Chapter 128: Suspicion

Qin Haiyue came home much earlier today than yesterday.

But no one felt happy about it. The dark, lightless bedroom, with its tightly drawn curtains blocking the evening sun outside, was filled with a suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere.

Qin Haiyue opened the door and walked in.

“Hmm, it seems you ate on time.”

She nodded, looking pleased.

The light from outside the room shone into this dark space, like lighting a dim, yellow lamp.

Ye Xingmian wasn’t asleep. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, leaning to the side, not saying a word.

“How is it? Starting to get used to being here, right? Hmm, no matter what it is, once there’s a process of getting used to it, it often becomes less unacceptable, don’t you think?”

No response.

She frowned, seeing Ye Xingmian staring blankly at the ceiling, silent.

That familiar feeling of irritation rose again.

“Hey, talk!”

She leaned over, grabbing Ye Xingmian’s neck. “Are you deaf? I’m talking to you.” She was angry, her face darkening.

Ye Xingmian instinctively struggled, a mechanical look of pain appearing on her face, yet still, there was no response.

She had to think of a countermeasure.

Just then, the doorbell on the first floor suddenly rang. Should she leave Ye Xingmian like this, hiding in her bedroom? Not good. She was momentarily stunned. Who could possibly be visiting at this hour?

There was no time to think. She was about to continue questioning, or perhaps give her a lesson, but after a brief moment of thought, she unhooked the chain from Ye Xingmian’s collar.

Then, she rummaged through the wardrobe and pulled out a large coat that could cover the injuries on Ye Xingmian’s body, putting it on her.

“You stay right here. Don’t move. Understand?”

Ye Xingmian didn’t speak, her vacant expression like that of a marionette.

Perhaps realizing that if she didn’t answer, Qin Haiyue would hit her, she replied in an extremely soft, small voice, “Mhm.”

Having gotten a response, Qin Haiyue still couldn’t feel at ease. She opened the surveillance feed on her phone, saw the person at the door, and couldn’t help but frown.

“Why are these two…”

She frowned, worried that some action of hers might have aroused Luo Xi’s suspicion, prompting this visit. Would that person search her house?

It was uncertain whether she could hide Ye Xingmian then. And who knows if that girl would take the chance to reveal that she was being held captive? That would be disastrous.

After thinking for a moment, she made a choice and grabbed Ye Xingmian’s hand.

“You’re coming with me.”

The moment she was yanked up, the tearing pain in her arm instantly made Ye Xingmian cry out in pain. “Ah! Wait… wait…”

Although she didn’t hold much hope for her own plea, hearing her words, Qin Haiyue actually stopped her actions, giving her a chance to catch her breath.

“Later, when you see the visitors, you absolutely must not say a word about what I’ve done to you these past few days, or I’ll make you regret it! Do you understand?”

Her wrist hurt from being gripped so tightly. Ye Xingmian managed a weak nod.

“Don’t speak unless absolutely necessary.” Qin Haiyue added coldly, her eyes sharp, then pulled her downstairs with a relatively gentle motion.

She led her all the way to the entrance and opened the door. Outside stood Luo Xi and Ji Yu, both carrying various bags.

“What are you doing here?” The moment the door opened, she asked coldly, her eyes sharp and without any courtesy.

“It’s like this, Miss Qin Haiyue. Your younger sister just called me and told me your father was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer a few days ago.”

“She’s very worried about your state of mind, so she asked me to come visit to offer condolences and understand the situation.” Ji Yu stepped forward, smiling as she responded.

“These are just some gifts we bought on the way here, we don’t know if they’ll suit your taste…”

“Who? My younger sister?” Qin Haiyue’s frown deepened, her expression unfriendly as she crossed her arms.

“Unnecessary. Please leave. I’m fine.”

“Alright… then we’ll—” Ji Yu smiled, looking as if she was about to happily carry the gifts back to the car, but Luo Xi behind her suddenly spoke up, interrupting her.

“Hey, we’re classmates, after all. I’m also here out of concern, entrusted by your sister. You won’t even let us in?”

Her tone was clearly tinged with displeasure, no longer as steady as before.

Seeing Qin Haiyue’s attitude, she realized Qin Haiyue didn’t deserve her concern at all. Her first instinct was to leave with Ji Yu, but she quickly changed her mind and decided to stay.

However, this move wasn’t to annoy Qin Haiyue. It was because she had inadvertently noticed someone—

The girl who was silently hanging her head, hiding alone by the corner of the wall, wearing a thick but ill-fitting coat. The same girl she had seen a few days ago.

That person named Ye Xingmian.

“Fine, come in then. But don’t expect me to cook for you.”

“Mhm, sorry for the intrusion. It’s fine, we can order takeout.”

Qin Haiyue somewhat forcefully grabbed Ye Xingmian’s hand again. Her pace, quickened unintentionally due to anger, nearly caused the mobility-impaired Ye Xingmian to stumble and fall.

“Mhm… this is… Student Ye Xingmian, right?” A voice tinged with concern came from behind.

Ye Xingmian couldn’t help but pause slightly. Qin Haiyue in front also stopped appropriately, turning her head back with displeasure.

“Yes, what about it? I told you before, right? We’re in a relationship now.”

“Mhm… I noticed Student Ye’s absentee record at school the past few days. So, she’s been staying at your place, Student Qin?” Luo Xi smiled, then continued, “But… just now, Student Ye’s legs and feet seemed a bit unsteady. Was she injured?”

“Mhm, yes. She accidentally fell a few days ago, sprained her ankle. She’s recuperating at my place now.”

“No, I wasn’t asking you, Qin Haiyue. I’d like to hear Student Ye’s answer.”

“Hmm?” Qin Haiyue turned back, displeased.

Meanwhile, Luo Xi stared straight at her, meeting her gaze head-on. As for Ye Xingmian, caught in the middle, she was momentarily stunned.

She remembered Qin Haiyue’s threat from earlier. She probably shouldn’t talk too much, or she might get hit.

But that person behind her… was she concerned about her?

But in this situation, what should she say? Tell the truth? That her legs were beaten by Qin Haiyue? Would it help?

She didn’t know Luo Xi. She couldn’t gamble with her fate like that.

And just then, Qin Haiyue tightened her grip on Ye Xingmian’s wrist, sending a wave of pain, while simultaneously glaring down at her fiercely.

She had no choice but to go along with Qin Haiyue’s story. “Mhm, I sprained it.”

“Is that so…” Luo Xi frowned, looking somewhat doubtful.

This explanation didn’t convince her. She could see the flicker of fear between Ye Xingmian’s brows, the threatening look on Qin Haiyue’s face, and the unnatural atmosphere between the two.

No, rather, anyone could see that the relationship between them was definitely not what Qin Haiyue claimed.

She fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

The reality seemed not as simple as she had thought.