SW - 69

No matter how much Tang Yin asked, Lu Chi refused to say anything.

When she persisted, he simply stared at her, his eyes wet and glistening—both alluring and pitiful, making her heart tremble.

She hated this kind of seduction the most.

After a few grumbles, Tang Yin gave up.

It wasn’t urgent since she’d find out sooner or later anyway. Besides, she could already guess what it was about—he had reacted similarly before.

Lu Chi stole glances at her, silently relieved when she stopped asking.

After the basketball game, the girls on the team planned to go out for Korean barbecue. Naturally, Tang Yin joined them but needed to return to her dorm to shower first.

Lin Lu winked teasingly. “Your handsome boyfriend can come too if he wants.”

Another girl chimed in immediately, “Yeah, yeah, hahaha, tell us about your love story!”

Tang Yin smiled and declined. “I’ll have him reflect alone in the dorm.”

There was no need to bring Lu Chi into a group of girls. Since she had a boyfriend now, her teammates didn’t insist on leaving with her.

Lu Chi escorted her back to the dorm and reminded her softly before leaving, “Don’t eat too much.”

The last time, she had overeaten and suffered through a night of discomfort, though she was fine by the next day.

Tang Yin obediently replied, “Alright, alright.”

Lu Chi hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice to ask, “...Will it just be your teammates?”

Tang Yin paused, taking a while to understand. She pinched his cheek. “Of course, only us. That senior won’t be there.”

Though Lu Chi was pleased inside, he remained calm on the surface.

Tang Yin already knew his personality. Without hesitation, she tugged at his collar and leaned in to kiss him.

The faint scent of yogurt lingered.

Lu Chi stood there, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly, but he merely patted her hair. With so many people at the dorm entrance, he couldn’t do anything too intimate.

After watching her enter the building, he turned and left.

By January, final exam week arrived.

The Foreign Languages School was the last to dismiss for winter break.

With only about twenty days until the Lunar New Year, most other schools had already emptied, leaving only the Foreign Languages students to take their listening exam.

Every day, the forums were filled with freshmen from the Foreign Languages School lamenting their fate.

For the upperclassmen, it was a happier time—they got to leave earlier, unlike in previous years when they were the last to go.

A few days later, the final listening exam took place.

Tang Yin finished her test smoothly and handed in her paper early.

Lu Chi waited outside, head bowed slightly as he read a book, looking serious and dignified.

The Medical School had already finished their exams. To wait for Tang Yin, he had stayed at school for nearly ten extra days.

Many girls who passed by glanced at him, whispering to their companions as they walked past.

There was no helping it—the Foreign Languages School had too few boys, and none of them were particularly attractive. This guy, however, looked irresistible, with eyes that were almost unreal.

Tang Yin pouted. “Why aren’t you wearing glasses?”

Lu Chi put away his book and took her hand. “We’re leaving soon.”

Tang Yin intertwined her fingers with his, chin lifted proudly, thrilled that the person being admired by so many was hers.

Let them envy her all they wanted.

The two returned to their dorms to pack, then headed straight to the airport. By around eight in the evening, they arrived in H City.

Lu Chi dropped Tang Yin off first, then went home.

Last year, the two had spent New Year’s Eve together. This year, Tang Yin wasn’t sure what to expect, but she was a little excited.

Standing at the door for a few seconds, Tang Yin suddenly said, “By the way, Lu Ye and the others mentioned a gathering—don’t forget.”

Lu Chi nodded. “Mm.”

“I’ll go in first. You should hurry back,” Tang Yin said.

As she turned to leave, Lu Chi suddenly gripped her shoulder. He leaned down to nuzzle her nose, lightly brushing his lips against hers.

Being treasured like this made Tang Yin blush uncontrollably.

She tilted her head up and bit his lip lightly, laughing. “Go home obediently, and don’t talk to other girls.”

“Alright,” Lu Chi smiled softly.

Under the unique chill of winter, the snow reflected the moonlight, stirring hearts.

Only after he disappeared down the road did Tang Yin push open the gate, dragging her suitcase as she walked in.

Suddenly, a hand reached out to take her suitcase, accompanied by a small scolding voice: “Look at you, reluctant to part.”

Tang Yin stuck out her tongue. “Pfft, people without girlfriends are the worst.”

Tang Yun said, “...Can you say something nice? I had a girlfriend, but we broke up.”

Tang Yin shrugged. “That still means you’re single, hahaha.”

She quickly ran into the living room, throwing herself into Jiang Qiuhuan’s arms, transferring all her coldness to her.

Jiang Qiuhuan let out a soft cry, patting the snowflakes off Tang Yin’s head. After examining her face and seeing she had gained some weight, she finally relaxed.

This semester, she hadn’t returned home, but at least she seemed fine.

Tang Yun placed the suitcase by the doorway and quietly reported to Jiang Qiuhuan, “Mom, she was just outside with that boy again...”

Before he could finish, Jiang Qiuhuan ignored him. “I heard you won your basketball match—my daughter is amazing! Tang Yun, why didn’t you go pick her up? You even let someone else bring her home.”

Tang Yin shared some amusing stories from school with Jiang Qiuhuan, then let her mother chatter happily, occasionally interjecting a few words.

Tang Yun, ignored, sat quietly to the side.

Before New Year’s Eve, Tang Yin met up with her classmates from Class 14.

After nearly half a year apart, many had changed significantly, surprising her.

Though their bond had weakened, drinking together still brought back the old camaraderie, and the atmosphere quickly warmed up.

Su Kexi and Tang Yin hadn’t seen each other in a long time.

Their schools were practically worlds apart—hers was in the south, where she attended with Lu Yu, and she had tanned slightly.

After finishing a bottle of wine, Tang Yin stepped outside for some fresh air and chatted casually with Su Kexi.

Small snowflakes drifted down, melting upon touching her face and leaving tiny droplets of water that tickled.

Su Kexi swirled her glass. “My life has been pretty relaxing. Every time I try to reach you, you’re always with Lu Chi—I didn’t dare disturb.”

Tang Yin laughed. “What about you? Aren’t you and Lu Yu living the couple’s dream every day?”

Su Kexi blushed, quickly changing the subject. “Lu Yu is now living alone with his mom. His dad hasn’t contacted them in a long time—it’s practically a split. I think Lu Yu seems happy.”

She knew Lu Yu had always struggled to accept his identity. Later, she even witnessed Qiu Hua and Lu Yueming arguing and breaking up on the street.

But now, it seemed everything had cleared up.

As for her relationship with Lu Yu, it dated back to high school. If she hadn’t visited Third High often, Lu Yu might have secretly followed her every day without showing his face.

This was what his friends told her.

Tang Yin and Su Kexi talked a lot, feeling that both had matured. When the gathering ended, they exchanged subtle smiles.

The longer time passed, the more they understood.

Finally, Su Kexi couldn’t resist whispering to her, “Let me tell you, Lu Chi may seem cold and aloof, but his mind is full of thoughts. Look at the way he looks at you—you better watch out, or he’ll devour you whole.”

She had wanted to say this since high school.

Whenever other boys approached Tang Yin, Lu Chi would act strangely. And that time in front of the entire school...

If locking Tang Yin at home without breaking the law were possible, he would definitely do it.

Su Kexi repeatedly warned, “Don’t mess around before graduation.”

Rarely at a loss for words, Tang Yin quietly asked, “Is Lu Chi really like that?”

Su Kexi immediately nodded. “He’s practically glowing.”

That silent wolf, keeping his thoughts to himself, was spine-chilling. One day, he’d devour her without her realizing.

Tang Yin: “...”

She was startled by this description.

New Year’s Eve came quickly.

In an instant, fireworks lit up the entire city, filling the air with explosions.

Even with the air conditioning on, Tang Yin was bundled up in a thick down jacket, curled up by the window, staring at the distant fireworks.

Fireworks weren’t allowed in their neighborhood, so they could only see those further away.

Jiang Qiuhuan pushed the door open. “Yin Yin, can you go buy some dumplings?”

It wasn’t time for the New Year’s Eve dinner yet, but they realized they were short on dumplings—a bad omen.

Tang Yin turned her head. “Okay.”

The supermarket was inside the neighborhood, not far, and she’d be back quickly.

Jiang Qiuhuan handed her money and patted her daughter’s head. “Be careful not to slip on the way.”

Tang Yin hummed a few times, changed her shoes, and ran out the door.

The neighborhood was quiet, but every house was lit up, creating a festive atmosphere.

Passing by other homes, Tang Yin could see different Fu characters and couplets—each family’s decorations unique.

Every New Year, Tang Yin marveled at how vibrant the atmosphere was.

She wondered if Lu Chi would come to see her this year, or if it would be like last time. Though repetitive, as long as he was there, it didn’t matter.

Lost in thought, Tang Yin nearly forgot to buy dumplings.

When she returned from the supermarket, she saw Lu Chi.

Dressed in a black trench coat, he stood under a streetlamp not far from her house. A dark scarf wrapped around his neck, covering half his face.

His features were more pronounced, his eyes sparkling.

Tang Yin suddenly recalled Su Kexi’s words.

If she saw Lu Chi now, she’d probably say his eyes were glowing—but he didn’t look like a wolf at all. Not scary at all.

She wanted to laugh and called out to him.

Lu Chi turned toward the sound, seeing Tang Yin, round and bundled up, holding a box of dumplings. His eyes softened slightly, and he walked over.

Tang Yin leaned in to kiss his cheek.

Lu Chi let her move freely. When she straightened up, he cupped her face and kissed her lips lightly, which eventually deepened.

By the time they snapped out of it, Tang Yin touched her lips. “Good thing they’re not swollen, or my brother would’ve blamed you again.”

Lu Chi’s gaze darkened slightly, but he said nothing.

Tang Yin asked curiously, “Why did you come out so late?”

Lu Chi was silent for a few seconds before murmuring softly, “I missed you.”

Tang Yin almost thought she misheard, but seeing his reddened ears confirmed it. She grinned. “I missed you too. But have you eaten your New Year’s Eve dinner yet?”

Lu Chi hummed in response, his voice muffled. “Had it at noon.”

Some families ate very early in the morning, some at noon, some at night, and others in the middle of the night.

Tang Yin assumed his family also ate late, but it turned out they ate at noon.

She lifted the dumplings in her hand and whispered, “We haven’t eaten yet. Do you want to come in?”

Before Lu Chi could refuse, Tang Yin cheerfully hooked her arm around his. “Even an ugly daughter-in-law must meet her in-laws, especially since you’re so handsome.”

After a pause, he nodded. “Alright.”