50.1: Otherwise, do you want to sleep in the same bed as me?

Qin Zhaoyi drove, while Luo Yue sat in the passenger seat with her eyes closed, resting.

Qin Zhaoyi was already very familiar with the road back to Jiayi.

On the way, they stopped at a service area, grabbed a quick bite, used the restroom, and then continued their journey.

By the time they arrived at Jiada Affiliated Hospital, it was already evening.

Jiayi’s evening was quite different from that on Moon Island.

Especially today, the sky was overcast, with thick clouds accumulating in the upper layers, looking like there might be a thunderstorm and heavy rain at any moment.

Qin Zhaoyi parked the car in the parking lot and, looking at the brightly lit building, hesitated for a moment, “Do you want to rest for the night before going in?”

Luo Yue, however, got out of the car first. Her voice was gentle, but her tone was very firm, “Whether we delay or not, it’s the same outcome. We’re here already.”

Qin Zhaoyi then took the car keys and got out.

The Jiada Affiliated Hospital was as familiar to Qin Zhaoyi as her own backyard. Unlike Luo Yue’s straightforward approach, she had to be careful not to run into anyone she knew.

Especially her uncle.

Her uncle was a good man in every way but loved to gossip.

He appeared cultured and stern, but in reality, he was just like her aunt.

While Luo Yue was still looking at the map, trying to find the location of Building 5 of the inpatient department, Qin Zhaoyi had already grabbed her wrist and led her forward.

Among the rows of tall buildings, she accurately found Building 5 of the inpatient department.

When pressing the elevator button, she pressed 10.

“1109,” Luo Yue said. “You pressed the wrong floor.”

“I didn’t press the wrong button,” Qin Zhaoyi said. “Building 5 of the inpatient department is different from the others. The ground floor is for indoor recreational facilities, so it’s labeled as floor 0, which is the floor we are currently on. The actual inpatient department starts from the second floor, so 1109 is on the tenth floor.”

Luo Yue paused and, upon closer inspection, noticed a “0” on the elevator panel.

“How do you know?” Luo Yue asked, standing behind her, inexplicably feeling very secure.

After arriving in Jiayi, Qin Zhaoyi didn’t seem like the child who used to bicker with her on Moon Island; she wasn’t delicate or fragile and appeared very reliable.

Luo Yue always felt that this was the real Qin Zhaoyi.

Steady and mature.

But in front of her, she was always childish, like a child craving affection.

Qin Zhaoyi hesitated, thinking that she had played around here since she was little and had watched Building 5 of the inpatient department being built.

But she pressed her lips together and vaguely said, “I’m from Jiayi, after all.”

Luo Yue didn’t feel like asking questions carefully, so she let it pass.

The location of 1109 was quite remote, belonging to a single VIP room.

However, Qin Zhaoyi confidently led Luo Yue over.

When they stood at the door of 1109, Luo Yue hesitated and didn’t dare to enter first.

Before she could knock, a nurse doing rounds approached and asked, “Are you a family member? If not, please don’t linger here…”

Before she could finish her sentence, she saw Qin Zhaoyi’s face and was momentarily stunned.

She felt that the face was familiar but couldn’t remember where she had seen it.

Qin Zhaoyi cleared her throat softly, “I’m here to visit upon invitation.”

She didn’t specify that she was a family member.

The noise outside alerted the people inside, and Zhou Jia pushed the door open and walked out.

She was over forty this year, well-maintained, looking young, with a good complexion, graceful figure, and elegant temperament. Seeing the two standing at the door, she was somewhat surprised but didn’t hastily speak to avoid mistaking them.

Instead, after a calm and subtle scan, she looked at Luo Yue and said, “You must be Luo Yue.”

Luo Yue nodded. “Hello.”

Her attitude was neither humble nor overbearing.

“Hello, I’m Zhou Jia,” Zhou Jia extended her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Luo Yue briefly shook hands with her and then quickly let go, straightforwardly asking, “How long does he have?”

Zhou Jia’s face changed dramatically. The polite smile froze on her face, and it took her a while to recover and adjust her composure. “You might have misunderstood.”

Luo Yue frowned. Though her demeanor was gentle, her words were not, “Misunderstood?”

She raised an eyebrow, showing her confusion, “I thought they only notify me to meet for the last time under such circumstances. Division of property or repentance should happen at this time. If it’s not that, I can’t think of any other reason for calling me. Or is there some illness requiring a match? Sorry, I have no such intention.”

Each sentence was like a soft knife, causing internal injury.

Qin Zhaoyi saw Luo Yue so sharp-edged for the first time.

No longer humble or polite, but channeling all that resentment into every move, piercing straight through.

Qin Zhaoyi remained silent, feeling sorry for Luo Yue inwardly.

What kind of disappointment must it be to show such an attitude?

Perhaps she could feel her pain when she received that call.

Usually measured and indifferent, someone who took everything lightly, but panicked easily because of that call.

Panic to the point of asking Cheng Shijing, should I go?

In the end, she came.

Luo Yue’s words left Zhou Jia stunned. Perhaps, she had limited contact with her in ordinary days, mostly with colleagues and students, and she always treated students with a gentle attitude. The students all liked her.

From a good family since childhood, she was also gentle and had never seen anyone as straightforward as Luo Yue.

And it was in front of the hospital room.

At least, she could hide it.

Zhou Jia reminded herself in her heart that Mr. Luo was wrong, so it was natural for her daughter to have resentment, as an elder not to be angry with the younger generation.

When she looked at Luo Yue again, there was a hint of softness in her eyes, “Luo Yue, I think you misunderstood.”

Luo Yue fell silent and listened to her.

“Your father isn’t as serious as you think,” Zhou Jia explained calmly and methodically, “Yesterday he suddenly fainted in his office due to a heart attack, which startled all of us. After resuscitation, he woke up last night and underwent tests. It’s coronary heart disease and he needs a stent. In modern terms, it’s not considered major surgery, but he has been reversing day and night for several years, living a chaotic life, leaving behind a serious underlying condition. Last night he kept calling your name in his dreams, so I thought, as his daughter, you should have the right to know about this. That’s why I peeked at his phone and called you, hoping you could see him.”

Luo Yue looked at Zhou Jia as she spoke, momentarily lost in thought.

Even as his daughter, she felt like, yes.

Suddenly, she felt sad.

For Zhou Jia.

She softened her tone even when speaking to Zhou Jia, “So he doesn’t know I’m here?”

Zhou Jia shook her head, “Not at the moment. He just took some medicine and fell asleep. He’ll probably sleep until tomorrow.”

Zhou Jia treated Luo Yue very well, not overly solicitous but not distant either.

She treated her like a very important guest, which made Luo Yue feel slightly more comfortable.

“I originally wanted to call you again to tell you not to worry and come tomorrow instead,” Zhou Jia said, “But I was afraid of bothering you too much and making you annoyed, so it’s up to you.”

Luo Yue casually replied, “It’s okay.”

Zhou Jia closed the door to the ward, “Are you tired from the journey? Have you had dinner? There’s a decent restaurant nearby. Let me take you for a quick meal.”

Qin Zhaoyi intended to decline on behalf of Luo Yue, who seemed tired, but to her surprise, Luo Yue accepted her kindness, “Thank you.”

They followed Zhou Jia downstairs.

Qin Zhaoyi was nervous all the way, afraid of running into her uncle-in-law.

Her mother probably already told her aunt about her, so her uncle must know too.

She wasn’t afraid, but she feared her uncle would make things worse, staring at Luo Yue incessantly and asking questions.

Fortunately, her luck held.

The restaurant Zhou Jia took them to was “Wei Mei Da,” a decent Chinese restaurant.

The dining environment and atmosphere were pleasant, not overly upscale but not low-end either.

It was just right.

Zhou Jia reserved a private room and led Luo Yue and Qin Zhaoyi inside.

After they were seated, she politely looked at Qin Zhaoyi and carefully asked, “It was too noisy in the hospital just now, so I didn’t get a chance to ask. Who is this?”

“My friend,” Luo Yue said, “Xiao Qin.”

Just a pseudonym.

Qin Zhaoyi saw that Luo Yue’s attitude towards her was okay, so she set aside her own prejudices and extended her hand to her, “Hello.”

Zhou Jia smiled kindly at her, “Such a beautiful young lady.”

As the saying goes, you don’t hit someone who offers a handshake and smiles.

Especially with Zhou Jia’s demeanor, which made her hard to dislike.

Clearly, she had been well protected since childhood.

Zhou Jia handed the menu to Luo Yue to order.

Luo Yue wasn’t in the mood and naturally wasn’t hungry, so she casually ordered two dishes and asked Qin Zhaoyi to pick some too.

Qin Zhaoyi ordered three of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

By the time the menu returned to Zhou Jia, most of the delicious dishes had been ordered. She symbolically ordered a soup and then closed the menu and handed it to the waiter.

Unable to find a topic to start with, Zhou Jia didn’t want the atmosphere to cool down.

She poured water for both of them with a small teapot and said, “Is Xiao Qin from Jiayi? You seem to know all the famous dishes around here. Do you come often?”

At Zhou Jia’s words, Luo Yue also looked at Qin Zhaoyi.

Qin Zhaoyi took the water she poured and cleared her throat softly, “Not really. Occasionally I come with my parents.”

Nonsense.

They’re almost at her doorstep, how could she not know?

Really can’t blame her.

Jiada Affiliated Hospital just around the corner.

Her parents worked at Jiada, while her uncle-in-law and aunt worked at Jiada Affiliated Hospital, one in cardiology and the other in dermatology.

Qin Zhaoyi, however, only perfunctorily replied

Zhou Jia then asked Luo Yue, “Where are you staying tonight? Nearby or at our place?”

After speaking, she added to herself, “There’s no one at home anyway. There are rooms for both you and Xiao Qin, so you don’t have to worry about feeling awkward staying with me.”

Luo Yue looked at Qin Zhaoyi.

Qin Zhaoyi immediately caught Luo Yue’s signal, “No need, Auntie. My home is nearby. We’ll stay at my place tonight.”

Luo Yue nodded in agreement.

Zhou Jia didn’t insist on inviting them further, only saying to let her know if they needed anything, and she would try to accommodate.

Luo Yue replied, “No need to trouble yourself. I’ll see him tomorrow and then leave.”

Zhou Jia hesitated.

After the dishes arrived, she asked in a low voice, “Luo Yue, have you considered moving to Jiayi and living with us?”

Luo Yue thought she was afraid of disrupting her current life and testing her.

Her tone suddenly turned colder, “No, I haven’t considered it. You don’t need to bother testing me.”

Zhou Jia waved her hand, “No, that’s not what I meant. What I meant was, I hope you can come and live with us.”

Luo Yue was slightly taken aback.

Perhaps her sincerity made her unexpectedly unlikable.

Luo Yue raised an eyebrow, “Why?”

“Maybe there are misunderstandings between you and your father.” Zhou Jia said, “In fact, your father has always been concerned about your growth. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know about your situation. You’re very smart and talented in mathematics, completely inheriting from your father. So moving to Jiayi would be more suitable for academic research.”

While Zhou Jia spoke, Luo Yue also paid attention to Qin Zhaoyi’s attitude.

She noticed Qin Zhaoyi was also frowning, looking puzzled.

Luo Yue handed her chopsticks to Qin Zhaoyi, indicating she should eat.

But Qin Zhaoyi didn’t move.

From her expression, she seemed to be holding back from retorting Zhou Jia’s words.

Zhou Jia continued, “We can discuss this matter in the long run. Let’s eat first. What I’m saying is, I have no ill intentions towards you, and I welcome you to come and live with us. You also have a little brother who has been looking forward to your arrival.”

Luo Yue’s expression was subtle. She picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks.

The food was delicious, but she still couldn’t suppress her anger, eventually putting down her chopsticks.

“You’re my father’s wife, so technically I should call you Auntie.” Luo Yue said, “But you’re too young, I didn’t know what to call you at first.”

“You can call me Jia Jia,” Zhou Jia said, “or just use my name directly, I don’t mind.”

“Okay, Zhou Jia,” Luo Yue looked at her, her gaze mature beyond her years, “Do you know what I was thinking when I first saw you?”

Zhou Jia looked puzzled, “What?”

“You look so much like my mom,” Luo Yue said bluntly, “So much so that as her biological daughter, seeing you gives me a sense of familiarity. From your speech, demeanor, to expressions, it’s all so similar. So, do you not know, or do you not mind? My inclination is that you don’t mind.”

“Professor Luo is probably a very gentle man, very suitable as a father and a husband. I can also sense that you want to build a good relationship with me. Not for anything else, but to love what he loves,” Luo Yue spoke sincerely to her, acknowledging Zhou Jia’s consistent sincerity towards her.

She, on the other hand, always approached people with the utmost goodwill.

“But have you ever considered why he never sought me out all these years? Simply because he’s a man, so he’s reserved and not good with words?” Luo Yue shook her head, “My father is not someone who can’t express emotions.”

“I don’t dislike you. On the contrary, I’m grateful to you for pulling him out of the abyss and allowing him to be a better person, able to wholeheartedly devote himself to mathematical research and become the esteemed professor he is now,” Luo Yue’s voice remained calm, but the calmness only accentuated her sorrow.

Making the listener inexplicably sad.

Under the table, Qin Zhaoyi reached out and held her wrist.

Like a storm brewing beneath a calm sea surface.

Luo Yue continued, “Your current life is good, there’s no need to bring me into it just to satisfy his selfish desires. Moreover, you don’t need to act as his spokesperson, as an intermediary between him and me to ease this relationship. I am his daughter, he knows it, I know it, and our unspoken agreement not to disturb each other already says everything.”

“I’ve passed the age of needing parental love. I am also grateful that my parents were loving when I was young, and they gave me the best and most loving childhood. I don’t feel any regret.”

“But I feel sorry for you.”

Each word from Luo Yue was sincere, spoken from her heart.

After finishing, she added, “Let’s eat.”

She ended the conversation on her own terms.

And pushed back all of Zhou Jia’s countless words.

She didn’t want to linger on this topic any longer.

Luo Yue and Qin Zhaoyi didn’t eat much before hurriedly standing up, claiming they were full.

Then they bid farewell to Zhou Jia and stood not far from the restaurant, feeling the chilly wind of Jiayi blowing past. Unlike the moist air of Moon Island and lacking the salty sea breeze.

Pedestrians hurried along the streets, each heading towards their own destination.

Luo Yue remembered Zhou Jia’s teary eyes earlier and couldn’t help but sigh.

Another woman distressed by emotions.

Qin Zhaoyi asked her, “What are you thinking about?”

Luo Yue’s voice drifted lightly, blending with the sound of the wind without any discord, “I’m thinking about going home.”

“Shall I take you there then?” Qin Zhaoyi asked.

Luo Yue shook her head, “Not your home.”

Qin Zhaoyi said, “I know, Moon Island.”

These days, she seemed to understand the significance of Moon Island to Luo Yue.

It was a place for healing.

Like that day when she felt so upset but still drove back to Moon Island overnight.

Looking at that small red building, staring at the endless sea, it seemed like all worries could be thrown away there, then forgotten.

That place brought peace to people’s hearts.

Luo Yue looked at her, “Driving overnight again?”

“Well, it’s not impossible,” Qin Zhaoyi pressed her lips, smiling.

The wind was strong, the temperature dropping. Luo Yue rubbed her arms, feeling cold, “No, it’s too dangerous.”

Qin Zhaoyi asked, “Then how about coming to my place?”

Afraid of misunderstandings and overthinking, she added, “It’s quite spacious over there, I can stay on the first floor, and you can stay upstairs.”

“A villa,” Luo Yue said.

Qin Zhaoyi pursed her lips, “Not really, just a small cottage.”

Thinking back to when Luo Yue once said she seemed to flaunt her wealth everywhere, she immediately added, “Isn’t your home also a small cottage?”

Most houses on Moon Island were like that.

Because of being near the sea, during high tide seasons, the first floors were often very damp, hence the need for second and third floors.

Every household was like this.

Luo Yue’s family had a uniquely designed, beautiful house.

But not as grand as the small red building where Qin Zhaoyi lived.

Seeing her trying to make up for it, Luo Yue found it amusing, “Princess Qin, I already know you’re wealthy, what’s the use of denying it now?”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

“Okay.” Qin Zhaoyi shrugged, deliberately teasing her to lighten the mood, “Yes, I’m wealthy. So, want to spend some?”

“I’ll take you to Xingdan Shopping Mall, you pick things, I’ll swipe my card,” Qin Zhaoyi said, “Shall we go now?”

Having spent four years at Jiada University, Luo Yue naturally knew the status of Xingdan Shopping Mall in Jiayi.

Inside, even a casual piece of clothing cost tens of thousands, and buying a bag for less than six figures was unlikely. Even bags bought for six figures were considered low-end.

They joked during their school days that robbers in Jiayi would be better off robbing Xingdan Shopping Mall than a bank.

Its daily turnover was in the millions.

Luo Yue teased with a smile, “Can we buy a watch then?”

“Sure,” Qin Zhaoyi said, “but only one.”

Luo Yue raised an eyebrow, “Why?”

“It’s a bit expensive,” Qin Zhaoyi said.

Even Qin Zhaoyi found things labeled as expensive were indeed costly because watches at Xingdan Shopping Mall easily went into the millions, with some costing tens of millions.

Luo Yue asked her, “Wasn’t the watch you wore before bought there?”

“Yeah,” Qin Zhaoyi said, “I liked wearing it for a while, but most of the time, it was just lying in a drawer and wasn’t useful.”

Because she had to write, she didn’t have the habit of wearing jewelry on her hands.

Even when her mother wanted to give her the dowry bracelet, she didn’t want it.

Qin Zhaoyi asked, “Should I take you there to buy one now?”

Luo Yue shook her head, “I don’t need it.”

The two chatted for a while, and the atmosphere finally relaxed.

Seeing the heavy rain about to fall, Luo Yue made a decision, “Let’s go to the hotel.”

Qin Zhaoyi went to drive.

She opened the front passenger door first, like a bodyguard, asking Luo Yue to get in.

After Luo Yue got in and fastened her seatbelt, she smiled at her, “Thank you, Princess Qin.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

This address was sweeter than usual, more natural.

Qin Zhaoyi felt elated inside but pretended to be calm, “You’re welcome.”

Then she circled the car halfway and drove out.

Not far away, the front passenger window of a car searching for a parking spot suddenly lowered, and a head popped out to look carefully. After seeing clearly, the person patted the arm of the driver’s seat next to them, “I knew it was Zhaozhao’s car.”

“Then who got in just now?” Professor Qin’s arm turned red after being patted, but he endured the pain and asked calmly.

“I don’t know,” Mrs. Qin’s gossip soul was burning fiercely now, directing, “Follow her, let’s check it out later.”

“Is that a good idea?” Professor Qin’s rationality was still struggling.

Mrs. Qin glared at him, and he immediately surrendered.

Mrs. Qin muttered in the car, “Didn’t you say she’s dating someone? Was it the one just now? She looks gentle and pretty. The two girls standing together are quite pleasing to the eye, seems not bad.”

Professor Qin’s face turned cold, “Just a crush, who knows if it’ll change in a while, she’s not even her girlfriend yet.”

“With her determination since childhood, what she likes doesn’t change easily,” Mrs. Qin knew her daughter exceptionally well, “She liked reading books when she was young, and now she’s writing them.”

Professor Qin: “…”

“Feelings can change,” Professor Qin defended, “A few years from now, she might not like it anymore.”

Mrs. Qin glanced at him sideways, “You don’t like me anymore?”

Professor Qin: “It’s not about you, it’s just that not everyone is as faithful as me.”

“Your daughter is more faithful than you,” Mrs. Qin watched the car in front turn, immediately anxious, “Keep up, keep up.”

Professor Qin nearly ran a red light and stopped the car at the intersection.

He could only watch regretfully as Qin Zhaoyi’s car drove away.

“For heaven’s sake,” Mrs. Qin glared at him, “You can’t even keep up with her car, it’s driving me crazy.”

“Where do you think she’s headed?” Professor Qin said, “Probably back to her place, we can go there later.”

Mrs. Qin shook her head, “No, they’re a young couple going home together, why should we be third wheels? Your daughter would hate you for that.”

Professor Qin: “…”

Just as Professor Qin was about to retort, he suddenly realized that Qin Zhaoyi had been rebellious since childhood and decided silently to stop trying to control her.

He drove on peacefully.

Contrary to their expectations, Qin Zhaoyi’s car stopped in another direction, waited for a while, then turned into a hotel parking lot.

“We’re at her doorstep, why go to a hotel?” Mrs. Qin guessed, “Is your daughter pretending to be poor?”

Professor Qin gave her a look, “Why do you keep saying ‘my daughter’? Didn’t you give birth to her?”

Mrs. Qin: “…”

“She’s closer to you,” Mrs. Qin said, “She even told you about coming out before anyone else.”

Professor Qin was speechless.

Ever since that phone call last time, she had been sarcastic for almost a month!

She often said her daughter didn’t get along with her and seemed to quarrel with herself every day, but the two were actually very close.

She didn’t realize her daughter was talking about coming out! Coming out!

Influenced by her emotions, Professor Qin didn’t think it was a big deal that Qin Zhaoyi liked women.

It seemed normal.

The two parked the car by the roadside like thieves, leaving a gap in the car window.

Mrs. Qin even took two pictures.

“She looks really good,” Mrs. Qin said as she zoomed in, “Like a beautiful scenery.”

“And don’t you think she seems much more obedient than Zhaozhao?” Mrs. Qin nudged Professor Qin.

Professor Qin stared at that figure, feeling increasingly familiar but couldn’t recall where he had seen her.

“Come on,” Mrs. Qin said to him, “You’re always at Jiayi, either in the lab or the classroom. Where would you have seen her?”

“I’m not lying to you,” Professor Qin frowned, “She looks very familiar.”

Mrs. Qin also stared at Luo Yue, “I feel like… I’ve seen her somewhere.”

But she couldn’t recall where.

However, she didn’t dwell on it. Mrs. Qin mischievously dialed Qin Zhaoyi’s number.

Qin Zhaoyi happened to be walking with Luo Yue towards the hotel entrance and frowned when she saw the caller ID.

This scene was caught by Mrs. Qin, who muttered under her breath, “She’s so impatient even when answering my calls.”

The next moment, Qin Zhaoyi answered, “What’s up?”

Her tone was cold.

Mrs. Qin immediately got angry, “Can’t I call you if there’s nothing wrong?”

Qin Zhaoyi raised her hand to shield Luo Yue from the wind, sounding urgent, “You can, but I’m busy right now.”

“What’s wrong?” Mrs. Qin asked while observing her, “Are you on a date with your girlfriend?”

“You’re half right,” Qin Zhaoyi said.

Mrs. Qin put the call on speaker, didn’t ask further, and said, “Darling ^[1]Bao bei daughter, your dad and I had a fight. That old antique is so stubborn, keeps muttering at home that he can’t accept you dating a girl. I got so angry that I had an argument with him. He asked me to get lost, and in a fit of anger, I ran out. There’s no place to go now, can I stay at your place for a few days?”

She even added a hint of crying.

Professor Qin, inexplicably wearing a hat, looked at her in surprise, as if to say — can you not defame me?

Even Qin Zhaoyi was taken aback, her tone resentful, “What did he say?”

“He’s against you having a girlfriend, told me to get lost,” Mrs. Qin acted proficiently, almost believing her own act.

Qin Zhaoyi sighed, “I’ll call him and settle accounts.”

“No,” Mrs. Qin immediately stopped her, “It’ll just start another fight, and he’ll scold me for not raising you properly.”

Professor Qin: “???”

Not daring to further defame her own husband, Mrs. Qin quickly steered the conversation back, “Sweetie, can I stay at your place for a few days? Or is it inconvenient for you lately?”

“Sure,” Qin Zhaoyi said, “I’ll send you the code. Stop crying.”

Qin Zhaoyi’s cold voice softened as she stood in front of Luo Yue, shielding her from the wind, “If I have time in these two days, I’ll come back to see you. Don’t mind my dad, he’s just stubborn.”

Professor Qin could bear no more and was about to explode, but Mrs. Qin covered his mouth.

Mrs. Qin hurriedly said, “Thanks, Baobei, I’ll stay at your place for a few days.”

“No problem,” Qin Zhaoyi firmly stood by her mom’s side, “You can stay as long as you want. If he doesn’t come to apologize on his knees, just don’t go back, or divorce him.”

Professor Qin: “???”

The call ended. Mrs. Qin exhaled deeply, wiped away tears, and quickly comforted her husband, who was almost fainting from anger, “Ai ya, I just wanted to test if she’d come home.”

“Was it necessary to defame me like that?!” Professor Qin roared, “My image with Qin Zhaoyi was already bad enough, and now that our relationship was finally getting better, you say this!”

Mrs. Qin immediately pecked him on the cheek, humbly expressing goodwill.

After Qin Zhaoyi hung up the phone, she muttered to herself about Professor Qin being such a stubborn old man.

Luo Yue asked her, “What happened?”

Qin Zhaoyi shook her head, not wanting her family troubles to affect Luo Yue further, and replied casually, “It’s just that my dad upset my mom.”

At that moment, Qin Zhaoyi suddenly felt a vague sense of familiarity as she glanced around.

“What’s wrong?” Luo Yue noticed her strange expression and asked quietly.

Some kind of premonition suddenly struck Qin Zhaoyi strongly, and she wondered aloud, “I think I just heard my dad’s voice.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Yue immediately stepped back two paces, as if eager to distance herself from Qin Zhaoyi.

This action hurt Qin Zhaoyi’s feelings.

However, Qin Zhaoyi didn’t say anything about it. She just shook her head slightly and said, “Maybe it’s from driving too long and then taking my mom’s call. Feeling a bit disoriented.”

The hotel she bought was close by, but still a distance from her parents’ home. Besides, Professor Qin usually spent his time in Jia University’s labs and classrooms around this time. How could he possibly be here?

The next moment Qin Zhaoyi entered the hotel with Luo Yue, and immediately after, the rain in Jia Yi began to pour down.

The raindrops were as large as beans mercilessly pounding the ground, seemingly trying to pierce through it.

It looked like hail.

Qin Zhaoyi glanced around. The pedestrians hurriedly sought shelter under the hotel’s eaves, just like them.

There were also a few people registering alongside them.

This hotel had excellent reviews and had been newly renovated. Qin Zhaoyi had stayed here once before when she felt restless at home and was reasonably satisfied.

However, unfortunately, it was peak tourist season recently, and almost all the hotel rooms were booked.

There was only one standard room left.

Qin Zhaoyi hadn’t expected such a dramatic turn of events to happen to her.

Suddenly, she remembered the advice she received from netizens after her late-night frenzy on Weibo made it to the hot search list.

Whether to book one room or two when staying in a hotel, whether to choose a standard room or a king-size bed room, apparently all had their intricacies.

But now it seemed the situation was different, yet somewhat delicate.

Qin Zhaoyi felt that Luo Yue needed company, but it was just her own feeling.

Luo Yue had been quietly standing by, not saying a word, seemingly still immersed in her thoughts.

Qin Zhaoyi thought that her home wasn’t far from here, and it would be good for Luo Yue to quietly contemplate for the night. So, she had the front desk open a twin room.

When the front desk asked for their IDs, Luo Yue handed hers over, but Qin Zhaoyi said, “I’m not staying. I’ll send her up, and then I’ll leave.”

The front desk followed her instructions.

Luo Yue asked gently, “So where will you stay tonight?”

“I’ll go back home,” Qin Zhaoyi said.

“Isn’t your mom going to your place?” Luo Yue asked.

From their recent phone call, she had picked up on a few details.

Unexpectedly, Qin Zhaoyi had already come out to her family.

As expected, her father didn’t agree.

During their casual conversation, Qin Zhaoyi had mentioned her father before—old scholar, old-fashioned—these words were frequently mentioned.

Disagreement was also human nature.

After all, challenging societal norms was difficult.

Qin Zhaoyi had actually forgotten about it. It was Luo Yue who reminded her, prompting her to call her mom instead of hurrying to hand over her ID.

Still in the car, Mrs. Qin saw it was Qin Zhaoyi and cleared her throat before answering, “Hello, sweetheart.”

Qin Zhaoyi made a sound of acknowledgment and asked with concern, “Where are you now?”

“What’s wrong?” Mrs. Qin lied, “I’m at the bus stop on Zhongwu Road. It’s raining outside.”

Qin Zhaoyi frowned, “Did you go out in a dress? Without an umbrella?”

Mrs. Qin heard the concern in her voice and was instantly touched, “It’s fine, I’m not cold.”

Qin Zhaoyi took a deep breath and confessed, “I’ve returned to Jiayi. Wait for me there, I’ll come pick you up soon.”

Knowing her mother’s habits too well, she always liked wearing dresses and qipaos. Sometimes, when she got angry with Old Qin, she would even dare to go out in her pajamas, completely lacking the demeanor of a university professor.

Worried she might catch a cold, “Find a shop and get yourself a hot drink. I’ll be there soon.”

“No need, no need.” Mrs. Qin didn’t want to disrupt her daughter’s date with her girlfriend. She saw Professor Qin, who was still sulking despite being kissed by her so many times, and immediately added, “Your father’s coming to pick me up with an umbrella. If he behaves well, I’ll go home.”

Mrs. Qin said, “Rest assured, he also brought a coat.”

But fearing she might not stay at her girlfriend’s house, “But if he doesn’t, I’ll immediately take a taxi to your house. You don’t have to worry. Have a good time.”

Afraid Qin Zhaoyi might ask more questions and reveal the truth, Mrs. Qin quickly hung up.

Qin Zhaoyi felt her mother was acting strange, but couldn’t quite put her finger on what was odd.

Meanwhile, Luo Yue had already retrieved her room card and ID and asked if she should leave.

Qin Zhaoyi shook her head, “My dad went to coax her, it should be fine.”

They rode the elevator up in silence, without a word.

Once inside the room, Qin Zhaoyi finally said, “Rest well, lock the door, don’t overthink it. I’ll come tomorrow morning to take you out for breakfast.”

Luo Yue asked her, “Are you still going home?”

Qin Zhaoyi pursed her lips, suddenly understanding her unspoken meaning.

But she didn’t dare to be certain.

After a moment of silence, she cautiously probed, “Are you inviting me to stay?”

Luo Yue put her hands behind her back, leaning against the table. “If you think so, then yes.”

It was the familiar style of Luo Yue again.

Deflecting a question back.

But Qin Zhaoyi was pleasantly surprised because, based on her experience with Luo Yue, this meant she agreed.

Qin Zhaoyi said, “I was afraid you might feel uncomfortable.”

“What’s there to feel uncomfortable about?” Luo Yue raised an eyebrow. “Are you afraid I’ll eat you?”

Qin Zhaoyi clenched her fists, palms sweating. The warmth spread momentarily before she smiled, “That definitely won’t happen.”

Qin Zhaoyi said, “I’ll go down to register for the room.”

“No need,” Luo Yue said. “No one will remember you came up. If they ask when you check out tomorrow, then register.”

Torrential rain quickly swept through the city, raindrops unabashedly striking against the windows, as if wanting to shatter them.

The howling wind made the room feel even more eerie.

Qin Zhaoyi agreed, turning to lock the door.

Despite having watched a movie together in a private theater with Luo Yue, she hadn’t anticipated that they would end up sleeping in the same room.

Qin Zhaoyi asked her, “Are you worried about me catching a cold if I go home because it’s raining outside?”

Luo Yue looked at her, her gentle eyes mixed with emotions that Qin Zhaoyi couldn’t quite understand, “No.”

She was already half-sitting on the edge of the suspended table behind her, unusually candid: “Tonight, I don’t want to be alone.”

The familiar rainy night, with winds so strong they seemed to sweep everyone away, accompanied by startling flashes of lightning and thunder.

Jiayi was engulfed in summer rains.

Just like Luo Yue at this moment.

Luo Yue didn’t like thunderstorm nights, as if they were playing a requiem for her sorrow.

On the day she discovered her father had left Moon Island.

It rained heavily on Moon Island too, with lightning and thunder.

The sea level kept rising, fierce raindrops rushing towards the ocean, only to be swallowed up by the sea in an instant.

In the rain, Luo Yue wondered if she could be swallowed up by the sea just as easily as a raindrop?

So she tried to walk into the sea.

It was Cheng Shijing who pulled her back.

Bothered by the sounds outside in the rain, Luo Yue called out to Qin Zhaoyi, “Put on some music.”

Qin Zhaoyi opened her phone and played a random song.

It was from her playlist for writing, a very soothing piece of light music.

But in this atmosphere, it felt particularly sad, even Qin Zhaoyi listened with a heavy heart.

She quickly changed it.

“Thinking of Going to the Seaside.”

The prelude was cheerful, as if on an island by the sea.

Yet it reminded people of Moon Island.

Qin Zhaoyi softly spoke into the background music, “I suddenly miss Moon Island.”

Luo Yue lowered her head with a faint smile, “Sometimes I am weary of Moon Island too, but at times like this, I feel only Moon Island can heal me.”

“Is that why you return to Moon Island?” Qin Zhaoyi asked.

Luo Yue shook her head, then nodded.

Mysteriously, she said, “Everyone on Moon Island has secrets.”

Qin Zhaoyi didn’t quite understand, but wasn’t interested in others; she only asked Luo Yue, “And you? What’s your secret?”

Luo Yue felt a dull ache in her shoulders, worsened by the rainy night.

As if countless insects were crawling over her.

“I’ve said it’s a secret,” Luo Yue replied, “it really is a secret.”

Even Cheng Shijing didn’t know the secret.

No one knew why she returned to Moon Island.

Just like no one knew why Cheng Shijing returned to Moon Island.

Qin Zhaoyi noticed her awkward shoulder movement and suddenly remembered the tattoo she had inadvertently seen at her home before.

“When did you get your tattoo?” Qin Zhaoyi asked.

Luo Yue pondered for a moment. “Four years ago.”

“Was that when you returned to Moon Island too, four years ago?” Qin Zhaoyi asked.

Luo Yue looked at her, a hint of caution in her eyes, afraid that Qin Zhaoyi, this suspense writer, would logically unravel her secret.

But Qin Zhaoyi wasn’t seeking answers from her.

Instead, Luo Yue asked her, “Do you want me to know your pen name?”

Qin Zhaoyi hesitated, unsure why Luo Yue suddenly asked this, but she shook her head honestly.

Not now.

“What if I insist on asking, wouldn’t you find it annoying?” Luo Yue asked.

Qin Zhaoyi replied, “I would tell you. I wouldn’t find you annoying.”

Luo Yue paused.

She had intended for Qin Zhaoyi to empathize, but she hadn’t expected this answer.

Qin Zhaoyi and she were just a few meters apart, yet it was enough for each to see the other clearly.

“Luo Yue,” Qin Zhaoyi’s cool voice echoed in the room, her gaze gentle, “I have no reservations with you.”

The patch in Luo Yue’s heart that she had painstakingly sewn together today collapsed in an instant.

She looked at Qin Zhaoyi. “Isn’t it just novelty?”

Qin Zhaoyi said, “I’ve already come out to my family.”

Luo Yue looked at her calmly.

Qin Zhaoyi took a step towards her. “Do you think it’s just novelty?”

Luo Yue suddenly smiled. She reached out and lifted Qin Zhaoyi’s chin, her gentle voice unusually playful, “Princess Qin, do you know that showing affection like a dog when others are vulnerable is taking advantage of their weakness?”

Though Qin Zhaoyi’s chin was lifted, she still looked up at Luo Yue.

Luo Yue was already sitting on the suspended wooden table, the dim night light casting a gentle and beautiful glow over her whole being.

However, with a hint of wild charm.

Qin Zhaoyi didn’t want to leave this impression on her, so she calmly said, “This is just my promise to you, you don’t have to respond.”

“But what should I do?” Luo Yue bit her lower lip, causing it to shimmer quickly, staining it crimson.

Making her look even more enchanting.

Luo Yue’s gentle voice was close to her ear, “I’m starting to like you a little bit now.”

Qin Zhaoyi swallowed hard, resisting the urge to hold her hand.

Luo Yue moved closer, her chin almost touching Qin Zhaoyi’s neck.

She whispered softly, “Tonight, do you want to sleep with me in the same bed?”

Author’s Note:

Qin Zhaoyi: Don’t seduce me.

Luo Yue: This is an invitation.

Qin Zhaoyi: Ahhhhh!

With things going like this, there still isn’t a shrieking building?