After dinner, He Li walked Miao Xiaoyu home. On the way, she skipped along, smiling nonstop.
When he asked what she was so happy about, she refused to say.
But He Li could pretty much guess.
Her joy was probably because of how his parents had clearly approved of her and the not-so-subtle hints they kept dropping at the dinner table, telling him to hold on to Miao Xiaoyu and not let such a good girl slip away.
While he was thinking, they had already arrived near Miao Xiaoyu’s building.
He Li stopped and waved as he watched her go upstairs, then turned to walk back home.
From a window near the staircase behind him…
Miao Xiaoyu peeked her little head out and stared for a long time.
Only after He Li’s figure had completely disappeared did she pull back.
But just then, a voice sounded behind her…
“That’s the guy you like?”
“Not bad. Handsome enough. But I wonder if his other qualities match up to you.”
The voice was clear, pleasant, and carried a teasing tone.
Miao Xiaoyu’s face flushed red as she looked toward the source of the voice.
It was a tall woman in a windbreaker.
Her long hair was tied into a ponytail, her figure graceful and alluring. Her beauty was breathtaking—‘devastatingly beautiful’ wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Miao Xiaoyu glared at her and pouted, “Cousin!”
“What are you doing sneaking out again?”
“What if someone saw you?”
“You’re a superstar! If someone spots you, I won’t be able to keep a low profile anymore.”
She sounded a little annoyed.
Her cousin truly was a celebrity—none other than the famous Yu Jianxin!
Yu Jianxin had come to Yecheng for a concert and to see Miao Xiaoyu.
Hearing Miao Xiaoyu’s complaints, Yu Jianxin smiled brightly, “So what if I get recognized? If I do, I’ll just take you back home to hang out with me!”
“I’m not going!” Miao Xiaoyu huffed.
“Is it that you don’t want to, or that you can’t bear to leave that He Li?” Yu Jianxin teased relentlessly.
Miao Xiaoyu blushed and fell silent.
Yu Jianxin shook her head with a sigh. Looks like her little princess cousin had really fallen. But honestly, that He Li did seem interesting. Maybe she should observe him a little more.
If he really was outstanding, she, Yu Jianxin, might just support them being together.
With that thought, Yu Jianxin smiled to herself…
…
The next morning, He Li, still deep in sleep, was abruptly awakened by his mom’s voice outside his room…
“Li‑zi, Li‑zi, hurry up and get up!”
“Xiao Liu is here. Get dressed and come out quickly!”
“She came to see you early in the morning!”
“No matter what, you should at least meet her!”
Hearing her nagging and the knock on the door, He Li sighed and dragged himself out of bed. After a quick wash, he entered the living room and saw the uninvited guest—Liu Yuyan.
There was not a shred of politeness in his tone.
Liu Yuyan felt deeply wronged.
She had swallowed her pride and come all the way here to make peace, and this was how he greeted her?
Wasn’t he going too far?
While she brooded silently, He’s mother gave He Li a glare. “You brat, is that any way to talk to a guest? Show some manners!”
Though she didn’t have much of a favorable opinion of Liu Yuyan either—especially after everything with Miao Xiaoyu yesterday—still, she was a guest. Proper etiquette couldn’t be ignored.
He Li nodded perfunctorily.
“I got it, Mom.” Then he looked at Liu Yuyan and asked bluntly, “If you’ve got something to say, say it quickly. I have other things to do later.”
He sounded impatient.
Liu Yuyan panicked.
Yesterday, her plan was so clear in her mind—once Miao Xiaoyu was gone, she’d visit He Li and tell him she forgave him and wanted to reconcile.
But from the very beginning, things had gone off track.
Even without Miao Xiaoyu here, He Li’s attitude toward her was cold—almost like she was a stranger.
Still, she had come. She had to keep going.
“I… I came to tell you…”
“He Li, I’ve already forgiven you for yelling at me!”
“Let’s stop being like this, okay? Let’s go back to how we used to be!”
He Li’s expression didn’t change.
Go back to how things were? So he could keep being her fool, giving everything to her while she ordered him around like a servant?
He wasn’t that dumb.
Liu Yuyan, seeing he didn’t respond, bit her lip and continued, “Didn’t you want to know where I was applying? I’ll tell you. We can get into the same university and be together again!”
“You know my grades. It’ll be easy for you to get in where I apply.”
“Also, today is my birthday.”
“I want you to celebrate with me. My classmates are throwing me a party at the Radiance Hotel. Come with me, okay?”
He Li’s expression remained unchanged.
But He’s mother couldn’t keep it in anymore.
So Liu Yuyan came to reconcile and opened with ‘I forgive you’? What a way to put it.
And now she wanted to tell her son her university choice—so he could give up his future and follow her to a lower-tier school?
Most people work hard to get into better universities for their loved ones.
But this girl wanted him to lower himself just to chase her?
Who did she think she was?
“Why didn’t I realize this Xiao Liu was so shameless before?”
“Good thing Li‑zi didn’t keep seeing her.”
“Otherwise… it’d be a nightmare.”
The more she thought, the more upset she felt. Still, she didn’t interrupt. It was better to let the younger ones sort it out.
She had planned to treat Liu Yuyan politely today.
Now she couldn’t even be bothered.
She only hoped her son would be ruthless and send this girl away quickly.
Liu Yuyan, of course, didn’t catch on.
She didn’t notice the change in He’s mother’s expression. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Seeing her suddenly walk away without saying a word to help persuade He Li, Liu Yuyan felt even more wronged.
Uncle and Auntie used to like her a lot and would always talk to her warmly.
They even defended her sometimes.
But now that she had lowered her pride to beg He Li, Auntie didn’t even say a word for her?
What was going on?
Why was she being cold-shouldered?
She knew full well her son had been chasing her.
Wasn’t she hoping Liu Yuyan would become her daughter-in-law?
Now that the chance was right in front of her, why wasn’t she doing anything?
Wasn’t she worried Liu Yuyan would leave her son?
Even if she had made some mistakes, shouldn’t an elder be more forgiving?
Why wouldn’t she speak up for her now?
Liu Yuyan fought back tears. She wanted to cry, but He Li hadn’t responded yet, so she held it in and looked at him with tearful eyes, hoping his answer would be something that made her happy.
Unfortunately, Liu Yuyan was doomed to be disappointed…
“I don’t need your forgiveness.”
“I don’t care about your college plans.”
“And I have no interest in wasting my time at your birthday party.”
“But since you came all this way, as a classmate, I’ll at least say—happy birthday.”
“There, I’ve said it.”
“The door’s that way. You can leave now.”
He Li spoke slowly, clearly, pointing to the exit.
With every word, Liu Yuyan’s expression grew more hurt, her heart sinking deeper and deeper.
By the time he finished, she couldn’t hold it in anymore. Her tears poured down like rain.
“He Li, how can you be so cruel?”
“I finally gathered the courage to come here and make up with you, and this is how you treat me?”
“I even told you my university plans!”
“I even said you could go to the same school and stay with me…”
“What more do you want? I’m a girl, and I’ve already done so much. Can’t you just give in a little?”
“He Li, you chased me for three years!”
“Do you really want to throw that all away?”
“If I walk out today, you’ll regret it!”
With teary eyes, Liu Yuyan stared at He Li with a face full of grievance, humiliation, and anger.
She wanted to see fear or hesitation on his face.
But what she saw was joy.
“Oh yes, sure, I’ll regret it. Now please leave!”
“You…” Liu Yuyan was furious and choked up.
She couldn’t say another word.
She wiped her tears with her sleeves and ran out sobbing…