Chapter 132: Scandalous Rumors

"How much did you drink? To get yourself that drunk." Zhou Yun muttered a sentence before leaving.

Song Chengyi gracefully ladled the porridge into his mouth, spoonful by spoonful. Gradually, his stomach began to feel much better. However, the silly girl in front of him was still resting her chin on her hand, tilting her head and watching him with a beaming smile.

"What are you doing?" Song Chengyi had felt she was acting strangely since he woke up this morning.

Luo Xia blinked, feigning shyness. "You were drunk last night. Do you remember what happened?"

Song Chengyi took another sip of porridge to suppress his inner panic. "Hmm, I remember a little. Why?" He watched her calmly, waiting for her to continue.

"You remember?" Luo Xia was subconsciously surprised. That’s not right; surely he doesn't remember the things she tricked him into saying, does he?

"Yes, what about it?"

Luo Xia stared at him, her smile fading. "Then what exactly do you remember?"

"I remember coming back after I got drunk. Did something else happen?" Luo Xia observed his expression, and likewise, Song Chengyi observed hers. Both were harboring their own thoughts.

Hearing him say this, Luo Xia breathed a slight sigh of relief. It was better if he didn't remember; otherwise, he certainly wouldn't let her off the hook.

"It's nothing, it's just that you threw up quite a bit later," Luo Xia smiled again, not daring to look him in the eye.

Song Chengyi actually realized she was definitely hiding something, but seeing her like this, she clearly didn't want him to know, and if he asked, she wouldn't tell him anyway.

In the afternoon, while Luo Xia was packing in her room, Song Chengyi found an opportunity to go to Song Zeming’s room. Song Zeming looked at his younger brother, who rarely visited his room, and watched as he closed the door behind him.

"Hmm?" Song Zeming raised an eyebrow at him.

"Are you busy? Can we talk?" Song Chengyi sat down opposite him.

"Sure." Song Zeming smiled and closed his laptop.

Song Chengyi didn't hesitate and went straight to the point: "You drank a lot the day before yesterday. Are you in a bad mood?"

He looked up at his younger brother. Although he hadn't been home much over the years, Song Chengyi had truly grown up and remained as excellent as ever.

"It was a student gathering; drinking a little is normal."

"But you have something on your mind."

Song Zeming smiled. "Who doesn't have things on their mind? Don't you have plenty of your own?"

"When are you going back?" Song Chengyi changed the subject. He knew that if Song Zeming didn't want to talk, no amount of questioning would make him spill.

"Early next month."

"Alright. Since you don't want to talk, I'll go pack my things." Song Chengyi prepared to leave.

"Not going to chat a little longer?" Song Zeming smiled.

"No." Song Chengyi stood up and waved his hand. As he grabbed the door handle, he paused. "Take care of yourself... stay safe." Without another word, he opened the door and left.

Song Zeming looked at the closed door, feeling a strange sensation in his heart. Was it being moved? He forced a strained smile. Some things were in the past; why couldn't he let them go? Song Zeming closed his eyes and found his vision burning, with warm, wet tears streaming down. He was actually crying... It had been nearly four years, yet he still couldn't let go... He still couldn't forget that person in his heart; even when he closed his eyes, he could still see her smile.

When Song Chengyi stepped out, he let out a sigh. He might have vaguely known some of the inside story. Thinking of this, he furrowed his brows. That was true—how could his brother, with that personality, ever forget? For so many years, he must have been filled with guilt. The girl who died in that explosion.

Back in the room, Luo Xia was sitting on the floor with zero regard for her image.

"Did you go see Brother Zeming?" Luo Xia glanced at him.

"Yes." He pulled out his suitcase and prepared to pack.

"I found some autumn clothes for you. See if you're missing anything," Luo Xia replied.

Song Chengyi opened it to find sweaters, jackets, and thicker trousers already packed. He took one look and closed it again. "This is enough."

"Did you say anything to Brother Zeming? I noticed he’s been staying in his room for the past two days and hasn't come out. When I talk to him, he just responds casually," Luo Xia asked offhandedly. Although she usually seemed carefree about everything, she wasn't stupid; she could still understand a bit about other people's moods.

"I'll tell you later." Song Chengyi thought it wasn't the right time; he would tell her later.

"Oh, okay."

Luo Xia leaned back against the car seat. "Heading back to school so soon."

"Midterm exams are coming up soon. How is your studying going?" Song Chengyi asked at an inopportune moment. Luo Xia wanted to cover her ears to avoid hearing it. She had spent the last two days at home claiming she hadn't brought her homework, so she hadn't looked at anything, but now that they were heading to school, there was no escaping it.

"There's evening study hall tonight. Should I drop you off directly at the school?"

"Yes."

After that, the two ran out of things to talk about. Everything else was fine, but as long as they didn't talk about studying, Luo Xia liked Song Chengyi; once they talked about studying, she didn't want to deal with him. She thought about the thick pile of materials she hadn't finished yet and felt a wave of irritation.

When they arrived at the school gate, perhaps because there were too many private cars dropping off students, the guard didn't let them through.

"I'll just get out here. You can head back to the apartment," Luo Xia said, reaching for the door handle.

"Alright." Song Chengyi watched the flow of traffic ahead. He parked the car and took out her suitcase.

"Okay, okay, I'm off. Drive safely." Luo Xia waved her hand, not wanting him to walk her any further. If he walked any further, others would see them, and that would be troublesome.

She sighed. When she was little, she would watch TV and think that if she had a boyfriend, she would show off their sweet romance at school too. But now that she finally had Song Chengyi, she didn't even dare to. Did she have to keep hiding like this until graduation?

Song Chengyi saw her dragging her suitcase away, got back in the car, and headed to the apartment.

"Hi." Suddenly, someone caught up from behind and tapped her on the shoulder.

"He Zhen... what are you doing here?" Luo Xia was a bit flustered. Had he been standing here the whole time? Had he seen anything just now?

"I'm coming to school," He Zhen said with a smile.

"Oh." Luo Xia gripped the handle of her suitcase tighter.

"Let me help you," He Zhen reached out to assist.

"No need, it's fine, I can do it myself. Thanks." Luo Xia said it all in one breath and dragged her suitcase away at a run.

"I'm not a monster, why are you running away as soon as you see me?" He Zhen muttered to himself, inexplicably finding her hurried retreating figure quite cute.

Seeing that He Zhen hadn't followed, Luo Xia breathed a sigh of relief. She was truly scared; if Song Chengyi found out—although he surely wouldn't—she had to be safe rather than sorry.

Just as she was distracted, the suitcase was snatched from her hand.

"Hey?" Luo Xia looked in surprise at the boy standing in front of her with a triumphant smile.

"It's just a few steps, don't trouble yourself." Luo Xia tried to grab it back.

"Why do you seem so afraid of me? I'm not a plague, am I?" He Zhen still had a roguish smile on his face.

"No, I just don't want to trouble you." Luo Xia thought to herself, *I'm not afraid of you; I'm afraid of all boys.* Firstly, she had someone she liked and didn't want to socialize with other guys, and secondly, a certain big shot at home was very prone to jealousy.

"It's no trouble. Let's go." He Zhen dragged her suitcase and headed toward the girls' dormitory.

Luo Xia felt embarrassed to refuse again; since he was already doing it, it would be rude to keep saying no. She had no choice but to follow him silently. The two didn't speak, one walking in front, the other behind. Occasionally, curious gazes fell upon them.

When they reached the dormitory, Luo Xia couldn't wait to say, "Thank you."

"Do you need me to help you take it up?"

"No, no, boys aren't allowed in the girls' dormitory." Luo Xia took the suitcase from him.

"Alright, see you later." He Zhen still had a smile on his face.

Luo Xia immediately grabbed her suitcase and rushed up the stairs. He Zhen watched for a moment, then turned and left as if nothing had happened.

Luo Xia hadn't taken it to heart, but then trouble started.

During evening study hall, Luo Xia was studying diligently. Gan Yanyan, sitting beside her, held her phone and tapped her excitedly.

"What is it? I'm doing homework." Luo Xia didn't intend to pay attention to her.

"Xia Xia, you’re trending again! Look at this!!!" Gan Yanyan spoke loudly, causing many people to cast their gaze over.

Luo Xia lazily took the phone, took one look, and instantly woke up. What was this?

"Damn, what is this?" Luo Xia shouted excitedly.

Her voice was so loud that the whole class stared at her. Luo Xia smiled awkwardly and looked down at the screen again. "Who posted this? Are they sick? What is all this?" Luo Xia was on the verge of tears.

On the school bulletin board were several photos of He Zhen and Luo Xia together, showing He Zhen helping her with her suitcase. Some of the angles were particularly devious. In one, both their hands were on the handle, and the angle made it look like He Zhen was holding Luo Xia's hand. Another showed them leaving, with He Zhen looking at her with a smile. There were also several photos of them walking one after another.

"Xia Xia, what's going on?" Lin Ya leaned over as well.

"What could be going on? I just ran into He Zhen at the school gate, and he helped me carry my suitcase," Luo Xia explained.

However, everyone looked at her with mischievous expressions, as if they didn't believe her at all.

"It's really nothing, we just bumped into each other by chance," Luo Xia said, feeling anxious.

"Ahem, Xia Xia, it’s not about whether we believe you, it’s... um, whether that person of yours believes you," Lin Ya said earnestly.

When they said that, Luo Xia felt completely deflated. Why was she so unlucky? There was clearly nothing going on, so why were these people so good at twisting things into stories?

Luo Xia patiently skimmed through the posts—things about how the two were already dating, and comments saying He Zhen was very handsome and Luo Xia wasn't good enough for him.

Luo Xia didn't want to say anything anymore; she just wanted to laugh. These people had such rich imaginations.