“Wu Ma?” Luo Yaling was surprised. Was he here to ask her for money? No! She was just joking about being poor. He wouldn’t be so stingy after all, right? Looking at his expensive clothes, she thought regretfully that she couldn’t afford to help him.
“Xiao Ya, the young master wants me to drive you back.” Wu Ma hoped for Xiao Ya to develop a relationship with the young master, but since he had ordered it, she had to comply.
She wasn’t even chased away, and it was good enough that she could take care of the young master. This way, she could better understand his situation and report back to the madam, easing her worries. The young master probably cared a lot about not being the old master’s biological child.
However, it might be better that the young master doesn’t know about his biological father; that person is a scumbag. If it weren’t for meeting the old master, the young master and the madam would have been long gone.
Ah, that’s old news! Now the most important thing is the matter at hand. The past has passed. Wu Ma thought somewhat sadly.
“Can Wu Ma drive?” She was just thinking about how to go back! She wonders if it would be like last time. Ugh, she doesn’t want to sit in that pig cart again. Remembering it makes her feel nauseous; it was an unpleasant smell. Ever since meeting him, bad luck keeps appearing. She wonders if she owes him something from a previous life.
Ah! In any case, she wants to stay as far away from him as possible. Meeting him brings nothing good—either cold remarks or her own ‘unluckiness’; he’s simply her nemesis.
“Yes! My driving skills are quite good! Back when the young master was still my…” Oh no! How could she not control her mouth?
“Back when?” Luo Yaling looked at Wu Ma with a probing gaze.
“Hehe! Back when? What back when? Little Ya misheard. I meant recently…”
Wu Ma quickly played dumb. Luo Yaling smiled but thought to herself why she cared so much about someone who was not important to her. It wasn’t worth the trouble, and she had better things to do.
Chapter Forty-Three: Decadence
“Does Little Ya have a boyfriend?” Wu Ma asked, squinting at Luo Yaling through the mirror.
“No.” Luo Yaling replied decisively, startled by the question. Why did Wu Ma suddenly ask about her dating life? As a highly educated graduate, she knew nothing about love.
“How about I introduce someone to you? What do you think of my young master?” Wu Ma turned to her.
“Ah! Wu Ma, watch the road!” Luo Yaling exclaimed, frightened by Wu Ma’s sudden movement.
“It’s fine; I’m quite skilled! Little Ya, what do you think of our young master?”
“Wu Ma, please focus on driving! I know you’re amazing, but I’d prefer to stay alive.”
Pleased by Luo Yaling’s praise, Wu Ma turned back to the road but did not forget her previous question.
She wanted to bring Xiao Ya to live with the young master. What kind of life was Xiao Ya living? But the young master… Wu Ma sighed when thinking of him.
“Hmm, what’s wrong?” Luo Yaling wondered.
“Can Wu Ma see Xiao Ya often?” she asked. To help the young master open his heart, she needed Xiao Ya’s assistance. It seemed the young master wasn’t entirely indifferent to her.
“Wu Ma is joking. Of course, you can! You’re welcome anytime, as long as you don’t mind.”
“Don’t mind. Wu Ma will prepare a delicious meal for Xiao Ya to nourish her and make her healthy.”
Luo Yaling shook her head in confusion. “Thank you, Wu Ma. But will Shen Yixuan still employ you?” She worried Wu Ma might face consequences from him for being so kind.
“Don’t worry, it won’t happen.” She appreciated Wu Ma’s kindness and wondered why the young master let such a good girl go easily. Wu Ma would keep an eye on Xiao Ya.
However, the observer can’t control her heart. If it’s not the young master’s destiny, she can’t do anything about it. Who knows what will happen in the future?
“That’s good. Wu Ma, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go up now.” He probably won’t harm an elderly person; he might not be that heartless.
“Okay.”
Luo Yaling walked a few steps, then Wu Ma called her to stop.
“Xiao Ya, wait.” Wu Ma couldn’t help but call out to Luo Yaling.
“What’s wrong?” Luo Yaling turned and asked.
“Can Wu Ma really come to see Xiao Ya often?” Wu Ma asked uncertainly.
“Of course. I said Wu Ma can come anytime. It makes no difference. Besides, there’s still someone at home.” Oh! She forgot little Heng was waiting for her. How is he doing?
“That’s good, that’s good.” Wu Ma nodded reassuringly.
“Then Wu Ma, I’ll go first.” She got in the car and drove away.
Watching Wu Ma leave, Luo Yaling sighed lightly and turned toward the apartment building.
Meanwhile, Bin Zhengheng sat dejectedly on the floor, staring at the closed door.
Where did Xiao Ya go? She hadn’t come back all night. If only he had stayed with her, he wouldn’t have returned first. He felt terrible for losing Xiao Luo. Xiao Luo, where are you? Are you in danger?
Xiao Luo, please be okay! Otherwise, he would never forgive himself. Bin Zhengheng sat on the floor, lost in thought.
Suddenly, Bin Zhengheng heard footsteps and rushed to the door, embracing Luo Yaling as she walked by.
“Xiao Luo, where did you go last night?”
The sudden force made Luo Yaling step back, her hands stiff in mid-air as she looked at him in shock.
Chapter Forty-Four: Heartbreak
“What’s wrong?” Luo Yaling touched Bin Zhengheng’s head affectionately.
“Xiao Luo, I was so worried when you didn’t come back. If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t want to live either.” Bin Zhengheng trembled in her arms.
“Huh? What’s wrong with little Heng? Is he okay?”
“Doesn’t Xiao Luo like me?” Bin Zhengheng asked fearfully.
“Of course Xiao Luo likes Heng. How could she not like such a cute Heng?” Luo Yaling responded.
“Really?” His eyes were teary.
“Really. Truer than pearls,” she smiled.
“Xiao Luo, let’s date! I like you too,” Bin Zhengheng said seriously.
Ah!!! She should have noticed this earlier to prevent it from developing like this. She needs to make things clear before he falls too deep.
Luo Yaling pulled Bin Zhengheng out of her embrace and looked at him seriously.
“Heng, listen to me. I like you like a younger brother, not in a romantic way. Do you understand? I’ve always seen you as a brother.” Before she could finish, Bin Zhengheng interrupted.
“Is it because of the age difference? So Xiao Luo always sees me as a brother?”
“No, even without the age issue, I would not fall in love with you.” Luo Yaling spoke coldly.
“Forever?” Bin Zhengheng’s body trembled.
“Forever. I will always only see you as a brother.” Luo Yaling turned her face away, afraid that looking at him would weaken her resolve.
Bin Zhengheng muttered to himself, “Brother! I can only be a brother.”
Luo Yaling, concerned, asked, “Heng, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, I’ll go out for a bit.” Bin Zhengheng avoided her gaze.
He didn’t want to see her looking at him with the concerned eyes of someone looking at a younger brother.
Luo Yaling watched Bin Zhengheng walk away unsteadily but didn’t stop him, thinking he was merely throwing a tantrum. She hoped he would calm down soon.
Entering the room, she saw a table full of untouched food, making her feel uncomfortable. Had he been waiting for her to return all night? She didn’t deserve such devotion. Regretting her earlier words, she thought about how he had walked away, feeling powerless, and immediately rushed out.
Bin Zhengheng ran like a madman, her words replaying in his mind, breaking his heart.
“Even if it’s not about age, I won’t like you, or even love you.”
“I’ll always only see you as a brother, impossible to cross that line.”
“Impossible.”
“Ah!!!” he screamed frantically.
A nearby beggar looked at him strangely before resuming his search through the trash.
