Chapter 128: Don’t let yourself regret it.

As the headlights cut through the night, the black sedan came to a slow halt by the roadside. The light spilled across the newly paved concrete road, making the dust motes and tiny insects in the air clearly visible.

Inside the car, the girl sat in the passenger seat. She stole a glance at the young man beside her, her voice carrying a trace of reluctance that even she barely noticed: “Um… I’m going back now?”

Qin Nanfeng nodded in response. “Mhm. Get home safe. I’ll come find you again tomorrow.”

“What are you coming back for… if my grandpa and the others find out, they’ll misunderstand…”

Lin Xinyuan dithered for a moment before mumbling with her head down. Her small hands rubbed together restlessly, but in her heart, she could no longer find the will to refuse him.

“Let them misunderstand then. Doesn’t your family want you to date and get married normally? I don’t mind acting as a shield.” Qin Nanfeng shrugged, acting indifferent.

“But I mind!” Lin Xinyuan suddenly looked up, her apricot-shaped eyes glaring at him as her tone grew agitated.

But catching Qin Nanfeng’s burning gaze, she immediately lost her nerve. Realizing her tone had been too harsh, she quickly looked away. “I… I mean, wouldn’t that… affect you?”

“How could it affect me? I don’t have a girlfriend right now.”

“But you can’t keep up the act forever…”

“Who says I can’t?”

Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan fell silent instantly.

Who says I can’t…

Is that really what he’s thinking?

Lin Xinyuan didn’t know whether to feel happy or distressed; perhaps it was a mix of both. She was happy because of his seemingly committed words, yet overwhelmed because it sounded so much like a confession. She had no idea what this “stinky blondie” intended by saying things that were so easy to misunderstand.

Regardless, positive emotions eventually won out in her heart.

“Whatever you say…” Lin Xinyuan looked out the window. It was pitch black outside, and with the car lights on, her reflection was cast against the glass, showing a blushing, pretty face. “Drive carefully on the way back. Don’t go too fast…”

Qin Nanfeng rested one hand on the steering wheel, smiling at the girl who had her back turned to him. “Mhm, don’t worry. The hotel I booked is in town, it’s very close.”

Lin Xinyuan muttered uncomfortably, “Who… who’s worried about you… stinky blondie… just look out for yourself!”

After saying that, her ears began to burn. Unable to bear it any longer, she pushed open the door to get out.

“Wait, you forgot your things.”

“…”

Lin Xinyuan felt a surge of awkwardness. She could only turn back with her eyes downcast and reach out to take the two bags Qin Nanfeng was handing over. Aside from the prize she won from the pitch-pot game earlier, the other bag contained that Hanfu dress…

“How much was the clothes? I’ll send you the money when I get back.”

Perhaps it was petty, but Lin Xinyuan didn’t like owing people favors, especially Qin Nanfeng. She already owed him too much; if she added any more, she felt she could never pay him back.

…Actually, it already feels like I can’t pay him back…

Still, she wanted to minimize the debt as much as possible.

“Haha, Xinyuan, do you really think I care about a few hundred yuan for clothes when I’ve already given you a six-thousand yuan phone?” Qin Nanfeng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Taking advantage of her distraction, he reached out and rubbed her fluffy little head. “Silly girl… just consider it as something I’m temporarily storing at your place.”

“But…”

Lin Xinyuan wanted to argue—after all, one thing was one thing—but her mouth opened and closed a few times without a word coming out. She could never win an argument against this guy.

But this guy… The way he talks is so annoying! I hate rich people the most…

She fantasized about becoming a web novelist making millions a year; she would definitely be just as “unpretentious” as him. Wait, would that be too extravagant? …Better to just keep it in the bank and collect interest slowly…

“Stinky blondie, I’m really going… goodbye!”

After saying that, Lin Xinyuan turned on her phone’s flashlight and disappeared into the night with her bags.

Qin Nanfeng rolled down the window, quietly watching her slender figure vanish into the darkness until even the faint light of her phone disappeared. He didn’t drive away immediately. Instead, he pulled a cigarette from his pack, lit it, and took a deep drag.

Smoke swirled…

“…”

“Did she really come back? Or is that not me?”

The young man’s eyes were uncharacteristically lost, followed by a look of deep sorrow. “I’m sorry…”

“This time, I wasn’t late…”

“And it won’t end like that…”

As soon as Lin Xinyuan opened the front gate with her key, a small creature lunged out from inside, circling her and barking.

“Shh!!”

Hearing its owner’s command, Xiao Huang cleverly quieted down, merely sticking out its tongue and wagging its tail furiously.

Lin Xinyuan knelt down and rubbed its head. “I’ll play with you tomorrow. I’m going up to rest…”

As the girl leaned in, Xiao Huang’s black nose twitched. It seemed to catch an unpleasant scent and became slightly agitated, but soon it looked almost aggrieved, its dark eyes blinking as it gave a soft, compliant whimper.

“Good boy~”

After locking the gate and comforting the little guy, Lin Xinyuan quietly headed to the second floor. She was extremely careful, trying to muffle the sound of the key in the lock. When she pushed open the door and saw the hallway was empty with all the bedroom doors closed, she breathed a sigh of relief.

It was past eleven; they should all be asleep.

Like a thief, Lin Xinyuan crept to her room and quickly slipped inside. Back in her room, she was just about to relax when she realized the lights were on. She froze.

“You’re back?” A pleasant, familiar female voice came from behind her.

“Mom? Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Lin Xinyuan turned around and saw her mother sitting on her bed. Her brain went numb, followed by a wave of panic and shame.

Mother Lin joked, “I was afraid you wouldn’t come back tonight, having been kidnapped by a male classmate.”

“How is that possible…” Lin Xinyuan felt her voice waver.

Mother Lin looked thoughtful and patted the spot next to her. “Sit? Let’s talk.”

“Um… okay…” Lin Xinyuan walked over reluctantly and sat beside her mother, muttering, “It’s so late… what is there to talk about…”

“It’s so late? So you know it’s late?” Mother Lin’s tone suddenly turned stern. “I believe I sent you a message at seven saying to be back before ten?”

“I… I forgot…” Lin Xinyuan’s voice was weak. She looked down timidly, like an elementary student waiting for a punishment. She really had lost track of time, and the “stinky blondie” hadn’t reminded her either.

Seeing her daughter like this, Mother Lin’s expression softened. She stroked Lin Xinyuan’s head and sighed. “I don’t object to you going out with him, but you must get enough sleep. You should be in bed by eleven at the latest.”

“Also… don’t let any ‘accidents’ happen before you graduate from university.” At this, Mother Lin’s expression shifted into a subtle smile.

“Mom! What are you saying!”

Lin Xinyuan had been listening fine until that last sentence. Her face, which had just cooled down, flushed hot again. She turned her head away, her voice muffled: “We’re just good friends…”

Hearing this, Mother Lin didn’t know whether to call her daughter naive or dishonest. She frowned. “Xinyuan, you need to understand that there’s a difference between men and women now. No matter how good the relationship is, it shouldn’t be this intimate.”

“Do you… like him?”

Although Mother Lin hadn’t experienced a grand romance, she had a crush on a classmate in high school and knew what liking someone felt like. Furthermore, her life experience far exceeded Lin Xinyuan’s, and since Lin Xinyuan was terrible at hiding her emotions, she could see the nuance in their relationship. Every time Qin Nanfeng was mentioned, the girl’s emotions became intense.

When your emotions are tied so closely to one person of the opposite sex, the possibility is self-evident.

“…”

Lin Xinyuan’s mind was a mess. She kept her eyes down, appearing as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.

Seeing her like this, Mother Lin felt both a sense of loss and relief, but she didn’t press further. Even though mother and daughter had opened up to each other before, the time they had spent together was still short, and there was an inevitable age gap. Mother Lin still found it difficult to reach the deepest parts of the girl’s heart.

“Xinyuan.”

“Huh?” The sudden call made Lin Xinyuan look up blankly.

“Listen to me…” Mother Lin’s gaze was gentle and inclusive as she watched her. “Remember what I said before?”

“…”

“It’s good that you remember…” Mother Lin smiled, her voice tender. “Don’t let yourself regret it. Although I can’t be by your side forever, I will always support you…”