Chapter 133: After Indulging, Comforting Da Yizi

(This chapter involves Da Yizi Chen Yixue's storyline, and it tightly connects with Chapter 131; readers who don't understand can go back and review.)

Outside, the cold wind grew stronger, while the bedroom in Shen Qingru's house was warm as spring.

After a long while, Shen Qingru, eyes half‑closed, lay prone on the bed, not wanting to move at all.

Xu Yuexin wrapped his arms around Aunt Shen's waist, turned her over, and pulled her into his embrace.

"Take a rest for a bit?"

Aunt Shen murmured in his arms, her cheeks still tinged with flush.

Xu Yuexin tugged the cup upward, covering Aunt Shen's delicate shoulder to keep her from catching a chill.

"I'm okay, how about you?"

"I… I can't any more."

Aunt Shen covered her face, extremely embarrassed, and said, "Let me sleep for a while, okay?"

"You sleep, I'll go buy something to eat."

Xu Yuexin smiled faintly, took Aunt Shen's jade hand, and kissed her on the face.

After that, he got up from the bed, dressed, went outside to buy food, and brought it back to Shen Qingru's home.

When Xu Yuexin returned indoors, Aunt Shen had already dressed and had her hair tied up.

The hurried styling left her bun a bit looser than usual, which actually added a touch of charm.

After Xu Yuexin served the purchased dishes, Aunt Shen ate a large bowl of rice.

Aunt Shen was truly hungry.

After the meal, Aunt Shen sat on the sofa, and Xu Yuexin sat beside her.

"Weren't you planning to study in the United States? How's the school application going?"

"I'm applying, but I feel it's not as simple as I originally imagined."

"Just as you predicted, there's a strong domestic call in the United States to lower taxes and cut fiscal spending."

"The current front‑runner, Reagan, advocates shrinking federal expenditures."

"Thus, university funding will become a major issue."

"When I graduate and obtain my degree, I may not be able to find a job in academia."

Aunt Shen's expression grew solemn as she said.

"Then perhaps, come back?"

Xu Yuexin said half‑jokingly.

"Depending on the situation, maybe I really have to come back."

Aunt Shen replied earnestly.

"I'm a bit sleepy; are you sleepy?"

Xu Yuexin said at that moment.

"I'm sleepy too."

Aunt Shen nodded, then headed to the bed first, removing her outer clothes to prepare for sleep.

After a thousand‑mile journey of exhausting travel, plus the earlier intense exercise…

Aunt Shen's energy was truly running low.

Xu Yuexin also stood, flopped onto the bed, slipped into the quilt, and from behind embraced the now‑closed‑eyed Aunt Shen.

"Aren't you sleepy…"

Aunt Shen pressed down Xu Yuexin's large hand, turned her back to him, and asked shyly.

"I was kidding you."

Xu Yuexin's large hand broke free of her control, and he began to act mischievously.

Aunt Shen could only submit, and her slender, curvy body began to tremble after a moment…

……

When Xu Yuexin left, it was already sunset.

"Today was an exception; next time we really can't do this again."

Aunt Shen, wearing a silk Bathrobe, turned her face and sighed lightly, saying.

"Mm‑mm, I understand."

Xu Yuexin stepped forward, cupped Aunt Shen's elegant, pure face, and kissed it, saying.

Aunt Shen quickly pushed him away: "I just told you it was an exception."

"Break it again."

After saying that, Xu Yuexin kissed her delicate face once more, then turned and walked toward the door.

Shen Qingru chased after him, wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed it silently.

Young people, really there's nothing one can do…

Downstairs, Xu Yuexin had started his motorcycle and was heading toward home.

After arriving home, he began cooking, and halfway through, his sister‑in‑law returned.

"Let me."

Chen Qiaoqiao heard the kitchen sounds, stepped forward, and said to Xu Yuexin.

"No need, you taught all day, take a rest."

"Did you take leave today?"

"Yeah, not many classes, so I took off."

"Will you have many classes tomorrow? If not, could you give the previous photo to my sister?"

"No problem."

Xu Yuexin answered in one breath.

Actually he has quite a few classes tomorrow. But since he's going to Da Yizi's house, he'll have to steal some time.

The next day at noon, Xu Yuexin brought the photos to school, and as soon as classes ended he hopped on his motorcycle and headed for Tuanjie Lake.

"Xue Xue, open the door."

"I'll open the door and give you the photos."

After arriving, Xu Yuexin knocked twice on the door, but there was no sound from inside.

Xu Yuexin guessed that Da Yizi might have gone out to eat, so he took out a key and opened the door himself.

When the door opened, lo and behold, Da Yizi was inside eating.

Even when Xu Yuexin stepped inside, Da Yizi didn't even bother to look up at him, continuing to eat by herself.

Xu Yuexin entered, walked forward and tossed the photos onto the table: "The photos from that day, here you go."

"I don't want them."

Da Yizi paused her chopsticks and said.

Finally she spoke.

"Don't forget, the Color Film Roll cost a lot of money."

Xu Yuexin pulled out a chair, sat at the table, slipped his hands into his pockets and said, "And it was Qiao Qiao who asked me to bring it."

Hearing her sister's name, Chen Yixue set down her chopsticks, and two clear tears fell from her eyes.

"Why are you still crying?"

Xu Yuexin pretended to be clueless, knowing exactly why.

He knew that Da Yizi hadn't recovered from the incident of being pinned in the side room that day, so she was acting like this today.

"You are just a,"

"scumbag."

Chen Yixue's beautiful eyes fixed on the table, each word spoken with a pause.

"Don't curse so harshly."

Xu Yuexin flopped onto the chair and said, "At least that day I was busy before and after, taking that many photos for you."

"I don't want the photos anymore."

Chen Yixue sighed, tears welling, and quietly said, "From now on, let's pretend we don't know each other."

"I'll transfer this house to Qiao Qiao's name and move to a place far away from you and Qiao Qiao."

"Why bother? How can a rental compare to one's own home?"

"No, I can't keep going like this."

"Even if I keep dealing with you for another day, it would still be a betrayal of Qiao Qiao."

Chen Yixue's beautiful eyes were filled with tears as she said.

"Then if you leave, how do you plan to explain it to Qiao Qiao?"

Xu Yuexin spread his hands and said, "Even if I'm going out to clear my mind, I can't be gone for two or three years, can I?"

"And if you transfer the house solely to her name, won't she become suspicious?"

"Never mind, I have to do this."

Chen Yixue shook her head desperately and said, "I want to leave this place, the farther away from you, the better."

At that point, she suddenly leaned over the table, buried her face and sobbed, "Wuwu... you beast, you... you really ruined me."

"I raised myself alone since childhood, supported the whole family, and only had a few years of peaceful life, huh?"

"Why did you single me out and make me suffer like this, wuwu..."

The once aloof and dignified Chen Yixue now cried like a little girl, her shoulders and back trembling with each sob.

Xu Yuexin felt deeply guilty seeing Da Yizi like that.

He was still careless.

Originally, he thought the impact of that night before the move on Da Yizi had already faded, which is why he made the bold move in the side room a few days ago.

He didn't expect that Da Yizi's heart had actually become even more fragile.

Thinking this, Xu Yuexin stood up, walked behind Da Yizi, and gently patted her back.

"Don't do that, don't ruin your voice by crying."

Xu Yuexin said softly, trying to comfort.

"Get out!"

Da Yizi lifted her tear‑streaked face, her red lips trembling as she scolded Xu Yuexin.

"Fine, I'm leaving."

Xu Yuexin didn't linger and actually walked toward the door.

This time, soothing Da Yizi will take a bit more effort...

Xu Yuexin thought to himself.

A few days later, his daughter‑in‑law told him some news.

"Strangely enough, my sister suddenly wanted to transfer the Tuanjie Lake house to just my name yesterday."

"I told her not to do that, but she wouldn't listen and said she wanted to travel alone."

"I don't know what blow she suffered."

Chen Qiaoqiao said anxiously.

"Where is she planning to go for fun?"

Xu Yuexin asked right away.

"Going to Hu Hai. I asked her what time she was leaving, but she wouldn't tell me."

"I have matters concerning my novel's publication, need to go to Hu Hai, and can accompany her."

"Alright, find a chance to ask the reason clearly; I'm quite worried about my sister acting like this."

"Okay, I'll set off tomorrow."

The information from the daughter‑in‑law side is vague, so Xu Yuexin also doesn't know when Da Yizi is leaving.

However, since it's confirmed that Da Yizi is going to Hu Hai, he should set off as soon as possible and wait.

The next morning, Xu Yuexin boarded the train heading to Hu Hai.

He understood that if he couldn't intercept Da Yizi this time, they might never see each other again.

After arriving in Hu Hai, Xu Yuexin went to the train station every morning to wait, and the waiting lasted a whole day.

Finally, on the morning three days later, he saw Da Yizi's familiar figure at the station's exit.

Da Yizi was wearing a white cashmere Coat today, with a pair of high‑end suede ankle boots, exuding an elegant and noble aura.

Beneath her flower‑like beauty, a melancholy aura lingered. From Da Yizi's despondent eyes, one could see she was in a very bad mood.

When Da Yizi exited the station, she didn't see Xu Yuexin and walked out on her own.

Xu Yuexin didn't greet her, and silently walked up.

He walked right up to her, then patted Da Yizi's shoulder and said, "Lost your soul?"

Da Yizi jumped in fright, and upon seeing him, stepped back several steps, "What do you want?" Xu Yuexin shrugged, said nothing, and didn't move closer.

After all, with so many people watching at the station, being misunderstood would be undesirable.

Thus, Xu Yuexin kept a distance of several meters from Da Yizi, and they walked out of the station together.

"Do you still remember that crab‑roe noodle from that day?"

At the bus stop, Xu Yuexin asked Da Yizi, who was standing on the other side, "It's the season when the hairy crabs are full of roe; let's eat together later."

Da Yizi didn't answer, only shook her head.

At least she reacted.

Xu Yuexin wasn't in a hurry; a while later he and Da Yizi boarded the bus together.

The bus's terminus was Jing An Si, which happened to be where Xu Yuexin lived.

After getting off, Da Yizi sighed, frowned, and looked at him, "I want to be alone and clear my mind."

"Why are you following me?"

"I won't tell you. Don't you want to know how I ended up on you?"

"Don't want to."

Da Yizi shook her head decisively and said, "You go back quickly; I just want to be alone."

"No, I have to go back like this; I can't explain it to Qiao Qiao."

Xu Yuexin spread his hands and said, "She also wants me to accompany you."

Chen Yixue's soft spot was pricked.

At this moment, his younger sister must be missing him a lot...

Thinking of that, Chen Yixue almost shed tears.

"I understand you want to clear your mind."

"But planning to stay away for a long time is certainly unrealistic."

"You've only been gone a few days, and you're already thinking about Qiao Qiao."

"If you stay alone for a few years, won't you get depression?"

"Then tell me, who is to blame?"

Da Yizi wiped her tears with the back of her hand, coldly looked at Xu Yuexin and said,

"No one is to blame."

"If anyone must be blamed, it's you and Qiao Qiao, the two sisters."

"They'll never repent."

Da Yizi glared at him fiercely, lifted her suitcase, and walked ahead on her own.

Xu Yuexin strode forward, snatched the suitcase from Da Yizi's hands, and said, "Carrying it so far, don't strain your hand."

"Mind your own business?"

Da Yizi moved her sore fingers and said, "Give it back quickly."

"I won't return it."

Xu Yuexin refused.

With the suitcase in hand, Da Yizi could only follow him.

"Thug, bandit!"

Chen Yixue said angrily, her face set, and followed him.

Xu Yuexin took Da Yizi to the guesthouse where he was staying and opened a room next to his.

"Stay here; I'll call Qiao Qiao and let her know you're safe."

After going upstairs and entering the room, Xu Yuexin placed the suitcase by Da Yizi's bedside and said,

Da Yizi is currently feeling guilty toward her sister, so there's no need to trouble her with a call.

Da Yizi said nothing.

This was the first time in recent days that she hadn't opposed Xu Yuexin.

After speaking, Xu Yuexin went downstairs, called home, and told them he had already met Da Yizi, asking them not to worry.

"Come on, let's go out and eat crabs."

After finishing the call, Xu Yuexin returned to Da Yizi's room doorway, knocked, and said.

"You go eat, I won't eat."

From inside came Da Yizi's voice of refusal.

"Fine, you're starving then."

Xu Yuexin, with an indifferent expression, went downstairs and truly went alone to eat crabs.

The hairy crabs of this era are truly delicious.

When the shell is lifted, the aroma floods the nose, all crab roe.

The price is also especially affordable.

Xu Yuexin ordered six of the biggest crabs and spent only eight cents.

It is said that the crabs of this time are sent to the market as by‑products of catching and farming, and in the upstream sales stage they are half sold, half given away.

Xu Yuexin hasn't verified it on site, but judging from today's price the rumor seems roughly true.

After eating his fill, Xu Yuexin went outside to buy a thermal box, ordered four more crabs, and planned to bring them back for Da Yizi.

On the way, he also bought some egg rolls, bread, milk candies and the like, and placed them in the dormitory room.

Having been on the road for days, Da Yizi shouldn't be able to endure much longer.

Xu Yuexin opened the main door of his own room wide, sat on the bedside and thought.

Sure enough, after a short while, the sound of Da Yizi's small boots came from the neighboring doorway.

Xu Yuexin lifted the thermal box and the food bag, walked to the doorway, and slipped them into Da Yizi's hand as she passed.

"You're starving, right?"

"Just bought them, eat while hot."

Xu Yuexin said commandingly.

Chen Yixue's expression froze, her gaze fixed on the food.

She has been in a bad mood lately, ate little on the train, and now is truly hungry.

"You hold them, I'll go out to eat."

Under the dual push of hunger and the lure of delicacies, Chen Yixue still stubbornly said.

Before she finished speaking, she felt a sudden darkness before her eyes, dizziness, and had to crouch on the ground.

"What's happening?"

Xu Yuexin crouched down, concerned, and said.

"Dizzy…"

Da Yizi's face showed pain as she said.

"Low blood sugar."

Xu Yuexin judged, took a milk candy from the bag, unwrapped it and placed it near Da Yizi's mouth, "Eat quickly, don't faint from hunger."

In extreme discomfort, Da Yizi nodded, lightly opened her red lips and swallowed the White Rabbit milk candy.

Like a miraculous tonic, after Da Yizi swallowed the candy, her expression relaxed considerably, and she could stand up.

"Come inside and eat."

Xu Yuexin supported Da Yizi and said.

Da Yizi weakly nodded, saying nothing.

After entering the room, she ate the egg rolls one after another, and in no time finished a large pack.

At this moment, Xu Yuexin had already peeled the crabs for her, placing the meat and roe together into the opened shells.

"Do you want to buy some vinegar?"

Xu Yuexin asked considerately.

"No need."

Da Yizi shook her head, picked up a crab shell filled with roe and meat, and intended to eat.

"Wait a moment."

Xu Yuexin slightly lifted the corner of his mouth, raised his hand and brushed the egg‑roll crumbs from her mouth corner.

Da Yizi was startled for a moment.

"Don't touch me."

Regaining her senses, she whispered, but did not react aggressively.

Xu Yuexin said nothing, waiting until she finished the hairy crabs before speaking.

"How many days do you plan to stay?"

"I don't know."

"It'd be best not to stay too long; my leave is limited."

"It's fine, I'll stay alone."

"Don't mess around."

Xu Yuexin said gently, "If it weren't for me just now, wouldn't you have fainted from hunger without anyone noticing?"

……

Facing the facts, Chen Yixue was at a loss for words.

"I feel terrible right now."

Chen Yixue looked at Xu Yuexin with lake‑like eyes and said, "Can you let me go?"

"I understand, why not call Qiao Qiao first?"

"When she called just now, she said she missed you a lot."

"Later then... I need to take it easy."

Chen Yixue closed her eyes, speaking with a painful expression.

Xu Yuexin stopped urging her and waited quietly beside her.

Da Yizi's sense of guilt seems heavy.

"Let me ask you a question."

After a long while, Da Yizi opened her eyes, looking at him gloomily, and said, "After I go back, can you stop bothering me?"

(Da Yizi's gloomy photo)

"Even if I promise, you wouldn't believe me, would you?"

Xu Yuexin asked back.

His credibility with Da Yizi was quite solid.

"It's fine; if you betray again, it will be irreparable."

Da Yizi, as if prepared, said, "I want to see how I look now; you should understand what that means."

"Let me think."

"No need to think; give me an answer right now."

"No."

Xu Yuexin paused briefly, then looked firmly at Da Yizi and said, "You have to go back; I won't cut ties with you."

"......"

Chen Yixue twisted her face in pain, her expression sorrowful.

What a cursed fate...

"Do you really have no sense of guilt at all?"

"Indeed, I have none."

Xu Yuexin said without hesitation, "Living with righteousness and confidence is the fundamental reason I can stay upward‑bound year after year."

"I have one, and it's severe."

"Do you know, that day you..."

"I heard Qiao Qiao's voice in my ears; I really wished I could crash my head into the wall."

Chen Yixue, filled with pain, said, "Did you have to be that way?"

"So the core isn't us together, but we have to stay away from Qiao Qiao?"

Xu Yuexin keenly caught the loophole in Da Yizi's words and posed a question to her.

(End of chapter)