Yang Yang had learned from experience.
This time, he made sure to keep an even lower profile upon his return.
With Wei Zhen coordinating things in advance, he quietly passed through a special passageway at the Capital Airport. There were no reporters, no fans waiting at the terminal, and no one spotted him along the way. The entire trip was calm and uneventful, just as he wanted.
By the time they arrived at his home, the sky was already starting to darken.
He hadn't been back in a full year.
Standing at the doorway, holding his keys and glancing around, Yang Yang couldn't help but feel a little unfamiliar. Everything was still the same — the neighborhood, the building, even the smell of the corridor — but it all carried a faint sense of distance, as if time had quietly moved things just beyond reach.
"Feeling nostalgic?" Wei Zhen asked with a faint smile, watching him from behind.
Yang Yang smiled and shook his head, then unlocked the door and stepped inside.
The apartment was quiet and still. The furniture was exactly where he remembered, the layout untouched. But the space didn't feel abandoned or dusty like a place that had sat empty for a year. It was spotless, well-kept, and comfortable, like someone had been maintaining it with care.
At the entrance, the first thing he noticed were the plants. A few green potted ones stood neatly by the porch, looking healthy and well-watered.
"Little Su bought those," Wei Zhen said. "She's been coming here every week to water and take care of them."
Yang Yang walked into the living room. On the coffee table, another small plant had been placed, and both balconies had several more. The presence of greenery brought a natural warmth to the space, giving the apartment a peaceful atmosphere.
He carried his suitcase into the bedroom.
The bedding was neatly arranged. The sheets were freshly changed, the pillows fluffed, the quilt folded with care.
Opening the wardrobe, he was greeted by the faint scent of lavender. His clothes were neatly hung, and a vacuum storage bag rested at the bottom — clearly packed away after his departure, then recently taken out and cleaned again.
Returning to the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator and saw it fully stocked with the ingredients and food brands he often used. Everything was thoughtfully arranged.
For a moment, Yang Yang said nothing. But his heart was full.
He looked around the apartment again, slowly, taking it all in.
Wei Zhen stood nearby, arms folded, a grin on his face.
"I really envy you," he said. "Half a month ago, she started preparing everything. She even made a checklist."
"You know that milk brand you always drink? It's not easy to find in Beijing. She went to several stores just to get it."
"When the housekeeper came to clean, she still wasn't satisfied. So she stayed late after work and came back on the weekend to clean it herself. This whole week, she's been taking the bus here after work every night, just to make sure everything would feel right for when you came home."
Yang Yang nodded slowly.
He didn't say much, but Wei Zhen could tell that the gesture had touched him deeply.
"In all seriousness," Wei Zhen added, "Little Su is a really good girl. I've known her since she was a kid. She's got a good heart, and she's steady. Looks, character — she's got everything. You should really treasure her."
With Yang Yang's status now, he could easily attract attention. There would be plenty of women willing to chase someone like him. That was the reality.
And that was exactly why Wei Zhen felt the need to say something.
He knew Yang Yang's personality well. He wasn't the type to lose himself, but the world of professional football was filled with temptation — especially abroad, especially for someone young, wealthy, and famous.
"I know," Yang Yang said as he patted Wei Zhen on the shoulder.
Just then, there was the sound of keys turning at the front door.
Yang Yang immediately walked out to check.
The door opened. Su Ye stepped in, carrying a bag of fruit in both arms.
She wore a sky-blue T-shirt, white cropped jeans, and simple white sneakers. Her outfit was casual, but everything about her — from her expression to her posture — was full of life.
When she looked up and saw Yang Yang standing in the doorway, she let out a surprised gasp. The bag in her hands nearly slipped to the ground, and she scrambled to catch it, flustered and wide-eyed.
Yang Yang couldn't help laughing. He opened his arms and smiled.
"I'm back."
Su Ye's eyes filled with tears almost instantly.
She was about to rush forward, but then paused when she noticed Wei Zhen standing behind him.
Yang Yang didn't wait. He stepped forward and wrapped her in a hug.
"I really missed you."
"Me too," she whispered.
Before she could finish the sentence, two lines of tears streamed down her cheeks.
All day, she had felt something was off — an instinct, something telling her he was already here. Even though Yang Yang had told her just yesterday that he'd return in two more days.
She had been right. He had come back early. And, as usual, he hadn't told her — just to surprise her.
From the kitchen doorway, Wei Zhen watched them quietly. After a moment, he coughed twice, loudly, as if to remind them they weren't alone.
The two quickly stepped apart.
"I've still got stuff to handle at the station," Wei Zhen said with a helpless grin. "I'll get going. You two carry on."
Su Ye, still red-faced, hurried to pick up the fruit bag from the floor. "I'll go wash these and put them away."
She quickly escaped into the kitchen.
Wei Zhen glanced back at Yang Yang, smirking. "Don't blame me for interrupting."
Yang Yang shot him a glare. "You're lucky I didn't kick you down the stairs."
"I'm heading out. I'll come pick you up tomorrow morning."
Yang Yang called after him, "Come early. I'm taking her to school first."
"No problem!" Wei Zhen replied as he walked out the door.
After Wei Zhen left, Yang Yang quietly closed the door behind him.
He returned to the kitchen, where Su Ye was standing in front of the sink, her hands running under the water, rinsing fruit without really paying attention to what she was doing. Her movements were slow, almost mechanical, and her eyes were unfocused — lost in thought.
Yang Yang walked over without a word and gently wrapped his arms around her from behind.
He leaned forward, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair — a soft, calming fragrance that immediately reminded him of home. He closed his eyes for a moment, holding her more tightly.
Su Ye trembled slightly in his arms. Her breathing quickened.
She slowly turned around, looked up at him, and cupped his face in both hands.
Without hesitation, she leaned in and kissed him deeply.
It was a kiss filled with everything they hadn't said in the past year — all the missed conversations, the quiet nights apart, the loneliness they had both buried inside. In that moment, it all rose to the surface.
Neither of them spoke.
The kiss lingered. The warmth of her lips, the closeness of their bodies, the intensity of it all — it was enough to make time feel like it had stopped.
When they finally separated, their foreheads remained pressed together, eyes closed, hearts still racing.
Su Ye was the first to break the silence, her voice soft and shaky. "I'll make you something to eat."
She was trying to stand straight, to collect herself, but it was clear she was struggling to stay steady on her feet. If Yang Yang hadn't been holding her, she might have slumped to the floor.
"You sure you know how to cook?" he asked gently, smiling.
"I learned," Su Ye replied with a faint smile, her cheeks flushed but proud.
Yang Yang laughed and kissed her again — slower this time, but just as heartfelt.
When they parted, he spoke quietly.
"No need. Let's eat at your place instead."
Su Ye blinked in surprise. "What?"
"I bought gifts for your parents," Yang Yang said with a grin. "I'm not showing up empty-handed."
The moment she realized what he meant, her entire face turned red.
Before she could say anything, she wrapped her arms around him again and kissed him once more — this time, laughing softly against his lips, both embarrassed and moved.
...
...
The elevator doors opened on the fifth floor.
Su Ye had taken this route home countless times before, but today, her nerves were on edge.
As she stepped out, she hesitated, half-tempted to turn around and flee back into the elevator.
But Yang Yang was by her side, holding a gift bag in one hand and her hand in the other. His steady grip gave her the courage she needed to move forward.
Together, they walked down the hallway toward the familiar door.
"I'll do it," Yang Yang said with a smile, pressing the doorbell.
Su Ye gave him a grateful look. She knew what this meant — he was making an effort to formally meet her parents as her boyfriend. But the moment was so overwhelming that she instinctively lowered her gaze, flustered and shy.
She considered pulling her hand away, but Yang Yang held on firmly, not allowing her the chance.
Inside the apartment, Ye Qing was busy in the kitchen.
Su Ye had called earlier to say Yang Yang was back and would be coming over for dinner. Her father, Su Wenhong, had been delighted, and Ye Qing had immediately started preparing a few more dishes. She said she wanted to chat with Yang Yang properly this time.
The sound of the doorbell rang just as Su Wenhong was watching TV in the living room. He sprang to his feet, already guessing who it was.
When he opened the door, sure enough, Yang Yang and Su Ye were standing side by side.
"Good evening, Uncle," Yang Yang greeted with a bright smile.
For a second, Su Wenhong was caught off guard. "Did you lose your key or something?"
But then his eyes fell to their hands — fingers intertwined.
"You two…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
Ye Qing, hearing the commotion from the kitchen, came out with a towel still in her hands. As soon as she saw them at the door, her eyes flicked to their clasped hands, and in an instant, she understood everything.
She looked at her husband's stunned expression and sighed silently. So slow to catch on, as always.
"Auntie," Yang Yang greeted politely.
"Come in, come in! Don't stand at the door," Ye Qing said warmly, giving her husband a subtle nudge aside to let them in.
Su Wenhong finally seemed to register what was happening. He stepped aside, closing the door with a faint frown.
Since when had his daughter and Yang Yang become... that close?
He tried to wrap his head around it but the more he thought, the more muddled he felt.
"Alright, Lao Su," Ye Qing said under her breath, stepping closer. "I still have a few things to finish in the kitchen. You stay here and keep them company — and don't go acting all stiff and formal, understand?"
She headed back to the kitchen, leaving Su Wenhong alone with the couple.
Su Wenhong looked at Yang Yang, then at his daughter. Inside, he couldn't help but feel amused. He was a fan of Yang Yang — who wasn't? — but now the idea of his idol possibly becoming his son-in-law… That was going to take some getting used to.
He walked over, trying to act casual, while Yang Yang gave Su Ye a playful wink, as if to say, "See? I told you we'd get past your dad."
Su Ye nudged him in embarrassment, but when she glanced up, she realized her father had seen it all. Her cheeks turned crimson, and she quickly lowered her head again.
"Yang Yang, you…" Su Wenhong started awkwardly.
Before, he could talk with Yang Yang like a friend — easy, open. But now, the new dynamic made it strange.
He didn't want to put on a stern face like some formal parent, but he wasn't sure what tone to take either.
"…When did you get back?"
"This afternoon. Just arrived," Yang Yang replied.
"Oh." Su Wenhong nodded. "Su Ye went to pick you up?"
"Uh…"
"Brother Wei Zhen and I both went," Su Ye added quickly. "I came straight from school."
As soon as she spoke, both of them looked at her. Her face flushed even deeper, and she dropped her gaze again.
Yang Yang couldn't help but smile awkwardly.
"So this is what it feels like — showing up as the boyfriend, not just family friend, in front of her parents."