After their confessions were rejected, they regretted it for the rest of their lives.

Chapter 99 Rainy Day and Gloomy Weather

Xia Weichan didn't want to continue this topic.

"Not anymore."

"Uh-huh..."

Zhou Juzi pressed her face against the bottle rim, her eyes fixed on Xia Weichan. "Actually, ever since that guy was kidnapped by a group of people when he was twelve and came to Grandma's house demanding money, and I stabbed a few of them with a knife, not many debt collectors have come knocking."

"Pfft! Cough cough!"

Xia Weichan choked on the food she had just swallowed. Twelve years old?

Stabbing someone with a knife?!

Zhou Juzi's words caused his thoughts to pause briefly. Then, recalling his investigation into the girl's background and her mysteriously missing father, Xia Weichan seemed to have found the answer—

Based on the information gleaned from the painting, Xia Weichan used the legal talent points she gained in her first playthrough to speculate that "a large group of people," "holding someone hostage," and "coming to collect a debt" likely triggered the prerequisites for self-defense. At that time, the girl was 12 years old and a minor, falling under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Protection Law. Therefore, according to the court's verdict, she would indeed be acquitted, and this experience might even be sealed in her file to protect the minor.

All the doubts about the girl's past now make sense.

But now, when Xia Weichan looked at Zhou Juzi again, he felt a chill run down his spine. For a moment, he had the illusion that he was being stared at by a tiger.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Zhou Juzi noticed Xia Weichan's somewhat stiff gaze, a flicker of panic in the girl's eyes. She could sense that the other girl seemed to be experiencing some negative emotions because of what she had just said—

The girl pursed her lips and quickly shook her head, explaining, "I'm not like that now—really! I already feel very safe with you by my side."

,

Xia Weichan remained silent for a moment, not saying much, but changing the subject and saying softly, "It's getting late, let's finish our meal and go back to rest."

"Um--"

The girl nodded obediently.

Zhou Juzi drank both bottles of beer.

Xia Weichan helped the slightly unsteady girl back to the car. The girl, who was drunk on the way, clung tightly to him, as if she wanted to melt into his body. This way of leaving was a bit undignified, and under other people's eyes, it looked a bit embarrassing and ambiguous. Fortunately, this guy's debut single had not been officially released yet, and he was not famous yet.

Otherwise, Xia Weichan really wouldn't know how to clean up this mess caused by her drunkenness.

I picked up the limp Zhou Juzi, tossed her into the passenger seat, adjusted her seat, and then fastened her seatbelt.

Xia Weichan returned to the driver's seat and looked helplessly at the girl next to her who seemed to be falling asleep. Even so, the girl subconsciously grabbed the hem of Xia Weichan's clothes.

"It really is—"

If that's what happened in her childhood, Zhou Juzi shouldn't be drinking. Xia Weichan didn't understand why the girl was drinking like this in front of him, even though it was her first time drinking.

Are you really that confident in yourself?

Zhou Juzi was reassured by him, but after hearing what the girl said at the dinner table, Xia Weichan might not be able to reassure Zhou Juzi now.

"Sigh."

I glanced at the time; it was almost midnight. I definitely couldn't get back to school at this hour.

Xia Weichan started the car. Fortunately, he hadn't been drinking, and the apartment was very close by.

But for such a short distance, it took him a full 10 minutes, not because of traffic, but because he dared not drive fast, fearing that Zhou Juzi might feel unwell and vomit in the car, which would be a big problem.

Fortunately, nothing happened on the way. When they arrived at the garage, Xia Weichan woke the drowsy girl up, "Can you still walk?"

"able--"

After saying that, the girl tried to get up and get out of the car, but the seatbelt tightened around her chest.

Xia Weichan: "————"

"I'll carry you on my back."

He unbuckled his seatbelt, bent down to let the girl lie on his back, and waited until he felt a soft, warm sensation before supporting the girl's tender thighs and slowly standing up.

"Tell me in advance if you need to throw up, and I'll throw it down for you. Don't throw up on me."

"Um--"

Zhou Juzi rested her chin on Xia Weichan's shoulder, obediently responding with a muffled sound. Her eyes were narrowed, her pretty face flushed, and she pressed close to Xia Weichan's back. It seemed that for her, this feeling of being taken care of was a pleasure.

"like--"

66

The warm breath brushed against the cicada's neck, causing a slight itch.

Compared to the nightlife of 2015, even Qingcheng was not as bustling and vibrant as I remembered.

The corridor inside the apartment was illuminated by the streetlights on both sides of the street. Out of concern for the girl's health, Xia Weichan did not choose to throw Zhou Juzi directly back to the apartment she had just rented that day, but instead chose to throw her into her bedroom.

Actually, Xia Weichan initially planned to leave the girl on the sofa and then sleep in the bedroom herself.

However, doing this seems a bit inappropriate.

Without closing the bedroom door, Xia Weichan sat on the sofa, her feelings a mix of emotions.

He began to recall the details of his time with Zhou Juzi, and for a moment he didn't know what emotions to express.

This was somewhat distressing; Xia Weichan disliked the feeling of being thought about.

Especially this kind of dependent feeling.

It makes people feel less free.

The ever-increasing favorability rating was causing Xia Weichan a major headache, as she feared it would be difficult to extricate herself according to the original plan in the future.

'

It doesn't matter anymore.

His immediate priority is to collect the reward; he can consider the rest later.

Moreover, Xia Weichan is currently tied to more than just Zhou Juzi; there is also another character, Zhu Xuening, whose development path is unclear.

Cultivation: The Way

"6

'

It will rain tomorrow.

Xia Weichan had originally planned to go to Rongxue Mountain to look for Zhu Xuening—

It seems we'll have to postpone it until the rain stops.

The next day, no sunlight shone in.

Xia Weichan woke up at six in the morning. Looking at the environment in the living room, he thought it was three or four in the morning.

The sky outside the window was like a thick quilt, about to cover us, and the glass was already making a soft, dripping sound.

Xia Weichan wasn't the type to particularly like rain, so he simply drew the curtains.

He hadn't slept well the night before, and had just lain down when Zhou Juzi, still half asleep, staggered out and asked him where the bathroom was. Xia Weichan pointed her in the right direction, assuming she was just going to use the restroom. However, she ended up vomiting at the sink for ages, getting her shirt all dirty. Xia Weichan had to temporarily change her into his own clothes, barely glancing at her shapely figure. He didn't even have time to admire her so-called "boyfriend shirt," because halfway there Zhou Juzi seemed to be sleepwalking, and Xia Weichan had to carry her back from the bathroom to the bedroom bed.

Luckily, I didn't bring this guy back to the other rented apartment.

trouble--

"well"

Xia Weichan sighed, and with his head still a little groggy from lack of sleep, he washed his face.

Pressing my forehead, I tried to clear my head as quickly as possible.

I glanced at Zhou Juzi on the bed through the doorway. The girl was sleeping soundly, clutching a corner of the blanket. She was wearing Xia Weichan's shirt draped over her shoulders, the loose neckline revealing her slender white shoulders. Her orange-yellow hair was scattered on the pillow.

"."

'

Xia Weichan calmly withdrew her gaze, closed the door, and did not disturb her.

I just finished recording the single yesterday, and the rest of the production will take some time. Today, Zhou Juzi can take a day off to adjust her state and move.

Let's talk about it when she wakes up.

Thinking this, Xia Weichan sat back on the sofa. Actually, apart from not sleeping well, Xia Weichan was fine throughout the night.

Zhou Juzi's career is progressing very quickly, which is enough to overshadow the other shortcomings and deficiencies of her partner.

Putting aside any unusual levels of affection, the process of raising the character completely eliminates the need to consider the romance route, making it incredibly convenient.

Zuoqiu Hangyu, who got up early to hold an umbrella over Lu Ye's tombstone, saw a familiar figure again by Xia Weiyu's tombstone. She was curled up like a down-on-her-luck stray cat, her head down. The morning was dark and there was no sunlight, making the thin girl look even more fragile.

"Did you stay here all night?"

Zuoqiu Hangyu approached Li Juan Hexu and asked softly.

Looking at the girl's appearance, even though she didn't know what had happened and they weren't familiar with each other, she couldn't help but feel some pity.

-

Hearing the clear voice, Kurijuu Tsuruo gently raised her head, her gray-brown eyes devoid of any luster as she looked at Zuoqiu Hangyu. She pursed her lips, and after a long pause, slowly said, "You—were following me?"

"No, it's just that we come to this place frequently and for long periods of time, so it's normal for us to run into each other a few times."

""

Zuoqiu Hangyu explained, looking at Kurijuu Tsuruo's appearance, unsure of what to think. Someone who shines brightly on stage now appears like this—

Especially knowing that Xia Weiyu is most likely Xia Weichan.

Why did that guy do that?

Zuoqiu Hangyu couldn't understand it, and she was also somewhat conflicted—

Should I tell this news to Tsuruo Kurimaki?

If Xia Weichan is indeed Lu Ye, then her actions are essentially letting others escape first, and she doesn't yet have concrete evidence to prove it.

However—every time she met this idol, he was gradually becoming depressed. Watching someone slowly break down made her feel guilty.

Zuoqiu Hangyu's tone was somewhat complicated: "Does Xia Weichan know about your situation?"

'

'

Kuriju Tsuru remained silent, gripping the umbrella Xia Weiyu had left behind that day tightly, without uttering a word.

She did not answer.

-pain.

Whenever she recalls those words Xia Weichan said to her that day, a wave of extreme regret washes over her, like salt being rubbed into her wounds.

You don't deserve it—

Kurimaki Tsuruo gritted her teeth, instinctively wanting to retort at that moment, but she couldn't open her mouth no matter how hard she tried.

There's nothing to say—

Yes--

She didn't even have a reason to commit suicide for love; she didn't even accept Xia Weiyu's confession that day—

It's only natural that Xia Weichan, being his younger brother, would dislike him.

Tsuruo Kurimaki also hates her own inferiority complex and cowardice.

Insomnia and an extreme lack of security led her to return here at 3 a.m., and she's still here now—

"I—I'm sorry—"

Seeing that Kurijuu Tsuru was looking down, lost in thought and muttering to herself, Zuoqiu Hangyu hesitated for a moment, then glanced at the sky and finally reminded her, "It's going to rain soon."

The rain gradually intensified.

Xia Weichan looked out the window, her mind a jumble of thoughts.

After a while, he remembered something, took out his phone, and found Zhu Xuening's contact information—

Just then, the doorbell rang—

"?"

Who would come looking for him in a downpour?

Xia Weichan got up and opened the door, where she was greeted by Zhu Xuening's sweet smile.

Good morning!

>