At dusk, Pei Xiaoru cooked dinner herself for her parents, who had come from far away.
It should have been a time for family reunion, but Father Pei and Mother Pei could only force smiles, their hearts weighed down by worries.
Mother Pei couldn't stay cooped up at home and wanted to go out for some fresh air.
The moment she stepped outside, she happened to run into the neighbor across the hall.
"Eh? Are you Pei Xiaoru's mother? Hello, Auntie." The girl from across the hall smiled and greeted Mother Pei as soon as she saw her.
Mother Pei hurriedly smiled and returned the greeting with a nod.
The two went downstairs together and chatted for a while. Mother Pei learned that the girl had been Pei Xiaoru's neighbor for more than half a year, and that the two got along quite well.
"By the way, why don't you come over for dinner tonight? Then you won't have to cook for yourself," Mother Pei invited her.
"No, no, Auntie. I have plans tonight." The girl smiled shyly.
"With your boyfriend?" Mother Pei smiled, then changed the subject. "By the way, Auntie wants to ask you something. Has any man ever come over to Xiaoru's place?"
The girl thought about it, then shook her head. But suddenly, she seemed to remember something, and her expression turned hesitant.
"It's fine. Auntie is reasonable. I'm just worried and want to know a little more." Mother Pei kept smiling, doing her best to maintain the image of a calm mother.
"A while ago... I think there was a guy," the girl said softly.
"What did he look like?" Mother Pei's heart clenched.
"He was very handsome. I think he stayed here for one night, but that was the only time. I hardly ever