Just as Xu Ye had said, Jiang Meilin could take a long stretch of leave every year — on the condition that the company wasn't busy.

In past years Jiang Meilin had staggered her leave so she could get home every so often; if she went too long without going back she worried about Chen Qingqing. But since Chen Qingqing started college, Jiang Meilin had begun taking it over the summer or winter break, because outside those two windows Chen Qingqing wasn't home anyway.

The sun was fierce. Stepping off the air-conditioned high-speed train you could feel thirty-six or thirty-seven degrees of it burning down. Jiang Meilin came out of the station with the crowd, pulling a small suitcase, and once she was outside she called Xu Ye.

"Hello, Auntie. I can already see you. Just wait where you are."

"Beep beep beep…"

Jiang Meilin hadn't gotten a word out before the call ended. She was still wondering where he was when Xu Ye appeared in front of her in a white shirt.

Xu Ye reached over and took her suitcase, smiling. "It's too hot out here. I left Qingqing in the car."

The sunlight fell on Xu Ye's face, and against the white shirt the whole of him seemed to be giving off light.

Jiang Meilin was dazed for a second, then answered quickly, "Let's get to the car ourselves."

The two of them walked briskly toward the curb.

Jiang Meilin couldn't help looking up at Xu Ye a few more times, and while he was putting the suitcase in the trunk she pulled a door open and got in.

It was nearly twelve by then and there was no time to cook at home, so the three of them found a place to eat out instead. Only after they had eaten did Xu Ye drive mother and daughter back to Red Leaf Estate.

He had work in the afternoon, so Xu Ye didn't stay long before driving off alone.

Once he was gone, Jiang Meilin asked curiously, "Qingqing, why has Xiao Xu suddenly started wearing suits?"

Chen Qingqing…