PSE - 33

An hour earlier, Xue Jing had walked out of the courtyard. Above the eaves, the sky was draped in a pink-purple curtain, and the light that had waited for him to return before dawn at Ha Yue’s house had already dimmed.

After closing the door, washing away his exhaustion, and taking two melatonin pills, a string of tension still pulled tight in his chest. Tossing and turning in bed, sleep eluded him.

The prescription had already been written—symptom-specific treatment—but the doctor feared he might have overdone the dosage just now.

Flipping his phone over, he hesitantly tapped on Ha Yue’s avatar. The white puppy icon trembled twice under his fingertip, prompting a gray notification. Good, honesty was always the best policy. At least Ha Yue hadn’t blocked “the perfect him” again.

“Although, but.” 

“As your neighbor, I have to say something.” 

“You forgot your clothes and the thermos.”

After a long pause, Ha Yue replied slowly: “I know.” 

“Are you coming to get them tomorrow?” 

The typing indicator lingered above the chat box for a long time, but no message came through. He knew she was considering.

So Xue Jing made the decision for her: “It’s okay if you can’t come tomorrow—you can come the day after.” 

And if not the day after, then the day after that. If she couldn’t figure it out this time, they could talk about it next time. 

“There’s still plenty of time.” 

“Take your time. I’m not in a hurry.”

After sending these messages, Xue Jing wearily rested his cheek on the pillow. But just as he closed his eyes, he began to worry that after careful consideration, Ha Yue might still push him out of her heart. After all, his image had already plummeted into the sewer.

So he struggled to prop himself up on his elbow, squinting, and sent several messages dripping with self-pity. 

It was like installing a fuse before a high-powered appliance short-circuited. Xue Jing was gambling. Even if he were an irredeemable scoundrel, perhaps Ha Yue would still feel a tiny bit of concern for him.

“But could you not reject me so quickly? Inspiration doesn’t come easily.” 

“I’ve only written a quarter of the new novel. These past few days, you’ve been avoiding me, and I’ve hit another writer’s block.” 

“I’m so anxious now, I can’t sleep even after taking the pills. My whole body hurts, and I can’t breathe. I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep writing tomorrow.” 

“What if I die before finishing the novel? I’d be so unwilling to accept it.”

There was still no response in the chat box when suddenly, a knock sounded at the gate outside the courtyard.

Xue Jing hadn’t expected his unorthodox move to yield such unexpectedly positive results. Outside the door stood Ha Yue, who had just run off but now knocked on his door of her own accord.

The abundant sunlight cast Xue Jing’s shadow completely over Ha Yue. Half-closing his eyelashes, Xue Jing immediately noticed the swelling at the outer corner of her eyebrow and the charred ends of her hair. His heart tightened as he instinctively lifted her chin to examine her face.

His middle finger brushed against her ear, his palm pressing gently on her chin, forcing her to tilt her neck upward. Her face, like a sunflower forced to meet his gaze, revealed translucent brown eyes, slightly swollen eyebrows, and unbroken skin. As for her hair… 

Was she playing with fire?

“What happened to your face? And what’s wrong with your hair?”

Before Xue Jing could gather her hair with his fingertips, she rudely shoved him aside with two large boxes.

Ha Yue didn’t answer his questions, instead saying, “Hey, do your earlier words still count?”

Dumping the two boxes of supplies into his arms, she turned around, closed the gate behind her, and walked straight to the shoe cabinet without hesitation. She swapped her dirty shoes for slippers, leaving her old ones outside, and began chattering nonstop. 

“The community group announced that Suicheng is entering a lockdown starting today. They’ve already started setting up barriers on the roads. No one will be allowed out after 6 p.m., only in. Yesterday, I picked up some daily necessities for you from the store. This area is under strict control, and there won’t be any delivery services later. Do you need anything else? I’ll help as much as I can.”

“And can I take a shower here? I’ll rest for a bit before going back. I locked the door and didn’t bring my keys.”

Xue Jing followed her closely, sensing something was off with her emotions. Ignoring her attempts to distract him, he walked into the living room without changing his shoes, set down the boxes, grabbed an ice pack from the fridge, and pressed it against her face. Buzzing around her, he insisted, “Don’t try to sidetrack me. I asked first—what happened? Why did you come back after going home? Did you get into a fight with someone?”

“Why are your eyes red? Have you been crying?”

In Ha Yue’s household, there was only one female guardian, and they usually seemed harmonious. No matter how hard Xue Jing guessed, he couldn’t imagine why she would get into a physical altercation with her mother.

Ha Yue feigned deafness, fiddling with her slippers and muttering softly, “The grid officer said they’re implementing a 3+2 policy. It’ll probably last at least a week, right?”

What she said had nothing to do with what he asked.

Xue Jing decided to crouch in front of her, leveling their gazes, and called her name bluntly.

“Ha Yue!”

Calling her name didn’t work. The previously chatty little sparrow now held the ice pack stubbornly to her face.

Her injuries weren’t serious. With the ice pack applied, the redness on her skin quickly faded to a pale hue. The pain had subsided, but she still placed the ice pack, now covered in condensation, on her forehead, refusing to meet Xue Jing’s gaze.

Xue Jing sneered coldly, nodded, and stood up by supporting himself on his knees. His face darkened as he said, “Fine, ignoring me, huh? Then I’ll go ask myself. If your mom doesn’t open the door, I’ll climb over the wall.”

“I’ve already told you several times that I’m not selling insurance! Every time she sees me, she still yells at me. What’s with that? Where do I look like an insurance salesman? Do I dress like one? All my suits are custom-tailored!”

“Hey!” Ha Yue had been leisurely pulling at a loose thread on her pants with her left hand, but upon hearing this, she immediately grabbed his sleeve and anxiously stood up to block him. “So what if I got into a fight with my mom! It happens all the time. Haven’t you ever seen a mother and daughter argue?”

“Do you think every family is like yours—father loving, son filial, everyone harmonious and happy? Divorced families always have their share of bumps!”

“Your parents are divorced? I never heard about that. Huh? I’ve been staying here for days, and no one mentioned it to me.”

Xue Jing was sharp at catching key points, but Ha Yue pushed him away impatiently and brushed him off. “It’s not exactly a divorce. My dad ran off with someone else when I was little—he cheated. So my mom really hates pretty boys. Just don’t go looking for trouble. It’s best if you avoid her in the future.”

“Ah...” Xue Jing sucked in a breath. He wasn’t oblivious to his own good looks; thanks to his family environment, he’d understood from a young age that beauty was an innate advantage. Back in college, while pursuing Ha Yue, he’d deliberately lifted his shirt to wipe sweat during basketball games and worn gold-rimmed glasses to attend her classes as an auditor.

Later, after dating and gaining more self-awareness, he often dressed up for important occasions, especially when trying to impress women. He made sure to flaunt his appearance intentionally.

But this was the first time his good looks had backfired so badly.

There were actually people who disliked the sugar coating on a bitter pill?

If his future mother-in-law hated his looks, should he start wearing old cotton coats, worn-out shoes, and stop shaving from tomorrow onward?

Goodness, thankfully Ha Yue hadn’t heard everything he wanted to say earlier. If she knew what his parents were like and what they’d done, she’d probably curse his ancestors.

Sincerity was admirable, but knowingly walking into danger was just foolish. Xue Jing decided to keep some details about his family under wraps for now. Good things come to those who wait. He could reveal his family issues once Ha Yue fully accepted him.

Preferably, he’d wait until she was head-over-heels in love with him, completely devoted and unable to live without him, before mentioning his family troubles.

“But still, it shouldn’t have escalated to this point, right? Last time I saw her, she seemed a bit off mentally. Does she always get angry with you? Have you taken her to the hospital for a check-up? Maybe see a psychologist?”

“Last time Jinzi told me you went to the hospital to hire a nanny, I thought you meant a housekeeper. You weren’t looking for a caregiver, were you? Is your mom sick? How serious is it? Say something!”

Xue Jing was quick to connect the dots, and it looked like he was about to uncover all her secrets. Ha Yue immediately went on full alert and fired back with soul-searching questions.

“So, was our meeting at the hospital that day also prearranged by you? Can you act like a normal human being for once? You’ve made money—why must you insist on playing the domineering CEO act?”

“You’re not in pain anymore, huh? Not feeling short of breath either? You don’t need me to help you find inspiration for your new book? Let me tell you, mind your own business. I only came here because I haven’t slept all night and was feeling disoriented. If you keep nagging, I’ll leave right now!”

“Who cares whether you finish writing or not! What does your writing state have to do with me? Why do you keep asking? What am I to you? Am I supposed to tell you everything? Aren’t we just neighbors flirting around? Don’t meddle where you’re not wanted.”

The logic wasn’t wrong, but these words sounded strangely familiar. A true man knows when to bend and when to stand firm. Xue Jing fell silent for two seconds, then quickly shifted gears.

Adults flirting can be unrestricted, but ultimately, they would fall deeply in love.

He had been presumptuous. It was already a big step for Ha Yue to come to him. As for what he wanted to know, she could tell him when she felt ready—it didn’t have to be now.

Fighting was normal. Both Ha Yue and her mother had fiery tempers. The key point was that out of a hundred neighbors she could choose from, she had come to his house for refuge. Actions spoke louder than words. Why was he throwing a tantrum like a spoiled rich kid?

At this stage, his carefully cultivated hidden score was even higher than Aunt Siqin’s.

Dating wasn’t a detective game. Zhao Chunni looked strong and robust, and her voice carried authority when she cursed. She definitely didn’t have cancer. Even if she did, it wouldn’t matter—he could sell his car, house, and stocks to pay for her CAR-T therapy.

Xue Jing opened his mouth, intending to ask Ha Yue:

“Why didn’t you sleep last night? Was it because I didn’t come home?”

“Am I really as good-looking as you say? Are you a looks-obsessed person? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have dated me for over two years.”

But he swallowed the words back. Smiling slyly, his expression changed instantly as he said, “Oh, it’s fine. Fighting happens. Everyone has a mouth; unless you’re mute, arguments are inevitable. The important thing is to let Auntie cool down after a fight. Don’t go back now and make things worse. Stay here and settle in.”

As he spoke, he gestured like a dutiful bathhouse attendant, making an inviting motion. “The bathroom is to the right, and the light switch is on the left wall. All toiletries are available.”

“Don’t be shy, treat it like your own home. Let me get you a new towel.”

Damn it, who was the one threatening to climb the wall just moments ago? Now he’s acting all civilized.

Ha Yue’s right eyelid twitched as she watched Xue Jing’s masterful ability to change his demeanor.

She truly didn’t know that Zhao Chunni mistook him for an insurance salesman, but given her mother’s current condition, it was entirely possible that Xue Jing might get beaten up if he forced his way in.

In the end, taking a deep breath, Ha Yue swallowed all her curses and forced a smile, bowing slightly to express her gratitude.

“Mm-hmm, okay, thank you. I’ll go wash up now.”

After the “couple’s bow,” Ha Yue rolled her eyes as she looked up again, not even bothering to pretend to be polite. She called out rudely to her ambiguous partner: “Hey, you, bring me a towel and a pair of scissors while you’re at it.”