Do you have a crush on me?

A small square table stood in Zhang Xiu'e's courtyard, with three dishes on it: stir-fried pork with peppers, stir-fried tomatoes and eggs, and smashed cucumber salad.

Wearing an apron, Zhang Xiu'e came out of the kitchen with two bowls of rice. Seeing him alone, she asked, "Where's your grandpa?"

"He said he wasn't hungry, so he's not coming."

"That old man!" Zhang Xiu'e set down the rice. "Then you eat. Have plenty. Look how skinny you are."

Chen Yuan sat down and picked up his chopsticks.

Zhang Xiu'e sat opposite him and poured herself a glass of beer.

"Want some?" she asked, holding up the bottle.

Chen Yuan shook his head.

Zhang Xiu'e smiled and took a sip herself.

The moon rose, casting its light into the courtyard.

Zhang Xiu'e sat in the moonlight, still wearing her floral skirt, though she had changed into a loose white T-shirt.

Yet even that loose T-shirt was stretched full across her chest, making the neckline look a little taut.

Chen Yuan glanced at her, then quickly lowered his head.

But his peripheral vision refused to behave.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her crossed legs, pale and gleaming like satin in the moonlight.

The slipper on her foot swayed back and forth. Her toenails were painted red, and each little swing made his heart sway along with it.

"Yuan," Zhang Xiu'e suddenly said.

Chen Yuan raised his head.

She was looking at him over her glass of beer. Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight, and a smile played at the corners of her mouth.

"What was going on when you were behind me on my electric scooter earlier?"

Chen Yuan's face went red in an instant!

"Wh-what do you mean?"

Zhang Xiu'e laughed and took another sip of beer.

She tilted her head back as she drank, her throat moving with each swallow.

The curves stretching her white T-shirt trembled slightly as Zhang Xiu'e swallowed.

Chen Yuan lowered his head again and shoveled rice into his mouth.

The pork and peppers smelled delicious, but he could hardly taste a thing.

His mind was filled with what had happened on the scooter. That soft, warm sensation refused to leave him, and his heartbeat was a complete mess.

"Feeling shy?" Zhang Xiu'e teased.

Chen Yuan said nothing.

Zhang Xiu'e set down her glass, rested her elbows on the table, and propped her chin in her hands as she watched him.

"Yuan, you're eighteen this year, right?"

"Yeah."

"Eighteen. All grown up." She smiled. "Ever had a girlfriend?"

Chen Yuan shook his head.

"No?" Zhang Xiu'e seemed a little surprised. "You're such a good-looking boy. None of the village girls have chased after you?"

"No," Chen Yuan muttered. "I practice martial arts with Grandpa every day. I don't have time."

"Martial arts?" Zhang Xiu'e perked up. "What kind?"

"Baji Fist."

"Baji Fist?" Zhang Xiu'e blinked. "Is it powerful?"

Chen Yuan thought for a moment. "Pretty good."

"What does 'pretty good' mean? Could you beat me?"

Chen Yuan looked up at Zhang Xiu'e.

In the moonlight, she rested her chin in her hands, the neckline of her white T-shirt drooping low enough to reveal a small patch of collarbone.

Below her collarbone, her curves were full and soft. The fabric clung lightly to them, tracing contours that could make a person's breath catch.

He hurriedly looked away.

"Why would I fight you?"

Zhang Xiu'e burst out laughing.

Her body shook as she laughed, and her chest rose and fell gently with it, sending shallow folds rippling through her loose white T-shirt. The sight made his heart tighten.

Chen Yuan felt his throat go dry.

He picked up the teacup on the table and gulped down several mouthfuls.

"Yuan," Zhang Xiu'e said suddenly, "you know, you used to love following me around when you were little."

Chen Yuan put down his cup. "I know."

"You were only this tall back then."

Zhang Xiu'e held out a hand to show his height.

"You were like my little shadow, following me wherever I went. When I washed clothes by the river, you'd squat beside me and watch. When I went to pick vegetables in the fields, you'd come along."

As she spoke, she started laughing.

"Once, I forgot to shut the door while I was changing, and you little rascal came running in. You scared me so badly I hurriedly shoved you back outside."

Chen Yuan's face turned red again.

He didn't remember that. But hearing Zhang Xiu'e tell it, he couldn't help imagining the scene.

"Then I went to Deep City and hardly came home for years."

Zhang Xiu'e sighed.

"When I came back a few years ago, you still called me Sister Ezi when you saw me, but then you'd run off."

She looked at Chen Yuan, her eyes bright.

"Now you're getting more handsome by the day!"

Chen Yuan kept his head down, the tips of his ears burning.

"Sister Ezi," he muttered, "stop teasing me."

"How am I teasing you?" Zhang Xiu'e said with a smile. "I'm telling the truth."

She lifted her glass and took another sip.

After setting it down, she stretched.

The movement pulled Zhang Xiu'e's white T-shirt even tighter.

The shape of her chest showed clearly through it, its alluring curves making him afraid to look for too long.

One glance was enough to make Chen Yuan's body tense and his breathing falter. He hurriedly averted his eyes.

Zhang Xiu'e seemed not to notice. She lowered her arms and propped her chin in her hands again, watching him.

"Yuan, what do you want to do in Deep City?"

"Work in a factory, I guess. Didn't you say you could get me a factory job, Sister Ezi?"

"A factory's fine. But it's tiring work. You're on your feet for over ten hours a day. Can you handle that?"

"I can. Practicing martial arts is a lot more tiring than standing."

Zhang Xiu'e smiled. "That's true."

She paused, then added, "Actually, there are plenty of opportunities in Deep City. You don't have to work in a factory. You're young and strong. There's plenty you could do. Deliver food, deliver packages, work as a security guard—any of those would be better than a factory."

Chen Yuan nodded. "I'll see when I get there."

"I'll show you around then. I know Deep City well. I've lived there for seven or eight years. I know all the good places to eat and have fun."

As she spoke, Zhang Xiu'e winked at Chen Yuan.

"I'll show you what the big city's like."

Chen Yuan looked at her, and his heart skipped a beat.

In the moonlight, Zhang Xiu'e's face was as pale as jade.

Her eyes were bright and her lips red. When she smiled, the corners of her mouth curved upward in a way that made his heart itch.

"Sister Ezi," Chen Yuan called.

"Hmm?"

"Do... do you have a boyfriend in Deep City?"

Zhang Xiu'e froze for a moment, then burst into loud laughter.

"Ha! Ha! Ha..."

She shook with laughter, her chest rising and falling gently along with it, making it impossible to look away.

"What's this?" Zhang Xiu'e asked, smiling. "Why are you asking?"

Chen Yuan's face was as red as a monkey's bottom.

"N-no reason. I was just asking."

Zhang Xiu'e stopped laughing and looked at him, amusement still lingering in her eyes.

"No. I'm single."

Chen Yuan lowered his head and murmured an acknowledgment.

But it felt as though something had suddenly lit up inside him.

Watching his lowered head, Zhang Xiu'e's smile deepened.

"Yuan," she said softly, "do you have a crush on me?"

Chen Yuan jerked his head up.

Zhang Xiu'e was looking at him, her eyes startlingly bright in the moonlight.

"I..." Chen Yuan opened his mouth, but couldn't get a word out.

Smiling, Zhang Xiu'e reached over and flicked his forehead.

"I'm just teasing. Look how scared you got!"

Chen Yuan covered his forehead and looked at her.

"Go on, eat."

Zhang Xiu'e picked up her glass.

"Head home and get to bed early after you finish. Pack what you need tomorrow. We'll leave first thing the day after."

Chen Yuan murmured assent, lowered his head, and went back to shoveling down his rice.

But it felt as though a rabbit were tucked inside his chest, thumping away, refusing to settle down.

The question she had just asked kept circling through his mind.

Yuan, do you have a crush on me?

He wanted to say yes.

But he didn't dare!