Geng Yaoyang stood stiffly as Yu Xiaoying turned away, forgetting how many times she had turned from happiness. She smiled slightly, rain droplets washing over her, seeping into the depths of her heart. Ji Ran, is this your punishment for me? For walking away? For not forgiving you soon enough? For not being by your side? For never accepting anyone else, only missing you…
Geng Yaoyang stood in the rain, watching it dampen her lonely dress…
Geng Yaoyang pushed the door open expressionlessly, wet.
“Yao!” Geng Jianyu sat on the sofa, looking at him coldly.
He went straight upstairs.
“You’ve crossed the line. Father will never allow this.”
Geng Yaoyang stood on the stairs, looking down at Geng Jianyu. His eyes held no anger, only a faint rain.
“What thing?”
“You cannot like anyone other than Miss Zhizi.”
“Then you cannot like anyone other than Ling?”
“Yes,” Geng Jianyu looked at her worriedly.
Geng Yaoyang came downstairs and sat on the sofa opposite Geng Jianyu, remaining silent as if in thought. His expressions shifted, furrowing his brows and curving his mouth.
Geng Jianyu watched him quietly in the dark room.
“What do you like about her?”
“Maybe, her eyes.” Geng Yaoyang smiled in the darkness, his gaze gentle. “She’s so sad but pretends to be strong, always lost in thought as if remembering something. That look is very charming…”
“Yao… Zhizi and Ling are our responsibility,” Geng Jianyu sighed.
“Yes, what father owes will be borne by us.” He stood up. “I refuse to compromise!”
…
Yu Xiaoying opened the door to find her brother on the sofa, smiling at her.
“Brother, please don’t do this. Being too handsome is a crime.” She quickly composed herself, displaying her bright smile.
Jun Feng looked at her, probing. “Kiddo.”
“…?”
“You should have a proper relationship.”
Yu Xiaoying looked up in surprise.
“You’ve been sad for Ji Ran long enough. It’s time to live well again. You can try with Song Chu or even Geng Yaoyang.” Jun Feng stroked her hair gently.
Like all girls, don’t make yourself too hard, Ji Ran.
We can cherish in our hearts, but don’t let him block your love,” Jun Feng said clearly.
“I really miss the big…”
“Finding a new love, Ji Ran, do you allow me?”
Geng Yaoyang sat on the windowsill, coldly observing the crescent moon outside. The moonlight shone on his sculpted face. He recalled her faint sadness during their first meeting, the joy in her tearful eyes when she burst into the music room, and the happiness of choosing a gift for Lin Yichen.
“No,” she said firmly. “Please don’t like me.”
Geng Yaoyang jumped down from the windowsill and flicked the cigarette butt from his fingers. He sped down the road in his red sports car, the wind blowing through his hair and thoughts.
He glanced at the illuminated windows, capturing the occasional silhouette. “Geng Yaoyang, you’re crazy!” he self-deprecatingly laughed, then started the car and raised dust.
Another heavy rain. Yu Xiaoying lay listlessly on her desk, glancing at the empty seat beside her. He didn’t come today. She mechanically took notes and listened to the lecture, her mind empty. After class, as classmates’ laughter and playful sounds faded in the corridor, she sat blankly for a while before walking to the window…
Geng Yaoyang?! He stood there, looking up at her window, fool!
He actually didn’t have an umbrella and was completely soaked.
Yu Xiaoying grabbed her bag and ran downstairs, leaving the forgotten umbrella lonely on the desk.
Geng Yaoyang laughed when he saw her figure at the teaching building entrance. She walked dazedly to his side, and he handed her the umbrella, standing outside himself.
“I never use an umbrella,” he said, enjoying the “shower.”
Yu Xiaoying laughed, her bright smile and curved eyes full of mischief. Geng Yaoyang felt dazed. Suddenly, cool water flowed down his collar, sliding down his back.
She tricked me! He glared, about to be angry, but saw Yu Xiaoying struggling to hold the umbrella over his head. She looked up at him with a faint smile, and he felt his face flush.
Geng Yaoyang snatched the umbrella, glaring at her. “Fool!”
…
Song Chu stood by the window, watching the young couple outside, his heart slowly freezing.
“Why didn’t you give her the umbrella?” Lin Yichen asked softly, observing him. “You’ve been waiting after class for a long time, haven’t you?”
He slightly raised the corners of his mouth. “No need…”
“You… don’t like her anymore?”
Song Chu turned to her. “No! I like her very much. From high school until now… it’s just…” He lowered his head sadly.
“When she’s with me, she neither cries like she did with Ji Ran nor smiles as she does with Geng Yaoyang. She’s always melancholy. Do I have a reason to continue existing?”
“You’re so stupid!”
“…?”
“That’s her true self. She hides her emotions in front of Ji Ran and Geng Yaoyang, but crying in front of you shows her trust in you.” Lin Yichen smiled. “She said she couldn’t leave you, which shows her determination. Are you giving up because of Geng Yaoyang?”
Song Chu raised his head, his amber eyes cooling. “And you… have you given up?”
“No!”
“Then neither have I, and never will…”
Geng Yaoyang was in a good mood returning home. As he opened the door, he met Geng Qianyu’s worried eyes. “Father is here,” he said softly.
Geng Yaoyang frowned, seeing a middle-aged man sitting on the sofa, his serious gaze fixing on him.
“Father!” Geng Yaoyang approached and bowed.
“Come back to Japan with me immediately.”
Geng Yaoyang straightened, stubbornly pursing his lips. “No!”
“Father! Yao is busy with his studies…” Geng Qianyu stopped, struck by the sharp gaze.
“Come back immediately and marry Zhizi!”
Geng Yaoyang’s face turned pale. “No!”
“Slap!” A loud slap left five finger marks on Geng Yaoyang’s left face, the blood vessels at his temple bulging, his eyebrow piercing emitting a dangerous light. Clenching his fists, he stated firmly, “I am not your tool for repaying kindness!”
Geng Dingbang, standing tall, retorted, “What’s wrong with Zhizi?”
“Zhizi is good, but…”
“Is it Yu Xiaoying?” Geng Dingbang interrupted, glaring at him.
“You investigated me!” Geng Yaoyang’s eyes flashed with danger. “I won’t let you…”
“Come back to Japan with me early tomorrow morning. Handle your affairs yourselves, and I’d prefer not to get involved!” Geng Dingbang declared, standing up. With someone smoothing out the wrinkles on his clothes, he glanced at Geng Yaoyang’s changing expression. “You better not be late.”
Geng Yaoyang stood stiffly, then moved numbly to the sofa.
“Father has been gone for a long time…” Geng Qianyu said, approaching him.
“Qian… I’m going back to Japan,” he replied.
Geng Qianyu looked at him in surprise.
“Father can force me, but he can’t force Zhizi. I’ll talk to her myself. Leave everything here to you. Tell Xiaoyao I’ll be back soon!”
As soon as Yu Xiaoyao stepped out, she saw Song Chu, who seemed to have been waiting for a long time.
He stood there with a slight smile, the post-rain sunlight falling on him.
Song Chu’s radiance stung her eyes, and she lowered her head as he took her ice-cold hand.
Yu Xiaoyao’s gaze drifted across his face. “You look different today.” She knew he must have his reasons, as he was the gentle, considerate Song Chu.
“Mm,” he said, happily taking her schoolbag.
“How is Lin Yichen?”
“She can officially attend classes today.”
“Song Chu…”
“…?”
“Don’t you like Lin Yichen?” Yu Xiaoyao gently bit her lip and frowned slightly.
“I like her!” he answered decisively. “I think it’s more like pity.”
“Pity?”
Song Chu turned his body. “Are you trying to push me away? Don’t you want me to stay by your side and protect you?”
