WG - 52

As the teasing words lingered, his breath gently brushed against her earlobe, warm and fleeting, instantly reddening her ears.

A sight to behold.

Chi Zhiyu’s mind immediately flushed with heat, freezing her in place.

After he finished speaking, Xie Ye slowly straightened up, lifting his gaze to look at her face.

The young girl’s delicate features exuded refined beauty. The aloofness between her brows remained, giving her a somewhat cold and proud demeanor.

Yet, at this moment, her fair cheeks inexplicably carried a tinge of bashful red, blending seamlessly without any sense of incongruity.

Instead, it made her appear endearingly shy.

Xie Ye’s eyes darkened slightly; his Adam’s apple rolled slowly. He closed his hand around hers, lightly pinching her fingertips, and curved his lips faintly. “Why are you blushing again?”

“…”

At his words, emotions resurfaced. Chi Zhiyu immediately realized that he had been deliberately teasing her earlier. She feigned composure, lowering her eyes and muttering vaguely, “It’s all because of you.”

“What about me?” Xie Ye raised an eyebrow, his tone slow and drawn out. “I was just answering your question honestly. Is there something wrong with admitting it?”

“…”

“As for what naughty thoughts you’re having,” Xie Ye leaned closer to observe her, smirking softly, “your face turned red again.”

“…”

“I’m not thinking of anything naughty.” Chi Zhiyu stepped down from the waterproof platform, raising her hand to cover her face. She mumbled to herself, “It’s sunny here. Let’s go.”

Watching her seemingly fleeing figure, Xie Ye couldn’t help but chuckle quietly.

Low and deep, tinged with fragmented laughter.

Upon hearing him, Chi Zhiyu immediately turned to glare at him while covering her face. “Don’t laugh!”

Xie Ye continued laughing. “Alright.”

“…”

This person clearly didn’t keep his word.

Chi Zhiyu looked up, seeing the corners of the youth’s mouth curved in a smile.

Usually, Xie Ye didn’t smile much. Even when he did, it was a faint tug at the corner of his lips, laced with sarcasm that made people uncomfortable.

But now, he shed his usual sarcasm. The curve of his thin lips was beautiful, his eyebrows relaxed, and his appearance somewhat alluring.

Chi Zhiyu snapped back to reality, her lips unconsciously curling upwards. Realizing this, she quickly suppressed her smile, glanced at him, and strode forward on her own.

Xie Ye caught her subtle glance, chuckled again, and leisurely followed behind her.

Turning the corner and crossing the intersection, Chi Zhiyu wasn’t truly angry with him. She turned her head to ask seriously, “You came here—does the club have nothing for you to do?”

Xie Ye gave a faint hum.

“Are you sure there’s nothing?” Chi Zhiyu furrowed her brow. “Why does it feel like no one is managing you?”

Xie Ye glanced at her. “It’s my break time. Why should they bother me?”

“…”

“Alright.” After responding, Chi Zhiyu remembered to ask, “Then when are you leaving?”

“…”

“Chi Zhiyu.” Xie Ye looked at her, slowly enunciating each word. “Did you miss me?”

Chi Zhiyu choked on his sudden question. “What?”

Xie Ye cut straight to the point. “Don’t pretend you didn’t hear.”

“…”

After an awkward second, Chi Zhiyu didn’t think there was anything wrong with admitting it. She just hadn’t expected him to be so direct. Adjusting her mindset, she calmly nodded and responded, “Yes, otherwise why would I think of visiting you this afternoon?”

“If you missed me,” Xie Ye scrutinized her, slowly asking, “then why did you ask when I’d leave within an hour of my return?”

“…”

“I didn’t mean it that way.” Chi Zhiyu found it amusing and explained, “I just wanted to ask in advance to understand how much time we could spend together. I really didn’t mean to rush you away.”

Xie Ye tugged his lips as if saying, “Alright,还算你识相 (Alright,还算你识相).”

Seeing his seemingly accepting expression, Chi Zhiyu asked with interest, “Why would you think I wanted to send you away?”

“You were ready to run off with someone else when you saw a basketball team before.” Xie Ye glanced at her, teasingly. “Now that no one’s watching, wouldn’t you wander off and be unfaithful? Do you not know that?”

“What nonsense.” Chi Zhiyu laughed. “I told you I wasn’t being unfaithful. That was Wu Xuan talking nonsense. I didn’t intend to be with them—I just appreciate handsome guys.”

“Oh.” Xie Ye drawled lazily, “Am I not handsome?”

“…”

After asking, he rephrased bluntly, “Isn’t your boyfriend handsome?”

“I think you’re…” Chi Zhiyu thought for a moment, giving an objective evaluation. “Quite handsome.”

Hearing this, Xie Ye glanced at her, his tone cocky. “Did it take you that long to think about it?”

“Alright.” Chi Zhiyu felt like laughing for some reason. “You’re very handsome.”

It was the truth.

Xie Ye didn’t continue to argue. His gaze swept over her face. “So remember, next time admire only one handsome guy.”

“Hmm.” Chi Zhiyu nodded, her brain lagging a beat, instinctively asking, “Who?”

Xie Ye arrogantly stated, “Your boyfriend, me.”

……

Chi Zhiyu was sent home. She casually waved at him and naturally opened the door.

As she stepped into the foyer, she suddenly realized this scene was just like coming home every day after school.

Every time, Xie Ye would escort her to the doorstep, always watching her enter before turning to leave.

And she, too, naturally bid him farewell before departing.

Their pattern hadn’t changed.

But their identities had.

Chi Zhiyu smiled faintly, closing the door with one hand. Taking a few steps to change her shoes, she raised her eyes and met the gaze of the woman across from her, pausing momentarily.

Bai Li appeared silently, watching her for a few seconds with a forced smile. “Just back from the dance studio?”

“Yes.” Chi Zhiyu bent down to change her shoes and placed them in the shoe cabinet.

Bai Li hummed, glancing at the time. “You’re a bit late today. Did you go somewhere?”

“No, I just practiced a bit longer. Is there something? Were you looking for me?”

“No.” Bai Li smiled faintly. “I was just wondering why you were a bit late today. So you practiced a bit more.”

“You said we shouldn’t lose our dance sense.” Chi Zhiyu stood up, fibbing, “I think it makes sense.”

“As dancers, we can’t lose our bodily sensations.” Bai Li thought for a moment. “During the vacation, Mom doesn’t think it’s inappropriate to relax a bit, but we also shouldn’t forget to practice. But your mindset is good—it shows self-awareness.”

“Mm, I think so too.” Chi Zhiyu walked into the living room, pouring herself a glass of lemon water to soothe her throat. As she set the glass down, her fingertip grazed the bottom, as if something had scratched it, causing slight pain.

Before she could check, Bai Li softly asked, “I haven’t seen much of Xie Ye lately. Where has he gone?”

Hearing this, Chi Zhiyu picked up her glass, looked up, and asked blandly, “What? Are you looking for him?”

Bai Li said, “He’s been helping you with physics. Mom thought it might still be appropriate to invite him over for dinner. He—”

“No need.” Chi Zhiyu interrupted her. “Don’t look for him.”

Bai Li looked at her, puzzled. “What?”

“Mm.” Chi Zhiyu quickly thought, blatantly lying, “I’ve already thanked him. Besides, he’s not familiar with you. Having dinner together would make him uncomfortable, wouldn’t it?”

Bai Li countered, “How did you thank him?”

Chi Zhiyu fibbed, “Just a simple thank-you gift among friends.”

Bai Li observed her natural expression and suddenly smiled. “Ayu, Mom doesn’t have any ill intentions toward Xie Ye. You don’t need to be so defensive.”

Chi Zhiyu stiffened.

“I don’t know Xie Ye well, but I know you.”

Bai Li casually took the glass from her hand, refilled it with water, and handed it back. “Rest well during this time. Mom hopes you’ll focus on dancing in university. Once you achieve success, your father will surely be happy for you. So don’t think about other things, alright?”

Chi Zhiyu glanced at the offered glass, not taking it, and asked blandly, “Do you really know me?”

Bai Li was taken aback. “What?”

Chi Zhiyu looked up at her. “Mom, why do you think Chi Yan would be happy?”

At her address, Bai Li’s smile faded, her face turning cold. “Chi Zhiyu, where did your manners go?”

“Yes.” Chi Zhiyu silently tugged at her lips. “Chi Yan is my father and your husband.”

Just without love.

Bai Li furrowed her brows, not yet able to speak.

“Alright, I understand.” Chi Zhiyu reached out to take the glass from her hand. “I’ll strive to satisfy you and Dad. Rest assured.”

Her palm emptied, Bai Li paused, and the next moment, she heard the young girl continue.

“But other matters—I’ve already thought about them and won’t forget. So—”

Her voice paused slightly. Chi Zhiyu didn’t say anything, merely placing the glass back on the table with one hand. The bottom of the cup lightly clinked against the surface.

Crisp, yet somewhat jarring, as if breaking something.

“…”

The next moment.

Chi Zhiyu lifted her eyes, casting a calm glance at her. “I’ll go upstairs to rest first. Please feel free.”

“…”

Her words fell, and she stood up, turning to leave.

Bai Li, however, was stunned in place.

From childhood to now, Chi Zhiyu had never shown any signs of rebellion or voiced any objections. She always nodded in agreement, embodying the ideal child expected by all parents.

Bai Li had never found this problematic, considering it natural and reasonable.

But this supposed normalcy, like Chi Zhiyu’s words today, shattered along with the soft clink of the glass against the table just moments ago.

Crack.

A corner broke.

……

The conversation ended, and Chi Zhiyu returned to her room.

The door softly locked behind her. Chi Zhiyu leaned against it, lowering her eyes silently.

The room was quiet.

The young girl seemed lost in thought.

After a long while.

Her eyelashes fluttered, lifting her gaze to see the bookshelf on the side. She straightened up and walked over, reaching up to grab the poetry collection on top.

Though she had used this book to respond to Xie Ye’s confession, telling him to keep it safe.

But on her birthday, when Xie Ye sent her home, he returned the poetry collection to her.

“Since it’s yours, hold onto it properly. You didn’t notice for three years—study it carefully.”

Recalling those words, Chi Zhiyu curved her lips slightly, reaching out to open the bookmarked page.

The next moment.

A phone notification suddenly rang out, breaking the empty silence.

Feeling it, Chi Zhiyu reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone and sluggishly lowering her gaze to the screen.

It was Xie Ye.

Xie Ye: 【Forgot to tell you something.】

Chi Zhiyu typed a single character: 【Hmm】

After sending, he might have been too lazy to type, sending a voice message a few seconds later.

Chi Zhiyu paused, tapping her finger to play it.

Then, Xie Ye’s familiar voice came through the phone, lazily scattered. “Are you in your room?”

Chi Zhiyu: 【Mm, what’s up?】

Xie Ye continued with another voice message. “Come to the balcony then.”

Hearing this, Chi Zhiyu didn’t quite understand what he was up to, but she followed his instructions and walked toward the balcony.

She pulled open the curtains and saw Xie Ye lounging lazily against the window frame opposite.

His peripheral vision caught the movement, and he raised his eyes to look.

Chi Zhiyu casually opened the balcony door, stepping out, blinking at him. “What do you want to say?”

Xie Ye leaned against the wall, observing her expression, suddenly asking, “Is your mom home?”

Chi Zhiyu nodded. “Yes.”

Xie Ye straightened up, narrowing his eyes slightly. “What did she say to you?”

Chi Zhiyu paused, her expression natural. “What do you mean?”

Looking at her reaction, Xie Ye’s gaze softened slightly, his tone devoid of warmth. “You come to me, or I come to you—you choose.”

“…”

Chi Zhiyu chuckled at his words. “What choice is this? Like clandestine meetings in ancient times?”

Xie Ye stared at her for a few seconds, then decisively concluded, “Alright, I’ll come to you. Wait honestly.”

Hearing this, Chi Zhiyu sighed helplessly. “Alright, I understand. I’ll come find you.”

With that, she didn’t dawdle, turning to walk back.

Opening the door, as Chi Zhiyu passed the corridor, she noticed Bai Li in the study.

Chi Zhiyu didn’t speak, merely nodding slightly in acknowledgment before continuing downstairs.

……

Whether it was due to knowing each other too well or simply spending too much time together,

Whenever she was feeling down, Xie Ye always seemed to pinpoint her issues and accurately identify the core problem.

Chi Zhiyu even suspected he had planted some kind of listening device on her—how else could he see through everything?

Even though her expressions revealed no flaws, deceiving even Bai Li, in front of Xie Ye, it was as if her lies and disguises were full of holes, easily dismantled by him.

Unveiling her falsehoods and pretenses.

After greeting Jian Yazhi, Chi Zhiyu naturally ascended the stairs. Just as she reached the second-floor landing, she suddenly heard the sound of a door opening and instinctively looked up.

Xie Ye opened the door with one hand, standing by the doorway, clearly waiting for her.

Meeting his dark gaze, Chi Zhiyu paused momentarily. Then, composing herself, she smiled faintly and waved. “Hi.”

The next moment.

Xie Ye’s gaze froze, as if he had discovered something. He walked over to her, reaching out to grasp her wrist, pulling her hand with one hand, and lowered his gaze to stare at the small streak of blood on her index finger. His lips tightened slightly. “What happened?”

“Oh.” Chi Zhiyu thought for a moment. “Maybe I accidentally scraped it when I picked up the glass earlier.”

Hearing her nonchalant tone and the utterly indifferent expression,

Xie Ye stared at her, suddenly exhaling coldly. He called out, “Chi Zhiyu.”

Despite his harsh attitude, his tone was strangely gentle, tinged with helplessness. “Are you intentionally trying to make me worry today?”