No? Can I read the mind of my mortal enemy?

Meanwhile, Shi Qiao ate with great relish.

Because after she finished reporting, she quietly moved two seats towards Youyou.

She chose to listen to Pei Jingnian and not eat takeout indiscriminately.

But it doesn't count if someone else feeds you.

I listened, but not completely.

With a clear, ingratiating smile on her face, she said, "Youyou, can you feed me two crayfish? I don't want the garlic kind."

Jiang Youran shook her head and then asked Jiang Ye to cook a bowl of thin vermicelli. "No, crayfish are cold in nature. You'll get a stomachache if you eat them later."

"There's nothing I can do except tell you to drink more hot water."

Shi Qiao wrapped her arm around Jiang Youran's and said, "Oh dear, eating one or two won't hurt."

Her long eyelashes fluttered rapidly, as if she wouldn't give up until she was fed.

Jiang Youran had no choice but to peel a shrimp for her and bring it to her mouth, but then suddenly pulled it away just as she was about to bite into it.

"Let me issue a disclaimer first: if your stomach hurts later, it has nothing to do with me."

She didn't want to be cursed by some vengeful spirit far away in Great Britain.

Shi Qiao grabbed her wrist and inhaled sharply, "You can rest assured."

*

"Youyou... my stomach hurts so much, I'm going to die, help me..." Shi Qiao lay on the sofa, clutching her lower abdomen tightly with a pillow.

"Oh, my belly..." she sang in despair.

"Serves you right!" Jiang Youran said, but still went to make Shi Qiao a cup of ginger tea and handed it to her.

Shi Qiao looked distressed. "How was I supposed to know that a few crayfish could have done this to me?"

Jiang Youran brought Shi Qiao a blanket, snacks, and a remote control. "Alright, you can find a movie to watch here. I'm going to check on how Jiang Ye is doing."

Shi Qiao rested her chin on her hands and said, "Youyou, you're so kind. Why don't you take me in as your little sister too?"

"Come on." Jiang Youran took an ice pop from the refrigerator, put it in her mouth, and walked towards Jiang Ye's room.

As I pushed open the door, I saw Jiang stuffing watermelon into her mouth, intently watching Feng Heng organize the knowledge framework.

"How's it going, bro?"

Jiang nodded, picked up the mind map in her hand, and said, "Teacher Feng, awesome."

Jiang Youran looked at her younger brother's silly expression and turned to look at Feng Heng.

"He shouldn't have caused you any trouble, right?"

Feng Heng smiled and said, "No, actually your brother is quite smart."

"Actually, the learning methods for biology are quite different from those for physics and chemistry. It requires more memorization and accumulation."

When Jiang heard Feng Heng praise his intelligence, he raised his chin slightly.

"Look how eloquent Teacher Feng is, and look at you."

"The same class, the same teacher, how come the students produced are so different?"

Jiang Youran's lips twitched. "We were born from the same mother, yet we're still very different, aren't we?"

She picked up a textbook at random and flipped through it.

It's even cleaner than her face.

"No wonder you only got 23 points in biology. You can sell it as brand new and only opened."

Jiang also sat cross-legged, unable to argue with Jiang Youran, "Sis, please stop teasing me."

Jiang Youran put the book back. "Alright, if you're doing okay, I won't bother you anymore. Let's continue the lesson."

Feng Heng suddenly spoke up, "Um, Jiang Youran, do you have a printer at home?"

"Yes," Jiang Youran stopped in her tracks, "in the living room on the first floor."

Feng Heng scratched his head sheepishly, "Didn't I just say I'd give Xiao Ye three sets of practice questions to look at? But I realized I took the wrong folder, so..."

"Oh, no problem, you can come down now."

"I'm so sorry," Feng Heng said, taking out his phone.

"Oh, we're all classmates, let's not be so polite." Jiang Youran led Feng Heng down the street.

Upon reaching the first floor, he glanced to his side and saw Shi Qiao huddled in the corner of the sofa, her knees wrapped around her body, only her furry head peeking out.

"Is Shi Qiao... alright?" Feng Heng couldn't help but ask.

Jiang Youran plugged in the printer that hadn't been used in a long time and took out a new sheet of A4 paper from the cabinet.

"I bet it's hurting. Sigh, we girls are just a little more vulnerable during our periods."

"It's okay, I'll see if we have a hot water bottle or a hand warmer at home in a bit."

"I just don't know if I can find it."

Feng Heng pursed his lips, "If you don't mind, I... I have hand warmers in my bag, I'll go upstairs and get them for you in a bit."

Jiang Youran's eyes lit up. "Wow, thank you, Feng Heng."

After printing the materials, Feng Heng went upstairs first, and Jiang Youran sat down next to Shi Qiao.

The TV was playing "Stranger Things," with only a dim wall lamp on either side of the TV, creating a very atmospheric setting.

Just then, Jiang Youran arrived, and Shi Qiao paused the video. "Youyou, I'm playing season 5, episode 3. Have you watched the first two episodes?"

Jiang Youran squeezed into Shi Qiao's blanket, smiling, "I read a little faster than you, but it's okay, we can start reading from here."

"How's the temperature at home? Should we turn the heating up a bit?"

Shi Qiao gave a thumbs up, "Just right."

She took the initiative to hug Jiang Youran, resting her head obediently on his shoulder, "It feels like it's been so long since we've watched a drama together."

Jiang Youran thought about it carefully, "Now that you mention it, it's true."

"Was the last time that you did it in junior high?"

Shi Qiao smiled and said, "Yes, we were also reading Stranger Things back then."

Jiang Youran gave a light bow, "I really have to thank your man's academic forum, otherwise I don't know when I would be able to hug my Qiao like this."

Shi Qiao felt her ears burning as she listened to the obvious sarcasm in her tone.

"What the hell?"

Jiang Youran poked Shi Qiao, "I'm not making this up. Ever since Pei Jingnian got together with you, he's wanted to be with you 24/7."

"I, as the mistress, couldn't even find a crack to intervene."

"Let's have an interview. You and your man have started a one-week long-distance relationship. What are your thoughts?" Jiang Youran casually picked up the TV remote and used it as a microphone.

Shi Qiao pouted, "What feelings could I possibly have? It's only been seven days..."

The phone vibrated, instantly drawing Shi Qiao's attention, and her hand unconsciously moved towards the phone.

Jiang Youran's lips curled into a wide smile. "What could possibly be so...thoughts?"

Shi Qiao's hands froze. "Youyou!"

Jiang Youran patted her, "Oh, I was just kidding. I know you two are a sweet couple. Hurry up and reply to Pei Jingnian's message."

"Otherwise, the smell of vinegar will waft all the way from Great Britain to here."

Shi Qiao felt embarrassed and didn't argue further, picking up her phone.

[Pei Jingnian: Honey, have you finished eating?]

[Pei Jingnian: Does your stomach still hurt? I wish I could be by your side.]

[Pei Jingnian: ૮⸝⸝o̴̶̷᷄·̭ o̴̶̷̥᷅⸝⸝ა I want to see my wife, I miss you so much.]

The accompanying photo shows him leaning against the airplane window, with only one pitiful little dog eye showing.

[Pei Jingnian: Honey, are you still eating?]

It seems he's been neglected for far too long.

Shi Qiao felt uneasy and was about to start the second round of the Emperor's review of memorials.

My phone vibrated again.

[Pei Jingnian: Honey, is there another man on your side?]

Almost simultaneously with receiving this message, a video call popped up.

Like a male ghost, it clung to him.

Startled, Shi Qiao immediately pressed the call button.

Pei Jingnian was positioned at the perfect distance from the camera. Only a nightlight was on on his side, and he was completely enveloped in shadow, making it difficult to see his expression.

His dark eyes had lost their luster, and were swirling with emotions that were difficult to discern.

"Shi Qiao," Feng Heng's voice came from behind the sofa, "I got you some hand warmers."

It’s over.