Chapter 90: Clever An Yu

With such a simple and honest reason, the three of them, for once, didn’t wander around after school. 

Instead, they chose to escort An Yu home.

Nothing special happened on the way, just some normal small talk.

An Yu kept holding Ning Wanciu’s hand the entire time, exactly like usual. 

Most of the walk passed in comfortable silence.

Ning Wanciu seemed afraid of being teased again, so apart from naturally holding An Yu’s hand, she didn’t say much either.

Huai Xiang, on the other hand, was jealous that Ning Wanciu got to hold hands with An Yu. 

Her eyes immediately locked onto An Yu’s other, empty hand.

Holding one hand is holding a hand—holding two is still just holding hands, right?

Unfortunately for her, Cheng Shimumeng had no intention of letting anyone interfere with Ning Wanciu and An Yu’s relationship right now.

Especially not when Huai Xiang’s interest in An Yu was purely because she found her cute; that was fundamentally different from Ning Wanciu’s feelings.

She absolutely would not allow an airheaded idiot who couldn’t read the mood to ruin the development of their relationship.

…Unless, of course, that idiot also fell for An Yu.  

Then they could talk.

“An Yu, we’re here.”  

Ning Wanciu gently squeezed the hand she was holding and looked at the now-familiar An family villa in front of them.

“Mm.”  

An Yu nodded, then let go of Ning Wanciu’s warm hand.  

“Thank you… for walking me home.”

“It’s no trouble at all. We’re happy to do it.”

Ning Wanciu smiled softly. 

She really did enjoy it—being with An Yu was very relaxing.

“Mm. See you next time, then.”

An Yu nodded expressionlessly nodded at the three of them and gave a small wave.

“Mm-hmm! See you soon!!”

“See you, little An Yu~”

After Huai Xiang and Cheng Shimumeng also said goodbye, the four parted ways smoothly. 

Though “next time” would actually come very soon.

The day after tomorrow was An Yu’s birthday.

They had already discussed it on the walk and decided on a very simple plan: the three of them would take An Yu to Cheng Shimumeng’s house for a sleepover.

As for why a sleepover?

Because An Yu herself had suggested it, completely deadpan, without explaining why.

She had just looked up at Ning Wanciu and asked,

“Can we have a sleepover?”

To be honest, Ning Wanciu’s face had turned red in that instant, but no one could bring themselves to refuse An Yu’s request. 

All three agreed immediately.

Actually, they thought a sleepover was even better.

Originally, they had planned to go to Ning Wanciu’s house—there wouldn’t be any outsiders, and there was plenty of space.

Unfortunately, Ning Dongli hated strangers on her territory.

The last time Ning Wanciu brought Cheng Shimumeng and Huai Xiang home, Ning Dongli had locked herself in her room for days and refused to come out.

Her social anxiety was the real deal. 

Not only did she refuse to leave the house, she refused to see or talk to anyone except her sister. 

The fact that she was willing to interact with An Yu at all had genuinely shocked and pleasantly surprised Ning Wanciu.

So Ning Wanciu’s house was reasonably ruled out.

In the end, they settled on Cheng Shimumeng’s place. Luckily, no one else would be home that day either.

“Shimumeng, are you sure your dad won’t suddenly come back?”  

As the three walked, Huai Xiang suddenly looked at Cheng Shimumeng with deep suspicion.

For some reason, she shivered, as if remembering something terrifying.

“…”  

Cheng Shimumeng fell unusually silent for a moment. 

“He won’t. He’s extremely busy, and I already told him not to.”

“Really?” 

Huai Xiang remained skeptical. 

“If he suddenly shows up, I’m scared An Yu will bolt!”

Although Cheng Shimumeng was pretty reliable when she wasn’t messing with people, Huai Xiang still had to double-check this one thing.

Cheng Shimumeng’s father was… kind of scary. If he was home, he might actually frighten An Yu away.

Even Ning Wanciu didn’t deny it this time; she just stayed quiet and waited for Cheng Shimumeng’s answer.

Honestly, if Cheng Shimumeng’s family was going to be there, she would have to seriously reconsider.

It really was a bit much.

…

She and Huai Xiang had met Cheng Shimumeng’s father once before. 

The memory wasn’t exactly pleasant.

How to describe him…

An ice-cold, super serious… ultimate daughter-con?

The kind who would burst into tears right in front of his daughter’s friends the moment he saw them, completely unashamed.

The omnipresent, pop-up-at-any-moment, ghost-like kind who promoted his precious daughter 24/7. 

It was actually pretty terrifying.

“Don’t worry… I’ve already checked his entire schedule. He’s swamped lately. I reminded him again just now.”

Cheng Shimumeng shook her head. Ever since the last time she brought friends home and got caught by her dad, she had started tracking his every move. 

There wouldn’t be any problems.

But for Huai Xiang to make her remember those horrible memories…

A dangerous glint flashed in Cheng Shimumeng’s emerald eyes.

“Oh? That’s good then!”

Huai Xiang nodded cheerfully, bouncing a little as she spoke. 

“Since we still have time, let’s hit the mall! I need to pick the absolute best gift for little An Yu!”

Time was tight, so they needed to get moving now.

An Yu was finally willing to spend her birthday with them—Huai Xiang refused to show up empty-handed!

“Mm, okay.”  

Ning Wanciu nodded. She also wanted to prepare something now.

“Great~”

Cheng Shimumeng smiled and agreed. 

Of course she wouldn’t refuse such a simple request from Huai Xiang.

But…

However, when it came time to actually choose gifts, Huai Xiang had better not ask for her opinion.

Otherwise…

Heh heh.

While Ning Wanciu and the others headed to the mall to pick out presents, An Yu successfully arrived home.

The house was nice and quiet today. 

Neither of the An parents were blocking the way, and the red-eyed monster wasn’t sitting on the sofa waiting for her either.

See? People have their own lives. 

They don’t have that much time to constantly bother someone they dislike!

Perfect. Very comfy!

Although An Yu’s face remained expressionless as always, her mood was gradually improving.

She smoothly reached her bedroom door—then froze.

“Welcome home, Young Miss.” 

Wang Man greeted her with a gentle smile and a nod.

An Yu didn’t speak. She just tilted her head in confusion.

“All of these are your deliveries. I placed them by the door for you.”  

Wang Man pointed at the pile of boxes on the floor.

After saying that, she left—probably to prepare dinner.

“Mm. Thank you, Auntie Wang.”  

An Yu softly thanked her, then turned to look at the mountain of packages.

A trace of curiosity flickered in her eyes. 

She had no idea what any of them were.

But she did remember that this afternoon, Ning Dongli had mentioned several packages would be arriving.

So these must be the things Ning Dongli sent her.

Then they should be safe.

If they had come from someone like An Qing, An Yu wouldn’t even open them—she’d be afraid of getting knocked out the moment she lifted the lid.

She, Clever An Yu, was very vigilant.