Chương 205: The Unexpectedly Unreliable Ye Zixuan, and the Exhausted Su Yuqing

As night deepened, the continuous rain that had lasted all day finally stopped.

The leaden clouds were dispersed by the evening breeze, revealing a bright, clear moon. Its cool light shone down, giving the city, freshly washed by the rain, a silvery sheen.

On the latter half of their journey home, Ye Zixuan and Su Yuqing walked hand in hand on the sidewalk in a manner that appeared incredibly intimate to outsiders, like two close friends who had known each other for many years.

However, Ye Zixuan's heart was far from as calm as it appeared. Her delicate face flushed slightly uncontrollably, and her eyes were somewhat unsteady as she dared not look directly at the girl holding her hand beside her.

On weekdays, aside from fulfilling her duties as an inspector, she devoted almost all her time and energy to tedious studies, just to maintain her seemingly glamorous first place in the grade, just to—respond to her parents' almost harsh expectations of her.

Because of this, she is like a machine with a pre-programmed schedule, working non-stop for a long time, and even getting enough sleep has become a luxury.

Like this, strolling hand in hand with a girl her own age on the street—this kind of life-affirming experience is completely blank in her life so far.

Therefore, she felt somewhat uncomfortable.

The discomfort wasn't due to any resistance to Su Yuqing as a person, but rather a kind of pure shyness that she absolutely refused to admit.

Previously, when Yin Xue carried her in a princess carry, she could still convince herself that it was because she had exhausted her magic power and was unable to fly alone, and that she had no choice but to ask her companion for help.

Moreover, Liuli and Xiaoying, who witnessed that scene, were his companions and knew why he was being carried away.

Now, she is walking on these ordinary streets as "Ye Zixuan," and she is not so weak that she cannot walk independently.

In this situation, walking hand in hand with another equally beautiful girl, she naturally felt an unprecedented sense of awkwardness and shyness.

"Is this really appropriate? Will my expression look strange? Will passersby give us weird looks?"

Such thoughts uncontrollably filled her mind, making her want to break free from the hand that was being held tightly several times.

But in the end, she didn't do that. Instead, because of her nervousness, she subconsciously gripped the other person's hand even tighter.

She knew very well that Su Yuqing knew that she had only used the easily refuted excuse of "dizziness and weakness" because she wanted to hold Xiaoying's hand.

If I were to open up now, that guy with the rather nasty personality would definitely seize on this weakness and laugh at me.

She could almost picture it: Su Yuqing would turn around, a mischievous grin on her face, and ask in a sickeningly sweet voice, "Hey? Zixuan, aren't you dizzy anymore? Weren't you still weak and needed Xiaoying to hold your hand to walk?"

No, we absolutely cannot let her succeed!

Holding onto this naive persistence, Ye Zixuan struggled against her inner discomfort and shyness, straightened her back, and tried her best to appear more composed.

In stark contrast to Ye Zixuan's rich inner world, Su Yuqing beside her doesn't seem to have as many complicated thoughts.

Her mindset has always been simple: as long as she doesn't let this woman who "has ulterior motives" towards Xiaoying succeed, that's all that matters. As for girls holding hands and strolling together, she sees it as perfectly normal.

The difference in perception prevented her from fully understanding Ye Zixuan's complex inner thoughts at that moment. She only turned her head slightly in confusion when she felt the other party suddenly tighten her grip on her hand, glancing at Ye Zixuan's slightly tense face before quickly looking away.

At this moment, her mind was completely focused on how to successfully keep the secret from her parents.

Although we had already discussed our story with them, it was still uncertain whether we could successfully overcome this hurdle and avert their suspicions.

If Dad insists on hearing A-Che's voice on the phone, I can't just conjure up an A-Che on the spot. If things are exposed, am I supposed to push Xiao-Ying out and tell Mom and Dad that this is your long-lost daughter?

However, if we don't do this, and they think Ah Che has gone missing and choose to call the police, then things will really get serious!

Su Yuqing was silently calculating in her mind, feeling like her head was about to explode.

The two girls, each carrying their own complicated thoughts, walked in silence until they arrived at the familiar white gate of the Lin family villa.

Su Yuqing released Ye Zixuan's hand, took a deep breath, and put on an unprecedentedly serious expression. Turning to Ye Zixuan, she solemnly instructed, "Listen carefully, from now on, you are one of my best friends. Tonight, like Xiao Li, you've been invited to stay overnight at my house. Do you understand?"

Ye Zixuan was still lost in her own thoughts when she was startled by Su Yuqing's sudden serious tone. She nodded subconsciously to indicate that she understood.

Su Yuqing gave him a final reminder, making sure he remembered it, before turning to Ji Ying beside her and saying, "Xiao Ying, you wait for us upstairs. I'll come up to you after dinner."

Seeing her looking so worried, Ji Ying knew that she was troubled by her inability to undo her transformation, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

She nodded gently and said in a soft voice, "Yes, it's all yours, Yuqing."

Although Ye Zixuan was by her side and she didn't explicitly say what it was about, Su Yuqing certainly understood the trust and entrustment in her words.

She nodded solemnly, gave Jiying a reassuring look, then turned and went to the door, taking out the key.

"I'm home! We have new guests today!"

As the door opened, Su Yuqing, as always, announced her return in a loud, energetic voice.

"Sister! And Sister Xiaoli, you're back!"

A small figure immediately jumped off the sofa in the living room and rushed over like a cheerful little bird, warmly welcoming her sister's return.

When Su Xiaoye's gaze fell on the unfamiliar girl following behind Su Yuqing, her big, dark eyes widened instantly.

The next moment, as if she had discovered a new continent, she turned and rushed to the kitchen, loudly conveying this "important information" to Su Wanyi: "Mom! Mom! My sister brought another very pretty girl to our house!"

Su Wanyi had already heard what Su Yuqing said when she entered the room. At that moment, she was wiping her hands as she walked out of the kitchen when she bumped into Xiaoye, who rushed over like a cannonball.

She affectionately patted her youngest daughter's head, then her gaze swept past her to the somewhat reserved, unfamiliar girl standing at the doorway. A gentle, warm smile immediately spread across her face: "Yuqing, such a pretty girl, won't you introduce her to your mother?"

Su Yuqing immediately stepped forward, affectionately placing her hands on Ye Zixuan's shoulders, adopting an extremely close relationship posture, and said to her mother with a smile, "Mom, this is my good friend, Ye Zixuan. Just call her Zixuan. She'll be staying at our house today, just like Xiao Li!"

"Oh, I see," Su Wanyi said with a smile, her voice becoming even gentler.

"Welcome, Zixuan. Please come in. Don't just stand there."

"Please sit on the sofa for a while; dinner will be ready soon."

Then, she smiled at Luo Bingli and said, "Little Li, please sit down, don't be shy."

"Okay, thank you, Aunt Su." Luo Bingli replied with a smile, walked into the house, and patted Su Xiaoye's head as she rushed up again, greeting her softly.

Meanwhile, Ye Zixuan seemed to be in a daze and did not immediately respond to Su Wanyi's enthusiasm.

Seeing this, Su Yuqing maintained her stiff smile, brought her mouth close to her ear, and whispered through gritted teeth, "Hey! What did I say to you at the door? Be more convincing! Hurry up and say hello!"

The warm breath and Su Yuqing's urgent voice made Ye Zixuan suddenly realize what was happening.

She immediately remembered the other person's previous instructions, and then, following the strict education she had received since childhood, she took a step forward with an extremely solemn posture and bowed deeply to Su Wanyi.

"Nice to meet you, Auntie! I'm Ye Zixuan, a friend of Yuqing. I apologize for the intrusion this evening!"

Her voice was clear and melodious, but her words were so cautious, as if she were conducting a diplomatic meeting. This solemn demeanor made Su Yuqing feel dizzy and almost choke.

I told you to act convincingly, but I meant to act like a close friend, not like a nervous young bride visiting her future mother-in-law for the first time!

She cursed the other person in her heart for being unreliable, but on the surface she forced a smile and quickly stepped forward to cover for her: "Hahaha—um, Mom, Zixuan hasn't been to her friends' houses much before, so she's a little shy, yes, she's shy!"

Su Wanyi was slightly taken aback when she saw Ye Zixuan's solemn expression, but she quickly recovered and her smile became even gentler.

In her view, he was just an introverted child with good upbringing but who was not good at socializing.

"It's alright, Zixuan, please make yourself at home. Don't be so nervous," she said softly.

"Just make yourself at home. Come in and have a seat."

"Yes—thank you, Auntie." Ye Zixuan replied softly, then bent down to take off her sandals, put on slippers, and walked into the living room.

But she didn't sit down immediately. Instead, she hesitated and stood there, seemingly thinking about where she should sit to be proper.

Su Yuqing sighed helplessly, knowing that it was impossible to expect this young lady to integrate on her own.

She decisively stepped forward and, without saying a word, pressed Ye Zixuan down onto the soft sofa, then gave Su Xiaoye and Luo Bingli a wink.

The two immediately understood and sat down on either side of Ye Zixuan. Su Xiaoye took the initiative, hugging her teddy bear and starting to chatter away as she interacted with the pretty new girl.

Seeing the gradually warming atmosphere in the living room, Su Yuqing breathed a sigh of relief and consciously turned around and walked into the kitchen to start preparing dinner for Su Wanyi.

"You silly child," Su Wanyi glanced at her daughter and said with a hint of reproach, "You didn't even tell your mother in advance that you had new guests coming, so I could prepare more good dishes."

"Home-cooked meals are fine, Zixuan isn't a picky eater—probably," Su Yuqing replied with a charming smile.

"Besides, Mom, you've been cooking so much delicious food for Xiaoli every day these past few days. It's much more lavish than when I'm home alone. Don't you think that's favoritism?"

"Alright, alright, after Xiaoli goes back, I'll cook you lots of delicious food every day, okay? You little glutton." Su Wanyi slapped her daughter's hand in annoyance.

"Hehehe, I knew Mom was the best to me!" Su Yuqing laughed and hugged Su Wanyi's waist from behind, rubbing against her cheek affectionately. Su Wanyi said helplessly, "Alright, stop being so mushy. Hurry up and help us out. Don't keep the guests waiting too long."

Su Yuqing quickly responded and began to obediently chop and wash vegetables to help her mother. Soon, the kitchen was filled with an increasingly rich aroma of food.

After a while, Su Wanyi suddenly remembered something and casually asked, "Speaking of which, Yuqing, didn't Xiaoche come back with you? Did something happen at school that delayed him?"

coming!

Upon hearing this question, Su Yuqing immediately felt a jolt, knowing that the most difficult test was finally about to begin.

She feigned composure and answered in a nonchalant tone, skillfully slicing a cucumber, "Oh, brother, I let him stay at his friend's house for another night. He's not going home tonight either."

"Um?"

Upon hearing this answer, Su Wanyi stopped what she was doing, turned around with some confusion, and looked at her daughter, asking, "Is Xiao Che not coming home again tonight? Or—did you make him do this? What do you mean? I don't quite understand."

Su Yuqing was prepared. She wiped her hands, took out her phone from her pocket, and handed the chat history that she and Jiying had forged together at the unfinished building to her mother. She explained without batting an eye, "It's like this. A-Che told me that he had a lot of fun at his friend's house yesterday. Since Zixuan is coming to stay at our house today, I just let him continue to play at his friend's house."

"In that case, Xiaoli and Zixuan can sleep in my room together, and I can just use my brother's spare room for the night. Isn't that perfect?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wanyi's confusion deepened. She frowned slightly and asked, "Isn't there a guest room at home? Why do you insist that Xiao Che stay outside?"

"Oh dear, I know there's a guest room, but it's been so long since anyone's lived there, it's a hassle to clean it up."

"Besides, they are all my best friends. Xiao Li used to sleep with me. If Zi Xuan sleeps alone in the guest room, wouldn't it seem too distant?"

"It would be a bit crowded if the three of us slept in my room—so, I guess I'll have to make do and sleep in my brother's room!"

Su Wanyi pondered for a moment. Although she felt that her daughter's logic was a bit strange, it seemed to make sense.

She reluctantly accepted the explanation, then looked at Su Yuqing and said irritably, "You're acting all wronged? It's Xiao Che who's more wronged because he can't go home, okay? It's only because he has a good temper that he spoils you like this. Who else would be willing to do this?"

"I know, I know, I'll definitely repay him properly later," Su Yuqing said with a smile, quickly assuring him, "Mom, don't worry!"

"Let's continue preparing dinner, they must be starving!"

Seeing her mother nod and resume her work, Su Yuqing breathed a long sigh of relief, knowing that the first hurdle was over.

At the same time, she cursed in her heart the culprit who had caused her so much fear.

- Silly Xiaoying! For two days in a row, I've been forced to lie to my parents and have been nagged by my mom. If you don't behave yourself as my body pillow tonight, I will never forgive you easily!

- Moreover—once is not enough, at least—at least two nights are needed!

Not long after, Lin Chen also got off work and returned home.

During the process of getting to know Ye Zixuan, the latter greeted Su Wanyi with an extremely solemn attitude, just as she had done before, causing Su Yuqing to break out in a cold sweat again, thinking to herself that this was not like visiting a friend's house at all.

Then, just like his wife, Lin Chen raised the crucial question—why hadn't Lin Che returned yet?

Su Yuqing hurriedly stepped forward again and repeated the same story she had told Su Wanyi.

With her explanation and Luo Bingli's well-timed agreement, Lin Chen accepted the explanation, but unlike his wife, he was clearly more concerned with interpersonal relationships.

"In that case, Yuqing, give me your brother's friend's phone number," Lin Chen said.

"Xiao Che has been bothering him for two days in a row. It's only right and proper that I call him personally to offer my condolences and thanks."

Su Yuqing's heart jumped into her throat, but she remained calm on the surface.

She nodded and, as prepared, calmly said, "Okay, Dad, I happen to have his friend's contact information."

Immediately, she dialed Lu Mingyuan's number with her own phone, and only handed the phone to Lin Chen after the call was connected.

The call was quickly answered, and Lu Mingyuan's sunny and energetic voice came from the other end: "Hey? Yuqing? What's wrong?"

"Hello, Lu Mingyuan, I am Lin Che's father," Lin Chen said gently.

"Ah! It's Uncle Lin! Hello, hello!" Lu Mingyuan's voice immediately became warm and respectful.

"Uncle, what can I do for you?"

"It's like this, Yuqing told me that our Xiaoche has been staying at your house for the past two days. We've caused you a lot of trouble, haven't we? We're so sorry."

"Uncle, what are you saying!" Lu Mingyuan immediately replied in an extremely cheerful tone, "Lin Che and I are best buddies. I'm more than happy that he can come and stay at my house! It's no trouble at all!"

"Besides, I'd love for him to stay at my house forever. We're having a great time playing online games together, so don't worry, Uncle!"

"Really? That's great." Hearing these enthusiastic words, Lin Chen's last trace of doubt completely disappeared. He exchanged a few more pleasantries with Lu Mingyuan and politely invited him to come to his house when he had time. After receiving a quick "definitely" reply from Lu Mingyuan, he hung up the phone with peace of mind.

After hanging up the phone, Lu Mingyuan, who was in a luxurious manor on the other side of the city, put down his phone and smiled with interest. He muttered to himself, "Not going to school, not going home, and you still want me to help you tell such a big lie—Lin Che, next time we meet, I'm going to find out exactly what interesting things you've been up to these past two days."

Just then, a soft knock sounded on the door.

Just then, a soft knock came from outside the room, and a middle-aged waiter in a tailcoat with his hair neatly combed said respectfully, "Young master, dinner is ready."

Lu Mingyuan casually waved his hand to indicate that he understood, then stood up from the expensive-looking leather chair and gazed through the huge floor-to-ceiling window at the bustling city night view shrouded in darkness and lights.

Meanwhile, at the Lin family's villa.

Seeing her father finally hang up the phone with a relieved smile on his face, Su Yuqing finally felt completely at ease.

Looking at the table already laden with a sumptuous feast, and knowing that dinner was about to begin, she was so excited that she almost shed tears of joy.

Finally—the deception was successfully concealed!

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