After dinner, Shen Mengjie helped clean up and then mentioned she needed to return to school.

"It's already so late—why not go back tomorrow?" The days were short, and night had fallen completely by then. It wasn’t ideal for a girl to walk alone in the dark.

Besides, she had already stayed for several days—one more night wouldn’t make a difference, Hu Yuying thought. And the bruises on Shen Mengjie’s face hadn’t faded yet. Wouldn’t returning to school now invite unnecessary gossip?

Shen Mengjie looked at Hu Yuying intently.

She had once said that no one in this world was purely innocent.

Yet this sudden concern made Shen Mengjie wonder—could Hu Yuying be an exception?

She was a girl, one who considered herself decent-looking.

To ask her boyfriend for help—did Hu Yuying really feel no discomfort or suspicion at all?

If their roles were reversed, Shen Mengjie didn’t think she could do the same.

With a soft laugh, she shook her head lightly. "It’s fine. I’ve already overstayed my welcome. It’s the start of the semester—the streets will be lively."

If only Hu Yuying could hear Shen Mengjie’s thoughts.

If she could, she would tell her firmly:

Her trust was in Long Aotian alone. It had nothing to do with anyone else—just him.

"Then let Long Aotian walk you back."

"Just to the subway station." This time, Shen Mengjie didn’t refuse.

As they walked, Shen Mengjie glanced at Long Aotian. "Sorry for the trouble."

"No trouble at all. Consider it a post-meal stroll," Long Aotian said with a smile. "Take your time on the way back. With so many students returning, the streets should be busy."

"And also..." He paused before continuing, "Get some ointment."

At this, Shen Mengjie suddenly stopped walking.

"What’s wrong?"

"I suddenly regret something."

"Regret what?"

Shen Mengjie stared at Long Aotian.

The intensity of her gaze made him uneasy.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

After a long moment, Shen Mengjie finally turned away. "The subway’s just ahead. You can go back now."

"Are you okay?" The shift in her mood was unmistakable.

It felt like she had something to say but held back.

"Really, I’m fine. The station’s just across the street. If you keep walking me, will you escort me all the way to school?"

"Alright then."

"Be careful." Long Aotian waved and turned to leave.

Watching his retreating figure, Shen Mengjie murmured under her breath, "This is the third time you’ve shown concern for me. Hurry up and go, or I might really regret it..."

She exhaled slowly, touching the still-tender corner of her mouth. Everything dissolved into a bitter smile.

......

Back at home, Lin Wanning and Li Qingxue had already retreated to their rooms.

They had stayed up late talking the night before and hadn’t slept well on the train, so exhaustion had taken over early.

Hu Yuying, meanwhile, was tidying up and putting away clothes.

Lin Wanning had already cleaned the room the previous night, so they could go straight to bed without any extra fuss.

Hearing the door open and footsteps, Hu Yuying spoke without turning around. "You’re back."

"Yeah, just walked her to the subway. It was quick."

As he spoke, Long Aotian wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Stop cleaning. Let’s sleep early tonight."

"I’m almost done unpacking the suitcase. You go warm up the bed."

"Mission accepted."

In no time, he was under the covers.

Watching his speedy undressing, Hu Yuying couldn’t help but laugh. "No one strips faster than you!"

"Come on, I’ve already warmed it up for you."

"Leave the rest for tomorrow. We still have two more days—no rush tonight."

Under Long Aotian’s coaxing, Hu Yuying glanced between their half-unpacked suitcases and him, his presence thoroughly distracting.

In the end, she gave in and slipped into bed.

The blankets were warm, as if heated by a little furnace.

"Aren’t you tired?"

"Exhausted."

"Then sleep!"

......

The next morning.

"Chen, thanks for seeing me off." Gao Quan turned to Ye Liangchen, his voice low.

"It’s the least I could do." Ye Liangchen took a deep breath. "Keep in touch when you’re at school, okay?"

"I will." Gao Quan’s chubby face betrayed a flicker of reluctance, though he fought to hide it.

Since the class reunion, his life had changed drastically.

He had experienced things he never imagined—all because of Ye Liangchen, the person he respected most.

Honestly, he hadn’t been able to accept it at first. It felt like the sky had collapsed.

How could Chen do something like that to him?

But after Ye Liangchen’s tearful pleas and promises, he had eventually forgiven him.

"I’m leaving." With that, he turned to go.

"Do you hate me?" Ye Liangchen stubbed out his freshly lit cigarette, his voice hoarse.

Gao Quan was his closest friend.

Making one mistake with him had already filled him with guilt.

Yet by some twist of fate, he had wronged him again—this time while Gao Quan was fully conscious.

Afterward, sober and regretful, he hadn’t known how to face him.

Deep down, he didn’t want any rift between them.

There was no one else in this world who would take a knife for a brother like Gao Quan had.

"I do."

At this answer, Ye Liangchen closed his eyes briefly.

"But what can I do? You’ve already taken my body. What choice do I have?"

Ye Liangchen’s eyes brightened slightly. "I’ll take responsibility."

He stepped forward, placing a hand on Gao Quan’s shoulder. "Quan, can you still trust me?"

"How am I supposed to?"

Ye Liangchen looked up at the sky. "Then let time prove it."

As Gao Quan’s figure disappeared into the station, Ye Liangchen lit another cigarette.

"Long Aotian, the humiliation you’ve caused me—I’ll repay it a hundredfold."

Just then, his phone rang.

Ye Liangchen answered. "Are you back in the capital yet?"

"My train’s tomorrow."

Listening to Xue Shaohua’s concerned questions, Ye Liangchen sighed bitterly.

"You have no idea how much what happened has torn me apart."

"We’ll talk later. I’ll tell you everything once I’m in the capital."

......

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