Chapter 103

Rain Xingyue merely smiled without saying a word. Anyone could hear the stubborn tone of this elementary school student, yet Rain Xingyue couldn’t help but comfort Xiao Jian. “You’re already an adult, not a child anymore, but I have to remind you not to hold a grudge against Lin Zimo right now. A moment of impulsiveness could cost you the friendship you have with him. You need to ask yourself this.”

Xiao Jian was silent for a moment before responding calmly, “Brother Yu, to be honest, ever since I came to Lin Zimo’s house, I haven’t felt even a trace of warmth. Only Lin Xiashin, Zimo’s sister, has shown me kindness. With her around, my heart can find some peace. I don’t even know what state I’m in now.” As Xiao Jian recounted how meeting Lin Xiashin affected his emotions, Rain Xingyue listened, stunned and uncertain how to analyze Xiao Jian’s current state.

Only after hearing the full story from Xiao Jian did Rain Xingyue feel confident about his psychological condition. “Is this what they call love at first sight?” Rain Xingyue asked, not fully convinced. “This is just love at first sight, isn’t it? When exactly did you start liking her? Be honest now!” He pressed Xiao Jian.

Xiao Jian didn’t hold back and revealed everything he hadn’t mentioned before, even the time he had been kissed.

“Oh, I see. Is that the reason you like her? Surely, there’s more to it?” Rain Xingyue continued probing.

“There’s nothing else. If there was, I’d tell you face to face. You know me well enough—I always speak important things directly,” Xiao Jian emphasized. Rain Xingyue caught a slight crack in his voice and smiled. “Well, at least you know that. Otherwise, I might come over to check on you. I’d still be a little worried if you were under someone’s care.”

“You say that, but I don’t know if you’ll actually act on it. If you could just take me away right now, that’d be even better. I have things to handle, so I won’t keep you,” Xiao Jian said hurriedly before hanging up.

Putting away his phone, Rain Xingyue smiled faintly. “If there really is something going on, it must be about Lin Zimo’s sister. I’d better not interfere in your business—you two need to sort it out yourselves.” Saying this, he resumed packing his luggage.

“Big brother, who were you talking to on the phone? Was it a girl?” Sun Ying walked in. Having overheard Rain Xingyue’s conversation with Xiao Jian, she was quite anxious. If it had been a girl, she would have kept questioning.

“It was a friend of mine. He’s been hurt recently, so he’s staying at a friend’s place for a few days. I originally wanted to bring him here, but since we’re leaving for studying abroad soon, I gave up on that idea,” Rain Xingyue said calmly.

“Was it a boy or a girl?” Sun Ying asked nervously.

“Of course, it’s a boy. What did you think? Were you hoping it was a girl?” Rain Xingyue challenged.

“No... I’m leaving now,” Sun Ying said, lowering her head and walking away. Then, a shout rang out—an embarrassed, shy cry. Rain Xingyue smiled, sneaking over to the balcony to see Sun Ying yelling outside. He thought to himself that he should pull her back in; her shout surely annoyed many neighbors, disturbing their rest.

“Sun Ying, come inside and stop yelling!” Rain Xingyue immediately pulled her back into the living room. He said to her, “Doing that makes you seem vulgar. The elderly here are shameless and petty; arguing with them is pointless. Be more careful next time.” But there wouldn’t be a next time—they were going to Tokyo to study abroad.

Sun Ying pouted, “It’s all because of your phone call that I looked so embarrassing. I was utterly humiliated.”

“Did I make you lose face? Tell me what I did to embarrass you so badly. If I did, I’ll change it; if not, you’ll have to accept my punishment,” Rain Xingyue said, readying his right hand.

“Well... I... um...” Sun Ying stammered. She had thought Rain Xingyue had called a girl, but when asked directly, she couldn’t answer and hesitated.

“Hmph, looks like you lied to me! Then accept your punishment!” Rain Xingyue clenched his right fist. Sun Ying was scared.

“Don’t be afraid, it’ll only take a second,” Rain Xingyue reassured, though who would believe a second without pain?

“Then be gentle—I’m scared,” Sun Ying said bluntly, closing her eyes and refusing to look at him as Rain Xingyue’s fingers snapped.

“Almost done.” Hearing this, Sun Ying trembled even more. Seeing Rain Xingyue raise his fist toward her forehead, he instead flicked his index finger against her forehead. Sun Ying lost her balance and fell onto the sofa.

“My punishment is over. Go back and pack your things quickly. I don’t need to say more,” Rain Xingyue said as he returned to his room to busily pack, unwilling to waste more time on Sun Ying.

Sun Ying opened her eyes and touched her forehead, relieved it wasn’t a punch. She had expected Rain Xingyue to hit her directly in the face but had overthought it. If Rain Xingyue had really punched her, he wouldn’t be a good family member; it was important to cherish what one had, as impulsiveness could cost the understanding of loved ones.

Sun Ying wasn’t family yet, but soon would be. Through their interactions, she had consistently cared for Rain Xingyue. Although originally he cared for her, the feeling was now mutual—Sun Ying liked Rain Xingyue, though he was unaware. She knew he wouldn’t feel romantic love for her since he liked girls his own age.

...

Only after confirming Zhang Yi had not yet returned did Huang Feifan feel safe enough to take a shower. After the last incident, she had become more cautious. Previously, she had carelessly left the bathroom unsecured, nearly exposing something to Zhang Yi.

After quickly washing herself, she wrapped in a bathrobe and hurried back to her room to change. She had things to do before Zhang Yi came back. It wasn’t part of her plan, but she had personal matters to attend to back home. It had been a long time since she last saw her mother, and the thought weighed heavily on her heart.

A month had passed since she left home for Zhang’s place, and her secret could be revealed at any moment. Huang Feifan hoped Zhang Yi would discover it himself, but her mood had changed many times—not with anxiety, but fear.

Huang Feifan sensed a looming disaster connected to Zhang Yi, one from which neither would escape unharmed.

Putting her worries aside, Huang Feifan took some belongings and returned home to stay for a few days—how many days exactly, she wasn’t sure, depending entirely on her own wishes.

On the way back, she thought deeply about how she would face her mother. What burden weighed most heavily on her was guilt toward her mother. After she left, her mother had cried while seeing her off—a heartless moment Huang Feifan still remembered vividly. She resolved to spend more time with her mother now.

Huang Feifan was returning as a girl, wanting her mother to accept her true gender. She had lived as a boy for fourteen years, and this was the first time she was wearing female clothing to go home. Her heart was filled with emotion.

When she arrived, many neighbors eyed her curiously. They all knew the boy Huang Feifan, but none could recognize her in female attire. Instead, they wondered if the beautiful young woman was a new resident. If told it was Huang Feifan, who would believe it? The image of a boy had long been imprinted in their minds.

She messaged Zhang Yi, saying she was coming home to stay a few days. Zhang Yi replied instantly: “Sure. If you’re certain, you can stay. If you ever face difficulties, this will always be your home.”

Upon arriving, Huang Feifan was stunned. Was this still the same house? The three-story home she remembered had become a ruin.

Amid her shock, she overheard passersby say, “The homeowner must have lost their mind to set their own house on fire. They couldn’t even find her body.”

“How pitiful. Without family, how could she survive? Maybe she was lonely and crazy enough to burn her home down.”

Hearing this, tears streamed uncontrollably down Huang Feifan’s face, but she refused to believe it. How could her mother have abandoned her for heaven? Huang Feifan did not believe in heaven or hell, but rather that souls drifted restlessly.

With a heavy heart, Huang Feifan went to the hospital. Maybe her mother was injured and receiving treatment. Huang Feifan believed her mother was not dead.