Shocking! A three-year-old brings his aloof mother to their door.

no respond.

She looked up and saw Shen Qing standing at the door, holding a bag in her hand, looking flustered, like a primary school student being called into the principal's office.

Qin Yue was somewhat surprised.

She didn't expect Shen Qing to come.

Logically speaking, since he was teased by me last time, given the nature of a young boy his age, he should not have shown up again to save face.

A slight smile played on her lips, her tone tinged with amusement: "Got psychological problems again?"

Shen Qing shook his head like a rattle drum, even faster than last time.

He dared not lie this time. This woman seemed to have mind-reading abilities. Last time, he pretended to be depressed to get an appointment with her, but she saw through him immediately and teased him like he was a dog.

"I...I brought you lunch." He held up the bag in his hand, like raising a white flag of surrender.

Qin Yue stared at the packaging and paused for a moment.

It was her favorite noodle shop with soybean paste. She didn't take it, but asked, "Did you come here by yourself?"

Shen Qing honestly confessed, "No, I came with Mo Ye and Wang Jie."

Qin Yue understood.

She knew it! How could this clueless guy possibly buy the food she likes? It must have been Mo Ye's idea.

Did Mo Ye find out about it from Wan Qing?

She looked at the bag of noodles with soybean paste and was somewhat tempted to refuse.

She opened her mouth, about to speak, when she saw Shen Qing looking at her hopefully, his eyes sparkling like a large dog waiting to be fed.

Her refusal stuck in her throat.

He'll probably be very disappointed if she rejects him.

But if I accept the offer, wouldn't that be giving him a chance?

Giving hope to others is irresponsible.

She hesitated for a while before finally saying, "Shen Qing, don't waste your time on me. We're not a good match."

Shen Qing's expression dimmed for a moment, as if a light had been turned off.

Am I really that bad?

But that dimness lasted only a second before he smiled again, even more brightly than before:

"I heard you like this, so here, have some. Even if we're not a good match, can we just treat each other like ordinary friends?"

Qin Yue looked at him, and as if possessed, reached out and took the bag of noodles with soybean paste.

Once she received the noodles, she realized how she had ended up taking them.

But once you've accepted it, you can't return it.

She parted her red lips slightly, her voice very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something: "Thank you."

When Shen Qing saw that she had answered, she was so excited that she almost jumped up on the spot.

At least they've taken the first step!

Seeing the undisguised joy on his face, Qin Yue sighed inwardly and spoke seriously:

"Shen Qing, you don't need to waste your time on me. Many people have pursued me, but they've all failed. You should find someone suitable for you; it'll be better if you continue pursuing me for years without any results."

Shen Qing didn't back down. He looked into her eyes and asked, "Does Sister Qin have someone she likes?"

When Qin Yue heard the words "Sister Qin," her heart felt a sweet, tingling sensation, and her earlobes quietly turned pink.

She stammered, "Who...who is your sister? Don't call me that."

Shen Qing looked at her and thought she was so cute.

He grew bolder and softened his voice: "Since you don't have anyone you like, can you give me a chance? I'll leave once you find someone you like."

Qin Yue sighed helplessly.

Whatever you want.

She turned and walked out, leaving behind the words, "Come with me." She thought to herself that he would give up in a few days anyway.

These kinds of young boys are just like that; if there's no response for a few days, they'll just run away.

Boys at this age have a very strong sense of self-esteem, and they generally can't maintain a relationship for long if they're met with indifference.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qing eagerly followed, her steps as light as if she were walking on cotton.

Not far from the entrance corridor, Mo Ye and Wang Jie were standing on tiptoe, looking towards her office, like two geese stretching their necks.

When Qin Yue came out, she immediately saw the two furtive figures, and her eyelids twitched.

When Mo Ye and Wang Jie saw Qin Yue staring at them expressionlessly, they quickly straightened up and pretended to be looking at the bulletin board on the wall. One of them was studying "Mental Health Tips," and the other was studying "Expert Introductions." Their focused expressions were so intense that they could have acted in a play.

Qin Yue looked at the two drama queens and found it amusing, but her face remained calm: "You two, come over here too."

Mo Ye and Wang Jie looked at the noodles with soybean paste she was carrying, exchanged a glance, and their eyes lit up—had she succeeded?

They looked at Shen Qing again, their eyes screaming: What do you mean? Tell us!

Shen Qing replied with her eyes: We'll talk about it when we get back.

The two of them felt like ants were crawling all over their hearts, an unbearable itch; this feeling was too uncomfortable.

Qin Yue led the three of them to her lounge.

The lounge wasn't big, but it was a single room with a small bed, a table, a sofa, and a few chairs, all neatly arranged.

After Shen Qing went in, he seemed to be frozen in place, standing obediently to one side, not knowing where to put his hands and feet.

Mo Ye and Wang Jie weren't as nervous as Shen Qing. They looked around at the room's decor. There weren't many items, but everything was placed in its proper place, neat and tidy. Even the pens on the table were arranged in parallel.

"Please sit anywhere." Qin Yue pointed to the sofa and chairs, then asked, "What would you like to drink? I only have bottled water and coffee here."

Mo Ye and Wang Jie said at the same time, "Mineral water."

Shen Qing replied, "Coffee."

Mo Ye and Wang Jie stared at Shen Qing with expressions of utter disbelief.

Didn't this guy used to hate drinking coffee the most?

They said it was "a non-human drink," and refused to drink a single drop even if you beat them to death.

Now you're actually asking for coffee?

Shen Qing ignored them.

He heard Qin Yue say that there was only mineral water and coffee, and he figured she probably liked coffee, so he wanted to try her favorite flavor.

Qin Yue nodded, took out two bottles of mineral water from the cabinet and handed them to Mo Ye and Wang Jie, and also made a cup of coffee for Shen Qing.

The coffee is hand-drip, with finely ground beans. As hot water is poured over it, the aroma immediately fills the air.

Shen Qing took the cup, thanked her, and held it carefully in her hands, as if it were a precious treasure.

The three people sat on the sofa, with Qin Yue sitting in the chair opposite them.

Three grown men were crammed onto a sofa, looking extremely awkward and unsure of what to do with their hands and feet.

Shen Qing sat up straight, not daring to lean against the sofa;

Mo Ye seemed more at ease with the two of them, leaning against the sofa, though he sat up straight.

Wang Jie placed his hands on his knees, as if listening to the principal's lecture.

Qin Yue almost burst out laughing when she saw the three men opposite her who looked like they were facing a formidable enemy.

Am I some kind of primordial beast?

She held back and asked, "Where is Wanqing?"

Mo Ye let out an "Ah..." sound, like a student suddenly called on by the teacher, and paused for a moment before realizing what she meant: "She's at work."

Qin Yue hummed in agreement, and then an eerie silence fell over the room.

No one spoke; even their breathing was deliberately softened.

Shen Qing looked down at the coffee in his hand, Wang Jie stared at his knees, and Mo Ye looked at a painting on the wall, Van Gogh's "Starry Night." He stared at it for a while and felt that the stars were spinning faster than usual.

Qin Yue stood up: "I'm going to the restroom."

Wang Jie jumped up, his movements so fast it was as if he had springs under his buttocks, and blurted out, "Dr. Qin, Mo Ye and I went to pick up my grandfather from school."