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Though hometowns are comforting, they’re not meant for long stays.

Shu Yunyi and Shen Yi didn’t linger for long, planning to leave after lunch.

The school had already announced the resumption of classes, and she was about to get busy again.

Before their departure, Liu Huijuan pulled Shen Yi aside to whisper sternly,

"Mom won’t meddle in how you plan to handle these two relationships, but by the end of the year, you’d better have a clear plan."

Shen Yi naturally wanted that too, but these things couldn’t be rushed. He could only promise,

"I’ll try my best..."

"Not ‘try’—you must!"

Liu Huijuan glanced around to ensure no one was listening before continuing,

"New Year’s is just a few months away. Will you visit her parents’ home to pay respects?

"And won’t both Fu Nanzhi and Shu Yunyi come to our place?

"If you don’t handle this carefully, hmph, it’ll be chaos, mark my words."

Where there’s no foresight, trouble looms close—Shen’s mother wasn’t wrong.

If things weren’t coordinated properly and the two women crossed paths, the New Year would be ruined.

Right now, the extended family only knew Shu Yunyi, while Fu Nanzhi had only met his parents.

The deeper the impression they left, the harder it would be to explain later.

Shen Yi nodded, already picturing the scenario.

"Got it. I’ll be careful."

Seeing her son’s expression, Shen’s mother sighed and spoke earnestly,

"I don’t know much about grand philosophies, but stories of losing the big prize while chasing small gains are everywhere. This isn’t simple."

"Your mother’s right."

A sudden voice startled Liu Huijuan.

She turned to find Shen’s father standing behind them, holding a chicken.

Annoyed, she scolded,

"Are you a ghost? Walking without a sound—scared me half to death!"

Ignoring her, Shen’s father stepped forward and patted his son’s shoulder.

"You’re grown now. There’s little we can teach you, and you wouldn’t listen even if we said more.

"I’ll just say this: If you want the best of both worlds, be ready to lose everything.

"Cut clean when you must. You’re on your own."

Then he shoved the chicken into Liu Huijuan’s hands and walked off, hands behind his back.

Shen Yi nodded silently. His father’s meaning was clear—a straightforward, old-school perspective.

It didn’t matter if the cat was black or white, as long as it caught mice.

If he was greedy, he had to prepare to lose both.

If it couldn’t work out, he should choose one and commit, lest he end up with nothing.

Both parents had offered support but also advice. Shen Yi took it all to heart.

Enough had been said.

...

After saying goodbye, Shen Yi and Shu Yunyi returned to Jingyuan City.

From a distance, they could see rain clouds hanging over the urban skyline.

The downpour had lasted all day. Their car plunged into the rain, merging into the highway traffic.

Soon, they stopped side by side in Shangyang District.

Shen Yi was heading to Jianyuan, while Shu Yunyi planned to return the car to her mother and go home, so they parted ways there.

Parked by the roadside, Shu Yunyi lingered in the car, reluctant to let him leave.

"Yunyi, does it still hurt?"

Shen Yi asked, watching her plump figure sink softly into the seat.

Shu Yunyi shot him a glare.

"It doesn’t hurt, just a little sore."

Shen Yi smirked—he’d gone easy on her last night.

Though she was at an age of insatiable appetite, her stamina paled compared to Fu Nanzhi’s.

After just three rounds, she’d been pleading for mercy, completely spent.

Irked by his smug look, Shu Yunyi pinched his arm hard—but not even a red mark remained.

After some playful bickering, Shen Yi turned serious.

"Quit drinking, got it? I’m not joking—I will keep an eye on you."

Shu Yunyi flushed, pouting.

"I promise not a single drop from now on. If I break it, punish me however you want, okay?

"Just... spare me some dignity in front of my parents and relatives.

"I am still your teacher..."

Though she knew she was in the wrong and didn’t dare argue, she was still a woman in her thirties with some pride.

Their age gap was significant, yet their roles had flipped.

Shen Yi scoffed.

"Dignity is earned. If you want me to call you ‘Sister Yun’ willingly, set a proper example."

Compared to a teacher-student affair, an older-younger romance sounded better—more socially acceptable.

In their past life, Shu Yunyi had always wanted him to call her that, but Shen Yi rarely did unless others were around.

Thinking it over, he decided to dangle a carrot.

"Here’s the deal: If you quit drinking without me nagging, I’ll call you ‘Sister Yun’ from then on. Deal?"

Shu Yunyi’s eyes lit up.

"Really? You promise?"

"Yes, I promise."

"Good! Then say it now—just twice. If I ever take another sip, I’ll change my surname!"

She declared with absolute confidence.

Shen Yi rolled his eyes.

"Change it to mine?

"No prepayment. Quit first, then we’ll talk."

If she’d done it in their past life, she could do it again. Shu Yunyi steeled herself, determined to prove him wrong.

"Oh, and don’t go back to that dump of a rental. Just move in with me."

She leaned closer, her snug blazer straining at the chest, her perfume flooding his senses.

Right now, her priorities were quitting alcohol, sticking to her workouts, and resuming her teaching duties.

Her schedule would be packed.

If she couldn’t visit him, she’d rather have him live with her.

Shen Yi gave her a sidelong glance.

"‘Dump’? Not everyone can waltz into your faculty apartment.

"I’m not a professor’s family."

Shu Yunyi pursed her full lips.

"Then become family."

She only needed to convince her mother, Qin Fangli. As for her father—she didn’t have one.

"Or we could just buy our own place. That tiny assigned apartment of yours is cramped.

"If we’re not doing social media, we should plan for the future."

Shen Yi mused, resting his chin on his hand.

They’d discussed it last night—this time, they wouldn’t recreate their old travel vlog.

The reason was simple: It had been a fluke back then.

Having already seen the world in their past life, retracing those steps held no novelty, nor could they capture the same magic.

Without the online income, Shu Yunyi’s teaching salary and family properties would still afford them a comfortable life.

She’d never craved extravagance—just enough to live well.

"Fine...

"But don’t think you can escape. No matter how busy, you have to visit me at least once every three days."