You're my wife, don't doubt it!

"Doggy, when will you ever feel safe?" Shen Jie sighed.

"So, Yu Luying is lying?" Xiao Yao seemed to be talking to himself.

Shen Jie didn't ask Yu Luying what she had said, but simply told Xiao Yao, "Silly girl probably isn't good at lying."

"So, you still went to talk to her about that matter," Xiao Yao sighed.

"What are you worried about?" Shen Jie scratched the boy's waist: "Didn't we already agree? I'm taking back my proposal to be friends, and we shouldn't get hung up on being friends or boyfriend and girlfriend anymore. We'll just be engaged."

"So, with all this going on between you two, what's the deal with the three of us?" Xiao Yao said with a helpless bitter smile, "I'm really impressed. How did you even manage to convince her?"

“Let’s just treat this as an experiment,” Shen Jie told Xiao Yao. “It’s related to symbiosis.”

Xiao Yao was about to argue, but Shen Jie stopped him: "It's the last day and two nights. Let's not waste any more time arguing, okay? Just one month. Let's try it and see."

"Have you two both made up your minds?"

"Ah."

"It seems I not only have no control over this matter, but I don't even have a choice?"

"Anyway, I'm not running away. You're guaranteed to win in this plan, so stop being so indecisive." After saying this, Shen Jie quickly changed the subject, afraid that Xiao Yao would object again: "Quick, tell me, how was your date tonight?"

While asking the question, he shook Xiao Yao.

“I mean, tutoring, literally,” Xiao Yao still instinctively omitted all descriptions of physical contact: “We had tutoring at KFC, doing practice problems, explaining problems, and then we walked back together—that’s what she told me when we walked back.”

"that's it?"

"That's it."

“Eh—” Shen Jie uttered a long, rising tone.

Xiao Yao couldn't figure out what Shen Jie was thinking.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" Xiao Yao asked her. "I...I'll just say goodbye?"

"How about tomorrow night?" Shen Jie thought for a moment. "Tonight is girl's night—come down, my legs are starting to go numb."

Xiao Yao quickly stood up, accidentally bumping into Shen Jie's knee, causing her to hiss.

Oh no!

Did I touch your wound? Is it serious? Is it serious?

"It's alright." Shen Jie shook her head: "It's just a superficial wound that hurts a little when you touch it, nothing serious."

"Sorry," Xiao Yao scratched his head, "I'm really sorry."

He saw Shen Jie's right foot wriggle a few times inside her slippers and socks. Then, the girl placed her right foot on the sofa, her slender fingers scratching an itch through the velvet socks. Her fingers slipped through the tips of the socks, deforming them slightly, and the edges of the socks began to slip down.

“Oh, right,” Xiao Yao remembered something, pulled up a chair and sat down facing Shen Jie, “Before I went to the bathroom to pick you up today, I bought some special medicine from an old doctor. Remember to take it back and soak in it at home every day according to the instructions. They said it will be fine after three days.”

"An old military doctor, huh?" Shen Jie teased.

"You're talking nonsense again. You work at a legitimate top-tier hospital."

"..." Shen Jie suddenly felt a little embarrassed and nodded, "I understand."

"Try not to get your socks wet in the future," Xiao Yao told Shen Jie. "If they do get wet, don't wear them for a long time. Take them off and change them as soon as possible to keep your toes and soles completely dry. Don't wear shoes and socks that are too tight. Choose breathable materials..."

"I know, I know." Shen Jie huffed and puffed, lifting her left foot and placing it on Xiao Yao's thigh. The boy then grabbed it in his hand.

"How dare you say that?" the girl said. "Why do I always wear wet socks?"

“I understand,” Xiao Yao nodded seriously, “So this is a face-to-face confession.”

"Could you stop rubbing my feet while you're repenting?" Shen Jie teased.

……

"Alright," Shen Jie stopped him, "Just a little touching and smelling is enough to satisfy your craving, but you need to be moderate, okay? Your symbiosis with Silly Girl has recovered somewhat, so don't embarrass her, and don't embarrass ourselves, understand?"

Xiao Yao didn't speak, but clutched his abdomen in pain, curling up like a cooked lobster.

"Are you serious?" Shen Jie kicked him lightly, a little annoyed.

"No," Xiao Yao looked up with a constipated expression, "It seems... I have menstrual cramps again?"

"When did you arrive?" Shen Jie quickly pulled her left leg back and put her foot down.

Just now, suddenly—

"Wait a minute, I'll go get you the cleaning slipper..." Shen Jie's stockinged feet rubbed against the floor as she searched for the slipper that had rolled under the sofa.

"No need, no need," Xiao Yao waved his hands repeatedly, "I don't need that... the other side can use it."

"Does it hurt that much?" Shen Jie asked doubtfully. "The symbiosis hasn't fully recovered yet, has it? If you're in so much pain, wouldn't Silly Girl be in pain...?"

"It's alright now," Xiao Yao stood up, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, his face a little pale. "It just happened suddenly a moment ago, but I feel much better now. I still have a bit of lower back pain, my stomach feels heavy, and my chest feels swollen..."

Shen Jie was a little worried that the symbiosis had intensified again, so she postponed the "girl's night" plan. She made brown sugar water and a hot water bottle for Xiao Yao, and then, imitating how Xiao Yao had massaged her last time, she clumsily massaged his abdomen. Finally, she held the boy's head and coaxed him to sleep in the room in 2004.

Xiao Yao slept in the embrace of spring, dreaming a lifetime's worth of dreams in one night. When he woke up in the morning, his discomfort had been greatly relieved.

The moment I opened my eyes, that stunningly beautiful face came into view.

"Awake?" Shen Jie opened her sleepy eyes. "Are you feeling better?"

"Much better." Xiao Yao heard the birds chirping outside the window.

"Then you can sleep a little longer."

Shen Jie rolled out of bed, casually took off her black stockings, crumpled them into a ball, and gently placed them next to Xiao Yao's pillow before returning to 2034 to change.

Before 10 a.m., Xiao Yao and Shen Jie appeared hand in hand at the main entrance of Longhua Funeral Home.

Yu Luying and Yu Bo were already waiting for them at the main entrance.

Shen Jie was dressed in a black formal suit today. In general, it was the same Dior casual outfit she wore when she came to Zhouzhuang to launch a surprise attack on Xiao Yao. She had a hat, long-sleeved gloves, black tights, and small leather shoes.

To Xiao Yao's surprise, Yu Luying was also dressed in all black, with a similar outfit to Shen Jie, except she didn't have a hat or gloves.

The young man didn't recall Yu Luying ever wearing black pantyhose before, but he couldn't help glancing at her a few more times. From a social distance, he couldn't tell if it was soft silk or cotton, only that it made the half of her calf peeking out from under her skirt appear even smoother and more delicate. The pantyhose, like her long skirt, were pure black and opaque. This color not only made her calves appear longer but also gave her an air of solemnity, elegance, and nobility.

Yu Luying didn't look well, obviously because she hadn't slept well last night. Xiao Yao and Shen Jie both knew the reason, so of course they wouldn't bring it up.

Yu Bo was not dressed in casual clothes as usual, but in a black robe.

This robe is made of black silk with a soft sheen. It has a loose fit, a wide hem, and loose sleeves with some pleats. The cuffs are decorated with exquisite embroidery and gold accents.

His shiny black pointed leather shoes and the white linen Roman collar around his neck made it clear that he was a clergyman.

Seeing everyone dressed so formally and appropriately, Xiao Yao looked down at himself with a guilty conscience. He was wearing a gray suit, one of the fall uniforms of St. Francis Middle School. Although the cut and material were not bad, it didn't fit well, making him look like a salesman. He wore a hooded student tie, and since he couldn't find a plain shirt, he had to wear a white T-shirt underneath. He also wore black casual trousers and black sneakers—which made him feel even more sorry for Teacher Song.

That's enough, that's enough.

Xiao Yao thought to himself that he really didn't have any formal attire, and it was impossible for him to buy a whole outfit just for him.

On either side of the main entrance of Longhua Funeral Home are two huge flower beds, filled with flowers and greenery. It had rained last night, and the ground was still wet, with the earthy smell in the air, making the place feel quite unfamiliar.

As Xiao Yao walked on the asphalt, he gazed at the pine trees planted in the green belt.

He liked these tall trees very much; they were both vigorous and elegant.

Song Haijian's memorial service was held in a small, dimly lit hall in a corner. The air was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood, and soft yellow light shone on the coffin. Four invited monks sat beside the coffin, chanting sutras.

The leading monk wore a robe that resembled the one worn by Tang Sanzang in "Journey to the West." He wore a monk's hat and appeared to be in his fifties or sixties. Although of medium build, he possessed a dignified and imposing appearance. The four monks sat upright beside the coffin, holding prayer beads and chanting silently with their eyes closed. Each time they finished chanting a string of Buddhist mantras, they would bow deeply in unison. Their chanting, though not loud, was deep, powerful, melodious, and clear.

When the monk saw Yu Bo walk in, he raised his lowered eyelids and nodded slightly to him. Yu Bo returned the nod.

"It seems they know each other," Xiao Yao thought. "Was it at a meeting of religious figures or a CPPCC meeting?"

Director Lin arrived, as did the portly, bald principal. Several people dressed in mourning stood beside the coffin, presumably family members of the deceased who had come from Sujiang. Xiao Yao immediately recognized a plump woman—they had met briefly at the 7 Days Inn in Qingpu, and she was now weeping uncontrollably, a heart-wrenching sight.

Since it was summer vacation, not many students came, but to Xiao Yao's surprise, Chen Lu and Zhang Jialong also came.

"I'm the class monitor, and I'm here representing our class." After a brief greeting, Chen Lu lowered her voice and said to Xiao Yao and Yu Luying, "Longlong is here with me."

Xiao Yao noticed that Wu Xufei had also arrived. This girl was also one of the well-known beauties in the grade, but she was usually quiet and low-key. Xiao Yao knew her, but she might not know Xiao Yao; simply put, they didn't have much interaction.

In Teacher Yao's sanctuary, in that large dance classroom, Xiao Yao had once seen her—though it wasn't her, but merely a product of his perception.

Wu Xufei wore a light-colored plaid top, and the white socks peeking out between her trousers and sneakers also had the same plaid pattern.

"She really is a girl who pays attention to fashion," Xiao Yao thought.

The memorial service was brief and there was nothing to elaborate on; it lasted about 20 minutes.

During the farewell ceremony, Xiao Yao tried hard to appear more sorrowful, but found it difficult to do so.

I want to say something, but it's hard to figure out the right identity and stance I should take.

This reinforced his belief that his trip was nothing more than crocodile tears—and this feeling was not good.

After the memorial service, the family members thanked each of the students who came to attend. Xiao Yao chatted with Director Lin, Zhang Jialong, Wu Xufei, and others as he walked out of the small hall.

Yu Bo and the leading monk were already standing outside the hall.

He gently took the lighter from the monk, held it to his lips, took a drag, and then handed it back to the monk. The monk took the lighter and immediately tucked it into the wide sleeve of his robe.

"Amitabha!" the old monk said.

"Master Shi Hui, how have you been?" Yu Bo took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled a smoke ring.

The two moved with ease, and wisps of smoke rose. Xiao Yao watched from afar and inexplicably felt that the scene was somewhat solemn and mysterious.

“The ‘organization’ has sent word,” Yu Bo said in a low voice, making sure no one was around. “There have been reports of bizarre deaths like Mr. Song’s all over the world recently.”