As they exited the mall, dusk had settled, the deep blue sky pressed low, as if rain was imminent, heavy and oppressive.
Xie Jin Yi’s heart felt a prickle of unease as she remembered her mother’s call, which she’d ignored earlier.
Before she could speak, Yu Wen Li instructed Chi Ze Rui to take her home.
Chi Ze Rui acknowledged with a distracted hum, then unceremoniously pulled Xie Jin Yi away. Though he harbored no particular fondness for Xie Jin Yi, he would obey anything Yu Ge said. He just felt inexplicably irritable, unsure why. He finally attributed it to the weather.
Meanwhile, after the two departed, the wind began to pick up. Yu Wen Li pivoted on his toe, stepping in front of the young girl and raising his hands to pull her hoodie up. It was a simple gesture, yet he used both hands, lending it a surprisingly solemn air.
Wen Ting Xue looked at the expanse of deep blue before her, adorned with its English lettering, and a thought suddenly flickered through her mind: no matter how strong the storms outside, he could shield her from them.
A warmth bloomed in her chest. Then she realized he was still holding the edges of her hood, showing no intention of letting go. She tilted her head up, seeking answers.
Her gaze met his intense stare, which in the dim corridor was particularly captivating. Wen Ting Xue’s heart skipped a beat. The next moment, he gently caressed her face and murmured in a low voice, "Little thing, I've missed you."
It felt as though something was missing just by her not being by his side for an afternoon. He’d even lost interest in playing billiards, checking the time and heading over here. But Xie Jin Yi was there, preventing any intimacy.
The young girl’s cheeks flushed again, her porcelain skin tinged pink. Her long lashes fluttered downwards as she avoided his gaze. Yu Wen Li curved his lips, knowing he couldn’t push her too far in public. But he relished the sight of her blushing face, so pure yet alluring, like an unwitting siren.
“Tell me, darling,” he asked, his tone casual as he pinched her slightly warm cheek, “did anything special happen today?”
Wen Ting Xue immediately thought of Shang Zi Qian, but the words caught in her throat. She didn’t want to say anything. She feared he would confront Shang Zi Qian, leading to trouble they couldn't easily resolve. Besides, she wasn't hurt, it was just… Yi Yi…
The young girl remained silent for a long time. Yu Wen Li’s eyes deepened as he pressed her head lightly. “Hmm?”
His slightly uplifted tone made Wen Ting Xue’s scalp tighten. She instinctively denied, “No.”
As the words left her lips, the air momentarily froze. The young girl hesitated for a few seconds before timidly lifting her gaze. Her bright, dark eyes reflected the boy’s expression under the gradually illuminating lights. His slightly raised eyebrows were filled with a half-believing skepticism. “Really?”
“Ah…” Wen Ting Xue dodged a direct answer. “Weren’t we chatting the whole time? I told you everything that needed to be said. Nothing special happened, truly.” She paused and smiled. “Except for Yi Yi’s breathtaking dance. Didn’t you think it was amazing?”
She had even recorded a video for him. But he hadn’t responded much, merely changing the subject. He remained silent now, too. The young girl nervously tugged his sleeve, her voice soft and pleading, “Why aren’t you speaking? Wasn’t it good?”
Yu Wen Li sighed with a hint of helplessness and offered a perfunctory reply, “It was alright.”
Wen Ting Xue’s mouth fell slightly open.
“Let’s go,” he said, taking her slightly cool hand and tucking it into his pocket to warm it. “Do you want to eat at home or out?”
Wen Ting Xue followed him down the steps, her reaction slightly delayed. “Either is fine.”
“Hmm,” the boy mused for a moment. “Then let’s go out. I’ll take you for some barbecue.”
…
He didn’t mention the matter again that evening, much to Wen Ting Xue’s relief. He… shouldn’t be suspicious, should he? He shouldn’t be.
Wen Ting Xue absently fiddled with the exam papers before her. Even if he had omniscient abilities, he couldn’t know everything, could he? Besides, he wasn’t present when it happened. Even if he saw it later, it would be hours after everything had concluded…
The only variable was that… boy in black. Wen Ting Xue’s thoughts paused, a flicker of unease crossing her mind, which she quickly dismissed. Jiang Cheng was a big city; they wouldn’t coincidentally know each other, would they? Moreover, from Yi Yi’s introduction, that boy didn’t seem like someone who talked much.
Thinking this, Wen Ting Xue gradually relaxed, focusing her attention on the test papers. She had consolidated her mistakes from the previous weekly test and the current week’s errors for review on Saturday. He not only provided corresponding practice problems but also asked her to explain her problem-solving process. Finally, he created similar questions himself for her to solve. Frankly, his created problems were harder than the actual exam questions. Fortunately, he was a good teacher, and she could eventually figure them out with some effort. She just wasn’t sure how well she’d done…
From the moment Yu Wen Li picked up the test papers, Wen Ting Xue’s gaze never left him. The boy sat elegantly in his chair, holding a paper in one hand and twirling a pen with the other. His narrow eyes were slightly narrowed, his expression unreadable, only conveying intense concentration. The light from above cast a soft glow on his tousled bangs, making him appear remarkably gentle. It was only the red wooden ruler by his hand…
Wen Ting Xue’s eyes trembled, and she quickly shifted her focus to the red pen in his hand, terrified of making a mistake.
After examining them for a while, he finally raised his eyebrows with satisfaction. “Hmm, not bad.”
After so many days, he had finally offered a compliment, and Wen Ting Xue nearly cried. It had been so difficult to earn his approval.
Sensing the young girl’s emotions, Yu Wen Li added with a light laugh as he put down the papers, “My Yi Yi is very talented.”
Startled by the sudden praise, Wen Ting Xue froze for a moment. Then, she tried to suppress the corners of her lips from turning upwards, maintaining a calm and humble expression.
Yu Wen Li stood up, reached out, and ruffled her fluffy hair, whispering softly, “Brother is telling the truth. If you want to smile, then smile. There’s no need to suppress your emotions, nor should you feel you don’t deserve praise. You are excellent, and you deserve the most beautiful words in the world.”
The education in his family, or rather, the customary upbringing from elders, emphasized emotional restraint. Boys were meant to be steady and humble. Thus, during his childhood, praise and commendation were scarce; more common were encouragement and strictness. Over time, he adopted this approach. However, it was clear this method didn’t suit everyone, especially not this young girl. Having been suppressed since childhood, she lacked confidence and a sense of validation. If he didn’t nurture her self-esteem and provide sufficient security now, it would be difficult for her to accept praise as she grew older, even if it were genuine. She would subconsciously believe the speaker was merely comforting her.
Therefore, Yu Wen Li decided to change his approach, gradually healing the young girl’s bruised heart. She was meant to be a jewel, not a grain of sand.
Wen Ting Xue stared at him blankly, her barren, desert-like heart seeming to crack open, releasing a gush of water that slowly nourished her long-dried soul.
Yu Wen Li pulled the young girl into his embrace. “I’m sorry. Brother is also experiencing being a big brother to a young girl for the first time. If I’ve been inadequate, please forgive me, Yi Yi-mei mei.”