12 Tender Affection

The boy’s figure appeared at the alley entrance, tall and slender, wearing a black baseball cap. The alley’s light was dim, and he blended into the shadows, yet the lazy air about him was unmistakable.

Jiang Ci recognized him at once.

Zhang Heyu hadn’t expected Jiang Ci to be standing right outside her family’s courtyard. As he approached, he noticed the girl’s eyes were red-rimmed, as if she had been crying.

“Have you been crying?”

Just that one question was enough to relieve the tension that had gripped Jiang Ci all night. The emotions she had been holding back suddenly unraveled.

Zhang Heyu looked down at the girl who was sobbing so uncontrollably, his handsome brows furrowing. “Is this how you welcome me?”

Jiang Ci looked up at him, and Zhang Heyu’s gaze softened as he met her eyes—eyes so tender and affectionate, their depth striking in the night.

“I’m sorry...” she whispered.

Zhang Heyu didn’t know what had caused her tears and wasn’t good at comforting girls. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached out and gently stroked her head.

The motion was tender, like a quiet reassurance.

Her soft hair brushed against his palm, tickling slightly.

Jiang Ci froze, her warm brown eyes wide with surprise, the heat radiating from above her head affirming that this moment was real.

Unnoticed by both, the boy’s ears flushed a faint red.

Her tears ceased, and as Jiang Ci calmed, she glanced sideways to see the small box in his hand, her gaze traveling upward to meet his deep eyes.

“What’s that you’re holding?”

“Hm,” Zhang Heyu said, waving the box in front of her. “Passed by a cake shop—buy one get one free.”

She clearly remembered there was no such cake shop near her home.

A strand of hair brushed her cheek; Jiang Ci lifted her hand to tuck it back, smiling softly. Even in her fragile state, her smile lacked its usual radiant brightness.

“Zhang Heyu, are you hungry?”

*

Jiang Ci led Zhang Heyu into her home.

In the rush to take her grandmother to the hospital, the house was left in disarray, lights still on inside. When they opened the door, a warm yellow light flooded out.

“The house is a mess, don’t mind it,” Jiang Ci said, closing the door behind him.

In all these years, she had never brought a friend home.

Because among her classmates and friends, her family’s living conditions were the poorest.

Over time, she had developed a sense of inferiority.

She expected Zhang Heyu to mind, but to her surprise, he stood quietly before the wall plastered with certificates, his expression calm, eyes fixed on the display.

Jiang Ci fetched a fresh bowl and chopsticks from the kitchen, served him a bowl full of rice, and reheated the dishes her grandmother had prepared but hadn’t eaten.

When she returned, she caught a glimpse of Zhang Heyu gazing at the wall.

The certificates were all awards Jiang Ci had earned since childhood. She had never liked putting them up, but her grandmother insisted, saying that since she was outstanding, they should be displayed proudly.

Now that Zhang Heyu had seen them, she felt a bit shy.

“Um...” Jiang Ci nervously fiddled with her fingers. “The food’s ready.”

Zhang Heyu nodded, washed his hands, and sat opposite her.

He didn’t quite know why he had come to her home all of a sudden.

Before that, he had eaten out with Huo Chensi and the others, and only after losing a game did he come looking for Jiang Ci.

The forfeit was to buy a cake for a girl he wanted to see.

Zhang Heyu wasn’t sure why, but Jiang Ci’s face flashed through his mind at that moment.

When he saw the tears glistening in her eyes as she looked at him, his heart clenched sharply.

He didn’t quite understand this feeling.

He had seen girls cry before, but it usually annoyed him; Jiang Ci was different—he actually felt a pang of sympathy.

*

“Where are your family?” Zhang Heyu could tell that the life in this house extended beyond just Jiang Ci.

She picked up a piece of meat, said nothing, and swallowed it in one bite.

As she ate, bitterness grew in her mouth. Perhaps from crying so long and so much, she wanted to cry again but no tears came.

“Zhang Heyu,” she called him quietly, her mouth still full.

“We’re friends, right?” Her eyes were clear despite the redness and swelling, evoking a protective tenderness.

Zhang Heyu paused, then after a few seconds of silence, said, “I guess so.”

“...Okay.” Jiang Ci nodded and added, “Thank you.”

Though he hadn’t done anything, only she knew clearly that his presence had eased her sorrow.

Soon, Jiang Ci finished eating.

Zhang Heyu ate a little but not much.

Seeing her low spirits, he didn’t ask questions but said, “Eat something sweet, it’ll lift your mood.”

Jiang Ci was taken aback but picked up a spoonful of the cake beside her and tasted it.

The sweet, creamy flavor spread in her mouth—rich but not cloying. The cake truly surprised her.

“Zhang Heyu,” she put down her spoon, her gaze wandering, “I’m so sad. Even though everything has been reset...”

“Why do I still have to go through all this mess?”

Zhang Heyu hesitated, not fully understanding her rambling about starting over and enduring chaos.

But he could see she was genuinely heartbroken.

So at this moment, he resolved to be a good listener and a receptacle for her emotions.

“Jiang Ci,” Zhang Heyu asked softly, “why are you sad?”

She looked at him blankly for a moment; when their eyes met, her heart raced.

His face remained cool as ever, but Jiang Ci sensed something different—at least, his eyes held no disdain for her.

“Over two hours ago, my grandmother was admitted to the hospital,” Jiang Ci said. “I’ve lived with her since I was little—I can’t be without her.”

Her life had no parents’ presence, only that grandmother who had always wanted to give her the best.

Zhang Heyu’s throat tightened; he was speechless, his heart prickling as if pierced by a needle.

After a few seconds of silence, he said quietly, “Jiang Ci, love endures in this world. You can’t live without your grandmother, and she can’t live without you.”

Jiang Ci packed a few clothes, locked the door, and left the house.

“Zhang Heyu,” her mood much improved, she smiled faintly. “Thank you.”

He seemed used to her thanks, simply raising an eyebrow without replying.

Jiang Ci was headed to the hospital to stay by her grandmother’s side. She glanced up at the boy’s pale arm and asked softly, “Aren’t you coming back?”

“I’ll walk you,” Zhang Heyu said, glancing at her. “So you don’t end up like before.”

After a moment, he added, “Crying till you’re upset.”

Jiang Ci smiled knowingly; she had a feeling Zhang Heyu was the type who was tough on the outside but soft inside.

At the hospital entrance, Jiang Ci said gently, “I’m here. You can go now. Be careful on the way.”

“Mm.” Zhang Heyu stayed where he was, not moving, lifting his chin to gesture for her to go inside.

She understood and walked into the hospital.

Watching the girl’s fading figure, Zhang Heyu pursed his lips, pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket.

With a click, the flame sparked, and the cigarette in his mouth was lit.

He hadn’t expected the night to unfold this way.

Love is heavier because of differences, stronger because of hardships.

He didn’t know what she had been through; normally, she hid her pain well.

He felt a pang of sympathy for Jiang Ci.

At the same time, a thought surfaced.

He wanted to get closer to her, to understand her.

*

Back in the ward, Jiang Ci’s grandmother was still unconscious. She poured a cup of water, dampened a cotton swab, and moistened her grandmother’s lips.

She only wished for her grandmother to be well.

After a moment, Jiang Ci made her way to Dr. Shi’s office again, hoping to learn more about the condition.

Tomorrow was Friday, and she probably wouldn’t make it to school, so she had already told Mo Bingyou and asked for a day off.

Meanwhile, Zhang Heyu stepped out of his car and headed straight to a bar called Moon.

At the door of private room 303, he ran into Fan Mian coming out.

“Ah, our Heyu is back!” Fan Mian called inside to the others.

“Heyu, have you completed your punishment?” Huzi teased with a silly grin.

Zhang Heyu lifted his eyelids, glanced briefly, and strode to a corner of the sofa. “Yeah.”

“Who did you deliver the cake to?” Blondie asked, full of gossip. “Which girl?”

Huo Chensi clicked his tongue and shot a retort. “Man, how can you be so nosy?”

“You don’t know! Aren’t you curious?” Blondie pouted. “Just one sentence—aren’t you all curious?”

“Gotta say,” Huo Chensi shifted his gaze to Zhang Heyu, “I am curious.”

“Shut up,” Blondie laughed and cursed. “Get lost.”

Throughout the chatter, the main focus—Zhang Heyu—said nothing. Unlike usual, he didn’t snap at them to quiet down.

“Heyu, seriously,” Huo Chensi glanced at him, “who did you give the cake to?”

Zhang Heyu shot him a sidelong look, his fingers rhythmically tapping the outside of his glass. “Mind your own business, stay away.”

Huo Chensi was used to his sharp tongue. “No, wait, I haven’t seen you interact with any girls lately.”

He thought carefully—at school, they hung out together all the time, and Zhang Heyu didn’t seem to have contact with any girls.

Tentatively, he asked, “Could it be my goddess Jiang Ci?”

Jiang Ci.

Zhang Heyu paused his tapping, a small smile curling at the corner of his mouth. The subtle gesture didn’t escape Huo Chensi’s sharp eyes.

“Is that so?” Huo Chensi teased.

Zhang Heyu glared at him, the answer clear yet unspoken.

“Damn, no way!” Huo Chensi exclaimed, disbelief on his face. “Since when did you like that kind of thing?”

Zhang Heyu didn’t want to waste energy on stupid chatter. Chatting with Huo Chensi was too exhausting, so he ignored him.

“Cheeky,” Huo Chensi recalled when he first saw Jiang Ci, he had asked Zhang Heyu if he liked her, but the latter had only mocked him.

The next morning.

Jiang Ci didn’t go to school. If Mo Bingyou hadn’t mentioned it in class, Zhang Heyu wouldn’t have known she had taken a day off.

He had little interest in the lecture, pulled out his phone from his desk, glanced at it, smoothed his hair, hesitated, then opened the chat with the strawberry bear avatar.

[Zhang Heyu: Took a day off?]

[Jiang Ci: Yeah, my grandmother just woke up.]

He stared at her message for some time before putting the phone away.