"I'll find a practice partner when I have time," He Lezhi said. "I'll check if there are any courts near me when I get back."

Han Fangchi asked, "I can practice with you?"

He Lezhi shook his head with a smile, "Not with you."

The meal was still relaxed and comfortable, but after it was over, they didn't make plans to play badminton or eat together again before parting ways.

They got into their respective cars, honked at each other as they left the parking lot, and then went their separate ways home.

He Lezhi started spending weekends at He Qi's house again.

He Qi had just returned from Pilates. As she approached, she saw He Lezhi squatting by the door, with a few dried quails and a dirty little cat in front of him.

"Where did you get those snacks?" He Qi asked.

He Lezhi said, "From your cabinet."

"I thought so." He Qi walked over, squatted down, and petted the little cat. The cat wasn't scared of people; it didn't shy away from her touch and even gave a token nuzzle against her hand.

After finishing the dried quails, the kitten meowed at He Lezhi while licking its lips, then lay down and exposed its belly.

"It's not full yet," He Lezhi said.

"Don't give it any more. We're not supposed to overfeed it. It's the security guard's cat," He Qi said, standing up. "Come inside and wash your hands."

He Lezhi wasn't going back that night. The house had everything he needed. After dinner, He Lezhi changed into workout clothes and called out, "Mom."

He Qi was mixing a bowl of face mask. She poked her head out of the bathroom, "Hmm?"

"Want to go for a run?" He Lezhi asked her.

"A run?" He Qi looked at him as if she'd heard something incredible. "Can't run a single step."

"You used to be able to run ten kilometers," He Lezhi beckoned to her. "Come on, let's go run for a bit."

"You do know that was 'used to', right?" He Qi pointed to her beautiful and still-youthful face. "At my age, you think I'd dare to do cardio? My face will sag! If it sags, I'll have to get cosmetic procedures, and do you know how painful those are?"

"It's not that serious." He Lezhi couldn't stop laughing. "Occasional cardio won't affect your beauty."

He Qi refused to discuss it further and went back into the bathroom. "If you want to run, then run. Go and come back quickly. If you don't, then forget it."

He Lezhi had no choice but to go out by himself. He ran two laps. A young couple was sitting on a park bench. The girl was happily eating a box of ice cream, sighing about how delicious it was and that it was worth the wait in line.

He ran another lap, and she was still eating. He Lezhi stopped and asked where she bought it.

Afterward, he ran to buy He Qi a one-jin box of ice cream.

He Qi's beauty regimen was somewhat abstract. She shied away from cardio but happily accepted sweets. At past eight in the evening, she sat cross-legged and ate half a jin of ice cream.

He Lezhi ate the remaining half of the box.

Two weekends passed like this. In the third week, He Qi asked, "Are you not hanging out with Fangchi anymore?"

The circuit breaker at home was old; it tripped every time she used the hair dryer. He Lezhi was helping He Qi replace it at that moment, standing on a stool as he said, "Not anymore."

He Qi asked, "Why not?"

He Lezhi said, "It's nothing. We don't know what to do together."

They hadn't been in much contact since that last meal. There was only one time in between when Han Fangchi sent him a message with two screenshots. They were photos from his two sisters showing off the necklaces, and they thanked Brother Lezhi.

He Lezhi replied: Haha, you're welcome.

After that, they didn't contact each other again.

Neither of them posted on their Moments, so there wasn't even the interaction of liking a post. They had already had all the meals they were supposed to have, and they weren't playing ball anymore. It seemed there was no reason to get in touch.

On a normal workday, He Lezhi was making dinner after getting off work.

Han Fangchi's call came. He Lezhi paused for a moment before answering.

He didn't speak after picking up, waiting for the other person to say something first.

Han Fangchi: "Lezhi?"

He Lezhi smiled slightly. "Fangchi, what's up?"

Han Fangchi asked, "What are you doing?"

He Lezhi answered, "Making dinner. Have you eaten?"

Han Fangchi said, "Not yet, just got off work."

He Lezhi asked again, "What are you planning to eat?"

Han Fangchi: "Takeout."

"In that case..." He Lezhi laughed out loud, pausing slightly. "You should come over and eat. Calling someone at dinnertime to say you haven't eaten, you're doing that on purpose, aren't you?"

Han Fangchi laughed too. "I was going to ask you out to eat."

He Lezhi was still smiling: "Come on over. I'll set a plate for you."

"No, some other time," Han Fangchi said. "I want to discuss something with you."

On his end of the line, He Lezhi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Go ahead. What is it that needs discussing?"

He Lezhi was completely baffled. Han Fangchi's tone was quite formal, so he listened attentively.

"Last time, I had a meal with you and promised not to mention Director Wang again," Han Fangchi said in a mild tone. "So, how about I practice badminton with you for a month, and you stop holding a grudge about that phone call."

He Lezhi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I'm not..."

"Do you agree?" Han Fangchi interrupted him. "Say you agree."