Green plums cannot become lovers.

"Where's Subaru?" Akane Akasaka asked.

"Miss Subaru went out shopping with her friends and will be back before dinner."

"That's a real shame."

Mao'er is so playful, he missed out this time.

Anwa Tendo had calmed down a bit by this time. She turned to Anwa Asuka and her tone returned to its usual gentleness: "Asuka-kun, the dress is in the Japanese-style room on the east side. Let Sanae take you to try it on. Akane and I will wait for you in the tea room."

“Okay.” An and Asuka followed Mrs. Sanae into the depths of the corridor.

Only after the boy's figure disappeared around the corner did Anhe Tiantong let out a soft breath, his body relaxing almost imperceptibly.

Akane Akasaka keenly sensed this and asked in a low voice, "Grandma Tendo, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Anhe Tiantong shook her head, a complicated smile playing on her lips, a smile glistening with tears. "It's just... when I actually heard him call me 'Grandma,' I still couldn't hold back..."

She didn't finish speaking, but Akane Akane understood perfectly. She helped the old man slowly walk towards the tea room and said softly, "Although Asuka has his own principles, he has never been a cold person. The fact that he addresses you like that shows that he acknowledges you in his heart."

“I know.” Anhe Tiantong sat down at the tea table, his movements slower than usual, as if he had used up a lot of energy.

"That child...is really well-behaved and sensible."

"His experiences forced him to mature."

Akane Kousaka sat down opposite her and began preparing the tea utensils again.

The sound of hot water being poured into the teapot was exceptionally clear in the quiet tea room. Anhe Tiantong gazed at the meticulously pruned century-old pine tree in the courtyard outside the window and suddenly said, "Qian, do you think... I'll still live to see the day he truly calls me 'Grandma'?"

Her voice was soft, carrying the unique awe and uncertainty of an elderly person regarding the passage of time.

Akane Akasaka paused, looked up, and said earnestly, “Grandma Tendo, I believe Asuka’s heart isn’t made of stone. He just needs time, and he needs to rebuild his trust in the ‘family’ in his own way. And what you need to do is give him time, let him see that there will always be a place here waiting for him—not as the heir to the Anwa family, but simply as himself.”

Anwa Tendo remained silent for a long time. Sunlight streamed through the washi paper sliding door, casting soft shadows on her face, making the wrinkles left by the years appear particularly clear.

Finally, she nodded slowly, a complex light flickering in her eyes: "You're right. I've waited sixteen years already, I shouldn't be in such a hurry. As long as he's safe and healthy, and I can see him occasionally and listen to his music... that's better than anything else."

When she said this, there was regret in her tone, but even more so, there was relief and appreciation.

In the tatami room on the east side, An and Asuka stood in front of the dressing mirror, while Mrs. Sanae was adjusting the shoulder line of his tuxedo.

It was a custom-made navy blue suit, impeccably tailored, with a fabric that shimmered subtly in the light. The shirt was ivory white, and the tie was a deep blue in the same color family as the suit, adorned with subtle silver embroidery—understated yet sophisticated.

“It fits perfectly, almost no alterations needed.” Mrs. Sanae carefully checked all the details and nodded in satisfaction. “The only problem is that the sleeves might be half a centimeter too long. I’ll have the tailor shorten them a little.”

She took a step back, looked at the boy in the mirror, and said with admiration, "You look very good in a suit, you have a great presence."

An and Asuka looked at themselves in the mirror and felt somewhat unfamiliar.

He had never dressed so formally before, and he actually looked quite presentable.

Hmm, maybe he really is a handsome guy.

Is there anything else you're not satisfied with?

Anwa Asuka corrected, "Mrs. Sanae, please just call me Asuka-kun. There's no need to be so polite, and I have no complaints."

Mrs. Sanae paused for a moment, then smiled knowingly: "Yes, Mr. Asuka, I'll go out and call the tailor first. You can go directly to the tea room after you've changed your clothes."

After she left, An and Asuka did not immediately take off their formal attire. He walked to the window and pushed open a washi paper sliding door.

Outside the window lies a corner of the courtyard, where an exquisite dry landscape garden stands silently like a painting in the afternoon sun. Ripples of white sand have been raked into its surface, and several black stones are arranged in a seemingly random yet meticulously placed manner. Stone lanterns stand quietly amidst the moss. In the distance, a bamboo tube used to startle deer tilts gently as it fills with water, producing a crisp "thump" that echoes through the tranquil courtyard.

This mansion is beautiful, like a classical painting frozen in time. Every detail reflects the aesthetic taste and wealth accumulated over generations, and every inch of space is imbued with the family's history and tradition.

In another parallel world, he might grow up here, learning tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and calligraphy under his grandmother's guidance, honing his piano skills under the instruction of a professional piano teacher, chasing and playing with other children his age in the spacious courtyard, and participating in tea parties and gatherings among the scions of prominent families.

But the reality is that he grew up in an ordinary family in the ordinary small town of Aichi. His father was an alcoholic and a gambler, and his mother was irresponsible.

His family consists of Marina, Shizuka, and Ai—three girls who, despite their struggles in life, support each other. Then there's Akane Kousaka, a seemingly strong but actually gentle older sister who appears later in the story.

If childhood friends count as family, then there's also Anzu, Karen, and Nanami.

So this mansion remains an unfamiliar place for him. The "family" here is still a complex blood relationship that requires maintaining distance.

An and Asuka exhaled softly; the white mist lingered briefly in the early winter air before dissipating. He reached out and pulled the paper door shut, shutting out the view of the courtyard.

After changing back into his everyday clothes, he carefully hung the formal attire back on the hanger, then walked out of the dressing room.

The corridor was long, with many framed photos hanging on the walls on both sides in a staggered manner. An and Feiniao slowed their pace and looked at each photo one by one.

Most of them are testaments to Anhe Tiantong's brilliant artistic career: stage photos of him in his youth wearing gorgeous costumes, with sharp and bright eyes; photos with celebrities from all walks of life, showing his composure and elegance; and the moment he accepts an award, with a dignified smile.

There were also some family photos. In one black and white photo, young An and Tendo were holding a two- or three-year-old boy in their arms. The boy was wearing a small kimono and was smiling innocently at the camera.

He doesn't know him.

An and Asuka's gaze lingered on the photo for a few seconds, their faces expressionless, as if they were looking at a stranger's childhood picture, before they continued walking.

Further along, there are more recent color photos. A large proportion of them feature photos of Anwa Tendo and her granddaughter Subaru: Subaru as a baby held in her grandmother's arms, a toddler grasping her grandmother's finger, Subaru in her elementary school uniform, and Subaru in her junior high school graduation gown, smiling brightly as she hugs her grandmother's neck.

In these photos, An and Tendo's smiles are relaxed and warm, and the wrinkles at the corners of their eyes reveal happiness, which is completely different from their sharp and assertive stage presence.

An and Asuka's steps finally stopped in front of the latest photo. It was taken this spring. An and Subaru were wearing their high school uniforms, standing under a blooming cherry blossom tree, making a playful peace sign at the camera, their smiles so bright they seemed to dispel all gloom.

Anhe Tiantong stood beside her, one hand gently resting on her granddaughter's shoulder, her eyes tender.

The date in the bottom right corner of the photo is from April of this year.

At that time, he had just entered Toyosaki Academy and was adapting to life in Tokyo while worrying about the new phases of each of the three girls.

Marina was submitting her manga, Shizuka was serializing her novel, and Ai was preparing for her idol debut. He remembered that the cherry blossoms in Tokyo were in full bloom that spring, but they were all too busy to properly appreciate them, and could only occasionally look up at the pink clouds on their way to school.

In this mansion, An and Subaru are enjoying a carefree first year of high school. Under their grandmother's protection, they are successfully attending the school they want to go to. In their spare time, they can visit their favorite exhibitions and go shopping and have tea with their friends.

Two completely different life trajectories intersected in this time and space because of an unexpected encounter.

Anwa and Asuka quietly looked at Anwa and Subaru's bright smiling face in the photo, their big teeth showing, making them look a little silly.

"Asuka-kun?"

Anwa Tendo's voice came from behind him. Anwa Asuka turned around and saw the old man standing at the other end of the corridor, looking at him with a complicated expression—and the photograph in front of him.

"Have you tried on the dress?" She walked over, her tone returning to its usual gentleness, but her gaze still involuntarily drifted to the group photo under the cherry blossom tree.

"Hmm, it fits perfectly, just need to shorten the sleeve length a little." An and Asuka stepped aside slightly.

Anwa Tendo's gaze lingered on the photograph for a moment, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes: "This was taken this spring. Subaru was always so lively, always laughing and playing, completely different from Sosuke when he was little..."

She paused abruptly, as if realizing she had mentioned a name she shouldn't have, and her expression stiffened for a moment.

An and Asuka remained calm, simply saying softly, "Ms. Subaru does seem very cheerful."

His reaction relieved Anhe Tiantong, but a pang of sorrow welled up in his heart—how much had this child gone through to be so indifferent to his own father's name?

She quickly composed herself and pointed to the end of the corridor: "The tea is ready, let's go over there, Qian is waiting for us."

Inside the tea room, Akane Akasaka had already brewed the tea again. The three of them sat around the tea table, the atmosphere much more relaxed than it had been two years ago, yet a subtle tension still lingered in the air.

Anwa Tendo did not personally demonstrate the tea ceremony this time, but instead had Akane Kousaka prepare the tea.

She herself focused more on talking with An and Asuka, discussing everything from studies to music, from daily life to future plans—all the usual concern of an elder for a younger person, yet carefully avoiding any questions that might touch on sensitive topics.

"I heard from Qian that you've been preparing to start a game development club recently?" Anhe Tiantong picked up his teacup and asked casually.

“Yes.” An and Asuka nodded. “It’s temporarily called the ‘Game Development Department’ and it’s still in its early stages.”

“Game production…” An and Tiantong mused. “When I was young, I also participated in the scriptwriting and music direction of radio dramas. Although the medium is different, the creative process is always the same. It requires patience, collaboration, and finding a balance between ideals and reality.”

She paused, looked at An and Asuka with sincere eyes: "If you need advice on script structure or character development, I can introduce you to a few playwrights and novelists I know. Although they are not familiar with the game medium, they are very experienced in controlling the story itself."

This is a suggestion of help that doesn't overstep its bounds, and it provides room for choice.

An and Asuka thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Thank you. Currently, the script is mainly handled by a senior student who is a very talented writer, and I won't consider anyone else for the time being. But if I encounter any bottlenecks in the future, I will remember your advice."

He neither fully accepted nor rejected the idea. This response, which left room for interpretation, satisfied Anhe Tiantong—at least, he hadn't completely closed the door.

As they talked, light footsteps and humming suddenly came from the courtyard, growing louder as they approached. Then, the tea room door was flung open, and An and Subaru peeked in.

"Grandma, I'm back! Wow, Sister Zhuyin is here too! And... Asuka?!"

Her eyes widened instantly when she saw An and Asuka, and then burst forth with a bright light.

She practically skipped into the tea room, sat down opposite An and Asuka, her face beaming with surprise: "You really came! Grandma said you'd be at the banquet tonight, but I thought she was lying to me!"

"Subaru, be mindful of your manners," Anwa Tendo gently reminded him, his tone full of affection and his eyes filled with a smile.

"Okay, okay." Anwa Subaru stuck out his tongue, but his eyes were still sparkling as he stared at Anwa Asuka. "Asuka, it's been so long! Why haven't you come to see us in the past two years!"

“Long time no see, Subaru-san,” Anwa Asuka replied with a smile. 彡s?林:齐（二>）貳四師

"Tsk, you've become so distant after two years! Don't call me 'Ms. Subaru,' just call me Subaru!" An and Subaru waved their hands, then, as if suddenly remembering something, excitedly said, "Oh right, you should be in Tokyo for school now, right? Which school are you at?"

She spoke quickly, full of the energy and enthusiasm unique to a sixteen-year-old girl, which contrasted sharply with the quiet atmosphere of the quaint tea room.

Akane Kousaka felt a surge of warmth as she watched the three of them together. Although An and Asuka weren't quite ready to fully accept this family, at least for now, a gentle and natural atmosphere, somewhere between family and friends, was forming in this tea room.

An and Subaru's innocence and naivety are like a ray of sunshine, unintentionally illuminating those heavy past events and making everything seem a little lighter.

As the sun gradually set, it bathed the courtyard in a warm orange-red hue, casting long shadows on the paper doors. The conversation in the tea room continued, with An and Subaru chattering away about their experiences at the art museum that day. An and Tendo occasionally corrected her word choice gently, while Akane Kousaka joined in the conversation at opportune moments. An and Asuka mostly listened quietly, only offering brief responses when asked.

Outside the window, the deer startler struck its horn once more. The crisp sound of the bamboo tube striking the stone was like a tranquil rhythm, marking the slow passage of time in this afternoon.

As Anhe Tiantong gazed at the gentle face of the young man bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, watching him converse naturally with his granddaughter, the corner of his heart that had been shattered by his son's downfall seemed to be slowly mended. Perhaps it could never be restored to its former state, but at least, light was beginning to filter through the cracks, warm and real.

For her, who had waited so long, this was already a blessing from fate.

She picked up her teacup, took a sip of the lukewarm tea, and savored the slightly bitter yet lingering sweetness flowing down her throat.

Evening is approaching, and the banquet is about to begin.

There is still a long road ahead, and many knots in our hearts need to be untied slowly. But at this moment, on this quiet Saturday afternoon, in this tea room filled with the aroma of tea, sunshine, and soft conversation, Anhe Tiantong just wants time to stand still a little longer.

She watched as An and Asuka's lips curved slightly in amusement at Subaru's joke, and saw the look of contentment in Akane's eyes. Suddenly, she realized—perhaps there was no need to rush. Just like that, little by little, step by step, let fate unfold naturally, and let time slowly heal those deep wounds.

One day, this bird, which has been flying alone for too long, will be willing to stop and rest in this nest for a while.

Warm moments are always fleeting, like sand slipping through your fingers; the more you cherish them, the faster they pass.

In the tea room, Anhe Tiantong wanted to chat with the boy a little longer and listen to the details of his life in his plain narration—those trivial daily routines about school, clubs, music, and friends were all extremely precious fragments to her, allowing her to piece together the trajectory he had taken over the past two years in her mind.

However, the antique wall clock wouldn't stop for anyone; its hands firmly pointed to five in the evening. The sky outside the window began to change from bright orange-red to deep indigo, and the stone lanterns in the courtyard lit up one after another, casting a warm glow in the deepening twilight.

"It's almost time."

Akane Akane gently reminded them, her gaze shifting between Anwa Tendo and Anwa Asuka, a hint of barely perceptible regret in her eyes.

Anwa Tendo nodded slightly and gracefully set down her teacup. She looked at Anwa Asuka, her eyes filled with unspoken words, which ultimately turned into a gentle admonition: "At banquets, just stay with Akane. If you feel tired, you can go to the lounge at any time. Don't force yourself to socialize."

“I understand, thank you.” An and Asuka stood up and bowed politely.

Mrs. Sanae appeared at the tea room door at just the right moment, carrying a dress that had been altered. An and Asuka went to the guest room to change, and when they reappeared before everyone, they were dressed in proper formal attire.

The tuxedo fit his tall and straight figure perfectly, the collar of the ivory white shirt was crisp, and the silver-embroidered tie gleamed delicately under the light.

Standing there, he was no longer the ordinary boy eating on the rooftop and busy in the kitchen, but rather a young man carefully nurtured by a prestigious family, composed, steady, and possessing a demeanor beyond his years.

Anhe Tiantong gazed at him quietly, a complex mix of emotions welling up within her—pride, bitterness, relief, and deep regret. This was the man she should have watched grow up, yet she had missed him for a full sixteen years.

“Let’s go.” Akane Akasaka took An and Asuka’s arm, a natural and intimate gesture that made him pause slightly.

The banquet venue was located at a private estate near Tokyo. After the car entered through the wrought iron gate, it took nearly five minutes to drive along a meticulously maintained driveway.

Neat rows of plane trees line both sides of the road, their canopies forming dark arcades in the twilight. In the distance, the outline of the main building can be vaguely seen—a building that blends Western manor style with Japanese garden aesthetics, brightly lit, like a crystal palace in the night.

As they got off the train, Akane Akasaka naturally took An and Asuka's arm as usual. Her fingertips rested lightly on his arm, with just the right amount of pressure—neither too intimate nor too distant.

An and Asuka assumed this was standard social etiquette—older women being accompanied by younger men to formal banquets was not uncommon. Without giving it much thought, he simply followed her up the red-carpeted steps.

The interior of the manor is even more luxurious than its exterior. A giant crystal chandelier hangs in the high-ceilinged hall, its light refracting through countless facets to create a dazzling, star-like shower of light. The gleaming marble floor reflects the elegantly dressed guests, and the air is filled with the mingled aromas of fine perfumes, flowers, and exquisite food.

A string quartet played soothing classical music in the corner, providing an elegant background for the feast.

Akane Kousaka, a well-known producer in the industry, attracted a lot of attention as soon as she entered. Tonight, she wore a dark green off-shoulder evening gown, her long hair was styled into an elegant updo, and her makeup was appropriate and bright, which was completely different from her usual capable image in the workplace, adding a touch of mature feminine charm.

An and Asuka, who were holding her arm, naturally became one of the focal points of attention. The boy's handsome face, calm demeanor, and the subtle intimacy between him and Akane Akane sparked hushed discussions and speculations.

Soon, several young talents approached, carrying champagne. The one leading them was a man in his thirties, wearing a custom-made dark gray suit, his hair neatly combed back, and a standard social smile on his face.

"Good evening, Ms. Kurosaka. I didn't expect to meet you here." His gaze lingered on An and Asuka for a moment, a clear look of surprise flashing in his eyes. "And this is...?"

Akane Akasaka returned the smile with a polite smile, but tightened her grip on Anwa Asuka's arm, making her posture appear more intimate: "Good evening, Mr. Sato. This is Anwa-kun, my partner today."

She spoke the word "partner" so naturally and fluently, as if stating a perfectly ordinary fact.

Sato's expression froze for a moment, then quickly recovered, but the surprise in his eyes was hard to completely hide. The people behind him showed similar reactions—shock, curiosity, disbelief, a variety of emotions rapidly shifting within those few seconds.

It was only then that An and Asuka belatedly realized what was happening. He turned to look at Akane Akasaka and asked in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Akane-nee, what is your real purpose in bringing me here?"