July 6th was a Wednesday.

There is no such thing as summer vacation in the world of married adults.

Old Zhang and Old Xu were up early as always, each settling into their own routine.

"Old Xu. Old Xu. Where are you?!"

"I'm in the bathroom."

"Were you a maggot in a past life? First thing out of bed and you're in there squatting for half an hour."

The moment Old Zhang finished shouting it, the toilet flushed.

Old Xu came out and Old Zhang went right on to the next thing. "When did we last pay the water and electricity and the gas?"

"Middle of May, I think."

"Go pay it after work today. Our son will be home soon."

Old Xu made a sound of assent, pulled out two pairs of chopsticks and carried two bowls of noodles over to the table. The two of them had only just sat down to eat when there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?"

"You go."

Old Xu got up and trotted over to open it.

Outside were Zhang Lan and Wang Yuxin, plus Wang Manning, who had come back from Shanghai only the night before.

"Brother-in-law. Eating?"

"Mm."

"Hi, Uncle. Hi, Auntie." Wang Manning has always had a sweet mouth on her. Once she had greeted everybody she followed the others in.

"Manning!" Old Zhang saw her and got up in a hurry, frowning. "When did you get here?"

"Last night, with my cousin."

"Huh?"

Husband and wife exchanged a look. Old Xu wasn't satisfied and went to check Xu Ye's room. He shook his head at Old Zhang, and Old Zhang asked at once, "Your cousin brought you back to Jiangzhou last night?"

"Mm-hm."

Wang Manning laughed. "Don't tell me he's still not up?"

Old Xu shook his head. "He didn't come home."

"Huh?"

Zhang Lan spoke up quickly. "That can't be right. I saw Xiao Ye myself last night."

At this moment.

Wang Manning seemed to realize something.

Her eyes went wide and she clapped a hand hard over her own mouth. Oh no. Oh…