’This must be because Mr. Du is worried about his precious daughter,’ Shen Zhengfeng thought.

’He must think that our marriage will be stable in five years, so that’s why he set this time limit.’

Shen Zhengfeng didn’t hesitate for a second. He picked up the pen and signed his name with a few quick strokes. His movements were crisp and decisive. Then, he said in a serious tone, "Dad, just watch my actions from now on."

"Mm."

And with that, the meeting was over. Shen Yi hadn’t said a word during the latter part. As he turned to go upstairs, Mr. Du spoke up again. "Xiao Yi, if that brat provokes you again, you hit him back. Don’t let yourself be at a disadvantage."

Shen Yi glanced at his father, Shen Zhengfeng, who quickly said, "Xiao Yi, just listen to your grandpa."

The corner of Shen Yi’s mouth twitched upward almost imperceptibly. "Okay."

Shen Zhengfeng moved into the room Du Liya usually used when she was back. Shen Yi first walked his grandfather back to his room, where Mr. Du asked in a level voice, "Did you deliberately make him suspect that you aren’t his child?"

"And didn’t you deliberately make him sign that agreement?" Shen Yi’s fever had broken, but now he was coming down with a cold. His nose was stuffy, but his voice was clear. "It can’t be helped. Mom is too naive. We have to do some scheming for her." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Mr. Du replied, "If she had a tenth of your cunning, she wouldn’t be so completely focused on your father."

"Grandpa, I’m a little tired. I’m going back to sleep."

"Mm."

Mr. Du watched his grandson amble slowly up the stairs and shook his head helplessly.

’That kid is so full of schemes. If he really gets together with Xiao Jiao in the future, I wonder if he’ll bully her.’

For the first time, the old man felt that perhaps he ought to try and live a few more years.

**

When Qin Jiao woke up, she discovered a layer of frost had formed outside. The frost patterns on the window pane, illuminated by the sun, were sparkling and translucent—incredibly beautiful.

After breakfast, she was pushing her bicycle out when she paused at the gate.

’Could Shen Yi be too sick to get out of bed?’

Qin Jiao hesitated for a moment, then suppressed the urge to knock on the door. She turned, hopped on her bike, and was just about to leave when the gate behind her swung open.

Shen Yi walked out with his schoolbag on his back. His face was still a little pale, but he looked to be in good spirits.

"Qin Jiao, aren’t you going to wait for me to go to school together?" His voice was a little hoarse from his illness, and if you listened closely, you could hear what sounded like a hint of hurt.

Qin Jiao cleared her throat. "I thought you weren’t feeling well and would be resting at home today."

"Ahem, it’s just a minor bug, nothing serious. I can’t fall behind on my studies. I’m hoping to be in the same exam room as you for the monthly test."

Seeing him so motivated and focused on his studies, Qin Jiao started to feel that her earlier desire to avoid him was a bit petty.

’In this life, she and Shen Yi never had that misunderstanding, nor the farcical marriage that followed. Right now, they were just deskmates. At most... just good friends.’

Qin Jiao quickly composed herself. "Right, studying is important, but you need to prioritize your health. If you’re really not feeling well, you shouldn’t just tough it out."

"Okay." A sick Shen Yi seemed unusually obedient. Qin Jiao found his docile expression very unfamiliar. She looked a little awkward, then tried to change the subject. "Oh, right, isn’t your bike still at school? How are you getting there this morning?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yi’s gaze shifted to the back rack of Qin Jiao’s bicycle.

Qin Jiao: "..."

’She suddenly had the urge to slap a hand over the mouth that had spoken just a minute ago! Shen Yi’s bike was still at school... Why did I have to go and bring that up?!’