Cheng Xiaorui originally thought her encounter with Han Yu would be a fleeting one. Little did she know, he would later help her secure a place at school, allowing her to continue her studies.
To avoid disappointing Han Yu, she poured all her energy into her studies, aiming to improve her grades and gain admission to Lan University.
Heaven favored the diligent, and her efforts paid off; she was successfully admitted to Lan University.
From then on, she could remain in Lancheng, in the same city as the person she liked.
Later, Han Yu would visit her at school every weekend, taking her to meet Meng Jingwei and their friends. She gradually integrated into their circle and was eventually brought into the Han family.
Cheng Xiaorui had no aspirations of marrying into wealth; she simply liked Han Yu.
She also believed Han Yu's meticulous care for her was a sign of his affection.
All Cheng Xiaorui desired was pure love, regardless of the other person's family background; liking them was enough.
At the Han residence, Han's father and mother treated her exceptionally well, leading Cheng Xiaorui to mistakenly believe that she and Han Yu were destined to be together, with only a final confession needed.
Who knew...
In the end, it was all her own wishful thinking.
Cheng Xiaorui had never been in love; her affection for Han Yu was her first love.
Having never experienced the pain of heartbreak, the current tearing sensation in her chest threatened to consume her, making her truly understand the taste of suffering.
So, heartbreak was this painful.
She reached up and clutched her chest, where even breathing brought a dull ache.
Hearing the sound of running water from the bathroom cease, she sniffled, wiped the tears from her eyes, and quickly walked into the living room.
"Xiaorui, why are you up so early?" Mother Han was very kind to Cheng Xiaorui, showing no disdain for her muteness.
Father Han was seated on the sofa, watching the morning news and keeping up with current events.
Seeing her approach, he smiled and said, "You don't have classes today, why not sleep in a bit longer."
"Yes, we finally have a weekend, and you're still getting up so early." From behind, Han Yu's voice sounded. He walked to her side and gently ruffled her hair.
The familiar gesture seemed to have been performed thousands of times.
In the past, Cheng Xiaorui would cherish Han Yu ruffling her hair; she loved it as an expression of a boyfriend's love for his girlfriend.
Now, knowing the truth, she suddenly began to resist the gesture of having her head patted.
Too much intimacy could easily lead her to misunderstandings, and she disliked that.
The Han family truly doted on her, but...
Han Yu didn't like her, so why were they so good to her?
Cheng Xiaorui was perplexed.
She smiled sweetly, raised her hand, and signed, [I couldn't sleep. I tend to get up this early at school.]
"Hahaha, what a silly child who doesn't know how to enjoy herself."
"Alright, since you're up, let's eat."
"Yes, let's eat first. By the way, Xiaorui..." Han Yu looked at Cheng Xiaorui beside him. "After eating, I'll take you to Yujing Villa for a couple of days. Jingwei said she misses you."
Meng Jingwei and Cheng Xiaorui were from the same village, but due to the age difference between them, they had little interaction.
Therefore, Cheng Xiaorui knew Meng Jingwei wouldn't miss her.
Yet, she still smiled and nodded, signing, [Okay, I miss Sister Jingwei too.]
...
Yujing Villa.
Meng Jingwei nestled in Qing Muye's embrace, murmuring with confusion, "It's fine for Han Yu to support Xiaorui's studies, but bringing her back to the Han family and then saying he doesn't like her, what does that mean?"
Qing Muye looked at the woman in his arms and tapped her nose with his finger. "What are you trying to say?"
"Could Han Yu be a scumbag? Sleeping with Xiaorui and then refusing to take responsibility?" Meng Jingwei said, smacking her lips. "He doesn't seem like someone who shirks responsibility, though."
"I'm not sure." Qing Muye truly didn't understand Han Yu's intentions. "Old Han has always been a man of few words."