The result of Xi Jing messing with Chuzheng was that he got thoroughly dealt with by her. On the way back, Xi Jing rushed upstairs as if someone were chasing him, leaving Chuzheng behind.

Chuzheng went up and found that Xi Jing had already gone to the bathroom.

"Do you want some milk?" Chuzheng asked from behind the curtain.

"No..."

"I’ll heat it up for you. Remember to drink it when you come out."

"..." From inside, Xi Jing grumbled, "Then why did you even ask."

After finishing his shower, Xi Jing came out and saw the milk still warming in the hot water. After hesitating for a moment, he picked it up and drank it in one gulp.

Xi Jing was the first to go to bed, lying on the inside.

He stared at the ceiling, lost in thought, until Chuzheng came over and pulled him into her arms. "Were you scared today?"

Xi Jing shook his head, then after a moment, nodded. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"This won’t happen again. Don’t be afraid," Chuzheng softly comforted him.

Suddenly, Xi Jing broke free and sat up. "I... I want to tell you something."

"Hmm?"

Xi Jing seemed unsure of how to start and remained silent for a while.

After who knows how long, Xi Jing took a deep breath and said, "I... I want to borrow some money from you."

"Borrow money?"

"Yeah..."

Xi Jing didn’t hide anything from Chuzheng and explained everything to her in detail.

"I’ll pay you back in the future." In the end, Xi Jing promised earnestly.

"What if..." Chuzheng’s eyes flickered, as if she thought of something, "What if you can’t pay it back?"

"I will pay it back." Xi Jing puffed up his cheeks slightly. He would earn a lot of money in the future!

"I said if."

"If..." Xi Jing thought for a moment, shook his head, and replied firmly, "There’s no if. I will definitely pay it back."

Chuzheng gestured for him to come over. After hesitating, Xi Jing slowly leaned back into Chuzheng’s embrace.

Chuzheng whispered in his ear, "If you can’t pay it back..."

Upon hearing this, Xi Jing’s whole body stiffened, and his ears burned, as if they would catch fire.

After a while, he mumbled, "Okay."

Chuzheng kissed his forehead and said, "Tomorrow, I’ll help you pay back the money."

-

The next day, after Chuzheng inquired about who Xi Jing borrowed money from and some specific details, she went on her own, without letting him follow.

After all, there are some scenes that are not suitable for the Good Person Card to see.

Chuzheng also called in sick for Xi Jing at work, leaving him alone at home.

With nothing much to do, Xi Jing tidied up the house and thought about what to make for lunch before grabbing his keys to go grocery shopping.

Upon returning with groceries, Xi Jing saw the man from yesterday at the stairwell.

He was leaning against the stair railing, seemingly waiting for him on purpose...

Remembering Chuzheng’s words, Xi Jing decided to avoid him, so he turned to leave.

However, Wei Yi had already seen him and caught up with him in a few steps. "Why are you running away when you see me?"

Xi Jing: "..."

Xi Jing backed up a few steps to keep a distance from him. "Is there something you need from me?"

Wei Yi raised his eyebrows. "I think I saved you yesterday, right? Is this how you thank me?"

"...Thank you."

Wei Yi stared at him for a few seconds, guessing that Chuzheng might have said something to him.

But it wasn’t important...

Wei Yi’s smile deepened, resembling the snake that tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, full of ill intent. "Do you want to know more about that woman?"

Xi Jing suddenly looked up at him.

"Do you think she’s just an ordinary person? Why do you think she’s so good to you?" Wei Yi pressed closer to Xi Jing, circling around him. "You like her, don’t you?"

Xi Jing’s grip on the grocery bag tightened abruptly.

Wei Yi continued, "But has she ever said she likes you? What does she see you as? A beautiful plaything?"

No!

Not at all!

She...

Wei Yi stopped at a point, took out a black card, and handed it over. "If you want to know more, you’re welcome to come to me. I’d be happy to enlighten you."

Xi Jing had seen cards like this with Chuzheng...

"I..."

When Xi Jing looked up, the space in front of him was empty; there was no sign of the person who had just been there.

The business card in Xi Jing’s hand suddenly felt a bit weighty.

He stared at this business card for a long time, heading toward the trash can not far away.

Holding the card over the trash can, he hesitated for a long while without letting go.

"Are you throwing it away or not? If not, don’t block others!"

Someone spoke from behind.

Xi Jing withdrew his hand, stepped aside, and apologized while lowering his head, "Sorry," then quickly ran upstairs.

He returned home with the card, his mind filled with that person’s words.

— "But has she ever said she likes you? What does she see you as? A beautiful plaything?"

A plaything?

Xi Jing clenched the card tightly in his hand.

After who knows how long, Xi Jing placed the card in his pocket. Then, as if a thought struck him, he took it out again and stuffed it into a cabinet.

Xi Jing prepared lunch, waiting for Chuzheng to return. But Chuzheng didn’t come back at noon, nor did she message him.

Looking at the cold food, Xi Jing felt downcast.

"Brother..."

Chen Beibei hesitantly stood at the doorframe, cautiously calling out, her eyes filled with longing, even swallowing her saliva.

Shaking off his mood, Xi Jing asked, "Hungry?"

Chen Beibei nodded.

Xi Jing invited Chen Beibei in and reheated the dishes. "Eat up."

When Chen Beibei came home from school today, she found no one there and nothing to eat. She had been drawn by the aroma over here but was too afraid of Chuzheng to speak up until now, realizing Chuzheng wasn’t around, she simply couldn’t resist.

"Brother, are you unhappy?"

Xi Jing was taken aback, then quickly shook his head. "Not at all."

"But you look sad."

Xi Jing: "..."

Do I?

Not wanting to discuss it with Chen Beibei, he advised her, "I’m not sad. Hurry up and eat, or you’ll be late for school."

Being a child, Chen Beibei didn’t think much further. Since Xi Jing said he wasn’t sad, she believed him and earnestly began to eat.

"Brother, you’re so nice. When I grow up, I want to marry you." The innocence of youth often leads to saying such things.

Xi Jing didn’t take it to heart, but then he saw Chuzheng suddenly appear at the door.

Chuzheng looked quite upset, especially when her gaze fell on Chen Beibei, and Xi Jing had to wonder if she might actually get physical...

A strange feeling of being caught red-handed washed over Xi Jing.

But thinking it over, he hadn’t done anything to betray her... still, he was scared!

Nervously, Xi Jing stood up. "You... you’re back. Have you eaten?"

From the moment Chuzheng appeared, Chen Beibei had shrunk into a ball, pitifully clutching her bowl.

Chuzheng entered, put her things down, and went into the bathroom.

Xi Jing told Chen Beibei, "Finish eating," then followed her into the bathroom.

Chuzheng was washing her face and saw him come in through the mirror but remained silent.

"Beibei had no one at home, and you weren’t back, so I let her in to eat..."

Before Xi Jing could finish, Chuzheng grabbed him and pinned him to the side.

The bathroom had been renovated—though small, it was clean and bright. The boy’s back pressed against the cool tiles.