“Alright.”
Gu Xinyou took out an umbrella from her backpack and opened it.
She disliked going out, but whenever she had to, she always prepared everything in advance. The weather forecast had mentioned rain tonight, so she brought an umbrella.
As she walked over and held half of the umbrella over Jiang Yan’s head, her soft voice reached his ear.
“Let’s go.”
And so, the two of them, sharing one umbrella, walked through the rainy darkness together.
When Jiang Yan finally saw the tombstone of Gu Xinyou’s parents, his suspicions vanished completely.
Looking at her now, a faint sense of pity flickered in his eyes.
This girl, like Shen Qiuya, had endured a tragic life.
He respectfully bowed three times before the grave. Then the two of them returned to the gates of Yongning Cemetery.
By the road was Jiang Yan’s SUV.
He opened the door and got in. Through the window, he saw Gu Xinyou still standing in the rain.
A trace of unease stirred in his heart. After all, she had just held the umbrella for him.
He lowered the window and asked, “How are you getting back?”
Gu Xinyou stood frozen for a second, then said, “I’m walking.”
Jiang Yan frowned. “This is the outskirts. How many hours would that take you on foot?”
Then something clicked, and he looked at her in disbelief. “Don’t tell me… you walked here too?”
Sure enough, Gu Xinyou nodded.
“How long did it take?” Jiang Yan asked.
“Seven hours.”
Jiang Yan was too shocked to even react.
Walking for seven hours… was that something a normal person could even do?
Once again, he couldn’t help but wonder if this girl had some kind of psychological condition.
“Get in the car,” he said. “Where do you live? I’ll drive you home.”
“Okay.”
Gu Xinyou got into the back seat and softly said, “Thank you.”
The cabin light came on.
Through the rearview mirror, Jiang Yan finally got a clear look at her.
She was wrapped head to toe in a plain black tracksuit, completely out of place in this hot summer weather. Only her face and hands were exposed. Her skin was pale, smooth, and tight—young and fresh.
Her long hair was messy and fluffy, like an anime girl who just woke up.
She wore no makeup—pure, clean, and beautiful. She gave off the impression of a sweet girl-next-door. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Jiang Yan shifted his eyes away from the mirror and asked, “Where’s your home?”
Gu Xinyou slowly gave him an address.
They didn’t speak again on the drive.
The car moved steadily through the rain.
Her neighborhood was an old and rundown housing area.
There was no security, and the only consistent visitor was the daily garbage truck. The moment they entered, the summer air reeked of rotting garbage.
Jiang Yan frowned and stepped out of the car.
The rain had become a downpour, and wind blew it in every direction. Even with an umbrella, his clothes were soaked.
He turned and looked at Gu Xinyou.
She was gripping the umbrella tightly with her pale fingers, but her black tracksuit was completely drenched and clung tightly to her body.
Jiang Yan’s pupils contracted slightly.
She wasn’t wearing any undergarments.
The soaked fabric outlined her full figure perfectly. Though she looked slim, she was surprisingly well-developed.
No wonder he had felt something so soft when she had fallen on him earlier.
This girl… the way she spoke, walked, even dressed—it was all too strange. He began to suspect she might have a psychological condition like mild autism.
Jiang Yan looked away and said, “Let’s go. Which floor do you live on?”
“Sixth floor.”
The top floor.
Jiang Yan walked her to the stairwell, not intending to go up.
As a grown man, entering a young girl’s private space alone wasn’t exactly appropriate—even if he had no improper thoughts.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he felt a small hand tug the hem of his shirt.
He looked down in surprise.
Gu Xinyou kept her head low and said softly, “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. It was nothing.”
But she didn’t let go. She stayed silent, still holding on.
Jiang Yan sighed.
Fine. Since he’d come this far, might as well finish the good deed.
Her apartment was very small—about 40 square meters. One glance, and you could see everything inside.
Jiang Yan instantly understood. She lived alone.
“You’re still in school?” he asked.
Gu Xinyou hung the umbrella on a hook by the door and nodded.
Then silence again.
Jiang Yan rubbed his forehead. This girl only responded when asked—completely lacking in social awareness.
He asked again, “Where do you study? How do you cover your living expenses?”
“Tianhai University. I have a sponsor.”
As she spoke, she walked over to a tall bookshelf.
Jiang Yan had noticed it when he entered.
Despite the bare and shabby state of the place, there was a massive bookshelf against the wall, stuffed full of books—it stood out starkly in the room.
She picked through the shelves and pulled out several thick books, then carried the pile toward Jiang Yan and held it out to him.
“For you.”
She looked like she was struggling to carry them. Jiang Yan kindly took the books and placed them on a worn-out wooden table.
“Why are you giving me books?” he asked.
For the first time, her blank expression showed a hint of emotion. A faint blush colored her cheeks.
“You brought me home. This is payment. It’s a fair trade.”
But she had no money or valuables. These books were the only things of worth she owned.
“Pfft…”
Her words made Jiang Yan chuckle. He hadn’t expected her logic to be so… unique.
He smiled and said, “You held the umbrella for me, I brought you home. That’s called basic decency.”
“These are ancient texts. I can’t read them, so they’re useless to me.” He then asked, “Didn’t you say you have a sponsor? Doesn’t she give you any living expenses?”
Gu Xinyou answered honestly, “My sister said she’s in trouble and can’t support me anymore.”
Jiang Yan studied her again, trying to judge whether she was telling the truth.
Then he suddenly noticed she was still soaking wet. Under the light, every detail was more visible.
He quickly turned away and stared at the wall, reminding her, “Your clothes are drenched. Do you always go out dressed like this?”
Gu Xinyou looked down at herself, and her pale cheeks flushed red.
“No, I… I just… forgot today…”
She stammered and only then crossed her arms over her chest, trying to cover herself.
When Jiang Yan looked back, her crossed arms pushed against her chest, and the visual impact at this close range made him suddenly feel hot and uncomfortable.