When Liu Changqing asked that question, Liu Zhiyue froze.

At that moment, his brain began spinning rapidly. Because his father’s question was so broad, he couldn’t figure out which event he was referring to.

Liu Zhiyue thought for a while, then heard Liu Changqing continue.

“You need to remember—don’t hurt others.”

As soon as he heard this, Liu Zhiyue remembered.

His dad had randomly asked him before about what he thought of Zhao Xuanwen and Zhou Shiyan. He still remembered it clearly—it had nearly tripped him up.

And he also remembered this line.

He nodded and replied,

“I remember.”

“Good.”

Then, Liu Changqing’s face turned serious.

He looked at his son and said,

“Then today, let me warn you about something... don’t make a decision you’ll regret.”

“……”

Liu Zhiyue was a little confused now. Even he didn’t know why his dad would say something so strange.

Why say... don’t make a decision you’ll regret?

What would he have to regret?

Seeing the confusion on his son’s face, Liu Changqing went on directly.

“Did Zhou Shiyan take a leave of absence today?”

“Yeah, how’d you know?”

“Because she told me.”

“She... told you?”

“She came to our house this morning. Actually, her mom already came by the day before yesterday and told us that after the high school entrance exams, they’re moving away.”

“……”

He stood there in shock.

Liu Zhiyue stared at his father with wide eyes, completely stunned.

His whole face was filled with disbelief.

Time ticked by second after second. It took Liu Zhiyue a long while to snap out of it.

His tone was a bit frantic.

“They’re moving? Where to?”

“Another city. Pretty far.”

“……”

His hand clenched onto his shirt.

Now he understood.

Why, when he asked Zhou Shiyan which high school she planned to attend after the exams, she hadn’t answered him right away.

She lied to him...

Why? Why did she lie?

Confused thoughts flooded his mind, and Liu Zhiyue felt a bit overwhelmed.

Until his father’s hand landed on his shoulder.

Only then did Liu Zhiyue lift his head and look at the man sitting beside him.

Then he heard his father speak in a slow, meaningful tone.

“You... what are you planning to do? Try to stop her, or just let her go?”

“……”

He didn’t answer right away, just stared at his father.

Then he got up from the sofa.

Turned and strode toward the door.

“What do you think... there’s no way I’m letting her leave without a word.”

He changed his shoes again and stood by the door, hand on the doorknob.

Back facing the father still sitting on the sofa, he said,

“I might be back late. Leave the door unlocked for me.”

“No problem.”

After getting his dad’s reply, Liu Zhiyue didn’t hesitate—he pulled the door open and walked out.

As the door shut behind him...

The living room fell silent.

Only Liu Changqing remained, sitting alone...

A while later, the door to Liu Xiazhi’s room quietly opened, and a little head poked out.

She looked around left and right. After confirming that only her dad was in the living room, she asked,

“Can I come out now?”

——————————————————

After coming downstairs, Liu Zhiyue went straight to where he parked his scooter. He hopped on and rode off, heading toward Zhou Shiyan’s home.

The late March night wind was still chilly, and the faster he went, the more he felt that biting cold.

He pushed the speed to its limit.

Riding along the road, memories began surfacing in Liu Zhiyue’s mind—of the first time he met Zhou Shiyan.

It was in the second semester of eighth grade, when she transferred into his school. That day, she came in silently, led by the homeroom teacher, and was seated at a desk near the front.

That was Liu Zhiyue’s first time seeing her.

Back then, he couldn’t help but wonder—did she skip a grade?

The thought came up because she was so small, almost the same height as his younger sister.

Not long after she transferred, she was noticed by the math teacher for her excellent academic performance, and the original math class rep was replaced by her.

She was responsible.

And it was because of that responsibility that they began to interact.

For most of that semester, Liu Zhiyue never spoke to her—until the day she brought him a set of notes she had carefully recorded from class.

That was the first time they had a real conversation.

Then came the tutoring, and eventually, she moved into their home.

Honestly, Liu Zhiyue hadn’t liked Zhou Shiyan at first—didn’t even have a good impression.

He found this always-cold, expressionless girl kind of annoying. She was too uptight, and shameless enough to live at his house for so long.

But... his impression changed during the time she stayed at their place.

During those days together, his initial resistance gradually turned into a quiet admiration.

She seemed to have a lot of thoughts inside too—just like him.

She was polite, thoughtful, and good at housework.

After lunch, she would always take the initiative to clean up the dishes.

When Lan Yixian was cleaning, she’d offer to help without being asked.

When his little sister struggled with homework, she would patiently explain everything—never showing a hint of irritation.

That whole time, Liu Zhiyue quietly took in everything she did.

It was the first time he saw her in a new light.

Liu Zhiyue could still clearly recall that day—when he took her and his sister out to play. She saw the prize for the dart game and showed a rare look of longing on her face.

And... after he gave her the penguin plush toy, that brief smile she showed.

She looked really pretty when she smiled.

That had been Liu Zhiyue’s impression back then.

It was the first time he realized—Zhou Shiyan could smile too. And when she did, it was such a comforting sight.

It was the kind of smile... that could heal you.

The scooter sped through the night.

Liu Zhiyue, in the dark of night...

Rode toward an uncertain road ahead.

He didn’t know if what he was doing was right.

But one thing he knew for sure.

If he didn’t do something now, he’d definitely regret it in the future.

Just like his father had just told him—

Don’t make a decision you’ll regret.

This... was his choice.

Liu Zhiyue’s choice.