Lin Guochuan’s medical report was a stark reminder of how middle age brings a barrage of health issues. Beyond the terrifying lung nodules, his results revealed a laundry list of other abnormalities. Liang Meijuan wasn’t spared either—her tests showed concerningly low blood levels.

This wake-up call made the couple take their health seriously. Persuaded by Lin Youxi, they decided to focus on recuperation while completing their home renovations.

With Liang Meijuan no longer accompanying the trio to Jiangcheng, the three would be on their own for their final school year.

In the past, Mei Fang’s mother, Xiang Xiaoxia, would have been the first to vehemently oppose this arrangement. Balancing academics and self-care during the grueling gaokao prep would have seemed impossible.

But these three weren’t ordinary students.

Both Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi had secured advantages—Xia Yuan through arts program recommendations (needing only to meet the baseline university entrance score), while Lin Youxi had direct admission offers from top-tier universities. Only Mei Fang, having abandoned programming olympiads, lacked such perks.

Yet as the undisclosed owner of C-Site, he’d already received special admission inquiries from schools impressed by his entrepreneurial achievements.

Mei Fang wasn’t particularly interested in preferential treatment. His priorities were clear: he needed a university offering flexibility to run his business, ideally located in an area with valuable connections.

Academic prestige mattered less than institutional support, funding, and progressive policies. He already had targets in mind but would finalize decisions during senior year.

---

After Lunar New Year, Mei Fang remained in Baimei County to strengthen ties with both sets of parents while his own family returned to Baizhou.

Yu Ling, having watched him grow up as his elementary teacher, trusted him beyond typical in-law bonds.

Xia Xun, though reluctant to surrender his treasured daughter, acknowledged Mei Fang was an ideal match.

Liang Meijuan, after two years living together in Jiangcheng, deeply approved of him. While saddened her daughter couldn’t be with him romantically, she cherished their unshakable bond.

Even Lin Guochuan, despite limited interactions, recognized Mei Fang as the boy his daughter valued most—someone he could confidently entrust her to.

This hard-earned trust from all four parents could evaporate instantly if mishandled. The upcoming “breakup” performance with Xia Yuan would require meticulous planning.

---

Though school officially resumed on the 16th, the trio planned to return earlier by the 7th—coinciding with corporate reopening dates. As leadership, Mei Fang needed to distribute red envelopes, fostering company camaraderie.

But on the 6th, Liu Xiaoyu reached out unexpectedly: after explaining everything to her family, her father had consented to her music studies—on condition of meeting Mei Fang and Xia Yuan over dinner.

When Mei Fang consulted Xia Yuan, she agreed without hesitation:

“Of course we’ll go! This is the result of your efforts—I won’t let it go to waste.”

(True to his virtuous boyfriend code, Mei Fang had kept both girls fully informed about his interactions with Liu Xiaoyu, including her recent breakthroughs.)

Xia Yuan practically vibrated with excitement. “Xiaoyu finally committing to music is amazing! Now my band won’t lack a keyboardist…”

“Just need a drummer then. Open auditions should work?”

“Mhm~ No rush though. Everyone’s swamped with studies these two years—I won’t disrupt that. Especially Xue… her grades must be struggling.”

“Grades aren’t everything. Peng Xue doesn’t have our resources to balance academics and careers…”

“True.”

When Mei Fang called Liu Xiaoyu to confirm their attendance, her delighted voice detailed meal preferences and timing.

Only Xia Yuan accompanied him—Lin Youxi, uninvited, stayed with her family.

Arriving with gifts in hand, they were greeted by a casually dressed Liu Xiaoyu. “No need to remove shoes—just use these slips. Here, YuanYuan.”

Her father, a square-jawed man with booming voice, emerged. Despite Liu Xiaoyu’s warnings about his traditionalism, he welcomed them warmly.

“You must be Mei Fang and Xia Yuan! Come in!”

His gaze lingered curiously on Xia Yuan, who cheerfully presented their gifts:

“A small token for our first visit!”

“Ah, no need for formalities…” Accepting them, he mused, “I actually saw you as a child—just a tiny thing then. Now a household-name star!”

“Hardly! Just singing casually, building on childhood practice.”

“Our Xiaoyu loved music young too. Quite talented, but…” Regret flickered across his face before Liu Xiaoyu interjected:

“Dad, today’s about dinner.”

“Right, right! Our place is modest—please, sit!”

Their single-story home, smaller than Lin Youxi’s, showed its age through boxy CRT TVs and worn furniture. Besides parents, Liu Xiaoyu had a shy elementary-aged brother who peeked from behind her—his timid demeanor eerily mirroring Mei Fang’s past self.