Xu Ke Xin carefully weighed her words, a touch of nervousness in her voice.
"I don't know the reason for your anger with Yu Wen Li.
"But what happened that day was truly an accident.
"When Yu Wen Li arrived, those people were forcing me to take off my clothes at knifepoint.
"I refused, and they were about to attack, but he took a knife for me.
"Then they sat down to talk, and just as they were about to reach an agreement.
"Xing Jia He entered from the doorway. I don't know what the leader said.
"In any case, by the time I went to refill the water, Xing Jia He was already fighting them.
"Yu Wen Li, fearing I would get hurt, took me aside to watch.
"I didn't expect the police to show up so suddenly..."
Xu Ke Xin recounted everything she knew and saw, word for word.
She didn't want Wen Ting Xue and Yu Wen Li to develop a rift because of this incident.
Even less did she want to lose her only friend.
Therefore, she explained as much as she could think of.
"Yu Wen Li didn't fight at all, only Xing Jia He was the one who acted.
"He took the knife for me because of you, because I'm your friend and he didn't want you to be upset.
"Also, after he got his phone back, he kept calling you.
"From the police station to the movie theater, and then from the movie theater all the way home.
"He searched for a long time, until the building security guard called to say you had returned home, and only then did he go back.
"Ting Xue."
Xu Ke Xin fidgeted with her fingertips, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I really didn't know that was your first date.
"But I could tell that Yu Wen Li cared about you a lot. During the two days you were arguing, he came to your window every night and only left after you fell asleep."
Wen Ting Xue drank some milk, feeling a little dazed.
These things, he indeed hadn't said.
Not even a single word had been mentioned.
If not for Xu Ke Xin, she might not have known that he was also feeling wronged about what happened on Saturday.
But he hadn't said anything tonight. All his focus was on her emotions.
Even when she was upset with him for fighting, he hadn't offered any defense.
She called him silly; he was the one who was silly.
He was clearly also feeling wronged and angry, so why didn't he say anything?
Xu Ke Xin hesitated for two seconds, then got up and sat next to Wen Ting Xue.
"Xiao Xue, I'm telling you this, not only to prevent misunderstandings between you two.
"But also to tell you that many things might not be as we imagine.
"It's like how my mother and I, if we could have just sat down and talked, discussed things carefully.
"Perhaps everything would have been different, but we didn't. We both held onto what we believed was right and refused to back down.
"Xiao Xue, you and Yu Wen Li are a great match. Please don't let people with ill intentions sow discord and mistrust between you.
"Yu Wen Li isn't someone who likes to explain, but as long as you ask, he will never lie to you. The scariest thing is when you don't ask."
—The scariest thing is when you don't ask.
Xu Ke Xin's insights were always sharp and to the point.
Wen Ting Xue lowered her head guiltily. "This time, it was indeed my fault."
"It's alright."
Xu Ke Xin gently patted her head with a smile. "It's not a problem to have issues in a relationship, but it is a problem to not resolve them. You've handled it well, haven't you?"
"Mhm, mhm," Wen Ting Xue nodded subconsciously.
Then she suddenly looked up, her eyes shining as she looked at Xu Ke Xin. "Class monitor, you understand relationships so well."
Xu Ke Xin shook her head with a wry smile. "I don't understand, I've just seen a lot."
Whether it was her mother's death or the part-time jobs over the years.
The only two words that had taught her the most were: people's hearts.
Wen Ting Xue blinked, understanding only half of it.
"Anyway, no matter what, I have to thank you, thank you for telling me so much."
Xu Ke Xin smiled. "Don't call me class monitor anymore, call me Ke Xin."
"Then can I call you Xin Xin?" the young girl asked, her eyes fixed on her.
Xu Ke Xin's heart warmed, and she nodded. "Okay."
...
After leaving Wen Ting Xue's room, Xu Ke Xin let out a long sigh.
To be honest, she had never made a true friend in her life.
When her mother was alive, she had plenty of pocket money.
She used it to buy friends in droves, ordering them around all day, acting very imposing.
It wasn't until her mother passed away that she realized that friends bought with money were ultimately unreliable.
So, when she met Wen Ting Xue, she privately wished to walk with her for a lifetime.
She felt very guilty about what happened on Saturday.
If she had returned with them that day, perhaps they wouldn't have argued.
But she...
Because of that commotion, she lost her job.
Xing Jia He felt quite apologetic, so he called to ask if Chi Ze Rui had any suitable job openings.
Chi Ze Rui's girlfriend, Hao Luo Er, happened to overhear and enthusiastically offered to help arrange something.
Because she was concerned about the job, she left with Xing Jia He ahead of time.
Although she eventually secured a formal position at the Chi family's club and a part-time job at the Hao family's KTV, she lost the best opportunity to explain.
Xu Ke Xin sighed. Fortunately, everything could be salvaged.
Otherwise, she would have been consumed by guilt.
-
Rooftop.
Tong Jia Yi heard the movement and turned back, asking directly, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Her usually beautiful and gentle face was contorted with a hint of ferocity.
Yu Wen Li lit a cigarette expressionlessly, exhaling a plume of smoke.
He spoke slowly, "Don't push your luck, or I'll make it happen for you."
Realizing he was truly angry, Tong Jia Yi's expression changed slightly. "Don't forget, I'm Chi Ze Rui's savior!"
Two more chapters. They should be available in the morning. Things have been very slow lately, and I need to push the plot forward while also filling in plot holes (facepalm). I've dug too many holes.