Falling into the rain

Chen Xuran bit her lip, glanced at Chen Xuning's face, and reluctantly squeezed out an "I'm sorry".

The apology was hardly sincere to begin with, but before Wen Huaixu could speak, Chen Xuning's face darkened, and she said sternly, "Starting today, you're grounded for a month. I'm going to teach you a lesson for your temper!"

"No!" Chen Xuran's eyes reddened with anxiety, her voice trembling with tears. "I have a performance this month..."

She and Yu Tingyu were in the same major and had the same tutor. Their grades were usually similar, but whenever there was a chance to perform on a big stage, the college would always give it to Yu Tingyu, giving her a pitifully small number of opportunities, or she would be given a small stage that no one cared about. She finally managed to get a chance to perform at a big theater, and she couldn't just let it slip away.

But Chen Xuning just pursed her lips, turned her face away from her, and her attitude did not soften in the slightest.

Chen Xuran suddenly lost her support and had no choice but to soften her stance, saying to Yu Tingyu again, "I'm sorry, I won't do it again."

Who says an apology always means forgiveness?

Yu Tingyu didn't want to pay attention to her, but she also didn't want to continue making a scene.

Putting everything else aside, the Chen family was the marriage partner carefully chosen by Wen Yun and her husband. Perhaps they really will become a family in the future. Continuing to entangle themselves will only affect the relationship between the two families. Moreover, Wen Yun's expression is already very bad.

Over the years Yu Tingyu has lived in the Wen family, she has long since learned to read people's expressions and moods.

She raised her eyes, looked at Wen Huaixu, and said softly, "Second Brother, I want to go home."

Wen Huaixu frowned at her, but Yu Tingyu clearly didn't want to pursue the matter any further.

Before leaving, Yu Tingyu bid Wen Yun a respectful farewell.

Wen Yun's attitude remained as gentle as ever. She even personally saw Yu Tingyu to the car and reminded her, "Don't take today's events to heart. Get some rest when you get home."

"I know, Auntie."

Yu Tingyu smiled.

How could she not understand this principle? After the marriage alliance, the Wen family and the Chen family would be family, while she would be the outsider.

Before getting into the car, Wen Huaixu raised his eyes and glanced at Zhao Xiao's face, not too hard, not too softly, and didn't look away for a long time.

I don't know what it means, but you can tell that this look contains a lot of disdain and dissatisfaction.

Zhao Xiao unconsciously straightened up, and was about to ask what was wrong when Wen Huaixu got into the car.

After the car drove away, he wondered, "What's wrong with Brother Huaixu? Why was he looking at me like that?"

"You think I'm a toad?" Shen Sihe said this with an ambiguous meaning.

"What do you mean?" Zhao Xiao didn't understand at all.

Shen Sihe glanced at him: "Figure it out yourself."

-

"Why aren't you home so late?"

"How did Second Brother know I was here?"

The two asked the question almost simultaneously.

After hearing his question, Yu Tingyu twitched her lips, turned her head to look at the night view outside the window, and complained softly, "Didn't you reply either?"

She was questioned just because she came home late once, but she never cared about the many times he came home late at night before.

Of course, Yu Tingyu knew that she had no right to interfere.

"I had work to do, I had to attend the social event." Wen Huaixu frowned at her, his eyes filled with suppressed annoyance: "But what about you?"

If you keep going on dates this late, will you end up staying out all night next time?

"What's wrong with me?"

Yu Tingyu was taken aback by the question and didn't react for a moment. After a few seconds, she belatedly realized that Wen Huaixu was still doubting her relationship with Zhao Xiao.

"Let's start a rule from today." Wen Huaixu didn't answer her question, only said coldly, "You must be home before 10 p.m.

Yu Tingyu pondered those words carefully, then suddenly said, "So, aren't you going to set an example for me?"

Wen Huaixu raised his eyes, perhaps not expecting Yu Tingyu to ask such a question.

"Since we're setting rules, I can't be the only one following them, can I?"

Yu Tingyu argued forcefully, and she was actually hoping that this rule would be in place.

Wen Huaixu squinted, the dim light falling on his angular features, making it impossible to discern his emotions.

He stared at Yu Tingyu for a few seconds, seemingly lost in thought, before suddenly agreeing, "Okay."

As long as she doesn't come home late or stay out all night, he's willing to cut back on his work hours, whether it's socializing or anything else, and finish before 10 PM.

Yu Tingyu was taken aback, not expecting him to agree so readily. After a pause, she replied, "...Okay then."

The carriage fell silent for a moment. Wen Huaixu closed his eyes, but before he could rest for more than a few seconds, he heard Yu Tingyu ask hesitantly, "...What happened tonight, you don't blame me?"

Wen Huaixu opened his eyes, met her gaze, and looked at her intently for a few moments. Seeing her cautious expression, a bitter feeling rose in his throat.

He knew her personality all too well. Despite his meticulous care for her over the years, trying to help her fully integrate into the family, Yu Tingyu still couldn't shake her sensitive and cautious nature.

Wen Huaixu stared at her silently for a few seconds before slowly speaking, "Of course it's strange."

Yu Tingyu's expression changed slightly, but before she could start to think, she suddenly heard him say, "It's your fault for splashing it too lightly."

"Don't try to tolerate this kind of person, and don't be afraid to make a scene. I'll take care of everything."

Yu Tingyu listened to his words in a daze, and subconsciously voiced her thoughts.

"...But she is Chen Xuning's sister."

"So?" Wen Huaixu frowned and asked.

"Chen Xuning... might be my future sister-in-law, so I shouldn't make things too awkward..."

When she said the words "Second Sister-in-law," Yu Tingyu paused almost imperceptibly; heaven knows how she managed to say that word.

Yu Tingyu pinched her fingertips hard, and a thin layer of sweat seeped from her palms. Her eyes were clearly clear and bright, but Wen Huaixu inexplicably saw a hint of emptiness and lifelessness in them.

A slight smile played on his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes: "You're thinking far ahead."

Wen Huaixu really didn't understand why such a young person would have so many concerns. The marriage alliance with the Chen family was just wishful thinking on the part of the elders. It was clearly a baseless matter, and even he himself hadn't taken it to heart, yet Yu Tingyu kept bringing it up from time to time.

Yu Tingyu lowered her head, the bitterness in her eyes going unnoticed by anyone.

It's not that she thinks too much, it's that she dares not not think too much.

Having lived under the Wen family's roof for so many years, she had long since learned to always leave herself a way out in everything she did.

Just like now, she doesn't dare let Wen Huaixu know even a little bit about her feelings for him.

Only in this way, even if the marriage comes to fruition in the future, or if he marries another woman, even if she has to watch someone else stand by his side, she can still retain her last identity and stay by his side, so that she won't be left with no way out.

Although this road is really difficult to travel.

"Maybe." Yu Tingyu looked up at him and smiled, not wanting to argue any further, and deliberately made her tone light: "Maybe I'm overthinking it."