Chapter Fifty-Two

"It's rare to see Siyi blush—looks like you really do like that blockhead Huang Feifan, huh?" Lin Zimo teased, watching Chen Siyi on the other side of the screen.

Chen Siyi shot back, "Don’t you dare call him a blockhead!"

Lin Zimo chuckled, "Just now you called my Hugo a straightforward guy, and I called your Feifan a blockhead. We’re even."

Both girls grew embarrassed. The screens on both sides of the call were suddenly awkward and silent, but they shared a common trait: each secretly loved someone.

Lin Zimo and Yu Xingyue’s relationship was decent, but Yu Xingyue only saw Lin Zimo as an ordinary friend and hadn’t considered anything romantic yet. As for Chen Siyi and Huang Feifan, things were more complicated. In Huang Feifan’s mind, Chen Siyi was always picking on him, which left him still somewhat afraid of her. For Chen Siyi to pursue Huang Feifan wouldn’t be easy.

"Zimo, do you think Huang Feifan avoids me because he doesn’t like me? Why is that?" Chen Siyi asked, puzzled.

"It’s all your fault," Lin Zimo laughed. "Whenever you’re not around, Feifan always complains that you’re always messing with him. He’s still scared of you. Is your way of saying you like him another one of your pranks?"

Chen Siyi explained, "I’m not the same Chen Siyi as before. I’ve thought a lot, and I realize what I did wasn’t good for him and changed his impression of me. I just want to apologize to him now."

"If it’s just an apology, that’s hardly convincing. Do you think Feifan will believe you? If you really like him, apologizing will only make things awkward for both of you. You need to think carefully—unless you manage to build feelings through your pranks."

"You’re half right. Building feelings through pranks is true, but I don’t simply want to apologize. I want to make him notice me in my own way."

"Good luck, then. I’m going to use my own way to make Hugo notice me too," Lin Zimo said confidently.

They were allies on the same front. For the sake of those they liked, both were changing themselves, each pursuing what they wanted in their own way.

...

After dinner, Yu Xingyue and Sun Ying went upstairs, leaving the rest to Butler Luo’e. After finishing up, Luo’e also went to take care of his own affairs.

Luo’e arranged for Yu Xingyue to stay in the guest room next to Sun Ying’s, which was usually only opened for overnight guests. Yu Xingyue would be staying there for a week, and the room was his for the whole week.

After inspecting the room, Yu Xingyue found it acceptable, though the bed wasn’t as good as his at home. He decided to head to Sun Ying’s room—he wasn’t sleepy anyway.

"Big Brother, you’re here!" Sun Ying exclaimed, thrilled by his arrival.

Yu Xingyue smiled. "Don’t call me Big Brother. Xingyue or just Yueyue is fine." Though "Yueyue" sounded rather girlish and embarrassing, Yu Xingyue didn’t like being called Big Brother. He could accept a nickname or his real name.

Sun Ying pouted, "No way. I’m used to calling you Big Brother—I can’t change it."

"Fine, but could you at least drop the ‘Big’? It makes me sound old," Yu Xingyue said.

Sun Ying muttered to herself and shook her head. "No, I like calling you Big Brother. In my eyes, you’re a handsome guy."

Yu Xingyue playfully flicked her nose. "You’re quite the sweet talker. Are you trying to charm me?"

Sun Ying’s face flushed red. She hurried to explain, "No, I just—"

"I’m just teasing you. Are you really so afraid I’ll get angry?" Yu Xingyue asked.

"Dad always says I talk too much and upset people, so I try to keep quiet. I’m most afraid of making people mad," Sun Ying said with a touch of grievance.

Yu Xingyue patted her head and smiled. "Silly girl. They’re just jealous of how eloquent you are. Don’t listen to the gossip. Your dad tells you to talk less because he knows how clever you are—he’s afraid someone might steal you away if they find out. Do you want to leave your dad?"

His words went straight to Sun Ying’s heart. She thought about it and realized she really didn’t want her father to leave her.

Yu Xingyue said all this to boost her confidence. He knew from experience what it was like to be ostracized for being different, and he hoped a bit of encouragement would help her come out of her shell. At home, at least, communication would be easier.

Then Sun Ying pulled Yu Xingyue over to the TV. She wanted to play PS4 with him. Her father was never home, and it was always just the butler playing with her, but it never felt as fun.

Yu Xingyue, realizing this, felt a wave of sympathy for her. He knew what Sun Ying lacked most was family companionship. Her parents had divorced when she was young, and who knew how much gossip she’d endured growing up.

If things went well, Yang Shuting and Sun Yao would marry and rebuild a happy family, which was what Yu Xingyue hoped for. Yang Shuting finding happiness would mean he could, too.

At the very least, he’d no longer have to endure harassment or other troubles—this was the life Yu Xingyue longed for. Sun Ying dragged him into three hours of gaming, but her health wasn’t the best, so she fell asleep early.

Yu Xingyue gently lifted her onto the bed, turned off the light, and quietly tiptoed out, closing the door softly so as not to wake her. Only then did he relax.

Back in his own room, Yu Xingyue lay in bed, thinking about the loneliness and helplessness he’d seen in Sun Ying’s eyes. She herself probably couldn’t remember how many times she’d really seen Sun Yao. From their first meeting, it was clear Sun Ying was unfamiliar with her father—she’d been raised by the butler and had rarely seen him.

Just then, his phone rang. Yu Xingyue picked up. "Hello, Mom? Still working so late?"

On the other end, Yang Shuting laughed. "Never mind about me—did you and Sun Ying have any trouble getting along?"

"So far, no problems. She listens to me, but she’s like a different person at home and outside," Yu Xingyue replied.

"Make sure you take good care of Sun Ying. Uncle Sun trusts you very much."

"Mom, I have a question. How much time does Uncle Sun actually spend with Sun Ying?"

"Why do you ask?" Yang Shuting inquired.

"I’ve noticed Sun Ying just wants her father to be around. She wants to be with him."

"Poor little girl," Yang Shuting sighed. "I have to go now. Remember, if Sun Ying wants to go out, you must stay with her at all times."

"Okay, Mom." After she hung up, Yu Xingyue sighed. "Isn’t Butler Luo here? Why do I have to do this? Oh well, it’s my job. Let this week pass quickly."

He soon fell asleep, and morning came swiftly. While he slept, elsewhere...

Zhang Yi still had things to handle—he needed to take David, the cat, to the pet store for a bath. Every cat owner knows the headache: cats never cooperate with baths, so they’re usually taken to the pet shop. Few pet cats are willing to let their owners bathe them.

After dropping David off at a nearby pet shop, Zhang Yi stepped outside for some air—the smell inside was overwhelming. He’d also forgotten his keys in his hurry to leave. At first, he thought to call his mother to let him in, but changed his mind and decided to climb in through the window instead, just to see how his arm was healing.

He glanced into the distance and saw a familiar figure, though he couldn’t quite place who it was. It wasn’t Li Li, but someone taller and sturdier. As the man drew closer, Zhang Yi was stunned—wasn’t that Xiao Jian?

Xiao Jian looked as if he’d lost about twenty pounds, his eyes lifeless, as if he were a zombie risen from the grave. Zhang Yi rushed up to his usually dashing friend and asked, "Xiao Jian, what happened to you?"

Only Zhang Yi didn’t know about Xiao Jian’s habit of touching men.

Xiao Jian hugged him as soon as he saw him. Zhang Yi was still confused, but Xiao Jian’s voice was rough as he said, "Zhang Yi, I’m so glad to see you. I was about to fall apart."

"What happened? Who did this to you?" Zhang Yi asked.

Xiao Jian gave a helpless explanation, "I did this to myself. I’m starving—I need food!" Xiao Jian was nearly in tears.