Early the next morning, Ye Ge dragged his mother to Linhai City First Hospital, the best hospital in the city.
Since it was 2009 and mobile registration wasn't an option yet, Ye Ge had to get a queue number in person. He had brought his mother early, so they managed to finish the routine physical examination by noon, with a particular focus on detailed check-ups for her stomach.
Some results would take a few days to come back, but based on the abdominal CT scan they received that day, his mother was perfectly fine. This allowed Ye Ge to breathe a sigh of relief.
Ms. Song, however, was confused. What on earth was her son so worried about? She had always been in good health; why did he act as if she were suffering from some grave illness?
"The check-up is done. You can rest easy now, right? Your mother is in great shape," Ms. Song said, looking at the bill. The examination had cost over a thousand yuan, and she felt like it was all a waste of money; her heart ached at the expense.
"Not all the results are out yet, so I can't fully relax." In truth, Ye Ge figured there was nothing to worry about. After all, his mother’s terminal stomach cancer wouldn't appear for another twenty years—her health should be rock solid right now.
"You brat," Ms. Song rolled her eyes at him. "Fine, let's just consider the money spent on your peace of mind. Let’s go, let's go home and have dinner."
"All right, Mo—"
*“Boundless horizon is my love…”*
Before Ye Ge could finish, his phone rang. The caller ID displayed the name Su Yue.
Ye Ge answered, "Hello, Su Yue."
"Senior, are you free for lunch today? My sister and I would like to have a meal with you," Su Yue's voice, as clear as a silver bell, came through the phone.
"No problem. Let me pick the place—how about that 'Farmhouse Stir-fry' right in front of Linhai No. 1 High School?"
"Eh? Senior, are you sure about that place? Maybe we should try somewhere else? Xiaoxiang Pavilion is quite nice."
"It's fine, really. Let’s go with the Farmhouse Stir-fry. I haven't eaten there in ages, and I won't have many chances once I head off to college. I’ll wait for you there. See you then."
Without waiting for Su Yue to say anything more, Ye Ge hung up.
"Mom, I won't be back for lunch. I'm going to grab a bite with some friends."
"Go, go. I was too lazy to cook for you anyway. Just remember to get back early and stay safe."
"You got it."
By the time he finished the last word, Ye Ge was already in the distance.
***
"Yueyue, what did Ye Ge say?"
Inside their small rented room, after her younger sister hung up the phone, Su Mu asked through sign language.
Su Yue signed back, "Sister, he said he wants to go to that Farmhouse Stir-fry in front of Linhai No. 1 High School. He didn't want to go to Xiaoxiang Pavilion. I tried to say something else, but he just hung up."
"..."
Su Mu lowered her head. Even though she didn't intend it, her captivating cat-like, peach-blossom eyes still brimmed with an alluring charm.
Ye Ge had been present when they gave their statements at the police station last night, so he knew that she and her sister had lost both their parents and were living off the meager compensation their father had left behind. Su Mu believed that Ye Ge must have realized this, which was why he had deliberately suggested a cheap place.
"Sister, since Senior said so, I’ll go get ready. You should change into something else, too."
Su Yue changed into a summer short-sleeve shirt she had bought after haggling for a long time at a street stall, pairing it with a pleated skirt that hit just above her knees. The skirt had pockets, and she tucked a small folding knife into one.
Su Mu, meanwhile, put on a short-sleeve shirt and a pair of jeans—an outfit she and her sister had bought together at a street stall during the previous year's Spring Festival. Though a bit worn and slightly faded, the clothes were impeccably clean and neat.However, because Su Mu had developed so wonderfully over the past year, this outfit felt a bit tight, not to mention that her figure was already outrageously striking.
The jeans directly outlined her plump, full thighs and substantial curves, making her look somewhat alluring—especially when paired with the girl's cat-like peach blossom eyes, which made the effect truly extraordinary.
Su Mu checked herself out in the mirror and ultimately decided to change into a loose, neutral school uniform. Yet even the school uniform could hardly conceal her excessively mature figure.
The two sisters boarded a bus and headed to Linhai First High School.
Along the way, passersby were instantly captivated by this pair of sisters.Su Yue didn't mind at all and remained poised and open; after all, it was broad daylight, and she wasn't afraid of anything.
Su Mu, however, was still unaccustomed to the gaze of others. She kept her head down the entire time, instinctively hunching her shoulders.
When they arrived at the "Country Stir-fry" restaurant, Ye Ge was already sitting inside.
Because it was summer vacation, the stir-fry place, which relied on student business, was rather quiet, with only Ye Ge occupying a table.
"Senior..." Su Yue called out softly.
Ye Ge raised his head, and his eyes instantly lit up.
Su Mu possessed the gentle vibe of an older girl next door, yet those peach-blossom eyes gave her a tender, seductive charm. These two contrasting qualities blended together perfectly, creating an even more stunning effect.Unlike her older sister, the younger sister Su Yue looked much more cheerful and proactive, giving off the feeling of a summer ice cream—sweet and refreshing.
Since the two sisters shared a seventy-percent resemblance in their features, standing side by side gave them an incredible combined bonus.
"Sit down," Ye Ge said, feeling it was impolite to keep staring at them, and gestured for them to take a seat.
Ye Ge smiled and said, "Since you're treating me to a meal, I won't stand on ceremony. Just make sure you don't cry when the bill comes."
...
"Cici, spare me, I really can't walk another step. Your humble servant is truly exhausted and starving..."
Emerging from a clothing store, Wang Hui wailed dramatically as she lugged bags and parcels of all sizes.
Wang Hui was starting to regret her decisions.
She never should have agreed to come out shopping for clothes with Cici. She had already been walking all morning, and her feet were on the verge of blistering.
Yet Cici was still full of energy—did women really never get tired of shopping?
Wait a minute, I'm a woman too...
"Alright then, we'll stop shopping. I'm a bit hungry myself; let's find a place to eat." Yan Cici tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a tiny gesture that caused a passing guy to lose his focus and walk straight into a lamppost.
In truth, Yan Cici was still somewhat unsatisfied with the clothes she had bought.
Then, thinking of Ye Ge's attitude toward her over the past few days, she felt increasingly irritated!
Ever since Ye Ge's confession was rejected by her, he hadn't paid her any attention at all.
Ye Ge used to be nothing like this.
In the past, even though Ye Ge had never made such a formal confession to her, he had always subtly hinted at his feelings.
Even though she tactfully rejected him every time, Ye Ge had always remained relentlessly persistent.
Why had Ye Ge become like this now?
The graduation banquet was just a few days away, and she wanted to dress up beautifully to attend it!
Yan Cici always felt that Ye Ge's coldness was just an act, a ploy to catch her attention.
When Wang Jie confessed to her then, she wanted to see if Ye Ge would still act so indifferent toward her!
"Let's go, Cici. It's only two or three stops away from the school," Wang Hui said, pulling Yan Cici along. "Let's go to that 'Country Stir-fry' place right across from the school."