Meeting her cousin’s indifferent gaze, Si Jingwen’s first reaction was to look away guiltily.
Seeing Si Jingwen’s guilty expression, Si Yiheng’s heart went cold.
Si Yiheng glanced at Assistant Xiao Wang and said coldly, “Lift his face.”
Assistant Xiao Wang: “…”
With his chin pinched and his face tilted up, Si Jingwen shouted, “Brother, what are you doing?”
Si Yiheng didn’t answer. He just stared at Si Jingwen’s eyes.
Finally, Si Yiheng let out a cold sneer. “So you plan to use this face to seduce my fiancée?”
Assistant Xiao Wang looked at Si Yiheng and felt that this jealous man might just slash Si Jingwen’s face at any second.
Si Jingwen’s cheeks were puffed out from being squeezed, making him look like an angry pufferfish.
Si Jingwen said, “You guys broke up.”
“What fiancée? You never got engaged.”
“Brother, don’t be unreasonable.”
“Shu Yu broke up with you. She has the right to pursue happiness.”
With every word Si Jingwen spoke, Si Yiheng’s expression grew colder by a degree.
Assistant Xiao Wang: “…”
Dear God, stop provoking him.
Si Yiheng looked at Si Jingwen and let out a cold laugh. “When did we break up?”
He never agreed to it—how could that be a breakup?
Si Jingwen said, “…Brother, don’t be shameless! Why can’t you just let her go?”
Si Jingwen continued, “Let her go. She broke up with you and still left you—doesn’t that say enough?”
“She doesn’t love you anymore. Set her free.”
Si Yiheng listened coldly as Si Jingwen’s words struck him like stones, one after another.
Si Yiheng tossed Si Jingwen’s phone back at him. “You invite Shu Yu out. I’ll meet her one last time and make things clear. After that, I’ll let her go.”
Si Jingwen looked at Si Yiheng.
Si Yiheng always kept his word. He probably wouldn’t lie, right?
Si Jingwen turned around and pitifully sent a message.
Si Jingwen: Butler Qin, can I go out with Shu Yu tomorrow? I’ll just take her to a quiet area for a walk.
Si Jingwen: I saw that Shu Yu seems to be sketching that old district set for demolition. It could be a little outing for her inspiration.
Butler Qin immediately asked Shu Yu. Shu Yu thought about it. She had indeed been sketching the old district set for demolition.
She had thought about going out for a bit too.
But going with Si Jingwen? Forget it.
They weren’t that close.
Shu Yu smiled at Butler Qin. “Uncle Qin, how about you come with me tomorrow instead?”
Butler Qin was dazzled by Shu Yu’s smile.
The young lady really did prefer him, after all. When she was little, he held her hand and taught her how to walk.
Now he could accompany her and help her slowly move past her heartbreak.
Si Jingwen could just pack up and head back.
But before sending Si Jingwen off, he thought he should ask the young lady first.
Butler Qin asked, “Miss, if you like Si Jingwen as a substitute for Si Yiheng, why not let him accompany you?”
Shu Yu slowly looked up, dazed. “What substitute?”
Butler Qin said, “Si Jingwen, I mean. He’s Si Yiheng’s cousin, and they look quite alike.”
Shu Yu: (ⓛωⓛ)
Do they?
Not really, right?
Shu Yu thought carefully and only then realized their eye shapes were somewhat similar.
But Si Yiheng’s gaze was cold, deep, and still, while Si Jingwen’s eyes seemed to hold light.
Their temperaments were worlds apart. She really couldn’t connect the two at all.
Shu Yu finally realized that the gift her big brother had given her was Si Jingwen.
She was silent for a moment, then explained, “When I said I liked him, I meant I liked the snacks he brought, not Si Jingwen himself.”
Butler Qin: “?”
What a misunderstanding.
Alright, time to send Si Jingwen packing.
After asking Shu Yu for her thoughts, Butler Qin replied to Si Jingwen.
Butler Qin: I’ll accompany the young lady. You don’t need to come.
Si Jingwen: Alright.
Whether he went or not didn’t matter. He had helped Si Yiheng get Shu Yu out, and that was enough.
Si Jingwen picked up his phone. “Shu Yu will go to that old district for demolition sketching tomorrow. You can meet her there.”
Si Yiheng glanced at Si Jingwen’s phone. “Show me your chat log.”
Si Jingwen: “!!!”
“No way, Brother! You’re invading my privacy. If you keep this up, when I see Shu Yu, I’ll tell her.”
Si Yiheng was silent for a moment, then turned and left.
Si Jingwen watched his retreating back and patted his chest in relief. At least Si Yiheng could still be reasoned with.
Hopefully, tomorrow’s talk with Shu Yu would go just as smoothly.
Walking away, Si Yiheng let out a self-mocking laugh.
“She’s known him for just a few days, and she’s already willing to meet him.”
What did she like about Si Jingwen? That he was an idiot? That his head was full of food? Or that he was young and full of life?
Assistant Xiao Wang tried to console him, “Maybe she likes that he looks like you?”
Si Yiheng sneered bitterly. “Likes me? If she liked me, she wouldn’t want Si Jingwen.”
Shu Yu headed out with her sketchpad and pencils.
The district set for demolition was almost deserted. The cobblestone alleys stretched in all directions, with thin moss growing in the cracks.
Some courtyard doors were locked, their paint peeling and brass locks rusty.
Weeds grew wild in the yards, and the trees planted years ago were lush and overgrown.
The place was peaceful, as if forgotten by time, and yet full of life.
Butler Qin was familiar with this area. He carried Shu Yu’s water bottle and stayed close. Where Shu Yu didn’t know, eight bodyguards also followed.
Shu Yu listened attentively.
Suddenly, the voice of Iron Egg rang in her mind, “Baby Yu, I’m back. Three minutes until the mission ends and goes into settlement. I made it just in time.”
Shu Yu said, “Mm.”
Before she could ask anything further, someone suddenly blocked her path. “Miss Shu Yu, please come back with us.”
Butler Qin looked at the tall, burly bodyguards and stepped in front of Shu Yu. “Miss, go first.”
Butler Qin was almost relieved that they had come out—otherwise, Si Yiheng would have trapped the young lady inside.
Iron Egg also let out a piercing shriek. Three minutes left—don’t screw this up now!
Iron Egg quickly chimed in, “Baby Yu, run!”
Shu Yu turned without hesitation and fled deeper into the maze of alleys.
Behind her, the sound of footsteps grew faster and closer.
Her heart pounded from the exertion, the wind lifting the hair from her cheeks.
The wind whipped past her ears, and she dared not look back.
Just as she felt her strength giving out, Iron Egg’s broadcast finally came.
【3】
【2】
【1】
【Congratulations, host. Mission successful, entering settlement.】
As the broadcast sounded, Shu Yu was caught by a pair of strong arms that pulled her into a firm embrace.
Si Yiheng’s voice was low, like a stubborn, haunting spirit.
“Baby Yu, where do you think you’re running off to now?”
