Leaving the bathroom, a gust of cold wind hit my neck, and my wet hair shivered in the cold. I felt a chill on my scalp.

I picked up a dry towel and wiped my hair, hearing Leng Yang's voice.

"As the stars move, come over here and get a haircut."

"Oh!"

I slowly picked up my phone to check, because a notification had just popped up. Mom messaged, "Xingyi, are you asleep yet?"

I momentarily forgot to blow-dry my hair, so I picked up my phone and replied, "Not yet! Mom, I just finished showering."

Soon, Mom sent a message, "Okay, after much deliberation, Mom wants to tell you something."

"What's going on!"

"This is a big deal, sisters. We haven't told anyone, but we want to discuss it with you."

"Wow, such a big deal!"

"Not yet!"

"Hehehe…"

Seeing that I remained still, Leng Yang came over and took the hairdryer and plug with him. He watched me with a towel on my head, but his hands were busy replying to messages.

Leng Yang said, "Can you blow-dry your hair before playing with your phone? You might catch a cold later."

I saw Leng Yang coming over and awkwardly smiled, saying: "Sorry! I forgot about you while texting with my mom."

Leng Yang said calmly, "It's nothing. You should dry your hair first."

I gave a halfhearted nod. "Yeah. My mom said she had something to tell me, so I'll be over soon."

Leng Yang said seriously: "It's okay, you solve it first, I'll help you!"

I continued to placate, "Well, okay."

Looking at the conversation box between my mom and me, I urged, "Mom, tell me! What's the big deal?"

Mom said, "Wait a moment for me, I need to gather my thoughts."

Okay.

Suddenly, the sound of a hairdryer started up. I looked in surprise to where the sound was coming from. Right behind me, I was shocked to see Leng Yang suddenly standing there, holding a hairdryer in his right hand and trying the temperature with his left.

I feigned surprise, swallowed nervously, and stared blankly ahead. Leng Yang gently blew on my hair while his left hand lightly stroked it and softly asked, "How is the temperature? Do you want it hotter?"

I kept swallowing hard, managing to squeeze out a sentence, "That's it. That's good enough."

Leng Yang said softly, "Okay, you continue chatting with your mom! I'll take care of your hair."

I mumbled, "Um, okay, thank you..."

"It's okay."

I kept myself calm, oS: "What's the situation, why did you suddenly blow my hair? He just stood behind me, how can I stay calm!"

Looking at the chat box, Mom sent a shy little emoji and then said, "Well, I said so!"

I typed slowly, "Just say it."

Later, my mom sent me a long message. I calmed down from my initial excitement.

Mom said, "This year your aunt is coming back to celebrate the New Year with us. Do you remember your aunt? It's been several years since she came back. Mainly, she said after the New Year, she wants to take Xiao Ai abroad! Let's not talk about whether we agree or not, Xiao Ai also has a hard choice to make! They are such close sisters usually! If Xiao Ai really goes abroad, what will Ning Ning do? Besides, next year, Xiao Ai and her will be taking the college entrance exam. How can they handle all this tossing around? We suggest that Xiao Ai shouldn't go abroad together, but she is her own mother, so we can't make the decision. So, I want you to persuade Xiao Ai and your aunt, why don't they both stay with us?"

After I finished watching, my face was full of worry. Soon, Leng Yang's performance ended, and there was no more noise around my ears, but my mind was racing.

Leng Yang noticed my serious expression and then gently asked, "What's wrong? What happened?"

I smiled at him, "It's nothing, just some household chores."

He said gently, "Well, tell me what's wrong. We can solve it together."

I asked, "Mom, why didn't you tell my sisters? Especially Xiao Ai!"

Leng Yang sat down beside me. "Can I take a look?"

"Mm." I nodded, moving my phone between us.

Reading Mommy's short essay, both of our faces turned green like the stock market crashed. We both looked serious.

Mom said, "Your father said to slow down."

Leng Yang suggested suggestively: "Just tell them! Let Zhao Ai make a decision sooner."

I agree, I told my mom, “Just tell them! They need to know.”

Mom said, “Okay, Mom will listen to you.”

Mom said, "So, what do you think we should do in the end?"

Leng Yang also left the question to me.

I looked at him earnestly, "What would you do?"

Leng Yang looked at me seriously, "My worry is real, my concern is real. But I will respect Zhao Ai's choice."

Looking at him, I seemed to understand the answer. "Well, thank you! I get it."

I told my mom, "Mom, it's okay, you tell them! Don't worry, I'll take care of the rest."

Mom said, "Okay, Mom knows. But you have to understand, it's Xiao Ai who is hurt the most because she hasn't seen her mother for four years. Although it's not abandonment, the fact is that she hasn't visited Xiao Ai in four years! I know your aunt has her own difficulties, but this is unfair to Xiao Ai. If she insists on taking Xiao Ai away, we can't stop her. Xiao Ai is such a sensible child, even if she doesn't want to, she wouldn't refuse."

"Well, Mom, I know,"

……

Back in the room, I threw my phone on the bed and went out to see Lengyang busily tidying up the living room. I was touched at once and whispered, "Thank you, because of you, my life won't be a mess."

I went into the room. In the living room, Leng Yang had covered the brazier with fire, thoroughly sealing it. This job originally belonged to my grandfather, but ever since Leng Yang came, he took it on. As for me, I wasn't qualified because it was a difficult technical skill. I didn't know how much coal to put in to keep it burning the next day, nor did I know how to operate it so that the fire in the brazier wouldn't go out under a full coverage that isolated the air.

Leng Yang locked the door and walked straight to my room. I had already turned off the lights. But, with a "snap," my room lit up. I sat up, staring in surprise at Leng Yang, "What's wrong?"

Leng Yang softly said, "It's nothing, I just suddenly want to sleep with you."

I looked at him in confusion, "Why?! So suddenly?"

Leng Yang approached me softly, then his face turned slightly bitter, as if gentleness was being squeezed out. Looking at him now, broken and shattered, he had just been so normal. I suddenly felt very sorry for him, and said, "Okay, turn off the lights, come up."

He gently turned off the light, and I silently opened my flashlight for him. He softly said, "Thank you."

Given what I know about him, something definitely happened to him.

When he lay down, he curled up delicately and then coldly asked, "Can you give me one of your shoulders?"

I reached out without hesitation. He embraced my shoulders, leaning against me so close that his head rested on my pillow. He was still, but the soft rise and fall of his breath echoed in my ear.

Understanding his brokenness now, I didn't say a word. I reached out with my empty hand and pulled the blanket up over him.

……

Just moments ago, Leng Yang was crouching in the restroom when he received a message.

Leng Yang was startled by the pop-up window, then calmly typed a message.

"Do you remember me?"

It's not exactly a bolt from the blue, but it's not without waves either. It's not overwhelming joy, but there is definitely anticipation.

Leng Yang's heart suddenly felt a pang of discomfort. Although he had fantasized countless times about him saying this, now he felt agitated. Saying to wait was too long, and saying to let go stirred his emotions. His mind was flooded with memories. Leng Yang suddenly found it hard to digest, feeling a surge of heat. He walked outside the courtyard to feel the cool breeze and asked himself.