7: National Day holiday

On the afternoon before the National Day holiday, Yu Heng was waiting for a carpool at the school gate.

The late September sun wasn't as fierce anymore, but it still felt a bit stifling after standing under it for a long time.

"Yu Heng!" Ning Yutong ran over, dragging a small suitcase, her JK skirt swaying with every step. "Have you been waiting long?"

"Just got here." Yu Heng glanced at her pink suitcase. "Is that all you're bringing?"

"It's only for seven days, anyway." Ning Yutong stood beside him. "Where's Yue Ling?"

"She said ten minutes."

In the end, those ten minutes turned into nearly twenty before Shen Yueling finally strolled out of the school gate, carrying nothing but a backpack.

"You really took your time." Yu Heng checked his phone.

Shen Yueling didn't reply, glancing at Ning Yutong's suitcase. "Let's go, the car is here."

A black SUV pulled up to the curb; a boy wearing glasses was already sitting in the front passenger seat.

The driver rolled down the window. "Carpooling? Heading to Ancheng?"

"Yes!" Yu Heng first stuffed Ning Yutong's suitcase into the trunk.

When he returned, he found Shen Yueling already seated by the left window.

Ning Yutong stood by the car door, looking a bit hesitant.

"You sit on the right," Yu Heng pointed.

These two were clearly on great terms in high school—practically inseparable—yet now they were being so awkward!

Ning Yutong nodded and ducked inside.

Yu Heng followed her into the middle seat; the moment he closed the door, he felt his arms brushing against someone on both sides.

"Everyone, buckle your seatbelts," the driver reminded them as he started the engine.

Yu Heng felt the atmosphere was a bit subtle.

On his left was the faint scent of laundry detergent from Shen Yueling, and on his right, Ning Yutong's elbow would occasionally brush against him... Fuck, this seat was damn uncomfortable.

The car drove out of Tang City's urban area and onto the highway.

"Yu Heng, do you have any plans for the holiday?" Ning Yutong tilted her head to ask him, her hair brushing against his arm.

"Sleep, play games." He sat forward slightly, trying to create some distance.

Shen Yueling glanced at him. "Why are you crowding me?"

"Then I'll move this way..." Yu Heng leaned to the right.

"Oh!" Ning Yutong let out a soft cry. "You're leaning on my hair..."

Yu Heng immediately sat up straight. "Sorry."

Tsk, shouldn't I take some initiative? Otherwise, I'll always be on the back foot in front of these two girls!

Ning Yutong pulled out a pair of earphones from her bag. "Want to listen to music? I'll share one with you."

"No thanks, I'm carsick." Yu Heng really was feeling a bit nauseous; the seats in this crappy car were also uncomfortable.

Shen Yueling suddenly spoke up. "Your mom called my mom yesterday and said you should come over to my house for lunch tomorrow."

Yu Heng was stunned for a moment. "Huh? Why?"

"My parents miss you, obviously." Shen Yueling's tone was flat. "They said it's been a long time since they last saw you."

The boy in the passenger seat glanced back at them before turning away again.

Shen Yueling continued to Yu Heng, "Tomorrow at noon, come early."

"Alright then." Yu Heng scratched his head.

Shen Yueling closed her eyes and leaned her head against the car window.

Ning Yutong pursed her lips and lowered her head to play with her phone, falling silent.

Yu Heng felt even hotter.

Was the car's air conditioning broken?

He took out his phone and saw a message from Bai Xinran sent ten minutes ago.

Bai Xinran: I've thought it over; we can try collaborating.

Yu Heng raised an eyebrow. She came around that quickly?

He replied: Let's discuss the detailed plan after the holiday.

Bai Xinran replied instantly: OK, have a nice holiday.

Yu Heng put down his phone and felt a weight on his right shoulder.

Ning Yutong had fallen asleep at some point, her head leaning on his shoulder.

He stiffened for a moment and instinctively glanced at Shen Yueling on his left.

She was staring at the way Ning Yutong was leaning on his shoulder.

"She fell asleep," Yu Heng whispered, feeling inexplicably guilty.

"I see that." Shen Yueling withdrew her gaze and went back to looking out the window.

Ning Yutong's breath softly puffed against his neck, and Yu Heng didn't dare make any large movements.

His arm was getting numb from holding the position for so long, but he couldn't bring himself to push her away.

The driver suddenly braked, startling Ning Yutong awake. Realizing she was leaning on Yu Heng, her face instantly turned red. "I'm sorry!"

"It's fine." Yu Heng stretched his shoulder.

Shen Yueling suddenly let out a laugh. It was very soft, but Yu Heng heard it.

"What are you laughing at?" he turned and asked.

"Nothing." The trace of a smile still lingered on the corner of Shen Yueling's mouth. "I just think it's quite interesting."

???

Yu Heng felt the air in the car grow even more stifling.

After finally enduring the trip to Ancheng, the driver dropped them off in the city center.

Ning Yutong's home was the closest, so she got out first.

"Bye, let's keep in touch over the holiday." She waved to Yu Heng, then looked at Shen Yueling. "Goodbye, Yue Ling."

"Mhm." Shen Yueling nodded.

The car started up again; now only the two of them were left in the back seat.

Yu Heng moved to the seat by the right window, finally able to stretch his legs.

"What were you laughing at just now?" he asked again.

Shen Yueling looked at the familiar streets outside the window. "Laughing at how helpless you looked."

"I did not."

"Didn't you?" She turned back, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "Your back went stiff the moment Ning Yutong leaned over."

Yu Heng grimaced. "You'd be stiff too if it were you."

"Don't worry, she wouldn't lean on me," Shen Yueling said calmly.

"That's not necessarily true..." Yu Heng gave a mischievous smile.

Maybe that day will come? Right?

The car drove to the entrance of Shen Yueling's residential complex. She grabbed her bag and got out, turning back before leaving. "Tomorrow at noon, don't forget."

"I know."

Watching Shen Yueling walk into the complex, Yu Heng let out a long sigh of relief.

The driver looked at him through the rearview mirror. "Young man, is she your girlfriend?"

"No." Yu Heng rubbed his temples. "Childhood friend."

"Oh—" The driver drew out the word, clearly not believing him.

"Young man, where are you going?" the driver asked.

"Bishui Garden complex up ahead."

When the car reached the complex entrance, Yu Heng paid and got out.

Pushing open the front door, he found his mom busy in the kitchen.

"You're back? Are you hungry? Dinner will be ready soon," Liu Jianfen asked.

"I'm alright." Yu Heng kicked off his shoes and slumped onto the sofa.

It was too hot, so he simply took off his short-sleeved shirt and sat shirtless.

Liu Jianfen came out of the kitchen with a dish. Seeing him like that, she said, "Tsk, your sister-in-law will be home from work soon. Put your shirt on!"

Yu Heng froze at her words. Oh, right.

By this time, his brother had already met with his accident.

His sister-in-law, Zhou Wanyi, was living with his mother and raising the child; the baby should only be seven or eight months old now.

Yu Heng put on his shirt and tiptoed to the inner room to take a look.

Sure enough, seven-month-old Yu Hui was sleeping soundly in the stroller.

Looking at his little nephew, Yu Heng's heart was filled with mixed emotions.

In his past life, this child had been very close to him.

While he was lost in thought, the front door opened.

Yu Heng looked up; Zhou Wanyi was back.

"Sister-in-law, you're back," Yu Heng greeted her proactively.

Zhou Wanyi clearly hadn't expected Yu Heng to be home. She was startled for a moment, then gave a weary smile. "Xiao Heng, are you on holiday?"