Falling into the rain

The banquet hall was incredibly spacious, yet Yu Tingyu seemed to have nowhere to go.

She was wandering aimlessly when she suddenly heard a familiar voice—

"Yu Tingyu is just an orphan. Aunt Wen took pity on her and let her live in her home. She'll be married off in a few years. Do you really think of her as the Third Miss?"

The girl was arrogant, and even though Yu Tingyu couldn't see her, she recognized Chen Xuran's voice.

She is Chen Xuning's younger sister.

"But I heard that the Second Young Master treats her quite well," one person said hesitantly.

"What's the use of being nice? She'll get married sooner or later. Aunt Wen doesn't really care about her anyway. You'd be better off currying favor with my sister; she's the real fiancée."

"Really? It's already decided?"

"Of course, I've seen Brother Huaixu always taking my sister home before," Chen Xuran said confidently. "Now my grandpa and the others are setting a date, and it won't be long before Brother Huaixu becomes my brother-in-law."

Yu Tingyu lowered her eyes, staring at her own shadow in the sunlight, lying alone on the wall, silent and still, just like her situation in the Wen family.

Yes.

Yu Tingyu herself knew that even though she was raised in the Wen family, she could not truly be called a member of the Wen family. Wen Yun and Liang Kaizhou only let her live there for so many years out of consideration for the previous generation, but she had met the two elders very few times over the years.

All she had left was Wen Huaixu.

But he's leaving her too. He'll marry the woman he loves, have children, and live until the end of his life. As for her, this stranger he picked up along the way, who will remember her?

Yu Tingyu did not stand up to refute Chen Xuran, and did not move an inch until the two girls walked away.

Because none of what Chen Xuran said was wrong.

She was an orphan who grew up under the care of the Wen and Liang families. In the future, Wen Huaixu will marry and have children, and she will marry someone else.

Where is the mistake?

As dusk settled, Wen Huaixu, too lazy to listen to the elders' nagging inside, made an excuse and went out.

As soon as I stepped outside, I saw Chu Lingyu and Zhang Qi'an.

"Second Brother, we were just looking for you." The two waved to Wen Huaixu.

Wen Huaixu stopped in his tracks, remembering Wang Hang's words, and his dark eyes fell on Chu Lingyu.

A chill ran down his spine. Chu Lingyu asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"

Wen Huaixu said coldly, "Keep an eye on your brother."

"Chen Yu?" Chu Lingyu asked in surprise, "What trouble has this kid gotten into this time?"

Zhang Qi'an casually mentioned, "I just saw Chen Yu. What did he say he was going to do?"

"I've gone to find Tingyu," Chu Lingyu said.

Upon hearing this, Wen Huaixu's gaze turned even colder.

A few seconds later, Chu Lingyu and Zhang Qi'an suddenly realized what was happening, and they both laughed at the same time.

Chu Lingyu snorted and advised, "I suggest you mind your own business when it comes to the affairs of young men and women."

Zhang Qi'an nodded in agreement: "I've told you before, Tingyu is an adult now. You can't restrict her like you did when she was a child. You should give her space and freedom."

Wen Huaixu had no patience to listen any longer and turned to walk downstairs.

This is not the same thing at all.

It's good that Yu Tingyu has grown up, but no matter how old she gets, he still needs to keep an eye on her. He naturally has the right and obligation to help her deal with the unwanted romantic advances around her.

Besides, she's already dating Zhao Xiao, so what's the point of Chu Chenyu interfering?

Wen Huaixu did not go to the banquet hall on the first floor, but instead went to the courtyard at the entrance.

A cool night breeze swept in, ruffling his clothes and sending a shiver down his spine. He instinctively thought of Yu Tingyu's thin clothes.

Wen Huaixu called Secretary Wang and asked him to bring over a woman's coat.

As soon as I turned the corner, I heard a familiar name.

"Tingyu, what are you doing here all by yourself?"

In a corner of the courtyard, Yu Tingyu sat alone, a gentle breeze ruffling her hair. Chu Chenyu spotted her immediately.

He and Chu Lingyu were born of the same mother, and the two brothers looked somewhat alike, but Chu Chenyu had a more unruly, youthful air about him.

Yu Tingyu smiled at him: "Come out and get some fresh air to clear your head."

Chu Chenyu glanced at the wine glass on the table beside him, which was still a third full, and then at her slightly flushed cheeks, somewhat surprised: "You've been drinking?"

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for Wen Huaixu to hear clearly. His eyes darkened, and his gaze fell directly on Yu Tingyu's face.

He was in the shadows, while Yu Tingyu was in the light.

"Just a little bit," Yu Tingyu said softly.

"Are you in a bad mood?" Chu Chenyu asked, frowning. He felt that Yu Tingyu seemed a bit melancholy today.

Yu Tingyu shook her head and asked him, "Why did you come out?"

Chu Chenyu looked a little awkward and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

Chu Chenyu happened to be present at the concert where Yu Tingyu had a fever and fainted.

"It's almost fully recovered."

"That's good, that's good." Chu Chenyu nodded.

Yu Tingyu didn't look at him again, and continued drinking her wine. A few minutes later, she was surprised to find that Chu Chenyu was still there.

"Chen Yu, is there something else?" Yu Tingyu asked, puzzled.

Chu Chenyu was silent for a few seconds, seemingly considering his words, before saying, "I have something I want to ask you."

"Go ahead." Yu Tingyu put down her wine glass and looked at him seriously, thinking that he had something important to tell her.

A rare look of embarrassment crossed Chu Chenyu's face. He scratched his head, his face flushing, and asked, "Can I pursue you?"

Not far away, Wen Huaixu raised his eyes, his sharp and cold gaze sweeping over Chu Chenyu's bright red ears.

Yu Tingyu seemed to be taken aback by these words and remained silent for a long time.

Chu Chenyu was eager to express his true feelings: "I'm serious. I've liked you since high school, but Huaixu was too strict back then, so I never had a chance to tell you. Now that we're all grown up, Huaixu definitely won't..."

"Chen Yu." Before he could finish speaking, Yu Tingyu interrupted him, her tone serious, "I have someone I like."

Her fingers clenched tightly, her voice soft, carried on the wind to Wen Huaixu's ears: "I like it very much, so I can't agree to your request."

They're definitely in a relationship.

Although Wen Huaixu's suspicions had been confirmed, it was still different when he heard it from Yu Tingyu's own mouth.

I really, really like it...

How much must she like him? What kind of bewitching drug did that kid Zhao Xiao give Xiaoyu?

He looked at the two of them indifferently, without ever approaching them.

Chu Chenyu was stunned for a moment, at a loss for what to do. He wanted to say something, but the words caught in his throat and he swallowed them back down, ultimately saying nothing.

---

The welcoming banquet ended close to midnight. Wen Yun asked Wen Huaixu and Yu Tingyu to go back to the old house to stay for the night, but Wen Huaixu refused.

Yu Tingyu barely uttered a word tonight, and the few times she did speak were to Zhao Xiao and Shen Sihe; she didn't say a single word to Wen Huaixu.

Wen Huaixu saw this and felt a sinking feeling in his heart.

It was just a relationship, and you don't even want him anymore?