Shu Yu snapped awake at Si Yiheng's words.
For a moment, Shu Yu didn't know where to put her hands. She quietly tried to pull back the arms she had wrapped around Si Yiheng, but he caught her by the back of her head.
Si Yiheng lowered his gaze, staring at Shu Yu. "You want to hug Ye Ning, but not me?"
Shu Yu: "..."
Now she couldn't pull her hands back at all—it would make her seem biased against Si Yiheng.
Shu Yu whispered, carefully placing her fingers on Si Yiheng. "Hug, hug, hug. I didn't mean I wouldn't hug you."
As she circled her arms around Si Yiheng's waist, Shu Yu realized he looked very different today. He was wearing a white shirt and carried a crisp, cool scent.
Looking at Si Yiheng right now, Shu Yu finally understood what it meant to be a campus heartthrob.
This outfit made him look so boyish.
Like he'd aged backward three years—almost her age now.
Si Yiheng noticed Shu Yu's gaze. "Do you still want to hug Ye Ning more than me?"
Shu Yu: "!!!"
Shu Yu whispered to Iron Egg, "Egg, why does Si Yiheng always compare himself to Ning Ning? Is that normal?"
Iron Egg thought for a moment and pulled up the character profiles for Si Yiheng and Ye Ning.
Iron Egg: [It should be normal. According to the data, Ye Ning grew up in a loving family with parents who adore each other and her. But Si Yiheng's parents had a business marriage—they hate each other, and they despise Si Yiheng even more.]
[So Si Yiheng is starved for love. He had to force himself to mature quickly so he wouldn't be abused or controlled by his parents. Now that you like Ye Ning more, Si Yiheng might feel like he's never been loved.]
[In a way, Ye Ning is the chosen one of this world—she's free enough, rich enough, and even her career is something she loves.]
Shu Yu thought deeply. Ning Ning really is the best.
Si Yiheng was pitiful too.
But despite everything, Si Yiheng had turned out well. Crawling out of the mud, he'd still become a normal, polite person.
He knew how to take care of others, how to consider their feelings.
Shu Yu tilted her head up and spoke softly. "Si Yiheng, bend down."
Si Yiheng was confused but bent his head slightly. Then he felt a small, soft hand brush through his hair at the roots. The gentle touch sent a faint tingle straight to the depths of his heart.
Shu Yu's tone was serious. "Brother, Ning Ning will have a lot of love. You will too."
Good people always attract those who love them.
That sentence hit Si Yiheng's heart like a stone plunging into a deep, still lake.
Si Yiheng took the hand that had been stroking his head, held it, and gazed into Shu Yu's eyes. "Yeah."
They would be happy.
Si Yiheng: "Go wash up. I'll wait for you outside."
Shu Yu went to brush her teeth and wash her face. While Si Yiheng waited, she secretly slipped into Ye Ning's room to find her, only to discover Ye Ning wasn't there.
Checking her messages, she saw that Ye Ning had texted her earlier.
Golden Corn: Baby, I've got some big stuff to handle. I'm heading out first.
Golden Corn: Have fun with my brother. Wear the dress I got you—it's hanging in my closet. You'll look amazing in it!
Golden Corn: I knew you'd sneak into my room looking for me.
The disappointment of not finding Ye Ning melted away as Shu Yu read her messages.
LittleFishSwimming: o(〃＾▽＾〃)o
LittleFishSwimming: Okay.
Ye Ning's dress was a blend of soft pink and light green, like pale cherry blossoms falling on fresh grass. A pink ribbon was tied into a bow at the waist, gently swaying with Shu Yu's movements.
The hem fell right at knee level, revealing a pair of slender, fair calves.
Si Yiheng's gaze landed on Shu Yu and lingered for a few seconds. "Very beautiful."
Pleased by the compliment, Shu Yu walked over to Si Yiheng. As she moved, the hem of the dress brushed past his fingertips, and his fingers curled slightly.
Shu Yu: "Right? I think it's really pretty too. Ning Ning picked it out."
Si Yiheng: "..."
Ever since meeting Shu Yu, Ye Ning's presence had been way too prominent.
Si Yiheng: "Anything else you need to bring?"
Shu Yu pointed at Little Orange, who was tilting her head to look at them. "We need to bring Little Orange."
Si Yiheng turned and saw Little Orange staring at them in shock.
In Little Orange's little world, these two people shouldn't exist together.
Si Yiheng: "Yeah."
Shu Yu picked up Little Orange, while Si Yiheng carried her luggage, walking behind her.
Shu Yu was whispering something to Little Orange—too quiet for Si Yiheng to hear, as if she didn't want him to.
Si Yiheng's new place wasn't far from the school. It was a three-story villa with a small yard.
Pink roses grew in the yard, and ivy climbed up one side of the house.
It looked full of life.
Shu Yu liked it.
After putting things away and settling Little Orange in, Si Yiheng showed Shu Yu to her room. It was spacious, with an equally large walk-in closet.
Si Yiheng: "This is your bedroom."
"The study is on this floor. You can use it if you need to study."
Shu Yu nodded. "Got it."
Si Yiheng continued, "An auntie will come by occasionally to cook and clean. I've told her not to enter your private areas. If you need help cleaning, you can wait until I'm free, and I'll do it."
Shu Yu tilted her head in disbelief. "Huh?"
"You… you'll help me?"
Si Yiheng moved closer, looking down at her, speaking slowly. "Didn't you say you wanted a first emperor who'd fetch you tea and water?"
Shu Yu: (I’m so frustrated!)
How did Si Yiheng still remember that?
Shu Yu turned her head away. "I can manage on my own too."
Si Yiheng: "Baby Yu, is there nothing you want to say to me?"
The subject shifted too fast. Shu Yu was confused again. Was there something she needed to ask him?
Shu Yu shook her head. "No."
Si Yiheng: "Aren't you going to ask about that underclassman?"
Only then did Shu Yu remember the underclassman she'd never really cared about.
Shu Yu was honest. "There's nothing to ask. I trust you."
Si Yiheng moved closer again, erasing the safe distance between them. Their breaths mingled, and Shu Yu had nowhere to retreat.
She only heard Si Yiheng say,
"I don't have some underclassman. I don't know her."
"I never had another 'underclassman' calling me 'brother.'"
"It's only ever been you."
