Chapter 33

Xi Yu’s face was even colder than usual. Her eyes only brushed over Yu Nianyi for a moment before turning to Xu Ruoyan, who was striding over.

Yu Nianyi rose almost at once, her gaze fixed on Xi Yu’s face. She looked at those dark eyes, at the lips pressed into a straight line, at the faint flush that had suddenly bloomed along Xi Yu’s normally pale cheek.

She stared until she couldn’t look away.

Xu Ruoyan stopped in front of them and gave them a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I waited for you in the shop for so long, and you ran off to drink instead? That’s a little heartbreaking, isn’t it?”

Lin Yan laughed heartily, an arm draped over Xu Ruoyan’s shoulder; he jerked his chin toward Xi Yu. “Hey, don’t blame me. Xi Yu was the one who wanted another drink; I only kept her company for a while.”

Xu Ruoyan followed his gaze, met Xi Yu’s eyes, and Xi Yu nodded at her.

“I don’t believe you,” Xu Ruoyan said without hesitation, snorting softly.

Yu Nianyi stood not far away, looking at Xi Yu’s face, which seemed no different from usual, and only then did she understand where that obvious flush had come from.

She walked over in a few quick steps and said to the woman in black beside her, “Good afternoon, Xi Yu-jie.”

Lin Yan and Xu Ruoyan exchanged a look, and then they heard Xi Yu’s voice. “Mm. Good afternoon.”

Lin Yan withdrew his hand and studied the woman in front of him, with her blonde hair tied up and delicate features. “Well, Xi Yu, when did you meet such a cute little sister? And you don’t even introduce us.”

Yu Nianyi smiled and said to Lin Yan, “Hello, big sister. I’m Xi Yu-jie’s friend, Yu Nianyi.”

“Xi Yu’s friend?” Lin Yan’s lips curled as his eyes turned, and he slowly repeated the words.

Xi Yu lowered her eyes slightly; her gaze flickered as she looked at Yu Nianyi’s polite, smiling face.

As if thinking of something, Lin Yan suddenly raised his hand, eyes widening in realization. He pointed at Yu Nianyi. “You said your name is Yu Nianyi?”

Yu Nianyi: “Yes.”

Lin Yan suddenly understood. He turned sharply to Xi Yu. “Then isn’t she the one from that hotel last time..."

Before he could finish, Xi Yu suddenly said, “Lin Yan, don’t forget to take your things.”

Yu Nianyi blinked, watching Lin Yan and Xi Yu look at each other. In the end, Lin Yan gave a dry laugh, pulled Xu Ruoyan along, and quickly left.

As Lin Yan and Xu Ruoyan’s footsteps faded, Yu Nianyi walked closer to Xi Yu and sniffed the air. There was a strong scent of whiskey, mixed with a faint trace of smoke, almost enough to cover Xi Yu’s own scent.

She lifted her eyes to glance at Xi Yu’s profile; Xi Yu’s eyes were slightly lowered, black lashes trembling faintly in the soft, warm light, a very slight crease between her brows, her mouth set tight as though she were looking somewhere in the distance.

“Xi Yu-jie drank?”

“Mm.”

“You like ceramics?”

Yu Nianyi nodded, stepping a little closer to Xi Yu. She kept a careful eye on Xi Yu’s posture, afraid she might be unsteady from the alcohol.

“Were you here alone?”

“Yes.”

“What were you doing just now?”

“Teacups.”

“Schoolwork?”

“...No. I suppose it counts as a hobby.”

Xi Yu said nothing else. She slid her hands into the side pockets of her coat and leaned slightly against the doorframe, closing her eyes for a moment.

Yu Nianyi watched her expression and stood straight beside her, asking carefully, “Xi Yu-jie would probably feel more comfortable sitting down.”

“No need. I’m leaving soon.”

Yu Nianyi let out an “oh,” then subconsciously looked toward the clay cups on the wheel in the distance. Her finishing work still wasn’t done.

But Xi Yu was still here; she definitely couldn’t leave.

“Xi Yu-jie, you can lean on my shoulder. Standing like this must be uncomfortable.” Yu Nianyi straightened her back and looked at Xi Yu.

Xi Yu slowly opened her slightly closed eyes and looked directly into Yu Nianyi’s.

“...Xi Yu.”

“Come out quickly..."

Lin Yan’s voice sounded from outside the door. Xi Yu withdrew her gaze and straightened up.

Yu Nianyi watched Xi Yu leave the room and softly said, “Xi Yu-jie, go back and rest well.”

Xi Yu: “Mm.”

Outside the door, Lin Yan watched Xi Yu slowly come out of the studio. She glanced back toward the doorway and seemed to catch sight of the blonde woman inside. A smile tugged at her lips as she said, “I can’t keep you company anymore; I still have something to finish here.”

“The designated driver just left; how are you getting back?”

Xi Yu stopped on the stone path, opened her phone, and lowered a finger to the screen. “I’ll call another one.”

“I can take Xi Yu-jie home.”

Yu Nianyi’s voice suddenly came from behind them. Lin Yan looked past Xi Yu toward Yu Nianyi and saw that she seemed to have run over, slightly out of breath. She studied her for a moment, then turned her attention back to Xi Yu’s face.

Yu Nianyi’s chest rose and fell lightly. She let out a breath, adjusted her breathing, and looked at Xi Yu’s back.

Xi Yu switched off her phone screen and slipped it back into her pocket. Turning her head slightly, she looked at Yu Nianyi with dark, deep eyes. “You’re done?”

Yu Nianyi made an “ah” sound, her eyes drifting away. “More or less. I’m done.”

The teacups only needed to be left to dry; it was just that she hadn’t had time to tidy the studio, so she could only trouble Xu Ruoyan or Xi Yao with that.

“Alright, thank you.” Xi Yu turned back and walked toward the entrance. “Let’s go.”

A smile rose unconsciously to Yu Nianyi’s lips as she hurried to Xi Yu’s side.

Her gaze never left Xi Yu for a moment. Only when she saw that Xi Yu was walking fairly steadily did she finally relax a little.

Lin Yan looked Yu Nianyi over with obvious curiosity and said as they walked, “Nianyi-meimei, you don’t need to be so nervous. Xi Yu won’t fall while walking; she’s always been able to hold her liquor.”

Xi Yu gave him a sideways glance.

Yu Nianyi twitched at the corners of her mouth and then looked away. “Oh. Then I’m relieved.”

The three of them crossed the stone path and entered the lobby, where Xu Ruoyan had just come in from outside. The moment she saw them, she laughed. “Leaving already?”

Xi Yu: “Mm. See you.”

“Alright; come again when you have time.”

Yu Nianyi followed Xi Yu out. When she passed Xu Ruoyan, she stopped. Lin Yan turned back to look at her.

Xu Ruoyan looked puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Yu Nianyi leaned a little closer to Xu Ruoyan, staring at Xi Yu’s back as she softly said, “Ruoyan-jie, the situation is urgent. I still haven’t finished cleaning up the studio; could you please help me keep an eye on it? I’ll definitely thank you properly later.”

Xu Ruoyan curved her eyes and followed Yu Nianyi’s gaze toward Xi Yu. At that moment, Xi Yu’s pace slowed slightly and she happened to turn back; their eyes met.

Xu Ruoyan looked away and smiled as she reached out to pat Yu Nianyi’s head. Leaning to her ear, she whispered, “What are you being polite for? I completely understand. Do your best.”

Yu Nianyi’s face rarely flushed, but now it did a little. She smiled and nodded, then said goodbye to Xu Ruoyan.

-

Xi Yu got into the passenger seat, called up the location of Chenxiao Bay on the center console, and then leaned back to rest.

Yu Nianyi adjusted the seat; her hands had been on the steering wheel for a long time, but she still hadn’t made the next move, and the car had yet to start.

She couldn’t help feeling exhilarated. The corners of her mouth lifted wide, her eyes full of smiling light. It felt as if every pore in her body had opened; the mood that had weighed on her all afternoon vanished in an instant.

They had known each other for so long, and she had never been to Xi Yu’s private home. This was her first time going there; the very first time! She would be able to see Xi Yu up close at home, and she’d get to see what her house looked like. She would be able to see so many, many sides of Xi Yu.

“What is it?” Xi Yu opened her eyes and turned to look at her.

Yu Nianyi snapped back to herself. She had been thinking so hard that she didn’t even know where her thoughts had wandered. Xi Yu’s gaze falling on her face gave her the strange feeling that everything in her mind had been laid bare. Heat rose inexplicably at the back of her neck, and she quickly composed herself, smiling as she answered, “Nothing. I’m ready to set off.”

“Mm.” Xi Yu hummed with her eyes closed.

Yu Nianyi nodded. At least Xi Yu hadn’t seen through anything.

The car started soon after, pulling out of the parking space and slowly merging onto the main road.

Xi Yu seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep; she kept her eyes closed all the way without the slightest sign of waking.

After driving for a while, Yu Nianyi finally relaxed.

There were quite a few cars on the road, mostly people out to unwind. By now night had just fallen, and the streetlights glowed with a soft light.

At the intersection, the red light came on and the car gradually stopped.

Yu Nianyi’s breathing grew lighter. She turned her head and looked toward Xi Yu, her gaze lingering quietly on Xi Yu’s peaceful sleeping face.

Xi Yu had already taken off her glasses, her eyes tightly shut. Her brow and nose bridge were high and straight, the line of her nose rising cleanly through the center of her face; the other side fell into shadow, making her seem especially quiet.

Beep—

A short horn blared; Yu Nianyi instantly came back to herself. She jerked her gaze away and, by reflex, gripped the steering wheel. Only then did she see that the light ahead had already turned green, and the car in front had moved a long way away.

After driving a little farther, Yu Nianyi finally reached the location the navigation had indicated. She parked in the underground garage, pulled out the key, and was just about to turn and wake Xi Yu when the person who had been sleeping only moments ago suddenly opened her eyes.

Yu Nianyi froze, watching Xi Yu get out of the car.

There didn’t seem to be the slightest sign of drunkenness.

“Let’s go; weren’t you going to escort me home?” Xi Yu stood where she was, her dark eyes looking over at Yu Nianyi.

Yu Nianyi nodded and hurriedly opened the car door, walking to Xi Yu’s side.

Xi Yu lived in a one-unit-per-floor building. After taking the elevator up, the door opened directly into a bright and spacious elevator lobby; after a few more steps, they reached the entrance.

Xi Yu opened the door, changed into her own shoes, and then placed a brand-new pair of beige fluffy slippers at Yu Nianyi’s feet.

Yu Nianyi thanked her and followed her inside.

Warm lights came on in the living room at once, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance. On the bright, new beige tile floor sat a black coffee table and sofa; the only splash of color was the monstera plant beside the sofa, nearly as tall as a person, its white and green variegation full of life.

“Sit first.” Xi Yu walked toward the dining table. “What would you like to drink?”

“No need. How could I trouble Xi Yu-jie to take care of me? And you’ve had alcohol, so the most important thing now is to rest...” Yu Nianyi hurried after her and said instinctively.

Xi Yu stopped, turned back to face her, and Yu Nianyi caught up only to meet Xi Yu’s dark eyes head-on without warning.

Xi Yu’s glasses had been left on the hall table; right now her features looked especially clear, and Yu Nianyi could see the full outline of her eyes and the slight crease between her brows.

“What you mean is, you want to go back?”

Her tone hadn’t changed at all, but locked in that direct gaze, it still felt as if Xi Yu’s emotions were not quite as calm as they seemed.

Yu Nianyi blinked, thought for a moment, and quickly waved her hands. “No, I’m just worried Xi Yu-jie doesn’t feel well. Even if someone should be taking care of anyone, it should be me taking care of you.”

“And,” Yu Nianyi stared into Xi Yu’s eyes, “I’m free for a while. I can wait until Xi Yu-jie is fully asleep before I leave..."

Xi Yu withdrew her gaze. “Lin Yan wasn’t wrong about one thing.”

“I’m not drunk.”

Yu Nianyi made an “ah” sound, savoring Xi Yu’s words, then stepped to her side and asked softly, “Then is there anything you need me to help with? That way Xi Yu-jie can be a little more relaxed.”

“No need. What do you want to drink?”

“Then... warm water.”

Xi Yu glanced at her. “Just warm water?”

Yu Nianyi nodded. “Yes.”

“Alright.” Xi Yu said nothing more. She poured a little more than half a cup from the water bar and handed it to Yu Nianyi.

She poured herself a cup as well, then gestured for Yu Nianyi to sit on the sofa.

Only after Yu Nianyi sat down did Xi Yu take a seat beside her, about half a meter away.

The smoke smell had gradually faded too, and the fragrant air was mixed with a sweet, rich, slightly stuffy scent.

Xi Yu took a small sip of water and set the cup on the coffee table. Then, with one hand, she untied the elastic binding her long hair at the back of her head; thick black hair spilled down the back of the sofa with the movement and lay smoothly behind her.

Yu Nianyi froze for a second, her gaze instinctively falling on Xi Yu’s face as a few loose strands slipped slowly beside her lips.

The usually neat and serious atmosphere seemed to soften a little. Leaning against the dark, soft sofa, Xi Yu looked relaxed, almost casual.

Xi Yu lifted a hand and tucked the black hair by her cheek behind her ear, speaking unhurriedly. “You’ve known Xu Ruoyan for a long time?”