The prescription given by the doctor and the recommended medicinal diet seemed to work well. Those old soldiers spread the word everywhere, saying that their long-standing insomnia had finally improved, promoting the reputation of our shop.

Customers started coming in one after another, and our restaurant finally entered the right track.

I know that Fu Xianze played an indispensable role.

"Ayue, I told you he's not ordinary to you."

Xu Qingwan counted money until her hands were sore, but she didn't forget to gossip a few words.

I sighed helplessly.

"Qingwan, you don't know how much he annoyed me when we were kids. He pulled my braids, hid caterpillars in my books, and even tore my sketchbook."

"What about you?"

Me?

Ah, I cut his hair bald, stuffed caterpillars into his mouth, and set his books on fire.

It seems like I went a bit too far.

I guiltily touched my nose and quickly changed the subject.

Half a month passed, and things were going well. On this day, Fu Xianze came to visit again.

"Ayue, do you have regular meals here? I want to treat some colleagues tonight. Reserve a private room for me."

"Yes, we do."

I readily agreed and specifically reserved the largest and most spacious room.

They ate for nearly three hours, with the wine being refilled twice. It was almost closing time when Fu Xianze was helped out by someone, stumbling.

After seeing off the last colleague, he leaned on the table in the lobby, his cheeks flushed from intoxication.

I sighed and instructed the kitchen to cook a bowl of sobering soup.

"Drink it while it's hot. You already have trouble sleeping, and yet you drink so much alcohol. Be careful or you won't live long."

I pushed him away in disdain.

Fu Xianze opened his confused eyes and drank the hot soup with the help of my hand, finishing it all.

"Ayue, are you concerned about me?"

His eyes were misty with water vapor.

"Don't overthink it. If you die young, the people will lose a brave and skilled general. I'm considering them."

I glanced at him, my eyes flickering, and said straightforwardly.

He smiled, revealing his teeth, and nodded.

"Okay, I will listen to you and try to live longer."

The atmosphere between us became somewhat strange. I put away the bowl and planned to tally today's accounts, but then I heard his soft sigh from behind.

"Ayue, when will I be able to enter your heart?"

He murmured this sentence while half-asleep.

I froze for a moment.

It seemed like I understood something, yet it felt like I understood nothing at all.