As a police officer, he naturally possessed an inherent authority.
Cheng Xiaorui was somewhat afraid of him. At his sharp reprimand, she flinched and took a step back, her head bowed even lower.
Her gaze fixed on the ground. Even within her limited sight, she could see Han Yu's dark, gleaming leather shoes.
After a long moment, he remained still.
Cheng Xiaorui then released the snakeskin bag and gestured with her hands: [Collecting scrap metal.]
“You think I can't see you collecting scrap metal?”
His voice grew deeper. Even though Cheng Xiaorui had her head down, she could feel his intense anger radiating from his tone.
“I'm asking you, why are you collecting scrap metal?”
“Do you know what time it is? One in the morning. You have to be up at six for class. You're not sleeping, and you're out here collecting scrap metal?”
“Cheng Xiaorui, I brought you here from the countryside to go to school, not to collect scrap metal!”
Han Yu berated her several times, frightening Cheng Xiaorui so much that she kept her head down, not daring to speak.
When she arrived at school at the beginning of the year, Han Yu had placed her in the third year of high school. However, after a few days of classes, Cheng Xiaorui contacted Han Yu herself and asked to start from the second year.
This was because she wanted to build a solid foundation to get into Lancheng University.
Han Yu readily agreed.
In order to catch up on all her studies and achieve excellent results, Cheng Xiaorui had been diligently studying every day during the summer break.
Han Yu had witnessed all these efforts.
However, Han Yu never expected to unexpectedly discover Cheng Xiaorui collecting scrap metal.
“Not talking, are you? Fine, I’ll pack your things right now, and you can get out and go back to your hometown.”
He reached out to grab Cheng Xiaorui, but she struggled and shook his hand away.
Cheng Xiaorui’s eyes reddened, tears welling up in them. She stubbornly refused to let them fall.
She shook her head, [I don't want to go back.]
“If you don’t want to go back, then you need to study properly. Is this your attitude towards studying? If you don’t have enough money, just tell me. Damn it, do you think I lack that little bit of money?”
In his exasperation, Han Yu swore directly.
This angry Han Yu was unlike any Cheng Xiaorui had ever seen.
In her eyes, the tanned Han Yu, despite his buzz cut, was still incredibly handsome. His sense of justice made her feel completely safe.
Every time she saw him, Cheng Xiaorui inexplicably felt happy.
Seeing her as happy as a child, he would naturally smile along.
That smile was genuine, like the warm sun in March, making one feel warm.
But this time, his smile was gone, replaced by a face full of rage.
Cheng Xiaorui summoned her courage to meet Han Yu's gaze, biting her lip with her pearly white teeth. She didn't even realize she had bitten her lip until it bled.
She raised her hand and gestured, [I'm sorry.]
Without any explanation, just an apology, she turned to leave.
“Stop!”
Han Yu commanded, pointing at the snakeskin bag in his hand, “Throw it away!”
Cheng Xiaorui froze and shook her head.
These were the scrap metal she had painstakingly collected, and it would be a shame to throw them away.
“I told you to throw it away, can’t you hear me!”
He roared again.
Cheng Xiaorui didn't understand why Han Yu was so agitated. Perhaps he thought collecting scrap metal was embarrassing?
Maybe.
She looked reluctantly at the bag full of scrap metal beside her. After much hesitation, she dropped it onto the ground.
“Go back, wash up, and go to bed!” he ordered.
Cheng Xiaorui said nothing and turned to walk towards the apartment.
Han Yu was furious, but he could neither hit nor scold her, so he followed behind her.
The distance from here to the apartment was five to six hundred meters. The two walked one behind the other, neither speaking.
When they reached the bottom of the apartment building, Cheng Xiaorui turned back and gestured to Han Yu, [I'm home, goodnight.]
Han Yu glanced at her, bypassed her, and went directly into the elevator.
Cheng Xiaorui quietly followed.
They went upstairs and entered the apartment, which was spotlessly clean and meticulously maintained.
Han Yu walked to the sofa and sat down, saying to Cheng Xiaorui, “What are you standing around for? Go wash up and go to bed!”
Cheng Xiaorui puffed out her cheeks and obediently went to the bedroom to find some clothes and then to the bathroom to shower.