"Uncle… you don't have a car?"
The voice came out before Lian Hua could stop it.
But this time—
It wasn't forced.
Inside, Lian Yue had already taken over.
Not through struggle.
Not through pressure.
But agreement.
"You're terrible with clothes," Lian Yue had said earlier.
"Let me handle this."
After a brief hesitation—
Lian Hua agreed.
And just like that—
The control shifted.
Smooth.
Silent.
Unnoticed.
To everyone else—
It was still the same girl.
But it wasn't.
"That's a bit rude, Yue," Lian Hua muttered quietly from within.
Lian Yue ignored her completely.
Zhang Wei glanced at her briefly before answering.
"I do have a car," he said calmly.
"But the distance isn't far. There's no need to use it."
"That's perfect, Uncle," Lian Yue replied quickly, her tone light.
"Walking is fine."
Zhang Wei paused.
Just for a second.
Something about her tone had changed.
The way she stood.
The way she spoke.
But he said nothing.
As a teacher, he had seen children shift moods countless times—bright one moment, distant the next.
This…
Could be nothing.
"Uncle, I like that one," Lian Yue said, already moving toward a green dress hanging neatly on display.
"Stop!"
Lian Hua's voice rang sharply inside.
"I hate green—you know that!"
Lian Yue smirked slightly.
"You hate everything."
Before she could reach for it—
Zhang Wei spoke.
"We've already bought enough," he said firmly.
"I've exceeded the budget for today."
He adjusted the shopping bags in his hand.
"You have five new outfits already. Mix them with the ones you brought from the village."
A pause.
"When you start working, you can buy more for yourself."
"Thank goodness…" Lian Hua sighed in relief.
"Are we done now?" she added quickly.
"Can I have my body back?"
Lian Yue rolled her eyes.
"Take it."
A pause.
"Your annoying, weak body."
The shift happened instantly.
Lian Hua blinked.
Back in control.
"Annoying… weak body?" Zhang Wei repeated slowly, staring at her.
Lian Hua froze.
"Oh—Uncle!" she said quickly, forcing a laugh.
"There's this book I've been reading… Annoying Weak Body…"
She gestured awkwardly.
"I didn't bring it with me, so I was just… remembering it."
Zhang Wei's expression changed.
Recognition.
"Do you mean The Annoying Weak Body?" he asked.
Lian Hua blinked.
"It's written by Liang Wenxu," he continued.
"It's quite popular. I've read it too."
Lian Hua nodded quickly.
"Yes! That one!"
Zhang Wei smiled slightly, now fully engaged.
"The main character is quite interesting, don't you think?"
Lian Hua laughed lightly.
"Yes… very interesting."
Inside—
Silence.
She had no idea what he was talking about.
But she nodded anyway.
"Your bill, sir," the shop attendant said, stepping forward politely.
Zhang Wei paid, and soon, they stepped out of the shopping center.
The city lights had begun to glow brighter now.
Carriages of metal rushed past.
People moved quickly.
The air buzzed with energy that never seemed to rest.
And just like that—
They began their walk home.
No carriage.
No car.
Just footsteps echoing against unfamiliar ground.
For Lian Hua—
Everything felt new.
For Lian Yue—
Everything felt like the beginning.
"Teacher Wei!"
The voice came from behind.
It wasn't familiar to Lian Hua—
But Zhang Wei turned immediately.
A well-dressed man stood beside a sleek black car, bowing slightly.
"My boss asked me to invite you for a ride," he said respectfully.
Zhang Wei frowned slightly.
"Your boss?"
A pause.
"Who is that?"
"Me, Teacher."
The voice was calm.
Confident.
And then—
He stepped out.
Gu Yichen.
Lian Hua turned—
And everything slowed.
For a brief moment, the noise of the city faded into nothing.
He was tall—easily towering over those around him. Broad shoulders framed perfectly beneath a tailored dark coat, his posture straight, effortless.
His features were sharp, almost sculpted—defined jawline, high nose bridge, and eyes that held a quiet intensity.
Not loud.
Not playful.
But commanding.
The kind of presence that made people look twice—
Without knowing why.
And for the first time since entering the city—
Lian Hua forgot to breathe.
"Gu Yichen… is that you?" Zhang Wei said, surprise lighting up his face as he walked toward him.
Yichen smiled faintly.
"Teacher."
They embraced briefly.
Zhang Wei had taught many students over the years.
But he was never like other teachers.
He didn't rely on punishment.
Didn't believe in fear.
Instead, he got close—understood his students, guided them quietly.
Gu Yichen had been one of them.
Once stubborn.
Unyielding.
Difficult.
Until Zhang Wei.
"Why are you walking?" Yichen asked as he pulled away.
"Get in. I'll drop you off."
Zhang Wei waved a hand lightly.
"I live nearby. There's no need to trouble you."
"I insist," Yichen replied smoothly, already signaling the driver.
"You should let me repay you for once."
The car door opened.
Then—
His gaze shifted.
To her.
"Is this your wife?" he asked casually.
"Or your daughter?"
Zhang Wei let out a short laugh.
"Oh—my mistake."
He gestured toward her.
"This is my sister's child—Lian Hua."
Then back to him—
"And this is one of my finest students—Gu Yichen."
But Lian Hua didn't respond.
She was still stuck.
Still replaying the moment he stepped out of the car.
Over and over again.
"I can see your imagination sister and it's cringing me" Lian yue said inside cutting her from her thought
Lian Hua froze.
"You idiot," Lian Yue continued, amused.
"At least try to act normal."
Lian Hua snapped back to reality.
And realized—
His hand was already stretched out toward her.
Waiting.
She hesitated for the briefest second.
Then placed her hand in his.
Warm.
Firm.
Steady.
"Nice to meet you, Lian Hua," Gu Yichen said.
Her heart skipped.
"Oh—yes… nice to meet you too."
A small pause.
Then—
"Sorry… I didn't catch your name?"
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Gu Yichen."
The name lingered.
"Let's go uncle, i honestly can't wait to see your place" Gu Yichen said as he moved his hands to direct them into the car.
And somehow—
It felt like the beginning of something.