Shen Duoyi was so taken aback by what he heard that he thought he misheard it for a moment, after having organized his thoughts for a while.

Qi Shi'an, probably also feeling a bit incredulous, explained, "My younger brother is about to take the college entrance exam and wants to find a teacher to tutor him in math. And I told him your friend is from an entertainment company, so he's excited."

Remembering that Qi Shi'an's younger brother wanted to be a celebrity, Shen Duoyi understood his thinking, but still hesitated, "The college entrance exam is so important, I'm afraid I can't handle it. Actually, it would be better if you tutored him yourself."

"I can't," Qi Shi'an said as if trying to persuade him. "He has a sharp tongue. A few words from him would anger me and I'd beat him up. It wouldn't work out. It has to be someone else."

Shen Duoyi curled up on the sofa and laughed, forgetting what he originally wanted to say. Sensing that the other person was in a good mood, Qi Shi'an further showed goodwill, "Let's put yesterday's matter behind us. I'll pick you up tomorrow to visit the military retirement home. Promise me, okay?"

Was it the "400 million" that was put behind, or the "little boyfriend"?

Shen Duoyi wanted to learn from Qi Shi'an and play dumb. "When was it put behind? I can't earn back the money I compensated, so it can't be put behind."

Qi Shi'an continued to show weakness, "Then hire me, and you set the terms."

Shen Duoyi was not good at taking advantage, but was very tenderhearted. So he stopped joking and agreed, "I live in Wenhu Apartments, and get up at 7 o'clock."

Since they would meet tomorrow, he would talk about it then. After hanging up, Shen Duoyi stretched and then returned to the bedroom. Lu Ketong was sleeping soundly with his face buried in Shen Duoyi's pillow, half of the quilt hanging on the floor. Shen Duoyi took off his shoes, got on the bed and squeezed Lu Ketong a little, and the two took a nap together.

The peach tree in the family courtyard of the military retirement home had dropped petals all over the ground. Qi Shi'an stretched his long legs and sat on the recliner under the tree, with his younger brother Huo Xuechuan sitting on the steps behind him. The two brothers were in a standoff and would probably break out in a fight later.

Huo Xin glanced at them from the balcony on the first floor, "Huo Xuechuan, don't make trouble with your brother. Have your tutoring lesson properly tomorrow."

Huo Xuechuan shouted, "You're always on his side!"

"Back then, a bunch of famous schools were willing to admit him. I was simply the most worry-free mom that year. Now look at you!" Huo Xin was wearing a lake green dress with a jade bracelet on her wrist, looking elegant and graceful, but her actions and words were vigorous, not quite matching her appearance.

Qi Shi'an, annoyed by the noise, looked at the latest market on the screen and said, "Mom, that new stock you bought has gone up."

This sentence worked as expected. Huo Xin turned around and went back to the room to check stocks. Huo Xuechuan continued to be depressed as he sat on the steps. He drank cola and filled his stomach with gas. After finishing, he actually threw the empty can at Qi Shi'an.

Qi Shi'an didn't even blink. He raised his leg and kicked hard, sending the can flying back at Huo Xuechuan in half a second. "Behave yourself. You want a beating?" He could see the parrot on the second-floor balcony. He advised, "Be good tomorrow. There will be a reward if you perform well."

"I don't care!" Huo Xuechuan pulled grass from the flower pot beside him. "I just wanted to ask about the recruitment requirements of entertainment companies. Who said I wanted tutoring?!"

During lunch, when Huo Xuechuan's college admission was mentioned, he insisted on applying for a drama academy to become an actor in the future. Qi Shi'an casually mentioned that a colleague's friend was a senior executive at an entertainment company, so Huo Xuechuan got excited and kept asking about it.

Love can make smart people stupid, but it can also make honest people cunning.

Although Qi Shi'an and Shen Duoyi were far from being in love, he was already very cunning.

He took the opportunity to have Shen Duoyi come and tutor Huo Xuechuan, and also ask about entertainment company related matters. Of course, this was all a pretense. He just wanted to increase the chances for the two of them to meet and spend time together in private.

Huo Xuechuan pulled the grass bald, "Brother, do you love me?"

Qi Shi'an's throat itched and he felt a bit like throwing up, "Don't gross me out."

To prevent Huo Xuechuan from making trouble and not cooperating tomorrow, Qi Shi'an finally made a painful sacrifice and laid out a condition, "You like my off-road vehicle, right? I'll give it to you after the exam."

"Really?!" Huo Xuechuan jumped up from the steps. "Why didn't you say so earlier! Math tutoring tomorrow, right? I'll go clean up the study right now!"

Qi Shi'an had several cars, and the military off-road vehicle was not the same one from many years ago. Watching his brother run into the building, he could finally rest quietly for a moment. Closing his eyes, he couldn't help but imagine if Shen Duoyi would blush and have his heart racing when revisiting old places.

In the evening, Lu Ketong left after dinner. Shen Duoyi saw him off to the street outside the apartment. He strolled back home and played with the neighbor's little great-grandson downstairs for a while.

Grandpa Shen was listening to a storytelling program on the balcony, still "The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants". Hearing the sound, he turned his head, "Why are you so slow? I wanted you to listen with me."

"I was playing with Maomao downstairs for a bit." Shen Duoyi sat cross-legged on the cushion beside him. "There's still time to listen with you now. Where did it get to?"

But Grandpa Shen answered a different question, "Maomao is a smart one, understanding everything. You're smart too. Hurry up and get married and have your own child. It will definitely be more interesting."

Shen Duoyi quickly changed the subject, "How did Zhan Zhao get injured?" After saying that, he noticed Grandpa Shen glancing at him and knew the subject change had failed. He leaned over and rested on the armrest of the recliner, opening and closing his mouth.

He went back and forth, struggling, not knowing whether to say it or not.

Grandpa Shen urged impatiently, "Can you speak properly?!"

Shen Duoyi was full of hesitation and uneasiness. After this urging, he finally asked cautiously, "Grandpa, what do you think of Fei Yuan and Lulu? I feel they are no different from ordinary families, and seem even happier."

For a while, only the sound from the radio remained.

Every second was stretched out and slowed down. He didn't dare look into his grandfather's eyes.

Grandpa Shen said helplessly, "It's easy to say, but I said that to the kid today, and actually this sentence could be said to myself too. They are not my children, so even if I can't accept it, I will still bless them."

Shen Duoyi tightly grasped the armrest, the rattan wrapped around it leaving imprints on his palms.

"But if it fell on my own child, my reaction might be even bigger than De'an's." De'an was Fei Yuan's dad and had beaten Fei Yuan badly back then. After saying that, Grandpa Shen sighed, "I'm an old man and can't change my views from the past 70-plus years. But they are all good kids. I hope they will all be well."

Shen Duoyi no longer knew how to react. He fully understood the old man, but while understanding, he couldn't help feeling sad for himself.

Grandpa Shen delivered his closing statement: "Why are we talking about this? It's not something we should worry about."

The storytelling of "The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants" went on for a long time, with intense and thrilling fight scenes, and interesting and humorous narration, but Shen Duoyi heard none of it. He gazed at the night sky outside the window, the newly sprouted branches in his heart heavily trampled into the mud.

In this world, Grandpa Shen was his only relative. The old and the young had relied on each other for many years, and more than half of the reason he strived to live was for the gray-haired old man in front of him.

Shen Duoyi let go of his hand, staring blankly at the red marks on his palm. Would his interactions with Qi Shi'an lead to a good outcome?

He had to reconsider.

An agreement cannot be broken. At nine o'clock the next morning, Qi Shi'an was already waiting at the entrance of Wenhu Apartment. Shen Duoyi walked out holding a few books, looking like a college student going to the library to study.

"I don't know if you've had breakfast, so I bought a bread on the way." Qi Shi'an took the books from the other's arms and handed over the paper bag containing the bread.

Shen Duoyi caught it: "Thank you, sorry for the trouble."

Qi Shi'an was stunned for a moment, feeling that something was off with Shen Duoyi. After getting in the car and driving off, he glanced at the textbooks and asked, "Did I disturb your rest?"

"No." Shen Duoyi nibbled on the bread, his gaze also falling on the book cover. "Mr. Qi, I'd like to go over a few key question types with your brother, and for the rest, let him ask questions to fill in the gaps."

Qi Shi'an finally realized what was off. The overly polite and courteous tone felt particularly distant. Shen Duoyi was clearly about to walk up to him, so why did it suddenly feel like they were a hundred feet apart again?

He spoke up, "In private, just call me by my name, or even speak directly without addressing me."

Shen Duoyi finished the bread, folding and refolding the paper bag, then crumpling it in his hand. "It's more appropriate to address you this way." His not-so-tactful rejection pushed the atmosphere into an awkward state. Neither of them spoke again until they reached the retirement home.

Qi Shi'an knew that Shen Duoyi's change in attitude was definitely not without reason, but he couldn't figure out why for the time being and could only observe and try to solve it. When they arrived at the door, he stopped the car and turned off the engine, pretending nothing had happened as he said, "That's my younger brother, Huo Xuechuan."

Shen Duoyi got out of the car holding the books and saw the high school student standing at the door.

Huo Xuechuan took two surprised steps forward, then two surprised steps back. When Qi Shi'an and Shen Duoyi walked up to him, he finally realized, "Bro! Isn't this the person you carried back that year?"

Qi Shi'an raised his leg and kicked, "Call him Teacher Shen."

Shen Duoyi smiled, "No need to call me teacher, why not call me brother too?"

Huo Xuechuan helped carry the books and saw the name on the cover. He immediately exclaimed, "Brother Duoyi, do you know how I recognized you? When I was eight years old, I thought you were especially good-looking. Even now, you're still so good-looking! I'm a person who's particularly sensitive to good-looking people all over!"

From the main entrance to the study on the second floor, Huo Xuechuan's mouth never stopped. Shen Duoyi was a little overwhelmed and looked at Qi Shi'an with a pleading look. Qi Shi'an's heart melted. He went over and pulled Huo Xuechuan aside, warning, "Keep your mouth shut when listening to the lesson. Don't behave like you're chatting at the village entrance. Isn't it annoying?"

Huo Xuechuan nodded vigorously, "Got it, I'm going to study now!"

The desk was wide, and Shen Duoyi spread out several teaching aids. It had been several years since he last tutored, and he felt a sense of familiarity for a moment. Huo Xuechuan hadn't forgotten the important matter and took out a piece of paper from his pocket, densely filled with questions.

"Brother Duoyi, I heard your friend works in an entertainment company. I want to ask a few questions." Huo Xuechuan was a little embarrassed. "I listed more and more as I went along."

Shen Duoyi responded, "Your brother said you want to apply for the drama academy. It seems you're very determined. What do you want to ask about? I'll ask for you when I have time."

Huo Xuechuan excitedly unfolded the paper, "Is it true or just hype that the popular young actor Wang Haoyan doesn't rely on his big-shot father in the industry for resources? Was Xu Yang selected for the male lead through auditions? Why doesn't the company do any public relations for Lin Dong's scandal? Are the new Best Actress and the famous director really together? Is it better to quickly become famous starting as an extra or as an idol?"

Shen Duoyi's mind buzzed. So all the questions were just gossip? He snatched the paper away, slapped the book, and solemnly ordered, "Those things have nothing to do with you. Now look at this question, list the formula, and explain your thought process."

Huo Xuechuan's face fell, "Teacher Shen is quite fierce. You were so well-behaved when curled up on my brother's bed that year."

Qi Shi'an hadn't gone far at all and was standing outside the door supervising. He originally wanted to go in and scold Huo Xuechuan for being presumptuous, but after hearing this sentence, he held back his steps. He turned slightly to look into the room and saw that the tips of Shen Duoyi's ears were already red.

The long two hours passed. Shen Duoyi tried to impart as much knowledge and skills to Huo Xuechuan as possible, not even taking a sip of water.

This family had several small buildings in the retirement home. This building belonged to Old General Huo. After the lesson, Qi Shi'an took Shen Duoyi downstairs, introducing as they walked, "My mom is busy in the kitchen. My dad is in military engineering design and went on an inspection. Grandpa went horseback riding with his comrades in the morning and will probably be back when the meal is ready."

Shen Duoyi asked, "Your brother has the same surname as your mom?"

"Yes, his personality is also like my mom's." Seeing that the meal wasn't ready yet, Qi Shi'an pretended to be bored and suggested, "Let me show you around. We'll come back for the meal later."

He took Shen Duoyi for a stroll, directly going to another building.

"This is where my parents live, and also my old room." Qi Shi'an put on a full host's demeanor, leading Shen Duoyi on a tour inside the building. As soon as Shen Duoyi entered, he remembered and understood that this person wanted him to revisit old places.

He hadn't looked carefully back then. Now standing at the door, there were some memory gaps. Qi Shi'an gently pushed the other's shoulder, and the two of them entered the bedroom. The floor had a white background with blue circular patterns. Every flat surface that could hold things was filled with books. A large punching bag hung from the ceiling, and several pairs of boxing gloves in different colors hung on the wall.

Shen Duoyi picked up a book titled 'Local Chronicles Collection' and asked, "What kind of books do you usually like to read?"

Qi Shi'an replied, "I like to read everything, but I don't seek to understand thoroughly."

"Me too." Shen Duoyi flipped through the book, not noticing that he was smiling.

Qi Shi'an imperceptibly moved closer, turning slightly and raising his arm, almost enveloping the other person in his embrace. He said, "You were really well-behaved when you were curled up on my bed that year."

Shen Duoyi, realizing they were too close, immediately stepped aside to the bed. This defensive posture was too obvious. Feeling apologetic, he didn't dare turn back to look at Qi Shi'an.

"Sit down, don't keep standing." Qi Shi'an wasn't foolish and had keenly noticed. After Shen Duoyi sat on the bed, he pulled a chair and blocked in front of him.

As if to have a heart-to-heart talk.

Qi Shi'an leaned forward, arms resting on his knees, and asked with concern, "Have you had any stomach problems in recent years?"

"Rarely." Shen Duoyi's gaze fell on the other's interlocked fingers. "Before graduation, I was busy with many things and often missed meals. When Grandpa was sick, I was busy taking care of him and had it twice. The rest was when I was working overtime."

"You know what? I'm very conflicted." Qi Shi'an laughed, seeming quite helpless. "I often wonder if you would think of me when you had a stomachache over the years. I'm conceited, right? I feel you definitely would."

"So I want you to think of me, but I don't want you to suffer either." He knew Shen Duoyi was staring at his hands, so he slowly unlaced his interlocked fingers and placed his palms facing up in front of Shen Duoyi. "I still remember you were very well-behaved that night. Do you remember I kept my hand on your stomach the whole night?"

Shen Duoyi looked at the lines on that palm for a long time and nodded, "I remember, your hand was very warm."

Qi Shi'an reached a little closer, "What about yours?"