SW - 14

After only a few steps, Lu Yu violently yanked his hand free from Lu Chi’s grip. He calmly lit a cigarette, taking slow drags and exhaling smoke that made Lu Chi cough.

Lu Chi reached out to grab the cigarette from him.

But Lu Yu dodged with a flick of his wrist, deliberately taking a long drag before saying nonchalantly, “What business is it of yours? On what grounds are you interfering?”

Lu Chi’s clear brows furrowed together. “I... I’m your—”

His words were cut off by a derisive snort.

Lu Yu’s eyes swirled with unnamed emotions as he growled in a low voice, “You’re the son of a mistress—and does your mom even know about this?”

Lu Chi froze momentarily.

He had only learned last semester that Lu Yu was his older brother—two months older than him and once a model student. But not long after transferring schools, Lu Yu had gotten into fights, started drinking, and skipped classes.

Still, the fault lay with his mother for forcing marriage through drunken manipulation. Lu Yu should have had a happy life instead.

Lu Yu stared at him with interest. “Nothing to say? Stop pretending to be a saint. You’d be better off going home to take care of your mom.”

After a pause, Lu Chi shook his head, his voice urgent as he tried to explain, “It’s... not... not your fault.”

“Fuck.” Lu Yu hesitated for a moment, then threw the cigarette butt on the ground, stomping on it several times.

Frowning, he snapped, “Lu Chi, show some damn conscience, will you? Stop following me, or don’t blame me for being rude.”

With that, he turned and walked ahead.

Lu Chi stopped mid-step, his tall figure standing still under the dim yellow light, looking even more solitary.

Just as Tang Yin and Su Kexi ran over, Lu Yu had already turned around.

Lu Chi’s back faced them, his slender frame illuminated by the faint glow of the streetlamp, exuding an air of loneliness.

“Bookworm,” Tang Yin called out.

Lu Chi turned slightly, surprised to see Tang Yin. He adjusted his glasses, his expression indifferent, and began walking again like Lu Yu had done—but this time, he quickened his pace.

To their surprise, he even started running.

Tang Yin cursed under her breath and shouted loudly, “If you take one more step, do you believe I’ll handle you right here!”

At those words, Lu Chi froze in place, turning back with a strained smile.

Hearing their voices, Lu Yu glanced back briefly, startled for a split second before resuming his sprint.

“Lu Yu, stop!” Su Kexi couldn’t help but shout. She tugged at Tang Yin’s hand and chased after him directly.

Lu Yu turned sharply, his entire demeanor brimming with arrogance and menace. He snarled, “Fuck! Su Kexi, if you dare take another step closer, just try me!”

Not expecting such crude language from him, Su Kexi paused—but only for a moment. The next instant, she bolted toward him without hesitation.

“She…” Lu Chi watched Su Kexi’s retreating figure.

Tang Yin reassured him, “Don’t worry. Lu Yu won’t do anything to her.”

No sooner had she spoken than Lu Chi saw Lu Yu start running too, pursued relentlessly by Su Kexi. The two engaged in a tug-of-war within the narrow alleyway.

This was the first time he had seen Lu Yu act this way.

Thinking back to the earlier scene, Tang Yin felt skeptical. And since they shared the same surname, could there be some connection between them?

She carefully asked, “Are you and Lu Yu related?”

Lu Chi remained silent for a moment before answering quietly, “Brothers.”

His voice carried a trace of melancholy. Tang Yin’s eyes widened slightly.

As far as she knew, Lu Yu came from a modestly wealthy family, but there had never been any mention of siblings. When Su Kexi had pursued him, she had gathered plenty of information about him, yet Lu Chi’s name had only surfaced this semester.

Judging by their tense interaction earlier, something deeper must lie beneath the surface.

She decided not to press further and changed the subject. “Did you miss me when you got home?”

At this question, Lu Chi immediately shook his head, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face behind his glasses.

Tang Yin subtly glanced at his ears and whistled loudly, the sound echoing through the alley.

________________________________________

Meanwhile, Su Kexi chased Lu Yu all the way to the end of the alley.

At the dead-end lay a small pond filled with lotus flowers. Once a scenic spot, it had been neglected since plans for demolition were announced. Occasionally, sanitation workers would come to clean up.

Lu Yu stood not far away, showing no intention of stopping.

Su Kexi clutched her pounding chest and glanced at the dark surface of the water. Suddenly, she yelled toward him, “Lu Yu, stop!”

There was no response.

“If you don’t stop, I’ll jump into the river!” Su Kexi approached the water’s edge, raising her voice threateningly.

Still, there was no reply.

The area wasn’t well-lit, with few lampposts. Lu Yu’s silhouette was about to disappear into the darkness.

By then, it would be too late. Anxiety gripped Su Kexi’s heart. Biting her lip, she slammed her phone onto the ground and leapt into the water. The icy chill of early autumn seeped into her body, wave after wave of coldness enveloping her.

The splash echoed clearly through the quiet night.

When Lu Yu turned around, the once chatty girl was nowhere to be seen.

“Su Kexi?” he called out.

This time, it was his turn to receive no answer.

Lu Yu rushed over, finding only her phone left on the shore—the owner missing. Recalling her earlier threat, he cursed under his breath.

Quickly shedding his school uniform, he dove headfirst into the water. The freezing liquid rushed into his mouth as he wiped his face. Under the dim light of the lamppost, he spotted a corner of fabric and swam toward it.

When he finally touched Su Kexi’s body, he let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief.

Moments after they returned to the shore, Lu Yu laid Su Kexi flat on the ground. Seeing her eyes tightly shut, he felt a fleeting moment of panic. He slapped her cheeks lightly, hesitated for a second, and then decisively prepared to press on her chest.

But just as he was about to act, Su Kexi suddenly opened her eyes.

Lu Yu: “...”

Of all times to wake up, she chose this exact moment.

Pretending to remain calm, he withdrew his hand and started to stand up—but she grabbed his wrist. Her voice weak, she called out, “Lu Yu...”

“No more calling me. Stop following me, and go home by yourself,” Lu Yu said sternly.

Su Kexi scrunched her face into a pout. “I’m sick.”

Lu Yu rolled his eyes sarcastically. “Sick people don’t have as much energy as you do.”

“…Well, I don’t care anyway.” Su Kexi lay there feigning unconsciousness. “I jumped into the river for you, and you’re not even reacting. Doesn’t your conscience hurt?”

“I don’t have a conscience.”

Su Kexi’s eyes darted around, and she covered her mouth, coughing twice.

A brief silence fell between them.

“I’ve had enough of you,” Lu Yu snapped impatiently. He draped his school uniform over her, wrapped his arm around her waist, and lifted her off the ground.

Su Kexi murmured softly, “...Actually, I know how to swim.”

Lu Yu blurted out, “Su Kexi, are you brain-dead? Do you know that most drowning victims are people who know how to swim?”

He was in the middle of ranting when Su Kexi’s lips curled into a smile. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against his chest. His heartbeat thudded like a drum, echoing through her and making her blush involuntarily.

“Admit it, Lu Yu—you still like me.”

“I’d rather fuck you, do you believe me?”

“That’ll have to wait until I’m legal.”

“...Fuck.”

________________________________________

At around eight o’clock, Tang Yin received a call from her driver.

She sent a quick text to Su Kexi, relieved to see an almost immediate response. Judging by the tone of the reply, Su Kexi seemed to be in good spirits. Tang Yin glanced at the message and relaxed.

Even if Lu Yu had turned bad, he wouldn’t dare touch her—unless the sun started rising in the west.

“Let’s go,” Tang Yin said, turning to Lu Chi.

Lu Chi stood beside her, expressionless and silent.

Seeing him like this, Tang Yin was baffled. He had been fine just moments ago—why had he suddenly become so aloof?

Noticing her staring at him, Lu Chi frowned and muttered, “I... I have someone picking me up.”

“I do too. Or I could hitch a ride with you if you’d prefer.” Tang Yin raised an eyebrow teasingly. “Which one do you like better? Personally, I prefer the second option.”

Lu Chi: “...”

The sky was now completely dark.

Most of Third High School’s students were attending evening study sessions, and few people lived in this alleyway. At the moment, only the two of them remained. However, as they neared the end of the alley, another pair appeared—a couple.

The two were pressed against the wall, locked in a passionate kiss, unwilling to part.

Tang Yin let out a soft “tsk.”

If this were Jia Shui Private School, the disciplinary head would probably burst out of the surveillance room and catch them red-handed the next moment.

Meanwhile, Lu Chi noticed the boy’s hand moving under the girl’s shirt, occasionally lifting it slightly.

He shifted his gaze away, but unfortunately, it landed directly on Tang Yin, who was shorter than him. Under the dim light, her delicate features and slender waist stood out...

“Am I growing on you?”

Tang Yin’s teasing voice suddenly rang in his ear. Lu Chi snapped back to reality, cleared his throat quietly, and remained silent, his lips pressed tightly together.

“You don’t need to say anything—I already know. You were looking at me just now, weren’t you?”

“No.” Lu Chi denied softly.

His mind was a bit chaotic. He had planned to exchange WeChat IDs, but in the end, nothing came of it...

As they passed the kissing couple, Tang Yin couldn’t help but marvel. They had been at it for quite some time. She had heard that prolonged kissing could lead to bad breath—wondering if it was true.

When they reached the roadside, their two drivers were standing side by side, seemingly arguing. The sight of two middle-aged men bickering was oddly amusing.

Tang Yin observed for a moment before calling out, “Uncle Zhang!”

Uncle Zhang quickly turned his head to respond, then glared back at Lu family’s driver, who retaliated with an equally defiant glare.

Lu Chi nodded toward his own driver.

Just as they were about to exit the alley, Tang Yin suddenly turned her head and asked, “Do you know what people are calling you now?”

Before he could answer, she burst into laughter, unable to contain herself. Within seconds, a faint blush rose to her cheeks, accentuating her radiant beauty.

Lu Chi was perplexed, following her lead. “Wh-what?”

Tang Yin stopped laughing, her tongue flicking slightly as her voice took on a husky, seductive tone. “Say something sweet to me, and I’ll tell you.”

Lu Chi ignored her, turned around, and walked off without waiting for her.

Oh dear, she had teased him too far, and now he was embarrassed.

Tang Yin curved her lips into a small smile, trailing behind him with her hands stuffed into her pockets, feeling awkward yet amused. Once Lu Chi’s figure disappeared into the car, she headed toward her own vehicle.

Just then, the car window suddenly rolled down, revealing Lu Chi’s head. Messy strands of black hair hung over his forehead as he mumbled indistinctly, “G-good night.”

Then he immediately ducked back inside.

Tang Yin blinked, realizing that perhaps this counted as sweet nothings?

Sweet enough to make her heart flutter.