Chapter Four: Seeking Shelter

“Huh?” Luo Yixia stared at Song Chengyi, who leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, radiating a roguish air from head to toe. She didn’t process what he’d said for a long moment.

After a few seconds, she suddenly reached out and snatched the love letter from Song Yan’s hand, glaring indignantly at Song Chengyi. “Rest assured, no matter who I ever end up hurting in this lifetime, it will never be you.”

“As you wish.” Song Chengyi glanced at Luo Yixia, tossed out this careless reply, and turned to leave.

“Chengyi,” Song Zeming called after his younger brother.

In the end, only Luo Yixia and Song Zeming were left standing there awkwardly.

It was a long time before Luo Yixia managed to steady her emotions. She lowered her head and mumbled, “Zeming, could you not tell anyone about this? And… please, don’t tell him…”

Song Yan looked at the girl before him, head bowed, and felt a pang of sympathy. He’d watched her grow up, yet he had no idea how to comfort her—especially given his brother’s infuriating personality… He could only sigh.

In the end, he simply reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul.”

Only then did Luo Yixia nod her head.

She couldn’t even remember how she got home afterward. She only recalled locking herself in her room that night and crying until morning, swearing to herself with all the conviction she could muster that she would never like Song Chengyi again. Anyone who did was a fool.

Yet Luo Yixia was hopelessly unconvincing, even to herself. The next morning, as she headed to school, she bumped into Song Chengyi at her own front gate, just as he was about to ride off on his bicycle—so handsome!

Even though Song Chengyi didn’t spare her so much as a sidelong glance, it didn’t stop her from swooning. He looked so cool, so aloof, so strikingly handsome!

Truly, she was hopeless.

Forced out of her own house, Luo Yixia wandered in confusion. She didn’t dare call out loudly for her mother, as the Song family lived next door—how embarrassing would it be if they found out? She realized she hadn’t brought her wallet, only a few clothes, not even her ID card, so she couldn’t stay at a hotel.

She patted her pockets and let out a breath of relief—at least she still had her phone.

She scrolled through her contacts—just a few close friends. Two had their phones off, one was living in a dorm while working, and another was out traveling.

Though it was summer, the night breeze still felt chilling against her skin.

Heavens, was she really going to sleep on the streets tonight?

Despair washed over her.

Just then, her phone rang, startling her enough to make her hand tremble.

Song Chengyi? Why was he calling her? Had her mother ratted her out to him?

“Hello?” Luo Yixia answered with a quivering voice, speaking softly.

“You left your bag on my bike. Come get it when you have time.”

“Oh, okay.” Luo Yixia replied dazedly.

“Mm.” Song Chengyi was about to hang up when Luo Yixia blurted, “Wait!”

“What is it?”

“Well… could I trouble you with something?”

“Go ahead.” After all these years, he was still so terse, even though the person on the other end of the line was his newly wedded wife as of today.

“Um… my mom kicked me out… so… could you…” Luo Yixia hesitated, stumbling over her words.

“Hmm?” Song Chengyi drawled, waiting.

Luo Yixia sighed, then forced herself to speak, “Could you let me stay at your place for the night?”

She immediately started to stammer out an explanation. “I called my friends, but they’re all busy or it’s inconvenient, so I…”