Yu Wenli didn't give a definite answer, only saying, "I have a plan."
Chi Zerui took it as ayes, "Then how will you get back?"
As they spoke, they reached the roadside.
Yu Wenli took out his phone and checked the time, "The car will be here in five minutes."
Chi Zerui insisted on waiting with them.
Perhaps it was because the two of them were exceptionally attractive, but people kept approaching them for their WeChat.
Chi Zerui, even with his female companion beside him, accepted every request. Yu Wenli, on the other hand, directly rejected everyone with a simple, "I don't add strangers."
Wen Tingxue couldn't help but observe the long-haired girl's expression. As expected, she wasn't happy.
However, she was truly beautiful, especially her black, long hair, which was like satin, making others envious.
"What are you looking at!"
The girl glared at Wen Tingxue, annoyed, and took her frustration out on her.
"Ugly thing, with your messy short hair, A Rui won't even look at you!"
She lowered her voice, but her spoiled nature was still evident.
Wen Tingxue recoiled in shock, sitting on her suitcase, like an ostrich, not daring to retort.
Yu Wenli noticed the situation, furrowed his brow, and said, "Who are these people you're with?"
He then walked over, picked up the suitcase, along with Wen Tingxue sitting on it, and moved to a different spot.
He simply left behind, "Such a toxic atmosphere."
The girl's face turned pale, but she dared not retort.
Wen Tingxue hadn't fully registered what was happening before Yu Wenli stopped.
Looking at his retreating back, she was somewhat dazed.
Was he standing up for her?
Wen Tingxue didn't know his intentions, but his actions were enough to make her feel a long-lost warmth.
She was always bullied, and in her dreams, she wished for a brother to help her fight back.
Her mother called him "Brother Wenli," so did she have a brother now?
Chi Zerui was busy flirting the entire time and had no idea what was happening here.
However, Yu Wenli rarely lost his temper, and he knew a thing or two about that girl's personality.
Therefore, without preamble, he said, "Let's break up. Consider the bag you liked your breakup fee."
Chi Zerui's eyes held little emotion as he said this, perhaps he had done it too many times and become numb.
The girl cried, trying to salvage the situation.
Chi Zerui grew impatient and simply stated, "You know my temper, don't make this ugly for both of us."
The girl, crying in anger, turned and ran off.
Chi Zerui didn't even spare her a glance and even had the mood to answer his phone.
He hung up after listening for a moment.
"Is your little neighbor sister okay? Didn't get bullied, did she?"
Chi Zerui came over, his gaze sweeping across Wen Tingxue's face. Seeing that she wasn't crying, he changed the subject.
"It's really rare, Brother Yu, since when did you become so considerate? Senior Yu has been in the same class as you since elementary school. She only transferred to Class Four in the second year of high school because she didn't score well. You don't even remember her. Why do you notice when this little girl gets bullied?"
Chi Zerui chatted casually while answering his phone, this was the third call.
"Who?"
Yu Wenli stared at the approaching car and asked indifferently.
Chi Zerui gestured to his ringing phone, "Yu Yahe. Forget it, I can tell you a hundred times and it won't help. You won't remember. It's a shame she asks about you every day."
Yu Wenli had no recollection and was not interested.
"Block her."
"She's the president of the street dance club! How am I supposed to hang out in the street dance club after this?"
Chi Zerui said this, but his hand was quick.
He hated being bombarded by calls and messages.
A black car stopped in front of Wen Tingxue. The driver rolled down the window and apologized profusely.
"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! There was a minor accident on the road, so I'm a bit late... Can you... not leave a bad review?"
Wen Tingxue reflexively replied, "It's okay, it's okay."
After speaking, she suddenly realized she wasn't the one paying.
So she looked up, gazing at Yu Wenli with expectant eyes, her expression incredibly docile.
Paired with her short hair, she looked like a human-shaped kitten.
Yu Wenli suppressed the urge to ruffle her head and opened the rear door, "It's fine, get in."
The driver quickly put the luggage in the trunk.
Chi Zerui hopped on his motorcycle, waved goodbye, and sped off. His receding figure, cutting through the traffic, was cool and handsome.
-
Jiangcheng Grand Hotel.
It was Valentine's Day today, and roses were displayed on both sides of the hotel entrance, vibrant red and festive.
Wen Tingxue was fine inside the car, but as soon as she stepped out, she became nervous.
The high ceilings, the luxurious decor, and the bowing greeters all made her feel uncomfortable.
Yu Wenli noticed her unease, leaned closer, and softly reassured her, "Auntie Yu and Uncle Wen are already here. You'll see them soon."
Wen Tingxue loosened her grip on her suitcase, then a few seconds later, she looked up at him, her clear eyes reflecting his image.
"Okay..."
Her face was slightly pale, and she nodded after a slight delay.
Although Yu Wenli had little experience with girls, Chi Zerui was notoriously a playboy, having brought no less than five hundred girls to meet his friends.
Yet, he had never seen anyone as timid as her.
He truly wondered what she had been through.
For the first time in his life, Yu Wenli felt curious about someone else's past.
But he asked nothing.
"Let's go."
Yu Wenli straightened up, only to find the girl's gaze fixed behind him.
He turned back to see that both sets of parents had arrived.
Yu Xiuxiu and Wen Zhongen ran at the forefront, their eyes only on their daughter.
Yu Wenli, with good sense, made way, letting the staff store her suitcase at the reception.
Yu Xiuxiu embraced her daughter tightly, with all her might.
"Yiyi, Mom finally sees you, I finally hold you..."
The usually strong and resolute lawyer from Jiangcheng was, at this moment, just a mother who had almost lost her child.
Fragile and vulnerable.
Completely lacking the sharpness and intensity she had in the courtroom.
"Mom missed you so much, really, really missed you so much..."
Yu Xiuxiu cried as she stroked her daughter's short hair. The worry that had been with her the entire journey finally subsided.
Any news was not as reassuring as seeing and touching her. Only by seeing with her own eyes and holding her tightly could she be completely at ease.
Wen Zhongen hugged mother and daughter, wiping away tears discreetly.
"It's good you're back, it's good you're back..."
The man, not good with words, even with a heart full of longing and fear, could only utter "It's good you're back" when it came to his lips.
Wen Tingxue had cried many times today. She cried when her grandmother saw her off, she cried when she was alone at the high-speed rail station, and she secretly cried on the train.
She cried with joy when she received her mother's call.
But only now, only in her parents' arms, could she cry without restraint.
She knew she wouldn't have to depend on others anymore. She would have a home, and parents.
She was no longer alone.
Yu's mother, with a soft heart, couldn't help but cry along when she saw the scene. Yu's father smiled and wiped his wife's tears.
Yu Wenli stood aside: "..."
He seemed, a little redundant.
-
After the reunion, the two families took the elevator to their reserved rooms.
Wen Tingxue's experience deeply pained Yu's mother, and she particularly liked daughters. Wen Tingxue also happened to catch her eye.
In their lively conversation, she even expressed her intention to take Wen Tingxue as her goddaughter.
Yu Xiuxiu and Yu's mother had been close friends for years, so she naturally welcomed her daughter getting closer to her and had no objections.
Yu's father also liked Wen Tingxue's well-behaved nature and was naturally pleased.
Wen Zhongen hadn't said much throughout the conversation. It wasn't that he was unwilling, but rather—
"Let's ask the children's opinions first."
As the matter was about to be settled, Wen Zhongen spoke up.
Yu's mother held Wen Tingxue's hand and said, "Xiao Wen won't mind. He likes having a sister. I just wonder if Yiyi likes me as her godmother~"
Yu's mother was not only beautiful but also had a very gentle personality.
Wen Tingxue had no resistance to people like her and was about to nod when Yu Wenli suddenly turned and left.
Everyone was stunned.
Yu's mother, afraid Wen Tingxue would overthink, explained with a smile, "He doesn't dislike you, he's just very particular about cleanliness. He probably went to wash his hands."
Even so—
Wen Tingxue watched the young man's retreating back, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart.
Was he... unwilling to have her as a sister?