YJDNY - 50

Su Yining had only wandered over to the side entrance of the laboratory building because there were too many people at the main entrance. She truly hadn’t expected to stumble upon such a scene.

The side entrance of the lab building was narrow. Along the way, she had been looking at various commendation certificates and student works displayed on the corridor walls until she reached the door. As she glanced up, she saw two people pressed together.

The girl was almost entirely blocked by the man in front of her; all Su Yining could see were the school uniform pants and the edge of the oversized school blazer.

A green grove of trees shaded the pathway, creating an artistic atmosphere in front of the concealed side door of the teaching building.

The man’s physique clearly didn’t resemble that of a student. A high school girl and a mature adult man—there was definitely an age gap here.

Su Yining shook her head and turned to leave, not wanting to disturb the young couple. But then she took another glance at the man’s back—

She instinctively let out a soft “Ah.”

She had only caught a fleeting glimpse earlier, but now, upon closer inspection, she recognized him.

The sound had already escaped her lips and couldn’t be taken back. She watched as the girl pushed the man away, looking at Su Yining with a mix of panic, embarrassment, and regret.

She then looked at Zhou Xingyan beside them, who appeared slightly displeased.

Was he annoyed that she had interrupted?

Su Yining glanced at Xiang Ge standing nearby. Dressed in a high school uniform, with a clean face, a high ponytail, and a youthful appearance, Su Yining immediately felt that her own son was truly something else.

Without hesitation, she inwardly condemned him.

Xiang Ge stood there, stunned, completely uncomprehending.

Zhou Xingyan remained silent for several seconds before speaking in a subdued tone: “I’m leaving this afternoon.”

Meaning, even during this brief moment, you still came to meddle.

Su Yining looked melancholy: “You didn’t even say you wanted to see me.”

Zhou Xingyan remained unmoved: “You picked me up from the airport yesterday afternoon.”

“I meant that you’ve never once said you missed me or wanted to see me while I was filming.”

Zhou Xingyan: “….”

Xiang Ge listened to their exchange, feeling utterly bewildered.

A powerful female figure from the entertainment industry and a young, handsome male doctor—an undeniably taboo pairing.

But trying to look at it from a more positive perspective, they didn’t actually resemble each other physically. Even setting aside appearances, their personalities were vastly different.

However.

Xiang Ge suddenly recalled how enthusiastic and proactive Su Yining had been toward her in recent days, especially that line: “Call me ‘Mom’ and let me hear it.”

She abruptly turned to look at Zhou Xingyan.

Zhou Xingyan helplessly rubbed his brow: “This is my mom.”

“….”

Oh.

So that’s how it is.

Your mom, huh.

Got it.

Xiang Ge: “….”

Your mom…

During last night’s opening banquet, Xiang Ge had been pulled over to a table by the assistant director. Su Yining happened to be sitting at the same table. After a few drinks, and already having some admiration for this legendary actress, the two of them chatted for a while.

What exactly did they talk about?

“The Theory That Men Should Not Be Spoiled.”

“The Idea That Playing Hard to Get Captures a Man’s Heart.”

“The Declaration That I’ll Be the One in Charge After Marriage.”

They exchanged insights back and forth, thoroughly enjoying the conversation.

And just a few days ago, when she first arrived at the set, she vented to Zhou Xingyan about how strange this actress seemed, wondering if she really wanted to set her up with someone. Please, no—she hoped the actress would stay far away from her; she was terrified.

What kind of experience was it to criticize someone’s mother right in front of their son?

If there had been a crack in the ground at that moment, she would have flattened herself into a pancake less than a centimeter thick and slipped inside, never wanting to come out again.

Xiang Ge raised her eyes in despair, looking at Zhou Xingyan with a nearly pleading expression from an angle where no one could see.

She felt like she might get dumped, and their romance would end right there.

Her expression was rare and amusing, making Zhou Xingyan want to laugh: “Don’t worry, she really likes you.”

Su Yining also came over, smiling warmly as she extended the yogurt she hadn’t had time to drink yet, holding it up to Xiang Ge with hopeful anticipation: “How about calling me ‘Mommy’ now?”

Xiang Ge: “….”

Xiang Ge still had scenes to shoot in the afternoon. The moment Su Yining caught Zhou Xingyan’s expression, she understood perfectly and decided to indulge in a small act of任性 (capriciousness). She went to Bai Yuandao and said she had something to do tomorrow, so they should move tomorrow’s scenes to this afternoon.

As a result, Xiang Ge’s schedule, which was supposed to run until five or six o’clock, ended at three in the afternoon. After finishing lunch, she returned to complete a scene with Gu Yi and then hurried downstairs to find Zhou Xingyan.

He was still waiting in the same spot, slightly bowing his head as he spoke to someone in front of him.

Several girls in school uniforms surrounded him, one of whom had long black hair flowing down, sleeves rolled up, her school jacket left open, chewing gum absentmindedly.

Xiang Ge raised an eyebrow but didn’t approach. Instead, she leaned against the wall by the side door, watching these enthusiastic girls cluster around the tall man, chattering away.

Perhaps it was because Xiang Ge’s face drew too much attention, or maybe it was her intense gaze, but the group of girls glanced over at her several times.

Out of the corner of his eye, Zhou Xingyan noticed her standing there but remained unfazed. Then, without warning, he smiled at the girl chewing gum in front of him.

Xiang Ge: “….”

?? What?

Damn you, Zhou Xingyan.

The 23-year-old high school senior narrowed her long eyes slightly, a faint smile curling her lips. Her tongue traced along her upper teeth as she straightened her posture and sauntered over, step by deliberate step.

By now, the girls had already whipped out their phones, seemingly preparing to ask for his number next.

When Xiang Ge reached Zhou Xingyan’s side, she leaned in slightly and pulled his hand toward her.

Zhou Xingyan turned his head to look at her.

She tilted her head up, her dark eyes glistening innocently, her expression both pitiful and aggrieved. She gently tugged at the base of his fingers twice and softly said, “Daddy, I’m hungry.”

“….”

Zhou Xingyan’s expression froze momentarily.

The girls in front of him were dumbfounded, and one of them let out a soft gasp.

Xiang Ge squeezed the man’s finger, applying pressure little by little. Her neatly trimmed nails dug sharply into the pad of his finger.

It wasn’t a light touch. Zhou Xingyan let out a faint hiss, recovered, and looked down at her: “What do you want to eat?”

At that moment, the group of girls beside them collectively gasped again.

Xiang Ge let out a “Hmph,” her gaze slowly sweeping over the bystanders. She tugged Zhou Xingyan and began walking away.

In the school security office, a crew member was chatting with the guard. Xiang Ge, acting like a thief, took advantage of the fact that both men had their backs turned and stealthily slipped out of the school gate with Zhou Xingyan. They walked a fair distance before she finally let go of his hand and crossed her arms, looking at him.

He remained calm and asked, “If someone sees us, will the guard mistake you for a student and stop you?”

Xiang Ge quickly replied, “I don’t know, but the entire crew will likely know tomorrow that the new lead actress with questionable connections skipped work with her boyfriend.”

“How could that be?” Zhou Xingyan said flatly. “Isn’t it just ‘Dad’?”

Xiang Ge: “….”

Xiang Ge clicked her tongue twice and raised an eyebrow: “Our esteemed senior Zhou’s charm hasn’t faded a bit. Back in high school, you had a trail of underclassmen chasing after you, and now just a casual visit to a high school brings history repeating itself? You know, age-gap relationships are quite trendy these days.” Xiang Ge mocked him with a sarcastic tone.

Zhou Xingyan said nothing.

After a few seconds, he suddenly lowered his gaze and chuckled softly. Then, raising his eyes to meet hers, he apologized: “I’m sorry.”

Xiang Ge was taken aback, completely unprepared for this.

“As someone with a family, talking to another girl is a grave offense worthy of punishment,” he continued calmly before she could respond. “But you’re like this every day. I return home alone to an empty house, and occasionally, I have to endure secretly filmed videos my mom sends of her chatting intimately with random men.”

He paused. “Whenever that happens, I feel like I’ve been cheated on.”

Xiang Ge: “….”

Zhou Xingyan curved his lips slightly: “Doesn’t it feel good?”

“….”

Xiang Ge stared at him, expressionless.

Zhou Xingyan tilted his head slightly. “What do you want to eat?” He smiled slowly. “Didn’t you say you were hungry?”

“….”

When Xiang Ge dragged Zhou Xingyan into KFC, she clearly saw him frown slightly but, to her surprise, he didn’t say anything and allowed her to pull him inside.

The two chose a seat further inside. Fearing that the health-conscious older man might change his mind, Xiang Ge quickly jumped up and volunteered to place the order.

Zhou Xingyan pressed his hand on her shoulder, stopping her. His lips were pursed, and his expression was serious. “Just this once.”

Xiang Ge nodded vigorously like a chicken pecking at grains. It had been a long time since she’d eaten fast food.

Zhou Xingyan asked her what she wanted to eat. She listed items one by one, counting them off on her fingers. The man nodded and went to queue up.

He approached everything with seriousness.

Even while queuing to order, he stood there with impeccable posture, head slightly bowed, speaking at a slow and steady pace. Every movement exuded precision and calmness.

The noise level in the KFC was quite loud, with a children’s play area nearby. Xiang Ge couldn’t hear his voice but could see the elegant curve of his profile and his composed demeanor as he nodded lightly.

After placing the order, he shifted slightly to stand aside, waiting quietly and patiently, seemingly isolated from the bustling environment around him.

Whether it was a big or small matter, he always maintained that same air of calmness and composure. Sometimes, Xiang Ge wondered if his blood ran cold—he never seemed to exhibit emotions like anxiety or confusion.

After waiting for a while, Zhou Xingyan returned with a tray. Xiang Ge, resting her chin on her hand, watched him sit down and suddenly blurted out: “Alright, alright. What color is your blood?”

Zhou Xingyan raised his eyes and looked at her as if she were an idiot.

Xiang Ge blinked, explaining: “Because I feel like you’re a cold-blooded creature, completely unlike Auntie, and you don’t even look alike.” She sighed deeply, mournfully. “I’m scared. I don’t want to film anymore. This movie feels like a three-month probation period where I’ll be evaluated by my superiors.”

Zhou Xingyan lowered his head, inserted the straw into the Coke cup, and handed it to her: “Don’t worry. My mom doesn’t call the shots in our house.”

Xiang Ge took it without thinking, about to ask who did, but as she bit the straw and took a sip, her expression froze, and the words she was about to say died in her throat.

She spat out the straw, lifted her head silently, and looked at him with a complex expression: “Zhou Xingyan, you’re really terrifying.”

Zhou Xingyan raised his eyes faintly, looking somewhat puzzled.

Xiang Ge slowly pulled out the straw. She lifted the milky-white plastic lid of the paper Coke cup and glanced inside.

A clear liquid lay quietly against the white inner walls of the cup.

A healthy serving of plain water.