Before the evening self-study session began, Wen Tingxue finally met Yu Wenli.
On the dimly lit, suspended balcony, the little girl, with red eyes, tugged at his sleeve and tearfully asked:
"Are you hurt? Did he trouble you? Did I implicate you..."
Her soft voice, laced with a wavering cry, instantly softened Yu Wenli's icy heart.
The frost receded, leaving only warmth.
The young man's warm fingertips wiped away the rolling tears from the little girl's eyes, then gently rubbed her already flushed eyelids. His voice, hoarse, said:
"Brother is fine, don't cry, my heart is breaking."
He pulled her into his embrace, his desire to push her away waning significantly.
Wen Tingxue couldn't see his expression, but she could smell the faint scent of smoke on him.
It wasn't unpleasant, mixing with his crisp, cold fragrance, almost addictive.
But she remembered, he didn't smoke often.
Wen Tingxue lowered her gaze, her fingers restlessly fiddling with the hem of her clothes. After a long hesitation, she still asked softly:
"Yu Gege, did I implicate you...?"
Implicate?
Hearing the word, Yu Wenli let out a low, unreadable chuckle.
Clearly, he had implicated her, yet she spoke of being a burden.
Yu Wenli, with a mix of helplessness and amusement, patted the little girl's slender back.
He didn't speak, but she could feel he wasn't blaming her.
Wen Tingxue's suspended heart settled a bit, her hand movements stopped, and she tentatively reached out to hug him.
"Yu Gege, I promise, I won't run around next time."
She would eat at school; no matter how capable he was, he surely couldn't get past the gates of the First High School.
Another low chuckle responded, carrying more warmth than before.
As if encouraged, the little girl whispered an apology, "I'm sorry for making you clean up my messes again."
The hand around her waist was pulled away, and the little girl's heart leaped. She frantically looked up.
In the dim light, the young man's expression was very faint, and she couldn't see it clearly.
But the intangible distance was enough to send a chill through her.
It felt like a trial, each second stretching into an eternity.
Finally, she heard a soft sigh, and her heart tightened.
Thinking she was about to be abandoned, her head suddenly felt a weight.
The familiar way of ruffling hair, gentle yet domineering.
"Why are you such a little fool."
The young man murmured softly, his slightly drawn-out tone full of indulgence.
It was like sugar water, sweetening the little girl's long-sour heart.
She stood in the light, her upturned eyes sparkling, much like brilliant gemstones, making it impossible to scold her.
Yu Wenli's hand moved down, touching her soft, slender eyelashes, gently stroking them.
The little girl gazed at him, blinking, with complete trust.
Such an gaze made Yu Wenli's heart tremble, and he could no longer bring himself to push her away.
Since that was the case, then let them sink together.
Yu Wenli's gaze, dark and deep, caressed the little girl's smooth, tender cheek, stroke by stroke, with immense patience.
"Yi Yi."
He called her, his tone lingering, capable of seeping into one's very bones.
Wen Tingxue felt her legs go weak. She blinked, her voice soft and sweet, "Mm."
The young man was silent for a few seconds, his grip slightly tightening as he said:
"It's very dangerous around me, are you still willing to be involved with me?"
"……?"
The little girl looked at him in confusion, but could see nothing clearly.
The young man was hidden in the darkness; apart from his hands and tone, she couldn't fathom his thoughts.
Yet she could feel he was nervous, because he had hurt her.
A mark, neither too deep nor too shallow, was rubbed into her soft, tender cheek, making it look even more charming.
Yu Wenli abruptly withdrew his hand, but it was caught by the little girl. Her slightly cool fingertips tugged at him forcefully.
"I am willing."
She stared at his face, hidden in the darkness, and said, word by word: "No matter what is around you, I am willing."
After speaking, she lowered her head shyly, adding, "Of course, if I have a sister-in-law in the future, I'll leave on my own."
Although she could feel he was unique to her.
But there were no absolutes in life. What if he met someone better in the future?
She never dared to hope to become Mrs. Yu.
On the somewhat empty balcony, the young man's joyful laughter echoed, sweet and intoxicating, like wine aged for years.
When its flavor was at its richest.
The little girl's cheeks flushed, and she didn't ask what he was laughing about.
Instead, she heard him say, word by word: "Where would a sister-in-law come from? If there is one, it will be you."
Wen Tingxue suddenly looked up, her eyes, filled with so much expectation and surprise, were incomparably beautiful.
Yu Wenli reached out and touched the faint red mark on her face, and said softly:
"Once you're involved with me, some things will be beyond your control, and mine. Unless you cut ties with me completely, even then, are you still willing?"
From the very beginning, when he approached her, he knew he would bring her trouble.
But he still selfishly drew closer to her, wanting to be her haven.
And he was confident he could protect her.
However, time and again, the facts proved that he only brought her danger.
From the bracelet, to Shang Ziqian, every single incident was because of him.
On the way back, he had been thinking, perhaps it was best to just let it be.
Let her go, stay away from her, let her be well and have a peaceful student life.
But when she clutched his sleeve, and pitifully asked if he was alright, he truly couldn't say those words.
He admitted he was selfish, forcibly pulling her into danger for his own affections.
But from the first moment he saw her, he didn't want to let her go.
Therefore, giving her the choice was the best way.
If she was willing, he would continue to stay by her side, care for her, and protect her.
If she wasn't willing, he would bury this relationship in his heart and never touch it again in this lifetime.
The little girl said without hesitation: "I am willing."
If there were only two paths before her, then without a doubt, she would choose the one with him.
No matter how difficult it was, she would walk it.
Because he was on the other side.
Yu Wenli smiled, his movements becoming even gentler, and emphasized for the last time.
"Have you thought it through? Shang Ziqian is just the beginning. In the future, such troubles will be endless, even more so."
Her answer was still without hesitation: "I've thought it through, Yu Gege. No matter what path you take, I will accompany you."
Even if it was covered in thorns, she would endure it with him.
As her words fell, the little girl was pulled into a hot embrace, her body almost forced into his bones.
"Yi Yi."
His warm breath scorched her earlobe, each word piercing her heart.
"Brother doesn't have any 'regret medicine' for you here."
His clear, deep voice was tinged with an imperceptible stubbornness.
He was not a particularly kind person. The repeated confirmations were merely to give the little girl an avenue to retreat.
If she still persisted, then no matter what choice she made in the future, he would not let go.
The little girl actively wrapped her arms around his waist and responded in his embrace: "I will never regret it."
The school bell rang. Yu Wenli put her phone back in her pocket and instructed, "If you encounter this kind of situation again next time, remember to call brother. Otherwise..."
The young man leaned down slightly, his low voice a threat in her ear, "Brother will really beat you up."
The little girl's eyes widened, her face instantly flushed red, and she fled back to the classroom as if escaping.