Ding Hanbai rarely coveted anything. If he did, he would just get it, which was nothing more than spending some money. But this time was different. He had received a gift, only to have it taken back. To ask for it would be to admit he liked it, which was tantamount to having just farted back then.

He felt that ever since Ji Shenyu came here, he had been down on his luck. Then he changed his mind and blamed Ji Shenyu for being unobservant. He'd already said it was great to use, and that he'd been stamping many things with it recently. Didn't he understand that he liked it a lot?

Ding Hanbai stood by the window, letting his thoughts run wild. When he was done, he pulled off the Xuan paper, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it away.

After throwing it away, he picked it back up. It was, after all, the last masterpiece stamped with his name; it was a real pity. He felt pathetic, and he had always hated pathetic losers, so he forcibly suppressed the thought. The worst that could happen was that he would carve a better one himself.

Ji Shenyu, of course, knew nothing of Ding Hanbai's rich inner turmoil. He placed the broken seal into a drawer, not yet sure how to repair it. In truth, even if he did repair it, it would be meaningless. It had Ding Hanbai's name carved on it, so he couldn't use it.

A few days later, his sick leave ended, and Ji Shenyu's injury was no longer a major issue. He went to school early in the morning. Before he left, Jiang Shuliu nagged him with many reminders, even telling him not to get jostled by classmates when going to the restroom during breaks, which made him feel quite embarrassed.

Ding Hanbai was listening from the side, laughing, but unexpectedly the topic shifted to him. Jiang Shuliu said, "What are you laughing at? I'm asking Shang Minru over for dinner this weekend. Don't accept any social engagements."

Ding Hanbai was speechless. Had his parents truly misunderstood that he was in a relationship? On second thought, Jiang Caiwei and Shang Minru were good friends and had often gone to each other's houses for free meals since they were young. When Shang Minru came, a single sentence of explanation from her would be more effective than ten from him.

They left the house together and parted ways at the intersection. Ji Shenyu waited for the bus, while Ding Hanbai disappeared down the street on his bicycle. Not long after Ji Shenyu got on the bus, it caught up with Ding Hanbai again.

He pulled open the bus window and yelled, "Faster than you!"

Ding Hanbai was quite cooperative, immediately starting to pedal furiously, barely keeping pace with the bus. There were many people and vehicles on the road at this time. He gripped the handlebars, weaving through the traffic to get ahead, as agile as a fish.

Ji Shenyu quickly regretted it. "It's dangerous, stop chasing."

Ding Hanbai readily complied, leaving behind a trail of ringing from his bell. "If you don't feel well at school, just come home."

The other's figure gradually fell behind until he was completely out of sight. Ji Shenyu arrived at school on time and resumed his studies amidst his classmates' inquiries. Meanwhile, Ding Hanbai arrived at his office just in time. Having previously gone on a mad spree and finished over a week's worth of paperwork, he spent the day idling around.

On the weekend, the autumn sky was high and the air was crisp.

Shang Minru came to the house for dinner, carrying two bottles of Maotai.

Ding Yanshou was taken aback. Was this a return of courtesy, or returning the item to its rightful owner? Only then did Jiang Shuliu have a faint feeling she had misunderstood. She quickly asked if work at the museum was busy, then asked how Old Shang's health was, steering the conversation to irrelevant topics.

The sun was already high in the sky when Ding Hanbai finally woke up. He rolled over and fell into another dream. A faint whirring sound reached his ears. He kept his eyes closed, trying to identify it. The vibration frequency was a bit familiar... it was the sound of a grinder!

Ding Hanbai wound himself up like a spring, shot out of bed, burst through the door, and rushed towards the South Room to see who had snuck into his machine room. With that momentum and expression, a passerby would have thought he was going to catch an adulterer.

But the door to the machine room was properly locked. Pressing his ear against it, he heard only silence inside. Had he been dreaming, or was he hearing things? After washing up and coming back, he paused as he passed Ji Shenyu's room and heard that sound again.

Ding Hanbai knocked on the door. "Ji Zhenzhu, what are you doing?"

The sound stopped abruptly. Ji Shenyu turned off the small, old grinder and replied, "Sleeping. Grinding my teeth."

Ding Hanbai didn't believe him for a second. Just as he was about to raise his hand to push the door open, someone called his name. He turned to see Shang Minru standing by the Lucky Bamboo. He called out, "Sis," and walked down the steps to greet her.

Shang Minru was blunt. "Auntie said you asked me to come for dinner. Do you have a favor to ask of me?"

Ding Hanbai was exasperated with his mom. "It's not like I'm crazy. If I had a favor to ask, I'd definitely treat you to a restaurant."

Shang Minru smiled. "Then I understand what Uncle and Auntie meant."

"You don't have to pay them any mind," Ding Hanbai said. "Just chat with my little aunt, have a meal later, and if you want to go out this afternoon, I'll drive you. Anyway, you haven't been here in a long time, and my little aunt has been in a bad mood lately."

He and Shang Minru chatted for a bit, from family matters to work matters, and then he asked her for the museum's autumn commemorative album. As they gradually walked out of the small courtyard, not a sound could be heard from the room anymore.

It was indeed quiet inside the room. Ji Shenyu silently repaired the seal. Since he couldn't glue it and didn't want to wrap it with thread, he simply broke off the remaining half of the small branch completely and polished the broken edge smooth. Fortunately, the flowers were dense, so he estimated there wouldn't be any obvious flaws after the repair. If Ding Hanbai could accept it, he could make do with it.

The sound of conversation in the small courtyard faded. Ji Shenyu turned the machine back on and continued his repairs, finally finishing around noon. Ding Hanbai wasn't around. He washed his hands and also hurried to the Front Courtyard for lunch. The living room was lively; Jiang Ting'en had arrived and was engrossed in a warm chat with Shang Minru.

Ding Hanbai saw Ji Shenyu, but showed no reaction.

Actually, there was a reaction. He uncrossed his legs.

Ji Shenyu went to the kitchen to bring out the dishes, consciously placing himself in the position of an apprentice. He set out the bowls and chopsticks, served the soup, and prepared the fruit. After busying himself with all the chores, he slowed down, waiting to be the last to sit.

Ding Yanshou and Jiang Shuliu were busy arranging things, having Shang Minru sit to Ding Hanbai's left.

Ji Shenyu thought to himself, 'Then I'll sit next to Jiang Caiwei, what a bargain.' But before he could rejoice, Jiang Ting'en sat down next to Jiang Caiwei. He had no choice but to sit alone on the outer edge of the semi-circle, eating a bowl of rice with the plate of stir-fried wood ear fungus in front of him.

As they were eating, Shang Minru spilled her soup. Jiang Shuliu told Ding Hanbai to quickly get her another bowl.

Shang Minru said, "He doesn't eat properly. His elbow keeps poking me. He's knocked the food off my chopsticks several times."

Ding Hanbai was used to bullying Ji Shenyu and couldn't change his habit right away with someone else. He turned his head to glance at Ji Shenyu. Sure enough, that Little Southern Barbarian was chewing on wood ear fungus, gloating, probably hoping Shang Minru would scold him a few more times.

The meal was a mix of humor and awkwardness. Ding Hanbai's parents were responsible for the humor, and Shang Minru was responsible for the awkwardness, especially when Ding Yanshou mentioned that when a man grows up, he should take a wife, and a woman should take a husband. Shang Minru nearly spilled her soup again.

Ding Hanbai said, "I'm only twenty. The law doesn't even allow me to marry. Are you trying to make me break the law?"

Jiang Shuliu shot him a look. "It's already autumn. After your birthday next year, won't you be twenty-one? Do you understand what 'time flies' means?"

Ding Hanbai tilted his head to the left to look at Shang Minru, intending to get her to back him up, but out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but glance at Ji Shenyu. He didn't know who had given Ji Shenyu a flounder tail, but the guy was like a cat, nibbling on the fish tail while watching the drama unfold, his eyes narrowed in delight.

After the meal, Ji Shenyu dragged Jiang Ting'en to play cards. He didn't usually like this activity, but he wanted to win back the crystals he had lost before. The two of them sat facing each other under the veranda, shuffling a deck of cards. He was secretly pleased when he drew the big joker.

Jiang Ting'en suddenly asked, "Who do you think is prettier, my little aunt or Sis Minru?"

Ji Shenyu answered, "Your little aunt." 'They're actually about the same, but I don't know Shang Minru well, so I'm emotionally biased towards Jiang Caiwei.'

"Senior Brother and she don't like each other. Can't Master and Madam see that?"

Jiang Ting'en said in surprise, "Sis Minru likes Big Brother! Who said she doesn't?"

Ji Shenyu was also surprised. Where could he see that she liked him? Was his judgment that bad? Jiang Ting'en was only half a year older than him, but his analysis was perfectly coherent. "Master and Madam's intentions are so obvious, how could Sis Minru not know? Since she knows and still came over, it means she's interested in Big Brother. Otherwise, is she just here because our family's food is delicious?"

In a daze, Ji Shenyu lost a hand. While shuffling the cards, he heard Jiang Ting'en say again, "But Big Brother doesn't seem to fancy Sis Minru much. Maybe he minds that she's older than him and doesn't like being managed. But ever since we were kids, the number of people Big Brother dislikes is countless. I've never seen him like anyone."

Ji Shenyu probed, "Then Sis Minru doesn't mind that Senior Brother is younger than her? Is it that girls don't really care about that?"

Jiang Ting'en said, "Women are more emotional. Besides, when you like someone, you don't care about other things, do you? Sis Minru even said I've matured a lot. Maybe one day she'll dump Big Brother and fall for me." He was great at bullshitting. After saying it, he became shy. "Actually, I don't care if the other person is older than me either. Do you?"

Ji Shenyu shook his head vigorously. After shaking it, he felt a little embarrassed. "I think a little older is good."

He didn't win back the original bag of crystals, and in fact, Ji Shenyu lost another seven or eight raw stones. He wasn't sad about it, though. Instead, he became a bit closer with Jiang Ting'en, putting an arm around his shoulder. When they got bored with playing, Ding Hanbai happened to come out of the living room, twirling his car keys, looking like he was about to go out.

Jiang Caiwei and Shang Minru followed close behind. Jiang Ting'en muttered that his little aunt was being a third wheel.

Jiang Caiwei hadn't thought of herself as a third wheel at first, because they often went out to eat and shop together. But today, Ding Hanbai suggested going to the flower market, which would surely involve buying and giving flowers. She really had become a third wheel.

The afternoon sun was glorious on this autumn day. What young person would want to stay at home? Ji Shenyu clutched his playing cards in a daze, his thoughts following them out the door. The deeper he got into his daze, the more startled he was when Ding Hanbai suddenly turned back. Standing behind the screen wall, he asked, "What's the point of playing when you've lost everything? Want to go look at flowers?"

Jiang Ting'en immediately jumped up, but Ding Hanbai said, "What did you come here for today?" He was here to hand in his homework to Ding Yanshou, and he still needed tutoring after that, so he had to stay obediently at home.

He looked at Ji Shenyu. "You can accompany me to practice bead carving..."

Ji Shenyu turned on him ruthlessly. "I don't need to practice bead carving anymore. I want to go see the flowers with Senior Brother." After he spoke, he put down the cards, ran over to Ding Hanbai, panting and happy. "I'll be a third wheel too."

Ding Hanbai shot him a look, then turned away with a speechless smile.

The autumn flower market was bustling. There was even an autumn chrysanthemum exhibition being held inside, and it was crowded with people. Ding Hanbai wanted to ask about the flowers and plants in Yangzhou, but when he turned around, he realized Ji Shenyu and Jiang Caiwei were far behind.

He and Shang Minru browsed at the front. She wanted to stop and look at every type of flower, so he just stuck his hands in his pockets and waited to pay. However, Shang Minru didn't buy anything, seemingly overwhelmed by the choices.

The other two gradually drifted over to the green plants section. Ji Shenyu had long wanted to buy a few potted plants for Liang Hecheng's dilapidated courtyard, and was now looking intently. And Jiang Caiwei was considerate; even if she felt bored, she would accompany him patiently.

The two of them browsed carefully, asking about planting know-how and learning about growth cycles. Ji Shenyu bought a few small pots, his hands full. Just then, the flower giveaway part of the chrysanthemum exhibition began. Everyone surged towards the exhibition area, and the surrounding area suddenly emptied out, becoming spacious.

Ji Shenyu looked around and saw Ding Hanbai and Shang Minru were also picking out flowers.

They were picking roses... The blooming season for roses was already over. Even if they hadn't yet withered indoors, they weren't at their best. But for a man and a woman courting, roses were still the top choice.

The flower for lovers to express their affection...

Ji Shenyu suddenly understood. No wonder Ding Hanbai didn't like the rose seal. It turned out he had given the wrong gift.

Or perhaps, if a different person had given it, Ding Hanbai would have liked it.

He and Jiang Caiwei walked closer. Jiang Caiwei was wearing the thin bracelet of Chicken-Blood Stone beads he had given her, the same color as the roses. Ding Hanbai was choosing seriously and didn't notice them. He asked the owner, "Do you have any with bigger flowers?"

The owner shook his head. "It's not the right season. These small ones will last a few more days after you take them home."

Ding Hanbai's legs were numb from squatting. He took out his wallet. "Then I'll take a hundred stems."

Ji Shenyu had been expressionless, but upon hearing this, he was utterly shocked—as shocked as when he'd dreamt of Ding Hanbai spending thirty thousand on a horse. A hundred stems. In the movies, 999 roses made a huge bouquet. One stem had more than one flower; how many would a hundred stems be?

Ding Hanbai was very satisfied. He stood up and finally saw him, asking, "Where are you going to put the potted plants you bought?"

The potted plants were for Liang Hecheng, but Ji Shenyu made something up. "I'm giving them to Teacher Du. I want to be the vice class monitor."

Ding Hanbai scoffed, "What kind of trend is this, bribing someone just for school? If you become an official in the future, you'll end up crying behind bars sooner or later."

Ji Shenyu retorted, "Didn't you give Maotai to your superior?"

They walked off, bickering, neither of them remembering their female companions. After they finished browsing, they came back to pick up the roses, filling the entire trunk. On the way, they first dropped Shang Minru off, then turned around and headed back to Sha'er Street.

Jiang Caiwei felt something was wrong, but couldn't put her finger on it.

Ji Shenyu also felt something was wrong, but he couldn't recall what it was either.

When the car reached their gate and the engine was turned off, Ding Hanbai said, "Call someone to come out and help move the flowers."

Those two finally remembered what was wrong. The roses hadn't been given to Shang Minru; they had been brought all the way home. Jiang Caiwei asked, "Nephew, weren't all those red roses for Minru?"

Ding Hanbai said as if it were obvious, "Of course not. Why would I give them to her? If I did nothing and still let your sister and brother-in-law completely misunderstand, giving her roses would probably mean they'd be making a marriage proposal on my behalf tomorrow."

Jiang Caiwei was even more confused. "Then why did you buy so many?"

Ding Hanbai said, "I have money, can't I buy some stupid flowers? Can't I grow them myself?"

He couldn't be bothered to talk anymore and got out of the car to call for people himself. Soon, all one hundred rose stems were moved into the small courtyard. Red, they instantly outshone the few lilac bushes.

Ji Shenyu didn't say a word, but he was completely bewildered. What on earth did Ding Hanbai like?

With no answer, he returned to his room to do his homework, no longer thinking about it.

Just moving them in wasn't the end of it. Ding Hanbai stood in the center of the courtyard with his hands on his hips, figuring out how to transplant them. Rolling up his sleeves, he dug out the non-essential flowers and plants from the flowerbed. If he couldn't bear to throw them away, he planted them in the grass by the corner of the wall. If he could, he just threw them out.

He transplanted the roses into the flowerbed one by one. Too deep, too shallow, crooked, or twisted. The rose thorns had no eyes, but thankfully his calluses were thick. He worked without a break, one after another. The flowerbed couldn't hold a hundred stems, so they spread to the surrounding area, a patch of crimson red like blood, greeting the setting sun.

Ding Hanbai's back and legs ached. After finishing the planting, he stood up straight, ramrod straight.

Then he shouted in a loud, resonant voice, "Ji Shenyu, come out!"

He had used his full name. Ji Shenyu immediately put down his book, opened the door, and smelled the fragrance of flowers mixed with the scent of soil. He froze, his eyes stung by the vast expanse of red roses. His gaze shifted to the person standing beside them, and he seemed to calm down again.

Ding Hanbai's hands were covered in mud, his forearms were stained, his shirt was stained, and when he scratched an itch, a bit got on his cheek too. But bathed in the twilight, it didn't detract from his handsome, dashing appearance.

Just spending money couldn't buy him his dignity. Besides, a man has a mouth and a heart. He finally said, "I've decided I prefer roses. Can you give me the seal back?"

Ji Shenyu was even more stunned. So he went to all this trouble just to get the rose seal back?

He took out the repaired seal and walked out. He went to Ding Hanbai, breathed on the bottom of the seal, and then pressed the characters onto the back of Ding Hanbai's hand. The red characters on the blue veins looked like a red rose and its stem.

Ding Hanbai, having gotten his wish, relaxed and said, "This thing of yours nearly killed me."

Ji Shenyu suddenly felt that it would be fine to carve another one for him.