[@System-Restricted-Reunion]: I don’t even want to browse the Super Topic today. I’m so sour, so sour [angry face]. It feels like everyone except me is taking photos with Yang today. I’m seriously jealous.
[@Wants-to-Lose-Weight-But-Also-Crave-Food] replied to [@System-Restricted-Reunion]: It’s for real. Yang even wore a school uniform. He really looks like a senior.
[@1-Ray-of-Light]: The senior who accepted a commission from his alma mater to return, but is actually stopping by to date a girlfriend a few grades younger than him [Image].
[@Infinite-Secrets]: Damn, hahaha! Sister, you’re too good at making stories up, hahaha. Give us more, give us more!
[@Autumn-Arrival]: Writing it, writing it, writing it!
[@Bright-Moon-Clear-Breeze]: Reunion! Did you see the comparison post someone made between *Starry Five Miles* and today’s leaked photos? I’m literally drained, not a single drop left.
[@System-Restricted-Reunion] replied to [@Bright-Moon-Clear-Breeze]: I saw it! Now I’m even thirstier!
[@Rising-Step-by-Step] replied to [@System-Restricted-Reunion]: The person who was actually there is here to get beaten up!! Siyang is seriously handsome!! Photos can’t capture even a ten-thousandth of his looks!! That face is truly stunning, he’s tall, and his voice is so nice. There was a girl who was quite short and seemed a bit introverted; her voice wasn’t as loud as the others, so he actually leaned down to listen to her. I’m seriously done for, sob sob sob.
[@Only-10086-Cares-About-Me] replied to [@Rising-Step-by-Step]: Sister, I’m sour, I’m sour, I’m sour.
[@How-Long-Will-You-Stay] replied to [@System-Restricted-Reunion]: I know a senior girl who’s one year younger than Yang. She said every year, the outstanding graduates are posted on the school bulletin board. Yang was second in the whole school for the National College Entrance Exam, so he was posted there. As a result, because his graduation photo was so handsome, he ended up on the school’s Confession Wall several times. So many people were asking who this senior was, hahaha.
[@System-Restricted-Reunion] replied to [@How-Long-Will-You-Stay]: [Thumbs up emoji] As expected of him.
[@—Gui-Gui] replied to [@How-Long-Will-You-Stay]: If he were my classmate, would I still hate going to school?
...
Zhang Jin’an calculated that the Super Topic had started getting lively around ten in the morning—right when Jiang Siyang arrived at the school.
All sorts of images and text updates were flying everywhere. The posters were all students at the school, which truly incited the envy of those who couldn't go. The comments were mostly "I'm so jealous" and "I'm so sour."
One particular Weibo post was exceptionally popular, with comments still piling up.
[@Fickle-But-Not-Unfaithful]: #JiangSiyang# #20151022# In the audience, you only notice the boy you have a crush on. [Image] [Image]
The photos in this post were clearly taken by a fansite master. Whether it was the lighting or the angle, they were perfect for use as wallpapers—Jiang Siyang stood at the very edge of the auditorium stage next to an elderly female teacher. Her hair was slightly graying, but her expression was very kind. He was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with a deep blue striped tie, speaking softly with the teacher.
Aside from Jiang Siyang, the entire background was blurred, perfectly capturing the feeling described in the caption: "In the audience, you only notice that one person."
Zhang Jin’an didn’t envy them for being there, because he had chatted with Jiang Siyang earlier, and Jiang Siyang had sent him several backstage photos directly.
This feeling of "having exclusive photos that no one else has" made Zhang Jin’an feel incredibly satisfied.
"Coming back to the point."
"Hmm?" Zhang Jin’an only looked up at Zhang Qingyue in the driver’s seat after he finished saving the images.
Zhang Qingyue had already changed into her own clothes, a very comfortable and ordinary tracksuit.
They had already passed two intersections; they would be home in another ten minutes or so.
The surrounding scenery was all familiar to Zhang Jin’an.
"Logically, it’s better if both parties are present when breaking the news. Why didn't Jiang Siyang come?" Zhang Jin’an heard Zhang Qingyue ask.
"Coming out to Mom and Dad today was a spur-of-the-moment idea. He happened to have a schedule today, so he couldn't make it. It doesn't matter if he misses this one time; he can come next time. We’ll have to meet sooner or later anyway," Zhang Jin’an explained.
Just then, the green light turned red, and Zhang Qingyue stopped the car. Zhang Jin’an tapped on the photo and showed his phone to her.
Zhang Qingyue leaned in to look. After an "oh," she started laughing. "I was wondering what you’ve been looking at this whole time, smiling so happily. Turns out you’re looking at your boyfriend’s photos."
Zhang Jin’an was slightly stunned and touched the corner of his mouth. "Was I smiling just now?"
"Very much so," Zhang Qingyue teased. "I should have taken a picture. That expression of yours is exactly the same as Shuyu’s every Friday when she makes me vote on my phone."
Zhang Jin’an smiled, essentially conceding the point.
"Should I give Shuyu a call?" Zhang Jin’an switched his phone interface to WeChat.
Zhang Qingyue rested her elbow on the lowered window frame, propping her chin on the back of her hand, and nodded slightly.
"Sure, it’s about time you told her," Zhang Qingyue seemed to remember something and laughed. "If you don't tell her now, she’ll definitely cry her eyes out later, saying she was the last one in the family to know and asking if you’ve forgotten you even have a sister."
Zhang Jin’an paused his hand and chuckled. "From the way you say that, you must have experienced it firsthand?"
The red light turned green, and Zhang Qingyue stepped on the gas.
"Last time I forgot to help her vote, she nagged in my ear all night. Things like whether I stopped seeing her as a sister, whether I didn't want to talk to her anymore... she’s a total drama queen. That acting trophy shouldn't have been given to you; it should have gone to her," Zhang Qingyue joked.
Although Zhang Jin’an hadn't seen that scene with his own eyes, just hearing Zhang Qingyue describe it made him die of laughter.
"That is indeed something Zhang Shuyu would do," Zhang Jin’an said while laughing, tapping on the video call.
The other party picked up after just a few seconds. The initial image was of Zhang Shuyu’s chin, but after she adjusted it, her face finally came into view.
Zhang Shuyu was holding a cup of milk tea. Because she was walking, the frame was very shaky.
"What’s up? Miss me?"
Some people have voices that command attention; Zhang Shuyu had a voice that commanded laughter.
As soon as Zhang Jin’an heard her speak, he thought of the story Zhang Qingyue had just told and couldn't help but laugh.
"What’s so funny?" Zhang Shuyu asked in confusion before taking a sip of milk tea.
"Shuyu, what are you doing right now?" Zhang Qingyue asked.
Zhang Jin’an pointed the phone toward Zhang Qingyue.
"Whoa! Sis, you’re there too? So are you guys at Little South Mountain or somewhere else?" Zhang Jin’an couldn't see Shuyu’s expression or movements clearly, but he could hear the slight surprise in her voice.
Zhang Jin’an saw Zhang Qingyue glance at him while driving. "Little South Mountain. Jin’an came over today."
"Oh—"
Zhang Jin’an finally pointed the phone back at himself. "You didn't go back to the dorm?"
"I just came out of the library. I borrowed two books and I'm on my way back to the dorm now." Zhang Shuyu lifted her right hand, which was holding the milk tea; a plastic bag could be seen hanging from her arm.
"I have something to tell you," Zhang Jin’an chose to be direct.
"What is it?" Zhang Shuyu had no idea what was about to happen and took another leisurely, large gulp of milk tea.
"I’m in a relationship," Zhang Jin’an said.
The frame stopped shaking. Zhang Shuyu had stopped walking.
She didn't stop drinking her milk tea, but from the way she stared intensely at the screen, it was clear she was shocked.
Zhang Jin’an took a deep breath. "With Jiang Siyang."
He had finally said it.
Before Zhang Jin’an could even breathe a sigh of relief, he heard an unseemly sound.
*Gurgle...*
Zhang Jin’an watched as milk tea slowly trickled down from the corner of Zhang Shuyu’s mouth.
Zhang Jin’an: "..."
The screen seemed to have been paused. Only after several seconds did the person in the frame move.
Zhang Shuyu frantically wiped her mouth with her hand, talking non-stop as she did. "Holy crap, holy crap... wait, wait, wait—you, wait for me to wipe my mouth, you wait, wait..."
The video began to spin and eventually turned pitch black. After some fumbling, it returned to normal. By this time, Zhang Shuyu’s background had changed; she was sitting on a bench nestled under the shade of a tree.
Zhang Shuyu stared deathly at the camera. "Okay, Brother, you... say it again. You’re with who?"
"Jiang Siyang," Zhang Jin’an answered with perfect clarity. Fearing she might misunderstand, he added, "The one you know."
Zhang Qingyue chimed in, "I told you she’d be shocked."
"Damn, you two... how did you two end up together?" Zhang Shuyu moved closer and closer to the phone until she was almost pressed against the screen, her voice dropping significantly. "Brother, are you gay? No, wait, is *he* gay? That’s not right either... anyway, how did you two get together?"
Zhang Jin’an shrugged. "We just did."
Zhang Shuyu fell silent, and the camera moved further away from her, so her face was no longer the only thing on the screen.
She set the milk tea aside and assumed a pensive look. "Let me think... you’re at Little South Mountain right now..." Suddenly, she looked at the camera. "Are you planning to come out to Mom and Dad?"
Though Zhang Shuyu seemed carefree, she was also smart.
Zhang Jin’an nodded.
Zhang Shuyu slumped against the back of the bench. "You’re way too gutsy, aren't you?"
"It’s not that gutsy. I’ve been thinking about it for a few days," Zhang Jin’an said.
"A few days? Most people would hide this for a year and it would still be considered normal, okay?" Zhang Shuyu shook her head. "As expected of you. Whatever you do, you do it out in the open. 'Gutsy' is the only word for it."
"So, what do you think about it?"
"Me? I’m fine," Zhang Shuyu pondered for a moment. "I was a bit shocked when I first heard the news, but then I thought, dating is just between two people and has nothing to do with anyone else, so I don't care."
"Even if he’s a celebrity you like?"
"Stanning is stanning. I stan to make myself happy. I might just be attracted to their character. Everyone says they want to sleep with their idol, but that’s just a thought—who would actually do it?" Zhang Shuyu said. "Besides, both you and Siyang are actors. You rely on acting skills and ratings. Even if you’re in a relationship, we fans won't say anything."
Zhang Shuyu smacked her lips as the wind blew the long hair at her temples. She continued, "My idol becoming a family member... just thinking about it is awesome... Oh, right, is he here? Is he going to meet Mom and Dad?"
"He’s not here. He went to his old school today."
"Oh..." Zhang Shuyu laughed. "Then I don't feel so bad. I didn't see him, and you didn't see him either. We’re even."
Zhang Jin’an smiled.
"Brother, just put your heart at ease. Right now, you have two votes from me and my sister. Plus Curly—Curly will definitely follow my vote. We’ve already won on numbers alone. Even if Mom and Dad don't agree, they have to," Zhang Shuyu blew a kiss to the camera. "Remember to tell Siyang more about this beautiful, kind-hearted, and well-rounded sister of yours. We’ll be family from now on. It would be great if you could get me a few autographs when you have the chance."
"Go on back and wash your face," Zhang Jin’an said with a laugh.
"Bye-bye—" Zhang Shuyu waved at the camera and hung up.
"I told you Shuyu wouldn't be that petty."
Zhang Jin’an looked at Zhang Qingyue as she spoke.
"Even though you two bicker more often than Curly wags his tail, since you were kids, which time has she not sided with you when discussing things? If Pan Chengwen were to argue with you, she’d definitely stand by your side too," Zhang Qingyue said, glancing at him.
Zhang Qingyue was right.
Although Zhang Shuyu often bickered with him, she always stood by him at crucial moments.
Like that commercial shoot back in high school. If he went to film the commercial, he would miss an exam, but it was his first commercial and very important to him. Zhang Shuyu had been the first one in the family to stand up and support him going. One should know that they had just had a fight the day before and weren't even speaking to each other.
In the end, he went, of course. And because of that commercial, he was scouted by the company, which led to his successful contract signing later on.
"I wouldn't even be able to start an argument with Little Pan," Zhang Jin’an said.
"It was just an example. You two rarely even see each other, let alone argue," Zhang Qingyue laughed. "We’re almost home. You’d better be ready."
Zhang Jin’an looked out the window. Without realizing it, they had already reached the entrance of the community.
Zhang Qingyue drove in and found a parking spot close to the house.
The houses in their community were mostly five-story buildings. Each entrance had a small set of steps, an accessibility ramp, a built-in flower bed, and a street lamp. Every house had a rooftop balcony and an attic. They had bought this house primarily for the land; the land was valuable, while the house itself wasn't worth as much.
The two of them stopped before the steps.
The lamp was the same as always, only illuminating the steps and the area above them, as if any road that didn't belong to this household had lost the right to be lit.
Zhang Jin’an stood in the darkness, looking at the crystal-clear house number and the striking bronze door set against the white paint.
He hadn't been this nervous even when he failed an exam.
Zhang Qingyue patted her chest and smiled at Zhang Jin’an. "Gosh, why am I getting so nervous too?" With that, she stepped up and walked to the door, but she didn't open it immediately. Instead, she turned to Zhang Jin’an and said, "I’m opening it."
"Okay," Zhang Jin’an nodded.
Only then did Zhang Qingyue take out her key, insert it into the lock, and turn it to the right.
The door opened, revealing a sliver of light.
"Come on," Zhang Qingyue waved at Zhang Jin’an.
Zhang Jin’an looked down at the steps beneath his feet—half in darkness, half in light—and stepped up.
***
