Her eyes widened as she stared at He Yunxing standing before her. Then, her gaze shifted to Uncle He, still lingering in the living room.
The resemblance between the two was striking. The explanation was self-evident.
For a moment, her mind spun, a tangled mess of fragmented thoughts.
It was Bian’s mother who broke the awkward silence with a playful laugh, nudging her lightly. “What’s wrong? Is your Fatty Brother so handsome you’re stunned silly?”
Bian Li scratched her head, subconsciously retorting, “I wasn’t—”
Bian’s mother chuckled. “I’ll go prepare the table. You and your brother can come to eat in a bit. It’ll be ready soon.”
As Bian’s mother disappeared into the kitchen, Bian Li turned to He Yunxing, her voice tinged with embarrassment and disbelief. “Senior… it turns out to be you?”
He Yunxing raised a brow, his tone teasing. “Surprised?”
Bian Li paused and walked toward the sofa, plopping onto a familiar strawberry-shaped stool. She crossed her arms, clearly frazzled. “Surprised isn’t the word… It’s just… hard to explain.” She shrugged, feeling the weight of the situation.
He Yunxing leaned back casually, his posture unbothered.
“But you… you already knew, didn’t you?” Bian Li said slowly, almost as if confirming her suspicion aloud. Her voice was filled with both doubt and a faint hope that he didn’t, so she could salvage her dignity.
While struggling with her thoughts, she reached out toward the fruit basket on the table, but the awkward angle of her seat made it impossible for her to grab anything.
Her slender arm stretched over, her fingers brushing the edge of the fruit. The light illuminated her smooth, rosy profile. He Yunxing’s gaze lingered briefly, drawn to the youthful glow of her features before he looked away, suppressing the fleeting emotions in his eyes.
With a calm expression, he reached for the fruit plate and handed it to her.
Bian Li glanced at his outstretched hand before quickly grabbing two bananas. She hesitated for a second, then offered one to him.
But before she could speak, He Yunxing smirked and said, “Didn’t you post it on WeChat Moments?”
The question caught her off guard, dragging her thoughts back to her earlier excitement about the post.
Then, he added slyly, “You seem to like keeping your head down in front of me.” His voice carried an almost imperceptible smile.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze settling on her fluffy hair. “Back then, it was the opposite. You’d run after me, calling me ‘Brother’ all the time.”
Bian Li froze, her hand holding the banana mid-air. The memory—or lack thereof—bothered her. With a huff, she pulled the banana back, deciding against giving it to him.
“Well, your memory’s impressive, Senior… Too bad I don’t remember,” she said, exasperated. She absentmindedly peeled the banana but forgot to eat it.
He Yunxing calmly reached over, taking the banana from her hand. “Thanks. No matter what you say, I’ll take this as your kindness to me, Junior.”
“Hey!” Bian Li exclaimed, staring at her now-empty palm.
He Yunxing’s smirk widened as he leaned back leisurely. “Finally dropped the ‘Senior’, huh?”
The corners of his lips curled up, his entire expression softening with a rare hint of playfulness.
Bian Li was momentarily stunned. Though she grew up around her dashing father and brother and was surrounded by good-looking people in school and her idol career, He Yunxing had a presence that made her heart skip a beat.
It wasn’t just his striking features—it was the charisma behind them that captivated her.
After a moment of stunned silence, Bian Li snapped back to reality. She pointed accusingly at the banana in his hand. “Wait! I already took a bite of that! Give it back!”
Unbothered, He Yunxing took a bite and looked at her, feigning surprise. “Oh, really?”
He held the banana toward her, raising an eyebrow. “Want it back?”
Bian Li was speechless.
She couldn’t believe this was the same composed and refined Senior she once admired.
“Why are you like this…” she muttered, jumping off the stool to confront him.
Standing now, she towered over him. Feeling confident, she prepared to give him a piece of her mind. But just as she was about to speak, a soft “click” echoed behind her.
She froze.
Aunt Fu stood a few steps away, holding her phone with a delighted smile. “Oops, sorry for interrupting. I forgot to turn off the shutter sound. Don’t mind me—carry on.”
Bian Li turned beet red, feeling as if she’d been caught red-handed. Meanwhile, He Yunxing merely glanced at his mother, the faintest look of resignation crossing his face.
After that, the tension between the two eased. Neither of them spoke much, though the unspoken air of familiarity lingered.
Until it was time for dinner, Bian Li sat opposite He Yunxing, avoiding his gaze the entire time, as if she didn’t even want to look at him.
He Yunxing, calm and unbothered, served himself the dishes.
The adults were chatting amongst themselves, and Father Bian noticed that Bian Li had been eating non-stop. He called out to her, “Why don’t you talk to your brother? Let us handle our grown-up conversation while you young ones chat.”
Mother Bian had prepared a feast, a table so full it rivaled a New Year’s Eve dinner.
Initially, Bian Li wanted to restrain herself—she was trying to be mindful since she would be returning to her routine soon—but everything on the table seemed to have some magical allure. Most of the dishes were her favorites, and she couldn’t stop eating.
Hearing her father’s suggestion, Bian Li paused mid-bite, flashed a quick grin at the person opposite her, and continued eating with her head down.
Mother Bian chuckled. “Our little ancestor still has quite the childish temper, all thanks to her father spoiling her.”
He’s mother laughed as well. “Fatty here is no different. He’s been picky about everything since he was little. But now it seems he enjoys your cooking.”
Mother Bian nodded with a smile and commented, “It’s quite the coincidence—they’re both students of Shengdian. And if that wasn’t enough, they’re in the same agency now too.”
She had only recently learned about this. Over the years, the two families hadn’t kept in close contact. Much of what she knew about the He family now came from today’s conversations.
“Yunxing, be sure to look out for your sister at the company,” Mother Bian teased.
He Yunxing nodded politely in acknowledgment.
Once Mother Bian finished speaking, she resumed chatting with He’s mother, sharing stories about how she initially opposed her children entering the entertainment industry. But in the end, she couldn’t resist their stubborn determination.
“No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t twist things my way,” she joked.
He’s mother nodded empathetically. “It’s the same with my son. I said no, but I could tell he still wanted it deep down. So I let him do as he pleased.”
She cast a meaningful glance at her son before adding with a sly smile, “The two kids seem quite destined, don’t they?”
Her tone carried an air of suggestion, and just as she finished speaking, Bian Li couldn’t hold back a sudden snort of laughter, making a soft “pfft” sound.
Earlier, she had been too caught up in her surprise, still processing whether everything happening was real or a coincidence. But now, her thoughts drifted to the nickname ‘Fatty’—a nickname for the male god He Yunxing, adored by thousands of fans.
Hearing the faint noise, He Yunxing glanced up, catching sight of Bian Li’s face. She was smiling with her eyebrows curved, her eyes forming half-moons.
Curious, Bian Li asked He’s mother, “Auntie, can I ask why you call Brother Yunxing ‘Fatty’?”
He’s mother didn’t hold back. She chuckled and pointed to He Xianliang, who was sitting beside her. “It’s all your Uncle He’s doing. Your brother Yunxing didn’t like the name at first, but he was too scared of his father to complain, so the nickname stuck.”
Bian Li nodded in understanding, but before she could continue asking questions, a pair of chopsticks landed in her bowl, leaving behind a steaming pig’s trotter.
He Yunxing’s expression remained calm and composed as he said slowly, “Eat more.”
Bian Li stared at the trotter for a moment, then glanced at him. She couldn’t miss the underlying message: If you’re eating, you won’t be talking.
Sighing, she poked at the sticky, tender piece of meat, deciding it was best to stay quiet.
The dinner stretched on for quite a while. It had started late because of He Yunxing’s delayed arrival, and by the time they finished, the sky outside was a deep, inky black.
He’s parents eventually decided to head back to their hotel, as they didn’t have a place to stay in town.
Mother Bian, ever the gracious host, tried to persuade them to stay the night, but He’s father politely declined. Meanwhile, He’s mother pinched him discreetly, clearly annoyed.
Bian Li stood by the spiral staircase, watching the interaction between the two. She was lost in thought until Father Bian called out to her.
“Don’t you have an exam tomorrow? Say goodbye to your uncle and aunt and head upstairs to rest.”
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Bian Li exclaimed, slapping her forehead with a crisp sound.
Hearing this, He’s mother turned to her curiously. “Fei Fei has an exam tomorrow too?”
Bian Li nodded obediently. “I actually returned to school today. My midterm’s tomorrow, so I have to rush back.”
He’s mother glanced at her tall son standing beside her. “Didn’t you mention you need to head back tomorrow morning too?”
He Yunxing nodded. He had driven himself over that evening, planning to drop his parents off at the hotel before returning to the dormitory.
Upon hearing this, Mother Bian chimed in, “The school’s nearby, Yunxing. Why don’t you stay here tonight? Fei Fei’s electric scooter isn’t charged, so the two of you can head to school together in the morning.”
He Yunxing raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond immediately. Before he could say anything, He’s mother quickly interjected, “Yes, Fatty, that’s a great idea. Your father and I have the car, so we don’t need you to drive us. Stay the night—it’ll be more convenient for you tomorrow.”
After that, she winked playfully, “It’s not good to go back to the dormitory so late. Fei Fei has a midterm exam tomorrow, so you might as well tutor her. A pre-exam intensive isn’t a bad idea.”
Bian Li was stunned by this sudden reversal.
She quickly threw a desperate glance at He Yunxing, silently pleading with her eyes, but his expression remained calm and unreadable. His deep-set eyes carried a quiet dominance, a touch of arrogance hidden in the curve of his lips.
With one hand in his pocket and the other casually twirling the car keys, he said slowly, “Okay.”
—
Everything was settled, but Bian Li had barricaded herself in her room, refusing to come out.
After taking a shower, she stayed curled up in her small corner, immersed in her own little world. Under the dim light, she bit the tip of her pen while studying.
Shengdian’s theoretical exams were notoriously unpredictable, a reflection of the teachers’ impromptu and unrestrained style. Only a small portion of the material came directly from books.
Grudgingly, she focused on that small portion, knowing it was her best bet.
Mother Bian peeked into the room and softened at the sight of her daughter curled up in front of the desk, looking like a little ball.
“Baby, I poured two glasses of milk. After you finish one, bring the other to your Brother Yunxing,” she said, pointing at the tray.
“Why me? I’m busy reviewing. Mom, can’t you go?”
“He’s a boy. It’s not proper for me to go in at this hour.”
“What? Why does being a boy matter? Why me?” Bian Li asked incredulously.
Mother Bian chuckled. “I’m teasing. You young ones should get closer. If you have questions, go ask him. Your Brother Yunxing used to be a top student.”
Closer…
Bian Li immediately remembered the banana and the big pig’s trotter and dismissed any sentimental thoughts.
“Mom, you’re also a top student,” she retorted, gulping down half the milk.
“Don’t say that. I really don’t know the kind of questions you’ll face tomorrow,” Mother Bian patted her shoulder. “Go to bed after asking.”
Bian Li nodded with a sigh.
Holding her book in one hand and the glass of milk in the other, she slowly made her way to the guest room door, still deep in thought over a particularly tricky question.
She was so absorbed that she forgot where she was.
The door suddenly opened from the inside.
He Yunxing leaned lazily against the doorframe, wearing casual sleepwear, his gaze sweeping over her. “Are you planning to stand out here all night?”
The second floor was silent, the faint moonlight blending with the warm glow of the wall lamps, casting soft shadows over the two figures.
Bian Li blinked, startled, and thrust the glass of milk toward him. “Here, for you.”
He Yunxing folded his arms and leaned back, exuding a calm confidence as though this were his house, not hers.
“Why are you staring at me?” Bian Li asked, confused. She tried to touch her face, thinking something might be on it, but her hands were full.
“Finally willing to acknowledge me?” His tone was light, yet deliberate.
Bian Li shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and thrust the milk closer. “Just drink it already.”
Then, muttering under her breath, she added, “I only came because my mom asked you to help me with my questions.”
He Yunxing took the glass from her hand, his eyes naturally trailing to the exercise book she held. This time, he answered without hesitation. “Not impossible.”
After a moment, his lips curved into a teasing smile. “But you’ll have to call me Brother Yunxing like you did at dinner. Then I’ll help.”
