SW - 61

Perhaps Tang Yin’s words were too provocative. Lu Chi’s gaze locked onto her lips.

His pale, slightly cold fingers intertwined with hers.

Every touch transmitted from their contact spread through their bodies, bringing a wave of heat.

Tang Yin’s height was negligible next to Lu Chi. In flat shoes, she only reached his chin, always having to look up at him.

In this situation, being looked down upon made her heart race.

A shadow fell over her, and Tang Yin even closed her eyes in excitement.

Ultimately, his lips brushed past her cheek as they pressed together. The bedroom atmosphere became very quiet.

Tang Yin opened her eyes, wanting to hit him.

Unaware, Lu Chi greedily inhaled her scent, his nose filled with her fragrance, as if drowning in it.

After an unknown amount of time, sounds came from downstairs.

The bedroom door was open, and the sounds were clearly audible—the clicking of high heels on the floor. Tang Yin recognized them immediately.

She asked, “Is your mom back?”

Since meeting his mother once before, she hadn’t seen her again and wasn’t sure whether she was good or bad now.

It wouldn’t be good if they got caught—being separated would be disastrous.

Lu Chi hesitated and said, “Probably.”

Being so close, their breaths mingled, sending tingles through Tang Yin, making her scratch her cheek. “Get up, quick!”

Lu Chi was amused by her flustered state, revealing a faint smile.

The footsteps grew closer.

Tang Yin pushed him, saying, “Get up! Your mom is coming to hit you.”

“It was you who started it,” Lu Chi said, his expression accusing her actions.

“You didn’t kiss me,” Tang Yin retorted.

As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Chi’s face loomed closer, lightly pecking her lips.

By the time she realized, Lu Chi was already sitting beside her.

Tang Yin hadn’t expected him to be so cunning and couldn’t react in time. If not for the footsteps outside, she would have retaliated.

“Chi Chi, are you home?” Wang Ziyan’s voice came from outside.

Lu Chi glanced at Tang Yin and replied, “Mm. Just woke up.”

Now even lying had changed. Tang Yin pinched his ear—it was warm and soft, feeling extremely comfortable.

Lu Chi pulled her hand down, looking at her.

Wang Ziyan didn’t suspect anything: “Then I’m leaving. Be careful not to let strangers in.”

Lu Chi said, “Okay.”

The footsteps gradually faded until they were completely inaudible.

This time, without any worries, they relaxed more than ever. Tang Yin came to play with him, not to fool around at home.

Without any concerns left, relaxing came naturally.

S University’s reporting time was at the end of August.

Tang Yin actually changed her major choice. Initially, she pre-filled English, but later, when officially filling out the form, she switched to Business English and was successfully admitted.

After packing her things in the morning, Tang Yin prepared to leave.

Jiang Qiuhuan suspiciously asked, “Do you really not need us to go with you?”

The capital was in the north, while they were in the south, quite far away. Although the flight only took two hours.

Tang Yin shook her head, hugging her arm and said, “No need. I’ll buy things there. I didn’t bring much, no need to see me off.”

Most importantly, she was going with Lu Chi.

“Mom, why do you ask? She already arranged to go with someone else, probably that same guy from last time,” Tang Yun said, descending the stairs just in time to hear and mockingly comment.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Qiuhuan remained calm, “That Lu Chi, your dad said he seems pretty good. I feel reassured knowing she’s going with a classmate.”

When traveling far, there’s always worry about a girl going alone. Hearing that a classmate was accompanying her was comforting—at least she had someone to rely on.

Tang Yun didn’t expect this answer and was somewhat dumbfounded, “Are we the only ones left in this family?”

“Yes, yes, only you,” Tang Yin smiled at him.

Tang Yun bared his teeth.

Wang Ziyan watched her son close his suitcase and reminded him, “Be careful on the road.”

In the blink of an eye, it was time for university.

Her proudest and most accomplished child was Lu Chi—smart, obedient, considerate, and never causing her worry.

Lu Chi stood up, locking eyes with her, softly saying, “I’m leaving.”

Wang Ziyan nodded, repeating her earlier words.

He didn’t want anyone to see him off, and she couldn’t force him.

Outside, the sky was bright—not too hot, with foggy weather and occasional breezes rustling the leaves.

Lu Chi walked out of the gate, calmly approaching the tree-lined avenue.

There were plenty of taxis on the street. Lu Chi stopped at the intersection, about to hail one, when the scene across the road made him narrow his eyes.

It was his father and that woman.

…

Qiu Hua threw her bag at Lu Yueming’s face, sneering at him.

Many people out shopping in the morning heard the commotion and turned to watch with interest.

The bag fell to the ground.

Lu Yueming’s face alternated between green and white, especially under the gaze of passersby and their murmurs. He was furious, but after a deep breath, he lowered his voice: “Stop making a scene and giving others something to laugh at.”

“You think I’m making a scene? Only now do I realize Wang Ziyan was right all along—you knew the situation!” Qiu Hua suddenly calmed down.

Lu Yueming stepped forward, but Qiu Hua stepped back.

At the civil affairs office door, she thought she was entering a new life and compensating her son. Wang Ziyan’s final words were meant to upset her.

Now, everything seemed wrong.

Lu Yueming continued talking, but Qiu Hua tuned him out, feeling as if his halo had fallen.

She became pregnant before marriage, was verbally disowned by her parents because of him, served as his mistress for years, and in the end, it was all a scam.

What did he say about attending a dinner party?

Living for so many years, she endured every hardship except hearing that sentence from him.

She said, “Lu Yueming, if you had any conscience, you wouldn’t make me do such things. It’s disgusting. Luckily, I didn’t marry you.”

Initially planning to marry after Lu Yu’s opposition led to Wang Ziyan and Lu Yueming’s divorce, they postponed until after the college entrance exam graduation.

This delay extended until now.

Delaying made her realize she narrowly avoided jumping into the fire pit. She understood the consequences of being blinded by love.

Qiu Hua picked up her bag and walked away.

Leaving Lu Yueming standing there with a bruised face, facing the pointing fingers and curious gazes of passersby.

…

Across the road, Lu Chi heard the entire argument clearly, feeling no emotional ripple in his heart.

He sighed, hailed a taxi, but just before entering, he saw Lu Yu not far away.

Lu Yu’s position was quite hidden, only a few meters from the scene, unnoticed due to obstructions.

He likely knew everything that happened.

As the car drove away, the figures became smaller until disappearing from view.

Lu Chi retracted his gaze, flipping his phone to see a new message, instantly improving his mood.

TangTangTang: I’ve already set off.

Though she said no escort was needed, Jiang Qiuhuan still accompanied her to the airport, following her inside.

Seeing her daughter gazing intently in one direction, she followed her gaze, spotting a tall boy standing there.

Jiang Qiuhuan asked, “Is that Lu Chi? I think I saw him once when picking you up.”

Tang Yin nodded, recalling last year’s events. Back then, Lu Chi hadn’t been pursued by her yet—a cute stuttering bookworm.

They approached, and Jiang Qiuhuan initiated conversation: “You’re Lu Chi, right?”

Lu Chi turned, nodding politely, “Hello, Auntie.”

His demeanor pleased Jiang Qiuhuan—he appeared well-behaved, handsome, and reportedly had a good personality, albeit speaking less.

He’d make a fine son-in-law.

Jiang Qiuhuan observed Tang Yin’s expression, thinking she was likely hung up on this one tree. After a few words, she left the airport satisfied.

Once she disappeared outside, Tang Yin spoke, “My mom is very satisfied with you.”

Lu Chi could tell, turning his gaze to her and reminding, “It’s time to board.”

Tang Yin grinned, pulling him towards the gate.

Though it was hot outside, the airport was cool.

They booked a nine o’clock flight, arriving at the capital by eleven. After handling check-ins, it would be around mealtime.

Queuing, checking luggage...

Soon, they boarded the plane, seated next to each other by the window.

However, when Tang Yin went ahead and found her seat occupied by a middle-aged woman.

She double-checked her ticket—it was indeed her seat.

Tang Yin had never encountered someone occupying her seat without a word. Her initial happiness diminished.

She reminded, “Excuse me, ma’am... this is my seat.”

The woman seemed to ignore her, still looking out the window.

Tang Yin frowned, raising her voice slightly: “Sorry, but you’re sitting in my seat. Could you please move?”

The person finally turned, “Young lady, can we switch seats? Over there, alright?”

Tang Yin followed her pointed direction—it was a three-seat row with only the middle seat vacant, flanked by two men with tattoos.

They looked fierce, obviously acquainted, chatting loudly. Letting a girl sit there seemed inappropriate.

Though reluctant to judge harshly, she wouldn’t sit there.

Tang Yin smiled politely, “Sorry, I don’t switch seats. Could you please return to your own seat?”

“Go behind me,” Lu Chi softly said. Originally behind her, he stepped aside, blocking Tang Yin.

Seeing the woman’s entitled expression, Lu Chi revealed emotion for the first time, coldly stating, “Please return to your seat.”

Perhaps intimidated by Lu Chi’s cold demeanor and the presence of another man, the woman dared not insist, slowly gathering her belongings.

Still, she wore a disdainful look, muttering, “Such a girl, how dare you refuse to switch seats? No respect for elders! It’s just switching seats, not a big deal. Young love...”

Lu Chi furrowed his brows, indifferently replying, “Not your concern.”

Tang Yin peeked from his shoulder, “Does my dating concern you?”

The woman glared, grumbling as she stood, continuing to mutter even after returning to her seat diagonally across.

Tang Yin smirked, sticking her tongue out at her.

If the person had been polite and respectful, she might have switched. This stranger, with such low manners, ruined her good mood for reporting to school.

She sat down, tilting her head, “My Chi Chi is amazing.”

Lu Chi blushed at her words, though inwardly pleased.

Soon after takeoff, Tang Yin felt drowsy.

She usually slept during travel, always dozing off mid-journey and mysteriously waking up just before arrival—never failing.

Even with Lu Chi beside her, sleepiness overtook her, and within minutes of wearing an eye mask, she fell asleep.

Lu Chi initially read a magazine, but was distracted by a slight movement on his shoulder. Turning, he saw Tang Yin’s head bobbing, sleeping soundly.

In thought, Tang Yin drowsily straightened, only to lean over again seconds later, heading straight for his shoulder.

Quickly, Lu Chi intercepted, cushioning her head with his hand.

His heart tensed, then relaxed. Gently, he adjusted her posture, but before releasing his hold, she leaned over again.

Learning from experience, he fetched a towel blanket from the flight attendant, folding it and placing it on his shoulder, letting her rest comfortably.

Afterwards, he resumed reading the magazine.

Occasionally, he glanced sideways to ensure nothing unusual occurred.

When Tang Yin woke up, she was momentarily confused.

After a while, blinking her eyes, she regained some awareness. There was still over half an hour before arrival.

Turning to the side, Lu Chi seemed asleep.

With closed eyes, Lu Chi looked very docile, resembling his usual quiet self, though appearing colder.

Tang Yin stared for a moment, stealthily leaning in to plant a kiss on his face, then quickly sat back.

Though they had kissed several times, this stolen kiss felt thrilling, her heart racing.

Lu Chi didn’t wake.

Tang Yin didn’t disturb him, turning her head to see a girl across watching them, face flushed and eyes sparkling.

Upon noticing Tang Yin’s gaze, the girl quickly averted her eyes.

Though Tang Yin found it strange, she didn’t dwell on it, perhaps thinking others disapproved of her stealing kisses.

However, taking advantage of his sleep, she stole another kiss.