Due to her parents’ work relocations, Shi Sui had moved between the north and the south since childhood.
She was accustomed to her parents’ busyness, accustomed to having dinner at their friends’ homes, and accustomed to finding her entertainment when lonely.
So when Shi Yue apologetically announced the decision to send her to stay with old friends until after the college entrance exams, she didn’t think much about it and obediently agreed.
Shi Sui thought it would be similar to uncles and aunties, until Yan Zecheng led her into the magnificent Yan family villa.
Meeting Yan Tingli on the staircase, that indifferent glance he cast her way.
It still stood like an insurmountable chasm across Shi Sui’s heart.
The “class differences” that had always been vaguely conceptual in textbooks had never been so clearly etched in her mind as in that moment.
That day, Song Jie had also received her at home, her attitude as gentle and bland as plain water.
Shi Sui didn’t want to appear awkward.
But being young, she still showed her nervousness, afraid to see even a hint of displeasure on the hostess’s face.
As it turned out, she was overthinking.
Yan Zecheng and Song Jie were both extremely busy. Her arrival in the vast Yan house was like a dandelion seed gently floating to the ground, unable to cause any disturbance at all.
And Yan Tingli, who shared the third floor with her, was much busier than she was.
Weekdays at school, weekends are filled with various training and competitions.
Most of the time, except for the servants, there was often no one else here.
So Shi Sui’s tense nerves gradually relaxed, adapting to life at the Yan house.
Occasionally lonely, but fortunately, she was good at entertaining herself.
Though she and Yan Tingli saw each other constantly, fortunately, they could maintain mutual respect.
Morning with messy bedhead hair, or evening yawning while making milk, or occasionally pulling at her nightgown while dancing around.
He always appeared suddenly, startling her.
The only consolation was that Yan Tingli’s reactions were always well-mannered.
Usually just a bland glance before calmly looking away, as if seeing something unpleasant to look at.
At first, Shi Sui would feel very embarrassed.
After many while, she became unfazed.
Later, no matter how hard Shi Sui racked her brain, she couldn’t understand how Yan Tingli, who initially acted as if even one extra glance at her was too much, became so enthusiastic about sleeping with her.
To this, Yan Tingli later gave an answer that made her want to call the police—
“One more look and I get hard.”
Why she ended up rolling around with Yan Tingli essentially came down to Shi Sui drinking too much.
That evening’s dinner gathering was all classmates from the same art training class, familiar with each other.
“You’re eighteen now, you should know your alcohol tolerance.” A friend carried a case of beer into the KTV private room. “Grow some awareness before entering society, and prevent being taken advantage of.”
“Especially you, Suisui, don’t let anyone trick you.”
Whether she’d be taken advantage of after entering society, Shi Sui didn’t know.
But that night, Shi Sui thoroughly tricked herself.
After a few beers, she was spinning and giggling.
Holding the microphone wailing like a banshee in KTV, finally hugging her friend, crying, and calling for mama.
None of this was the most terrifying part.
The most terrifying part was—when Shi Sui was helped back to the Yan residence, it wasn’t the auntie who opened the door, but Yan Tingli.
Yet Shi Sui was completely oblivious to his low pressure.
She stared at him with wide eyes: “Wow.”
He looked like a beautiful boy from Japanese anime.
Her mind ran wild after drinking.
She somehow got her wires crossed, standing straight like she’d been electrified, learning from anime heroines and solemnly raising her hand in salute: “Ohayo, onii-chan!”
The friend who brought her back was surprised: “Suisui, is this your brother?”
Shi Sui was still giggling. Before she could think, her arm was suddenly grabbed, and with great force, the cool air conditioning hit her as she was pulled through the door.
She didn’t know what Yan Tingli said to her friend. When she came to her senses, the door was already closed.
The house was dark with no lights on. She stumbled as he dragged her into the elevator.
Shi Sui instinctively tried to break free, then hazily remembered that the Yan residence’s duty auntie had asked for leave today, so no one was home.
In the enclosed space of the elevator, she felt safe.
Leaning against the wall, she couldn’t help staring at Yan Tingli again.
Looking at his forehead and brow bone, his nose bridge, and lips.