Chapter 42: I’m Hungry Too

Yu Qing quietly asked his classmates what had happened. Standing beside Cheng Yuan, he said, “Meng Yue, we’re all classmates. It wasn’t intentional. You broke Cheng Yuan’s Walkman, and she accidentally broke yours. Let’s just call it even.”

“Call it even? My Walkman was way more expensive than hers!” Meng Yue snapped, glaring at Cheng Yuan as if she could burn a hole through her with her eyes.

“It’s still just a Walkman,” Ye Mingyu interjected. “Meng Yue, Cheng Yuan didn’t do it on purpose. She lost her balance and accidentally knocked over your desk.”

Meng Yue scoffed. Who would believe that?

“Exactly! She hardly ever comes to our class. How would she even know where you sit?” Yu Qing added quickly. “We only switched seats yesterday.”

He had casually mentioned the seating change to Cheng Yuan during lunch—how Meng Yue now sat in the desk in front of hers.

“Meng Yue, it’s just a Walkman. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?” Ye Mingyu said, defending Cheng Yuan. The more he spoke, the more Meng Yue’s jealousy flared. She glared at Cheng Yuan and snapped, “At least help pick up my things.”

“Class is about to start,” Cheng Yuan replied just as the bell rang. She hurried off, calling over her shoulder, “Our next class is history, and the teacher’s really strict about being late!”

Without giving Meng Yue a chance to argue, Cheng Yuan dashed back to her classroom. Bei Xiaolin, already panting in her seat, gave her a thumbs-up. “Yuanyuan, that was amazing!”

“Even if I’m amazing, my Walkman is still broken,” Cheng Yuan said, looking down at the shattered pieces. Her heart ached—it had barely even been used.

Even though she’d broken Meng Yue’s Walkman in return, it didn’t make her feel any better.

“Don’t worry, we’ll just buy another one,” Bei Xiaolin declared confidently. She might not be favored at home, but she still had plenty of pocket money.

“I’ll see if anyone can fix it,” Cheng Yuan murmured, eyes glistening as she cradled the fragments.

Bei Xiaolin knew how much the Walkman meant—it had been a gift from Cheng Yuan’s father. She bit her lip, unsure how to comfort her. “What about Lin Juan?”

“Without evidence, there’s nothing we can do,” Cheng Yuan said through gritted teeth, her eyes fixed on the back of Lin Juan’s head. She wouldn’t let this go.

Sensing the gaze, Lin Juan glanced back with a smug smile, then turned away, feeling victorious. Though she had nearly been caught, there was no proof. Seeing Cheng Yuan holding the broken pieces, heartbroken and helpless, gave her immense satisfaction.

Let’s see you show off now. You won’t be bragging anymore, will you?

Lin Juan even started paying more attention in history class.

On the way home, Cheng Yuan repeatedly urged, “Xiaolin, just say your Walkman broke and borrow mine for a few days.” She then turned to Yu Qing. “And you absolutely can’t tell my dad.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t say a word to Uncle Cheng,” Yu Qing promised.

Bei Xiaolin tried to cheer her up. “Yuanyuan, don’t be so down. We’ll get you the exact same one next time.”

“It’s fine. You should head home now,” Cheng Yuan said. After Bei Xiaolin left, Yu Qing asked, “Do you think Meng Yue stepped on your Walkman on purpose? Why would she do that?”

“Who knows? Maybe she’s just crazy,” Cheng Yuan replied casually, though she knew full well Meng Yue had acted out of jealousy—because of Ye Mingyu.

Yu Qing could tell she was hiding something but didn’t press. “Don’t worry too much. We’ll sell more clothes during New Year and get you a new one.”

They had made good money selling clothes, though all the earnings were now in his mother’s hands. With her being ill, he didn’t dare bring it up.

“Thank you, Yu Qing,” Cheng Yuan said sincerely. Without Yu Qing and Ye Mingyu—especially Ye Mingyu—Meng Yue wouldn’t have let the issue go so easily.

“You’re welcome,” Yu Qing replied with a smile. “But really, I should be the one thanking you. Without your family, how would we have sold tea eggs or made money from clothes?”

He had once worried about his college tuition, but that was no longer an issue. Now, he just hoped his mother’s condition wouldn’t worsen.

As they walked home, they quizzed each other on major historical events to prep for the next exam.

“Dad, I’m back!” Cheng Yuan called as she entered the house. The savory aroma of dumplings and sweet scent of fried bananas greeted her at the door.

Cheng Huaien emerged with a bowl of dumplings. “I made these today—pork and chives.”

“Dad, did you eat already?” Cheng Yuan asked, inhaling deeply. The dumplings smelled divine.

“I had dinner earlier. This is just to keep you company while you eat your late-night snack.” Cheng Huaien brought over a second bowl. Under the warm glow of the electric light, father and daughter sat across from each other at the small square table, each with their own bowl of dumplings. Cheng Yuan’s also had a few golden fried bananas.

“Dad, from now on, you have to eat three meals a day on time. If your stomach feels even a little uncomfortable, go to the hospital right away. Don’t try to tough it out.”

She was deeply concerned. In her previous life, his stomach problems had eventually developed into cancer. She wouldn’t take any chances this time.

“Okay,” Cheng Huaien agreed warmly, touched by her concern. “Don’t push yourself too hard either. Try to get some sleep early.”

“You don’t have to cook for me every night. You’re already so busy during the day,” she mumbled, cheeks puffed out as she stuffed dumplings into her mouth.

“I’m hungry too,” Cheng Huaien said with a smile. “It’s nice eating together.”

With her heavy school workload and long hours, Cheng Yuan needed to eat well.

Cheng Yuan blinked, her eyes crinkling into a smile. “Thank you, Dad.”

After they finished, Cheng Huaien reminded her that the water for washing up was already warmed and simmering on the kitchen stove.

Cheng Yuan washed up, completed her homework, and rubbed her sore neck as she glanced at the clock—it was nearly midnight. She tidied her desk and crawled into bed.

As always, she clutched her pillow and held the jade pendant close, a hazy thought drifting through her mind: It seems like I’m always the one actively entering the dark room. I’ve never been pulled in involuntarily.

Inside the dark room, the sleeping beauty lay motionless on the icy bed, dressed in a silk robe—so peaceful, so picturesque.

“Tao An, did you lie to me?” Cheng Yuan poked his cheek, then pinched it, distorting his handsome face. “You said we made a schedule so you wouldn’t disappear suddenly. But really, you just wanted to schedule your naps, didn’t you?”

She paused to think. Every time she had entered this mysterious space, it was because she was holding the jade pendant. Never once had she been pulled in by force.

Her gaze lingered on his face, suspicion mounting.

Liar. You’re such a liar.