Falling into the rain

Yu Tingyu had never heard Wen Huaixu's voice so gentle before, to the point that she felt as if she was about to fall into this inescapable vortex again.

But it only lasted a second before she snapped back to reality.

Yu Tingyu laughed. In the dim light that made it difficult to see each other clearly, she slowly leaned over and sat down, so close that the hem of her skirt brushed against the hem of his trousers at a barely perceptible distance.

Sensing Yu Tingyu's approach, Wen Huaixu's throat tightened, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily as he smelled her unique fragrance.

My body felt hot again, as if everything was burning hot.

He closed his eyes, feeling a sense of relief that it was nighttime.

Yu Tingyu was unaware of his other reactions, only sensing his unease.

She couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

It turns out I was still afraid of her getting close.

Then why do you still want her to go home? Wouldn't it be better to just let things be peacefully as they are?

Yu Tingyu curved her lips into a smile, tilted her beautiful, watery eyes up, and asked him in a soft voice, "Brother, did you miss me?"

Her soft, sweet voice echoed in the night, mixed with her delicate scent, making Wen Huaixu's throat feel dry. He had no choice but to open the window to let in some fresh air.

Yu Tingyu waited a long time before his voice, hoarse and almost unrecognizable, finally came: "Tomorrow is my sister-in-law's first visit, and the old house wants us to go over there."

It turned out to be the case.

Yu Tingyu stared blankly at the pitch-black night, where she could see nothing at all.

I don't know what she was thinking, but after a few seconds she sat back down in her original seat, and her voice returned to normal.

"Oh, then let's go back."

Wen Huaixu opened his eyes and looked at her through the last bit of light. He saw that Yu Tingyu had turned her head toward the window, and once again she seemed to refuse to communicate.

He narrowed his eyes, his gaze heavy and unfocused, and opened his lips, but ultimately said nothing.

Wen Huaixu got out of the car and went around to the driver's seat. Wang Hang wasn't there today, so he was driving himself.

Although they don't drive often, their driving skills are still excellent, and neither of them spoke a word the whole way.

As the car stopped in front of his house and he was about to get out, Wen Huaixu closed his eyes and said to Yu Tingyu in the back seat, "You go in first."

There was no response after that, only a few seconds later the sound of the door slamming shut.

As Yu Tingyu walked to the door with her bag, Wen Huaixu heard Aunt Jing's surprised and delighted voice from inside the car.

It's nothing more than saying "Finally home," "You've lost weight," or "What delicious food do you want to eat?"

Yu Tingyu responded to her gently, affectionately took Aunt Jing's arm, and walked inside together.

Wen Huaixu stared into the room with his dark eyes, watching Yu Tingyu's back as she walked in until she disappeared from sight.

He reached up and pressed his temples.

Yu Tingyu can be nice to anyone, but she won't be nice to him.

He didn't blame Yu Tingyu; he only blamed himself.

He blamed himself for not being able to control his racing heart and impulses. He could be with other women, but he should never have been with her.

I tried to distract myself by driving, but the feeling didn't lessen at all and even seemed to get worse, making it impossible for me to be seen in public.

In the darkness, the gear lighter clicked once, and a flash of light illuminated his somber features. The scent of nicotine quickly spread in the wind, only to be swallowed up by the night.

Wen Huaixu brought the cigarette to his lips, took a drag, and the smoke swirled between his lips and teeth before he slowly exhaled, but the sorrow in his heart did not lessen in the slightest.

He can fool anyone, but he can't fool himself.

He also harbored secret feelings for Yu Tingyu, but he couldn't answer when they started.

Just like he couldn't give Yu Tingyu an answer.

This is an unsolvable problem.

-

Not long after Yu Tingyu returned to her room, she received a call from Shen Sihe.

As soon as she answered, the other end asked cautiously, "How did it go? Huai Xu didn't scold you, did he?"

Yu Tingyu stood by the window and glanced down through the curtains. Wen Huaixu hadn't gotten out of the car yet.

Recalling how furious he was just now, yet had to restrain himself, Yu Tingyu curled her lips and said to the other end of the line, "Why did he curse at me?"

"I was so scared just now. Brother Huaixu's face looked so ugly. I was afraid he would hit me." Shen Sihe still feels lingering fear when she thinks about it.

"He dares," Yu Tingyu blurted out.

Shen Sihe grinned at her: "Of course Brother Huaixu wouldn't bear to hit you. I'm talking about me. It's not like Zhao Xiao hasn't hit us before. We all grew up being persecuted by Brother Huaixu."

"It's not that scary, he's reasonable too."

After Yu Tingyu finished speaking, she realized that she had subconsciously spoken to Wen Huaixu, and immediately pursed her lips.

But Shen Sihe didn't tease her; instead, she voiced her suspicions: "Don't you think Brother Huaixu was jealous just now?"

After saying that, she muttered to herself, "This is how Zhao Xiao is when he's jealous. His face turns as black as charcoal, and he doesn't say a word. It's kind of creepy."

Yu Tingyu raised an eyebrow: "You always make Zhao Xiao jealous?"

"I..." Shen Sihe was about to explain when she suddenly realized she had changed the subject. She glared at Yu Tingyu and said, "Ms. Yu, we're talking about you and Brother Huaixu right now."

Yu Tingyu looked helpless: "Don't talk nonsense. He only cares about me out of a sense of responsibility, what you call a father's mentality."

"And one more thing—" she continued, emphasizing, "Don't put my name and his name together, it's inappropriate."

Yu Tingyu is no longer fixated on him; she just wants to distance herself from him, which would be better for both of them.

Although she still likes him, letting go completely is not something that can be done overnight; it can only be done slowly.

"Okay," Shen Sihe said with a silent regret.

The next day, Yu Tingyu didn't need Aunt Jing to wake her up; she got up early on her own.

When I arrived at the restaurant, Wen Huaixu was already sitting there.

Having already decided to maintain their original relationship, Yu Tingyu greeted Wen Huaixu as usual: "Good morning, Second Brother."

Upon hearing this sound, Wen Huaixu paused almost imperceptibly, but quickly concealed it.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Yu Tingyu, who was gazing at him with pure eyes and even gave him a slight smile.

"..."

He paused for a moment before slowly wiping his fingers with a tissue. His dark eyes were unfathomable, revealing no emotion. He simply nodded to Yu Tingyu and said, "Sit."

Yu Tingyu pulled out a chair and sat down, remaining silent during meals and sleep. Apart from greeting him at the beginning, she didn't speak again. After finishing breakfast, the two got into the car together.

As soon as the car entered the old manor, it felt unusual; every corner was decorated in a festive manner.

Although Liang Kai-zhou and Wen Yun did not approve of Liang Jie-zong's marriage, the eldest son insisted, so they had no choice but to decorate the garden to make it lively in order to maintain appearances.

The two arrived neither too early nor too late. People who were close to both sides were already there, and Yu Tingyu also met her sister-in-law, whom she had never met before.

She truly deserves to be called a big star; she's dazzling just by standing there, and she and Liang Jiezong are a perfect match.

"Big brother, sister-in-law."

Yu Tingyu greeted her with a smile.

Liang Jiezong put his arm around his wife Qi Xi's waist and introduced her, saying, "This is the youngest sister in the family, Tingyu."

Qi Xi has a gentle appearance, and speaks even more gently. "I've heard your older brother mention this before."

With so many guests today, Yu Tingyu wisely refrained from saying anything more and followed Wen Huaixu inside.