Stars were sparse, dotting the night sky as the crescent moon peeked from behind the clouds. Tonight felt a little lonely.
Wen Tingxue looked down worriedly, asking anxiously, "Brother Yu, do you think Auntie will throw me out?"
Xie JinYi, a rich young lady, had been pampered and spoiled since childhood. She had never suffered any grievances. Today, she had been slapped so hard in front of everyone. She hadn't even eaten dinner. After a simple dressing of her wound, she called her driver to take her home.
Wen Tingxue actually wanted to stay with her, as the incident had started because of her. But Xie JinYi refused, seemingly hurt more by the slap to her pride than her face. So the little girl couldn't wait and came to see her after school, carrying a fruit basket and tonics.
Yu Wenli glanced at the Xie family residence, which was close by, and smiled to comfort her. "It's alright, Mrs. Xie is quite understanding." Of course, this was just hearsay. But it was enough to boost the girl's courage.
"Really?" The little girl's spirits indeed lifted, and she went to press the doorbell, holding her gifts. Xie JinYi was her first friend at Jiangcheng First High School, and she had risked her life to save her today. She didn't want to lose her, and even more, she didn't want to be disliked by her family. She would apologize properly later.
During evening self-study, she had already organized her thoughts in her mind. No matter how her uncle and aunt blamed her, she would accept it. It was all her fault anyway.
The waiting time felt exceptionally long. Just as the little girl thought she would be shut out, the door opened from the inside. It wasn't a servant, but the elegant and noble Mrs. Xie. Her rose-red silk nightgown made her look exceptionally alluring. Even though she was well past forty, she was still full of charm.
After a moment of stunned silence, the little girl quickly stated her purpose, her voice soft and sweet. Mrs. Xie's gaze deepened as she appraised the child before her. After Wen Tingxue finished speaking, she smiled gently. "It's Tingxue..." She raised a hand to adjust the cardigan on her shoulders, not inviting her in.
Wen Tingxue's palms were sweating as she swallowed and stammered, "Auntie, I..."
"Auntie." Yu Wenli, having just finished a call, walked over slowly. The lamplight under the eaves cast his shadow long and slender, exuding silent nobility. Yu Wenli stood beside Wen Tingxue, an unspoken protective stance. Hearing her address, he smiled faintly and explained, "I brought my sister to see Miss Xie." He paused for a second, then smiled sheepishly, "Is it inconvenient?"
"Uh..." Mrs. Xie pulled at the corner of her lips awkwardly, knowing he was displeased that she had kept them waiting outside for so long. "It's convenient." In less than a second, Mrs. Xie composed herself and looked at Wen Tingxue with a sincere smile. "Why didn't you say you were Wenli's sister? Come in, it's cold outside." With that, she moved aside and instructed a servant to prepare tea.
Wen Tingxue gave a helpless tug at her lips and followed Yu Wenli inside. Even if she didn't understand social niceties, she could tell that Mrs. Xie's welcome was perfunctory. If she had come alone today, she probably wouldn't have even gotten through the door.
...
Living Room.
The expensive ornate chandelier cast a soft light, enhancing Mrs. Xie's complexion. "Xiaoyi has told me about this. It's not a big deal; just be more careful in the future." Mrs. Xie's attitude changed, and before Wen Tingxue could finish her apology, she brushed the matter aside. Smiling, she pointed to a room not far away and said, "Xiaoyi is practicing in the dance studio. You go and see her. She's been practicing for hours, and I can't call her to stop. She hasn't eaten much dinner yet." Her tone was one of complaint, but there was a hint of pride in her eyes.
Wen Tingxue looked concerned. "I'll go see her." Watching the girl's slender back, Mrs. Xie withdrew her gaze with satisfaction and said to Yu Wenli with a smile, "This is private talk between girls, Master Yu. It's not convenient for you to hear. Why don't you stay and chat with me? My husband will be back soon."
Yu Wenli nodded with a calm expression. "Alright." The Xie family and the Yu family had business dealings, and he knew very well what Mrs. Xie was thinking. He also understood it. But it didn't stop him from disliking it.
Dance Studio.
Wen Tingxue politely knocked on the door. After a moment, a cold refusal came from inside. "Not eating! Take it away!" Her demeanor was a stark contrast to her usual gentle and lively self. Wen Tingxue pinched her fingers guiltily and said, "Yiyi, it's me..." The door quickly opened. Xie JinYi, dressed in a form-fitting black dance outfit, was sweating profusely. The slap mark on her face looked even redder. Wen Tingxue felt more guilty and apologized repeatedly.
Xie JinYi let out a soft sigh, pulled her inside, and then slammed the door shut with a bang. In the living room, Mrs. Xie frowned displeasuredly, then continued to speak to Yu Wenli with a gentle expression.
Meanwhile, Xie JinYi led Wen Tingxue to the rest area and casually handed her a bottle of water. "Help me unscrew it." She was too tired to even speak much. Wen Tingxue obediently unscrewed the cap and brought it to her lips. Xie JinYi paused for a moment and didn't refuse, taking a few sips. "Thank you for still coming to see me at this time."
Wen Tingxue re-screwed the cap and said sincerely, "What are you thanking me for? You're my friend, and I'll definitely come to see you if you're hurt. Besides, you got hurt because of me. How could I not worry?" The little girl looked at the redness and swelling on her face and felt guilty again. "Yiyi, are you mad at me?" As soon as she entered, she felt it; Xie JinYi wasn't happy. Combined with Mrs. Xie's words, she naturally thought of today's incident.
"No." Xie JinYi quickly shook her head, her gaze unfocused as she stared at her ballet shoes. Wen Tingxue blinked quietly. Seeing her dejected expression, she didn't ask any more questions, just sat with her.
After a moment, Xie JinYi suddenly asked, "Is my dad back?" Wen Tingxue paused and shook her head. "I didn't see him."
"Heh..." Xie JinYi lowered her head and let out a scoff. "As expected." Her long legs, with ballet shoe laces tied, slowly curled up, her toes touching the ground. Xie JinYi hugged her knees, a rare fragility on her face. "Tingxue, do you know, my dad has someone else outside, and not just one." She said this while looking at herself in the mirror, with a mix of pity and mockery. "Even if my mom uses my injury to say something, he doesn't care. He only cares about the caged birds he keeps outside."
Wen Tingxue was stunned. She hadn't experienced anything like this. It took her a long time to process. Xie JinYi continued speaking to herself, "I heard that when I got hurt, my mom was very happy. She finally had a reason to call my dad back. But she forgot, if you cry wolf too many times, people stop believing. Moreover..." Xie JinYi's eyes burned as she said, "He never loved me that much..."
As she spoke, tears couldn't be held back and streamed down her cheeks. When they crossed the wound, Xie JinYi felt a piercing pain. Wen Tingxue couldn't comfort her with words, so she reached out and hugged her, offering warmth and protection. "It's okay, Yiyi. I'll be with you, always and forever." Xie JinYi didn't speak, but her tears flowed even harder.
"Knock knock—" A knock on the door suddenly sounded. Xie JinYi reflexively wiped away her tears and responded as if nothing had happened, "What is it?" Mrs. Xie's excited voice came from outside, full of pity and sorrow. "Xiaoyi, come out quickly! Come out! Your father is back to see you!"
"Dad?!" Hearing these two words, Xie JinYi's gloom instantly lifted, and she became energetic. She turned, wiped her face in front of the mirror, and forced a cute and gentle smile. Then she happily pulled Wen Tingxue out. At that moment, Wen Tingxue didn't know what she was feeling inside.