Chapter 5: Sheng Yize’s Girlfriend

Upon seeing her, Zhou Xizi’s expression stiffened.

But she quickly composed herself and curved her lips into a smile. “Suisei, you’re here too?”

Sang Sui nodded obediently. “Sister Xizi.”

“Where’s your brother?”

“He’s on the balcony making a call.” Sang Sui pointed toward the balcony.

Zhou Xizi nodded and walked over.

She moved with practiced ease — it was clear she’d been here before.

Before long, muffled voices drifted from the balcony. Because of the glass, Sang Sui couldn’t make out what was being said.

She closed the door and couldn’t help but glance in their direction.

The man had changed clothes — black pants, a white shirt. One side of the shirt was tucked casually into his slim waist, accentuating his tall and lean figure.

A few buttons on the shirt were undone, hanging loosely and revealing fair collarbones. His fingers held a cigarette, smoke curling gently in the air.

Though he wasn’t actually smoking it — his hand was resting on the edge of the sink, his hip leaning lazily against it, posture relaxed and unruly. He looked effortlessly rakish.

Zhou Xizi stood in front of him, speaking non-stop. Her brows were slightly furrowed, as if it were something urgent.

But he didn’t seem concerned at all. His expression was indifferent, his brows faintly raised — it was unclear if he was even listening.

Zhou Xizi was his girlfriend.

Sang Sui had only found this out on the day of her college orientation.

A month ago, it was the start of her freshman year.

The September sun was scorching and fierce. Sang Sui dragged her suitcase toward the university.

Along the way, Yun Man kept calling her, reminding her of all kinds of things to watch out for.

She had wanted to accompany her on orientation day, but Sang Sui refused.

She had grown up — it was time to handle some things on her own.

Moreover, the Sheng family’s grandmother needed care, and she couldn’t leave her side even for a moment.

“Okay, okay, I got it. If there’s anything I don’t know, I’ll ask the seniors. Don’t worry,” Sang Sui said with a smile.

“That’s good. Don’t blame Mom for nagging. This is the first time you’re so far away from me. I’m just worried about you.”

Sang Sui’s gaze lowered.

Ever since her father passed away, Yun Man had raised her alone, enduring many hardships.

To support her education, she had resolutely moved from Jiang City to Yun Capital, relying on the Sheng family’s connections to get her into the best high school, and eventually, she was admitted to one of the top universities in the country — Yun Capital University.

To them, the Sheng family was both a favor and a grace.

So whether to repay their kindness or out of respect for Aunt Lin, doing their best to care for the Sheng family’s grandmother was the only way they could repay them for now.

“Mm, I understand.”

Yun Man reminded her of a few more things, then suddenly said, “By the way, Xiaoze is also at Yun Capital University. Uncle Sheng has already spoken to him and asked him to pick you up today. I’ve given your number to Uncle Sheng. I don’t know when he’ll arrive, but he’ll call you when he does.”

Sang Sui paused, her heart skipping a beat in that instant.

“S-Sheng Yize is picking me up?”

“You silly child!” Yun Man chided gently. “You should call him brother.”

Sang Sui gave a soft “oh,” and Sheng Yize’s face floated into her mind.

Ever since he went to college, Sheng Yize rarely came home.

Aside from New Year’s, Grandma Sheng’s birthday, or Aunt Lin’s death anniversary, he spent the rest of his time away.

It had been a long time since she last saw him. The last time was half a year ago during the Spring Festival.

Yun Man kept talking, and Sang Sui absentmindedly answered with a few “mm-hmm”s.

After hanging up, she continued walking until she finally reached the university entrance.

There were many freshmen arriving for orientation, and the upperclassmen tasked with receiving them were incredibly busy. Sang Sui stood there with her suitcase, feeling a bit lost.

The sun was intense. She shielded her eyes with her hand and decided to find a shady spot to wait for Sheng Yize.

During the wait, a few seniors came over to offer help.

Worried that Sheng Yize wouldn’t be able to find her, Sang Sui politely declined their kind offers.

They left, looking a bit embarrassed.

That day, she waited for a long time.

Until most students had arrived and it was nearing noon, Sang Sui was finally pulled from her thoughts by a familiar voice.

She had been squatting on the ground, tired from standing, drawing circles in the dirt with a fallen twig. That voice descended from above, cool and aloof—

“Why haven’t you gone in?”

Sang Sui froze, then abruptly looked up.

Sheng Yize stood before her in a loose casual outfit, one hand in his pocket. His side-parted bangs draped over his brow.

He looked down at her, his features deep-set, his gaze slightly lowered — carrying a kind of cold sternness that made people hesitant.

Sang Sui’s heart skipped a beat. She stood up in a daze, just about to speak when a sweet, soft voice suddenly cut in.

“You must be Sang Sui, right?”

Startled, Sang Sui turned toward the voice.

Only then did she notice the girl standing next to him.

The girl was tall and slim, her softly curled long hair draped over her shoulders. Her face was fair and delicate, makeup flawlessly applied. A flowing white dress made her look like a pure white jasmine blooming in the summer.

Sang Sui’s eyes flickered, and her fingers tightened unconsciously.

The girl was very enthusiastic. She stepped forward and extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Zhou Xizi, Sheng Yize’s…”

She paused, glanced sideways at the man next to her, then smiled.

“I’m your brother’s girlfriend. I also go to Yun Capital University.”

“I heard from Yize that you were arriving today, so I came with him to pick you up.”

Zhou Xizi smiled generously. “We’ll be schoolmates from now on. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me. No need to be shy.”

Sang Sui forced a smile and shook her hand. “T-Thank you, sister.”

As she withdrew her hand, she couldn’t help but glance at the man.

Sheng Yize wasn’t looking at her. Instead, he turned toward Zhou Xizi.

The coldness on his face seemed to melt slightly, and the line of his lips curved faintly.

It was a subtle change, fleeting even — but Sang Sui caught it.

That was the gaze of someone in love, the intimacy between lovers.

Zhou Xizi was fair, beautiful, and gracious.

In that moment, she understood.

She, Sang Sui, would never be Sheng Yize’s type.

—

The two talked for a long time. Eventually, Sheng Yize’s expression began to show a hint of impatience.

His gaze drifted over to this side, and Sang Sui snapped out of her daze, quickly avoiding his eyes and ducking into the bathroom.

The cigarette in his fingers had burned to its end. Sheng Yize looked away, crushed the stub into the water-filled sink.

The flame was extinguished, leaving only the remains of the cigarette.

He tossed the butt into the nearby trash can, then looked at Zhou Xizi and gave a mocking laugh. “Zhou Xizi, our arrangement is over.”

“No—Yize, it’s not over.” Zhou Xizi grabbed his arm, her face already streaked with tears. “You said you’d wait until my dad’s company got through this financial crisis. Why…”

“But you broke the terms of our deal.”

“I…”

“I told you,” the man shook her off, “you can be my girlfriend in front of others, but you can’t cross the line. Don’t use the Sheng family’s name to secure investment and cooperation for your father.”

“What, is the Zhou family trying to drag the Sheng family down with them?” He sneered. “Do I look like a fool to you?”

Zhou Xizi’s face turned pale.

“This final social appearance is the last bit of dignity I’m giving your family. Don’t get greedy.”

Tears streamed down Zhou Xizi’s face. Her fingers clenched. “Sheng Yize, I’ve always wanted to ask — did you ever like me? Even just a little?”

“No.”

“…”

Zhou Xizi stood frozen in place, tears falling like a dam breaking.

Sheng Yize had left at some point. The wind blew in, wrapping around her disheveled figure.

She was unwilling — but she couldn’t escape.

—

When Sang Sui came out of the bathroom, she happened to run into Sheng Yize returning to the living room.

He bent down and pulled out a wet wipe, meticulously wiping his arm inside and out.

He didn’t look at her. After tossing the wipe into the trash, he turned and went into the bedroom.

Moments later, faint sobbing came from the balcony.

Sang Sui stepped closer and saw Zhou Xizi with one hand resting on the railing, her back turned.

The sobbing stopped. The woman wiped her face with her hand. Her back was straight — even in vulnerability, she still resembled a proud swan.

Sang Sui vaguely heard them arguing earlier, but she hadn’t caught the details.

She stepped forward and softly called out, “S-Sister Xizi…”

She didn’t turn around. Her voice was low and murmuring. “Sang Sui.”

Sang Sui’s fingers clenched unconsciously.

“He’s never taken anyone to heart.”

“How could I have been so bold…”

“To think I actually hoped he might like me — even just a little…”