As soon as I opened Douyin, an update notification from "Wanwan Yiren" popped up immediately. I clicked on the "Friends" tab below, and the stunning photo I took of my mom in the morning sunlight appeared on the screen. Checking the time, I noticed Mom had updated it earlier in the day.
I tapped the "Expand" button below the text, and a passage appeared: "My son unintentionally took this photo of me during breakfast this morning. The sunlight was like scattered gold, and it truly caught my eye. In this murky world, only clear and pure eyes can discover true beauty."
Every time I visit my mom's profile, I feel as though my soul is being cleansed. I'm truly fortunate to have such a perfect mother.
Out of habit, I gave the post a like, then quickly unliked it. It occurred to me that I've liked every single one of Mom's videos—would that limit her reach? But then I reconsidered; I don't actually want Mom to have a huge following anyway, so I tapped the like button again.
I opened the comments section.
There were quite a few comments, but most of them were nonsensical.
A user named "One Bite, Eight Directions" commented, "If I could marry her, I'd be willing to give up all my wealth."
[Pfft, dreaming of marrying my mom? As if. It's kind of funny though—I only got it on the second read.]
Someone with a username made up of sun emojis wrote, "I want to say you're intellectual and sexy, but there's a little wildcat hidden inside."
[Little wildcat? More like a big tiger. Damn, I wish I could find a tiger to gobble up jerks like this one by one.]
A user named "Spring Passing in the Mortal World" commented, "A beauty of sixteen, supple as silk, follow me into the wonderful house. If heads must fall, let them fall; if marrow dries, let it dry /kiss /kiss."
[Damn, damn! I was totally against this guy retiring from the literary scene back in the day. Still, I reported him without hesitation.]
A user named "Cosmic Universe" commented, "In this bustling world, it's your sharing that lets me feel your beauty and the beauty of the world as you perceive it. Thank you for being here /heart."
And to this comment, Mom replied: "Thank you. I hope you can also make others feel the same beauty."
Mom is always so gentle.
"What are you looking at? And why are you grinning to yourself?" Jingyan leaned in beside me, so I showed her Mom's video.
"Wow~ Aunt Liu is so beautiful~ I wish I could look that good someday, and she has such incredible grace," Jingyan said.
"You're plenty graceful already. Aunt Ouyang is so elegant—if you spend more time at my place interacting with my mom, you'll only get more refined. You know, 'proximity to vermilion makes you red,'" I said.
"Hmm... that makes sense, but I suspect you're just tricking me into coming to your house, hmph!" Jingyan retorted.
"Hehe, you're going to come over sooner or later anyway~" I smirked, then suddenly remembered what I'd said earlier about "proximity to vermilion." I asked Jingyan, "By the way, where's Mu Xianning? She didn't cling to you today?"
"Why are you asking about her? What, you've got one in your arms and another on your mind?!" Jingyan poked my forehead, pretending to be angry.
"No, no, I was just asking," I said.
"No idea. She disappeared after dinner," Jingyan replied.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
After a brief silence, the sound of knocking started up again from across the way.
["Can't you guys change positions? Banging against the wall all day, are you woodpeckers or something?"]
Jingyan and I exchanged a glance, then simultaneously pressed our ears against the wall.
"Ah... ah... ah..." Soft but continuous moans reached our ears—and this was through the wall. Without it, I couldn't even imagine how loudly the woman next door was crying out.
I looked at Jingyan. Her face had noticeably flushed.
I quickly pulled her under the covers and kissed her lips. Jingyan responded passionately.
"One more time, baby?" I asked.
"Mmm... better not~" Jingyan surprisingly refused.
"Alright. Let's just chat then." I respected Jingyan's wishes.
"Let me tell you something that happened today." I told her about my earlier encounter with Zhao Chenyu.
"Zhao Chenyu? That name sounds familiar?" Jingyan frowned.
"You know him? He's in the sports department, a junior." I asked, somewhat surprised.
"Hmm... no, it just rings a bell." Jingyan pouted, looking adorable.
"Alright, what do you think I should do about this?" I asked.
"Is he close to you?" Jingyan asked.
"We just play basketball together sometimes and have occasionally grabbed a meal," I said.
"It seems like you don't really want to help, but outright refusing doesn't feel right either," Jingyan said.
"It's not that I don't want to help, but I don't know how. I've dealt with similar things before, but it's the first time someone so unrelated has come to me. Ugh, I'm just like my dad—I usually find these things annoying," I said.
"Then how about this: you can refer him to a really tough place. That way, even if he fails, it's on him," Jingyan's eyes lit up as she suggested.
"Oh, right! You're so clever, baby! Mwah~" I gave her a big kiss.
"But then the question is, where should I send him?" Jingyan said.
I scratched my head and suddenly remembered the conversation between my mom and Aunt Ouyang. I quickly told Jingyan, "Oh right, didn't Aunt Ouyang mention she was looking for a driver? Zhao Chenyu happens to know how to drive. What do you think?"
"A driver? My mom does need one," Jingyan said.
"But we're not really hiring a driver—just having him give it a try," I said.
"What if it works out?" Jingyan asked.
"Do you think your mom would hire an undergrad who hasn't even graduated as her driver?" I countered.
"True! My mom probably wouldn't go for it. A driver should be more mature," Jingyan nodded.
"Alright, let's go with that plan then. I'll take him to check it out when we have time," I said.
"Okay."
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The banging from next door continued.
"Damn, I give up," I couldn't help but mutter, holding Jingyan as we drifted off to sleep.
...
The next day, we walked downstairs hand in hand, refreshed and ready for breakfast, only to see a familiar face—Mu Xianning. She was wearing a JK outfit and sitting there eating.
"What are you doing here?!!" The three of us exclaimed simultaneously, drawing the attention of everyone else in the dining area.
Jingyan and I hurried over toward her. I watched as Mu Xianning's first reaction wasn't to greet us but to pick up her phone and type something. By the time we reached her table, she had already put her phone away, repeatedly smoothing her hair while looking at us.
"You… what are you two doing here?" Before either of us could ask, she beat us to the question.
"The two of us being here is pretty normal. But you—what are you doing alone at a hotel? Why aren't you staying in the dorm?" Even though we all knew what "getting a room" meant, it was still up to me, as the guy, to bring it up.
"I… I… I was out having fun, and it got too late, so I stayed here." She lifted her chin, her eyes darting around, her tone sharp but unconvincing.
"Oh, really?" I set my tray down and sat across from her.
"Yes! Yes!" She pouted, her pretty face slightly flushed, adding a touch of tsundere cuteness to her already lovely features.
"Is that so~? I just saw a guy who seemed to be looking for you." I covered my mouth, scrutinizing her, thinking to myself that I'd finally caught her in a compromising situation—time to have a little fun teasing her.
"Who?!" she suddenly exclaimed nervously, drawing a few glances from others around us.
"So there really is a guy," I whispered to Jingyan, who covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"No! How can you be like this! Spreading nonsense! I'm ignoring you!" Mu Xianning shouted, her voice filled with anger and a hint of grievance. Then, with a crisp smack, she slammed her chopsticks onto the tray, grabbed her bag, turned, and stormed off in a huff.
"Huh?" I frowned, staring at her retreating figure, utterly baffled. She wasn't usually this petty—what was going on with her today?
"Oh, you really…" Jingyan patted my shoulder. "I'll go check on her. You head back on your own later~" She quickly stood and hurried after her.
I thought about following too, but I wasn't sure what would happen if I showed up in front of Mu Xianning again, so I deliberately waited a moment before stepping out. By then, they were already gone.
Back at school, I sent Jingyan a message. She replied with an "OK" emoji, and I felt relieved.
That morning, while I was researching for my thesis, a message came through on my phone. It was from Mu Xianning.
Mu Xianning: "Is Young Master Lin available? Hope I'm not disturbing you."
Me: "Uh, yeah, I'm here. What's up?"
Mu Xianning: "Well… about this morning, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. /pitiful /pitiful"
Me: "It's fine. And I'm not a 'young master'—stop calling me that. Sounds so feudalistic. /helpless"
Mu Xianning: "Hehe, if you're not a young master, then who is? You're definitely a young master."
Me: "Sigh, alright then."
Mu Xianning: "That's more like it. If I don't call you 'young master,' what should I call you? 'Big dummy'? /giggle"
Me: "Fine, I'll take that. You do whatever you want, okay?"
Mu Xianning: "What are you doing? Let me tell you, I'm pure as ice and jade—you can't do anything to me, especially not that second word."
Me: "…I think forgiving you was a mistake."
Mu Xianning: "/tongue /tongue /tongue"
I closed my phone and didn't reply further. Sigh, I wonder which guy has been fooled by this little enchantress. I really hope Jingyan doesn't get influenced by her.
The day passed quickly. Dragging my weary body and rubbing the hickey on my neck, I returned to the dorm.
The graduate student dorms at N University were quite nice—double occupancy with lofted beds and desks underneath.
As soon as I entered, I saw someone sitting in front of the computer, the keyboard and mouse clattering away, accompanied by muttered curses. This was my roommate, Chu Yun, who had gotten into N University for graduate school. Despite his name meaning "cloud," he was actually a burly guy over six feet tall.
"Oh, look who it is—the great Xuan Yu," he said upon hearing the door, taking off his headphones. His tone carried an uncharacteristic, almost resentful edge.
I walked behind his desk and gave his fleshy shoulder a hard pinch. Graduate students at N University started a few days earlier than undergraduates. Though we'd only spent a few days together (and I was often away), I felt we got along well with this naturally sociable roommate.
"Playing games again, huh? Wow, you're already 0-3? You really are—oh, 0-4 now, haha." I laughed behind him, looking at the grayed-out screen.
"It's all because you pinched me, otherwise I would've killed that opponent," he grumbled, turning his head.
"Give it a rest. Still gaming? Did you forget what Demon Li said about you in the group meeting today?" I climbed onto my bed and said to him. Demon Li was our advisor, Li Jin, who lived up to his nickname—notoriously strict and serious.
"Hey, I just don't get it. Why is he so lenient with you? I saw you slacking off for ages, and he didn't even say a word when he noticed. Is there really discrimination between those who got in by exam and those who were recommended?" he complained.
"No, I already knew Professor Li before. He even taught some of our undergraduate classes," I said. Actually, there was another reason Professor Li treated me so well—he and my dad were classmates. Before college, I used to call him Uncle Li. Of course, this kind of relationship wasn't something I could let too many people know about. And naturally, the fact that we privately called him Demon Li couldn't be revealed either.
"Ah, favoritism, favoritism," he whined bitterly before starting another game.
I left him alone as my phone vibrated—a message from Jingyan.
Qin Jingyan: "Are you in the dorm?"
Me: "Just got back. Miss me already after such a short time?"
Qin Jingyan: "Hmph, I do not! I was just worried you'd get lost since you don't know your way around /left hmph"
Me: "Alright, alright, thank you for your concern, Princess."
Qin Jingyan: "I'm so bored. I'm the only one in the dorm."
Me: "Mu Xianning isn't there?"
Qin Jingyan: "No idea. She went out and hasn't come back yet."
Qin Jingyan: "Hmph, don't you dare think about anyone else! /knock /knock"
Me: "No way. You've been saying that for years—have you ever seen me show any interest in her? Who could compare to my beautiful Jingyan?"
Qin Jingyan: "Oh? So you're saying if someone better comes along, you'll dump me, is that it? /thinking"
Me: "How could that be! Oh no, I feel like I've fallen into an unsolvable dilemma like 'who would you save if your mom and I were drowning.'"
Qin Jingyan: "Haha, alright, I'll stop teasing you. My dad just told me he's coming home tomorrow, and since it's the weekend the day after, he wants your whole family to come over for dinner tomorrow night."
Me: "Uncle Qin is finally done with his busy schedule."
Qin Jingyan: "Yeah, ever since I can remember, he's been like this. sigh"
Me: "Alright, alright. From now on, I'll be here with you."
Qin Jingyan: "Hmph, you're taking advantage of me!"
Me: "Hehe."
Qin Jingyan: "You big meanie, I'm ignoring you!"
Me: "Alright, alright. It's a good thing that crazy Ning isn't around. Enjoy some quiet time to yourself."
Qin Jingyan: "Mm, I know you're going to play games. Go ahead, go ahead~"
Me: "laughing emoji laughing emoji"
I closed the chat window with Jingyan and noticed a red dot on the chat interface. It was from Zhao Chenyu, who had invited me to play ball in the afternoon, but I hadn't responded.
[Ugh, what "inviting me to play ball"? He just wants to dig for information about himself. Whatever, if I don't help him out, he'll keep pestering me. I'd better get this sorted quickly. I'll ask Auntie Ouyang to show him what real disparity looks like.]
Thinking this, I opened his chat window.
Me: "I was busy with experiments this afternoon, didn't check my messages."
I sent him that reply, and to my surprise, he responded instantly.
Zhao Chenyu: "No worries, Senior. Grad school life is hectic, huh?"
Me: "It's alright. I'll take you to the interview tomorrow. Are you free?"
Zhao Chenyu: "Huh? So soon?"
Me: "No?"
Zhao Chenyu: "Yes, yes, yes! If Senior arranged it, I have to make time even if I don't. I just didn't expect it to be this fast. As expected of Senior, you're amazing! thumbs up thumbs up"
Me: "As long as you're free."
Zhao Chenyu: "What kind of job is it, Senior? I'll prepare."
Me: "Something like an assistant, maybe some driving too. How's your driving?"
Zhao Chenyu: "I got my driver's license right after middle school. During high school breaks, I helped my family with deliveries and drove a lot. Mostly small trucks, though. I just got my B2 license recently, but I haven't driven a medium-sized truck yet."
Listening to him, I felt a wave of exasperation.
[I'm getting you an assistant job, where you'd be driving sedans, and here you are talking about trucks... Letting you drive Auntie Ouyang's car would be a waste. Well, at least it proves he's got some skills.]
Me: "Then you could just keep working for your family, or find a job on your own. Why come to me?"
Zhao Chenyu: "I just wanted to see if I could stay in the big city."
Me: "Alright then. Tomorrow at 9 a.m., at the school gate."
Zhao Chenyu: "OK, thanks, Senior!"
Me: "No problem."
Without reading his last message, I exited the chat window, thinking I should inform Auntie Ouyang. Just then, Chu Yun shouted from downstairs, "Xuanyu, hurry up and log in!"
It occurred to me that since I was just doing Zhao Chenyu a favor anyway, it might be better not to tell Auntie Ouyang. So I turned around and climbed down from my bed.
"Logging in! Watch how I carry you to victory!"
By midnight, staring at the gray screen with the word "DEFEAT" in bold letters, Chu Yun and I fell into deep thought.
"Damn it! No way, I'm not sleeping until we win one!" Chu Yun slammed his desk behind me, knocking over three empty cola cans.
"Enough, you play. I'm going to bed," I told him.
"You said you'd carry me! We've been losing all night!" Chu Yun glared at me indignantly.
"I was the MVP, okay? Whoever has the problem knows it in their heart." I pulled the covers over myself and turned my back to him.
"Damn it! I refuse to believe this!"
Amid the clatter of mouse clicks and keyboard taps, I drifted into sleep.
...
The next day, at the school gate, I spotted someone pacing back and forth from a distance. As I got closer, I saw it was Zhao Chenyu.
"Senior!" He noticed me and jogged over awkwardly.
I immediately understood why he seemed so uncomfortable when I saw his outfit. He was wearing a black suit today, complete with dress shoes. However, the sleeves covered his wrists and even part of his hands, the collar was crooked, and the shirt buttons under his tie were undone. I circled around to his back and noticed the suit's hem nearly covered his butt. At least the pants fit well.
"What's up, Senior?" he asked, looking puzzled.
"Uh... nothing, it's fine like this," I replied. I had considered giving him some advice but decided against it—it wasn't that important anyway. "Come on, I'll take you there."
In the taxi.
"Senior, what do you think of my resume?" He opened his backpack, pulled out a sheet of paper, and handed it to me.
I thought to myself, he's really taking this seriously. But I had to at least pretend to look it over.
"Hmm... it's fine. You haven't graduated yet, and you're just looking for an internship." I glanced at his messy resume and handed it back to him.
"Actually, for our department, there's not much difference between now and graduation. We hardly have any classes left," he said.
"Right..."
"Senior, what's this company like? Can you tell me about it?" he asked curiously.
"Nothing special. It's just a company run by an elder I know. They need an assistant or something—give it a try yourself," I said.
The entire ride, he kept asking questions while I gave vague answers. Finally, the taxi stopped in front of a luxurious high-rise building.
"Whoa, Senior! Isn't this ** Company? It's a pretty well-known enterprise in our city. This is..." He stared up at the towering building, swore under his breath, then looked at me, hesitating to say more.
I walked up to him and muttered, "Watch your manners," before heading straight inside.
Without any obstacles, we entered the elevator together. I pulled out a black-and-gold card from my pocket, swiped it, and pressed the button for the top floor, drawing soft gasps from others in the elevator and a questioning look from Zhao Chenyu.
When the elevator reached the middle floors, everyone else got off. Once the doors closed, leaving just the two of us, I glanced at him and noticed he was nervously adjusting his tie. I smirked disdainfully.
"Ding."
The elevator arrived at the top floor. Unlike the floors below, the top level wasn't very large. Auntie Ouyang's company had divided it into two areas: one side housed her office, the assistant's office, and storage for important documents. The other side was Auntie Ouyang's private space—a gym, yoga studio, bathroom, and even a bed, essentially her personal retreat.
Truth be told, Auntie Ouyang didn't particularly like this setup and rarely used it. She preferred working alongside everyone else. But as the company owner, certain formalities were necessary to maintain authority, which was why this exclusive top floor existed.
I led Zhao Chenyu toward Auntie Ouyang's office. Looking out through the glass window, the cars on the ground appeared like neatly lined-up snails. As he gazed downward, I could clearly sense his steps becoming unsteady.