Chapter 31

The year Bai Hong Sheng got into trouble, Bai Xun Yin was in her third year of middle school.

Though young, she was very sensible. After finishing her high school entrance exams, she barely had time to care about her top ten ranking in the city. She couldn’t feel happy for even a moment.

During that time, Bai Hong Sheng smoked heavily. He was usually a gentle and amiable man who never brought work pressure home, but for some reason, the house was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere during that period.

It seemed as if they had a premonition that something bad was going to happen.

The summer of her high school entrance exams was one of the hottest summers ever. The whole city of Lin Lan felt like an airtight steamer, and even the rain couldn’t provide a moment's relief.

Looking back, she could vaguely remember the sticky sweat every time she went out, the irritability, and the nausea.

Bai Xun Yin felt as if her eyes were covered in a haze of blood.

Large patches of bright red blood… it was Bai Hong Sheng’s blood.

A nightmare that hadn't dissipated for over two years arrived right on cue, even while she was still awake. It seemed like every time she closed her eyes, Bai Xun Yin could see that rooftop scorched by the summer afternoon sun.

High up, looking down into what seemed like an endless abyss, the hurried, heavy footsteps behind them were getting closer.

Bai Hong Sheng and Bai Xun Yin were chased onto the high rooftop by a group of people, with an endless chasm behind them. They had nowhere to escape.

"Don't chase my dad!"

Bai Xun Yin shook her head frantically. The little girl, with her thin arms and legs, couldn’t grasp Bai Hong Sheng’s shirt. She was easily pushed into a corner and protected by him. She murmured helplessly, “Please, don’t chase my dad…”

"Little girl, it’s only right to pay back what’s owed."

Even now, Bai Xun Yin could still remember the slow, mocking tone of the leader in black, his expression ferocious: "Don’t make us out to be the bad guys. Do you know your dad owes us money? We need to eat too!"

Then Bai Xun Yin was thoroughly shielded by Bai Hong Sheng. She couldn’t see the faces of those demons, only hear their malicious voices—

"Bai Hong Sheng, stop pretending! Where’s the payment you promised for this month, huh?!"

"If you can’t pay again, then use your daughter to settle the debt."

"That little girl’s got some looks. Use her to pay off your debt!"

…

Bai Xun Yin trembled with fear, her face and lips pale as paper. She felt her heart sinking continuously, as if she were falling into hell.

But then, a sudden bright light shone into her eyes, and she instinctively raised her hand to block it.

Through the gaps, she saw Bai Hong Sheng, who had been standing in front of her, rush madly at the men in black and start fighting with them.

No matter how they insulted, trampled, or even beat him, Bai Hong Sheng could endure it all.

But Bai Xun Yin was his bottom line, his untouchable reverse scale.

That afternoon on the rooftop left an indelible mark on Bai Xun Yin's mind—their prolonged struggle, the violent sneers of the men, the long iron rod scraping across the ground with a hair-raising sound...

Scene after scene, the final image fixed in her memory was the endless blood of Bai Hong Sheng.

This gradually overlapped with the nightmare in front of her—it was all Bai Hong Sheng's blood, staining her middle school uniform red.

Bai Xun Yin wanted to scream but found she couldn’t—neither then nor now, she couldn’t scream!

“Bai Xun Yin!”

A piercing bell pulled her out of the endless nightmare. Bai Xun Yin felt a sharp pain as her wrist was gripped tightly. She looked up slightly and saw Yu Luo Yin’s dark, sharp eyebrows and star-like eyes.

Under the warm street lamp, he seemed to be coated in a layer of light, staring at her unblinkingly.

Through his pupils, Bai Xun Yin saw her own bloodless face and realized how terrifying she must look now.

“Calm down.” The surrounding silence allowed Yu Luo Yin to clearly hear the woman’s voice on the phone just now. He saw Bai Xun Yin’s soul-drained appearance and his fingers twitched slightly—resisting the urge to comfort her by patting her head.

Yu Luo Yin decisively grabbed the bicycle key from Bai Xun Yin's hand, swung his long legs over it, and patted the rear seat: "Get on, which hospital? I'll take you there."

Given Bai Xun Yin's current state, Yu Luo Yin was afraid she might get into an accident if she went to the hospital alone.

Bai Xun Yin obviously understood this too, knowing her trembling legs couldn’t support riding the bike. She didn’t argue this time and got on without a word.

In the face of life, all 'quarrels' seemed so small and childish.

Compared to Bai Hong Sheng's life and death, Bai Xun Yin didn’t care about anything else, including her so-called 'grudges' with Yu Luo Yin.

Lan Shan Hospital was not far from No. 3 High School. Yu Luo Yin, with his tall legs, knew Bai Xun Yin was anxious and pedaled quickly as if he had wind and fire wheels, reaching the hospital entrance in less than half an hour.

During this time, Bai Xun Yin kept exchanging messages with Ji Hui Ying. Despite the cold weather, her slender hands were sweaty.

She learned the cause and effect in a stammering manner from Ji Hui Ying’s description—

For over two years, Bai Hong Sheng's bodily functions showed no signs of recovery but had been stable. Today, out of nowhere, he suddenly needed emergency treatment.

Logically, a stable vegetative patient shouldn’t experience such drastic changes without reason.

The hospital later checked the surveillance and questioned all the on-duty medical staff to find out that a new nurse had made a mistake, causing Bai Hong Sheng's sudden change by using the wrong medication.

It sounded like a blunder, but in this crazy world, accidents happen all the time.

The little nurse was scared out of her wits, lying in the hospital corridor like a puddle of mud, only able to cry. Everyone was busy with the rescue, unable to deal with her responsibility.

The silver lining was knowing what caused Bai Hong Sheng’s condition, making treatment possible.

Ji Hui Ying, scared witless by the sudden change, urgently notified Bai Xun Yin, fearing she might miss the last chance to see him.

She hadn’t seen Bai Hong Sheng’s last healthy appearance before the incident years ago and always regretted it. Ji Hui Ying didn’t want Bai Xun Yin to experience the same.

Some things, once missed, become lifelong regrets.

Fortunately, by the time Bai Xun Yin arrived, Bai Hong Sheng's condition had gradually stabilized.

The two students, still in their school uniforms, rode their bike into the hospital courtyard. When they stopped, Yu Luo Yin felt his freshly bandaged right arm go numb.

Whether intentional or not, he was indeed injured. The school doctor had warned him not to exert himself and avoid straining the wound, but…

Just now, in the biting cold wind, gripping the handlebars so quickly, he had made a noble sacrifice.

Yu Luoyin glanced at the faint blood seeping through his bandage before quickly following Bai Xun Yin's slender figure as she hurried into the inpatient building.

There weren’t many people in the inpatient building at this time. He followed Bai Xun Yin, who knew her way well, to the eleventh floor, outside the operating room. From a distance, he could see the red light above the operating room was still on.

Bai Xun Yin, pale as a sheet, ran over and grabbed Ji Hui Ying, who was standing with her back to her.

Ji Hui Ying froze for a moment, and upon seeing Bai Xun Yin, her eyes immediately filled with tears, her legs almost giving out.

“It’s okay... the doctor just came out and said your dad is temporarily out of danger.” Bai Xun Yin helped her to sit on the public bench outside the operating room. Ji Hui Ying stared blankly at the ground, speaking softly as if she had no strength left, “But he still needs to be observed in the ICU for twenty-four hours. Don’t worry…”

Hearing this, Bai Xun Yin felt her heart, which had been lodged in her throat, finally settle with a thump. She let out a breath of relief.

She stood up and walked to the door of the operating room, her clear eyes fixed unblinkingly on the red light above the door.

It was like a novice driver staring at a traffic light, stubbornly waiting for it to turn from red to green, with a youthful defiance.

The girl’s profile, with her slightly raised chin, was delicate, her eyes fragile yet resolute.

Yu Luoyin didn’t approach but leaned against a column in the hospital corridor, watching from afar. He couldn’t help but recall a scene from a few months ago.

That was during the summer vacation.

At that time, he hadn’t yet ‘won over’ the little girl. They were in a phase where, after watching a movie, Bai Xun Yin inexplicably started ignoring him.

Yu Luoyin was also feeling uninterested and spent the remaining few days of the short summer vacation reluctant to go out.

But he couldn’t resist the repeated invitations from Lu Ye and Li Yuan, who wanted to have a final celebration before school started, so he reluctantly went out once.

While passing through Huanan Street, a bustling snack street, the two friends said they wanted to buy something to please the girls. Yu Luoyin, too lazy to accompany them and unable to stand the blazing sun, hid in a nearby crowded milk tea shop.

There, he coincidentally encountered Bai Xun Yin.

However, it was just a one-sided 'encounter' for him.

The girl was wearing a light floral dress, her long hair loosely braided into a fishtail and draped over her shoulder, looking pure and innocent—but her brows were slightly furrowed. She held the arm of the girl beside her, her eyes filled with reluctant persuasion.

Oh, Ning Shu Mo was there too. The clumsy girl was wearing a milk tea shop uniform, seemingly working there and having a conflict with a customer. The small shop was in chaos.

Yet in this marketplace-like noise, Bai Xun Yin’s surroundings seemed to have a ‘natural tranquility,’ making people feel calm and peaceful.

The girl couldn’t speak, but she clumsily protected Ning Shu Mo, her clear eyes glaring at the girls who were nitpicking until the shop owner came to resolve the situation.

Yu Luoyin dismissed the idea of ordering a lemon water, leaning against the door with a smile in his dark eyes, watching the farce unfold.

He saw the owner seem to want to deduct Ning Shu Mo’s salary because of the incident, which upset the girl. She typed something on her phone and repeatedly engaged in a silent ‘argument’ with the unreasonable owner.

At that time, Bai Xun Yin, like now, was neither humble nor arrogant, with clear tea-colored eyes that were both stubborn and determined.

Yu Luoyin suddenly became very curious about what kind of person Bai Xun Yin was and what kind of life she had experienced to become the person she was now.

She seemed as gentle as water, but once she made up her mind, not even nine oxen could drag her back.

Though she appeared frail and delicate, she exhibited unexpected strength in the face of sudden blows.

...

Yu Luoyin’s thoughts wandered until the noise from the hospital operating room snapped him back to reality—the green light was on, signaling the end of the surgery.

A group of doctors and nurses wheeled out Bai Hongsheng, who was unconscious and wearing an oxygen mask, repeatedly apologizing to Ji Huiying.

“We’re terribly sorry, truly. This accident was entirely our medical staff’s fault.” The attending doctor held Ji Huiying’s hand, speaking with utmost sincerity, “Rest assured, the hospital will cover all the costs of this surgery and the post-operative treatment.”

Ji Huiying, expressionless, lightly touched the doctor's hand before letting go, responding indifferently, “Thank you for your trouble.”

The doctor was momentarily stunned and then smiled awkwardly.

Watching from a distance, Yu Luoyin suddenly had a moment of realization—he felt he understood where Bai Xun Yin inherited certain traits in her character.

With a silent smile, he took long strides to offer his assistance.

“You...” Ji Huiying, seeing Yu Luoyin in his school uniform suddenly appear, was slightly taken aback, “Who are you?”

Bai Xun Yin was also stunned. She hadn’t expected Yu Luoyin to still be there. In fact, she had forgotten that he had brought her here.

With her mind previously blank, Bai Xun Yin had been solely focused on Bai Hongsheng in the operating room.

Now, being asked by Ji Huiying, she genuinely didn’t know how to introduce Yu Luoyin.

“Auntie, hello.” Yu Luoyin took the initiative to introduce himself. His handsome face broke into a polite, sunny smile, a look almost impossible for any ‘middle-aged woman’ to resist. “I’m Bai Xun Yin’s classmate. I just brought her here.”

If Yu Luoyin wanted to win someone over, almost no one could escape his charm.

Naturally, Ji Huiying was ‘captured’ as well. She looked at Yu Luoyin with amazement and warmth, “Ah, you’re Yin Yin’s classmate. Thank you so much.”

“No trouble at all,” Yu Luoyin smiled, “Bai Xun Yin often lends us her practice books at school. She’s a top student, and the answers she provides help all of us sitting near her a lot.”

...

Bai Xun Yin witnessed what it truly meant to tell a brazen lie without blinking.

Would this person die if he didn’t lie?

She felt a bit annoyed but, unable to speak to interrupt, could only watch Yu Luoyin seamlessly weave a tale about their ‘great relationship,’ charming Ji Huiying completely.

Ji Huiying said, “Luo Yin, since you brought Yin Yin here, you probably haven’t eaten yet. Where do you live? If it’s not far, come to Auntie’s house for a meal.”

Bai Xun Yin was utterly stunned, hurriedly taking out her phone to stop this, but—

Yu Luoyin accepted without hesitation, “Sure, I live very close to Third High School. Thank you, Auntie.”

...

With just a few words, he somehow managed to get himself invited to her house for dinner.

Bai Xun Yin’s head buzzed with anger. Her first reaction was to coldly type "we’re not close at all" on her phone screen and show it to Ji Huiying.

But when she turned and saw the immensely relieved smile on Ji Huiying’s face, she found it impossible to hand over the phone.

Bai Xun Yin knew Ji Huiying always worried about her relationships with classmates at school, fearing she might be bullied or discriminated against because she couldn’t speak.

Yu Luoyin’s presence had undoubtedly given Ji Huiying peace of mind, making her smile genuinely.

How could Bai Xun Yin cruelly pry open her mother's mouth and take away that reassurance?

After all, Ji Huiying didn’t know that Yu Luoyin was the last person Bai Xun Yin wanted to face in the entire Third High School.

If it weren’t for today’s special circumstances, he shouldn’t have been here at all...

With a silent sigh, Bai Xun Yin quietly put her phone back in her pocket, deciding to endure it.

It was only a meal, after all. She didn’t want to worry her mother.

When Ji Huiying wasn’t looking, Bai Xun Yin walked over to Yu Luoyin and showed him her phone screen:

[Eat and leave, don’t say anything unnecessary.]

Yu Luoyin was taken aback. After a moment, he looked at the girl’s tense profile and smiled playfully, whispering, “What are you afraid I’ll say?”

Bai Xun Yin wasn’t having any of his teasing. She glared at him coldly:

[Stay away from me.]

Yu Luoyin knew Bai Xun Yin wanted to avoid him like the plague at this moment. Ignoring the slight sting in his heart, his smile dimmed a bit.

He obediently kept a bit of distance but still stuck around shamelessly.

After settling Bai Hongsheng in, Yu Luoyin followed Ji Huiying and Bai Xun Yin back to their cramped home in ‘A Jun Alley.’

Since he could remember, Yu Luoyin had always lived in bright, high-rise apartments in prime locations. He never knew places like A Jun Alley existed... such a very ‘authentic’ neighborhood.

The gate was unguarded, allowing anyone to enter, with no sense of security. The dim stairwell had flickering sensor lights, and the mixed smells of various foods from different households were indescribable.

And that wasn’t all.

Bai Xun Yin’s home was on the seventh floor of an old building without an elevator. The narrow, steep stairs were exhausting to climb.

Yu Luoyin had never ‘stooped so low’ to use his legs to climb any stairs besides the three floors of the school’s teaching building.

He was unaccustomed to it but, being physically fit, managed to climb to the seventh floor without breaking a sweat.

As for Ji Huiying and Bai Xun Yin, they were used to it.

“Luo Yin, come in quickly.” Ji Huiying opened the door and smiled apologetically at Yu Luoyin, “Our home is a bit small.”

Indeed, it was much smaller than his home and even smaller than the place he rented near the school. Feeling slightly awkward, Yu Luoyin changed his shoes and stepped inside, unable to suppress his curiosity as he looked around.

Because this was where Bai Xun Yin lived.

A quick glance estimated the house to be about fifty square meters. The living room was old-fashioned, with a simple sofa and coffee table, and no TV, embodying simplicity.

There was only one surprising item—the balcony had an old, cheap-looking piano, probably the only ‘luxury’ in the otherwise dim room.

Yu Luoyin glanced at Bai Xun Yin, who was still at the entrance, and curiously asked, “Do you play the piano?”

Bai Xun Yin pursed her lips and avoided his gaze, changed her shoes, and walked back to her bedroom. The door briefly opened and closed, not even revealing a glimpse of her.

Yu Luoyin couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed, letting out a light sigh.

The young girl still didn’t want to interact with him, but...

The slender youth leaned against the wall, his eyes scanning the cramped room. The small living room connected to the open kitchen on the left, where Ji Huiying’s busy figure could be faintly seen.

The place housed only the mother and daughter, feeling slightly cold—but still warmer than his own home.

“Luo Yin, do you have any food preferences?” Ji Huiying asked while cutting vegetables, “Like avoiding scallions, ginger, or garlic?”

“No, I eat everything. Thank you, Auntie.” Yu Luoyin smiled, pretending to be well-behaved.

Ji Huiying, working in a government department, was used to seeing young people. But she found someone as poised and elegant as seventeen-year-old Yu Luoyin rare, causing her to smile, “No trouble at all.”

Watching Ji Huiying return to the kitchen, Yu Luoyin shamelessly thought that even if Bai Xun Yin disliked him, her mother seemed to like him quite a bit.

This smile faded when he noticed a large cardboard box in the corner of the living room.

The box seemed to be for waste paper, partly filled with colorful plastic wrappers. Yu Luoyin recognized them as the packaging from the Christmas apples he had given Bai Xun Yin last Christmas.

Yu Luoyin couldn’t believe it.

Those apples were just a spur-of-the-moment purchase suggested by Li Yuan. He never imagined that the girl would treasure such ‘worthless’ things.

Realizing he was once cherished by Bai Xun Yin made him feel like his heart was punched, aching sourly.

These packaging papers jolted him awake, making him realize he had lost something precious—a tender young girl’s heart.

...............................................................................................................

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