Bus Terminal. Waiting area in County C.

　　Ling Hanlu was sitting on a bench, watching as Gu Pan darted through the crowd towards her.

　　"Where have you been, little one?" she called out, subtly opening her arms in a small welcoming gesture.

　　Gu Pan came to a sudden stop. He stuck one hand in his pocket and stayed silent, but his eyes sparkled mischievously.

　　"What are you hiding?"

　　"Hehe."

　　"...Alright, if you don't want to show me, that's fine. Just know, if you change your mind later, you might not get the chance because my bus is arriving soon!"

　　Ling Hanlu had used the first part of the summer break to visit her father back in her hometown, planning to stay with him for a while. Gu Pan had come over early to help her pack and escort her to the bus terminal.

　　As their farewell approached, the boy decided to play a game of "guess what" with Ling Hanlu. While she checked her luggage, she pondered over what this silly kid might be up to.

　　Before long, the station broadcast announced, "Passengers heading to County C, please prepare for ticket inspection and boarding." Hearing this, Ling Hanlu stood up. She waved at Gu Pan, only to see him dart through the crowd to join her in the boarding line.

　　"What are you doing?"

　　"I'm worried about you!" Gu Pan grabbed her luggage and slung it over his shoulder.

　　"For just these few steps?"

　　"No, for the next three hours."

　　"What?" Ling Hanlu almost stopped in her tracks, only moving forward again when nudged by the passengers behind her.

　　"Check this out!" Gu Pan pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, grinning. "I just got a ticket. Come on, let's go!" He took her hand.

　　"You're... oh no, you're coming with me?" She felt as though she was being "kidnapped" again, but the "kidnapper" was becoming increasingly assertive yet gentle.

　　"Yes. I'll get you home safely, then head back to City A, and from there to my hometown. No delays, don't worry! Let's go, let's go!"

　　Once on the bus, Gu Pan found her a seat and used his now well-honed negotiation skills to swap for a spot next to her. Only then did he relax.

　　"Tell me, what exactly are you worried about?"

　　"What do you think?"

　　"I..."

　　Ling Hanlu was cornered in the window seat by the tall, muscular young man. She felt the weight of his presence. It wasn't fear, but rather an indescribable challenge in the air that made her willingly curl up in the corner, letting this young guy take control.

　　"Teacher, a lot of crazy things have been happening lately, and I’m starting to think you can’t do without me."

　　Ling Hanlu knew exactly what Gu Pan was getting at. She gently pressed her chest as if to calm a lingering ache. "That day, it was really lucky you were there. Oh, and Lu Yitong—I want to invite her to dinner sometime..."

　　"Her? She’d be over the moon if you invited her. You’re her idol!" Gu Pan stole a glance at Ling Hanlu’s noticeably thinner jawline. "Teacher Ling, if it wasn’t for the poisoning incident, you would’ve made it home to spend Father’s Day with your dad, right?"

　　"Yes, I missed it this year. But I ordered a cake for my dad. It can't replace me, but there’s no other way!"

　　"I won't let you have any more accidents!" Gu Pan propped one hand on the backrest of the seat in front. He felt that his physical presence would be able to fend off any monsters for this woman, unwaveringly. "As long as I’m here, nothing will happen to you."

　　"Okay, but... when we get home, not a word about the poisoning, not one word! You have to promise me!"

　　2

　　About four hours later, they arrived at the verdant courtyard.

　　This time, Ling Kangwen wasn't crouched over, tending to his cherished plants. Knowing his daughter was returning home, he had moved two potted Michelia trees to the front door to greet her.

　　Ling Hanlu couldn't help but smile at the sight.

　　She led Gu Pan past the tall, fragrant plants and into the house. "Drop your bags and come with me to the market!"

　　Ling Hanlu explained to Gu Pan that this was a silent understanding between her and her father. If they were in wartime, they would make an excellent spy duo. Flowers, plants, tables, and benches—all were tools for passing messages.

　　Gu Pan watched intently as Ling Hanlu animatedly recounted amusing stories about her and her father. He found her childlike demeanor refreshing and natural, something that couldn’t be faked. It only bloomed in the right environment, free from artificial enhancements. True youthfulness had nothing to do with cosmetic procedures or training.

　　Thirty-five-year-old Teacher Ling darted around the house with lively energy. Watching her, Gu Pan finally understood what it meant for his heart to melt.

　　After a ten-minute walk, they reached the market Ling Kangwen frequented.

　　"I have a question," Gu Pan raised his hand. "Don't most people do their grocery shopping early in the morning? It's already noon."

　　"My dad knows the owner of a fish and shrimp stall. They have an arrangement to pick up supplies at this time. Come on, follow me!" Ling Hanlu beckoned, moving ahead.

　　"There's water on the ground," Gu Pan softly reminded.

　　"Of course, it's a market."

　　"It's slippery."

　　"Just be careful..."

　　Before she could finish, Gu Pan draped an arm around her shoulders. "Let me make sure you're safe, alright?"

　　They walked side by side through the narrow, damp aisles. Ling Hanlu kept her eyes fixed on her feet, hiding the difficulty she had controlling the tension and flutter in her heart while held by the young man.

　　As they strolled, she almost forgot their purpose. Her father, whom she dearly missed, stood at a stall, vigilant of his surroundings.

　　Yet, until after dinner, Ling Kangwen said nothing about what he had seen with his own eyes.

　　3

　　Ling Kangwen brewed a pot of tea. In the courtyard, there sat a small wooden table and two bamboo chairs where he invited Gu Pan to chat for a while.

　　Meanwhile, Ling Hanlu was in her bedroom video chatting with her friend Xu Shuping. Upon hearing her father mention tea in the courtyard, she arranged the table and chairs and thoughtfully switched on the hanging lamp under the eaves.

　　"Son, how long have you known Hanlu?" Ling Kangwen handed Gu Pan a small cup of Phoenix Single Bush tea.

　　"Over a year."

　　"What kind of person do you think she is?"

　　"Intellectual, talented. Very compassionate... she carries herself with a scholarly air, steeped in poetry and literature. In short, she's remarkable." Gu Pan lifted the small porcelain cup to savor its aroma.

　　"And in your opinion, these are all strengths, correct?"

　　"Absolutely." Gu Pan examined the tea meticulously before taking a sip. "They are all strengths."

　　"Heh... Hanlu has excelled in her studies from a young age, so I haven't had to worry much. She's like the 'ideal neighbor's child' in the eyes of the community. Gentle in temperament, always mindful of others' perspectives, which is why she avoids conflict with anyone besides me."

　　"Yes, I feel the same. Teacher Ling is impeccably mannered."

　　"Indeed, who wouldn't appreciate someone so courteous and knowledgeable?" Ling Kangwen's expression lacked a smile, but the slight tilt of his chin as he gazed at the night sky betrayed his paternal pride. "However, I see these qualities as strengths that truly shine when encountered by the right person. Otherwise, they can become vulnerabilities."

　　"Teacher Ling won't face hurt again." Gu Pan reassured the older man. He hadn't expected Ling Kangwen's words to take such a melancholic turn, but this conversation held deep significance for him. If not for Ling Hanlu's relationship with him, Ling Kangwen wouldn't have opened up like this.

　　"Heh heh." Ling Kangwen chuckled softly, sipping his tea.

　　Observing this young man now, Ling Kangwen had first met him a year ago. Meeting him again now, he clearly noted the robust changes in the young man.

　　The young man picked up the teapot and went inside to refill it. Ling Kangwen couldn't help but watch him closely. He saw the boy’s now taller frame brush past the framed photos on the living room wall—frozen memories from over a year ago that the young man had once gazed at intently. After some contemplation, he went inside and pulled out a thick photo album.

　　When he returned to the courtyard, Gu Pan had already refilled the small porcelain cup with tea and was sitting quietly, waiting.

　　"Young man, I found something for you. Not sure if you're interested," Ling Kangwen said, holding the photo album.

　　"Photos of Teacher Ling?" Gu Pan asked, glancing at the large, plastic-covered book in the elder's arms.

　　"Yes. You probably haven't seen anything like this at your age, have you?"

　　"We have some at home, but mostly of my parents when they were young."

　　"You kids nowadays prefer digital albums, right?" Ling Kangwen placed the album on his lap and opened it. As he flipped through a page, the colorful memories seemed to leap out, ready to dance with him. He then closed the book, running his hand over the slightly rough cover, and sighed, "Heh, digital ones are more advanced, I suppose..."

　　"They're more convenient and eco-friendly. But physical albums have their own charm. The tactile experience they provide can't be matched by digital ones." Gu Pan was already eager to dive into this unique tactile "reading" experience of bygone days. "I think they're irreplaceable."

　　"Well said! Here, take a look at Hanlu's growth journey." Ling Kangwen handed over the heavy stack of paper memories to Gu Pan.

　　Inside the album, Ling Kangwen had carefully organized his daughter's images by year, starting from her infancy. Gu Pan was lucky enough to open it and immediately see a bald Ling Hanlu and the future professor missing her front teeth.

　　As her hair grew thicker, Ling Hanlu started wearing a high ponytail with a hairpin. Ling Kangwen said it was the only hair accessory his daughter ever wore, a birthday gift from him. “She’s never been one for dressing up! Always seemed to mature slower than most girls.”

　　In her first year of middle school, Ling Hanlu stood in a line of adults, receiving an award for being a helpful youth. “That was the Good Samaritan Youth Award, given out alongside the Good Citizen Award. I took the day off to be there. The host asked her how she felt about winning. This girl said, ‘I thank my dad; he always leads by example… Do you think I'm just bragging about myself? Haha!” Ling Kangwen recalled his daughter's distant glory with a beaming smile.

　　“So, Teacher Ling’s compassion has deep roots.”

　　“Heh, since you say so, I’ll take it! Compassion is good, right?”

　　“Of course.” Gu Pan answered, immediately realizing how Ling Kangwen’s words could expand indefinitely.

　　“But sometimes, Hanlu’s compassion worries me. She reads a lot, has independent thoughts. But precisely because of that, she can be stubborn. Sometimes she can’t—or won’t—see right from wrong, even when it’s clear to most people. I always wonder what standards guide her. She’s in her thirties, I’m in my sixties, yet I still wish I could protect her, even if just for a few days…” Ling Kangwen trailed off, searching the empty ground for a lost item that wasn’t there.

　　“Have you ever told her these things?”

　　“No. She doesn’t come home often as it is; I don’t want to burden her. Silly girl, maybe she’s still tied to that Good Samaritan Award from back then. Sigh!”

　　“Uncle… I’m not like Teacher Ling. I’m just like most people. My thinking is what you call normal. I’ll be here for her!”

　　“Kid, life’s a journey you must walk step by step. At your age, you should be full of dreams. Having wild ideas isn’t strange. If you have a goal and stick to it, it’s not just a fleeting impulse. But if your personal dreams ever clash with someone else’s involvement, make sure to let them know early. The longer you wait, the more it hurts. Trust in their ability to understand. After all, learning to hold on and let go is a lifelong lesson for everyone.”

　　“…”

　　Seeing Gu Pan deep in thought, Ling Kangwen tried to change the subject. “Kiddo, the dishes you cooked tonight were top-notch! Did you learn that from someone, or are you self-taught?”

　　“I took a cooking class. Wanted to make sure Teacher Ling enjoys her meals.”

　　“Oh… that's a unique reason.” Ling Kangwen wanted to say more, but couldn't find the right words. Food is essential, and having someone care about his daughter's diet was a good thing as long as he didn't dig too deep. Not wanting to overthink it, he asked about something more on his mind. “By the way, I noticed Hanlu looks a bit thinner, and her complexion seems a bit off. Has she been under a lot of pressure at work lately?”

　　“Teacher Ling had a lot of evening classes last semester and took on a new project. She has been under some stress,” Gu Pan said, remembering his promise to stay tight-lipped made at the train station.

　　“Oh, I see.” Ling Kangwen nodded.

　　Gu Pan glanced down at his knuckles and the side of his palm. The anger he felt when he threw a punch a few days ago still haunted his dreams. But the gentle night breeze of the small town gradually soothed him, making him feel more calm and composed.