Chapter 4

This was the first time Zhu Shilang had been refused by the “model gentleman,” and it was a request that Ji Linyu could easily fulfill without any trouble.

“Alright, then I’ll have to take her back to Qingyang,” Zhu Shilang understood, having witnessed firsthand how difficult Zhu Xinyue could be when she was being willful.

Hearing this, Ji Linyu felt a slight disturbance in his emotions but quickly suppressed it, silently following behind Zhu Shilang.

Zhu Shilang returned to Zhu Xinyue and said, “Sis, it’s not that I don’t want you to make your own choices, but your credit with me is pretty low. How long have you been away from home? And you’ve already landed yourself in the hospital. Wouldn’t it be better to go back and live a worry-free life as a rich young lady?

“With Dad and me around, no one can make you suffer.”

Zhu Xinyue frowned. She was currently physically impaired, and her eyesight was poor. She couldn’t use softness, and she lacked the means to be forceful.

In the novel, the original Zhu Xinyue had said many harsh things to her family to stay in Tianze City and be closer to Ji Qingyuan, even going so far as to threaten to sever ties with them, deeply hurting her family.

One of the original Zhu Xinyue’s wishes was to reconcile with her family.

Whether for the original Zhu Xinyue’s wish or her own future, Zhu Xinyue wouldn’t tear apart her relationship with Zhu Shilang at this moment.

It was better to retreat temporarily, stabilize things with the Zhu family, and then make her plans.

“…Can you take me back to my rental place first so I can pack my things?” Zhu Xinyue feared Zhu Shilang wouldn’t even grant this small request and would take her straight to the airport after she got in the car. So she asked the bodyguard behind her, who was holding her wheelchair.

The bodyguard looked at his boss, who nodded in agreement.

Zhu Xinyue and Ji Linyu rode in the same car, with Zhu Shilang’s car following them.

“Here’s the address. Just use the GPS,” Zhu Xinyue pulled up an address on her phone and handed it to the driver.

The longer she stayed in this world, the clearer the original Zhu Xinyue’s memories became.

The original Zhu Xinyue had left home and stayed in a hotel apartment for a while. After her family cut off her credit card, she had to sell the luxury items she brought from home to rent a cheaper place.

The card was cut off just last week, and the original Zhu Xinyue hadn’t stayed there long before Zhu Xinyue took over.

The luxury car left the city center and drove further out, passing by high-rise buildings until it reached the suburbs, surrounded by ordinary residential houses.

“The car can’t go in there. You can stop here,” Zhu Xinyue indicated the car should stop at the entrance of an alley. She opened the door and got out, standing on one leg and wobbling a bit while holding onto the car door.

Ji Linyu watched her frail figure, swaying as she stood, and then looked towards the alley’s depths. The streetlights were dim and flickering, and the unlit areas seemed to harbor potential danger.

“Thank you for bringing me back, Mr. Ji,” Zhu Xinyue, unable to see Ji Linyu’s expression, thanked him and waved before closing the car door and heading into the alley.

She limped into the darkness, and after a few steps, a sharp pain shot through her ankle. She inhaled sharply and reached out to steady herself against the wall.

Behind her, she heard a car door open and close, followed by approaching footsteps.

Thinking it was Zhu Shilang, she stopped reaching for the wall, not wanting him to discover her poor eyesight.

Just as she was about to pull her hand back, a firm grip took hold of her wrist, guiding her hand to rest on his arm, allowing her to lean on him.

Startled by the touch, her body trembled slightly.

The narrow alley was barely illuminated by the cold moonlight, which was partially blocked by window ledges and air conditioning units, creating a thin thread of light. The distant streetlights barely offered any help.

Under the faint light, Ji Linyu noticed her shiver, like a frightened little animal.

She was afraid of him or perhaps afraid of the danger. Ji Linyu released her hand and stepped aside, putting some distance between them.

“Mr. Ji?” Zhu Xinyue’s soft voice questioned, as if confirming her guess or asking why he was there.

Ji Linyu’s gaze fell on her hand. She had merely placed her hand lightly on his arm without fully leaning her weight on him.

“Shilang’s car lost us. I asked my driver to fetch him, and the bodyguard is waiting at the alley entrance,” Ji Linyu explained, pausing before adding, “It’s not safe to walk alone at night.”

Oh? His words seemed to exclude everyone else while deeming himself “safe,” indicating he had no personal interest in her and considered himself trustworthy.

Zhu Xinyue smiled and said, “Mr. Ji, you’re really a good person.”

This was the second time she had said that.

Ji Linyu felt uncomfortable. They had only just met, and he had publicly rejected her confession and refused her brother’s request for her to stay at his house.

If he had agreed, she wouldn’t have to go back for an arranged marriage against her will. Yet she still called him a good person?

“I’m not as good as you think. This is just basic courtesy. If it were someone else, they’d do the same,” Ji Linyu said, wanting to avoid giving her any illusions that he reciprocated her feelings or that they had a chance of developing a relationship. His refusal was evident—this was his usual response to all suitors.

Zhu Xinyue understood his meaning and smiled even more brightly.

“Mr. Ji, if it were someone else, they would enjoy the ambiguity with a pursuer. Besides, I’m not lacking in qualifications, am I? Not considering family background, I’m young and beautiful. Others would be delighted to have someone like me pursuing them.”

“The fact that Mr. Ji treats me, a stranger, this way shows that Mr. Ji is a kind and well-mannered person.”

Ji Linyu glanced at her. She wasn’t looking at him, seemingly unconcerned with his thoughts and merely expressing her view.

Different from those who spoke sweet words to flatter him with ulterior motives.

Ji Linyu didn’t respond, just slowed his pace to walk alongside her.

Zhu Xinyue was used to living in similar rental houses from her previous job.

“The road here is uneven. You need to avoid the loose bricks, or you won’t know which one will splash water on you.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Linyu stepped on a loose brick, splashing dirty water onto his shoes and Zhu Xinyue’s exposed feet in sandals.

“Sorry,” Ji Linyu apologized, slightly frustrated, looking at the spots of dirt on her fair skin.

Zhu Xinyue didn’t mind, “It’s alright. The road’s been in disrepair for years. It’s always like this. We’re almost there.”

In the original owner’s memory, her rental house was just around the corner.

They finally stopped in front of an old residential building.

Ji Linyu looked up. The walls were weathered and peeling, exposing the red bricks beneath, showing significant age.

Calling it “vintage” would be flattering; it looked more like a dangerous building.

She gave up a comfortable life to live in Tianze City in a place like this?

“Let’s wait for my brother here,” Zhu Xinyue didn’t enter the building but smiled slyly at Ji Linyu, explaining, “I need to show my brother I’m serious about living in Tianze City on my own terms. If I can stay here, I can stay anywhere. I’m not as incapable as he thinks.”

She didn’t shy away from revealing her little scheme to him, as if they were trustworthy allies.

Ji Linyu caught a glimpse of her bright smile, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

He didn’t think her brother would change his mind after seeing the living conditions. On the contrary, he might take her away immediately.

She was just a naïve girl trying to prove herself. Ji Linyu turned around and stood with the “little girl” at the entrance of the building.

The sensor light above them stayed on, casting light on her. Zhu Xinyue leaned against the door frame, putting her weight on her left foot.

The night wind blew, and Zhu Xinyue shivered. The original Zhu Xinyue wore a red spaghetti strap dress to look beautiful for Ji Qingyuan’s party, with thin straps tied in bows on her shoulders. The cold wind made her shiver.

Ji Linyu stepped forward, blocking the wind from the alley.

The light in front of Zhu Xinyue dimmed considerably, but it wasn’t as cold without the direct wind.

In the quiet night, they stood in silence, with only the noise from the air conditioners above.

Zhu Xinyue looked in Ji Linyu’s direction. He stood in front of her, facing the alley, as she said, waiting with her for Zhu Shilang.

“Mr. Ji,” Zhu Xinyue wasn’t used to the silence and tried to make conversation.

Ji Linyu, arms crossed, keeping his distance, turned to look at her when he heard her voice.

“When did you know I was Zhu Shilang’s sister?” she asked.

“Not long after I arrived at the hospital,” Ji Linyu had found out when he saw Zhu Shilang at the hospital.

Zhu Xinyue lowered her eyes, staring at the floor between them, “…I really can’t afford the medical bills right now. Mr. Ji, I’m not trying to gain your sympathy or deceive you. I didn’t plan to go to the hospital.”

“Mm, I know.” Ji Linyu’s tone was indifferent, “You don’t need to explain to me.”

Once she went back with her brother, they wouldn’t cross paths again.

Zhu Xinyue sighed in relief and looked up, though she couldn’t see Ji Linyu’s expression, she tried hard to face his direction.

“That’s good,” she smiled brightly, “It’s still necessary to explain. I don’t want Mr. Ji to feel that his kindness is being taken advantage of.”

Ji Linyu felt a slight jolt in his heart.

Her affection for him was too obvious.

She couldn’t hide it at all.

That was probably just how young people were.

Ji Linyu turned to face Zhu Xinyue, with a stern look, “Miss Zhu, I have no plans for romance or marriage right now. Taking you to the hospital, paying your medical bills, bringing you back to your rental place, and waiting here with you are all because you’re my brother’s friend and Shilang’s sister. It’s out of courtesy, nothing more.”

Zhu Xinyue was momentarily stunned, realizing Ji Linyu had misunderstood.

Her words of appreciation were purely out of gratitude. After all, she was someone who valued gratitude.

If a kind stranger missed his flight, spent tens of thousands on her medical bills, accompanied her for check-ups, and brought her home, wouldn’t she be grateful? Otherwise, she’d be an ingrate.

“…Oh, I know you have no other intentions,” Zhu Xinyue lowered her head, her tone subdued, “If what I said caused you any trouble, I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention.”

She stepped back, leaning against the iron gate.

The motion sensor light dimmed, all light disappearing, and the surroundings fell into dim silence.

The two stood facing each other. Ji Linyu couldn’t see her expression clearly, but he felt pricked by the cautious tone in her voice.

In reality, she hadn’t done anything wrong. She just liked him and saw him through rose-colored glasses, wanting him to be happy, so she always praised him.

Ji Linyu pursed his lips, feeling inexplicably irritated.

So far, apart from the initial confession, she hadn’t caused him any trouble. It was he who suggested taking her to the hospital, he who insisted on paying the medical expenses, and he who willingly brought her back and waited with her here.

Ji Linyu attributed all of this to his “compassionate heart,” but this time his “compassionate heart” had stirred for too long.

Not hearing Ji Linyu’s voice, Zhu Xinyue felt uneasy, fearing he still felt troubled. She added hesitantly,

“I… I don’t like you anymore.”

Ji Linyu’s breath paused.

Tsk.

He became even more irritated.