers.

 

Only Su Qian was in the dining room, boredly eating fruit. When she saw Su Hao, she waved her over immediately.

 

Su Hao smiled and sat down.

 

The table was filled with Chinese breakfast dishes. While drinking her porridge, Su Hao asked, “Where’s Uncle?”

 

“He went to the office early this morning.” Su Qian peeled an egg for her and added, “After breakfast, I’ll go with you to look for a place.”

 

“I’d like to look on my own,” Su Hao said.

 

Su Qian looked up at her.

 

Su Hao smiled gently.

 

She knew Su Qian must have already arranged something, but that wouldn’t be right. She wasn’t here to be taken care of—she was here to work.

 

Su Qian glared at her, then sighed. “Fine. I’ll listen to you. I’ve never rented a place before anyway. Today will be my first time.”

 

Just then, a tall man walked in through the door.

 

Both women turned to look. Zhou Yang entered while loosening his shirt collar. His long, narrow eyes swept over them.

 

“After breakfast, I’ll take you to see a place,” he said.

 

“You have a good one?” Su Qian’s eyes lit up.

 

Zhou Yang changed his shoes, straightened up, and smiled lazily.
“She’ll be working at my company. Naturally, she should live close by. I found one recently.”

 

“That’s great!” Su Qian looked at Su Hao.

 

Su Hao wiped the corner of her lips and said to Zhou Yang, “Thank you.”

 

Her voice was gentle. Sitting there in her floral dress, she looked fair and composed.

 

Zhou Yang nodded, unbuttoning his sleeves as he walked upstairs.

 

Su Qian stared at him for a few seconds, then asked, “Where did you stay last night? Didn’t you go to One Bay?”

 

Zhou Yang glanced back casually, smiling mischievously.
“What? Mom, are you checking up on me?”

 

Su Qian glared at him.

 

He laughed and went upstairs.

 

Not long after, he came back down wearing a black shirt and trousers, sleeves rolled up. He sat down to eat breakfast. Su Hao and Su Qian had already finished and were speaking quietly.

 

A faint scent of body wash lingered on him—it smelled similar to the one Su Hao used. Maybe the house stocked the same brand.

 

Su Hao stood up. “Auntie, I’ll go get my suitcase.”

 

Su Qian paused, wanting to keep her, but hesitated. “So soon?”

 

“It’ll be easier to organize,” Su Hao replied with a smile.

 

“Alright.”

 

Su Hao went upstairs. As she passed Zhou Yang, the hem of her dress brushed lightly against his trousers before she turned the corner.

 

She hadn’t unpacked much. After a quick tidy-up, she closed her suitcase and took the elevator down.

 

Zhou Yang had finished eating. With a bite of apple in his mouth, he stood up and took her suitcase from her hands.

 

He was tall—when he stepped closer, he blocked much of the light. Su Hao subconsciously took a small step back to keep her distance.

 

Zhou Yang glanced at her, raised an eyebrow, then walked toward the door.

 

Su Hao turned back and hugged Su Qian. Touched by her gentleness, Su Qian’s eyes reddened.

 

“What’s wrong with staying here? I could even introduce you to a boyfriend…”

 

Su Hao wiped the corner of her eyes.
“Auntie, I need to be independent, don’t I?”

 

“Haven’t you already been independent enough?” Su Qian said, heart aching. “You still need to find a boyfriend, you know. Don’t focus only on work.”

 

“Okay, okay,” Su Hao replied with a smile.

 

“I won’t go with you,” Su Qian added. “If you’re treated unfairly at work, tell me—or tell Zhou Yang.”

 

“Alright.”

 

After some reluctance, Su Qian finally let go.

 

Outside, Zhou Yang had already finished his cigarette and was seated in the driver’s seat. His long hand rested outside the window, the cigarette stub already extinguished.

 

He looked over. Su Hao nodded to him, then opened the back door and got in. The air conditioning inside was cool.

 

The car door closed. She waved to Su Qian.

 

Zhou Yang had no interest in sentimental farewells. He started the car and drove off.

 

Once out of the villa area, the road widened. Tall trees lined both sides, blocking much of the sunlight.

 

Su Hao looked at the unfamiliar city when a résumé was handed back to her.

 

She froze slightly and took it.

 

“I had my assistant help you with it,” Zhou Yang said, lighting a cigarette. “Take a look.”

 

“You don’t have work experience, so you’ll start as a finance assistant.”

 

Su Hao skimmed through it.

 

It was very professional—far better than what she could have made herself.

 

“Thank you. It’s very good,” she said.

 

“Report to the company tomorrow.”

 

His voice was low and lazy, muffled slightly by the cigarette—pleasant to the ear.

 

“Okay.”

 

Soon, the car reached downtown. Su Hao spotted a CBD tower with a red flying logo among the skyscrapers.

 

Zhou Yang tapped the window.
“That building with the red flying logo—that’s Feijie, a subsidiary of Zhou Group.”

 

“Your workplace.”

 

Su Hao leaned forward, studying it, and nodded.

 

The car turned into a narrower road. Amid the high-rises stood an older residential complex—not run-down, but clearly older than the surrounding buildings.

 

The car stopped at the entrance.

 

Zhou Yang got out, opened the trunk, and took out her suitcase.

 

“This area doesn’t allow parking,” he said, setting the suitcase down by the stairs. “Go straight up—third floor, Room 301. The key’s already in the door. I’ve paid the rent. Stay here for now.”

 

Su Hao nodded, grabbed the handle, and started up the stairs.

 

After just two steps, the man’s deep voice sounded behind her.

 

“Wait.”

 

She turned around.

 

Zhou Yang stood with one long leg resting on the first step, phone in hand, smiling.
“What kind of man do you like?”

 

“I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

 

He smiled as if unafraid of her answer—because no matter what she said, it would never be him.

 

At that moment, Su Hao felt she finally saw him clearly.

 

After a few seconds of silence, she replied, “Any type is fine.”