Chapter 29.

 Is Yu Luoyin asleep or awake now?

Bai Xunyin's heart raced as she hurriedly freed her wrist from his grasp—fortunately, Yu Luoyin was weak and groggy, making it easy to break free.

Her first instinct was to leave, but the boy leaning against the bedhead had clear, weak, and helpless eyes, like glue that held her feet in place.

Yu Luoyin mumbled behind her, still in a daze, "Don't go, I'm cold..."

It felt like a piece of cold iron had been doused with hot water in her heart, creating an instant contrast of ice and fire.

Bai Xunyin closed her eyes, admitting she felt a bit soft-hearted.

It wasn't because it was Yu Luoyin that she softened; she wouldn't have left any sick classmate lying there alone. 

Yet, because it was Yu Luoyin, she was so hesitant.

Convincing herself repeatedly, Bai Xunyin took a deep breath.

Then she straightened up and left the room.

The boy leaning against the bedhead slowly opened his half-closed eyes, watching the girl's slender back as she left the cramped bedroom. The glimmer in his dark eyes grew obscure and heavy.

His eyes seemed to gather a piece of cold ice, and a chill wind howled around him.

Yu Luoyin felt like he was falling continuously in this 'ice and snow,' and he chuckled self-mockingly.

The girl really was ruthless. Even though he was pretending, looking so weak and helpless... Bai Xunyin could just walk away without a second thought.

Only now did he seem to slightly understand Bai Xunyin's feelings—when you care about someone, their slightest action can plunge you into hell.

Just like Bai Xunyin's simple act of leaving.

And those reckless words he had said about their 'bet'—Bai Xunyin must have felt just as he did now when she heard them, right?

The 'wounds' inflicted were not as easily repaired as he had imagined, not so simple to resolve.

The boy who cried wolf would have his nose grow long; Yu Luoyin felt he might really be sick.

Just as he had pretended, it was like a self-fulfilling prophecy—his head was splitting, and he was groggy.

Yu Luoyin's arm reached blindly and mechanically towards the bedside, trying to find some medicine. His fingers were groping around when he sharply heard a sound of footsteps—

Light footsteps approaching from outside the bedroom.

Realizing something, Yu Luoyin paused, and his heart, which had just fallen into an abyss, suddenly lit up.

He quickly withdrew his hand and assumed his earlier 'near-death' posture.

The unique fragrance belonging to Bai Xunyin came closer—not like perfume, but perhaps some kind of shower gel or shampoo, which Yu Luoyin had smelled before and become infatuated with.

Then a cold towel was placed on his forehead; it turned out she had gone to get this.

The girl's soft fingertips unintentionally brushed against his forehead and eyes, filling Yu Luoyin with an indescribable feeling.

This feeling was so unfamiliar that it seemed like the first time he had ever experienced it, and he couldn't quite describe it, only that it was very precious.

In fact, Yu Luoyin was a premature baby and was often sick until he was seven years old.

Both Yu Yuan and Gu Yuan are extremely busy people, each in their early thirties and at the peak of their careers, with no time to care for him.

In Yu Luoying's memory, every time he was sick as a child, he would lie on the spacious, soft couch in the large villa, surrounded by private doctors and servants coming and going, cold needles, and medical equipment...

In comparison, a damp towel was so plain and simple, yet it provided a warmth he had never felt before.

Yu Luoying never imagined that the first person to care for him without any monetary relationship would be Bai Xunyin.

An unfamiliar emotion grew in his chest, and he struggled to suppress the urge for his eyelashes to tremble.

He waited until Bai Xunyin's footsteps gently left, and the bedroom door clicked shut before he opened his eyes.

He let out a slow breath that had been caught in his chest.

Was it right to use a kind girl's sympathy with the intention of reconciliation...?

Yu Luoying felt like he was precariously jumping back and forth on a very dangerous line, his emotions fluctuating wildly.

In the quiet bedroom, only his shallow breathing could be heard. After a while, the sound of the stove igniting came from the kitchen outside.

Bai Xunyin hadn’t left; she was still in the kitchen, doing something. Yu Luoying closed his eyes and quietly imagined what she might be doing.

Time seemed to pass slowly until he was overtaken by sleepiness in the peaceful, gentle atmosphere. Only then did he hear the sound of the stove being turned off and the front door opening and closing.

This time, Bai Xunyin had really left.

Yu Luoying suddenly felt an indescribable emptiness, which made the drowsiness that had been lingering disappear, leaving his mind clear but his body lazy and weak.

In a semi-paralyzed state, Yu Luoying thought about checking what Bai Xunyin had been doing in the kitchen, forcing his tired body to move.

His tall, thin figure dragged itself lazily out of the bedroom in slippers.

He didn’t have to go to the kitchen; in the large, bright living room, there was a casserole on the dining table with a set of exquisite bowls and chopsticks next to it, adding a touch of homeliness to the otherwise cold and solemn environment.

Yu Luoying was stunned. After a few seconds, he walked over, lifted the lid of the casserole with his slender fingers, and found a pot of light millet porridge inside.

As he lifted the lid, the unique fragrant aroma of hot porridge wafted up, seemingly warming his eyes.

Yu Luoying silently watched for a while before pulling out a chair to sit down. Amid the creaking of the chair legs against the tiles, he inappropriately recalled something.

He hadn’t eaten such a "plain" thing like millet porridge in about ten years.

There was no millet in the main house of the Yu family; no one ate it. This house was one he had secretly rented, and Li Yuan and the others would occasionally come over and buy things—presumably, this millet was something they bought.

Yu Luoying remembered that he had only eaten millet porridge once when he was very young, probably around four or five years old, at his grandparents' house in the suburbs.

Old people, valuing health, loved to eat such light foods.

But children don’t like it, and Yu Luoying didn’t even remember what it tasted like back then—perhaps it had no taste at all.

But eating it now... it actually tasted pretty good.

The millet was cooked until soft and blooming, and its warmth spread down his esophagus to his stomach, making his entire body feel warm.

Bai Xunyin might have added a spoonful of sugar, giving it a faintly sweet taste, which broke Yu Luoying’s previous perception of millet porridge.

This was just a small episode, but from then on, Yu Luoying stubbornly believed that sick people should eat millet porridge.

Gradually, it became a habit.

Having not eaten much since last night, the light millet porridge stimulated his appetite, and Yu Luoying finished the entire pot. While cleaning up, he couldn’t help but smile.

Bai Xunyin still cared for him; she wasn’t completely indifferent.

The next day, Yu Luoying was fully rejuvenated and returned to school full of energy.

After receiving greetings from his classmates and teachers along the way, he returned to his class feeling as though he had shed a layer of skin—but fortunately, seeing Bai Xunyin healed his heart.

Yu Luoying’s gaze greedily lingered on her for a long time before he looked away.

Throughout this one-man show, Bai Xunyin paid him no attention, while Ning Shumo beside her couldn’t help but roll his eyes several times in disdain.

Yu Luoying was undeterred and understood the importance of "knowing when to stop." As he passed Bai Xunyin’s desk, he placed his practice book and notebook on the upper left corner of her desk.

He left immediately without overstepping.

“You better stop this,” Zhou Xin couldn’t help but sneer at his pretentious demeanor, pushing up his glasses with his slender fingers. “Here’s some advice, a single lie needs a hundred more to cover it. If you truly want to win her back, stop using deceit.”

For once, Zhou Xin spoke at length, feeling that Yu Luoying’s behavior was incredibly dishonest.

Zhou Xinsui was usually cold and reticent, but he had a sharp and perceptive mind. Yu Luoying was not surprised that Zhou had more or less figured out what had happened between him and Bai Xunyin—there were too many clues, and only a fool wouldn’t be able to guess.

However, when it comes to matters of the heart, all others’ advice can only be considered as ‘words of wisdom.’

Yu Luoying acknowledged with a “hmm,” idly twirling a pen with his long fingers while contemplating Zhou Xinsui’s words.

A single lie requires a hundred more to cover it... but he had no idea how many lies he had already told.

Big ones, small ones, those to gain favor, those he considered harmless...

Why was it so troublesome?

*

After a short half-day Sunday break, the senior students returned on Monday for their first mock exam.

The simulation was comprehensive, replicating the actual exam rhythm in every aspect, from answering questions to arriving at school on time, time management, and atmosphere creation—everything was impeccable.

After two days of exams, every student felt as if they had been skinned alive, thoroughly exhausted.

Yet, often the more exhausted one is, the more it can stimulate the ‘infinite potential’ within. The thorough simulation at No. 3 High School even included a post-exam break—though it was only for a brief half-day.

Many students, feeling relaxed after the major exam, didn’t even bother to go home and instead gathered at the basketball court on the playground, ready to play. Knowing that playing basketball as a senior would soon become a rare opportunity, this was essentially their ‘last hurrah.’ A few classes combined and soon turned the small, relaxing basketball game into a lively ‘competition.’

Every student who hadn’t left school heard about it and went to watch.

Even Amo, who was with Bai Xunyin to check their scores, couldn’t help but brighten up upon hearing the news.

“A basketball game? Organizing a match at this time, they sure are enthusiastic.” She laughed, nudging Bai Xunyin’s arm. “Liu Yufu just said it’s at the school playground, even the teachers are going to watch the fun. Let’s go and see.”

Bai Xunyin had no interest in basketball and shook her head indifferently.

“Can’t you just go along with it for once? Your eyes are practically buried in those papers!” Amo teased, persistently pulling on her arm. “Come on, come on! I want to see! Who knows, maybe our Sheng Wen will be playing too!”

Sheng Wen? That skinny guy who looked like he’d fall apart at a touch?

Bai Xunyin glanced at Amo, who was daydreaming with a flushed face, and felt a bit embarrassed for her.

Unfortunately, Amo didn’t catch the ‘subtle’ look in her eyes and eagerly dragged her along. “Let’s go, let’s go! I love watching boys play basketball in their school uniforms!”

It seemed like some sort of budding teenage crush?

Bai Xunyin had no choice but to pack up her things and accompany her under Amo’s persistent urging.

The two girls, with their slender figures, were a step behind as they ran to the playground. By the time they found seats on the steps around the basketball court, it was already crowded with students in school uniforms.

Finding no vacant seats, they had to stand among a group of girls who had volunteered to form a cheerleading squad. Bai Xunyin felt a bit awkward when she spotted Sheng Churan among them. They exchanged a brief, knowing glance before looking away.

Since the class split, Sheng Churan had stopped causing her trouble.

Now, seeing her as a cheerleader... it was probably because Yu Luoying was among the basketball players, wasn’t it?

It wasn’t that she wanted to watch, but Yu Luoying was too dazzling. Even in the chaotic crowd, he stood out, catching her eye without her realizing it.

To Bai Xunyin’s surprise, there was another familiar face.

Li Chuanyun from Class 2 was leading the opposing team. He was tall and slim, spinning a basketball in his hands with anticipation.

As if sensing her gaze, Li Chuanyun looked up just as Bai Xunyin glanced his way and froze for a moment upon seeing her.

Then he ran over, dribbling the basketball.

“Bai Xunyin, you, you like watching basketball too?” The boy’s face turned bright red, either from the heat or something else, adding a touch of bashfulness to his tall and handsome figure. Scratching his head, he nervously spoke to Bai Xunyin. “Long time no see.”

Bai Xunyin smiled at him.

In reality, they attended the same school, so it wasn’t that long. It’s just that she had rejected him so firmly in their first year that Li Chuanyun couldn’t face her and had been avoiding her ever since.

Yet, seeing the gentle and delicate girl now, he couldn’t help but feel his heart race.

Li Chuanyun suddenly felt a surge of energy coursing through his body. Brimming with confidence, he said, “Bai Xunyin, watch closely. I’m great at three-pointers... Can you cheer for me?”

His last sentence was hesitant, obviously shy.

Bai Xunyin was taken aback, then, under Amo’s frantic nudging, awkwardly gave him a thumbs up as encouragement.

It seemed too heartless to refuse after he had been so straightforward.

However, this ‘intimate’ interaction was an eyesore for Yu Luoying, who was not far away.

Since Bai Xunyin arrived, Yu Luoying had noticed her and hadn’t taken his eyes off her. Yet, in these few minutes, he watched her chatting and laughing with Li Chuanyun without even glancing his way.

Harsh.

Yu Luoying’s dark eyes were filled with gloom, his long fingers unconsciously tightening around the water bottle in his hand. Not knowing who handed it to him, he squeezed it until it burst, water dripping onto the ground from his fingertips.

“Hey, isn’t that Li Chuanyun?” Lu Ye, enjoying the spectacle, commented while leaning on Yu Luoying’s shoulder. “He’s the one who chased Bai Xunyin for two months in the first year and didn’t get anywhere, right? Looks like he still hasn’t given up.”

Yu Luoying shrugged off Lu Ye’s hand from his shoulder, his voice icy cold. “Delusional.”

Then, under Lu Ye’s surprised gaze, he asked, “What position does he play?”

“Uh.” Lu Ye thought for a moment, uncertainly. “I think three-point?”

“Good.” Yu Luoying smirked coldly, spinning the basketball with his long fingers. “I’ll block him.”

Lu Ye: “...”

He’s a guard!

Ten minutes later, the basketball game began.

Li Chuanyun, eager to impress Bai Xunyin, was agile in catching and passing the ball, determined to score a few impressive three-pointers to elicit cheers. However, A team’s two guards focused solely on intercepting him. Every time he got the ball, two players immediately surrounded him.

Amidst the intense physical clashes, he couldn’t find an opening, let alone shoot. Within three seconds of getting the ball, he had to pass it.

The B team players, aside from him, had a considerable skill gap compared to the A team. Their passes were mostly intercepted.

The ball was swiftly taken by a pair of long, slender hands. Yu Luoying, with slightly damp bangs, stood arrogantly in the position Li Chuanyun had envisioned for himself, executing the moves he had imagined—

The boy jumped slightly, elbow moving, and the basketball was smoothly shot into the hoop from beyond the three-point line!

Deafening cheers erupted around them.

Yu Luoying chuckled lightly, his dark eyes unkindly fixed on Li Chuanyun, a cold and mischievous glint flashing in them. He glanced at him provocatively before looking away.

Li Chuanyun was stunned, his heart burning with frustration.

His temper wasn’t the best, and the sports field was the most likely place to ignite his passion—especially after sensing the other’s hostility and deliberate targeting.

At halftime, Li Chuan Yun couldn't help but wonder how he had offended Yu Luo Yin. His slightly reddened eyes unconsciously followed Yu Luo Yin's figure until he noticed that Yu Luo Yin was constantly looking in Bai Xun Yin's direction.

He was stunned, suddenly feeling he understood something. His palms began to itch even more. No wonder...

In the second half, Li Chuan Yun and Yu Luo Yin almost turned the game into a personal duel.

The two tall and lean figures were fixated on each other, almost colliding, creating a tense atmosphere as if the air itself was crackling with friction. Even in the cold weather, they were sweating.

The other players on the court could sense something was off. Their movements slowed down, and their eyes wandered.

Someone mischievously passed the basketball toward Li Chuan Yun. Half of Li Chuan Yun's attention was on the ball, while the other half was on Yu Luo Yin's hand reaching out simultaneously. Unconsciously, he used his body to bump into him.

However, not only did Yu Luo Yin not dodge, but he even deliberately 'accommodated' the bump.

Li Chuan Yun's pupils quickly contracted!

In the split second when no one reacted, with a 'bang', Yu Luo Yin was knocked to the ground by Li Chuan Yun.

The boys, heated from playing, had taken off their school uniform jackets and were wearing short sleeves. With such a powerful collision, Yu Luo Yin had to use his arm to support himself on the ground, instantly feeling a stinging pain.

"Ah—!"

Amidst the surrounding screams, Yu Luo Yin knelt on the ground with a frown, his long hand pressing on his arm. Blood seeped through his fingers, dripping down conspicuously.

Lowering his head, Yu Luo Yin's lips subtly curled up.

Surrounded by a barrage of reprimanding looks and murmurs, Li Chuan Yun's mind buzzed, almost fainting from anger.

Others might not have seen clearly what happened, but only he knew that Yu Luo Yin had intentionally taken advantage of his momentum to 'stage an accident.' Physical collisions are common on the court, but he definitely hadn't intended to hurt anyone—Yu Luo Yin did it on purpose!

"Yu Luo Yin!" Sheng Chu Ran hurried over, her bright eyes reddened with anxiety, glistening with tears. "Are you okay? It’s bleeding so much, does it hurt? Let me take you to the infirmary!"

Yu Luo Yin's long eyelashes fluttered as he raised his eyes to look at her. "Who are you?"

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