During the meal, I curiously asked Pei Shi Yu, "Where are you going tomorrow?"

"Something to do."

"Really not coming back?"

"Depends on the situation. Even if I come, I'll have to leave the day after tomorrow."

"Can't we come with you?"

"You'd be a hindrance. You guys can wander around Italy for a few days. After a few days in America, you can go back."

I put down my knife and fork, a little unhappy, and said, "You're going to America without me? What does that mean?"

"Don't you have to work? Go see that foreigner you met last time. He's waiting for me over there to collaborate on some projects."

"Is he your boyfriend?"

"Why do you care so much!"

"Just asking. If he is, it's really not appropriate to go."

"Does that matter?" Pei Shi Yu stared straight at me and asked.

"It doesn't interfere with your dating. I'm still aware of that."

Pei Shi Yu didn't explain, nor did she say anything else. Perhaps her recent hot and cold communication with me a few times led to a bit of swelling in my heart. I didn't want to guess whether it was a romantic relationship or not. If my enthusiasm still had some fantasies, then immediate disillusionment with her fantasies would be my mood at the moment.

After the meal, she took me and Xiaolong to the Wishing Fountain. I was still wondering whether or not to make a wish when Pei Shi Yu's cell phone suddenly rang. She immediately avoided me and went to a distant place to answer it. I looked at her back. Her whole body looked very upright. She answered the phone with one hand, and her walking posture seemed very anxious.

When I came back to my senses, I saw Xiaolong imitating others, closing his hands in a decent manner to make a wish. When he opened his eyes, I smiled and asked, "You know how to make a wish too? Can you tell me what you wished for?"

"I hope Mommy comes back to pick me up soon."

"She will." Looking at him, I could only answer like this.

"I haven't seen her in a long time, and neither has Dad."

"They have to work to support you. They'll come pick you up when they're done."

"Grandpa said it will be a long time before they come back this time."

I didn't know how to answer him anymore. Lying to children is cruel, even if it's a white lie. As an outsider, I shouldn't say too much to him. The Pei family will naturally have arrangements.

I just stared at the Wishing Fountain and silently made a wish in my heart that didn't conform to the rules. Unlike Xiaolong, I wouldn't say it casually. That's the difference between adults and children.

We returned to the hotel early that day. Xiaolong seemed to be very nice to me during the day, but when it came to sleeping at night, he would cling to the person he thought was closest to him and followed Pei Shi Yu into the room.

It was still quite early, and being left alone in the room was really a bit boring. I couldn't even have a smoke. If Pei Shi Yu really had a romantic partner, what was I doing here!

I stood by the window, looking at the night view of Rome, but felt a little empty in my heart. Wang Rui called at this time. As soon as I answered, she asked, "Is everything okay over there?"

I told the truth, "The city is beautiful, but it's quite boring being alone in the room."

"What about that woman?"

Asked so directly, I was stumped. If I admitted it, it would mean I lied to her. If I didn't admit it, she would have an attitude of confidence. Obviously, this topic was a bit difficult to continue, so I had to disrupt her thinking and ask her back, "How's it going on your side?"

"It's quite lively. Wang Xin took us to her house for dinner tonight. Her parents were very enthusiastic."

"I wouldn't be able to communicate even if I went. Just have fun."

"You still haven't answered my question." Wang Rui seemed very interested in Pei Shi Yu.

"Do you think I can win her over? She just asked me to come over to help her take care of her child."

"The little boy from last time?"

"Yeah, her brother's son."

"His parents don't care, why are you taking care of him? Looks like it's to please her."

The process of how I met Pei Shi Yu was too difficult to describe. The first time we met, I was so harsh to her. I'm quite content to be able to get along until now. If Lin Yang is really as snobbish as Xiao Wu said, then I would consider myself to have rescued Pei Shi Yu...

Seeing that I didn't speak, Wang Rui's voice came from the other end of the phone again, "Looks like she doesn't have you in her heart. Are you in a one-sided love?"

"Are you annoying?"

"If people don't like you, you can just come back."

"It's not what you think. Do you think I have the courage to pursue her?"

"Then what are you doing here?"

"I already promised to help her take care of the child. She's going to take care of something tomorrow."

"She's going abroad for business with a child? If you didn't go, she wouldn't do it?"

"Skip this topic, let's talk about something else."

"You have to say it if you like her. What if she also has feelings for you? How would she know your feelings if you don't say it? A man like you is still pleasing to women."

"I've been in jail."

"Mom told me about it. You didn't commit any fundamental mistakes. Didn't you just set a trap for your biological father? Your future is bright now." Wang Rui's words sounded quite encouraging.

"Don't try to confuse me. Even if I want to pursue her, it's not now. She doesn't have any feelings for me. Wouldn't I scare her away if I said it?"

"I studied psychology."

"So what!"

"Let me give you some guidance. If a woman really dislikes a man, it's impossible for her to let you see her alone. Maybe, like you said, she's not ready to be confessed to yet, but you're a man and you have to take the first step to have a follow-up. Otherwise, if you're like a shadow, people will look down on you even more. A domineering man is more charming."

After chatting with Wang Rui for a while and ending the call, I was really a little uneasy. I continued to stand by the window and analyze Wang Rui's words. If a woman as difficult to talk to as Pei Shi Yu really hated me as before, how would I have the opportunity to see her.

I started to get impulsive again. I knocked directly on Pei Shi Yu's room. Xiaolong opened the door. Pei Shi Yu was holding clothes, wanting to take a shower. Without any preamble, I said, "I have something to tell you. Come over here."

I saw Pei Shi Yu stare at me for a while before asking, "What is it? Just say it here."

"Let's talk in my room."

After saying that, I returned to my room very decisively. Without any precautions, she followed. I retreated to the door and closed the door. Only then did she ask vigilantly, "What are you doing?"

"I'm not going to eat you."

"Xiaolong is alone in the room. Hurry up and say what you need to say."

The words were stuck in my throat as if I was choked. I just stared foolishly at her face for a while. This kind of expression might seem very obscene in Pei Shi Yu's eyes. Like a conditioned reflex, she immediately wanted to go out. Without thinking, I grabbed her hand that was already on the doorknob.

I felt like a heatwave was running through my whole body, but I didn't do anything excessive. I immediately let go of her warm and fair palm. That feeling was very peculiar, like being electrified. I immediately had a physiological reaction.

And Pei Shi Yu's reaction surprised me. I saw her face flushed, which rekindled my strong desire to express myself.