Chapter 3, The Reverse Journey (Part 1)

After their gazes met, Zhao Chunian said: "However, I believe that you are doing just fine as you are now, naturally unembellished, without the need for any additional adornments"

Although Meng Ti never uses cosmetics and goes about her day with a bare face, it does not hinder her current mood, which is so joyful that she feels as if she could float. She is completely unconcerned with what Zheng Ruosheng has said and smiles in response to Zhao Chunian's probing gaze.

Although she knew he was very easy to talk to, Meng Ti was still somewhat unaccustomed to receiving such a straightforward response. For a moment, she didn't know what to say, and coincidentally, Zhao Chunian, after saying that sentence, also fell silent, his eyes downcast, lost in thought.

Meng Ti coughed until her eyes were nearly red. After much effort, she lifted her head and glared at Zheng Ruosheng. Although they had known each other since childhood, their relationship was not particularly good. Young girls often have a bit of a brother complex and are self-centered, wishing the whole world would revolve around them. Zheng Ruosheng's situation was quite severe, and naturally, she held a bias against Meng Ti, the neighbor girl who took away part of her brother's attention. As Meng Ti grew older, she came to understand this matter and tried to avoid direct contact with her.

Meng Ti suddenly remembered his words from last night, "I have a gift for you," and his face immediately lit up with joy. While unwrapping, he asked with excitement, "Ah, a gift? Thank you, thank you. What is it?"

Meng Ti sighed, truly feeling the gap was too vast, and there was hardly any common ground for conversation, until Zheng Xianwen suddenly raised his voice: "A Ti, come here"

Zheng Xianwen picked up the teacup and placed it in Meng Ti's hand, casually steering the conversation towards the school and the college. A few of them chatted idly for a while, until Zhao Chunian stood up to take his leave. He mentioned that he did not reside in the dormitory provided by the school, as his home was a bit far away and he needed to return early. Meng Ti, thinking that she still needed to discuss Wang Xiru with Zhao Chunian, followed him out.

Zheng Ruosheng let out a chuckle, saying, "A Ti, how can you still be so frightened by him? You should have seen his true colors three years ago. I must say, you haven't made any progress in these years. However, brother, you spoil her too much, even removing the bones from the fish and meat. Sigh, I am starting to feel jealous."

Meng Ti felt Zhao Chunian's silhouette closing in, completely enveloping her, as a low, hoarse voice echoed in her ears: "A Ti, how about you accompany me to stroll around the school after you put the gift back home? I just arrived at Ping University and am not very familiar with the campus; all the buildings here seem quite similar."

Zheng Ruosheng said: "hetushu.com. I bet it's a book. My brother has only given you books and nothing else."

Zheng Ruosheng glanced at her; after all, she was a girl just over twenty years old, with skin as smooth as jade. Unable to resist teasing, he said, "No need for cosmetics, you truly embody the legendary natural beauty. Looking at how you were as a child, I can hardly imagine you would grow into the person you are today."

Zheng Xianwen has been competing with his sister since childhood, and he is well aware of her tricks. After picking out a few large bones from a piece of fish and placing it in Meng Ti's bowl, he replied leisurely: "I can't find you a foreign sister-in-law. Black eyes and black hair are quite good. I am not interested in the genes of foreigners, nor do I intend to produce mixed-race offspring."

She became so happy that her entire face radiated with light, and her excitement was just like that of the little girl from years ago when she received her gift. Zheng Xianwen said, "As long as you are happy."

Zheng Bochang shook his head and, with a serious expression, said: "What true nature? Why speak so harshly? Do not say those unfounded things; Xuanwen is your brother"

Zhao Chunian had been silently drinking tea with a face as calm as water, showing no emotions; now, it seemed that curiosity had also been piqued, and he looked over, his eyes shrouded in a layer of mist, as if everything he gazed upon was imbued with a faint silver glow. His gaze lingered on her, as if assessing and calculating what she looked like in her childhood.

Zhao Chunian seemed completely unconcerned, as if his mind were elsewhere, and spoke lightly: "I usually do not take attendance; it does not matter whether she comes or not, just remember to show up for the exam"

Several highly educated young people in the living room are engaged in pleasant conversation, with laughter occasionally drifting over. Initially, they discuss their work at school, but soon the topic shifts to current political and economic issues.

The breath is distinctly audible in the night.

Only upon opening the result did they realize that it was a set of exquisite cosmetics and a small bottle of perfume. It was far from the books they had imagined. Meng Ti had not yet reacted when Zheng Ruosheng exclaimed first: "Ah, it's exactly the same as mine. Brother, you've finally come to your senses!"

Zheng Xianwen replied with a smile, "We cannot be biased, can we? I only thought of Meng Ti being a young lady before making a purchase. Young ladies all love beauty, don't they?"

Young girls are always pleased when complimented. No matter how reserved Meng Ti is, a hint of joy still shows on her face. However, her good upbringing compels her to control most of her delight, and she smiles shyly.

Meng Ti's face flushed slightly: "Brother Zheng, thank you, thank you for your gifts and illustrations." Though she said this, she held him even tighter.

She then waddled back into the room, where Zheng Xianwen pulled her to sit beside him, handed her a square, rectangular box from the coffee table, and said with a smile, "This is a gift for you, open it and take a look"

Before others had a chance to react, Meng Ti was already choked by a piece of fish, her face turning bright red and struggling to catch her breath. Zheng Xianwen, both amused and exasperated, reached out to pat her on the back, calmly handed her his soup bowl, and said: "Look at you, no one is competing with you, take your time eating"

Two people stood in the corridor. Meng Ti called out to him: "Teacher Zhao, one of your elective course students, Wang Xiru, will no longer be able to attend class. She has very important matters to attend to and truly cannot make it. I am helping her request a leave of absence from you."

Zheng Ruosheng remained silent, stealing a glance at Zhao Chunian. He lowered his head, showing no intention of intervening in this family dispute, demonstrating remarkable self-restraint

Liu Changhua set down his chopsticks: "Your brother is a boy, so naturally he should establish a career before starting a family. We cannot let a girl suffer alongside him. Don't talk to me about gender equality; I don't believe in that. Men and women cannot be equal in marriage and family matters. Moreover, a few years ago, your brother was abroad, and we had no control over him. Do you think your father and I are like telephone wires, able to stretch a hand across the Pacific to direct him on what to do and what not to do?"

"Indeed, you know he is my brother," Zheng Ruosheng scoffed. "His matters are still in the early stages, yet he only knows how to urge me. What is this all about? It is clearly a case of valuing sons over daughters, showing favoritism."

Zheng Xianwen said slowly, "Then you might be mistaken," and then fell silent, looking at Meng Ti with a smile, yet saying nothing.

In the brief silence, the voice-activated light suddenly went out. In that moment of shifting light and darkness, Meng Ti saw the smile he had worn all evening vanish in an instant. The face that removed the mask of a smile bore no expected fatigue; instead, it radiated a sharp coldness, like a sword hidden in its scabbard, forged through countless trials. In the moonlight, even before it was fully drawn, a faint chill emanated from the gaps, piercingly cold.

By the time the meal was finished, it was already quite late. A few people exchanged casual remarks, and Zheng's parents had the habit of taking a walk after dinner, so they went downstairs. After Meng Ti helped Liu Changhua wash the dishes, she leaned over the balcony in the living room to look down. The streetlights had long been lit, and from here, she could see the green canopy of trees resembling hats.