Jiang Lai’s hug was light, yet it carried a reassuring warmth, like suddenly being wrapped in a thick blanket. A single simple embrace instantly dispelled most of the chill from Xie Qingyi.
Xie Qingyi froze for two seconds, her hands holding the hot cocoa tightening involuntarily, but she couldn’t stop her eyes from growing hot. Her whole body unconsciously leaned against Jiang Lai’s shoulder, and scalding teardrops suddenly splashed onto Jiang Lai’s overcoat, leaving dark water stains.
For more than twenty years, Xie Qingyi had never been someone who would easily show weakness to others. The only time she ever lowered her head was accepting this engagement. After recognizing her own immaturity and mistakes, she had changed. She no longer acted impulsively like before, and would never put her own feelings first again.
She was used to hiding her emotions behind a proper smile. Even when agreeing to marry someone she had never met, even knowing she was merely a bargaining chip for family interests, she had never shed tears in front of others.
Even a few days ago, when her family blamed all the faults on her alone, she hadn’t felt much sadness, because she clearly understood her current situation, and understood even more that whatever cause she had planted in the past, she would reap the effect. She had brought it all on herself.
She couldn’t blame anyone, but it truly chilled her heart…
She really wanted a hug, but there wasn’t even a single person around her she could talk to.
Xie Qingyi longed to communicate with others, longed for someone to understand her, and also longed for someone to comfort her, but… no one appeared.
Even in her mind, besides Jiang Lai, she couldn’t think of a single other being who would treat her gently.
Xie Qingyi, yearning to be slightly understood and slightly comforted, couldn’t help but investigate where Jiang Lai lived.
In their previous exchanges, Xie Qingyi knew which city Jiang Lai lived in, but she didn’t know the exact place.
When she actually came here, Xie Qingyi hesitated, because Jiang Lai belonged to Shen Ruxue. Her sneaking over like this, wanting to enjoy Jiang Lai’s gentleness and goodness, was simply too shameless.
So she used a little trick.
But today, Shen Ruxue had done everything she could. She had concentrated all the negative impact of dissolving the engagement onto herself. At most, Xie Qingyi would only face some public opinion and a few rumors.
Yet here she was, acting so fragile.
One could say, in this regard, Xie Qingyi already looked down on herself a little in her heart.
But before she knew it, she had already come here.
Just now, she had been hesitating the whole time, wondering whether she should wait here or go straight back to that detestable place.
Xie Qingyi didn’t know where she should go, didn’t know what place was truly suitable for her.
But all those chaotic thoughts in her mind, at this moment as Jiang Lai gently held her and she listened to the other’s steady heartbeat, the grievances, anger, and helplessness that had piled up for so long suddenly eased. Her anxiety instantly subsided, and her head no longer ached as much.
Jiang Lai didn’t speak, didn’t ask anything, only gently patted her back, like comforting a child who had been wronged.
The wind at the subway station exit occasionally blew in, and Jiang Lai continued to hold her embrace even tighter.
She could feel the shoulders of the person in her arms trembling slightly, and could hear the suppressed sobbing sounds. Her heart softened into a mess. Her motherly love began to overflow.
Only after Xie Qingyi’s emotions had calmed down a bit did Jiang Lai release her. She pulled out a tissue and handed it over, her voice growing even softer.
“Why don’t you eat something first, to fill your stomach…”
Xie Qingyi took the tissue, wiped the tears on her face haphazardly, not even cleaning the tear stains at the corners of her eyes. Her eyes were still red, and the tip of her nose was tinged pink.
Her hair was a little messy from the hug just now, and she looked especially disheveled. Yet she somehow lacked the usual sense of aloofness that kept people at a distance, and instead had a bit more childish vulnerability.
She lowered her head to stare at the hot cocoa in her hand. The liquid in the cup still gave off faint wisps of steam. Her voice was still a bit hoarse, carrying the nasal tone of someone who had just cried.
“I’m sorry, you had to see me making a laughingstock of myself… I really didn’t want you to see me in such a sorry state.”
“Don’t say silly things.”
Jiang Lai shook her head and held out the freshly bought sandwich to her.
“You look cute like this too. Here with me, you can completely relax. There’s no need to feel any pressure at all.”
After handing over the sandwich, Jiang Lai simply sat beside her.
She didn’t press for more answers, just quietly accompanied her.
But during that time of companionship, she secretly sent a message to Chi Yingyu, saying she had run into something and might be back a little later. She would explain once she returned.
After Xie Qingyi finished the sandwich and clutched the empty wrapping paper in her hand, Jiang Lai finally spoke.
“It’s so cold out. How long do you plan to sit here? Did you book a hotel?”
Xie Qingyi froze for a moment. Her hand holding the wrapping paper tightened, and her gaze dimmed again, like the moon covered by dark clouds. Her voice was low, carrying a hint of uncertainty.
“I don’t know… I didn’t book a hotel either. Right now I have nowhere to go.”
She had been in too much of a hurry when she came, and hadn’t had the mind to book a hotel. Now she didn’t even know where to go.
She definitely didn’t want to return to the Xie family. Going to a friend’s place would be troubling them. After thinking it over, she really had become someone without a home.
Jiang Lai looked at her desolate appearance, and had already made a decision in her heart.
She stood up, picked up the suitcase she had placed in the corner just now, and then extended her hand to Xie Qingyi.
“Since you have nowhere to go, then come home with me.”
Xie Qingyi jerked her head up, her eyes full of surprise and a hint of disbelief.
“Really? Will I be bothering you?”
“Don’t overthink it.”
Jiang Lai smiled and waved her hand.
“My home isn’t just me alone, and there’s nothing that would be disturbed.”
Although after bringing her back, Chi Yingyu would definitely ask all sorts of questions, seeing Xie Qingyi’s helpless appearance right now, she just couldn’t bear to leave her in this cold subway station.
It was so cold out. She was a girl with nowhere to go. What if something happened to her?
Besides, Xie Qingyi had specifically come from another city to find her. This showed that she was truly at the end of her rope, otherwise she wouldn’t have lowered her pride to come seek refuge with her.
Xie Qingyi looked at Jiang Lai’s outstretched hand.
That hand was fair and slender, with fingernails trimmed neatly, exuding a gentle aura. Of course, those fingernails had been carefully trimmed by Ruobing.
She hesitated for a few seconds. Unease and longing fought within her heart, but in the end, she couldn’t resist that rare warmth, and slowly placed her hand on top.
Her hand was still a little cold. When it touched Jiang Lai’s palm, the other gently held it. That trace of warmth immediately spread through her, making her involuntarily tighten her fingers.
Jiang Lai held her hand, pulled her up slowly, and casually helped straighten the collar that the wind had messed up. Her voice was full of tenderness.
“Let’s go. It’s cold outside. Let’s go home early.”