Chapter 41

The moment she walked out of campus, it felt as if everything had been left behind. All the resentment Xu Zhilu had carried for years seemed to dissolve in an instant.

She didn’t know how to describe it. It was as if stepping out meant she no longer wanted to care about anything or anyone.

As they exited, Shen Man and Shen Guangyuan were waiting by the door.

“Are you tired?”

Shen Man looked at Xu Zhilu and said, “Let’s go home.”

Shen Siyan raised his eyes and asked, “Mom, why don’t you ask me if I’m tired?”

Shen Man glanced at him. “You? Looking at you isn’t tiring.”

Shen Siyan: “…”

He wondered what was happening.

Shen Man pulled Xu Zhilu forward and said softly, “Go home and rest well. Are we going out for a graduation dinner tonight?”

Xu Zhilu nodded. “Yes, the whole class is going together.”

Shen Man turned to Shen Siyan. “Take care of Zhilu. If anything happens, I’ll hold you responsible.”

Shen Siyan nodded.

Once in the car, Shen Man didn’t forget to issue a few instructions.

“Don’t drink too much tonight.”

She looked at Shen Siyan. “If you drink too much, no one will be there to look after Zhilu. Understand?”

Shen Siyan, feeling like he was not her biological child, nodded a bit helplessly. “Mom, we know.”

They went home to rest.

Xu Zhilu was extremely tired, feeling very sleepy, and just wanting to get some good rest.

After arriving home, Shen Siyan looked at her and asked, “Do you want me to go in with you?”

“Not necessary.”

Xu Zhilu replied calmly, “I’ll go in first.”

Shen Siyan said “Hmm” and stayed where he was.

After watching Xu Zhilu enter, he walked toward his own home.

When Xu Zhilu got home, the house was quiet and empty. Xu Zhijia had not been discharged from the hospital yet due to the car accident. Xu’s mother stayed with her every day, sometimes lucid and sometimes not, unable to leave the hospital.

Xu Zhilu didn’t want to express any opinion on the matter. She felt it was all Xu Zhijia’s fault and chose not to sympathize, nor did she want to gloat. 

It was simply the result of her own actions.

She went straight to her room. The room was as clean as when she left in the morning. 

After some thought, Xu Zhilu decided to pack a few things. She didn’t have much, so two suitcases would suffice. The rest of her belongings were of little concern.

As she walked toward her desk, she noticed a file folder on it. She picked it up and looked inside. It contained a house purchase contract.

She paused as she saw the details. The house was in the city center, perfectly located. It wasn’t huge, but it had three bedrooms and two living rooms.

Just as Xu Zhilu finished reading, her phone rang.

“Hello.”

She answered calmly.

“Did you see the documents in the room?”

“Yes,” Xu Zhilu replied, pursing her lips. “Thank you.”

Father Xu responded, “It should have been given to you. The house is fully furnished, and you can move in at any time.”

He paused and added, “When do you need the household registration booklet? I’ll have my assistant send it to you.”

Xu Zhilu thought for a moment and said, “Maybe tomorrow.”

“It’s better to resolve it as soon as possible.”

Father Xu hesitated but finally said, “Okay, I’ll have my assistant send it to you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Xu Zhilu looked at the suitcase spread out beside her, lowered her eyes, and said, “I’ll move in today.”

“So soon?”

“Yes,” Xu Zhilu responded. “There’s nothing holding me back.”

Father Xu seemed to want to say more but couldn’t find the right words. “Do you need my assistant to help you move?”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

Their conversation was brief, and after a few more words, they hung up.

Xu Zhilu glanced at the view from the window, her eyes reflecting other emotions. 

Soon, she composed herself.

After gathering her clothes and important belongings, she called for a car.

As she pushed the two suitcases out, she looked back at the home she had lived in for over ten years. She knew she would never return.

Resolutely, Xu Zhilu walked away without looking back. 

She felt no reluctance; she didn’t belong there.

Xu Zhilu hadn’t told Shen Siyan or anyone else. If she had, they would have insisted on sending her off. But at this moment, Xu Zhilu just wanted to be alone.

When she arrived at her new house, it was in a desirable location in a popular building. It was a well-regarded building in a quiet area of the city center, with convenient transportation and a pleasant environment.

She registered her name and entered it smoothly. The house was on the 25th floor, and she was a bit unfamiliar with it. After a bit of searching, she found it.

With the password in hand, she entered the house. It was spacious and bright, with the remaining daylight filtering in.

The house had minimal furniture—a sofa, a table, a bed, and a wall-mounted TV. The three rooms each had only beds, with no other furnishings. Xu Zhilu liked this simplicity and wanted to decorate the place herself.

After exploring, Xu Zhilu sat down on the sofa, not in a hurry to unpack.

She sat there, emptying her mind, unsure of what she was thinking.

After a while, her phone rang, and she was jolted awake by Xin An’an’s call.

“Zhilu! What are you doing?”

Xin An’an’s excited voice came through. “The exam is over. What time will you come over for dinner tonight?”

Xu Zhilu was taken aback. “Isn’t it at eight?”

“Yes, yes! Are you coming early?”

Xu Zhilu thought for a moment and said, “I won’t come early. I might be late.”

“Okay. Do you want to stay up all night with everyone?”

Xu Zhilu hesitated and said, “We’ll see. It’s not certain right now.”

“Alright.”

Xin An’an was excited. “We’re finally free! I’m so happy.”

Hearing her joy, Xu Zhilu couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, I’m happy too.” She said softly, “An An, happy graduation.”

“Happy graduation, happy graduation!”

Xin An’an couldn’t contain her emotions. “Rest up first! See you in the evening.”

“Okay.”

Xu Zhilu lay back on the sofa, browsing her phone for a while. She set an alarm for 7:30 and fell asleep right there.

She was exhausted, both physically and mentally.

This feeling has been particularly strong since she entered the new house.

_

Xu Zhilu slept deeply. When she woke up, her phone was ringing.

She answered the phone groggily. “Hello.”

“Are you sleeping?” Shen Siyan’s clear voice asked. “What time will you be coming to the dinner party?”

Xu Zhilu woke up a bit and asked softly, “What time is it now?”

“Ten past seven.”

Xu Zhilu opened her eyes fully and responded, “Oh. I’ll head over later.”

“?”

Shen Siyan sounded confused. “Aren’t you coming with us?”

“I’m not at home,” Xu Zhilu said calmly. “I can’t come with you.”

Shen Siyan was startled and asked, “Where are you?”

Xu Zhilu replied succinctly, “He gave me the house I wanted before, and I’ve moved here.”

“…”

There was silence on the other end of the line for about half a minute before Shen Siyan’s voice came through again: “What did you say? You’ve moved? Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

Shen Siyan couldn’t believe it. He widened his eyes and asked, “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Tell you what?”

Xu Zhilu replied calmly, “I’ll go back to see Aunt Shen in the future. There’s nothing much to say. I’m not leaving this city.”

Shen Siyan: “…”

He was silent for a few seconds, then whispered, “Give me the address.”

“What?”

“Send me the address of your new house,” Shen Siyan said quickly. “Please pack up and come out. I’ll meet you at the door.”

Xu Zhilu wanted to respond, but Shen Siyan hung up. She stared at the phone for a moment before rubbing her eyes.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated again. It was a message from Shen Siyan.

Shen Siyan: If you don’t give me the address, I’ll ask someone else.

Both knew who this “someone else” referred to.

Xu Zhilu: …wait a moment.

She had no choice but to send the address to Shen Siyan.

Shen Siyan: Got it.

He saved the address and noted that it wasn’t far; it could be reached in about half an hour by taxi.

Shen Siyan quickly changed his clothes and went downstairs, looking hurried.

“Ready to go to the dinner party?” Shen Man asked.

Shen Siyan nodded and looked at Shen Guangyuan. “Dad, can you give me a ride?”

Shen Guangyuan raised an eyebrow. “Where are we going for the dinner party?”

“Not there,” Shen Siyan said. “We’re going somewhere else first.” He pursed his lips and added, “Xu Zhilu has moved out.”

Shen Man: “Ah?”

The family looked at each other, confused.

Shen Siyan didn’t elaborate and said, “Dad, let’s go. We’ll be late if we don’t leave now.”

Shen Guangyuan, though puzzled, agreed. “Let’s go. I’ll take you there.”

“Thanks.”

After the father and son left, Shen Man decided to give Shen Guangyuan some advice and then head to the dinner party.

Shen Guangyuan nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

Shen Man said, “Talk to Shen Siyan, and don’t be angry with Zhilu. She probably left because she didn’t want to bother us.”

“Okay.”

_

When Shen Siyan and Shen Guangyuan arrived at the community gate, Shen Guangyuan looked up and commented, “This place isn’t bad.”

Shen Siyan replied coldly, “Yeah.”

Shen Guangyuan chuckled. “If Zhilu doesn’t care, why should you?”

“She’s too indifferent to care.”

Shen Guangyuan shook his head. “Some things can’t be helped once they happen. Just be more open-minded.” He pointed. “Zhilu is coming out.”

Shen Siyan got out of the car and waved to Xu Zhilu.

Xu Zhilu paused and walked over without hesitation.

“Uncle Shen.”

Shen Guangyuan smiled and nodded. “Hurry up and get in the car. I’ll take you to the hotel.”