YMW CH 69
by LinnaceFarewell
After leaving the hospital ward, Xie Guilan took Cen Wu home. On the way, she bought him a lychee milk tea to warm his hands. It hadn’t snowed that night, and the moon was clearly visible when one looked up.
It never crossed Cen Wu’s mind that he would be able to gaze at the same moon, in the same world, as Xie Guilan.
That night, as usual, Xie Guilan shamelessly insisted on holding his hand, walking him all the way to the entrance of his villa. Then, for some inexplicable reason, she started whispering flirtatious words, which earned her a playful beating from Cen Wu.
After that, Cen Wu turned and hurried toward the villa.
Only this time, halfway there, he suddenly stopped, glanced back, and waved at her.
Under the deep, dense curtain of night, Xie Guilan’s lips curved into a soft smile directed at him. Only then did Cen Wu turn again and continue running inside.
When Monday came, Cen Wu brought breakfast to school for Xie Guilan. He sat beside her while they ate. Xie Guilan was as busy as ever, with a half-finished test paper lying beside her hand.
Lu Wang cautiously observed for several days and confirmed that the two had indeed gotten back together and were no longer arguing. So, he sent another message to his dear father.
【Lu Wang: It’s alright now, Dad. I can still be your kid. hands folded.jpg】
Dad: ???
Did he want to laugh his teeth out from this “filial” behavior?
Xie Guilan, along with several other students, was representing Huai Jing No.1 High School in a mathematics competition. This exam wasn’t held in their home province, and Xie Guilan had a flight that night, needing to head to the airport around 11 p.m.
Since she wasn’t attending night self-study that day, Meng Liangping called her to the office just before the last class ended.
He wanted to invite Xie Guilan to his home for a meal before she left. This training camp happened to fall over New Year’s Day—it was the turn of the year, after all, and she wouldn’t be able to spend it with her family. This could serve as an early New Year’s Eve dinner.
Xie Guilan pressed her thin lips together. She didn’t agree and said to Meng Liangping, “He already invited me to his home tonight.”
Meng Liangping was momentarily stunned before realizing who Xie Guilan meant—it had to be that “baby.”
Meng Liangping immediately grew concerned. At seventeen or eighteen, going to someone’s home late at night… what if things got impulsive? There were still several hours before Xie Guilan needed to leave for the airport—plenty of time, if you thought about it.
“Xiao Xie… you… I… ah,” Meng Liangping weighed his words carefully, speaking with difficulty, “He invited you to his home tonight…”
Xie Guilan’s face remained impassive as she said, “He wants to aim for the top provincial college entrance exam score. He asked me over to do homework.”
Meng Liangping: “…”
Meng Liangping: “Ah?”
Meng Liangping hadn’t expected that “baby” to have such lofty ambitions. It was so absurd that he didn’t even suspect Xie Guilan was lying.
He nodded approvingly and said, “Right, at your age, the college entrance exam is the most important thing.”
Xie Guilan gave a noncommittal sound of agreement.
Meng Liangping held her back to give a lot of advice and also handed her several practice exam papers from other schools. By the time Xie Guilan left the office, class was already over. Cen Wu had sent a message saying he was waiting for her at the school gate.
In the deep winter evening, the sky had darkened. From a distance, Xie Guilan saw Cen Wu waving at her by the school gate. A rather flashy silver-blue sports car was parked nearby, and a man stood with his back to them.
In the vast, dim twilight, Xie Guilan’s dark eyes, moist as if dipped in water, imperceptibly deepened.
As she walked toward Cen Wu, the man also turned around. Only then did she realize it was Cen Xiao. The cold intensity in Xie Guilan’s eyes immediately softened considerably. Her thin lips moved slightly as she said, “President Cen.”
Cen Xiao wasn’t wearing a suit today. The moment he looked up and met Xie Guilan’s gaze, he knew she had misunderstood something.
She probably took him for some kind of male model.
Cen Xiao frowned in dissatisfaction.
Men, don’t be so jealous. Even if Cen Wu really brought someone else, so what? Why make a big deal out of it? How can you lack the magnanimity to tolerate others?
Cen Wu, standing beside them, broke into a cold sweat, once again feeling like he was straddling two boats—offending neither, yet constantly at risk of capsizing. He quickly pulled Xie Guilan toward the car.
Xie Guilan, for her part, was quite docile and followed him to sit in the back seat. Cen Xiao, face sullen, went to the driver’s side.
“You… you’re coming to my place for dinner tonight,” Cen Wu whispered to Xie Guilan as they sat side by side. “Then I’ll… I’ll see you off to the airport.”
He had specifically asked for leave from night self-study.
Xie Guilan didn’t refuse and said, “Thank you, Young Master.”
Cen Xiao, gripping the steering wheel, mimicked Xie Guilan’s tone sarcastically in his mind: Thaaank youuu, Yoooung Maaaster~
Cen Wu sat with his hands on his knees, behaving properly, afraid of being scolded by Cen Xiao. Xie Guilan didn’t insist on holding his hand either. As night fell, the interior of the car grew increasingly dark.
Cen Xiao didn’t speak, so no one said a word. In the dimness of the car, Cen Wu could clearly hear Xie Guilan’s breathing.
When the car went over a speed bump at an intersection, jolting slightly, the back of his hand bumped against Xie Guilan’s.
Xie Guilan grasped his hand, steadying him. Her cool fingertips lightly brushed his palm as she asked nonchalantly, in a soft, considerate voice, “Are you alright, Young Master?”
“Y-yes… I’m fine.” Cen Wu’s hand immediately curled inward, the cold white tips of his ears tinged with a faint red.
Cen Xiao: “…”
Damn tea master.
Cen Wu wanted to take Xie Guilan home for a meal before her exam; otherwise, he knew she would just grab a quick bite. Besides, the holiday was approaching, and Xie Guilan wouldn’t be able to spend New Year’s Day at home this year.
Dinner was already ready when they arrived home. Cen Wu initially thought about feeding the puppy first before going to eat with Xie Guilan, but after a moment’s hesitation, he still took Xie Guilan to the dining room first.
Young Master.
So hard to please.
Cen Wu was already quite skilled at handling men. No matter what, prioritizing Xie Guilan was never wrong. Xie Guilan’s long eyelashes lowered, and indeed, her mood remained stable throughout the evening.
Most of the dishes that evening were prepared by the chef, but Guan Xingxue had made a salt-baked lobster. Xie Guilan shelled the lobster for him, and while no one was looking, Cen Wu slipped it into her bowl.
She should eat her fill; she shouldn’t go hungry even at my home.
The Cen residence was quite far from the airport, but it was still early. Leaving at 9 p.m. would be plenty of time. After dinner, Cen Junshan called Xie Guilan over to speak with her for a while. Cen Xiao sat nearby playing a game.
He wanted to see what this tea master was up to.
Xie Guilan had a cold personality and was generally indifferent to others, but she wasn’t bad at socializing—it just depended on whether she wanted to. Right now, she did, so she managed to hold a conversation with Cen Junshan.
Xie Guilan wasn’t trying to curry favor with Cen Junshan to get closer to Cen Wu. Her attitude was polite but still carried her usual aloofness, and she spoke sparingly. This, ironically, earned Cen Junshan’s approval.
Xie Mingcheng was hypocritical and arrogant; his respectability in business circles was all a facade. Who would have thought Xie Guilan could be so composed and patient?
Cen Junshan felt he might be a bit ill himself. There was something strangely familiar about Xie Guilan’s cold demeanor. Even though she wasn’t particularly responsive to him, he still wanted to talk to her a bit more.
Besides, Xie Guilan’s academic results were excellent. What a pity she was Xie Mingcheng’s daughter.
Cen Xiao: “…”
Psycho.
Cen Junshan, long accustomed to his high status, was a coldly dignified and reserved man who didn’t often interact with younger generations.
In the upper-class circles of Huaijing, there were plenty of prominent families on good terms with the Cens. Yet Cen Xiao had never seen his father show interest in the academic achievements of any other family’s younger generation.
Cen Wu pattered up the stairs. He wanted Xie Guilan to interact more with Cen Junshan, but families like the Cens, given their status and influence, naturally carried themselves with a certain posture—they wouldn’t lower their stance much.
And Xie Guilan was particularly sensitive.
Worried that she might feel uncomfortable, Cen Wu didn’t dare leave. He found a cushion and sat on the staircase, choosing a spot where he could see downstairs but wasn’t easily noticed by Xie Guilan or the others.
He thought Xie Guilan hadn’t seen him, but she had been watching him out of the corner of her eye the whole time. When Cen Wu sneakily peeked out, Xie Guilan would turn away, causing Cen Wu to duck back quickly.
Xie Guilan pretended not to notice him. When Cen Wu, wide-eyed, cautiously peeked out again, she would glance over at him as if nothing had happened.
After being startled several times, Cen Wu pouted, slightly displeased. Xie Guilan couldn’t help but let the corners of her lips curl up slightly.
Cen Xiao: “…”
Was everyone else blind? Flirting right under their noses, and no one noticed?!
Cen Junshan, usually such a shrewd and calculating businessman, could actually be deceived by Xie Guilan’s facade.
Well, he would absolutely never be fooled by Xie Guilan.
Cen Wu was wearing a pair of fluffy lounge pants. His long, thick, curled eyelashes lowered as he looked down and started plucking at the fuzz on his pants. Suddenly, someone gently patted his head.
“Baobao,” Guan Xingxue sat down beside him, “why are you sitting here all alone?”
Cen Wu scooted over, sharing half of his cushion with her. Guan Xingxue was amused by him and sat down with him, then reached out to pull Cen Wu into her embrace, letting him rest his head on her knees.
“Mom,” Cen Wu began massaging her legs, blinked, and said, “If… if my grades were better, would you be happier?”
His mother was a dancer and had suffered many leg injuries. He had learned massage from his father and often helped her with it before. Guan Xingxue had also developed rheumatism from filming when she was younger, and her legs often hurt.
Guan Xingxue didn’t take the bait for such a loaded question. She said, “No matter whether your grades are good or not, Mom and Dad will always love you.”
“Just… just think about it,” Cen Wu probed further, “if I had been born looking most like you, taller than I am now, and with good grades… would you like that more?”
Guan Xingxue reached out to stroke his head. Her complexion was very fair, and aside from a few barely noticeable wrinkles, she looked almost the same as in her youth. She also blinked her peach-blossom eyes and pondered along with Cen Wu’s words.
Of course, she would be happy.
Cen Wu continued to gently persuade her. Just as Guan Xingxue started to feel something was off, he shifted his gaze away and changed the subject.
“You, child,” Guan Xingxue poked his forehead, her tone affectionate and indulgent, “why are you so bothersome today.”
She simply couldn’t figure out how a person could suddenly become someone else. She had even looked into Cen Wu’s past and discovered that the video from the Huaijing No. 1 High School anniversary celebration had been posted by Cen Wu.
Although she was an actress, she had moved behind the scenes in recent years and had also been involved in directing and production.
That video of Cen Wu wasn’t long, but the camerawork and editing were very professional. She had raised this child herself, and she knew—the original child definitely didn’t know how to do these things.
Cen Wu’s face was snow-white, with a delicate, pointed chin. His eyes were often misty, often carrying a touch of loneliness and emotions she couldn’t quite decipher.
Guan Xingxue suddenly remembered a time years ago when she was filming. It had been snowing heavily that year, and the set was covered in snow. The crew was busy shoveling it away. She was about to get in the car to wait when she came across a small child on set.
He was only three or four years old, with no adults around, standing alone in the snow, sucking his thumb, his little face red from the cold.
“Baobao,” Guan Xingxue tightened her coat, walked over, and crouched down, taking his small hand as she asked, “Whose child are you?”
He couldn’t speak much yet, clutching a very worn-out little rabbit toy. Initially, his little face was sullen—he wasn’t crying or anything—but when Guan Xingxue asked, his eyes suddenly reddened, and he began to sob.
Guan Xingxue picked him up, wiped his tears, and sent her assistant to find his parents. Half an hour later, the assistant returned with someone. It turned out he was the child of an extra from a neighboring crew.
“Thank you,” the other person said, eyes red, as they took the child and repeatedly expressed gratitude, “Thank you, Teacher Guan.”
They were too busy and, unwilling to leave the child alone at home, had brought him to the set. They hadn’t expected to lose grip of his hand and lose him.
Guan Xingxue loved children dearly. That extra was actually quite a good actor; she had worked with him before. As she happened to be filming a movie at the time, she offered him a supporting role in her film. Although it was a minor part with limited screen time, it was precisely the opportunity he needed.
Because of that movie, his career finally began to pick up. He started landing third and fourth male lead roles and even won a Best Supporting Actor award.
Whenever Guan Xingxue saw Cen Wu, she always remembered that little child—his forced aloofness and resilience broken, leaving only confusion and fragility, as if he could get lost in the heavy snow at any moment.
Seeing Cen Wu always made her throat tighten slightly, with a vague premonition of separation.
“Baobao,” Guan Xingxue stroked his hair, “tell Mom, what’s on your mind?”
Cen Wu shook his head. In the original story, the original character had nearly caused Cen Junshan and Guan Xingxue to get into a car accident. Like Song Lingwei, he was foolish enough to think he could actually harm them successfully on his own.
When the original character received Cen Xiao’s phone call, he didn’t even wait for him to finish speaking before running to the hospital, crying. His voice was hoarse as he screamed “Mom!” through his sobs, only to find out that Guan Xingxue and the others were merely shaken up—Cen Xiao had sent them to the hospital for a check-up just to be safe.
On the night he was killed by Xie Guilan, the original character had also kept crying and shouting, “Mom, save me!”
Cen Wu now felt like crying a little too, because Guan Xingxue really felt like a mother. In her embrace, all pain seemed to disappear.
It was like returning to a very, very young age—when you were sick or hurt, you always wanted your mom. She became your whole world. Just thinking of the word “mom” could bring comfort for a lifetime.
Cen Wu secretly wiped his eyes. It was already past 8:30. He stood up to see Xie Guilan off to the airport.
Cen Xiao couldn’t be bothered to watch them be all lovey-dovey. He dropped Cen Wu and Xie Guilan off at the airport entrance and went to wait for Cen Wu in the parking lot.
Cen Wu bought a ticket and entered the airport with Xie Guilan. The moment Cen Xiao left, Xie Guilan’s true colors emerged—she reached out and took his hand again. Cen Wu’s face went numb with resignation; he had already given up resisting.
Boarding time was approaching. Xie Guilan pulled him close, lowering her head to nuzzle his ear. The cold, pale tip of Cen Wu’s ear turned bright red from the friction. He tried to push Xie Guilan away, but she caught his hand and kissed his fingertips.
Xie Guilan looked down at him with her dark, peach-blossom eyes, staring intently as she said, “Brother, when I finish the exam, will you come pick me up?”
Cen Wu covered her mouth, stopping her from calling him ‘brother‘ so freely, but though his lips moved, he couldn’t bring himself to agree.
Nearby, a little girl was crying loudly. She and her mother were going abroad that night and wouldn’t return for half a year. Her father had specially come into the airport to see them off.
“Daddy,” the little girl grabbed her father’s hand, sobbing and mumbling, “You have to come pick us up.”
Her father quickly agreed, smiling as he said, “Of course Daddy will come pick you up.”
Xie Guilan, bonelessly leaning against Cen Wu, slumped her posture and rested her chin on his shoulder. Her tone was almost plaintive as she whispered, “Even other kids have someone to pick them up. I want that too.”
Cen Wu: “…”
Cen Wu didn’t understand how a person could have such a thick skin.
The little girl was at most five years old. Hearing Xie Guilan’s words, she turned around, opened her big eyes wide, and asked Xie Guilan, “Why isn’t your daddy coming to pick you up?”
Her parents immediately shushed her and apologized, “Sorry, so sorry.”
Xie Guilan lifted her head. Her eyes were dark and gloomy, and her expressionless face could randomly scare a child into tears. But she was in a good mood tonight and didn’t take it to heart, saying, “My brother is picking me up.”
After saying this, Xie Guilan’s thin lips curved into a somewhat mischievous smile as she asked Cen Wu, “Right, brother?”
Cen Wu had reached his limit. Tonight might be the last time he and Xie Guilan saw each other; he hadn’t wanted to hit anyone. But in the end, he couldn’t hold back, his face red as he slapped a hand over her mouth.
I told you not to call me that randomly.
Then he turned and walked toward the boarding gate.
“Your brother doesn’t seem to want to pick you up,” the little girl said very frankly, looking at the handprint on Xie Guilan’s face.
Xie Guilan still believed Cen Wu loved her deeply—otherwise, why would he be willing to hit her? She pressed her tongue against the inside of her cheek and said coldly, “You don’t understand. He’s just being tsundere. Actually, he really—”
Loves me.
Cen Wu never knew Xie Guilan could be so talkative. Gritting his teeth, his face flushed deep red, he walked back before Xie Guilan could finish and quickly dragged her away.
He thought Xie Guilan seemed like a love-struck fool—the kind who would post about their relationship online, get cursed at by netizens saying “respect, blessings, lock them up together,” not even understanding they were being insulted, and would reply, “Thank you, we will be locked up together.”
Xie Guilan delayed boarding until only five or six people were left at the gate before finally letting go of Cen Wu’s hand.
Cen Wu watched her go to check her ticket and was about to wave when Xie Guilan turned back. Moonlight spilled over her figure, and she suddenly strode back toward him, wrapped her arms around him, and hugged him tightly, holding him with great force.
Cen Wu’s bones ached from the squeeze. He also raised his arms and hugged Xie Guilan, patting her back. His voice trembled slightly, uncontrollably, as he said to her, “Take care of yourself. Don’t be unhappy.”
“Mm,” Xie Guilan agreed.
Knowing Cen Wu would be waiting for her here, she had nothing to be unhappy about. She even felt the moonlight tonight was exceptionally bright, reflecting off the stark white snow, capable of washing away all the ashes in her heart.
From now on, even if she traveled thousands of miles, she had a direction to call home.
There was no more time to delay. Xie Guilan tilted her head and kissed Cen Wu’s ear, then finally released him and walked toward the boarding gate.
Cen Wu stood by the airport window, watching her walk toward the jet bridge until the plane took off. He waved under the snowy night sky, then finally left the airport and walked to where the car was parked.
Cen Xiao glanced at his pale face and his eyes, which looked red as if he’d been crying, and really felt like scolding him for being so weak.
She’s only leaving for a few days, just for an exam. It’s not like you’ll never see her again. Why so reluctant to part? Good thing I didn’t tell Cen Junshan and the others, otherwise Cen Wu would have even more to cry about.
But his lips moved, and he couldn’t bear to say it. He reached out, hugged Cen Wu, and ruffled his hair, coaxing him helplessly, “Alright, alright, let’s go home with brother.”
The old Cen Wu would never have cried over a man. Cen Xiao knew his brother—he wasn’t such a sensitive, soft-hearted child.
Why?
Cen Wu went to sleep as soon as he got home. When he woke up the next day, he found that Xie Guilan had sent him a message saying she had arrived at the dorm arranged by the competition organizers. The upcoming training was closed-off, and she would hardly be able to use her phone.
Xie Guilan had also sent him a photo of the dorm.
Cen Wu replied to her message, but Xie Guilan didn’t respond again—she had probably already handed in her phone.
Cen Wu went to school for classes as usual. He still hadn’t managed to teach Lu Wang addition and subtraction. Cen Wu was originally a very patient person, but there was no time left, and he couldn’t help his tone becoming a bit harsh.
Back when he was filming 《Butterfly》, he had been so busy that his health suffered. He already knew that sometimes people leave this world in an instant. He wasn’t sure how long he could hold on.
Lu Lian still didn’t have the ability to lead a project independently as a director. His nature was too honest, and he would get bullied even as an assistant director in other crews. Cen Wu had no choice but to push him to learn.
What if I’m not here anymore?
He also already knew that this world was never short of malice. But people are always so lonely; on such a long journey, there are always times when one is alone. How could he protect them?
Lu Wang felt a bit wronged after being scolded, but when he noticed Cen Wu’s eyes were slightly red, he quickly said, “I’ll do it again.”
He calculated once more: 82 + 17 came out to 6—even worse than before. At least last time he said it equaled 100. He broke into a big smile and said to Cen Wu, “It’s right this time, isn’t it!”
Cen Wu: “…”
Cen Wu took a deep breath, kept a stern face, tore up his scratch paper, replaced it with a new sheet, and said, “Do it over.”
Lu Wang cried loudly as he wrote.
Cen Wu didn’t receive any messages from Xie Guilan for several days. Then, on the evening of New Year’s Day, Xie Guilan suddenly video-called him.
When he answered, he realized Xie Guilan was outside. The snow was falling heavily. In the past, Xie Guilan would have just worn a thin down jacket, no scarf or gloves, as if she didn’t feel the cold.
But tonight, afraid of worrying Cen Wu, she wore a thick down jacket and the scarf Cen Wu had bought for her.
“You… why are you outside?” Cen Wu lay on his bed video-calling her. It was already past 11 p.m.; shouldn’t the lights in Xie Guilan’s dorm be out by now?
“I said I missed my brother too much,” Xie Guilan lifted her peach-blossom eyes, her tone teasing and provocative. “It’s the holiday tonight. I had to call him, otherwise I wouldn’t be in the mood to study.”
The dormitory building lights were off, and the snowy night was dim. Cen Wu couldn’t really see her face clearly, but Xie Guilan’s voice was naturally cool and clear, made even colder by the snowy night. Yet, it carried a hint of laughter as she spoke to him, low and slightly husky, making the edges of his ears tingle.
Damn it, this male fox spirit.
Cen Wu didn’t believe a word of her nonsense, but Xie Guilan said it so convincingly that he started to doubt himself and couldn’t help asking, “You… you didn’t actually say that to the teacher, did you?”
“Why would I lie to you?” Xie Guilan chuckled softly.
She had participated in the first-year math league last year and knew the teacher in charge here. This year, that same teacher was assigned to manage the boys’ dormitory, so Xie Guilan went to him and said she wanted to call home.
Because of the holiday, they were allowed to make calls, but everyone else called during the day. Only Xie Guilan called this late.
The teacher couldn’t resist his curiosity and asked, “Calling who at home?”
He was used to Xie Guilan’s cold expression and was seeing her smile for the first time upon getting her phone. Xie Guilan wasn’t some internet-addicted teen whose phone was her lifeline.
Xie Guilan replied, “My brother.”
The teacher didn’t expect this “brother” wasn’t exactly a proper one and remarked, “You two brothers have such a good relationship.”
“Mm,” Xie Guilan shamelessly agreed, saying, “So I’m afraid he’ll miss me.”
Cen Wu: “……..”
Drop dead!
Cen Wu’s face flushed red, and he almost hung up immediately. But just then, the New Year’s bell began to chime. Fireworks burst into life against the night sky on Xie Guilan’s end, illuminating her deep-set eyes and brows. Her tone was very gentle as she said to him, “Happy New Year.”
“…” Cen Wu’s anger instantly vanished. What could he do? He simply couldn’t stay angry with Xie Guilan. He picked at the corner of his quilt and whispered back to her, “H-Happy New Year.”
Xie Guilan didn’t speak further. She raised her phone, and they watched the fireworks together quietly until they faded. Only then did she speak:
“Can I make a New Year’s wish?”
“W-What wish?”
“The new year is still missing a boyfriend.”
“…”
“No! Get lost!”
Cen Wu was utterly exasperated. Xie Guilan clung to him like some male ghost. When confessing, her words said “I love you,” but it sounded more like “I won’t let you go even if I become a ghost.”
It was very late, and still snowing. Afraid she would get cold, Cen Wu urged her to go back to the dorm. Only then did Xie Guilan hang up, but not before pestering him, asking if she could have a kiss.
Cen Wu scolded her, “What kind of nonsense are you saying?” They were so far apart; he didn’t know how Xie Guilan planned to kiss him. He was so angry he started stuttering his curses, but Xie Guilan just laughed, her voice low and suppressed.
This made Cen Wu even angrier. Then he heard Xie Guilan kiss the microphone and say softly to him, “Good night.”
Cen Wu stiffened. His face buried in the pillow, the pale tips of his ears turned red and hot from stifling his reaction. Finally, he reluctantly muttered, “Good night.”
Time passed quickly after New Year’s Day. At school, Cen Wu lay on Xie Guilan’s desk for a while, secretly glanced at her notebook, and thought about her exam tomorrow.
With Xie Guilan away, Lu Wang was secretly a little happy because Cen Wu would go to the cafeteria with him.
In the evening, Cen Wu went to the cafeteria with Lu Wang, Zhang Yuanzhou, and several other boys. Afterward, they returned for evening self-study. When the dismissal bell rang, Lu Wang packed his bag, walked to the classroom door, and waved at Cen Wu, “Wuwu, see you tomorrow!”
Cen Wu waved back but didn’t speak.
“Heading out, Second Young Master.” Zhang Yuanzhou also slung his bag over his shoulder. “Wanna go to Jinghai to play games after school tomorrow?”
Since the school anniversary gala, the classmates had become a bit more familiar. After school, several people said goodbye to Cen Wu. Cen Wu was almost the last to leave the classroom. He put on the gloves Xie Guilan had given him and left.
Arriving home in the evening, after dinner, Cen Junshan was working in his study. Cen Wu wanted to pour him a glass of water and bring it over.
But as soon as he picked up the tray, the old butler, in his black tailcoat, rushed over in a single stride.
Young Master, this old servant is here.
Cen Wu: “…”
After much persuasion, Cen Wu finally convinced him to let him carry it himself. The old butler turned away despondently.
Young Master, this old servant takes his leave.
Cen Wu: “…”
In the end, Cen Wu let him carry the tray while he himself held a tea bag. The old butler was even worried the string on the tea bag might cut his hand. Cen Wu’s face went numb with resignation; he ended up holding the tea bag reverently with both hands.
Cen Junshan: “…”
He looked up and got a fright.
No need for such ceremony just for tea. This makes me look like some feudal patriarch being served.
Cen Junshan thought Cen Wu was being obedient because he wanted to buy something again. But Cen Wu just lifted the lid of his teacup, dropped the tea bag in, and said bluntly, “I… I’m leaving, Dad.”
Cen Junshan: “…”
Such a filial son.
Cen Wu then wandered off to find Cen Xiao, who was reading the newspaper on the living room sofa. Seeing Cen Wu dawdling over, Cen Xiao raised an eyebrow, “What is it? What do you want to say?”
“Ni-Nothing.” Cen Wu sat down beside him.
Cen Xiao hooked an arm around his neck and whispered, teasingly, “Tell me about that green tea… I mean, your very well-brewed boyfriend?”
Cen Wu: “…”
You might as well just call her a damn green tea outright.
Cen Wu sprang up as if launched, pretending not to understand, and stammered, “Brother, goo-good night.”
Guan Xingxue was already asleep; she rarely stayed up late unless necessary. Cen Wu wandered over, noticed her quilt had slipped down a bit, and tucked it back in properly for her before closing the door and leaving.
The night was deep and heavy. Passing the stairwell landing, Cen Wu patted Duke’s head and whispered to it, “Goodbye.”
Xie Guilan’s exam once again took the entire day. After leaving the examination hall at 5 p.m., she went to find the supervising teacher to retrieve her phone, then sent a message to Cen Wu.
Cen Wu didn’t reply. Xie Guilan didn’t pay it much mind and headed to the airport first. She was on the same flight as several other students from Huai Jing No. 1 High School; it would take three and a half hours to reach Huai Jing.
Xie Guilan slept for a while on the plane. Even though she couldn’t receive messages in flight, she kept holding her phone.
They arrived in Huai Jing a little after 9 p.m. After getting off the plane, she still hadn’t received any message from Cen Wu.
Xie Guilan looked up, scanning the airport. She thought Cen Wu would come to pick her up, so of course, there was no need to reply to her message.
Even though Cen Wu had said he wouldn’t come, he was always there in a place she could see just by looking up—like the silent, ever-present moon.
“Xie Guilan,” a few classmates asked, puzzled, seeing her stop walking as they reached the arrivals exit, “Aren’t you leaving?”
It was very late by the time they reached Huai Jing. There was no need for evening self-study, so everyone was heading home separately or being picked up by parents.
Not finding Cen Wu at the exit, Xie Guilan sent him another message, repeatedly refreshing the interface, and said to them, “Someone’s picking me up. I’ll wait a while.”
The few classmates left the airport first.
Xie Guilan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Her deep, cold eye sockets seemed swallowed by the darkness. She resisted sending another message to Cen Wu, but her entire person was visibly growing restless.
She waited at the airport for half an hour. Cen Wu didn’t come.
Xie Guilan picked up her backpack and left the airport. It suddenly occurred to her that Cen Wu should still be in evening self-study at this time. Aiming for the top provincial score, he definitely wouldn’t be constantly checking his phone.
It didn’t matter if Cen Wu didn’t come to pick her up. Evening self-study would be over in just another hour; she could go pick him up from school.
Xie Guilan went to the hospital first, intending to drop off her things before heading to the school, timing it just right for the end of class.
But as she approached Song Lingwei’s hospital room door, she heard arguing inside, and suppressed sobs.
Xie Guilan’s face darkened instantly. She thought it might be Xie Mingcheng or Xie Shangjing causing trouble. However, when she pushed the door open, she saw Guan Xingxue and Cen Junshan.
They had rushed over late at night, carrying the chill of wind and snow, confronting Song Lingwei.