Chapter 4: Staying at His Place

Her back slammed against the door with a thud, and Sheng Yize staggered slightly.

The sound of vomiting came from the bathroom.

It was loud and clear.

“……”

Sheng Yize stood in place, something seemed to shatter across his face.

He took a few deep breaths, then stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

He reached out and turned on the living room lights.

As the light came on, he walked to the sofa and sat down, leaning back with his elbows resting on the armrest, rubbing his aching temples with his fingertips.

The room was silent, making the sounds from the bathroom all the more vivid and harsh.

It was unclear how many times she had thrown up. The toilet flushed again and again.

Sheng Yize’s expression stiffened further. Suddenly, he stood up and walked to the bathroom.

He leaned his body against the doorframe, arms crossed, quietly watching her.

The light wasn’t on inside. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a pale glow across the wet floor.

Sang Sui was bent over the toilet, her frail back heaving with each retch, trembling with every motion.

She looked incredibly fragile.

“Urgh—”

Another wave of vomiting hit.

The stench of bile and alcohol mixed together. Sheng Yize furrowed his brows, and the already-cracked expression on his face deepened further.

His jaw clenched slightly. Then, he turned and walked away.

—

After flushing the toilet, Sang Sui got up and turned on the tap, cupping water into her mouth to rinse.

Suddenly, she heard a “ding” from the front door.

Someone had gone out.

She froze and quickly ran outside.

The living room was empty. Not a single person in sight.

Sheng Yize was gone.

He wouldn’t really leave her here alone, would he?

A wave of unease surged in Sang Sui’s chest. Instinctively, she reached for her phone to call him—only to realize she didn’t have her phone with her.

—

Sang Sui didn’t dare leave. She could only squat down by the entryway and wait.

Half an hour later, Sheng Yize returned carrying some items.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw the girl curled up on the floor by the entrance, hugging her knees, her whole body tucked into a ball.

The lights weren’t on. She was shrouded in darkness, like a quiet little kitten waiting silently for someone to come home.

Hearing the noise, Sang Sui looked up sharply.

When she saw it was him, her dim eyes lit up, and she quickly scrambled to her feet.

“You’re back?”

Her voice couldn’t hide her delight.

Sheng Yize’s gaze tensed slightly. He turned his eyes away and walked straight past her into the room.

Seeing him return, Sang Sui let out a breath of relief and hurried after him.

Her tone lifted with cheer: “Where did you go?”

The man didn’t respond. After tossing the bag onto the coffee table, he turned and headed to his bedroom.

At the doorway, he suddenly paused.

His back to her, his voice cold as a cellar.

“It’s for you.”

“And clean up the bathroom.”

With that, he stepped into his room.

Bang—

The door shut behind him.

Utterly cold and heartless.

Her smile froze. Sang Sui’s expression stiffened, the curve of her lips dropped, and a glint of disappointment flickered in her eyes.

It’s fine. At least he came back.

At least tonight…

She wasn’t alone here.

Sang Sui pursed her lips, shrugged slightly, then turned to the coffee table and opened the bag.

Seeing what was inside, she froze.

There was a face towel, a toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, and a box of medicine.

She picked up the medicine and glanced at it—it was for a hangover.

So… he had gone out just now to buy her these?

She lifted her eyes and looked at the tightly shut bedroom door.

Sheng Yize had always been cold to her, barely interacted with her. Even when she took the initiative to talk, he kept that aloof attitude.

Even when his friends forced her to drink, he sat back and did nothing.

But then why did he step in later?

Why did he publicly claim she was his sister, and even bring her here?

---

She looked away, got up, found a disposable cup, poured some water, and took the hangover medicine.

After taking the medicine, she sat down on the carpet.

Sheng Yize was a clean freak. Even if she hadn’t puked on herself, she still reeked of vomit. If she sat on the couch and left the smell there, he’d probably throw her out on the spot.

Sang Sui looked around the house.

It was about 200 square meters, a three-bedroom, two-living-room layout, decorated in a high-end black-gray palette. The paintings on the walls were mostly abstract.

She didn’t quite understand them, but they somehow matched his cold yet rebellious personality.

Ever since Sheng Yize started university, he rarely went home.

After learning he disliked the crowded dorm life, Uncle Sheng had bought him this place near the campus.

The location was great, close to Yunjing University, in a luxury community—perfect for him.

After the medicine kicked in, her body felt much better. Sang Sui glanced at the wall clock and suddenly remembered something.

She quickly got up and walked to his door.

After taking a few deep breaths, she raised her hand and knocked firmly.

No response.

She knocked again.

Suddenly—whoosh—the door flung open.

Sang Sui’s eyes widened.

He must’ve just showered—his hair was still dripping, water running down his sharp jawline, sliding along his neck and collarbones before disappearing beneath the defined lines of his abs.

The dark towel around his waist hung loosely, revealing a narrow waistline and lean muscles that entered her vision without warning.

Sheng Yize raised an eyebrow, leaning lazily against the doorframe. His tone was cold, laced with a teasing sarcasm.

“Enjoying the view?”

“!!”

Sang Sui’s cheeks flamed red, and she quickly turned away. “S-Sorry! I didn’t know you were…”

“You need something?”

Sheng Yize gave her a glance, reaching for a jacket beside him and slipping it on.

As if suddenly remembering something, he zipped it all the way up.

“T-The thing is… I left my phone at work. I wanted to borrow yours to call my mom. Just to let her know I’m safe—it’ll be really quick!”

A cold chuckle sounded behind her.

“What a dutiful daughter.”

“Huh?”

Sang Sui turned around—bang—the door slammed shut again.

“……”

Fine, don’t lend it then. What’s with the attitude?

—

Muttering to herself, Sang Sui turned away.

She cleaned the bathroom thoroughly, then took a shower. Afterward, she wanted to toss her dirty clothes into the washer.

But thinking of Sheng Yize’s obsession with cleanliness, he’d probably hate it if someone else used his washer.

So Sang Sui quietly took her clothes back, planning to find something else to wear in the guest room.

But when she opened the closet, it was completely empty—no women’s clothes at all.

She looked around the room, saw no trace of a woman ever living here, and even went back to check the bathroom.

Everything inside was for men—nothing belonged to a woman.

The only feminine items were the toothbrush and toothpaste next to her disposable cup.

Had he never brought a girlfriend home?

Sang Sui stood there for a long time before finally deciding to toss her dirty clothes into the washer.

It was a washer-dryer combo. Once the clothes were dry, she could wear them again.

After all, she couldn’t go around naked, could she?

Between being naked and being scolded—she’d rather be scolded.

—

With no clothes to wear, Sang Sui wrapped herself in just a towel.

She wasn’t used to sleeping naked, so she could only sit and wait for the clothes to dry before going to bed.

By the time everything was finally done, it was already two or three in the morning.

—

The next day.

Sang Sui was awakened by the sound of an urgent doorbell.

She rubbed her aching head and noticed the bell was still ringing. She got up and went to open the door.

As she entered the living room, she saw Sheng Yize standing on the balcony, phone in hand, talking to someone.

Seeing her come out, he lifted his chin slightly, signaling her to answer the door.

Sang Sui walked over and opened it.

As soon as the door opened, a sweet and soft female voice rang out.

“Yize, why did it take you so—”

The voice cut off abruptly.

Seeing that familiar face, Sang Sui froze as well.

It was Zhou Xizi.