May 10th, Sunday, clear skies.

The cicadas in the neighborhood were incessantly noisy.

It was only morning, but the sunlight outside was already blinding. Looking out the window, it was as if there was a high-temperature barrier, making one reluctant to step outside.

In contrast was the temperature inside the house.

The air conditioning was set at 26 degrees.

On the coffee table were neatly sliced watermelon, dewy green grapes, and an abundance of snacks.

Faintly from the kitchen came the fragrant aroma of simmering soup, mingled with the smell of boiling sausages. The table was already set with cold dishes, and the scent of marinade and spicy and sour seasonings also drifted into the living room.

"Is the air conditioning a bit too cold?" Aunt Jiang picked up the remote control.

"Brother Nan doesn't mind the cold, but she can't stand the heat."

"Then let's keep it this way!" Aunt Jiang put the remote control down again but barely sat for a few seconds before she hurriedly stood up. "I'm going to check on the soup."

...

Zhou Li felt that Aunt Jiang was probably even more nervous than Brother Nan.

He pursed his lips and picked up a slice of watermelon to eat.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Old Zhou sitting very calmly, staring unwaveringly at the TV screen.

But Old Zhou clearly wasn't fully focused on the news, as he said without turning his head, "Didn't you notice? Your Aunt Jiang had arranged those watermelon slices on a plate, and you've messed it up by eating one. She won't even let me have any."

Zhou Li said nothing.

Of course, Old Zhou couldn't eat it. A mere Old Zhou...

"KNOCK KNOCK..."

There was a knocking at the door.

Zhou Li had just stood up when he heard a flurry of hurried footsteps from the kitchen, and then saw Aunt Jiang wiping her hands on her apron as she walked to the door.

Old Zhou still didn't turn his head, saying leisurely, "It's probably Xiao Shuang coming back early."

Zhou Li agreed.

It was Sunday. For seniors in high school, besides monthly holidays, they only had half a day off on Sundays. Sundays were typically lecture-free, dedicated to self-study. The whole morning was for self-study, and teachers rarely came by, so many students chose to leave early.

As expected, Zhu Shuang's voice came from the doorway.

Aunt Jiang turned her disappointment into reproach, "You're back already! It's just past ten and you've skipped two classes!"

"I'm hungry..."

"...There are fruits on the coffee table!"

Indeed, few mothers could resist their child's cries of hunger, but Aunt Jiang still admonished, "Xiao Nan and Huai Xu are coming over for lunch later. Don't touch anything on the table."

「Ten twenty.」

"DING DONG."

This time it was the doorbell ringing.

Aunt Jiang hurried off again.

Old Zhou glanced at Zhou Li and still said slowly, "Must be Huai Xu, right?"

Yes.

It was indeed Huai Xu.

Huai Xu was also coming for lunch today.

Aunt Jiang considered that it was Brother Nan's first time visiting Zhou Li's house as a guest and worried Brother Nan might be shy. So, she told Zhou Li to invite Huai Xu too. She knew Huai Xu was a mutual friend of Zhou Li and Brother Nan and often visited Zhou Li's house, which showed she was very thoughtful.

She just didn't know Brother Nan's personality very well.

Zhou Li checked his phone.

Brother Nan had already set off and was on her way.

「Ten twenty-five.」

Zhou Li put his phone away, stood up, and walked out.

Old Zhou let his arms fall from his chest and sat up straight, even scooting forward a bit in his seat.

As he expected—

A few minutes later, Zhou Li brought Brother Nan back.

Aunt Jiang popped her head out from the kitchen, her smile radiant. "You're here so early! Have a seat, play for a bit, the food still needs a little time... Why are you still carrying something? Bringing things to Zhou Li's house? Really now!"

"I passed by and just bought some fruit casually."

"And this cured meat that my dad said to bring. My great-uncle made it; it's his secret recipe, sort of a specialty of our family. I want you to try it," Brother Nan said quite casually.

"Well, thank you all very much!" Aunt Jiang said busily. "It's hot outside, isn't it? There's chilled watermelon on the table."

"Need help, Aunt Jiang?" Brother Nan asked.

"No need, no need! Old Zhou will come and help me soon! Just go and hang out with Zhou Li!"

"I can help you!"

"I'm used to working with Old Zhou."

"Alright then."

"Give me the stuff." Zhou Li took the bag Brother Nan was carrying, glanced inside, and couldn't help but tug at the corner of his mouth. He leaned in and whispered to Brother Nan, "Was the cured meat really something your dad wanted to bring?"

"What about it?"

"Nothing."

Originally, Zhou Li felt his move last year of bringing cigarettes and alcohol was already quite impressive. Now, it seemed that bringing cured meat was arguably a notch higher.

After setting down the stuff, he led Brother Nan to the living room.

"Hello, Uncle…"

"Zhu Shuang!"

"Hey! Huai Xu!"

"Tuanzi, hurry over here for a hug..."

"My dad watches the news at home every day, and I love watching it too!"

Soon, Brother Nan and Old Zhou got into a conversation about world affairs, and Tuanzi, held in her arms, squinted in bliss.

Zhu Shuang and Zhou Li sat nearby, daydreaming.

When Aunt Jiang called Old Zhou to the kitchen, Brother Nan ate a slice of watermelon. Then, she turned to inquire about Zhu Shuang's preparations for the college entrance exam. She gave Zhu Shuang some advice and chatted about plans after the exams, discussing choices of major and college life...

Yes, exam preparations, major selections...

Zhu Shuang actually listened with great interest.

Zhou Li tried several times to interrupt but failed each time.

His head was spinning.

Finally, it was time to eat.

Brother Nan followed Zhou Li to fetch bowls and chopsticks, completely at ease.

After sitting down to eat, her prowess needed no further mention. Guileless women like Aunt Jiang, who had no experience with such things, were charmed by her in just a few sentences until they couldn't stop smiling.

After the meal, she took the initiative to clean up the dishes and chopsticks...

「Two o'clock in the afternoon.」

Zhou Li saw Brother Nan off.

Upon his return, he pondered silently whether to jot down Brother Nan's behavior today for future study.

Especially with the Old monster sitting on the top bunk, constantly belittling him. "Look at Li Daimao, and then at yourself. If you were to go have a meal at Li Daimao's place, I'm afraid you wouldn't even be able to speak..."

Zhou Li glanced up at him and flopped onto the bed.

Napping was more important.

The Old monster's voice continued. "And Li Daimao is so tall and good-looking, Aunt Jiang must be smitten with her. Let me tell you, if you don't make it work with Li Daimao and bring someone else home, well, when compared, TSK TSK TSK..."

Zhou Li's slumber was not at all affected.

...

「May 15th, cloudy.」

But it was cool.

Zhou Li gathered all his books from Zhihong Guan, loaded them into the car, and then drove towards Mingjiu Mountain.

In the car were Huai Xu, Brother Nan, and Tuanzi.

The epidemic had almost completely passed in Yan City. However, Mingjiu Mountain wasn't a famous scenic spot; it had always been tranquil and remained quiet now. The vast parking lot only had a few cars, and there wasn't even anyone collecting parking fees.

Brother Nan led the way, her steps light and seemingly in high spirits, bouncing around with her cowlick swaying non-stop.

"It's so cool today!"

She zipped up a set of steps and then looked back at Zhou Li. "Hurry up!"

Zhou Li silently quickened his pace.

Brother Nan stood at the top, waiting for him, and asked with concern, "Are the books too heavy? Let me carry them for you!"

Zhou Li ignored her.

The mountain breeze stirred.

As they deviated from the main path of the scenic area, Brother Nan became even more lively, seemingly with boundless energy. She broke off a straight tree branch from somewhere and waved it around.

At the roadside ahead, there were many tall clumps of grass.

This grass had a single main stem, tall and straight, capable of growing over a meter high—a common wild grass.

Upon seeing it, Brother Nan rushed over as if she had found something entertaining.

With a swift motion of the wooden stick—

"SWOOSH!"

That was the sound effect she added herself.

The top of the tall grass was cleanly severed.

She turned back to Zhou Li and said, "I've beheaded it!"

...

Unsatisfied, Brother Nan began to survey other blades of grass, her brow slightly furrowed, her expression serious and solemn.

"Prepare to die!"

"One strike to the throat!"

"Behold my Invincible Sword!"

"SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH..."

After a short while, the ground was a mess. All the grass blades had their tops lopped off.

Tuanzi huddled at Zhou Li's feet, watching Brother Nan nervously while tugging on his pant leg. "So scary!"

Noticing Zhou Li's gaze, Brother Nan felt a bit embarrassed and couldn't help but laugh heartily, looking up. Yet, as she laughed, she playfully hit Zhou Li, feigning anger. "What's with that look? How much do you despise me?"

"No..."

Zhou Li glanced at the decapitated grass and Brother Nan's stick, now stained green with sap, and shivered with apprehension.

Her 'Invincible Sword' technique was no joke!