“Go out the door and keep walking left, there’s a big red house with the words 掌上明珠 written on it. I’ll write those characters down for you later. There are lots of beds inside, and sofas too. I’m sure you’ll find a way to get in.”

“I’ll go check it out then.”

“……”

The rain showed no sign of stopping.

After finishing two sets of exercises and writing a diary entry, William Carter stretched lazily. Turning his head, he saw that Ethan Miller had somehow picked up one of his elementary school Chinese textbooks and had already read nearly a third of it.

William Carter hesitated for a moment, glanced at the bunk beds, and asked in a low voice, “When are you leaving?”

“I’ll go now!” Ethan Miller quickly put down the book.

“Just stay here for the night, I’m not kicking you out.”

“Um…” Ethan Miller hesitated, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll eat you in your sleep?”

“I’m not afraid.” William Carter put away his papers and closed the window as well.

“Are you really that tough?” Ethan Miller was now the one confused.

“I’m not tough, you’re the tough one. You managed to get up to the twenty-fifth floor. If you wanted to eat me, there’s nothing I could do.” William Carter got up and walked toward the bed. “I’m going to sleep. You should sleep too.”

“My clothes are wet.”

“They’re still not dry?”

“No.”

“It’s fine, just sleep like that. I don’t usually sleep on the top bunk anyway. I have to get up early tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

Ethan Miller turned to look at the bunk bed, bent his knees as if to jump up, but pulled back at the last second, took off his shoes, and climbed up the wooden ladder properly.

He didn’t lie down, but sat at the edge of the bed, legs dangling through the guardrail.

William Carter lay down on his own bed.

Two slender, graceful legs dangled in front of his eyes, looking as if they were made of jade.

Click. William Carter turned off the light, out of sight, out of mind.

The legs stopped swinging!

Half a head poked out from the top bunk: “Are you asleep?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.”

The next morning, when William Carter woke up, it was still dark. Half a head was hanging over the edge of the top bunk, staring straight at him, giving him quite a scare.

“Why are you looking at me!” William Carter asked in a low voice.

“Waiting to see when you’d wake up.”

“……”

“Are you going to school?”

“Yeah.”

“How about I go with you?”

“If you want to, go ahead. Just don’t cause any trouble at my school.”

“Don’t worry!”

Ethan Miller pulled his head back, then climbed down from the bed.

Technically, it was still before dawn, but for some reason, whatever rules he followed, he had already changed back to his male appearance.

Getting dressed, washing face, brushing teeth.

Ethan Miller followed behind William Carter, going wherever William Carter went, looking around curiously from time to time.

Aunt Harris had already prepared breakfast.

Fresh milk, boiled eggs, a bowl of non-authentic Kaiyuan rice noodles made with last night’s pork trotter soup, and a plate of pan-fried dumplings.

William Carter ate quickly.

After finishing a bowl of rice noodles, he looked up to see Ethan Miller standing behind Aunt Harris, staring at him without blinking.

“What’s wrong?” Aunt Harris noticed his gaze and turned to look behind her.

“Nothing, I just remembered I have to go sweep the floor early today.” William Carter quickly picked up his milk and drank it all in one go.

“Take the egg with you and eat it on the way!” Aunt Harris called out. “Do you want to take some dumplings too?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll pack some for you.” Aunt Harris put down her chopsticks and got up to get a bag. She also broke off a banana from the coffee table. Suddenly, she paused, “Why are you sweeping again today? Didn’t you just do it last week? Was it the teacher or a classmate? If it’s not your turn, I’ll go to your school this morning and check!”

“My deskmate can’t make it today, so I’m helping her sweep. Just for today.” William Carter had already put on his shoes and took the small bag.

“Wipe your hands and mouth.” Aunt Harris handed a few tissues to William Carter.

“Okay, I’m leaving.”

“Don’t run right after eating, it’s fine if you’re a bit late.” Aunt Harris reminded him.

“Okay.”

William Carter left the house, with Ethan Miller standing in front of him.

William Carter didn’t wait for the elevator, but turned and entered the stairwell. The light dimmed instantly, bathed in a greenish hue.

“Eat.” William Carter handed the pan-fried dumplings to Ethan Miller.

“Why are you giving these to me?” Ethan Miller was baffled. “Isn’t this your breakfast?”

“Just try them, hurry up.”

“Enmmm…”

Ethan Miller reluctantly took the dumplings, stuffed one into his mouth, and immediately squinted his eyes in delight.

The bottom of the dumpling was crispy and delicious.

William Carter’s footsteps echoed slightly, sounding very clear in the quiet stairwell—a bit too quiet.

“How did you get up to the twenty-fifth floor?”

“I’m awesome.” Ethan Miller mumbled with his mouth full.

“Where did you get your shoes?”

“Found them.”

“They look pretty new.”

“Stole them.”

“I see.”

“These are kind of like what I’ve eaten before.” Ethan Miller pointed at the banana. “But not this big, not this nice. I ate them in the mountains.”

“Plantains are delicious.”

“I don’t want the egg, it’s for your nutrition.”

“I’m not lacking nutrition.”

“You have to take the college entrance exam.”