Chapter 95.2

Although Haicheng wasn’t as cold as Wancheng, Ruan Mingfu still couldn’t bear to stand outside for too long.

The house was a bit messy but clearly had been cleaned recently. The families who occupied the Ruan residence had left no trace of their lives. Stepping into the hall, she could even see a family photo still hanging above the fireplace, featuring Ruan Mingfu, smiling shyly, her eyes glimmering with innocence—so different from her current boldness.

“I’ll go tidy up,” said Aunt Zhang, dropping off their luggage.

But Xie Yanzhao immediately stopped her.

“I’ll handle it,” he said, taking the cloth from her hands. “You’ve had a long day on the train. Please, take a rest.”

“Right! Just let him handle this. We didn’t bring you here to work,” Ruan Mingfu added, already settled comfortably on the sofa.

“Okay… alright,” Aunt Zhang replied, touched.

The house wasn’t dirty, and Xie Yanzhao quickly organized everything.

Ruan Mingfu ran her hand over the table, it was completely dust-free. Upon closer inspection, she noticed some water spots. It was clear that Gu Yilin had come by to help clean since she knew Ruan Mingfu was returning.

Xie Yanzhao’s strength made quick work of the disarray, soon leaving the furniture orderly.

Just then, the two playful figures from outside entered the room. For some reason, their faces were flushed, as if they had been up to something naughty.

Gu Yilin avoided looking at Bai Qingnian, while he wore a wide grin, looking even more like the village fool.

Ruan Mingfu: …

With her keen sense for gossip, developed over months in the family compound, she could tell something was definitely going on between them!

“Where’s Aunt? They’re still not back?”

“No,” Ruan Mingfu calculated the time. “They should be here soon, maybe tomorrow.”

“Great!”

When Mrs. Ruan was mentioned, Gu Yilin’s eyes sparkled with excitement as if she had just seen her long-lost parents.

“My parents are inviting you for dinner tomorrow, and you must come!”

Ruan Mingfu understood her intention.

“Let’s wait until Mrs. Ruan returns.”

But Gu Yilin brushed off her comment, confident that she would show up tomorrow anyway.

“Okay, I’ll leave first!”

Ruan Mingfu had intended to ask Gu Yilin about her situation with Bai Qingnian, but she was surprised at how quickly Gu Yilin left. Watching her go, Ruan Mingfu swallowed her questions.

She could ask her tomorrow just as well.

“Brother, I’m cutting ties with you!”

Ruan Mingfu: “…???”

Brother, you’re really brave.

Xie Yanzhao’s gaze fell on Bai Qingnian. He raised his hand and the other party instinctively took several steps back.

Xie Yanzhao: “…”

He only wanted to grab a cloth.

Seeing Xie Yanzhao’s unchanged expression, Bai Qingnian looked suspicious.

“Brother, aren’t you mad?”

“What’s there to be mad about?” Xie Yanzhao replied, polishing the table until it gleamed. “As long as you’re happy.”

Bai Qingnian felt somewhat dissatisfied and boldly moved closer.

“Brother, you’re really not angry?”

Cutting ties? And he could just accept that?

Xie Yanzhao couldn’t be bothered with him and went to the kitchen to fetch a clean bowl of water, not even casting a glance in Bai Qingnian’s direction.

Bai Qingnian: “…”

How frustrating! Why wouldn’t his brother ask him why?!

That evening, Bai Qingnian, filled with grievances, sought out Gu Yilin. He gazed mournfully at the moon on the horizon, resembling a lonely wolf from the north.

“Yilin, does my brother not care about me at all?”

Gu Yilin: “…”

What’s wrong with him, coming to her to discuss that scoundrel Xie Yanzhao?

“I told him I’m cutting ties with him,” Bai Qingnian said, looking pitiful, “but he completely ignored me.”

Gu Yilin nodded halfway, her eyes wide with confusion as she looked at him.

“No! Why would you want to cut ties with him?”

Bai Qingnian looked at her with a sense of grievance. “Didn’t you say you didn’t want to call her ‘sister-in-law’?”

Gu Yilin: “……”

So, you decided to cut ties?

Even Gu Yilin found his logic baffling.

She tried to hold back her feelings but couldn’t resist the urge to dig her toes into the ground.

“You… you didn’t tell him it was because of me, right?”

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingnian felt even more wronged.

“They’re all ignoring me… How could I possibly say that?”

“Great!” Gu Yilin sighed in relief, but when she met Bai Qingnian’s clear gaze, she quickly composed herself. “I mean, they probably think you’re just joking… After all, cutting ties is too hurtful.”

Bai Qingnian thought for a moment and then slowly nodded.

“You’re right,” he said, looking longingly at Gu Yilin, “but you did say you didn’t want to call her ‘sister-in-law.’”

Gu Yilin: “……”

This big fool!

Is this really the time to bring that up?

If her plastic friend found out that this misunderstanding about cutting ties originated from this, she would definitely tease her mercilessly.

How infuriating!

Just imagining that scenario made Gu Yilin grit her teeth, and her gaze towards Bai Qingnian turned sharp.

“Y-Yilin, why are you looking at me like that?”

It felt like she was about to eat him alive.

Bai Qingnian lowered his head slightly, and his fair cheeks flushed.

“It’s nothing,” Gu Yilin said, looking at him earnestly. “Let’s not mention this again. If your parents hear about it, they might break your legs.”

He was startled, nervously touching his own legs, filled with gratitude for her concern.

She’s thinking about me!

With that realization, Bai Qingnian felt as if he were soaking in a hot spring, looking at Gu Yilin with eyes full of softness.

Gu Yilin glanced at the sky. “Shall we go watch a movie?”

Standing here in the cold wind felt silly.

There seemed to be a new movie in theaters that she had wanted to see, but with all the commotion about Ruan Mingfu and the others returning, she hadn’t found the chance. Now, with Bai Qingnian, she felt a bit more confident.

Bai Qingnian’s eyes lit up like light bulbs.

At this moment, his mind was completely occupied with the thought of Gu Yilin inviting him to see a movie…

If that doesn’t count as a couple, what does?

Bai Qingnian happily followed her.

In this day and age, those who could go to the movies were either young couples or newly dating men and women. Sitting in the dimly lit theater next to Gu Yilin, Bai Qingnian’s heart raced.

He stared at her intently, even in the dark, unable to ignore her presence.

Gu Yilin’s cheeks felt warm, but then she remembered who he was.

It was like pouring a bucket of ice water on a heated iron; her warmth quickly faded.

No!

She absolutely couldn’t agree to that!

If her plastic friend found out she was dating Bai Qingnian, she would never let her live it down. Plus, just thinking about calling her ‘sister-in-law’ during the holidays made her cringe. If she married Bai Qingnian, they would have to live in the family compound together…

Just the thought made her feel overwhelmed.

Gu Yilin was internally panicking, but her voice remained calm.

“While watching the movie, you’re not allowed to look at me.”

“Oh.”

Bai Qingnian agreed.

But his gaze still remained fixed on Gu Yilin.

Gu Yilin: “……”

Help!

He is so clingy, she really likes him…

But he was also her plastic friend’s cousin.

Ah, what a dilemma!

After the movie, neither of them knew what it was about. Bai Qingnian had spent two hours staring at Gu Yilin, and she had gone from being shy at the start to feeling numb.

He awkwardly looked at her. “It’s getting late, let me walk you home.”

As the cold wind began to rise, biting at them, Bai Qingnian suddenly had an epiphany and draped his coat over Gu Yilin’s shoulders.

The moment he took it off, the coat still carried warmth, and Gu Yilin felt warmth envelop her entire body. She turned slightly to look at him.

With a stunning aunt like Bai Qingzhu, it was no surprise that Bai Qingnian was good-looking.

He had a scholarly aura that was different from Xie Yanzhao, appearing more like a refined scholar from ancient times than a soldier.

Oh no, this feeling was stirring her heart!

Gu Yilin quickly covered her chest, averting her gaze.

She suddenly felt reluctant to reject Bai Qingnian.

After all, he was great in every way. According to her mother, it was a waste for him to be with her… but Gu Yilin was someone who cared deeply about her image. If her plastic friend really became her sister-in-law, just thinking about it made her feel dizzy.

She would have to deal with endless teasing!

Bai Qingnian walked Gu Yilin to a small alley near her home, and just as he was about to enter, she spoke up.

“I have something to tell you.”

They both stopped, and Bai Qingnian looked at her with anticipation.

Gu Yilin suddenly felt a pang of reluctance, but… as she steeled herself, she was interrupted by a group of small thugs approaching from somewhere.

Gu Yilin: “……”

Seeing the four or five small thugs walking toward them, Bai Qingnian instinctively moved to protect her.

“Hey, pretty boy,” the lead thug sized him up, “Your grandfather is short on cash lately, hand over your valuables, or else…”

He squinted his eyes, revealing a menacing expression.

One of the thugs beside him chimed in, “While our boss is still in a good mood, be honest. Otherwise, we’ll just… take that girl behind you first and do whatever we want!”

The other gang members joined in, mocking, “Yeah, yeah, be smart about this!”

Bai Qingnian fixed his gaze on the group of thugs.

His’s eyes were full of love, and his mind suddenly changed, revealing the sharpness of a soldier. It was also at this time that Gu Yilin truly felt that the other party was a soldier.

Before the thugs could issue any more threats, Bai Qingnian threw the first punch.

After years of training in the army, he wasn’t just sitting around. In a matter of moments, he turned a group of unruly Northern wolves into a bunch of confused huskies.

Gu Yilin looked at Bai Qingnian; the fire in his eyes seemed enough to burn people to death.