It was the height of summer in June—cicadas chirping, birds calling—a season full of life. For high school seniors and their parents, however, it was also the most anxious time of the year.
Qi Ji barely remembered his own college entrance exams, only that his hometown in June was far cooler than S City. Four years had passed in the blink of an eye, and now it was Qi Mingyu’s turn to take the exams. As the older brother, Qi Ji became a chaperone of sorts.
Though “chaperone” was mostly in name only. Qi Ji couldn’t cook, didn’t tutor Mingyu, and when Mingyu was in the final sprint of his preparations, Qi Ji was busy finishing his own graduation thesis and handling work at Yuntu. By the time Qi Ji wrapped up his defense, Mingyu’s third round of mock exams had already concluded.
In the final days leading up to the exam, the test center was assigned. Mingyu was sent to a relatively remote school. The school arranged buses for all students, so Mingyu didn’t ask Qi Ji to accompany him—even on the day they scouted the exam site, he went alone.
Qi Ji still worried a bit, but Mingyu reassured him: “It’s fine—it’s just like a practice run.”
Where most kids need comforting from their parents, this time it was Mingyu comforting Qi Ji.
“Besides, this practice isn’t even as hard as the competition questions. Nothing to worry about,” Mingyu said, gently pushing Qi Ji back to his work. “Stop fussing over it. Focus on your own work. After the exams, we can go out. The busyness now will save you overtime later.”
Persuaded, Qi Ji agreed.
Yet on the two exam days, after his younger brother had been taken to the test site, Qi Ji, who had resolved to stay calm, found his mind wandering anyway.
The exam site was two districts away from Yuntu. Mingyu had his phone but only called briefly after the first exam, then returned to study with classmates.
This afternoon was the final test. Mingyu planned to take the subway home. Qi Ji wanted to meet him, but the subway journey would take over two hours. Considering the exam ended relatively early, he would have to leave around 2 PM—somewhat inconvenient.
Still, not going left a hollow feeling in Qi Ji’s chest. This was one of his brother’s most important moments in life.
Lost in thought while walking, Qi Ji submitted a file and, stepping out of the elevator, accidentally collided with someone.
“Sorry.”
Qi Ji lowered his head, not noticing who it was, and instinctively apologized.
He felt the collision was strange—his distracted mind should have prevented it. But the person in front of him seemed to have collided intentionally.
A familiar low, magnetic voice sounded: “Hm?”
Looking up, Qi Ji saw Pei Yusheng in a deep gray bespoke suit, eyes downcast on him. His high, sharp nose, defined facial contours, and light gray eyes—like sun-dappled silver waves—pulled Qi Ji in instantly.
Even though Qi Ji knew the impact of seeing him up close, the sudden encounter in a public workplace still caught him off guard.
Since there were many people around, and the CEO’s assistant followed closely behind, Qi Ji apologized again and turned to leave.
But before he could take two steps, the man grasped his wrist.
Pei Yusheng’s hand encircled his slender wrist firmly, showing no intention of letting go. A trace of a smile lingered in his eyes, but his voice was serious: “Which department are you in? How can you walk so carelessly?”
Seeing the man, Qi Ji felt some relief—better to collide with him than anyone else. His anxiety eased noticeably at the sight.
“I’m sorry, President Pei, I didn’t mean to,” Qi Ji admitted honestly.
Pei Yusheng, however, remained unsparing. Raising an eyebrow, he said, “Not intentional is enough? Come with me.”
He led Qi Ji toward a quiet stairwell. Passersby glanced curiously, but the doorway blocked the view.
In the secluded corner, Pei Yusheng slid his hand down, holding Qi Ji’s pale, cool fingers in his palm.
“What’s wrong?” Dropping the stern CEO act, his voice returned to its usual calm. “Your hands are so cold.”
Qi Ji moved his fingers; Pei Yusheng tightened his grip.
“I… I’m hesitating whether to go pick up Mingyu after his last exam this afternoon,” Qi Ji confessed.
He had mentioned Mingyu’s exams before, but last night Pei Yusheng had been in an all-night meeting. Today hadn’t been planned.
Pei Yusheng lifted his other hand to gently wipe the sweat from Qi Ji’s temple. “My meeting’s done. I’m free this afternoon. Go tell your director, and around three, come downstairs. I’ll be waiting at the B1 parking lot to drive you to the exam site.”
Qi Ji hesitated. Pei Yusheng continued: “The subway takes two hours; driving is only one. With today’s traffic restrictions, even calling a car will take ages. Better we go ourselves.”
He naturally said “we.”
Qi Ji’s considerations were no match for Pei Yusheng’s planning. Eventually, he agreed. Missing this rare moment wasn’t an option.
Around three o’clock, Qi Ji got in the car. Embarrassed to be skipping work with his boss in tow, he offered an explanation:
“My own college exams were in my hometown. My parents and Mingyu came with me. For the last English exam, they waited at the school gate until I finished. Seeing them, walking home together—it was the most touching part.”
His voice softened with nostalgia: “I remember it almost four years ago. Everything else fades, but that walk home… it’s unforgettable. So relaxed, so happy.”
Pei Yusheng smiled quietly from the driver’s seat: “After the exam, it’s always relaxing.”
Qi Ji nodded. “Today’s his last day too. I didn’t want him alone.” He touched his nose. “Though it’s probably silly—they had teachers and classmates with them…”
Pei Yusheng chuckled. “What’s silly about that?”
He pressed a switch on the steering wheel, and the car’s infotainment screen switched from music to the current traffic map.
“Look here,” he said, zooming in for Qi Ji. “Kunshan District is remote; the school’s in the southeast corner, almost suburban. Passing through normally takes under twenty minutes. Today… two kilometers took half an hour. Parents picking up kids, that’s all.”
He rubbed Qi Ji’s soft hair. “If you want to go, go. Taking half a day off isn’t a big deal. How many times do you get to be part of someone’s most important moments?”
Qi Ji felt the warmth of Pei Yusheng’s hand on the back of his head, his chest swelling.
“Thank you, sir,” he murmured.
At a red light, Pei Yusheng lingered a moment longer. “You already called me ‘sir.’ What are you thanking me for?”
They parked at a lot near the school, then walked together toward the campus.
From a distance, even before reaching the gate, crowds of waiting parents and teachers appeared. Though June in S City was sweltering, the scene was packed but quiet. Everyone respected the candidates, the atmosphere serious.
Qi Ji’s heart calmed. His concern had been for his brother being alone—not about the exam itself.
They found shade, and soon, the exam’s whistle signaled its end.
The crowd became lively. Parents scanned eagerly for their children. Qi Ji, a little nervous, whispered to Pei Yusheng: “When I took the exams, I felt more relaxed than now waiting for someone else.”
Pei Yusheng pinched his tense shoulder gently. “It’s okay. It’s over.”
He seemed pleased to see Qi Ji worrying about something so ordinary.
Then, Pei Yusheng glimpsed a tall figure emerging from the school gate. “Qi Qi, is that him?”
Qi Ji saw him too. Mingyu, tall and slim, stood out in the crowd.
He waved: “Mingyu!”
Mingyu, surprised to see Qi Ji, paused briefly, then told his classmates something and hurried over.
Qi Ji clapped, smiling: “Congratulations, you’re free!”
Mingyu carried a bag over one shoulder, laughing: “Free? I wasn’t suffering.”
His usually stern expression softened. Reaching Qi Ji, he opened his arms, and they embraced.
“Happy graduation,” Qi Ji said.
“Happy holiday,” Mingyu replied.
The first major exam of his life was over. From preparation to finish, Mingyu had been relaxed, even more so than Qi Ji had been four years ago.
He hadn’t even planned to check the answers, but under classmates’ nudging, he glanced over them and said to Qi Ji: “About the same.”
Qi Ji didn’t know exactly how far off his brother’s score was, but he had always been confident in Mingyu’s abilities. And judging by Mingyu’s calm state over the past few days, it didn’t seem like there had been any surprises. Qi Ji didn’t want to pressure him unnecessarily, so he didn’t press the matter further.
Besides, during the previous independent enrollment process, F University had already guaranteed Mingyu admission even if his score dipped to the first-tier cutoff. No matter how unusual the results, he wasn’t going to score below that line. So, during the ten or so days waiting for the results, Qi Ji hadn’t worried much.
These days were also the rare, relaxed period for seniors. With the family’s financial stress lifted, Qi Ji set aside some money to let Mingyu and his friends go out and have fun for a few days.
Qi Ji still had his undergraduate graduation ceremony at the end of June, so he couldn’t travel far. He planned to finish up work over these days, and once the exam results were out and his own ceremony concluded, he would take Mingyu out to explore.
Having been busy with his thesis until then, Qi Ji was only now able to start thinking about where to go. But planning a trip inevitably gave him a headache. Even with the family’s improved finances, his frugal nature made him reluctant to spend much.
He also didn’t dare suggest a free cruise, as he hadn’t figured out how to explain it to Mingyu. For several consecutive days, he found himself poring over travel guides before bed, so much so that Pei Yusheng even began musing about setting up a giveaway prize for a free trip.
No one anticipated that this train of thought would suddenly be interrupted by something else.
On June 21, S City released the college entrance exam results. This announcement completely disrupted Qi Ji’s travel plans.
Because of F University’s preferential admission, Mingyu had skipped the stressful process of filling out applications. According to the plan, he could simply submit F University as his first choice and be guaranteed admission.
But the exam results introduced a new variable.
Scores were released at noon. That morning, Mingyu had gone to the supermarket to buy spare ribs. Confident in his performance, he didn’t check his results immediately. By the time he freed his hands after buying the ribs, three missed calls had already appeared on his phone—all from his homeroom teacher.
Old Yang was frantic, asking where Mingyu was. Hearing the bustling supermarket in the background and Mingyu’s calm “supermarket” reply nearly made him laugh in frustration.
“Little brat, at the supermarket? Don’t you know what day it is? Go check your score!”
Mingyu looked down, selecting winter melon to accompany the ribs. “Doesn’t the school check for us?”
The maximum score was 660. Mingyu knew he had scored over 600. Judging from the teacher’s tone, he assumed the results were already in. He asked simply, “How much did I get?”
“You…” Old Yang had intended to tease him, but the joy was impossible to hide. Before he could restrain it, the words slipped out: “…645! Six hundred forty-five, got it?”
Perfect score: 660. Mingyu scored 645—first in S City.
He was the city’s top scorer.
Qi Ji, hearing the news, was stunned. He had known Mingyu was strong, but no one expected “about right” to mean “almost perfect.”
It was such tremendous news that Qi Ji wanted to celebrate that evening. But when he got home from work, Mingyu had already stewed the ribs. Qi Ji couldn’t take him out, so he tried to help in the kitchen. He only managed to lay out a few cold dishes before Mingyu, seeing him with a knife, ushered him out.
“Drink the bowl of rib soup that’s cooled in the living room first.”
That was Qi Ji’s contribution. By the time he finished, the meal was ready.
The top scorer had no intention of letting his achievement change his habits—including cooking.
Still, being number one did have consequences. Soon, a pressing question emerged: would Mingyu still attend F University?
That evening, after finishing the hearty meal his brother had prepared, Qi Ji received several calls. Beyond Old Yang, admissions officers from T University and P University also contacted the household.
Thanks to his competition results, Mingyu already had preferential admission and a generous scholarship from F University. With the family debt cleared, he had considered staying in S City to help Qi Ji and hadn’t previously considered out-of-town schools.
He had also attended some academic programs at F University, and Qi Ji was already enrolled there. Old Master Xue, a lifelong professor at F University, further reinforced this choice.
But now the situation had changed.
Mingyu was the top scorer in S City, free to choose from the nation’s elite universities. With the family debt resolved, the range of options expanded, and the simple task of filling out applications became a complex decision.
Stay at F University or move to a higher-ranked T or P University?
Qi Ji helped compile all the relevant information. Their travel plans were on hold, and besides work, he spent his time sifting through data on university choices.
On this front, Pei Yusheng was the biggest help.
Beyond F University, Mingyu was primarily considering T University and P University, two top domestic institutions. Pei Yusheng’s family had been rooted in B City for years and were familiar with both universities. His uncle currently served as a dean at T University, giving him access to extensive information.
For F University, Pei Yusheng contacted Lian Qing. The Lian family had deep roots in S City, and Lian Qing’s uncle was on F University’s board, allowing smoother communication.
Early the next morning, after moving all the application materials and coaxing Mingyu to sleep, Pei Yusheng arranged to meet Lian Qing at a riverside teahouse. With the morning calm and few boats on the water, the atmosphere was quiet and contemplative.
“Second brother, you’re early,” Lian Qing said, entering. He wore a casual, old man-style undershirt and flip-flops—an outfit at odds with his face. His half-length, messy hair, held back by a clip, looked untidy. Yet his soft hair and striking face prevented him from appearing truly unattractive.
Pei Yusheng knew the reason: after rejecting Fang’s confession, Lian Qing had impulsively cut his hair short. Later, he realized the style was popular in gay culture and let it grow again.
Lian Qing, now somewhat recovered, handed over a folder. “Here’s the information you asked for. It contains department details and the new year’s academic plans. You can let the student look and see if he’s interested.”
“Good,” Pei Yusheng said, taking the folder. No thanks were necessary.
Surprisingly, Pei Yusheng didn’t just take the folder—he opened it and began reading.
Curious, Lian Qing asked, “Second brother, you’re reading it yourself?”
Having known about Pei Yusheng and Qi Ji’s relationship, Lian Qing was intrigued. He hadn’t expected Pei Yusheng to care so much for the younger student.
Pei Yusheng nodded. “His brother wants to study a related field. He’s been struggling with this decision. There’s a lot of material, so I’m helping him review it first.”
“Such a hassle?” Lian Qing said. “Choosing a school isn’t that complicated. You picked yours quickly. Why is this more work than your own choice? Just give a suggestion; it’ll save him the trouble.”
Pei Yusheng shook his head.
Lian Qing asked, “You still want to respect his choice?”
Pei Yusheng smiled. “Partly. He’d been buried under debt, never experienced a normal life. Now that the burden is gone, he can face ordinary life and its concerns. That’s good for him.”
He had also driven Qi Ji to the exam to let him experience something he had previously missed.
Lian Qing, hearing this, was speechless.
“…Second brother, really. Do ordinary people worry about T University versus P University?”