The Next Day.
Su Yuxin went to the hospital for a follow-up appointment with her grandmother in the morning. They were busy until noon when they finally returned home. As she helped her grandmother inside, she repeatedly urged her, “Grandma, you must remember to take your medicine on time. You should come live with me; it’ll be easier for me to take care of you. I’m worried about you being alone.”
Her grandmother shook her head, her silver hair framing a face that, despite her age, radiated vitality, stronger than many of her peers. “I won’t forget to take my medicine anymore. I feel more at ease living in the countryside. The big city is for young people like you. What would I do there? I don’t want to trouble you, and here I can chat with my old friends.”
Su Yuxin sighed; her grandmother was as stubborn as a mule. No matter how much she coaxed, her grandmother refused to move to Yanjing City and insisted on staying alone in the countryside.
“Alright, but you must promise me that if anything happens, you’ll tell me right away. No more hiding things from me, okay?” Su Yuxin squatted beside her grandmother, her tone affectionate.
Her grandmother patted her head, a smile playing on her lips. “Alright, my granddaughter is the best.”
Ding Dong, Ding Dong—
The doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation. Su Yuxin frowned. Who could it be at this hour?
With a puzzled expression, she stood up to answer the door. When she opened it, she was taken aback. Didn’t he say he wouldn’t come? Why was he here again?
A mix of emotions swirled inside her. After a moment, she managed to ask, “What are you doing here?”
Seeing Su Yuxin in a daze, her grandmother called out, “Who is it, Xinxin?”
Su Yuxin turned her head and awkwardly explained, “A friend.”
Chi Ye stood there with one hand in his pocket, exuding calm confidence, his demeanor charming. “I came to see Grandma.”
With that, he strode into the house, his long legs taking him directly towards her grandmother, a proud smile on his face. “Grandma, I’m here.”
Her grandmother beamed at Chi Ye, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Xiao Ye, you’re here! You’re so thoughtful to come and see me again.”
“Hehe, Grandma, you haven’t been taking your medicine on time. That makes me sad.”
Chi Ye knelt down, taking her grandmother’s hand with a look of filial piety.
Su Yuxin was stunned. When did he become so familiar with her grandmother, as if she were the outsider?
Her grandmother glanced between Chi Ye and Su Yuxin and asked, “Xiao Ye, have you had lunch yet?”
Chi Ye pondered for a moment, feigning deep thought, and replied, “Not yet.”
Su Yuxin felt a pang of concern. It takes at least four hours to drive from Yanjing City to here. Did he really drive all this way without eating breakfast? Didn’t he have to work?
Before she could voice her thoughts, her grandmother’s authoritative command cut through the air. “Xinxin, Xiao Ye hasn’t eaten. Can you cook him some noodles?”
Chi Ye flashed a radiant smile at her, his eyes seeming to say thank you, and that he appreciated her effort.
“Okay.”
With that, Su Yuxin turned and went to the kitchen to prepare the noodles. A wave of inexplicable emotion washed over her, and she found herself reassessing her feelings toward him. Just as she was lost in thought, she noticed Chi Ye standing behind her. “You’re not angry, are you?”
Su Yuxin turned to look at him while rinsing vegetables and retorted, “Why would I be angry?”
“You didn’t want me to come, but I came anyway.” Chi Ye bit his lip, stealing a glance at her.
At his words, Su Yuxin couldn’t help but chuckle softly, teasing, “Today is a weekday, right? Aren’t you skipping work?”
Chi Ye crossed his arms, oozing confidence as he replied, “An outstanding person doesn’t skip work. I just arrived. You wouldn’t want to drive me away again, would you?”
Su Yuxin wiped her forehead nervously, rolling her eyes at him. “Am I that kind of person?”
Chi Ye nodded, reasoning that it made sense since she always rejected his advances.
As she considered punching him for the comment, she remembered how far he had come and how tired he must be. The two of them shared an enjoyable moment in the small kitchen, the scene pleasant to behold.
Her grandmother secretly peeked into the kitchen, her heart racing with excitement. She had guessed right—Xiao Ye was pursuing Xinxin.
Su Yuxin cooked a bowl of tomato and egg noodles, topping it off with a fried egg for good measure. She tilted her head and said, “My cooking skills are limited, so you’ll have to make do.”
“The thought means more to me than anything,” Chi Ye replied as he sat down. Although the tomato and egg noodles were simple, the meaning behind the meal made it special.
“Xiao Ye, you’ve been wronged. Eat more,” her grandmother said warmly, secretly delighted.
“Thank you, Grandma.” Chi Ye picked up his chopsticks and took a bite. Though it wasn’t five-star restaurant quality, somehow it tasted even better.
Su Yuxin watched him enjoy his meal, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
After they finished eating, Chi Ye and her grandmother chatted, making her grandmother laugh so hard she could hardly breathe. Her spirits lifted more than they had been in a long time, and she showered Chi Ye with praise.
As night fell, her grandmother went to bed, leaving Su Yuxin and Chi Ye on the rooftop, admiring the moon. A gentle breeze caressed her face, cooling her slightly, prompting her to instinctively hug her arms tighter around herself.
Suddenly, a jacket draped over her shoulders from behind. She turned to look at him. “Thank you.”
Chi Ye’s voice was warm and smooth, infused with playful humor. “No need to thank me; just promise me.”
“Promise what?”
Chi Ye sighed dramatically, steadying his tone. “My pursuit.”
Su Yuxin inhaled sharply. After a moment, she said, “Xiao Ye.”
“Hmm?” Chi Ye’s gaze was intense, penetrating as he looked deeply into her eyes.
“Do you really mean it? I’m quite naive. You could easily deceive me.” Su Yuxin opened her heart, her eyes wide with sincerity.
The bright moonlight illuminated Chi Ye’s face, casting shadows that deepened his features. The surroundings were silent, and the gentle wind played with her hair, carrying a sweet scent.
After a long moment, Chi Ye’s gaze remained intense as he stated firmly, “If that’s the case, then let me deceive you for a lifetime. Do you dare to bet on it?”
Su Yuxin looked up at the moonlight, a sweet feeling swelling in her heart. He was so remarkable, with countless girls vying for his attention. She finally couldn’t hold back any longer and asked the question she’d kept buried. “What do you like about me?”
“Does liking someone need a reason?” Chi Ye countered, raising an eyebrow.
“Doesn’t it?” Su Yuxin replied, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
Chi Ye shook his head. “I only know that liking someone doesn’t require a reason. As long as I can be with her, that’s enough. The world of love is pure and beautiful, without any impurities.”
“Then how about we bet on happiness?”
Su Yuxin’s soft voice drifted into Chi Ye’s ears, and a glimmer of surprise flickered in his eyes. “Okay, I’ll accept the bet. You set the rules.”
“Let’s agree to date for three months. If at the end, either of us hasn’t entered the other’s heart, then we’ll accept our fate and go back to being friends.”
Su Yuxin had pondered for a long time before coming up with this idea, giving both him and herself a chance. She felt that the experiences of her childhood shouldn’t burden her adult self. She was willing to try to change.
“Alright.” Chi Ye answered firmly, extending his pinky finger.
Su Yuxin smiled and linked her pinky with his.
Unbeknownst to her, a triumphant smile crept onto Chi Ye’s lips as he made a silent vow: she would never escape his grasp in this lifetime.
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