Zhang Quan didn't dare tell Zheng Bin about it. Something felt faintly wrong to him by now, but he couldn't have said what.

While Xu Ye was enjoying the Dragon Boat holiday, this year's high school seniors were starting the longest summer vacation of their school lives.

Ever since Wang Manning settled on art school her family hadn't been able to keep a handle on her even on a good day, let alone now that the gaokao was over. She lasted less than a week at home before she packed her suitcase herself and got on a high-speed train to Shanghai.

Wang Manning was afraid Xu Ye wouldn't let her come, so her plan had been to act first and report after — to tell him once she was already in Shanghai. But Zhang Ying didn't trust that, and had told Xu Ye long before.

Around eleven in the morning.

Xu Ye drove to the train station, picked Wang Manning up without any trouble, and headed for the conservatory with her.

"Cousin, where am I staying tonight?"

"A hotel near my school. I already have the room booked." Xu Ye said it very seriously. "I'm telling you this up front. Over the summer, the first time you don't do what I say about anything, I'm sending you back to Suzhou."

"I know, I know."

"On top of that. Three meals a day, on time — I'll call you when it's time. No going out after nine at night. During the day you stay at the company. Do whatever you like there, but one thing: don't make trouble for anybody."

"I know, I know."

"And who told you to wear a skirt that short? You're changing out of that later."

Wang Manning pulled a face. "Even my mom doesn't tell me what to wear."

"Then I'll send you straight back to your mom."

Wang Manning grabbed his arm fast, giggling. "Fine, fine. I'll do what you say."

Wang Manning wanted to spend the summer following Xu Ye around mostly out of curiosity. She wanted to know whether he really had turned…