WG - 29

The sky gradually darkened; it was dusk.

Above, the clouds were tinged red, painting large swathes of the sky a fiery hue.

The lamppost stood nearby, its light blending with the twilight, making it hard to distinguish.

A young man stood at the door.

The interwoven rays of light fell softly from the tips of his hair, casting faint shadows in the hollows of his eyes. His features appeared sharp yet subdued, partially concealing his narrow, dark eyes.

His eyelashes flickered slightly as he glanced at the black luxury car inside the garage, as if confirming something.

Xie Ye’s gaze narrowed slightly as he looked at the girl across from him.

Her usually cold face now showed no emotion, her expression very neutral.

She seemed lost in thought, or perhaps just zoning out.

Just then, the wind blew, ruffling her loose school uniform jacket.

Her slender and frail figure, paired with her delicate appearance, made her look fragile, as if a gust of wind could knock her over.

Faint sounds came from inside the house, like voices mingled with something else.

Before she could make them out, Xie Ye suddenly called out again, “Chi Zhiyu.”

Interrupted by the sound, Chi Zhiyu snapped back to reality and lifted her eyes.

Meeting Xie Ye’s gaze, she realized what he had just said, paused for a few seconds, then moved her feet and walked over to him, calmly asking, “What delicious dishes did Aunt Zhi cook for me?”

Xie Ye closed the door with one hand, shutting out the outside scenery, and indifferently retorted, “Is there anything you think is not delicious?”

“That just shows Aunt Zhi’s cooking is good.” Chi Zhiyu walked inside and added after thinking, “But I think your family’s aunt doesn’t cook as well as Aunt Wang.”

Xie Ye walked behind her, blocking the wind, and followed her inside.

Chi Zhiyu opened the door, naturally changed her shoes, and entered the house, calling out, “Aunt Zhi, I’ve come to mooch off dinner again.”

Jian Yazhi, who was in the kitchen, saw her and came out with a faint smile, “I thought Xie Ye wouldn’t be able to pick you up.”

“My dad came, so I figured we wouldn’t be eating tonight. I ran out and happened to bump into Xie Ye.” Chi Zhiyu casually explained.

From childhood to now, the number of times she had come to the Xie family to freeload wasn’t too many, but it wasn’t few either, especially during the times when Bai Li went crazy.

And Jian Yazhi, based on intuition alone, probably could guess the situation at her home. After all, living opposite, it was hard not to know.

But Jian Yazhi never asked her reasons, seemingly treating her like a neighbor’s daughter, always gentle and kind to her.

At least.

More like a mother than Bai Li.

Upon hearing this, Jian Yazhi patted her head, “Are you hungry? Auntie has a few dishes left. If you’re not hungry, you and Xie Ye can sit down or go upstairs and play for a bit.”

Chi Zhiyu: “I’m not hungry yet, Aunt Zhi, take your time.”

Jian Yazhi nodded, “Alright, then you two play for a while. I’ll call you when it’s time to eat.”

“Okay.”

After Chi Zhiyu responded, she took a few steps and suddenly remembered something, turning to the nearby aunt, “Could you get me a box of ice cubes and a towel, please? Thank you.”

After saying that, she turned to look at Xie Ye and commanded, “Come here.”

Hearing her words, Xie Ye already knew what she was going to do. He frowned slightly but still obediently followed her to the living room.

Chi Zhiyu sat on the sofa, pulling him to sit beside her.

The aunt was quick, bringing the towel and ice cubes over to her promptly.

Chi Zhiyu thanked her, prepared, and then took Xie Ye’s hand, covering it with the towel.

Xie Ye instantly clicked his tongue, “Can’t you be gentler?”

Chi Zhiyu was speechless, “Didn’t we just ice it this afternoon?”

Xie Ye glanced at her, “Does getting a shot once mean it won’t hurt next time?”

“...” Chi Zhiyu was momentarily stuck, let go of his hand, and handed it over to him, “Then you do it yourself.”

“Oh.” Xie Ye retracted his gaze, “Not doing it.”

Chi Zhiyu was amused by his stubbornness, forcefully wrapping his hand, threatening, “Then don’t make noise, shut up and sit properly, or no one will help you ice it.”

Whether it was because she pressed too hard or because of her words, Xie Ye really didn’t say anything.

Quietly letting her manipulate his hand.

The ice melted pretty quickly.

Chi Zhiyu watched TV, chatting with Xie Ye about the plot, and applied the ice for about five minutes.

Chi Zhiyu glanced at the back of his hand, feeling it was enough, casually removed the towel, and wiped the water off with a few tissues.

Xie Ye retracted his hand, picked up the kettle on the coffee table, poured a cup of warm water, and placed it in front of her.

Chi Zhiyu casually picked it up, preparing to drink.

Xie Ye suddenly pressed her wrist, “What are you drinking carelessly?”

Chi Zhiyu glanced at the cup, then raised her eyes to look at him, “Can’t you see?”

Xie Ye didn’t speak, directly took her cup away, guided her to hold the cup in her palm, then lifted his eyes to look at her lazily, “Understand?”

Chi Zhiyu: “...”

She wanted to hit him.

The warm temperature of the water seeped through the glass, transferring to her palm, dispelling the cold.

Warming the heart.

After waiting for a while.

Her fingers, stiff from the ice, gradually eased, regaining mobility.

Chi Zhiyu wiggled her fingers, watching the TV show, blinked, “These talent shows seem to judge by looks. Do you want to participate?”

She drained the cup and handed it to the person beside her.

Xie Ye took it, refilled it, and placed it on the table, glancing casually at the TV, “Am I that free?”

“This can develop you in all aspects. You might become a star.” Chi Zhiyu reached out to grab the cup but missed.

Chi Zhiyu looked down and found the cup had been moved to the corner of the table. She turned to look at him, “Hmm? What are you doing?”

“Boiling water.” Xie Ye looked at her, “Do you want to drink it?”

“Oh, then forget it.” Chi Zhiyu withdrew her hand.

Xie Ye looked at her for a few seconds, suddenly saying, “You trust me so much?”

“? “

Chi Zhiyu was stunned, “What?”

Xie Ye lazily slouched in the sofa, looking at her unhurriedly, “If I say it’s boiling water, you believe me?”

“...”

Chi Zhiyu blinked, “Otherwise?”

Xie Ye paused, lifting his eyes.

Chi Zhiyu glanced at the cup, “It’s steaming. Can I not believe you?”

Xie Ye: “...”

Chi Zhiyu looked at him, speaking naturally, “And have you forgotten?”

Xie Ye: “?”

“A dog would never betray its master.”

“...”

After saying that, Chi Zhiyu instinctively felt something was off and turned to look at him, “Wait, why are you testing my trust in you? Are you having a relationship crisis?”

Xie Ye smirked, “I don’t have any relationship crisis.”

“Su Le and Li Taoran,” Chi Zhiyu countered, “Did your three-brother bond break?”

Xie Ye looked at her as if she were an idiot.

Chi Zhiyu ignored him and guessed again, “Or did you secretly start dating some junior girl?”

Upon hearing this, Xie Ye’s gaze fixed on her, his tone somewhat unkind, “Do you want me to date someone else?”

Suddenly questioned.

Chi Zhiyu paused her actions, then calmly countered, “Do you want me to date someone else?”

As her words fell.

Everything around them seemed to pause.

Their gazes locked.

After a few seconds, Xie Ye’s eyes darkened slightly. Before he could open his mouth, Jian Yazhi’s voice came from the kitchen, “You two, come and eat.”

The atmosphere was broken.

“Okay.” Chi Zhiyu shifted her gaze, “We’re coming.”

She stood up, stepping over Xie Ye’s long legs, and walked towards the dining room.

Xie Ye sat on the sofa, lowering his eyes for a few seconds before extending his long legs and following her.

Chi Zhiyu’s expression remained calm, her slightly relaxed palm concealed. As she approached the dining room, she suddenly heard the person behind her speaking, but his voice was very low, as if muttering something.

It was unclear.

Chi Zhiyu furrowed her brows, slowed her pace slightly, and caught a few scattered words, something like—

“Don’t even think about it.”

________________________________________

After two monthly exams and a few weeks, the mid-term exam followed.

After waiting a week for the results, Chi Zhiyu was quite satisfied with her ranking.

The subjects she should have done well in were all good, and the ones she shouldn’t have done well in remained the same.

Then Chen Fuqing called her to the office for a talk.

“Chi Zhiyu, I really can’t understand. Let’s not talk about Chinese, Math, and English. Just taking the science comprehensive, how can you score above ninety in Chemistry and Biology, and then drop to half that in my Physics, only fifty points?”

“Also, yes, you’re an art student. With these scores, you’re absolutely first among art students. And even if you weren’t an art student, your ranking in the grade is pretty good. But your lopsided scores aren’t just happening once or twice.”

“You tell me honestly, do you have an issue with Physics, or do you have an issue with me as a teacher?”

“...”

Chi Zhiyu sighed silently, “I have no issues.”

“No issues? No issues and you scored like this?” Chen Fuqing tapped the desk, “This first semester of senior year is almost over. By the time of the final mock exam, if you raise your Physics score, do you know how much it can boost your ranking?”

Chi Zhiyu nodded, “I know.”

Chen Fuqing looked at her quiet and obedient demeanor, unable to really scold her. After sighing, he urged her to go back and study hard, seek advice from good students in the class, and especially her deskmate.

Chi Zhiyu, hearing the mention of good students and deskmates, felt it corresponded to one person.

Xie Ye.

Perennially ranked first.

No matter the weather, second place might change, but Xie Ye never does.

This phrase had been repeated to death by people in their grade.

Chi Zhiyu was also tired of hearing it.

Tired of listening to Chen Fuqing.

She sighed and returned to the classroom. Lin Jie turned around and saw her lying on the desk, whispering, “Are you okay? Did Fuqing scold you?”

Chi Zhiyu continued lying down, not speaking, just raising her hand and waving it slightly.

Lin Jie, seeing her like this, became more worried, “Little Sister Chi, don’t cry.”

Chi Zhiyu still didn’t respond to him.

Lin Jie persisted, “It’s nothing. Physics is inherently difficult to learn, and your other subjects are all good. Don’t cry. If Brother Ye comes back and sees you like this, I’ll be in trouble explaining.”

A torrent of chatter, ending with a sobbing tone. Chi Zhiyu laughed out loud and looked up at him, “If I cried, would Xie Ye scold you?”

Lin Jie explained, “If you cry in front of me, of course, I’d have no way to explain myself.”

“I didn’t cry.” Chi Zhiyu found it amusing, “Your Brother Ye won’t scold you either. Don’t worry.”

Lin Jie sighed in relief, “Good, good, you didn’t cry.”

Chi Zhiyu, seeing him like this, suddenly remembered and asked, “Oh, let me ask you something.”

“Mm, go ahead.”

“Have Xie Ye and you guys been staying up late playing games recently at night?”

Lin Jie paused, “Ah,” puzzled, “Have we?”

“You’re asking me, and I’m asking you.” Chi Zhiyu stared at him, “Tell me, have you or haven’t you?”

Ever since Xie Ye helped Chi Zhiyu play PUBG on her phone last time, Lin Jie, a potential gaming enthusiast, seemed to have hooked up with Xie Ye, wanting to play games with him.

And perhaps because he had befriended a big shot, Lin Jie’s attitude towards Xie Ye inexplicably changed from initial trembling fear to admiration and reverence?

Chi Zhiyu hadn’t paid much attention at first, but she noticed that Xie Ye had been sleeping in more and more lately. Although he usually slept a lot, he wasn’t this lethargic.

This situation clearly wasn’t right.

It was heading straight toward the path of an internet-addicted youth.

Chi Zhiyu felt it was necessary to save him from this quagmire, exerting her great maternal love.

Lin Jie, facing her serious expression, swallowed nervously, “W-well, not every day, just occasionally.”

“Occasionally?” Chi Zhiyu didn’t believe him.

Lin Jie quickly blurted out, “Little Sister Chi, you don’t know how strong Brother Ye’s skills are. Everyone playing PUBG knows him now. Many people want to team up with him because it’s an instant win!”

Hearing this, Chi Zhiyu raised an eyebrow, “So according to you, he’s famous?”

“Of course, he’s famous!” Lin Jie grew excited. “Think about it—number one in the entire server, how could he not be famous?”

“Oh,” Chi Zhiyu said as if she had just realized something. “I understand now, that means—”

As she spoke, Lin Jie’s heart swelled with excitement, and he rose slightly, wanting to cheer with her.

But the next second.

Chi Zhiyu calmly said, “—an internet celebrity, right?”

“......”