Falling into the rain

Yu Tingyu didn't know how she got out of the room.

As she went downstairs, she faintly heard Wen Huaixu's voice, as refined and profound as ever, as if nothing had happened the night before.

Her footsteps were very light, and the people talking in the living room did not notice her.

As Yu Tingyu walked over, she happened to overhear Shen Sihe's father asking him with concern, "Huaixu, what's wrong with the corner of your mouth...?"

She stopped abruptly, her face flushed instantly, as if it were being roasted by fire, and she didn't know what to do with her hands.

But Huai Xu's tone was completely normal. He even picked up his teacup and took a casual sip.

"I bumped my head while drinking."

Mr. Shen looked at him disapprovingly and instructed him, "You have to be careful. Don't take advantage of your youth and indulge yourself. You can't drink like this anymore."

Wen Huaixu nodded, and Yu Guangzhong suddenly saw a familiar figure.

He lifted his eyes and stared straight ahead.

Yu Tingyu stiffened for a moment, but pretended to be calm and walked over, first greeting the elder: "Uncle Shen."

She then turned her gaze to Wen Huaixu, whom she hadn't seen all day. The mark on him was strikingly obvious and stung Yu Tingyu's eyes.

She lowered her head haphazardly and called out softly, "Second Brother."

Wen Huaixu didn't speak, his dark and deep eyes narrowed slightly.

He now appears completely sober, showing no trace of the drunken, dazed state he had last night.

Yu Tingyu knew that Wen Huaixu was still watching her, so she kept staring at a certain spot on the floor without looking up.

Fortunately, the stares didn't last long before she heard Wen Huaixu speak again, "Xiaoyu has bothered you and your aunt today."

Mr. Shen waved his hand, "What's with all this 'disturbance'? Tingyu is much more well-behaved than my crazy girl. Come to our house often in the future. Uncle Shen welcomes you."

Yu Tingyu smiled politely upon hearing this.

Wen Huaixu stood up, his suit jacket draped over his arm. He was always very respectful to his elders. "We're going back now, so please don't come out to see us off."

"Okay, go back now, come visit often."

Mr. Shen still saw the two of them off.

Yu Tingyu followed closely behind Wen Huaixu, glancing at Shen Sihe who was hiding at the stairwell as if sensing her presence.

Shen Sihe looked at her with concern and then made a phone gesture, meaning that she should contact her if anything happened.

Yu Tingyu nodded and got into the car with Wen Huaixu.

It was the same scene as last night: Wang Hang was driving in the front, and Wen Huaixu and Yu Tingyu were sitting in the back seat.

There's only one difference: this time, Yu Tingyu is sober.

The window was half open, letting in a cold draft. Yu Tingyu looked at the rewinding shadows of the trees outside the window, and unconsciously clenched her hands on her knees.

The car was eerily quiet, more like the calm before a storm. She was terrified that Wen Huaixu would say something like, "I don't have a sister like you."

Just imagining it made Yu Tingyu's nose sting with tears again.

Oh well, she's already enjoyed Wen Huaixu's doting love for eleven years. How many eleven-year periods does one have in a lifetime? Even if she's kicked out now, she's still gained something.

At least in this world, besides her parents who died young, there were other people who loved her.

This is enough.

But Yu Tingyu was wrong. Wen Huaixu's first words weren't to kick her out, but rather—

"Wang Hang, close the windows tightly."

Upon receiving the order, Wang Hang controlled the center console to close all the windows of the car. With no night wind or other car noises, the car immediately became quiet.

The quieter it was, the more apprehensive Yu Tingyu became.

She finally mustered up her courage and looked up at Wen Huaixu, but to her surprise, Wen Huaixu was also looking at her.

Yu Tingyu's mind went completely blank for a moment. Her lips moved a few times, but she couldn't utter a single word.

Wen Huaixu, unaware of her ulterior motives, frowned as his gaze fell on the top of her hair, which was still damp. He asked in a low voice, "You didn't dry your hair again?"

Yu Tingyu was stunned. She hadn't expected that his first words to her would be this.

His attitude seems to be no different from before.

She breathed a slight sigh of relief and murmured softly, "I was going to blow it, but you told me to go downstairs..."

Wen Huaixu lifted his eyes to look at her: "So it's my fault."

"..."

Yu Tingyu scratched her fingertips, but didn't say anything.

Wang Hang glanced at the rearview mirror, trying to minimize his presence.

Being a close advisor to the emperor is not an easy job.

The car quickly stopped in front of the villa. After Yu Tingyu walked in, she saw Wen Huaixu with one hand casually in his pocket. His figure was tall and noble, and his shadow seemed to envelop her entire body.

It was just an ordinary glance, yet her breathing became erratic, and her heartbeat was like an untimely drumbeat, incredibly fast.

She lowered her head and gave a bitter smile.

Even under these circumstances, she still couldn't help but be tempted.

Wen Huaixu looked at Yu Tingyu, who was changing into slippers with her head down, and said calmly, "Dry your hair first, then come to the study to find me."

Upon hearing this, Yu Tingyu paused in changing her shoes, her toes curling nervously, as if she were about to collapse.

She thought to herself, "Is it finally coming?"

Yu Tingyu stiffly raised her head to look at him, but Wen Huaixu only left behind a silhouette as he went upstairs.

Blow-drying hair shouldn't take long, just a few minutes, but she dragged it out for half an hour before setting off. During this time, Wen Huaixu didn't have anyone urge her, as if he was giving her time to prepare.

Yu Tingyu stood solemnly in front of the door and raised her hand to knock.

"Come in."

The voice inside remained steady and deep.

Yu Tingyu let out a breath, pushed open the door, and went inside.

The room was brightly lit, spotless, and decorated in a cool color scheme, reflecting Wen Huaixu's refined taste.

But Yu Tingyu didn't like it. She felt it was empty and cold, so her room was all in warm colors, so that when you walked in, you felt loved.

In fact, she secretly thought that it would be best if she never left this place.

After all, there were too many things in this home that she couldn't bear to part with.

Especially the person in front of you.