After a few days of not indulging myself, it was suddenly Saturday. I asked Su Yuqian where she lived in advance, and I planned to go to her house before the confirmed time.

After having the breakfast carefully prepared by Zhiye, I spent half an hour in my room, pondering for the first time about how to dress when visiting a girl's house, whether or not to bring a gift, and what to say to Su Yuqian's mother. It's absurd how I, a high school student, was making it seem like an adult blind date. Drowning in my thoughts, I decided to go and meet Su Yuqian's mother as a typical high school student. Of course, I thought it was necessary to bring a gift. With that decision made, and my wallet in hand, I went to the living room.

Feya was still watching TV, which worried me. I had been less strict with Feya lately, and without any restraints, she became reckless. Although I wanted to discipline her, I didn't have the time at the moment, so I had to let it go and address it later.

Zhiye saw me dressed and ready to leave and walked out of the kitchen. "Jerry, are you going out?" she asked while wearing an apron and holding a dishcloth, indicating she was cleaning.

"Yes, I'm going out," I nodded slightly.

"Who are you meeting? Or..."

"I'm meeting someone," I answered with a smile.

"A guy or a girl?" Zhiye continued to ask.

"Guess..."

"A girl?" Zhiye's expression became somewhat serious.

Seeing her like this, I smiled and said, "Of course, it's a guy. He's my middle school classmate. We haven't seen each other in a long time, so we're planning to hang out together."

"A male classmate?" Zhiye still seemed unconvinced, so I took out my phone and showed her the pre-prepared photo of my middle school classmate. "Look, is he a boy?" Zhiye took a look and said, "Well, it indeed is a boy."

"I might not come back for lunch, and also, could you please take care of Feya for me? She always watches TV and neglects her studies and eyesight."

Zhiye nodded, and feeling successful in deceiving her, I prepared to change my shoes at the entrance.

Suddenly, Zhiye called me back, "Jerry, can I go with you?" My heart suddenly jumped. Did Zhiye still have some doubts? But I couldn't expose my true intentions, so I quickly came up with a reason. "My friend is a homebody. If you go with me, it will definitely discourage him."

"Why?" Zhiye looked puzzled.

"Because... Zhiye, what are you to me?" I asked in return.

"Fiancée," Zhiye answered without hesitation.

"That's the reason. If he finds out that I actually have a fiancée, he might become depressed and contemplate suicide, or lose interest in life. Zhiye wouldn't want that to happen, right?"

"Sorry, I didn't consider that," Zhiye apologized.

"It's okay... as long as you don't go, there won't be any problems."

"Then I won't go. Jerry, be careful on the road."

"Yeah, I'll be careful. I'll come back early. And Zhiye, don't handle all the household chores alone. Make sure to rest properly. Otherwise, I'll feel guilty."

Zhiye's cheeks slightly reddened as she nodded her head.

"I'm leaving now..." After saying this, I left the house. As I closed the door, I felt a sense of relief. I had successfully kept my composure, without giving away any clues. Preparation was indeed necessary.

2

Because it was in a familiar area, I quickly found Su Yuqian's house. To my surprise, her house was a two-story residence, which was clearly superior to the apartment my family rented. However, a rented apartment with four bedrooms, one living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom wasn't necessarily worse than a two-story residence. It depended on the situation.

Before ringing her doorbell, I sent her a message. "I'm at your doorstep."

But she immediately replied, "Don't come over. Let's cancel today."

"What do you mean?"

"It doesn't mean anything. Just go back today."

After reading her reply, I suddenly became furious. She was clearly playing with me. Asking me to come and then telling me to go back.

So I angrily pressed her doorbell multiple times, and soon, a woman with black hair tied up in a bun, looking young and dressed like a housewife, opened the door.

"May I ask who you are?" she asked.

"I'm Xu Youjie, Su Yuqian's classmate..." It was difficult to address her as a friend or boyfriend."Are you a classmate of Yuqian's? Then please come in..."

I followed her into the house and changed my shoes before entering the living room. At that moment, Su Yuqian suddenly came downstairs and seemed surprised to see me.

"Yuqian, is this your classmate?" her mother asked.

"Mom... why did you let him in?"

It seemed that this aunt was Yuqian's mother, and it seemed that Yuqian wasn't too welcoming towards me.

"Because he's your boyfriend, and I'm present, so you said that, right?"

Her aunt was observant. But I wasn't sure why Yuqian was acting this way.

"No way! How could I have a boyfriend?"

Yuqian also seemed a little flustered.

"Really?" her aunt didn't quite believe her.

"It's true! And besides, look at how plain-looking he is and how unfashionable he dresses. Who would be interested in him?"

Hearing that, I clenched my teeth in anger, but I had to endure it.

"Yuqian, even if he's not your boyfriend, you can't speak to others like this. If you treat people this way, no one would want to be your friend," her aunt said in an educational tone.

"If no one wants to be my friend, then so be it," Yuqian said indifferently.

"I'm sorry, Yujie, Yuqian is not good at expressing herself. Please don't mind," her aunt apologized sincerely.

"It's alright..." I smiled and then glared at Yuqian intensely. She looked guilty.

"This is a small token of appreciation." I took out the taiyaki I bought before coming.

"You don't have to bring anything when you come to play," her aunt said gently.

"It's fine, this is really delicious and I want Yuqian and her mom to try it," I insisted.

Her aunt seemed hesitant.

"It's really tasty," I emphasized.

"Then thank you for your kindness, Yujie. I'll go prepare some tea for you." Her aunt took the gift I bought, and I felt happy.

"Yuqian, please attend to your classmate," her aunt said to Yuqian, and then she turned and went into the kitchen. When her mom was far away, Yuqian immediately grabbed my hand and tried to lead me away.

"Where are you taking me?"

"To my room..."

"My room? Is that... appropriate?"

"Stop talking and just follow me."

Like that, I was forcefully dragged into her bedroom by Yuqian.