Perhaps Xu Tangcheng's perseverance was finally working; Zhou Hui actually had the same view as him.

Near New Year's, Xu Tangcheng received a call from Tangxi. She said that during breakfast, Xu Yueliang told her to ask her brother to come home during the holidays. They would sit down together as a family and talk properly.

The timing was faster than Xu Tangcheng's expectations. Aside from his surprise, he was also rather anxious. "What did Mum say?"

"Mum didn't say anything at that time. I guess they must have discussed it beforehand." The joy in Xu Tangxi's voice couldn't be hidden. "Like I said, I miss you, they must miss you too. How can our family really fall apart just because of this matter?"

On this side of the call, Xu Tangcheng frowned as he pondered his parents' meaning and didn't reply.

"Ge?" Xu Tangxi called out to him after not getting a response.

"Hmm?"

"When you come back, talk nicely with Mum and Dad. They're actually very soft-hearted, especially Mum."

Xu Tangcheng laughed. "I know. I'll speak nicely."

But Xu Tangcheng was actually not as optimistic as Xu Tangxi. After hanging up, he was still wondering if Xu Yueliang and Zhou Hui suddenly asking him to go home was really because there was a change in the situation, or if they were finally going to issue an ultimatum to pressure him once more.

He didn't work overtime today. On the other hand, it was Yi Zhe who still wasn't back yet after so long, even though he was usually the first to reach home. Xu Tangcheng nestled in the sofa to think, failing to straighten out the jumbled thoughts in his mind no matter how he tried. Slowly, the sky darkened. Through the window in the living room, he could see the lights gradually coming on in the darkness of the night, their edges touching, finally connecting into an expanse. For once, it was quiet, and for once, he felt that there might be hope, so Xu Tangcheng let himself lie down there as he wished, letting time pass by without doing anything.

The sound of the door opening came from the entrance. Xu Tangcheng was about to call out but he immediately realised that the person coming in was on the phone. He didn't listen in on purpose but a few random words, a term of address, and the contents of the call were revealed.

Yi Zhe switched on the lights as he talked. When he saw the person on the sofa, he was startled into stuttering.

Xu Tangcheng laughed. He got up and walked over, taking the food from his hand.

"I really can't go over for New Year's… Okay… I'll give you a call when I'm free."

Today's dishes were a light vegetable stir-fry, sweet and sour pork ribs, and fried meatballs. Xu Tangcheng found some plates and poured the food out. By then, Yi Zhe had hung up.

"Your dad called?"

"Yeah." Yi Zhe changed into slippers, then moved his feet, kicking the shoes he had carelessly removed into proper order. "At first I wanted to go to that shop to get maocai for you but when I went there, I saw a notice on the door saying that the boss had something to take care of at home and would not be operating for a few days."

No wonder he was back late.

"Why did Uncle call you just now? He's asking you to go to Shanghai?"

"Yeah." Yi Zhe washed his hands. He had yet to sit down but was already picking up a meatball with his chopsticks and stuffing it into his mouth, barely chewing before swallowing it down.

"Don't keep eating so fast." When Xu Tangcheng saw him, he couldn't help talking about this issue again. "It's not good for your stomach."

Yi Zhe heard him and spent quite a while chewing the next mouthful.

"Tangxi called me just now. She said that my parents want me to go back for New Year's." Xu Tangcheng returned to the main topic. "It's quite a coincidence. You're not going to Shanghai?"

"Asking you to go back?" Yi Zhe put down the bowl in his hands and thought for a while. "Uncle and Auntie are giving their consent?"

"I don't know." Xu Tangcheng shook his head. "I keep feeling that they won't consent so quickly. Perhaps… they might be wavering a little?"

Xu Tangcheng naturally hoped his optimism wouldn't be disappointed. However, there was no point guessing before the time came, things would still happen the way they should and wouldn't change just because of their hopes. He sighed. "Never mind, I'll see how it is when the time comes."

"Should I go back with you?"

"No," Xu Tangcheng hurried to say. "I still don't know what the situation is."

"Mm." Yi Zhe considered it in his heart and also felt that he should be more well-behaved now, and not do anything to annoy Zhou Hui and Xu Yueliang.

"You should go to Shanghai." From the phone call just now, it seemed that Yi Yuanzhi wanted Yi Zhe to go over. Xu Tangcheng pressed a hand against his forehead and rubbed a couple of times. "Otherwise, you'll be here alone."

Yi Zhe didn't answer the question of whether or not he would go to Shanghai and instead, immediately asked with a frown, "You're still not feeling well today?"

"Still alright." Xu Tangcheng was basically being remotely monitored the whole day now and no longer dared to hide his physical condition from Yi Zhe. "Once it's afternoon, I still get a really bad headache and my head feels fuzzy."

"Didn't you sleep quite well yesterday night?" Yi Zhe turned around and glanced at the clock hung on the wall. "Maybe you should go to sleep earlier in a while."

"Okay." Xu Tangcheng dragged the word out, agreeing. Seeing that the expression on Yi Zhe's face didn't look too good again, he moved his chopsticks and picked a small piece of ribs from the plate, putting it in Yi Zhe's bowl. "Don't be so tense. Hurry up and eat or it'll get cold soon."

Very soon, it was New Year's. Xu Tangcheng returned home. Meanwhile, after sending him to the train, Yi Zhe got on the train to Shanghai under the urging of his father.

Yi Yuanzhi came to the train station to pick him up personally. When Yi Zhe opened the car door, he finally understood why his father had taken the initiative to contact him this time.

The girl from last time was sitting in the front passenger seat. She turned back with a wide smile, waving at him. "It's been a long time."

Yi Zhe put on a poker face and didn't say anything. He got into the car.

Yi Yuanzhi glanced at the rearview mirror and asked, "Xiao-Yi is saying hi to you, didn't you hear her?"

From that moment on, the mood of this Shanghai trip was strange. Yi Yuanzhi's tone was mild and there was even a rare smile on his lips but in the rearview mirror, Yi Zhe could clearly see his displeasure.

"Hello." Yi Zhe's brows drew together and he turned his gaze to look out the window.

"Why didn't you reply to the messages I sent you previously? You didn't pick up my calls either."

Like she was doing it on purpose, the girl began bringing up Yi Zhe's faults non-stop in front of Yi Yuanzhi. Yi Yuanzhi was very amiable; after every line from her, he nodded, made a noise in response, then chided Yi Zhe, sometimes lightly and sometimes heavily.

Listening to him made Yi Zhe uncomfortable and he wound down the back window. Shanghai was exceptionally cold recently. The wind pouring in brought Yi Zhe relief but drew a low rebuke from Yi Yuanzhi.

They went to eat and the place they chose was a restaurant specialising in Hong Kong cuisine that the girl liked to eat. When the food was served, the girl took two small bites, then pursed her lips and said that the taste of the food wasn't as good as it had been in the past.

Sitting at the side, Yi Zhe naturally ignored what she was saying. He pretended not to have heard her and happily ate by himself. When his warnings to Yi Zhe went unheeded, Yi Yuanzhi said a few words of concern to the girl.

"I wanted to go to Hong Kong tomorrow but the friend who always goes with me stood me up." While letting out a sigh, the girl shot Yi Zhe a glance.

"It's all right." Hearing that, Yi Yuanzhi smiled and said, "Why don't Yi Zhe go with you?"

"I'm not going." His mouth still biting on a piece of chicken, Yi Zhe quickly raised his head and threw out this line.

"You should go and have fun. You're on holiday anyway."

"I'm not going."

The happiness from seeing his father had slowly eroded over the past over two hours. Now, all that remained in Yi Zhe's heart was an abundance of unwillingness to endure any longer. No one at the table spoke. The girl's eyes switched between two of them a few times like she was watching a good show. The corners of her lips lifted, then she lowered her head, stuck her little finger out, and brought a spoonful of soup to her mouth.

"I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow. I still have things to take care of when I get back."

Yi Zhe really couldn't see any meaning to the current situation. He put down his chopsticks and stood up. "I'm full. You guys eat. I'm going out to smoke."

After saying that, he ignored Yi Yuanzhi's already faintly darkening face and turned to leave.

It was cold outdoors, but comfortable. It was just that even though there was clearly no wind now, when lighting the cigarette, the lighter did not produce a flame even after two tries. Yi Zhe shook it a bit. Third time, and after a soft susurrus, there was finally a weak flame.

The flame lit the cigarette, producing a red glow that immediately retreated. Yi Zhe checked that the lighter was out of fluid. He looked around but did not see a trash can, so he slipped it back into his own pocket.

From where he was standing, he could see Yi Yuanzhi and the girl through the window. Both of them were chatting happily, as though they were the ones who were father and daughter.

Yi Zhe fumbled out his phone. He looked at the time—half past twelve, exactly lunch time.

After some hesitation, he did not call Xu Tangcheng in the end.

He crouched on the ground, looking at the Shanghai that laid before his eyes through the thin cloud of smoke. All of a sudden, he felt that he might as well not be there. He should have gone home with Xu Tangcheng. At worst, he would just hide in his home and not come out. That way, if by chance Zhou Hui and Xu Yueliang relented, he might be able to strike while the iron was hot, show off his good side and gain some points with them. Or perhaps, even if he didn't go home and stayed at their rented apartment doing nothing, it would still be better than sulking here.

"Why are you squatting here?"

Behind him, Yi Yuanzhi had come out. He wasn't wearing his coat and was only wearing a thin western style suit.

"Smoking," Yi Zhe turned around to shoot him a look and said.

Yi Yuanzhi glanced at the cigarette that was almost going out and didn't quibble with him.

"What do you have to do back in Beijing?"

"Classes, final exams."

"Your final exams are so early?"

Yi Zhe replied mildly, his tone neither servile nor aggressive, "Yeah."

Yi Yuanzhi paced about where he was, momentarily silent.

"Xiao-Yi only plans to go there for a few days and it'll probably just take two or three days of your time." He softened his tone. "And you've probably never been to Hong Kong, have you? It just so happens that you can go and have fun."

Not only had Yi Zhe never been to Hong Kong, he didn't even have the entry permit to enter Hong Kong. Even the conditions that had nothing to do with personal feelings did not allow him to accompany her for a trip to Hong Kong in these few days. However, Yi Zhe didn't mention this. He only said very frankly, emphasising once more, "I'm not going with her."

"What's wrong with going with her?" Seeing that the sideways approach wasn't working, Yi Yuanzhi finally said, "Xiao-Yi is a good girl. She likes you quite a bit. You don't have a girlfriend anyway, it's just nice that you can spend more time with her."

Yi Zhe was not foolish and in actual fact, right now, he really wanted to ask Yi Yuanzhi why he should spend more time with her, to help him strengthen his business partnership? But for all these years, because he had long since been Yi Yuanzhi's son in name only and opportunities to see him had always been rare, Yi Zhe was already used to treating Yi Yuanzhi with respect.

He had affection for Yi Yuanzhi, but it was not to the level where he dared to get into a fight with him. Hence, no matter how dissatisfied he was, Yi Zhe only lowered his head and did not speak anymore.

But Yi Yuanzhi was not giving up. As before, he tried to persuade Yi Zhe, to get him to accompany the girl to Hong Kong.

"Dad." Cigarette wedged between his fingers, Yi Zhe gave his nose a quick rub, like he had made some sort of decision.

He stood up, eyes level with Yi Yuanzhi, and said, "There's something I want to tell you."

He had just drawn a breath when a sudden ringing sound interrupted him, forcing him to keep his words contained inside his mouth. Yi Yuanzhi signalled with his hand, telling Yi Zhe to wait for a while, and picked up the call on his phone.

Yi Zhe drew harshly on his cigarette. He listened as Yi Yuanzhi responded to the call in a deferential tone and for some reason, felt very irritated.

"I have something urgent, I'll be leaving now." Yi Yuanzhi hung up, his face not looking well. He said to Yi Zhe, "You'll send Xiao-Yi back."

"Dad." When Yi Yuanzhi turned, Yi Zhe took a step to follow him and called out to him. "I still have something to tell you."

"I'm in a rush now. After you send Xiao-Yi home, go back to the hotel. We'll talk later."

Without giving him a chance to say no, his head not even fully turning back, Yi Yuanzhi left him with those words and strode off.

Yi Zhe watched him return to the table and picked up his coat, then said something to the girl with a smile.

When he went home this time, Xu Tangcheng opened the door directly with his key. He entered, coincidentally meeting Zhou Hui carrying a plate of food from the kitchen. As before, Zhou Hui did not come forward to welcome him the way she had in the past but after putting the food on the dining table, she turned her head to glance at him and said, "You're grown thinner."

Carrying a few bowls, Xu Tangxi stuck her tongue out at him from behind Zhou Hui.

There was a rich variety of dishes, steam rising from them, making a small section of Xu Tangcheng's heart suddenly break down.

"Tangcheng's back." Xu Yueliang came out of the bedroom carrying a glass of water. There was a smile on his face.

Zhou Hui had cooked enough to cover the table and the dishes couldn't even be all laid out on the surface. Two dishes stood on the rims of other plates.

Even though this comparison was probably a little inappropriate, this meal gave Xu Tangcheng the feeling of entrapment, like the Feast at Hongmen. The concerned questions and small talk from Xu Yueliang and Zhou Hui all came from the heart and Xu Tangcheng saw Zhou Hui's eyes turning red a few times during the meal. But his parents' soft-heartedness could not triumph over their resolve, and things did not develop in the direction Xu Tangcheng hoped for.

"Cheng-Cheng's mum wants us to go to the south with them this winter," Xu Yueliang said suddenly when they were nearly finished eating.

Xu Tangcheng stared blankly. He faintly sensed that there was more to come.

"The air here is getting worse and worse now. Xu Tangxi is always falling sick. I've discussed with your mum and we're thinking of going over there for Lunar New Year this year. Coincidentally, you've also always wanted to bring your grandma to see the sights there. Your uncle will also be going along this time. The entire family will be there together."

"Going there for Lunar New Year…" After saying that, Xu Tangcheng didn't follow up with anything else.

Sitting across the table from him, Xu Tangxi glanced at him, the look in her eyes similarly bewildered.

"Mm…" Xu Yueliang muttered faintly, then added. "Cheng-Cheng's mum's intention is to let Tangxi strengthen her health there. I'm already retired anyway. We're thinking we won't come back for the time being."

Holding his bowl and chopsticks, Xu Tangcheng's head snapped up.