Chapter 70: I’ll Wait for You

Song Chengyi didn’t move, letting her pull at him as she pleased.

But Luo Yixia lost her nerve, pausing with her hand still gripping his sash.

“Why aren’t you struggling at all?”

Song Chengyi lay there, looking entirely at her mercy, one eyebrow arched. “Reciprocity—you shouldn’t suffer any loss.”

Luo Yixia was momentarily speechless, letting go of him, turning away, pulling the quilt over herself to sleep.

Song Chengyi smiled quietly to himself. Such a timid little thing.

He then turned on his side, gazing at Luo Yixia’s back as he murmured, “I really like the gift.”

Luo Yixia poked her head out from under the quilt. “I bought it for a pig—not for you. Who told you to take it personally?”

Song Chengyi reached out, pulling Luo Yixia fully into his arms. “Next time, don’t go wandering off on your own... I worry about you.”

“Oh.” Luo Yixia’s heart soared—her idol, her idol actually said he was worried about her...

That night, Luo Yixia probably slept more soundly than ever, nestled in her idol’s embrace.

In truth, she didn’t know that every night was just like this.

A week passed in this manner, and Luo Yixia and Song Chengyi were now seated on the flight home.

“It’s so frustrating—I hardly got to see anything,” Luo Yixia complained, lamenting that she hadn’t been able to visit any of the places she’d hoped for.

“Well, you were injured,” Song Chengyi interjected out of nowhere.

“Hmph.” Wasn’t that all to cheer you up?

But really, it wasn’t a loss—though she was hurt, and they spent the last few days confined to the hotel, unable to go out, not even swimming by the sea as she’d hoped, Song Chengyi had stayed by her side the whole time, caring for her attentively. She could hardly complain.

“I wonder what delicious things Mom’s made for lunch,” Luo Yixia mused, patting her stomach.

“When you get home, you’ll have to start on your homework. School’s about to begin.”

Another bucket of cold water, chilling her spirits.

Luo Yixia hung her head, not wanting to do homework.

After they landed, Song Chengyi pushed two suitcases, with Luo Yixia following behind. They soon spotted Yu Wenjing and Zhou Yun.

“Did you have a good time?” Zhou Yun asked with a smile.

Luo Yixia didn’t quite know whether to say she was happy or not, so she simply nodded. “It was great.”

Both mothers wanted to ask more, but Song Chengyi, pulling the suitcases, spoke coolly, “Let’s talk at home. We’re hungry.”

“Alright, alright, we’ll talk at home,” Zhou Yun said, pulling Luo Yixia along.

By the time they got home, lunch was already prepared.

“Madam specially asked me to make lots of dishes today, all favorites of Young Mistress,” Aunt Lu said to Luo Yixia.

“Wow, everything looks delicious, thank you, Auntie!” Luo Yixia eyed the dishes happily.

They all sat down to eat.

Yu Wenjing couldn’t resist teasing her, “Why do you look like you haven’t eaten in ages?”

“You have no idea, Mom. The food there wasn’t good at all—either raw or cold, nothing like home,” Luo Yixia mumbled with her mouth full.

While eating, Yu Wenjing began probing, “So, what did you two do?”

“Just wandered around, really. Aside from the scenery, there wasn’t much else,” Luo Yixia replied, not wanting to mention her injury and risk another round of fussing.

“How was the view at the seaside hotel?” Yu Wenjing smiled at her.

Luo Yixia, catching her mother’s meaning, deliberately said, “It was fine, but the hotel sent so many flowers—the smell was awful. I didn’t like it at all. In the end, I had the staff clear them out before we went in. Honestly, the hotel went a bit overboard, didn’t they?”

Song Chengyi remained silent, simply listening.

“You threw out all the roses?” Yu Wenjing was agitated.

“Mom, what roses? They were chrysanthemums, obviously,” Luo Yixia replied in distaste.

“What? I clearly ordered roses! How did they end up with chrysanthemums—are they commemorating something? I’m going to file a complaint!” Yu Wenjing blurted out in a burst of indignation.

“See, Mom? Sweetie called me and I wondered what was going on. Roses aren’t rare anymore, you know. They’re so tacky!” Luo Yixia said, resting her chin in her hand.

Song Chengyi felt amused—wasn’t she the one who adored them before, and then couldn’t bear to throw them out herself?

“You little rascal, even tricking your mother,” Yu Wenjing realized Luo Yixia was merely provoking her.

Luo Yixia slowly put down her chopsticks. “I’m full. That was delicious.”

Song Chengyi looked up and saw Luo Yixia’s mouth smeared with oil. To keep her from wiping it with her sleeve—and then staining herself—he instinctively pulled out a napkin and gently wiped her mouth.

The two mothers watched them.

One carefully tending, the other smiling foolishly.

They exchanged a glance and smiled.

They had worried that things would go badly between the two in Japan; before the trip, their relationship seemed strained. But now, everything was different.

“Oh, we brought back Japanese cosmetics for you, and two sets of teacups for Dad,” Luo Yixia suddenly remembered. They’d bought these on the last day, once she’d recovered enough for Song Chengyi to agree to let her go out.

“I tried some Japanese pastries—they’re really good. I brought lots back!” Luo Yixia grew excited whenever food was mentioned.

When Luo Yixia handed the gifts to Zhou Yun, Zhou Yun—who had always liked her—found herself increasingly fond of the girl, pleased in every regard.

After lunch, the two were sent upstairs.

Luo Yixia was genuinely tired.

She’d been up early to catch the flight.

“I’m so sleepy, aren’t you?” Luo Yixia yawned.

“Go ahead and sleep. I have some school matters to deal with,” Song Chengyi said, glancing at his phone.

“Are you going back to school?” Luo Yixia asked.

“Yes.”

“Will you be home tonight?” Luo Yixia was reluctant to part with him.

“I’ll be back, but it might be late,” Song Chengyi considered.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you,” Luo Yixia nodded eagerly.

“I’m off, then.” Song Chengyi walked over, gently ruffled her hair, then turned and left.

Luo Yixia happily climbed into bed.

She and Song Chengyi would only get better.

Someday, he would come to love her too...

And he already treated her so well—she was content.

Song Chengyi was indeed busy. Though it was vacation, his advisor had asked him to be an assistant.

He hadn’t agreed yet.

Yu Bin sent several messages urging him to visit the school.

It was nearly eight in the evening. Luo Yixia was strolling in the garden, kicking at stones.

She glanced at her phone—the messages she’d sent to Song Chengyi hours before remained unanswered.

Seeing how late it was, she went upstairs, showered, and prepared to call him.

But as soon as she picked up her phone, Gan Yanyan called instead.

“Hello, Yanyan,” Luo Yixia answered, sitting on her big plush bear.

“Xiaxia, you’ve been out enjoying yourself for a whole week—are you home yet?”

“I just got back today. I brought Japanese pastries for you—I’ll bring them to school,” Luo Yixia said.

“Is it White Lovers from Hokkaido? I’ve wanted to try it for ages!” Gan Yanyan exclaimed.

“Yes, and I also brought Nagasaki honey cake,” Luo Yixia laughed.

“With all these treats, I can’t wait for school to start. Xiaxia, we haven’t seen each other all summer—soon we’ll be able to hang out together again!”

Gan Yanyan and Luo Yixia had only met in university, becoming roommates, and Yanyan’s cheerful personality made them fast friends. Their dorm had four girls, and the other two were equally close, though their families lived far away, so they hadn’t had a chance to meet up over the summer.

They chatted a bit longer.

After hanging up, Luo Yixia’s world fell quiet again.

She leaned against the glass, looking out at the main gate.

She wondered when Song Chengyi would return.

She’d wanted to call, but now lacked the heart—he must be busy, and she’d probably annoy him by clinging too much.

At midnight, Song Chengyi drove home.

After an hour’s drive—his house was quite far from the university—he stretched as he got out.

Entering the house, he found the lights off in the living room—everyone must be asleep.

He treaded lightly up the stairs.

The bedroom light was still on.

So late—was the little one still awake?

Song Chengyi gently turned the door handle.

He glanced around, finally spotting her by the window.

She was curled up with her giant teddy bear—both pink, as was her pajamas. No wonder he hadn’t found her at first.

Song Chengyi approached, seeing how soundly she slept.

He carefully lifted her, placed her on the bed, unwilling to wake her.

Then he picked up her phone from the windowsill.

The screen was still on—who knew how long it had been lit—showing the messages she’d sent him.

Only now did Song Chengyi pull out his own phone, having been too busy to check before.

[Song Chengyi, are you coming home for dinner?]

[Are you done with work?]

[No matter how busy you are, you must remember to eat, okay?]

He switched off her phone, placing it on the table.

He stood by the bed, gazing at her.

So she’d waited up for him.

After showering, he got into bed, naturally pulling Luo Yixia into his arms. In such a short time, it seemed he’d grown used to it.

As if he couldn’t sleep without holding her every night.

A bad habit, addictive.

At dawn, Luo Yixia sleepily opened one eye, stretching, only to find herself snuggled in someone’s arms again.

A slight lift of her head revealed his chin.

So he’d come home last night?

Though she remembered that she hadn’t been in bed—he must have carried her.

Luo Yixia moved slightly, and Song Chengyi woke, seeing her gaze upon him.

“Good morning,” Luo Yixia said sweetly.

“Good morning.”

“You came home late last night, right?”

“Yes, school kept me busy.”

“Are you going back today?” Luo Yixia looked at him intently.

“No, I’ll stay home and rest a bit before school starts,” Song Chengyi replied, pushing back the covers and getting up.