Chapter Seventy-One: Approached by a Stranger

The two finished washing up and went downstairs.

Zhou Yun was setting out the bowls and chopsticks.

“I wondered why I saw your car this morning. You must have come home late last night,” she said with a smile, looking at her son.

“Yeah, there was something at school,” Song Chengyi replied.

He walked over and pulled out a chair for Lu Yixia, who sat down naturally.

“Now that you two are home, the place feels lively. But once school starts, it’ll be quiet again,” Zhou Yun said, a little wistfully.

“My mom’s still around, right? If you’re bored, you can go shopping with her. She’s great at spending money,” Lu Yixia suggested, knowing her own mother was quite adept in that regard.

“Thankfully, your mom keeps me company. Otherwise, I’d be bored to death. And who knows how long Zeming will stay when he comes home,” Zhou Yun muttered.

“Did Brother Zeming say when he’d be back?” Lu Yixia asked hopefully.

Song Chengyi paused for a moment, his hand halting as he peeled an egg.

“Zeming didn’t say exactly. He just mentioned he’d be back in a while, but didn’t specify when,” Zhou Yun recalled.

Lu Yixia wanted to ask more, but Song Chengyi stuffed the peeled egg into her mouth.

“Can’t eating shut you up?”

Lu Yixia chewed the egg, pouting. Fine, if he won’t answer, why be so rough?

After breakfast, Song Chengyi began packing to head out.

Lu Yixia leaned against the door and asked, “Are you going out?”

“Yeah.”

“Where are you going?” she tilted her head, looking adorable.

A sudden smile tugged at Song Chengyi’s lips. “I’ll take you somewhere nice.”

“Really? Yay!” Lu Yixia excitedly rushed inside to change into a pretty dress.

When Song Chengyi drove them to the library, Lu Yixia stood outside, looking up at the building, a little bewildered.

Wait...wait a minute...

Were they about to have a library date?

The mind of a top student truly worked differently.

Then Song Chengyi handed her two books.

Lu Yixia silently took a step back, reluctant to accept them.

She was sure she’d tossed those books into some forgotten corner at home—how did he find them? Or when did he look for them?

Song Chengyi raised his eyebrows and stared at her.

Ah, her body was so honest, unable to resist the charm of a handsome man. Reluctantly, she walked over and took the books obediently.

With a sigh, she quietly followed him, step by step, into “hell.”

They went up to the second floor and found a spot by the window.

Even during the holidays, the library was bustling.

“You start writing here, I’ll go find some books.”

“Okay.”

She watched Song Chengyi walk towards the shelves, searching seriously.

Lu Yixia propped her chin on her hand and stared at his back.

He was so handsome...no matter how she looked, he was perfect.

Across the table, several girls took out their phones and snapped photos of Song Chengyi’s back.

She overheard them: “That guy is so good-looking.”

“I want to ask for his WeChat.”

“Even his back is handsome. What do I do? I’m in love.”

Lu Yixia scoffed—such inexperienced girls.

Sure enough, before they finished talking, Song Chengyi returned with his books, and a shy girl, phone in hand, walked over.

Lu Yixia stared so intently it was as if she could burn holes in his back.

“Um, hi, can I add your WeChat?” the girl asked bashfully.

Lu Yixia thought, with such a childish voice, how old was she, really?

Song Chengyi glanced at her coldly. “Sorry, I don’t use WeChat.”

“Then can you give me your phone number?” The girl wasn’t discouraged.

Honestly, did people have no self-awareness these days? He’d already said no, and she was still persistent. Hmph.

“My girlfriend’s over there, you can ask her,” Song Chengyi said, looking at Lu Yixia.

The girl froze, then turned to look at Lu Yixia.

She blushed, lowered her head, and mumbled, “Sorry,” before running off.

Hearing Song Chengyi call her “girlfriend,” Lu Yixia nearly burst with joy. Had she just been acknowledged?

Song Chengyi sat down with his book.

“Why are you staring at me? Get to your homework.”

“Okay!” She was in such a good mood—whatever he said was fine.

Around them, whispers continued: “That guy just said he has a girlfriend—I’m heartbroken.”

“Did you see his eyes when he mentioned his girlfriend? So doting! If I had a boyfriend like that, I’d have no regrets.”

“Stop dreaming. Did you see that girl? Her face is so delicate—they make a gorgeous couple. Don’t be a frog longing for a swan.”

“Why are you speaking such harsh truths?”

If Lu Yixia had heard all this, she’d be even happier. Unfortunately, she was busy struggling over her homework.

She’d slept through all her classes—she had no clue.

Song Chengyi looked up and saw her frowning, chin propped, biting her pen, deep in thought.

Hmm...still adorable.

The morning finally passed.

Lu Yixia stretched, eagerly packing up. “Let’s go home and eat—I’m starving.”

Song Chengyi checked the time. It was indeed lunchtime.

“Alright, wait outside for me. I’ll go check out a book.” He picked one up.

“Okay,” Lu Yixia nodded and went outside to wait by the door.

In a floral dress with her waist-length hair, her delicate face, shaped by years of dance, and graceful figure—she looked like a painting.

Yet, Lu Yixia never thought herself beautiful, because Song Chengyi didn’t seem to like her, so she always felt insufficient.

Gan Yanyan always said that if she had Lu Yixia’s looks, she’d have a string of ex-boyfriends by now.

There had been people who pursued Lu Yixia at school, but she never cared, never responded—her eyes and heart only for Song Chengyi.

When Song Chengyi came out, he saw his precious girl being approached by another guy.

Lu Yixia looked at the young man before her—clean, handsome, much like Song Chengyi.

“Miss, can I add your WeChat?” he asked.

Lu Yixia smiled awkwardly. She could understand why Song Chengyi was approached, but why was it happening to her?

Seeing she didn’t respond, the boy said, a little embarrassed, “Sorry, my friends are all watching, could you give me a little face?”

Sure enough, she saw several boys nearby, watching.

Well, Lu Yixia was always ready to help—she was a living Good Samaritan.

Song Chengyi saw Lu Yixia pull out her phone.

Instantly, his expression turned cold as he strode over and snatched her phone.

“Didn’t you say you were hungry? Let’s go home.” He wrapped his arm around her and walked away.

Lu Yixia wisely kept silent, letting Song Chengyi lead her away.

The boy still holding his phone called out, “Hey, um…”

But no one paid him any attention.

His friends came over, laughing.

“Ha, ignored by her boyfriend.”

“Oh man, I’m dying…”

Song Chengyi helped Lu Yixia into the car.

She settled into the passenger seat without speaking, and Song Chengyi didn’t start the engine.

Lu Yixia carefully studied his expression.

He looked…quite unhappy.

“Are you upset?” she asked.

“What were you doing just now?” Song Chengyi turned, face cold.

“Oh, that boy asked for a favor—his friends were watching, so he wanted me to give him some face, so—”

“So you were going to let him add your WeChat?” Song Chengyi cut her off.

“No, I’d just add him and then delete him later.”

“If you already added him, would you really need to delete?”

Lu Yixia pursed her lips and tilted her head. “Song Chengyi, are you jealous?”

He paused, staring at her.

“Who…who’s jealous?”

“Haha, you are! Is it because I was going to give him my WeChat, and you’re unhappy?” she teased knowingly.

“I…you…don’t you know you’re a married woman now? Giving your WeChat to some young guy?” Song Chengyi stammered, finally snapping with frustration.

“I know, I promise I won’t do it again. Next time anyone asks, I’ll refuse—even if it’s just to help. Okay?” Lu Yixia said, unusually clever.

“Hmph…” Song Chengyi snorted, buckled his seatbelt, and started the car.

Lu Yixia still waited for his reply.

He glared at her. “Why are you just sitting there? Buckle up. Or do you want me to do it for you?”

“Sure!” Lu Yixia grinned sweetly, dimples showing.

In the end, she buckled it herself.

Nothing could dampen her soaring mood.

So, Song Chengyi could be jealous over her, too.

Ha!

At lunch, Zhou Yun noticed Lu Yixia was in an exceptionally good mood, while Song Chengyi seemed oddly embarrassed.

Still, all these signs were good—as long as the little couple were happy together.

And so, the two continued like this until school began.

Mornings were spent at the library, reading and doing homework; afternoons at home, watching TV.

Lu Yixia helped with chores.

Song Chengyi quietly read.

They got along well.

Lu Yixia became more and more attached to Song Chengyi.

He had long grown used to it.

With the new semester approaching, Lu Yixia felt anxious.

Once school started, she and Song Chengyi would be apart…no longer together every day.

That night, as Song Chengyi typed at his computer, Lu Yixia asked, “Song Chengyi, school starts tomorrow. Are you moving into the dorm?”

“Yes, the first month is military training, so I’ll stay at school. After that, I’ll move into the apartment,” he nodded.

“Oh, I have to stay at school too. Who knows when we’ll see each other next?” Lu Yixia said pitifully.

“Aren’t we at the same school? How could we not see each other?” Song Chengyi replied.

“That’s true,” Lu Yixia nodded.