Chapter 43: Sister Huan, How Do You Take a Bath?

“Who is that guy? Why’s he so aggressive—does he have a problem or something?” Lin Tai was usually only interested in celebrity gossip or hanging out with her girlfriends. She’d never cared for financial news, so it was no surprise she didn’t recognize Yu Fei.

“It’s not important,” Shen Qing dismissed the subject lightly.

Lin Tai stole a glance at Shen Qing. The girl’s features were cool and delicate, a chill flickering in her eyes. Lin Tai could more or less guess at the relationship between the two.

“Let’s not talk about that. Perfect timing, we can head back together. I’ll give you a ride first.”

Shen Qing nodded slightly.

“Qingqing, do you have a boyfriend?” Lin Tai’s curiosity always circled back to Shen Qing’s love life. As the queen bee of No. 1 High, surely she should have some admirers in tow.

Shen Qing paused, then smiled. “I’m focused on my studies.”

Lin Tai clicked her tongue a few times in mock disappointment, then laughed and took Shen Qing’s hand as they walked toward the parking lot.

*

“Where are you rushing off to?” Chu Tai set down his chopsticks, glancing at the boy already changing his shoes in the entryway.

“I’m meeting a classmate to do homework,” Chu Yu replied as he finished putting on his shoes and headed out.

Chu Tai frowned. “Going out at night to do homework, and not even taking your books.”

Chu’s father chuckled softly. “Maybe our son’s got himself a girlfriend.”

Chu Tai shot him a glare, slammed down her chopsticks, and said, “He wouldn’t dare!”

*

Nie Huan’s phone showed more than a dozen missed calls, and they were still coming in one after another. Her expression cold, she hung up and added the number to her blacklist.

Chu Yu sneaked a look at her. The air around her seemed to have dropped a few degrees.

“Here, Xiao Yu, these chips taste really good.” Spotting Nie Huan looking over, Chu Yu quickly turned his head away, tearing open a bag of chips for Nie Yu.

“Thank you, brother.” Nie Yu, sweet and well-behaved, didn’t eat right away but instead offered the first chip to Nie Huan.

“Sis.”

“Mm, it’s tasty.” Nie Huan looked at her and smiled.

Only after Nie Huan tried one did Nie Yu hug the bag with delight and start eating herself.

“How much was it? I’ll transfer you the money,” Nie Huan said to the boy.

Chu Yu shook his head quickly. “No need, it’s my treat.”

Worried that Nie Huan might insist, Chu Yu hurried to sit beside Nie Yu, and the two began to eat together.

“Xiao Yu, tell me about your sister,” Chu Yu said, sneaking another glance at Nie Huan, who was sitting on the bed eating a lollipop.

Nie Yu blinked. “My sister has had it tough.”

“Brother, will you be good to my sister?”

Chu Yu was taken aback, then nodded. “Of course I will.”

“Oh.”

“But you still haven’t told me about your sister.”

Nie Yu looked a little wronged, her half-exposed face full of dejection. “I can’t talk about it.”

Seeing her like this, Chu Yu’s heart ached. He reached out to pat her head. “Alright, try this one too—the chocolate isn’t bitter at all.”

After coaxing Nie Yu to sleep, Chu Yu quietly closed the door and saw the girl leaning against the window at the end of the hallway, smoking.

The soft yellow light outlined her profile in sharp relief, casting her features into a striking silhouette.

“You’re out,” Nie Huan turned, leaning against the wall as she stubbed out her cigarette.

Chu Yu’s throat felt tight and uncomfortable, as if something was stuck.

“Yeah, Xiao Yu’s asleep.” He glanced at the half-smoked cigarette between her fingers. “Want me to throw that away for you?” he offered.

“Mm.” Nie Huan lowered her eyes.

Chu Yu stared at her for a moment, then bent slightly to take the cigarette, his fingers brushing her cold ones.

He froze, his hand tightening around the stub.

“Aren’t you going back?” Nie Huan glanced at him.

“I am. Just wait for me a bit,” Chu Yu said, giving her a quick smile before hurrying downstairs.

About ten minutes later, the boy ran back up, breathless.

“This SIM card—take it.”

“For me?” Nie Huan looked at the chip in his palm, momentarily stunned.

Did he buy this just for her?

“I’ll put it in for you—give me your phone,” Chu Yu said, holding out his hand.

Nie Huan stared at him in a daze, unmoving.

Chu Yu took a deep breath. “Sister Huan, forgive me for being forward.”

Before she could react, Chu Yu stepped closer. He was much taller than her, and the proximity made her feel slightly overwhelmed.

His hands trembled, a flush spreading hotly across his face.

“What are you doing?” Nie Huan said softly, her right hand pressed against his chest.

“I… I… just want your phone,” Chu Yu stammered.

Nie Huan narrowed her eyes and shoved him away. “Do you have to get so close?”

Whoosh!

Chu Yu felt as if he’d gone up in flames, his ears and cheeks burning.

Nie Huan fished her phone out of her pocket and handed it to him. “Here.”

Chu Yu was still reeling as he took the phone, his hands shaking. Glancing at the cast on her left hand, he blurted out without thinking,

“Sister Huan, with your hand like that, how do you take a shower?”

Nie Huan paused, giving him a look that became subtly dangerous. Then she spat, “Get lost!”