The makeup artist's hand trembled slightly, too curious about what was inside the thermos.
Wen Tingxue was extremely sleepy today, her eyes closed, constantly wanting to sleep. She didn't even notice when the hand on her face felt off.
It wasn't until Yu Wenli unscrewed the thermos lid and a fragrant aroma wafted out that she groggily opened her eyes, nearly blinded by the makeup brush.
"Oh my," the makeup artist felt her hand go suddenly empty. She turned to see Wen Tingxue awake and rubbing her eyes.
"Be careful not to rub like that, it'll smudge."
"Okay..." Wen Tingxue nodded sleepily, as soft and cute as a kitten. The makeup artist couldn't help but say, "No wonder your boyfriend dotes on you so much. If I had such an adorable girlfriend, I'd spoil her too."
Wen Tingxue had heard this many times. She chuckled and didn't reply. Then she saw Yu Wenli walking over with a bowl, her eyes lighting up.
"When did you get here? Why didn't you call me?"
"I saw you were tired, I wanted you to sleep more."
The makeup artist, looking like she'd just witnessed a romantic scene, quickly excused herself. Wen Tingxue finally understood what she meant by "No wonder your boyfriend dotes on you so much."
So this guy had arrived earlier.
"How long have you been here?" Wen Tingxue took a small sip from the spoon he was feeding her.
Yu Wenli looked at her increasingly thin face and her even smaller appetite. His brow furrowed, and he said gently, "About ten minutes. Are you very tired today?"
"A little," Wen Tingxue's eyes started to droop again, with no desire to eat.
But how could she refuse the nourishing soup that Yu Wenli had personally brewed? She could only endure it and take a small sip.
"Good girl, drink a bit more." Sensing her desire to sleep, Yu Wenli quickly coaxed her to drink a couple more mouthfuls.
She had been working non-stop lately, swamped with various tasks, with absolutely no extra time for rest.
He watched from the side, heartbroken, but unable to help in any other way, so he could only try to replenish her energy through food and drink.
But she always ate very little, and even less these past two days.
Wen Tingxue forced herself to drink two more sips, but she really couldn't drink any more. She wanted to act cute and get away with it.
However, before she could speak, the other person stirred the soup resentfully and said, "It seems my domestic husband is about to be out of a job. My hard-earned soup nobody wants to drink."
Wen Tingxue: "..."
"I'll drink it, I'll drink it, okay?" Resigned, she took the bowl and downed two large gulps.
There was no other way; she couldn't stand his passive-aggression.
Especially when it came to this topic, how to put it, he used to care about it a lot.
Now, whether his tolerance had increased or he just kept it all bottled up inside, he would occasionally tease her about it.
But Wen Tingxue always felt this was a sensitive topic that would explode sooner or later.
After all, the gap between them had indeed widened, especially since he had been so much more outstanding than her before.
Even if he wished her well from the bottom of his heart, the enormous disparity was bound to become unbearable at some point.
Therefore, whenever this topic came up, Wen Tingxue sensitively took care of his feelings.
Yu Wenli could see it, and because of it, he felt even worse.
However, he didn't show it.
After the young woman rested and returned to work, he sat in his original spot, lost in thought.
His profile looked rather lonely.
Xing Jiahe paused his steps, said a few words to a staff member, and then walked over to him.
"Brother Yu."
"Hmm?"
Yu Wenli looked up slowly, his eyes showing a rare confusion, as if he were someone who couldn't find their way forward.
Xing Jiahe's heart skipped a beat.
He had never seen Yu Wenli like this in his life.
No wonder Mu Chen had repeatedly warned them, saying that Yu Wenli was having a hard time now and they should be careful with their words.
"Um..." Xing Jiahe suddenly didn't know what to say.
He had originally wanted to ask about his plans after graduation, but seeing his state, it was better not to rub salt in the wound.
After all, everyone else had their direction. Even Qiao Xixi, who had always been carefree, had successfully entered the short video industry after the last wave of popularity and was now quite well-known.
In contrast, Yu Wenli was blacklisted in the industry, with almost no way out.
"Coach Du Xi called me. What are you thinking now?" Seeing his thoughts, Yu Wenli naturally changed the subject.
Xing Jiahe quickly followed the cue. "I was planning to go with Du Lun. The conditions he offered were better, but Ke Xin's opinion was that if what you love can also earn money, then do what you like. I think she's right. Besides, the international competition is coming up in a while, so I'll give it another shot. If it doesn't work out, I'll go back to school."
University A knew his situation and had granted him an extra year of leave, but he had to return for exams on time. This meant that his usual coursework could be waived, as long as his final exam results were satisfactory, he would have completed that year.
But this privilege only lasted for one year.
So, if he didn't reach the heights he desired this year, he would follow Du Lun.
Yu Wenli nodded, "It's good that you've figured it out."
These words contained a touch of envy.
Xing Jiahe felt a little uneasy and couldn't help but say, "Actually, you could also take a different path. You don't necessarily have to be stuck in the music industry."
They had grown up together, and Xing Jiahe knew Yu Wenli's abilities best.
Apart from music, he could do other things very well.
But Yu Wenli said, "There are three hundred and sixty trades, but I only like this one."
Those people wanted to force him out this way, but he wouldn't grant their wish.
There was nothing he, Yu Wenli, wanted to do in this life that he couldn't achieve.
It was like that before, and it would be like that in the future.
He refused to accept fate, and he certainly wouldn't admit defeat.
Xing Jiahe knew this would be the outcome, but this was the Brother Yu he admired, wasn't it?
*
Due to various reasons, the anniversary celebration was postponed to the following evening.
Still in the familiar plane tree alley.
On the rooftop, everyone was present except Xu Ke Xin, who was unable to attend due to work. They were all getting drunk.
Song Jiamiao, who had finally managed to gather with everyone, was particularly plied with alcohol.
The group was rowdily drunk.
The only one at the scene who hadn't touched alcohol was Wen Tingxue, due to her period.
So when Xu Ke Xin sent a text for help, her heart sank halfway.
Everyone present, except her, was drunk, including Mu Chen and Xing Jiahe, who usually didn't drink much.
They were primarily accompanying Yu Wenli, hoping he would drown his sorrows in alcohol.
They hadn't expected Yu Wenli to have such a high tolerance, and they had both passed out.
As for Yu Wenli... he appeared quite sober at the moment, but walking would probably be a problem.
Wen Tingxue knew he had been carrying a burden in his heart, so she didn't stop him. She hadn't expected Xu Ke Xin to be set up by a client today.
If she had known, she would have stopped them from drinking!
Now, there wasn't a single person who could help.
There was no other option, so she called Han Yan to borrow some bodyguards, as Han Xianyun had just boarded a plane.
Everything was too coincidental; she had to be more cautious.
Fortunately, Han Yan answered the phone quickly today and agreed readily.
Wen Tingxue, disregarding the group of drunks, quickly explained to her boss and took a taxi without delay, while also calling the police.
Meanwhile, at the hotel.
Xu Ke Xin, with her dwindling consciousness, stumbled towards the door.
Lan Shuo watched from the side with his arms crossed, his eyes playful. "Stop struggling. No one can save you today. Be good, and I promise to make you enjoy it, not make you suffer."
With that, he had already reached Xu Ke Xin.
The ice beauty, under the influence of the drug, was now inviting him with alluring eyes.
Lan Shuo sighed at her exquisite beauty and then carried her to the bed.
With her consciousness fading, Xu Ke Xin could only struggle against him with all her might, but her strength was like a tickle to Lan Shuo.
Instead, it further ignited his desire.
Just as the last layer of clothing was about to be torn off, Xu Ke Xin bit her tongue.
The moment blood flowed from the corner of her mouth, she pushed him away with all her strength.
Unfortunately, this moment of clarity wouldn't last long.
It wasn't even enough for her to reach the door.
Lan Shuo cursed and dragged her back. "Damn it, you'd better behave. If you try to run again, I'll make you die in bed..."
*Bang*
Before the last word was out, the door was kicked open.
Xu Ke Xin immediately bit her lip and looked over.
She had expected it to be Wen Tingxue, or Xing Jiahe.
But unfortunately, it was neither.