Chapter 5

The atmosphere in the living room was somewhat awkward.

No.

To be precise, I was the only one feeling awkward.

I hesitated for a moment, then sheepishly withdrew my hand, feeling a bit dejected.

“I thought you didn’t recognize me, so I didn’t greet you at the hospital the other day.”

“No need.”

“What?”

“We’re not familiar, no need to greet.”

Xie Shuyan kept his head down, skillfully picking hollow vegetables, showing no intention of chatting with me.

I nodded silently, awkwardly pushing the water cup forward.

“You… have some water.”

“Not thirsty, thank you.”

So cold.

He rejected me, and I couldn’t keep trying to warm up to him, so I simply sat there.

Desperately recalling if I had done anything embarrassing during my hospital stay.

The monitor emerged from the kitchen: “Meng Tingyue, we’re out of kitchen paper. Could you get me a roll?”

“Oh, okay.”

I hurriedly stood up and rummaged through the bottom layer of the cabinet.

The old furniture of the landlord had seen better days.

Pulling a drawer caused the entire cabinet to shake.

The photo frame, upside down on the wall, couldn’t hold on any longer, and after a few muffled groans, it tilted downward.

By the time I reacted, it was too late, and I could only crouch on the ground like a quail, hugging my head.

Waiting for the photo to fall.

The next second, darkness fell before my eyes, and Xie Shuyan had caught the tilting frame.

Due to the backlight, I couldn’t see Xie Shuyan’s expression clearly, only felt a chill around him, not looking very happy.

“Thanks.”

Xie Shuyan ignored me.

When I crawled out from under the frame, I saw where his gaze landed–

A photo I secretly took of Xie Shuyan sleeping.

The midsummer sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, falling on the boy’s delicate profile.

He slept deeply.

Even when I secretly tried to hold his hand, he didn’t notice.

At that moment, I considered the possibility of snatching the photo and swallowing it.

“Meng Tingyue.”

“Ah?”

“Explain.”

I pondered for a moment, instinctively raised my hand to scratch my head, pulling out a handful of hair.

Under Xie Shuyan’s icy gaze, I chuckled:

“Isn’t this… the ex-wall? Haha. I just wanted to commemorate–”

“Oh, is that so?”

Xie Shuyan pointed at several group photos of me and my bestie, his cold voice wavering, “According to you, you’ve dated girls too?”

I swallowed, “Y-yeah, I, I’ve dated both.”

Xie Shuyan’s sharp gaze seemed to burn me.

Gradually, I couldn’t laugh anymore, my eyes darting around, avoiding his.

“Tingyue, you guys–”

The monitor opened the kitchen door, intending to say something, but noticing the strange tension, he abruptly fell silent.

Xie Shuyan, with a sullen face, returned the frame to its place, pulled out a tissue to wipe his hands, and picked up his coat to leave.

“Hey, Xie Shuyan, where are you going?”

“There’s something at the hospital, I’m leaving.”

“But, Meng Tingyue’s matter isn’t finished yet… Xie Shuyan, stay for a meal.”

Xie Shuyan stood at the entrance, glancing at my silent figure.

Seemingly waiting for me to say something.

But he was disappointed.

I said nothing.

Xie Shuyan let out a very light, mocking laugh:

“Is there any need for an unwelcomed ex to stay here?”

Click.

The door closed.

Xie Shuyan left.