Chapter Seventy-Nine

With Lin Ling’s personality, would she ever let Yu Xingyue go hungry? Of course not; Lin Ling always treated Yu Xingyue like her own younger brother. Even though Yu Xingyue said he didn’t need anything, his body betrayed his soul—he had barely lain down before the sounds of Lin Ling bustling in the kitchen reached his ears. Before long, breakfast was ready, and the delicious aroma wafted through the rooms, rousing everyone from their sleep and sending them rushing to the kitchen.

Naturally, Wang Chaolin was the first to burst in. As a food lover, he had to sample every delicacy. But seeing that Lin Ling was the chef, Wang Chaolin was instantly reminded of what had happened the night before, and a remorseful look colored his face as he apologized, “Senior Sister, I’m sorry about last night. I was truly out of line and caused you loss of face.”

Lin Ling shook her head and smiled. “I understand you. I know you didn’t mean to barge in on me last night. What’s done is done; even if I didn’t forgive you, the facts wouldn’t change. So, I choose to forgive you. Let’s leave it in the past. The absence of any ill intent is already the greatest pardon I can give you.”

Hearing Lin Ling’s forgiveness, Wang Chaolin’s heart soared with relief, and even the place where he’d been struck by Lin Ling the night before seemed to heal.

After Wang Chaolin’s lead, everyone gradually gathered in the kitchen. As for Yu Xingyue, he slept so deeply that even dumping a bucket of water on him probably wouldn’t wake him—unless it was a particularly commanding voice, or unless he was allowed to wake naturally.

But there was no chance of him sleeping as long as he liked—not with Lin Ling around. Zhou Ruoxue handed her a small megaphone; with just a press, it emitted a startling noise. Why was it startling? Because being woken from sleep by a sudden sound is always alarming.

Lin Ling pressed the button with a mischievous grin, anticipating Yu Xingyue’s reaction. “Beeeep!” The sudden blare sent Yu Xingyue bolting upright in bed. When he saw it was Lin Ling who’d woken him, resentment clouded his face. Anyone would feel the same, being roused from such a comfortable sleep.

A word of caution: never imitate Lin Ling by using a megaphone to wake someone—it’s enough to give one a heart attack or set their nerves on edge! (Nonsense, perhaps, but still—don’t use a megaphone to wake people up.)

After that, there was no stopping the tide. Once Yu Xingyue had finished breakfast and left Zhou Ruoxue’s house, it was time for farewells. After just one day together, the prospect of parting was almost too much for the four of them—Yu Xingyue, Lin Ling, Xiao Jian, and Zhou Ruoxue—to bear.

Yu Xingyue’s face was filled with reluctance. “Do you really have to leave now? Can’t you stay a few more days?”

Xu Yaya replied, “Parting now is for a better reunion in the future. I hope that when we meet again, we’ll all have changed and grown. This is just a hurdle on the road to maturity. No matter where we are, we’re still Team Tianyuan.”

Wang Chaolin nodded. “The captain’s right. If by chance we meet again, let’s have a friendly spar. I’ve thought it over since last night; I’ll train hard so I don’t embarrass Team Tianyuan anymore. The old, lazy Wang Chaolin will be left behind.”

Zhou Ruoxue glanced at her watch. “It’s almost time to board. You two better hurry, or you’ll miss your flight.”

“Then... goodbye.” With those words, Xu Yaya turned toward the gate, and Wang Chaolin followed, bidding the others farewell. About ten minutes later, their plane took off.

After leaving the airport and returning home, Yu Xingyue asked Zhou Ruoxue, “Ruoxue, why aren’t you leaving with them?”

Zhou Ruoxue laughed. “Didn’t I let you all stay at my place last night? My parents were transferred here for work, so I followed. I meant to tell you last night, but we were having too much fun and I forgot.” She stuck out her tongue in embarrassment.

Lin Ling said, “No matter what, at least we still have Ruoxue here. But if you ever do leave, let us know so we can see you off.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister.”

As for Xiao Jian, there was no need to ask. He’d gotten carsick on the way to the airport, or rather, he’d just slept through the entire trip. He barely spoke during the farewells, and by the time they returned home he was still out cold. Yu Xingyue ended up carrying him back to his room and settling him in before leaving.

Yu Xingyue was the last to arrive home. After the exhausting morning of seeing off Xu Yaya and Wang Chaolin, he collapsed onto his bed and fell into a deep sleep. He’d been severely sleep-deprived, and who knew how long he’d rest. Before dozing off, he even took two sleeping pills to ensure he wouldn’t be disturbed, no matter how noisy it got.

He slept soundly, a sweet smile on his face—a sight that was noticed by Sun Ying, who had just returned.

Sun Ying made her way home by bus—no one to rely on but herself, but she managed just fine. Yang Shuting figured Sun Ying would eventually become part of the family, so she’d given her a key for free access.

When she entered Yu Xingyue’s room, she saw him sleeping with a smile, clearly dreaming of something delightful.

Sun Ying shook Yu Xingyue’s shoulder. “Big brother, wake up! I have something to tell you.” But no matter how she shook him, Yu Xingyue didn’t stir.

Growing impatient, Sun Ying was about to try something more forceful when she spotted the sleeping pill bottle on the table. A bad feeling crept over her.

“Big brother, how could you be so foolish? If something’s wrong, you can tell me—I can help you. Why would you take sleeping pills like this?” Sun Ying, already in tears, shook Yu Xingyue harder, convinced he was trying to end his life. No matter how she called or shook him, he remained fast asleep.

“This won’t do. I have to do something—I can’t let big brother leave like this.” Sun Ying forced herself to calm down, but the calmer she got, the more anxious she became. “I heard that artificial respiration can help someone in shock start breathing again. Big brother, just wait for me!”

She put down her things, opened Yu Xingyue’s mouth, and, finding nothing obstructing his airway, grew bolder. She exhaled into his mouth; her small frame didn’t have much lung capacity, but she gave it her all to save Yu Xingyue.

Yu Xingyue, feeling his breath obstructed and his mouth blocked, struggled under the sedative effect of the pills to open his eyes. When he finally managed, he was startled—what was Sun Ying doing?

He hastily sat up and pushed her away, wiping his mouth in anger. “Sun Ying, what are you doing? How could you give your first kiss to me? That’s something you’re supposed to save for the boy you—” But before he could finish, Sun Ying threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.

“Thank goodness you’re alright, big brother. I thought you were giving up on life. If you ever have troubles, don’t keep them to yourself. If Auntie found out you were gone, she’d be devastated.” Sun Ying’s words left Yu Xingyue baffled—what was she on about? Glancing at the spilled sleeping pills on the floor, he realized she’d misunderstood; he’d only wanted a nap, but had given Sun Ying quite a scare.

He hugged her back, his anger melting away at her words, and comforted her, “See? I’m fine. I was just tired and wanted to sleep.”

“If you wanted to sleep, why take sleeping pills?” Sun Ying pounded his chest, worried.

“I’m really sorry for making you worry. Next time, I won’t take sleeping pills. If you see me trying, stop me right away, alright?” he promised, finally putting Sun Ying at ease.

She wiped away her tears and beamed, “You said it, big brother! Then I’ll be your little supervisor from now on.” It sounded childish, the kind of thing an elementary student would say, but Sun Ying was utterly sincere.