Time flew by, and soon it was afternoon. Unknowingly, another day had been endured.
Ye Xingmian pulled open the curtains. She hadn’t been able to open them the past two days—perhaps out of fear that she might call for help through the window?
But today was slightly different. She sat on a chair, looking out at the scenery through the window.
Winter always presented a desolate scene, and even the luxurious villa district was no exception.
There was a computer in Qin Haiyue’s bedroom. She had tried to turn it on, but it was locked, and her attempt had failed.
After spending an exceptionally torturous day like this, until evening, she saw through the window two cars approaching from the distance, stopping in front of the villa’s gate.
—Qin Haiyue was back.
But… why two cars?
Before she could ponder further, the sound of the door opening came from downstairs. She didn’t hide her thoughts; that was something Qin Haiyue should worry about, not her.
However, shortly after, Qin Haiyue came upstairs and entered the bedroom. Seeing the open door, the drawn curtains, and the bloody crimson sunset light pouring in from outside, dispelling the darkness within the bedroom, she seemed a bit angry.
But the situation was somewhat urgent. Ye Xingmian seemed to faintly hear the footsteps of others coming up the stairs behind Qin Haiyue.
Immediately after, Qin Haiyue walked over to her without a word, removed the collar from her neck, and hid the chain hanging from the ceiling under the bed.
Only then did the other people finally arrive.
Luo Xi and her assistant came upstairs, following Qin Haiyue to the bedroom door.
“It’s you, Student Ye. Have you been staying in this bedroom these past few days?”
Ah, it’s those two from yesterday. So they came back directly with Qin Haiyue? No wonder Qin Haiyue looked so flustered; she must also be afraid that others would discover she had imprisoned me.
Qin Haiyue, standing by the bed, was breathing a bit heavily but overall remained composed.
“Mhm.”
In response, Ye Xingmian nodded. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Qin Haiyue, who had just hidden the chain and straightened up. Qin Haiyue looked at her, her eyes somewhat cold.
“How are you? Feeling much better now?” she asked.
It sounded like concern, but who knew if it was just an act for the others? Honestly, her body still hurt quite a bit, but it was much better than the past two days. Ye Xingmian nodded.
“That’s good. Here’s your schoolbag. I just put your phone inside too. I transferred some money to your account. Take a taxi home.”
Qin Haiyue picked up the schoolbag she had retrieved from the corner and walked over to hand it to her.
Ye Xingmian was slightly taken aback.
Right now…
To be honest, the weather today could hardly be called calm. The wind was strong, howling and slapping against the windows, making sounds like the wails of evil spirits, causing the entire window to tremble.
She didn’t know how many times she had been woken up by the wind noise while sleeping today, and it continued even now.
“Yes, now.”
Hesitantly, Ye Xingmian got down from the chair.
“Okay… alright…”
The transition from being forcibly imprisoned to being practically driven out seemed to have no transition at all, feeling abrupt and highlighting Qin Haiyue’s unpredictability.
She took the schoolbag and slung it over her shoulder. Before leaving, she zipped up her jacket tightly.
“Huh? Aren’t you two lovers? Miss Qin, you’re just letting her go back by herself like this, not even seeing her off?”
“No need. I’ll stay here to entertain you. She can go back by herself.”
Qin Haiyue said coldly.
“That won’t do. It’s so cold today. Come on, Xiao Yu, let’s go see her off.” As she spoke, they walked toward Ye Xingmian. This sudden move left her somewhat at a loss.
“No, let her go by herself.”
“What do you mean? On such a cold day, with such strong winds, you’re letting a girl go home alone? Aren’t you afraid she might run into danger?”
“She’s not a girl; she’s a guy.” Qin Haiyue said this nonsense with a straight face.
“Huh?!”
Ji Yu nudged her shoulder with an elbow and whispered, “Miss, we checked before. This Ye Xingmian really is male.”
Only then did Luo Xi belatedly realize that she had subconsciously been treating a boy as a girl these past two days. Why? Was it because he looked too much like a girl?
“Even if he’s a guy, that’s no reason to let him go alone!”
Even though she felt her worldview had been overturned for a moment, she still argued her point.
While they were arguing, Ye Xingmian had already silently put on her coat.
Although she didn’t quite understand Qin Haiyue’s logic and wasn’t sure why such a small matter could cause two groups to argue, having no one see her off didn’t matter to her personally.
After all, even though it was somewhat abrupt, she had actually wanted to leave this place all along.
This was actually a good thing, at least for her, wasn’t it?
Since that was the case, why not accept it?
“Thank you for your kindness, but I’ll go by myself.”
Carrying her bag, she silently walked out of the bedroom and went downstairs.
“Hey, are you sure you don’t want me to see you off? We came by car; we can drive you straight home.”
Unfortunately, Ye Xingmian didn’t catch the subtext in Luo Xi’s words and didn’t realize the concern hidden within. Of course, even if she had, perhaps she wouldn’t have agreed?
And so, Ye Xingmian left.
“Hah, she herself didn’t agree. What more do you want to say?” Qin Haiyue was still sneering beside her. Luo Xi was getting a bit angry; she puffed out her cheeks, her plump little face looking like an inflated pufferfish.
“Xiao Yu, let’s go!” she said, grabbing Ji Yu’s arm without another word.
“Wait… Miss, where are we going?”
“Of course, to go after her!”
“No, Miss, don’t go. Have you forgotten what the master told you this morning? He told you to have less contact with unimportant people.”
“Hmph.”
Luo Xi didn’t listen to her and ran out of the villa, but she didn’t see that somewhat thin and frail figure, only the empty road and withered trees on either side.
Luo Xi’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
“Alright, Miss, stop making a fuss. Let’s leave it at that and go back, okay?”
Ji Yu tried to take Luo Xi’s hand, but Luo Xi shook her off.
“Don’t call me Miss.”
Ji Yu fell silent for a moment. She knew that this time, Luo Xi was truly angry.
“Hah, does Miss Luo enjoy meddling in our affairs so much? I’ve said we’re in a relationship. Don’t you believe me? You shouldn’t have any reason to interfere between us, right?”
Luo Xi gritted her teeth and ignored her.
“Let’s go.”
Back in the car, Ji Yu started the engine, muttering this and that. Luo Xi felt somewhat lost.
Could they really be lovers, and she had just been overthinking it?