Fall - Chapter 18

Yue Can had given away all the souvenirs from her trip, except for the one she had for Bo Wanzhao. She had originally planned to give it to Bo Wanzhao at her college acceptance banquet a few days earlier, but Bo Wanzhao hadn’t attended.

It wasn’t until Yue Can left Zhong Ran’s house that she received Bo Wanzhao’s reply. She was used to it; busy people rarely respond immediately.

bwz: I’m not in Naxia.

Out of town? That explains why she missed the banquet. Yue Can typed: When will you be back?

bwz: Next week. Is there something you need?

Next week? That’s perfect timing… to miss each other. Yue Can’s school started in just two days. Staring at the screen, she sent: It’s nothing important.

It felt awkward to say it. It was just a gift; there was no need to meet up specifically to give it.

Yue Can assumed the conversation was over, but after a while, a new message popped up.

bwz: Really nothing?

Another instance of sisterly concern, yet it still felt distant. Yue Can couldn’t shake the feeling of a lingering distance. If we were close, why wouldn’t she talk to me more often?

After replying with a nodding emoj, Yue Can tucked her phone into her pocket.

Yue Can suffered from severe procrastination. With only a dozen hours left before school started, her luggage remained unpacked.

“I told you to pack earlier! We’re leaving tomorrow, and it’s still a mess. I don’t even know if you’ve forgotten anything,” Tan Ming scolded, taking a break to help Yue Can pack her suitcase. Despite her busy schedule, she was determined to personally accompany her daughter to school the next day.

Yue Can, who never worried or overthought things, replied casually, “If I forget anything, you can just mail it to me.”

“You’re so laid-back, even when the fire’s at your eyebrows! I don’t know who you take after,” Tan Ming grumbled.

“Myself,” Yue Can said, leisurely packing. “One of a kind, unique, a rare treasure.”

“Stop being cheeky,” Tan Ming said, picking up a gift box from the bookshelf. “What’s this? Are you taking it?”

Yue Can glanced at it—the gift she had prepared for Bo Wanzhao. She took it from Tan Ming’s hand. “I guess not.”

A while later, Yue Can glanced at the gift box again and said to Tan Ming, “Mom, I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

“Where are you going?” Tan Ming asked.

“Just something I need to take care of,” Yue Can replied.

Tan Ming sighed helplessly. “Suddenly you have errands when I ask you to help out? Be back early for dinner.”

“Got it.”

Yue Can still went to Wutong Lane, carrying several bags. Bo Wanzhao wasn’t home, so she knocked on Old Mrs. Zhou’s door next door.

Old Madam Zhou, her face kind and gentle, opened the door.

Yue Can, who had tutored here before, greeted her warmly, “Granny Zhou.”

“Xiao Can, dear,” Old Mrs. Zhou replied with a smile. “Visiting your sister again? Is she back yet?”

“Not yet,” Yue Can said with a smile. “I’m leaving for university tomorrow, so I stopped by to see you and brought some fruit.”

“University is wonderful! You’re too kind, dear. I appreciate the thought, but I can’t accept the fruit.”

“Please take it. I wanted to ask you a favor…”

Yue Can handed Old Mrs. Zhou another paper bag, asking her to give it to Bo Wanzhao when she returned. The old woman readily agreed.

Later that evening, while eating dinner, Yue Can sent Bo Wanzhao a WeChat message: “I left something for you at Granny Zhou’s next door. Remember to pick it up when you get back.”

Bo Wanzhao usually replied quickly during mealtimes, a pattern Yue Can had noticed. True to form, she responded promptly this time.

bwz: What is it?

Yue Can played coy, replying, “You’ll find out when you get it.”

This little game wouldn’t intrigue someone without curiosity, and Bo Wanzhao was precisely such a person. As expected, Yue Can received no further inquiries.

The next morning, Yue Can left home early, accompanied by both her parents—a rare occurrence.

Though only a few months had passed since starting high school, Yue Can had changed significantly. Her hair had grown much longer, no longer rigidly tied in a high ponytail as required by school rules, but now flowed naturally down her back.

As they drove to the airport, Tan Ming looked around, touched Yue Can’s hair, and sighed, “It feels like you’ve grown up so fast.”

Yue Can, absorbed in her phone, replied, “Is it really that dramatic?”

“Can Can, I don’t ask much of you, but when it comes to relationships, you absolutely must take them seriously,” Tan Ming said with concern, repeating her warning for the umpteenth time.

Yue Can chuckled, speechless. “Why do you always assume I want a relationship? I’ve told you I’m not interested. If I were, I’d already be dating—I have plenty of suitors.”

Tan Ming laughed at her vanity, then added, “That’s because you haven’t met the right person yet. Once you do, you’ll forget all about not being interested. Remember what I said: this isn’t something to play around with. It requires seriousness.”

“Don’t worry, Mom,” Yue Can said confidently. “My standards are incredibly high. Anyone I like will definitely meet your approval.” Zhong Ran often teased her about her high standards, saying she seemed to look down on everyone.

Tan Ming chuckled and ruffled her daughter’s hair. “True, my daughter’s taste can’t be anything less than impeccable.”

In mid-September, Bo Wanzhao finally returned to Naxia after spending over half a month out of town for a project with her advisor.

As dusk fell, she dragged her suitcase down the familiar streets. It was dinnertime, and the old houses glowed with warm, yellow light, their windows radiating the aroma of home-cooked meals—simple yet cozy.

But this warmth had nothing to do with her.

She hadn’t eaten yet and had little appetite, wanting only to go home, take a bath, and sleep.

Old Mrs. Zhou, who ate early, sat under the paulownia tree outside, swatting mosquitoes around her legs with a palm-leaf fan. She looked up and saw Bo Wanzhao. “You’re back?”

Bo Wanzhao smiled. “Yeah.”

“I’ve been waiting for you for ages,” Old Mrs. Zhou said, having waited for days. “You left something here. I’ll go get it for you.”

Bo Wanzhao remembered the item. Yue Can hadn’t told her what it was, and she hadn’t asked.

After a moment, the Old Madam emerged with a handbag. “Your sister came by a few days ago and asked me to give this to you when you got back.”

“Thank you,” Bo Wanzhao said, taking the bag. She glanced inside and saw cat food, treats, and other supplies. She immediately understood… That day her sister had suddenly asked if she was home, she must have been planning to deliver this.

Old Mrs. Zhou chuckled. “You sisters have such a good relationship. Your sister was really thinking of you. She said she’s going to university out of town, but she still made a special trip to bring you these things.”

Bo Wanzhao smiled politely. She’s probably more worried about the cats, she thought.

Back in her room, Bo Wanzhao noticed a beautifully wrapped gift box at the bottom of the bag. She picked it up and opened it. It wasn’t for the cats.

Inside was an exquisitely crafted bracelet, delicate and beautiful, along with a peace charm.

She paused, touched by the thoughtful gift.

“Can Can, I’m ready.”

“Let’s begin.”

Yue Can received the WeChat message after finishing dinner, just as she was about to start a gaming session with her roommates. They were all in high spirits.

Having moved to a new city, everything around her was unfamiliar, but her outgoing personality and exceptional adaptability allowed her to quickly integrate with her peers. She experienced no culture shock or adjustment issues in her university life.

Their school dorms housed four students, each with distinct personalities. Fortunately, they got along harmoniously. After sharing a couple of meals and playing a few rounds of games together, they had already become close friends.

A notification popped up at the top of her phone. Yue Can glimpsed “bwz” flashing across the screen. The busy man is back in Naxia? Without hesitation, she switched apps, abandoning the game.

Yue Can had created the game room, and everyone was waiting for her. Her roommates urged, “Can Can, why haven’t you started yet? Hurry up!”

“I have something to take care of. You guys go ahead and play,” Yue Can replied, immediately leaving the room.

“We’ll wait for you! We were counting on you to carry us!”

“No need, no need. You guys start first. I’ll join later,” Yue Can said, reopening the WeChat chat.

bwz: Received. Why the sudden gift?

Yue Can replied formally: A souvenir from my trip, as thanks for helping me catch up on my studies.

bwz: My aunt already gave me a gift.

Yue Can frowned. Was she going to return it? The peace charm had been specially obtained and carried a special meaning.

Yue Can: My mom is my mom. This is from me.

bwz: Giving gifts to the devil?

She still remembers the “devil”? Yue Can chuckled, caught off guard. She realized that Bo Wanzhao, who always seemed so calm and detached, actually held grudges—all from that one time Yue Can had called her out directly.

She knew Bo Wanzhao wouldn’t easily accept gifts from others…

Yue Can: Or next time I’m back, I’ll come over for dinner. That’ll even things out.

Bo Wanzhao lowered her gaze to stare at the reply. Whether it was a casual remark or not, she simply replied: Okay.

Since moving to West City for school, Yue Can had settled in well. The only thing she hadn’t quite adjusted to was the food. This conversation made her crave Bo Wanzhao’s cooking.

Yue Can: One more thing.

bwz: What is it?

Yue Can: If you see Dirty Bun, can you feed her for me?

Bo Wanzhao had guessed correctly and specially sent over a bag of cat treats.

bbwzb: Okay

Yue Can smiled faintly, touched that he had agreed to her childish request.

Unaccustomed to West City’s cuisine and worn out by military training, Yue Can had lost several pounds in just over two weeks. During her free time, she would video call Zhong Ran and the others to share her daily life.

“Are you two conjoined twins or something? Always together,” Yue Can blurted out during her second video call with Zhong Ran, noticing Luo Yang sitting beside her, reading a book.

“She’s afraid I won’t adjust well and said she’d keep me company,” Zhong Ran explained.

“You two are practically flaunting your relationship,” Yue Can blurted out, staring at the screen.

“What nonsense are you talking about!” Zhong Ran hissed, shooting Yue Can a warning look.

Yue Can chuckled, finding Zhong Ran overly sensitive. Even if girls kissed or hugged, it didn’t necessarily imply anything romantic, did it?

“Can Can, are you coming back for the National Day holiday?” Zhong Ran asked. “Luo Yang and I are going back to Naxia. You should come too! It’s been so long since we’ve seen you.”

“It’s only been a month,” Yue Can replied.

Zhong Ran’s voice dropped with disappointment. “So you’re not coming back?”

“I’m coming back,” Yue Can replied. She had decided to spend her vacation in Naxia days ago and had already booked her plane ticket. Someone still owed her a meal, after all.

After chatting with Zhong Ran for half an hour, Yue Can noticed another message. It seemed to be from Bo Wanzhao, but she thought she might be seeing things. Bo Wanzhao never initiated conversations on WeChat, only passively replying to her messages.

Yue Can opened the message.

Bo Wanzhao had sent a single photo. Taken at night, the image was dim and blurry, showing Dirty Bun burying her face in a bowl of freeze-dried food. A shadow fell beside the cat, clearly belonging to Bo Wanzhao.

Yue Can stared at the photo, smiling for a long time. Bo Wanzhao always took her promises seriously… Does she have to be so good?

Her roommate glanced over and noticed Yue Can’s constant smiling. “What’s so funny?” she asked curiously.

Yue Can couldn’t explain. There was nothing particularly funny about the photo, but she felt an inexplicable joy.

Standing alone in the chilly alley, Bo Wanzhao watched Dirty Bun gobble down her food with noisy enthusiasm. It was rather dull, but she lingered for a long time.

Soon, she received a reply to her message.

Yue Can: I really want to go back to Naxia.