Tanghe District is located in the western part of the city, and it is considered to be the most peaceful and tranquil among the five major districts in this city. The majority of residents here are elderly people.

As Lin Jinglei looked out of the car window along the way, he sensed that pedestrians were scarce and even recreational venues were few. He knew that he was almost at his destination.

There are very few tall buildings here, and most of them are single-story houses, giving people the illusion that they have entered the border between urban and rural areas.

In fact, it is not the case. Just by looking at the valuable cars parked in the courtyards of various households, one can tell that there is no lack of influential and powerful individuals here. Lin Jinglei had heard many stories from his uncle before. Many retired senior officials from the city government and administrative bureau choose to spend their later years here.

As a result, a certain phenomenon emerged: in the eastern part of the city, the majority were nine-to-five office workers and students, while in the western part, the elderly led a slow-paced, leisurely life.

Because it is a resource-based city, the economic development mostly relies on coal mines. Although the population and density have reached the standards for building a subway, construction cannot start due to the risk of ground collapse. Therefore, all public transportation within the city relies on surface transport. Countless complex bus routes crisscross the entire city. During rush hours when there is a large flow of people, it is convenient for young people as they don't have to squeeze in and out like the elderly do.

The taxi stopped at the intersection, and the driver said he wouldn't go any further because the road was narrow and it was inconvenient to reverse. Lin Jinglei had no choice but to pay and get off the car. He felt a sense of familiarity when he saw the school bus sign of their high school beside the roadside billboard.

He walked along the paved stone path and entered inside, observing the identical layout of each courtyard. The pattern was very orderly, with large courtyards encircled by three buildings. He carefully looked at the door numbers, searching for number 120.

The houses here look very clean, with a color scheme of green bricks and red tiles. The design style combines modern and retro elements, giving people a comfortable feeling. In addition, with a high coverage of vegetation and pure, fresh air, compared to the forests made of reinforced concrete, it is truly a land that makes people yearn for. The developer really has a creative mind, completely capturing the desire for tranquility and comfort among urban residents in the context of modernization.

Lin Jinglei turned around and found number 120, instantly rushing over with a happy expression on his face.

On the left side of the dark iron gate, there was a small door on the door body that allowed people to pass through. He pushed it gently, but it was locked. He took out his phone to ask Lin Tai to open the door for him, but then he remembered that it was Monday, and at this time Lin Tai would be in class.

So he decided to call his aunt on the phone. Before he could even find the number, the door opened from inside and a woman carrying a garbage bag came out.

Lin Jinglei immediately moved aside and then slipped into the courtyard through the crack in the door.

"Who are you looking for?" a vigilant voice sounded as the woman who had returned from taking out the trash asked.

Lin Jinglei didn't respond. He was certain that the voice coming from the house with the open window ahead was his aunt's.

Tong Yuying was making a phone call when she heard some movement outside the window. She turned her head to look and quickly said into the phone, "Mom, don't worry about us. Both me and the child are doing well. I won't talk to you anymore, so hang up now."

Lin Jinglei stood by the window, smiling as he looked inside the house. He had originally intended to greet enthusiastically, but it ended up coming out as a weak and soft tone: "Aunt."

"Jinglei, how did you find your way here?"

Lin Tai told me, so I wanted to come and see where you all live.

"You guys know each other," Luo Yao also walked to the window and said with a smile, "Hey, look at me, I thought he had walked in the wrong direction."

Tong Yuying opened the door and introduced the two people outside, saying, "This is Luo Yi, you can call her Aunt Luo. She is my nephew."

Lu Yao's smile grew deeper as she carefully scrutinized the young man entering the house. "This child looks really handsome. Must be in high school now."

From childhood to adulthood, Lin Jinglei has never liked it when people say he is good-looking. Who praises boys for being good-looking anyway?

Tong Yuying took over the conversation: "Yes, I'm starting high school."

"Oh, that girl is about the same age as my daughter," Luo Yao looked at Tong Yuying and said, "I am going back to my room. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. I have nothing else to do, so I can come over and assist you."

After expressing her gratitude, Tong Yuying turned around and closed the door. She then said to the young man standing there and looking around, "The place hasn't been thoroughly cleaned yet. Find somewhere to sit."

Overall, the interior decoration and layout of this room are much better than what Lin Jinglei had imagined from the exterior of the house. It is spacious and bright, although there are a few fewer items.

"How do you feel?" Tong Yuying handed her nephew a bottle of yogurt.

Lin Jinglei held the yogurt bottle in his hand and lightly tapped the palm of his other hand. He looked around the room, turning in a circle, and said, "It's pretty good, but I don't know if you guys will be able to get used to living here."

Tong Yuying quickly responded, "I can get used to it."

Tong Yuying chose this new home for two reasons. First, it is conveniently located near Sixteenth Middle School for Lin Tai to attend. Second, apart from setting aside a portion of the money she took out during the divorce for her son's education expenses in the future, the remaining amount can only just cover the expenses of maintaining this house.

The seller was very kind. Knowing that she was divorced and brought her child along, they lowered the price for her a little bit and even left behind a few pieces of furniture that she hadn't taken away.

Whether she can adapt to living here is not a problem, she must adapt to it.

Lin Jinglei was well aware of this.

When asked why he didn't go to school, Lin Jinglei evaded the question and didn't give a direct answer.

Lin Jinglei used to do nothing at home, not even bothering to throw away the trash bags placed at the doorstep. However, this time, he rolled up his sleeves and helped his aunt move things back and forth.

Although his aunt invited him to stay for lunch, Lin Jinglei still left and agreed to come back over the weekend to help with painting the walls.

Tong Yuying stood at the entrance and instructed, "You must listen carefully in class."

Lin Jinglei nodded absentmindedly and said, "I understand."

He walked out of the alley and lowered his head, playing with his phone while calling Tang Shan to come out and play. A girl on a motorcycle came towards him. After Lin Jinglei recognized the person, he thought to himself, "Isn't this Yan Zizheng's girlfriend?"

Remembering how he had tried to hit on this girl before because of his disagreement with Yan Zizheng, he regretted letting go of such a nice person and wondered if she still remembered him.

The girl rode past him on her bike and smiled at him. Lin Jinglei smiled back, and then the girl suddenly accelerated, with a strange look in her eyes, as if trying to avoid something.

Ma Liangli can also eat in the school cafeteria like other students, but her mother is worried because she is alone at home, so she goes home to eat every day at noon.

Seeing Lin Jinglei was the happiest thing for her today. When the boy smiled, his pair of ice-blue eyes would slightly curve, especially captivating. Every movement and gesture exuded a gentleman's warmth with a hint of unruliness. He was exactly her type, or rather, this type was loved by many girls. She wanted to get to know him, but inexplicably felt scared, afraid to get too close. She feared he would see the freckles on her face, discover that she wasn't pretty, and worst of all, she feared being too nervous to speak. But she really wanted to talk to him. She wanted it so much.

The car rode further and further away, and suddenly the girl slammed on the brakes, almost shooting her frail body out. She turned around and shouted, "Hey!"

The young boy standing at the roadside turned around and pointed at himself, saying, "Are you calling for me?"

Ma Liangli smiled and nodded: "Thank you for giving me the gift last time!"

Lin Jinglei hadn't even given a response yet, but that lass continued riding her bike without looking back. This fiery and impulsive personality is quite intriguing.

Tang Shan procrastinated and didn't come out until after a class in the afternoon. Lin Jing Lei had already played a few rounds of games in Aurora.

After seeing someone approach, he asked, "Where's the grilled cold noodles? Didn't I ask you to bring me a serving?"

Tang Shan placed his guitar and backpack by the table leg and said, "I don't have any hands left to fetch you the grilled cold noodles."

"Why did you skip class and bring so many things with you?"

Tang Shan smiled and said, "There's a rehearsal tonight, so I'm thinking of not going back home and going straight there instead."

Lin Jinglei exclaimed, "You're pretty lucky to be able to escape with so many things."

"I didn't sneak in," Tang Shan boastfully said, "I entered through the main gate."

Lin Jinglei was slightly surprised, "The main entrance?"

Thanks to Yan Zizheng," Tang Shan continued, "he had a forged note, so when we were caught, he took me with him and we managed to escape together."

"Why does he have the right to bring you along?"

"I had no idea. I saw him carrying a musical instrument, like a cello, and someone was waiting for him by the roadside in a car. He got in the car and left without me even saying thank you."

Lin Jinglei's gaze was fixed on the computer screen. It was unclear whether he was listening or not as he urged, "Hurry up and go online. Our team is short one player, so you should join."

Although Tang Shan plays the same online game as Lin Jinglei, Lin Jinglei is a hardcore player and never plays with rookies like him. So it was a pleasant surprise when Lin Jinglei took the initiative to invite him. Tang Shan replied, "Alright, I'll do my best not to hold you guys back."

From Zhaoyu's perspective, he was starting to resist the arrival of the last two classes in the afternoon. It had only been a couple of days since he joined the training, yet he was already seriously considering giving up. Today, he wanted to ask for leave, but the training team had strict rules and did not grant leave to male students.

The feeling of inequality between men and women made him feel very uncomfortable, but today's training schedule was full and he had no choice but to go. If he directly escaped, Liang Jinlong would definitely report it to Zou Jing, and Zou Jing would definitely report it to his father.

Thinking of Zou Jing, he had a sudden inspiration and came up with what he considered a fairly logical idea. As soon as the bell rang for the end of class, he went to Zou Jing's office without knocking on the door, just like before.

Unlike before, that person was not reading a book or grading assignments, but was instead sleeping face down on their desk.

Around three o'clock in the afternoon, the sunlight was no longer intense. After passing through the light blue curtains, it became gentler and filtered, casting a delicate shimmer on the sleeping person.

Zou Jing was slumped over the table, sleeping with his arms as a pillow. The coat draped over his shoulder had slipped slightly, making the whole garment dangerously hang in suspense, not knowing when it would suddenly drop to the ground.

Yu Zhaoyu wanted to wake the person up, but his mouth opened and then closed again. He took a few steps and walked up to the office desk, standing there to look down at the young man with tightly closed eyes.

Zou Jing wore a white V-neck sweater, and the slender outline from his neck to his shoulders highlighted his tight muscles wrapped around delicate bones. His proportions were long and graceful, with elegant lines.

This is the first time Zhaoyu has observed Zou Jing in such close proximity and with such meticulous detail. He realizes that Zou Jing is actually quite good-looking. He hates this meddlesome man so much that he doesn't want to see him at all, but suddenly can't help but want to touch that beautiful neck.

Suddenly, the dark overcoat on Zou Jing's shoulder slipped off, and his reflexes kicked in as he reached out to retrieve it, but instead, he ended up firmly grabbing onto the person's arm.

Zou Jing felt something poking him. Just as he opened his eyes, he hadn't yet realized what was happening, still staring blankly at the person leaning over him, with one arm hovering above him in a strange pose, not moving at all. He asked, "What are you doing?"

Zhaoyu quickly withdrew his hand. With his personality, he would never explain that I was just trying to help stop your falling clothes but failed. He cleared his throat and took a big step back, saying, "I want to take a leave of absence."

Zou Jing straightened his body and pressed his temple with his hand, saying, "Please, don't deceive me."

Yu Zhaoyu confidently gave his well-thought-out excuse: "The city orchestra has a performance today, and I want to go see Yan Zizheng."

Zou Jing casually asked, "What time is it?"

"4 o'clock, so I won't be able to attend today's training. You need to help me talk to Liang..."

"Lies."

Yu Zhaoyu was in a hurry to finish speaking, but Zou Jing kept interrupting him, frustrating him. Furrowing his brows, Zou Jing said, "I haven't finished speaking yet."

Zou Jing took a sip of water from the glass and then glanced at the young man. "Yan Zizheng took leave and left," he said. "He said it was at seven o'clock, and the reason he went early was to rehearse."

Zhaoyu's mind was filled with countless grass mud horses trampling about. He was slow to think and unable to adapt on the spot, leaving him only able to panic.

"Don't you want to train again?"

Zhaoyu nearly nodded.

Zou Jing saw through the young man's subtle expression and said, "Alright, I'll give you two options."

"Can you not choose?"

"If you don't choose," Zou Jing glanced at his watch, "then join the training in ten minutes."

Yu Zhaoyu clicked his tongue and said, "Speak."

"You can either train as usual and then go watch Yan Zizheng's performance, or you can finish the exercises I left for you in the practice book and then go watch the performance."

Zhaoyu chose the second option, which meant he wouldn't have to train and could do whatever he wanted. In fact, he didn't even want to watch the performance. He just wanted an excuse to leave, otherwise he wouldn't have trouble remembering the specific time of the performance.

"What class do we have in this period?"

Zou Jing smiled casually after asking, how could he ask someone who obviously wouldn't know? He glanced at the class schedule he had flipped out and then threw the practice book next to him to the person still standing in front of his desk, saying, "Page 127, a total of six major questions. When you finish them, I'll give you a note for an excuse."

Yu Zhaoyu incredulously asked, "What are you doing here?"

Zou Jing nodded and said, "Let's do it right here."

I saw the young man staring blankly while holding his exercise book. He pulled out a pen from the pen holder and handed it over. Then, he pointed towards the entrance and said, "There are some chairs over there, go get one and sit down."

Yao Zhaoyu regretted choosing the second option. He found it more preferable to go for a run outside than to sit across from Zou Jing and do the questions.

The youth's slow and hesitant movements made Zou Jing chuckle lightly and continue, "It's not too late to regret now."

Yao Zhaoyu didn't want to lose face, so he picked up the paper and let his gaze fall on the question he couldn't even understand the topic of.

He hesitated to pick up his pen, and the room was too quiet, causing him to look up at the person who was reading with their head down on the other side of the desk.

Zou Jing frowned, "With your speed, go see Yan Zizheng perform again next year."

Yu Zhaoyu slammed the pen down and exclaimed, "You're clearly trying to give me a hard time. I don't know how to solve this stupid problem!"

Zou Jing tilted his head and said, "Don't you think you have a point?"

Yuzhao Yu choked and stared at the man for a few seconds before picking up the pen again.

Zou Jing leaned forward, his finger circling an important condition on the topic, and seeing the young man's lack of understanding, a troubled expression appeared on his face. Softening his thoughts, he changed his tone and said, "I'll let you go if you can produce the proof for the last question."

Zhaoyu's eyes lit up, "Really?"

"Really."