Chapter 4: You'll Pay for the Button

In her sleep, Xia Wu returned to that golden October, when osmanthus perfumed the air and fiery red persimmons hung heavy on the branches.

The woman who came to see Xu Ying wore red high heels, a floral dress that fell below the knee, and a small leather bag slung across her shoulder. Her wavy hair cascaded all the way down to her waist.

Exquisitely refined in a way that defied description.

Yet from beginning to end, Xu Ying never once looked up at her.

Later, rumors began to spread through the school: "No wonder Xu Ying won't even spare Xia Wu a glance—turns out he already has someone."

"What do you mean he won't spare her a glance? He probably doesn't dare. I heard women like that are very strict. How could a schoolgirl like Xia Wu compete?"

"Right, right. That woman doesn't look much older than Xu Ying. What a waste of my idol... how did he end up taken so fast?"

"Taken? It's an improper relationship, that's what it is. Xu Ying is good-looking and transferred here from the city for no apparent reason—there's definitely something fishy going on."

...

After school, Xia Wu still followed behind Xu Ying, asking with a bright smile:

"Xu Ying, come to my place today. My grandma made something delicious—join us. In return, help me pick persimmons and osmanthus flowers, okay?"

Xu Ying walked with his head down, saying nothing. His pace was much faster than usual, and Xia Wu couldn't catch up no matter how hard she tried.

"Xu Ying, wait for me! Xu Ying..."

On the uphill stretch, Xia Wu struggled to keep up. The weight of her backpack bent her back.

She braced her hands on her knees, gasping for breath.

But Xu Ying showed no sign of stopping. Not even his stride faltered.

Xia Wu had no choice but to straighten up and chase after him again. With a burst of determination, she sprinted ahead and blocked his path.

But she didn't plant her feet firmly. She swayed unsteadily, her breathing ragged.

Instinctively, Xu Ying grabbed the girl's arm to steady her.

Her skin felt cool to the touch, delicate and fine. A slight pressure from his fingers left pale blue marks on the surface.

Xia Wu looked up, feigning reproach: "Why are you walking so fast? Are ghosts chasing you?"

Then she thought better of it—she was the one chasing him.

"No time," Xu Ying said, just two words.

"Huh? Oh. Tomorrow is Saturday, so you're definitely free. It'll only take a little of your time. You can stay up late tonight. Come on, please?" Xia Wu took the opportunity to grab Xu Ying's arm and shake it gently.

The girl's soft hand and the faint fragrance coming off her seemed to carry a subtle electric current. The boy stiffened all over, then forcefully shook her off.

Caught off guard, Xia Wu stumbled backward, taking several steps before regaining her balance.

Xu Ying's hand, which had started to reach out, froze against the seam of his trousers. He didn't lift it.

He simply said stiffly, "Stay away from me from now on."

"Why? Did I make you angry somehow?" Xia Wu was confused. Everything had been fine during the day.

He had even kindly explained a physics problem to her—though she'd begged him relentlessly for it.

Xu Ying raised his eyebrows, his tone carrying a barely perceptible self-deprecation:

"Haven't you heard what people are saying? Being around me—aren't you worried about getting dirty?"

Xia Wu understood. She tilted her head and replied:

"What does that have to do with me? Besides, if you won't even look at someone as pretty as me, why would you look at her? God would laugh."

Xu Ying curled his fingertips slightly. He said nothing more and walked straight ahead.

Xia Wu kept pleading: "Please, I already told Grandma you'd come help today. Grandma and I are short—we can't reach the highest branches of the osmanthus tree. You're tall, so let me borrow your height!"

In the end, Xu Ying couldn't resist Xia Wu's relentless pestering and followed her to the courtyard of her family's house in town.

Persimmons hung thick on the branches, bending them low. Osmanthus bloomed in clusters, its scent drifting for miles.

...

Xia Wu woke up from the heat. Her whole body was drenched in sweat, sticky and uncomfortable.

It felt like a furnace was burning right beside her. Was she destined to burn to death in this life too?

When Xia Wu opened her eyes, she saw herself curled up in Xu Ying's arms. The shock jolted her fully awake.

Sigh... habits really are dangerous things.

She tried to shift outward gently, but Xu Ying tightened his grip. His voice, blurred with sleep, murmured, "Don't fuss. Go back to sleep."

With that, he pulled her against his chest and held her firmly.

Xia Wu fell silent for a moment. *Fine,* she thought. *Let it be. There won't be any chances later anyway. If he wants to hold me, let him.*

The next day, daylight filtered through the dark green curtains.

Xia Wu slowly opened her eyes. Xu Ying had left at some point without her noticing.

A note remained on the table, just two words: *Eat it.*

The handwriting was beautiful and fluid, elegant yet sharp—just like Xu Ying himself.

Under an inverted bamboo cover sat the breakfast Xu Ying had bought: a cup of soy milk, a fried dough stick, and an egg pancake.

It was the portion size Xia Wu used to eat in her previous life.

But later, she couldn't eat that much anymore. She ate less and less, and no one noticed.

Apart from the auntie who cooked at home, no one cared how much she ate.

Just then, the phone rang. Xia Wu picked it up and glanced at the screen. It was Grandma.

"Grandma, miss me? I'll come over soon to keep you company."

"Grandma made braised fish roe for you. I went to the market early and asked Uncle Wang the fish seller to save it specially. Hurry back, and bring Xiao Ying with you." Grandma's happy voice came through the phone.

Xia Wu clamped her hand tightly over her mouth, afraid she might cry out loud.

In her past life, after she died, she didn't know how Grandma managed to cope alone.

Grandma was her only relative in this world. Presumably, no one would be there to see her off when the time came.

She had passed away before Grandma. It was unfilial of her.

Xia Wu hurriedly moved the phone away, taking deep breaths before speaking into it:

"Got it. But Xu Ying isn't coming back—he has a part-time job. I'll go back alone. Wait for me, Grandma."

After hanging up, Xia Wu began packing.

She gathered Xu Ying's clothes, folded them neatly, and placed them on the bed. His belongings were few; there wasn't much to pack.

Xia Wu packed a few things for herself too. She planned to return to the countryside to stay with Grandma for a few days.

Originally, Xia Wu wanted to send Xu Ying a message, but she remembered that he hated receiving messages from her while he was working his part-time jobs. It made him feel monitored.

So before leaving, she left him a note, asking him to check if there was anything else he needed to take to Su City.

She didn't want to see him off. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to control herself and would betray her desire to make him stay.

People have to learn to change gradually—just as she was learning to adjust her feelings for Xu Ying.

Whether it was obsession or joy, she would tentatively call it love.

Since he didn't want it, she would simply take it back.

But after so many years of feeling, she couldn't cut ties all at once. She could only let herself adapt slowly.

Shiqiao Town wasn't far from Xiayuan Village. Xia Wu got on her bicycle and set off.

At this hour, villagers and townspeople were out shopping. Passing by the market, the noise of hawking voices rose above one another. Shops on both sides of the street had opened early.

At the xiaolongbao stall, steamers were stacked ten layers high, billowing hot steam.

Along the roadside, elderly vendors sold fresh greens—tender water spinach, cucumbers...

Water droplets sprinkled on the vegetables kept them looking crisp, arranged neatly. The sellers greeted passersby enthusiastically in the local dialect.

"Want some? Five yuan a bunch, not expensive. Look at these veggies, so crisp and tender..."

Xia Wu took a deep breath of the somewhat dry summer air. She felt truly alive.

The smoke and fire of ordinary life soothe the human heart best of all.