"Yuan, take a break. Reading for too long can tire your eyes, and over time it can cause nearsightedness. Have some fruit."
Lin Zhishu had gone out at some point to wash some grapes and brought them over.
Each grape had been carefully washed after being cut from the vine, so the flesh wasn’t contaminated in the slightest.
Just like him.
Before coming to see her, he had already gone for a run, then had breakfast afterward. When he got home, he assigned her some tasks and took a shower, changing into a clean white casual outfit. He was pristine, and when close, a faint fragrance could be smelled from him.
It resembled the scent of soap, yet it seemed like it could also be his natural scent.
Cheng Yuan couldn’t remember anymore and couldn’t think of what he should smell like.
Regarding everything about Lin Zhishu, her head had for a long time only held stubborn memories.
"Is it tasty?"
Lin Zhishu originally stood by the window with a glass of water looking outside, then suddenly turned his head to look over.
Cheng Yuan couldn’t quite decipher the meaning of his gaze, but it was clearly different from the entire morning.
It seemed as if he had something to say but held back, or maybe he felt a bit sad or guilty.
She swallowed the grape in her mouth, which tasted sweet without a hint of sourness, yet her tongue inexplicably tasted a trace of bitterness.
She smiled and nodded.
"It’s good, quite sweet."
"Mmm, that’s good."
Lin Zhishu took a sip of water and showed that somewhat hesitant expression again.
Although the expression wasn’t obvious and couldn’t be perceived without careful observation, Cheng Yuan just sensed it.
She picked up another grape, avoiding his gaze.
"Do you have something you want to say?"
As she asked, Cheng Yuan felt tense and a bit scared inside.
She couldn’t quite understand why she felt this way, but she had an intuition that even if she didn’t ask, he would still speak.
Sure enough, Lin Zhishu indeed had something to say to her.
He chuckled softly, walked over to place his glass on the table, and gently patted her head.
"Yuan has grown up, your ability to read people is quite impressive."
His smile was gentle, like a spring breeze brushing against the face, inexplicably making people feel good.
Cheng Yuan didn’t speak further.
She pressed one hand against the chair, secretly curling her fingers tight.
It seemed as if she could vaguely guess what he might say next.
Lin Zhishu opened the drawer of the writing desk and took out a square box.
It looked like a jewelry box.
Cheng Yuan’s hand clenched even tighter.
She watched the box in silence, tense to the point of almost losing control over her heartbeat.
Lin Zhishu pushed the box in front of her, chuckling lightly, the sound echoed like a soft hum from the throat.
"Want to open it and see?"
Cheng Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.
Her palm ached from the tightness of her grip.
She didn’t rashly open the box but rather raised her head in bewilderment to look at his face.
"Is this for me?"
Lin Zhishu nodded, "Who else then?"
His demeanor was too straightforward, devoid of any other emotions.
Cheng Yuan’s heart raced with a pounding force, threatening to burst through her chest.
Her fingertips trembled slightly, and she slowly and cautiously opened the box.
No surprise, it was indeed jewelry inside the box.
Unexpectedly, it wasn’t cheap trinkets sold in those small shops. Evidently, it was a valuable brand necklace.
The necklace was beautiful.
The silver chain was delicate and simple, with a teardrop-shaped cat’s eye stone hanging in the center; the luster shifted at different angles, making it appear extremely charming.
Cheng Yuan’s eyes reddened instantly, yet she made every effort to control her emotions and didn’t disgracefully cry.
"Do you like it?"
Lin Zhishu asked.
Cheng Yuan nodded honestly, "Yes! I like it!"
She didn’t understand his intention or why he suddenly gifted her something, but this moment’s surprise, she thought she’d remember for a lifetime.
Lin Zhishu breathed a sigh of relief.
"That’s good."
"Jiahui was right. Girls your age are sure to like pretty jewelry like this."
"Shall I help you try it on?"
His suggestion was too tempting.
Cheng Yuan feared she wouldn’t be able to control her emotions. Despite longing for it, she politely declined.
"Maybe not today. The clothes I’m wearing today aren’t suited for a necklace, it wouldn’t match."
In fact, Lin Zhishu couldn’t tell whether her clothes matched the necklace or not, but since she refused, he didn’t insist.
Right then, in Cheng Yuan’s mind, two little figures were silently clashing.
One speculated that Lin Zhishu was about to confess, that the gift was a sign showing he liked her.
While the other figure said that’s impossible, he had earlier denied such speculation in front of acquaintances, he couldn’t possibly like her.
She couldn’t decide which to believe.
As they battled fiercely, Lin Zhishu spoke again.
"I’m sorry, Yuan, this apology is something I’ve owed you for over four years."
"Back then, I was immature when you told me those things; I couldn’t control my emotions, got fairly angry at you, and said many hurtful words."
"At that time, I couldn’t accept Yiyi’s death, and when you suddenly confronted me, my grief and rage overwhelmed me, venting all my bottled pain and anger on you. Don’t know if you remember."
"Regardless of whether you remember or not, I must apologize properly. This necklace is specifically chosen for you; I found it very pretty and fitting for you."
"Of course, it can only serve as a small token of apology and doesn’t erase the past. I merely thought of using this gift to start the conversation since I never found the right moment to apologize."
"Yuan, I’m sorry."
His tone was steady, yet every word was sincere.
Though the apology was filled with sincerity, Cheng Yuan’s heart felt like it fell from heaven into hell in an instant.
With great effort, she resisted the urge to cry; under his apologetic gaze, she managed to suppress her emotions without revealing them.
Her heart was bleeding, yet her beaming smile looked bright.
"It’s alright, things like that, I’ve long forgotten."
Her hand dug fiercely into her palm, which instead helped her calmly control the expression on her face.
"I’ll accept the necklace, but don’t ever bring up that matter again. If you do, I’d feel too embarrassed to ask you for tutoring anymore, how awkward would that be."
Cheng Yuan displayed a carefree attitude, seeming even disdainful of that dark history.
Lin Zhishu’s expression temporarily relaxed.
He felt that her smile seemed slightly off, but he didn’t overthink it.
It was a good thing she couldn’t remember.
Since she couldn’t bring herself to recall, he could also lay it aside and never mention it again.
Properly making it up to her was no mistake.
After all, he did owe her.
Owed her the fond memories a girl should have during her time of blossoming emotion.
At noon, Lin Zhishu personally took charge of cooking lunch.
Since Mrs. Lin didn’t have time to return, they simply had lunch at the Cheng Family with Mrs. Cheng.
Both sides had clear assignments and didn’t interfere with one another, which was quite pleasant.
Cheng Yuan never thought Lin Zhishu would cook.
Moreover, the food tasted so good.
He wasn’t just good-looking, and excelled academically, his culinary skills were exceptional, it seemed there was nothing he couldn’t do.
Cheng Yuan indulged by eating more than usual before resuming her studies.
This was her first time tasting Lin Zhishu’s cooking, and she would always remember this flavor!