WG - 70

After Chi Zhiyu walked out, she realized she hadn’t taken her coat.

The cold outside was bone-chilling, with gusts of wind blowing past. Her face stiffened unconsciously, and the tip of her nose felt cool.

Feeling her body start to shiver from the cold, Chi Zhiyu curled her fingers. This biting sensation felt oddly familiar.

She sniffed, looked up at the brightly lit streets around her, and suddenly paused.

She noticed that lanterns and couplets were hung at the neighbors’ doors, exuding a festive and joyous red glow.

Faintly, she could hear laughter and cheerful chatter, interspersed with the sounds of the Spring Festival Gala programs.

But her house had nothing.

The contrast was stark.

Chi Zhiyu stood alone at the door, hugging her arms, realizing that the warmth of her breath condensed into visible white mist in the cold air.

For some inexplicable reason, Chi Zhiyu suddenly exhaled towards the air, watching the ethereal mist gradually fade away, her thoughts drifting along with it.

She remembered that there was a time like this when she was little.

Bitingly cold.

...

Before Chi Zhiyu moved to Yangcheng, she lived with Bai Li and Chi Yan in the large house in the city’s Chi family estate.

She had lived and grown up there since birth, but her memories of that place were few.

The rare clear memories she had weren’t pleasant.

At that time, Bai Li wasn’t as crazy as she is now. She might still have been immersed in Chi Yan’s love trap, looking at her with the affection expected of a new mother.

And Chi Yan had always maintained his perfect husband image, showing both kindness and deep affection towards her and Bai Li.

Since she became aware, Chi Zhiyu had never found anything wrong with Chi Yan’s attitude. But as she grew older, she realized that Chi Yan seemed to never get angry with her.

As if he didn’t care about anything about her.

Gradually, at eight years old, Chi Zhiyu had rebellious thoughts. Once, she accidentally wet an important document of Chi Yan’s, wanting to see if he would react differently beyond his usual gentle smile.

It should have been a very important document.

When Chi Yan saw it, he clearly paused. Chi Zhiyu thought he would get angry, but unexpectedly, he just looked at her, told her to go out first, and not worry about it.

Chi Zhiyu was momentarily stunned, nodded, and walked out of the study. As she was about to close the door, she suddenly saw Chi Yan pick up the document and casually throw it into the trash bin. His expression was calm and indifferent.

Children aren’t actually dumb; they often think they know nothing.

In fact, they are more sensitive than adults.

They can sense those moments when adults deceive themselves.

From then on, Chi Zhiyu gradually noticed that Chi Yan’s smiles towards her and Bai Li were always the same.

False.

Not long after, Bai Li had her first argument and conflict with Chi Yan unilaterally.

Chi Zhiyu watched Bai Li sitting alone on the sofa after the aftermath of that day, looking bewildered and at a loss.

She didn’t cry.

But it was as if her world collapsed that night.

Along with it, her dreams shattered too.

Chi Zhiyu didn’t know why Bai Li had this sudden outburst. At that time, her mind was blank, with no thoughts at all.

Only a faint fear and panic stirred in her heart.

Because she didn’t know what would happen to her usually loving parents after this day, and whether her home—

Would it still be there?

Chi Zhiyu remembered that night when she dared not sleep. Her small body curled up on the bed, staring at the clock on the bedside table, watching the second and hour hands slowly move across the numbers.

She naively wished for magic to stop time from passing through this night, so she wouldn’t have to face the daylight of the next day.

And she didn’t dare to face it.

A different Bai Li.

However, the next day, Bai Li showed no change. She got up normally, made breakfast, called her to get up and eat, accompanied her to school, and conversed with Chi Yan as usual.

Bai Li’s expressions and actions were the same as usual, with no changes, as if yesterday’s argument never happened, as if Chi Zhiyu had dreamed last night.

Nothing had happened.

Her parents were still loving, and their attitude towards her hadn’t changed at all.

Everything continued to be normal, gradually returning to the norm, but also accumulating pressure.

Until Chi Zhiyu’s ninth birthday.

Chi Yan held a birthday party for her as usual every year, attended by his business partners or various prestigious families.

That day, following the procedure, Chi Zhiyu wore the beautiful dress sent by the secretary and waited in the room. She said to Bai Li, “Mom, I feel a bit dizzy.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Li looked at her complexion, stood up, and opened the window to let the cool breeze in. “How about now? Still dizzy?”

Chi Zhiyu felt slightly relieved and shook her head, “No.”

“Mm.” Bai Li sat back on the sofa and glanced at the time, “You didn’t take your dance class today. Tomorrow, Mom will let the teacher teach two extra hours. Do you understand?”

Chi Zhiyu hesitated for a moment, nodded, “Okay, I understand.”

Bai Li smiled, “Ayu, good girl. As long as you keep dancing well, everything else, Mom will help you.”

Chi Zhiyu read her expression and suddenly asked, “What about Dad?”

Upon hearing this, Bai Li seemed to have a strong obsession, “You just need to know that Mom will help you. You must dance well so that your dad will be satisfied, do you understand?”

Chi Zhiyu pinched her fingers, lowered her eyes, “Okay.”

This year.

Bai Li changed.

She was no longer herself.

And Chi Yan remained the man she initially fell in love with, unchanged.

He maintained the same attitude towards her.

Gentle and affectionate, falsely hypocritical.

When the banquet began, Chi Zhiyu stood in the center of the venue, receiving birthday wishes from everyone.

Chi Yan stood beside her, once again playing the role of a father, looking at her kindly.

After blowing out the candles, Chi Zhiyu clearly felt her body getting weaker, her head dizzy and a bit hot.

Applause echoed in her ears. She thanked everyone one by one while maintaining her composure, and the banquet continued. The adults around started chatting.

Enduring her discomfort, Chi Zhiyu slightly turned her head and softly called out, “Dad, I feel a bit—”

Chi Yan didn’t pay attention to her; he was talking with someone beside him.

Chi Zhiyu retracted her words, pursed her lips, and turned to look for Bai Li amidst the crowd. But there were too many people, so she couldn’t find her. She could only sidestep to Chi Yan’s side and tug at his clothes, “Dad.”

Interrupted in his conversation, Chi Yan turned to see it was her. He imperceptibly frowned, but his tone remained unchanged, “What is it?”

Chi Zhiyu felt like she might have a fever; her throat was a bit dry, “My head feels dizzy, it seems like I’m getting a—”

“Ayu.” Chi Yan interrupted her, his tone somewhat flat, “You shouldn’t come to me for such things.”

Such things.

Shouldn’t.

Come to me.

“...”

Chi Zhiyu’s eyes froze for a moment. In that instant, she suddenly understood his meaning.

Such things.

Such trivial matters.

You don’t need to come to me.

Because I won’t do anything for you. I don’t have time.

Nor is it necessary.

This was the first time Chi Yan spoke the truth.

Just because her value had been fulfilled at the beginning, and he no longer needed her.

Chi Zhiyu didn’t expect it to be so blunt and ruthless, but she seemed to have anticipated it from Bai Li’s state.

How disappointing could this be?

...

Giving up on Chi Yan.

Chi Zhiyu might have foreseen it. Without shedding a tear, she turned and searched for the exit alone, wanting to escape from this place.

But her head was spinning severely, and the feeling of heaviness overwhelmed her brain.

The overlapping voices of the guests and the background music became sharp and noisy, pressing down on her weak nerves.

Chi Zhiyu leaned against the wall, walking. Her body temperature kept rising, burning and scorching her lungs. She saw a door and pushed it open with one hand.

It was a guest’s rest room; no one was inside.

Chi Zhiyu saw a kettle on the table, picked it up, but found no water.

She shook her head, supported herself to open the bathroom door, and turned on the tap.

The water flowed out slowly, its sound somewhat soothing. Chi Zhiyu’s dizzy brain, accompanied by the sound of the water, recalled Chi Yan’s words. Her eyelids uncontrollably drooped, and her hand holding the kettle loosened.

The heat of her body burned past her consciousness.

Just as she fell to the ground, she saw Bai Li’s figure and called out, “Mom.”

Bai Li stared at her condition, lost in thought, seemingly dazed in a morbid way.

She also seemed to be struggling with something.

After a few seconds, Bai Li came to her senses, approached, lifted her body, and trembled as she uttered her first sentence, “Ayu, let’s endure a little longer.”

“...”

“Mom will take you to the hospital later. There are too many people outside now. Seeing you like this... it’s not good for your dad. Be good, Mom will give you some water to drink, just endure a little longer.”

“Just endure a little longer.”

“...”

Bai Li kept repeating these words, her voice trembling lightly, muttering absentmindedly, as if speaking to her and reminding herself at the same time.

Chi Zhiyu knew.

On that day, Bai Li stopped in front of her daughter for her so-called love.

And on that day.

When Chi Zhiyu closed her eyes and fainted.

There was only one thought in her mind.

She didn’t want to wake up.

So could she not wake up.

Could she just keep sleeping.

And then—

Die.

...

Chi Zhiyu endured the cold and walked to Xie Ye’s doorstep, ringing the doorbell.

Not waiting for a few seconds, Xie Ye opened the door from inside. When he saw she was only wearing a long-sleeved shirt, his expression darkened.

Chi Zhiyu immediately spoke, “Can you wait until I come in to ask questions? I’m freezing to death.”

“...”

Xie Ye watched her trembling body, coldly took off his own coat and wrapped it around her, half-hugging her and walking backward.

The coat still carried his warm scent. Chi Zhiyu buried her head into his broad collar, the warm temperature comforting her body, instantly dispelling the chill in her heart.

Inside, Jian Yazhi saw her in this state, was momentarily stunned, quickly poured a cup of hot water, and handed it to her, “What happened? Why did you come out like this?”

Chi Zhiyu put on Xie Ye’s coat, held the water cup to thaw her icy fingertips, smiled, “The room was too warm. After eating, I just came out directly, forgetting how cold it was outside.”

Hearing this, Xie Ye glared at her, his tone displeased, “Did you forget your brain too?”

“...” Feeling guilty, Chi Zhiyu silently picked up the water cup and drank.

“How could you forget your clothes?” Jian Yazhi turned up the air conditioner temperature, blowing it towards her, “Quickly, drink some water, don’t catch a cold later.”

Chi Zhiyu drank a few sips, reassuring them, “I didn’t stay outside for long. I came here right after leaving home, I didn’t freeze.”

Xie Ye watched her like this, not saying anything.

Jian Yazhi naturally didn’t believe this either, but went along with her words, “Next time you go out, make sure to wear clothes. Where do you forget even your clothes?”

Chi Zhiyu nodded, “I’ll definitely remember.”

“Come and sit by the air conditioner for a while.” Jian Yazhi tightened her coat for her, “It’ll be bad if you catch a fever or a cold.”

“Alright.” Chi Zhiyu finished drinking the water, Jian Yazhi took the empty cup and went to the kitchen to refill it.

Once she left.

Chi Zhiyu reached out to hook Xie Ye’s hand, smiling faintly, “Why are you giving me a sour face the moment I arrive?”

Xie Ye sneered, “Then you’ve gained.”

Chi Zhiyu was amused, “Not really, is this sour face of yours so valuable?”

She held his hand and shook it slightly, nodding, “Then I’ll give you more New Year’s money later.”

Xie Ye didn’t respond, instead taking her gradually warming hand and directly asking, “What happened?”

“Hmm?” Chi Zhiyu blinked, “What do you mean what happened?”

Xie Ye looked at her, emotionlessly letting go of her hand.

“...”

Chi Zhiyu saw his action and laughed again.

Jian Yazhi walked over with a tray, seeing the boy and girl on the sofa, her lips curved as she approached.

“Here, this is some noodles I cooked tonight. I was afraid you hadn’t eaten enough after coming over, so I saved a bowl for you. I just heated it up; you can try it.”

Jian Yazhi placed the tray in front of her, speaking gently.

Upon hearing this, Chi Zhiyu was momentarily stunned, looking at the bowl specially left for her, her throat tightened. She picked up the chopsticks, took a bite, and smiled softly, “It’s very delicious.”

The most delicious today.

“If it’s good, that’s great.” Jian Yazhi smiled, “Eat slowly, it doesn’t matter if you can’t finish.”

“...”

Chi Zhiyu’s nose tingled, her voice hoarse, “Thank you, Aunt Yazhi.”

Hearing this, Jian Yazhi was also touched, reaching out to pat her head, speaking gently, “What are you saying? If you don’t want to go back tonight, you can sleep here. Have a good sleep, and tomorrow Aunt Yazhi will cook something delicious for you.”

Chi Zhiyu: “Alright.”

Jian Yazhi nodded, then seemed to remember something, looked up at Xie Ye, and reminded, “But each of you has a separate room. Don’t go to the wrong room.”

“...”

Chi Zhiyu quietly lowered her head.

Upon hearing this, Xie Ye tugged at his lips, “Do I need to?”

Jian Yazhi looked at him, disbelieving, “You’d better not.”

“...”

“Alright, it’s late. I’m going to sleep first. You two also go to bed early, don’t stay up too late.”

Jian Yazhi spoke as she stood up, still looking at Chi Zhiyu and added, “If you can’t finish the noodles, leave them. It’s fine.”

Chi Zhiyu smiled and nodded, “Alright, Aunt Yazhi, good night.”

After seeing Jian Yazhi upstairs, Chi Zhiyu turned and picked up the noodles, continuing to eat.

Xie Ye glanced, “If you can’t eat, don’t force yourself.”

“I’m eating.” Chi Zhiyu picked up the noodles, took another bite, looking at him with a muffled voice, “Don’t you think it’s delicious?”

Xie Ye didn’t respond, but watched her leaning back on the sofa, his eyes probing, “Didn’t you eat dinner?”

“Hmm?” Chi Zhiyu blinked, “Who said I didn’t eat? I ate.”

Just not much.

And had a mental battle with Chi Yan; there was basically nothing in her stomach.

“You ate and still eating noodles?” Xie Ye countered.

“?” Chi Zhiyu swallowed the noodles in her mouth, “Who said you can’t eat noodles after eating?”

After saying that, she accused him, “Are you complaining that I eat too much?”

“...” Xie Ye tugged at his lips, “Who’s complaining that you eat too much? Look at how skinny you are. I tell you to eat more every day, and you don’t gain any weight. Can you be reasonable?”

Chi Zhiyu innocently ate her noodles, “It’s not my fault. It doesn’t grow.”

After speaking, she ate a few more bites, almost finishing, then put down her chopsticks and picked up the water cup to take a sip.

Xie Ye pulled out a tissue to wipe the water stains from the corner of her mouth, “Are you full?”

Chi Zhiyu nodded, adding, “Yes, I’m full and content.”

Xie Ye smiled, “You seem to enjoy it quite a bit.”

“I think so too.” Chi Zhiyu looked at him, thinking about what Jian Yazhi had just said, firmly pressed her lips together, then suddenly leaned forward, reached out to hug him, resting her chin on his shoulder, and called out, “Xie Ye.”

Xie Ye: “Hmm.”

Chi Zhiyu smelled his familiar and calming scent, softly saying, “Aunt Yazhi is really nice to me.”

“What do you mean?” Xie Ye directly hugged her back, leisurely asking, “Am I not good to you?”

“You’re good too.” Chi Zhiyu said softly, “But Aunt Yazhi is different.”

“...”

“I also really like your home because your home is different from mine.” Chi Zhiyu continued softly, “When I was little, I thought your mom was so nice, kind and gentle to me. So every day, I thought, if only—”

“My mom was like this too.”

“...”

Xie Ye lowered his eyes without speaking, quietly listening to her.

“Because my mom isn’t nice at all.” Chi Zhiyu spoke slowly, “It’s like she never loved me. She... only loves my dad.”

“But,” Chi Zhiyu softly said, “My dad doesn’t love anyone...”

Chi Zhiyu recalled what Chi Yan had said to her tonight, looking at the silent house across the window, without any signs of life.

She could almost hear the laughter of the neighbors outside the door again, and the concern among family members.

And the Chi family, under the joyful atmosphere of the New Year’s Eve on the surrounding streets, seemed particularly abnormal.

Different.

Everything was different.

But it seemed.

Only she was different.

“...”

Chi Zhiyu stared at the darkness across the way, her eyes seemingly lifeless, her voice slow, calling out, “Xie Ye.”

“Why don’t I have parents who love me.”

The suppressed words overflowed like water. Chi Zhiyu pressed her lips, her hoarse voice continuing to ask, “They...”

“...why don’t they love me.”