044—She Is Not Happy

“Yu Wei, darling, it’s time for class!” Xin Xin pushed open the door once again, calling out to Xia Yu Wei, only to find her seated in the same pose on the windowsill, gazing outside. Strange—what could be happening out there to hold her attention so completely, making her unmoving and oblivious to everything else?

Yu Wei finally turned her head and glanced at Xin Xin. “You go ahead. I’ll come in a bit.” These days, seeing Lu Yichen made her feel uncomfortable; she wanted nothing to do with him.

“Alright.” Xin Xin wisely refrained from entering, leaving Yu Wei alone. Besides, she harbored a small, selfish wish—to walk to school with Lu Yichen, hoping to nurture their feelings for each other.

Lu Yichen stood behind Xin Xin, his fists clenched tightly, a surge of anger rising in him. He had wanted to provoke her, to make her angry, to rid himself of his illusions about her. But why, upon seeing her so indifferent and lifeless, did he feel angry himself?

How deep was her influence over him?

He was determined to prove to her—and to himself—that he did not need her, that he could live better and happier without her.

He reached out and wrapped his arm around Xin Xin’s shoulders, flashing a charming smile. “Let’s go!”

From that day on, Lu Yichen and Xin Xin openly became a pair, appearing together in every corner where Xia Yu Wei might be.

In the classroom, while they attended lessons, he sat beside the two girls, keeping Xin Xin company.

At their residence, he joined them for meals, frequently showing off their affection—lightly kissing Xin Xin’s forehead and cheeks, picking out dishes for her, feeding her.

In the evenings, whatever activities the two were engaged in, Xin Xin often returned home late. By the time she came back, Xia Yu Wei had already turned off the lights and gone to sleep.

This romance gave Xin Xin a sense of illusory happiness. She was a pretty, lovable girl, a little scatterbrained and fond of daydreaming, but she never expected fortune to smile upon her, nor that her first love would be so perfect. Though she was twenty and he seventeen, their sweetness and warmth were undiminished. He cared for her so thoroughly, as if he wished they could be together every hour of the day.

Xia Yu Wei, adopting a parental tone, warned her, “Xin Xin, if you don’t want to regret it, stay away from him. He’s dangerous. I dislike him.”

Xin Xin dismissed the advice, refusing to listen. Not only did she urge Yu Wei not to overthink, she even suspected Yu Wei was envious or jealous of her for having found such a perfect boyfriend. Yu Wei, who once wore a sweet smile, had recently grown unhappy—and noticeably thinner. Though she still smiled, it was no longer sincere. Was it because she had fallen in love herself, spent less time with Xin Xin, and now felt lonely and sad?

Determined to be a good friend, Xin Xin resolved to play matchmaker for Yu Wei, to help her and Senior Ye Lifeng become a couple.

Now, how should she go about it? Xin Xin pondered silently.