SWTHTC - 28

Chapter 28: “139XXXXXXXX”

The moment Zhou Leqi saw Hou Zihao catch up to walk beside her, she instantly regretted it.

Deeply, profoundly, immensely regretted it.

She admitted that when she saw him abandon Luo Siyu without hesitation and walk toward her, a wave of satisfaction surged through her. But it was precisely this satisfaction that made her realize how despicable she had been—she had been using him.

Using his pure affection for her to exact revenge on someone else in a dirty, underhanded way.

How could she do such a thing?

Zhou Leqi… you’ve gone mad.

Guilt is a strange thing. For those who can’t feel it, it might as well not exist. But for those who can, it can be devastating.

All day, guilt fermented within Zhou Leqi’s heart. The more she thought about it, the more she felt low and filthy. She believed she had hurt Hou Zihao—even though he might not have realized she was using him. This realization tormented her so much that she was distracted all day. That evening, when they were riding the bus together, she even avoided looking at him.

She was avoiding him, so naturally, she didn’t speak to him. At first, Hou Zihao tried to initiate conversation several times, but after receiving no response, he gave up.

He fell into silence alongside her.

It was worth noting that Hou Zihao had always been the one to find topics and regulate the atmosphere between them. He would quietly observe her state, consider what interested her, and then figure out how to communicate with her appropriately. While it seemed easy, it wasn’t. Especially now, his previous efforts became even more apparent because once he stopped trying, the prolonged silence between them felt awkward and unbearable.

This excruciating silence lasted until he walked her to the entrance of her building.

It was around eight o’clock. The neighborhood was still dark, but unlike the eerie quietness of the night they returned from the police station, many windows were lit, faintly wafting the aroma of cooking and the sound of parents urging their children to finish homework.

They walked together in the darkness, enveloped by the faint warmth of everyday life. The usually long and winding path seemed less arduous, and they soon reached its end.

They both stopped.

It was time to say goodbye. “See you tomorrow” was on the tip of Zhou Leqi’s tongue, but when she looked up at Hou Zihao, she suddenly remembered that they wouldn’t see each other tomorrow. With the seven-day National Day holiday ahead, the next time they’d meet would be a week later.

She realized that if she didn’t apologize now, she might never get another chance.

She hesitated. Maybe she could brush it off and move on, but ultimately, she couldn’t get past the guilt gnawing at her heart. She didn’t want to carry this burden.

Summoning her courage, she steeled herself and said, “I’m sorry, I…”

She only managed an unclear opening. She didn’t finish the sentence.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to—it was that she didn’t know how.

How could she explain her relationship with Luo Siyu to Hou Zihao? Should she tell him about the ugly affairs in her family? How would he view her? Would he pity her or look down on her? What would he think of her family?

Though her relationship with him was closer than with others in the class, it wasn’t close enough for her to bare all her wounds and secrets. Besides, she wasn’t someone who liked to display vulnerability, making it even harder for her to broach the topic.

While she was struggling to express herself, Hou Zihao suddenly chuckled lightly and said, “It’s okay.”

He didn’t ask why she apologized—he simply said, “It’s okay.”

This reaction caught Zhou Leqi off guard. She raised her head and, bathed in the late-summer moonlight and the glow of his phone, saw his expression. His eyes were clear and transparent, filled with warmth, nonchalance, care, and seemingly endless patience and tolerance.

In that glance, Zhou Leqi understood—he knew.

He knew the petty thoughts she had harbored today. He knew there was tension between her and Luo Siyu. He knew she had used him for selfish reasons.

After all, he was a very smart person.

At that moment, Zhou Leqi’s guilt intensified, accompanied by embarrassment. She suddenly realized that he had understood her intentions when the events unfolded earlier that day, yet despite knowing he was being used, he still chose to play along.

She didn’t know what to say.

Zhou Leqi felt flustered, unsure where to put her hands. After a long pause, she finally managed to organize her thoughts and asked, “You… How did you know?”

How did you know my thoughts at that time?

How did you know about the conflict between me and Luo Siyu?

Hou Zihao shrugged, appearing casual, but his words carried sincerity. “How could I not know your things?”

Zhou Leqi was momentarily speechless, her face flushing again. She averted her gaze. “I’m serious.”

Hou Zihao touched his nose, thinking: I am serious too.

But he didn’t dare say that aloud, fearing it might upset her. Instead, he thought for a moment and replied, “You ignored me at school today, but suddenly asked if I wanted to fetch water with you. That was unusual. Besides, I’ve always suspected there was some history between you and that classmate from Class 43. Maybe you don’t like her.”

His response pleased Zhou Leqi. First, he referred to Luo Siyu as “that classmate from Class 43,” a distant and polite term with no hint of closeness. Second, he described the tension between them as “some history,” which subtly protected her dignity and avoided exposing uncomfortable truths.

He was indeed thoughtful.

Under his subtle consideration, Zhou Leqi’s discomfort gradually dissipated. She pursed her lips and asked, “…And you still went along with me? And afterward, you didn’t ask me why?”

These two questions left Hou Zihao somewhat speechless. He laughed, raising an eyebrow. “Of course I went along with you. I’ll go along with anything you do.”

I won’t get mad at you.

If using me can spare you from pain or sadness, I’d be happy.

He didn’t voice these last two sentences, sensing it wasn’t the right time. Such sincere words would only deepen her guilt, and he didn’t want her to feel that way toward him.

He quickly skipped over the question and continued answering the next one. “As for what happened between you and her, if you want to tell me, I’m always here to listen. If you don’t want to tell me, I won’t pry—it’s entirely up to you.”

I give you all the control and choice.

So, there’s no need to feel pressured around me.

He was truly an unusual person. Sometimes he expressed his affection openly, but other times he concealed his care and consideration. In this moment, he seemed to shield her from realizing how completely he had surrendered control of their relationship.

And Zhou Leqi wasn’t foolish.

She was just as intelligent as him, capable of detecting his true meaning through the gaps in his words and the nuances of his emotions. She knew he was discreetly caring for her, which made her feel safe and comfortable. Though the painful guilt hadn’t entirely vanished, it had transformed into something else—perhaps gratitude, or perhaps… something more.

She smiled faintly, not enough to reveal her tiny fangs, but enough to signal her relaxed mood.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief. Then he heard her say, “I still need to apologize again… and promise I won’t do this again.”

Her words sounded strangely obedient.

Like a primary school student solemnly promising their teacher: I’ll study hard and won’t daydream in class anymore.

Hou Zihao chuckled too. The atmosphere was light and easy. He nodded, realizing it was a good time to tease her. “Alright, I accept your apology, but I think it’s still missing something.”

Zhou Leqi: “Huh?”

“An apology is an apology, compensation is compensation,” Hou Zihao added half-jokingly, half-seriously. “I’m not greedy. Just give me your phone number.”

Zhou Leqi: …

What could she say to this guy?

She rolled her eyes at him and turned to go upstairs. Hou Zihao shook his head and smiled, unsurprised by her rejection.

He hurried ahead of her, stepping into the dark stairwell first. When the light came on, he checked that the surroundings were clear before letting her proceed.

Deep down, he was reluctant to part with her. After all, he hadn’t figured out how to endure the seven days without her. Meanwhile, she seemed unfazed, calmly preparing to go upstairs.

…Girls really do have hearts of stone.

No sooner had this thought crossed his mind than she brushed past him, moving so fast he didn’t even have time to say goodbye. As they passed each other, she suddenly whispered softly, “139xxxxxxxx.”

A string of numbers.

…Was it her phone number?

Hou Zihao’s heart stirred. By the time he snapped out of it and looked up, she had already disappeared around the corner of the stairs.

He heard her footsteps rushing upward, slightly hurried and adorable in their nervousness. The flickering lights seemed to radiate her brilliance, shining brightly upon him.

Helplessly, Hou Zihao covered his eyes.

Damn… he felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest.

Zhou Leqi wasn’t faring much better.

Her heart was racing wildly, pounding even after she entered her home and closed the door behind her. She attributed it to running up the stairs too quickly. As for the heat on her face? Well, September was still hot, wasn’t it?

She fanned her cheeks with her hand, forgetting to take off her backpack. Standing by the door, she spaced out. Just then, Yu Qing emerged from the small kitchen, holding a plate of freshly made cola chicken wings. Seeing Zhou Leqi standing by the door, she found it odd and began arranging the table while asking, “Qiqi, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Zhou Leqi snapped back to reality, feeling embarrassed by her earlier silly behavior.

She quickly set down her backpack, washed her hands in the kitchen, and helped Yu Qing serve the rice. At the dinner table, when Yu Qing asked how her day at school had been, Zhou Leqi thought for a moment and replied, “Great.”

She had a wonderful day.

In these past three years, today had been her best day.

Yu Qing noticed her good mood and smiled with relief. Watching her daughter devour the cola chicken wings she had made, her own mood lightened further. They discussed what to eat during the upcoming National Day holiday and agreed to have a picnic in the park, complete with barbecued meat.

They were both smiling.

Life seemed to be slowly improving.

________________________________________

Author’s Note:

You two are great at being ambiguous—now go ahead and start dating already!!!