Chapter 45: The Aftermath of the Storm and Unspoken Intentions

It was nearly a full day before the fierce winds and heavy rains finally subsided.

Fortunately, thanks to Taishen City’s robust drainage system, the day’s torrential downpour had not resulted in severe flooding.

The powerful winds, too, appeared to have caused no significant damage.

At least, Zhong Tian hadn’t heard of any.

Stepping out of his home, he felt the lingering vestiges of the wind’s power and observed the gentle drizzle before him.

It truly seemed like an ordinary, rainy morning.

Zhong Tian lifted his gaze, his eyes drawn to the sky, which had yet to fully clear.

Following the typhoon, the sky somehow felt much clearer.

Today marked only the second day of the holiday, and with the wind and rain having largely ceased,

Zhong Tian surmised that if it was confirmed there were no longer any risks, the school would likely issue a notice today, requiring students to return for classes this afternoon.

While it might not apply to first and second-year high school students, those in their final year would certainly be expected to return.

Zhong Tian’s thoughts drifted to Lin Yu, who was now in her third year of high school.

[Lin Yu, do you guys have to go back to school for classes this afternoon?]

Zhong Tian sent her a WeChat message with this query.

[Yeah, and then we get the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday starting Saturday afternoon.]

[They’re even squeezing out time for classes for such a short period…]

Lin Yu replied, sending him an emoji of a crying cat’s head.

‘Hmm, just as I thought.’

However, if only the third-year students had been notified, then the first and second-year students would likely not need to return, continuing their holiday.

“Third-year students truly have it tough,” Zhong Tian typed after a moment’s thought. [Is next weekend your ‘big’ weekend?]

[It is, two days off.]

[Then do you have time to come to Li Jianren’s beach party?]

[It could be a good way to relax.]

[Will you be wearing a swimsuit then, Xiao Zhong? If you do, I’ll go.]

Zhong Tian sent her a sweating emoji, vividly conveying his current feelings.

[Just kidding, just send me the address when the time comes.]

[Alright.]

****

“Chatting with Xiao Zhong, are we?”

Lin Yu cast a wary glance at Lin Chu, instinctively shrinking back toward the other end of the sofa.

“Pardon me, but are you perhaps interested in becoming a fortune teller?”

“Haha, you were laughing so happily, it was obvious,” Lin Chu chuckled. “Just moments ago, you were making such a long face because of the school’s announcement.”

“So, what were you talking about with Xiao Zhong?” Lin Chu pressed.

“Well… nothing much, just that he invited me to a party by the sea.”

“I see… When is it?”

“Next weekend.”

“Here, give me your phone.”

“What are you going to do…?” Lin Yu questioned, yet she still handed her phone to Lin Chu.

Lin Chu immediately tapped the voice message button.

[Xiao Zhong, Xiao Zhong, can I come too~?]

…

The moment Zhong Tian heard the voice, he knew it was Lin Chu, the editor. ‘Has she returned to Taishen? Is she living with Lin Yu now?’

[Absolutely!]

After all, gatherings like these were always more enjoyable with more people.

Moreover, it would provide excellent cover for Bai Ruijin’s plans.

Everyone would have a good time, Bai Ruijin would gain Li Jianren’s favor, and ultimately, everyone would emerge victorious.

[Okay, then see you next weekend~]

…

“So, what exactly are you going for…?” Lin Yu asked, taking back her phone and giving her cousin a bewildered look.

“Just to have some fun, of course.”

“As if I’d believe that…”

From what Lin Yu knew of Lin Chu, she was certain her cousin had some ulterior motive.

“Then don’t believe it,” she said with a shrug and a smile. “It makes no difference to me.”

Lin Yu stared intently at Lin Chu’s face, but after a long moment, she still couldn’t decipher her cousin’s thoughts. Giving up, she changed the subject. “Speaking of which… is that novelist, Su Linxi, still living at Zhong Tian’s place?”

“She is, and it looks like she’ll be staying for quite a while.”

“That’s… that’s just too unreasonable, isn’t it? To unilaterally demand to live in someone else’s home, simply using work as an excuse…”

“Pfft, jealous much?”

Lin Yu averted her gaze. “A little…”

“But you know, just as you said,” Lin Chu continued, “I also find it quite unreasonable. Why would a girl spontaneously ask to live in the home of a boy she doesn’t know? Even if Xiao Zhong doesn’t quite look like a typical boy, that shouldn’t be a valid reason.”

“That’s why I suspect…”

“You suspect they already knew each other?” Lin Yu interjected, finishing her thought.

“Exactly,” Lin Chu said, snapping her fingers. “However, judging by Xiao Zhong’s reactions, the truth is probably that Su Linxi had known Xiao Zhong unilaterally for a long time, while Zhong Tian either didn’t recognize her or had forgotten her entirely.”

“…Which means,” Lin Yu said, her expression shifting.

“Su Linxi, it’s highly probable she’s there specifically for Zhong Tian.”

****

Su Linxi lifted her head from the computer screen, drawing open the curtains by her desk to gaze outside.

Outside the window, the sunlight was far from brilliant.

‘The rain stopped right on time.’

“Linxi, lunch is ready.”

Zhong Tian’s voice drifted from beyond the door.

She let out a soft chuckle, closed her laptop, and stepped out.

****

Su Linxi took her seat at the dining table, where Zhong Tian was in the midst of taking off his apron.

“I’ll be heading out for class later this afternoon, but I’ll be back before dinner.”

This was the arrangement he had just made with Chu Lenghu.

“Alright.”

Su Linxi simply nodded.

****

Yu Yinlian had no recollection of when or how she had returned home and fallen into bed.

She only knew that upon waking, she was already in her own bed.

‘The rain, it seems, has stopped.’

Opening the window, she allowed the refreshing breeze to caress her face.

Yesterday’s storm felt like nothing more than a fleeting illusion.

Her head still throbbed painfully, so intensely that she could barely move.

‘Perhaps it’s a side effect of my ability.’

Just as she was about to collapse back into sleep, a knock at the door startled her.

‘Is it Mom and Dad?’

She struggled to get out of bed, then stumbled out of the dim room, using nearly all her strength to open the front door.

Standing at the threshold were two men dressed in police uniforms.

“Excuse me, are you the daughter of Yu Tiancheng and Chen Liu?”

The man before her inquired.

Seeing that the visitors were not her parents, Yu Yinlian’s eyes dulled, yet she clung to the faint glimmer of hope that had just ignited within her. Leaning against the doorframe, she pressed on, “Where are my parents? Are they… are they alright?”

“They…”

Both men before her wore troubled expressions, exchanging glances as if carefully choosing their words.

Yet, no more words were needed; Yu Yinlian already understood.

All strength drained from her, and she collapsed to her knees.

A sound, like something shattering into countless pieces, seemed to echo in her ears.

In that instant, Yu Yinlian’s deep blue, lifeless eyes transformed into the clear azure of a cloudless sky.

Immediately following, a shimmering golden light erupted.

Her ability had activated, completely beyond her control.

The two police officers, who had been hastily reaching out to help Yu Yinlian to her feet, suddenly froze in place.

“What are we doing here?”

“Hm? Whose house is this?”

“It seems to be the home of this case’s victims, Yu Tiancheng and Chen Liu,” one of the officers remarked. “Apparently, the couple had no children, and their relatives aren’t in Taishen.”

“Ah… what a tragedy, right before the Mid-Autumn Festival…”

“Let’s go check the other house.”

Yu Yinlian remained leaning against the door, her gaze vacant as she watched the two police officers, who had “forgotten” her, turn and walk away. She looked at her own hands, then at the now clear sky outside.

She understood everything.

Instantly, tears streamed down her face like rain.

The storm had ceased, the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, yet her parents were gone…

And she herself had been forgotten by the world…

****

Zhong Tian was meticulously examining Chu Lenghu’s drawing exercises, one by one.

While there were still some minor flaws in the human anatomy, for Chu Lenghu, who was still in the initial stages of learning, her progress was remarkably impressive.

As a child, Zhong Tian had often accompanied his father to various art studios, where he would help grade the sketch examinations of art students fresh out of training.

If Chu Lenghu’s current exercises were included among them, they would likely receive a very high score.

‘Such rapid progress…’

He felt that in a short while, he would be able to teach her how to draw manga backgrounds and even storyboard techniques.

“Lenghu, you’ve drawn this very well,” Zhong Tian commented. “I’ll make some adjustments for the dynamic issues, but remember to pay attention to them in the future.”

“Understood.”

Chu Lenghu, pleased by the praise, responded with her usual smile.

Zhong Tian settled in front of the computer, quickly making revisions while simultaneously explaining his changes.

After receiving an affirmative response, Zhong Tian nodded, allowing Chu Lenghu to continue her practice.

During this time, Chu Han brought in a plate of sliced apples and two cups of hot water, even adjusting the air conditioner’s temperature with meticulous care.

Soon enough, the afternoon had slipped by.

Observing Chu Lenghu’s increasingly skilled practice, a subtle sense of accomplishment bloomed in Zhong Tian’s heart.

‘Being a teacher is quite interesting, after all.’

He checked the time, sensing it was nearing the hour, and then called a halt to Chu Lenghu’s practice. “I’m going to head back now. If you do any more exercises later, feel free to send them to me to review.”

“Alright, thank you, Teacher.”

“Oh, right,” Zhong Tian added, recalling the party. “Lenghu, are you free next weekend? I’m planning a get-together with friends by the sea.”

“A party by the sea?” Chu Lenghu mused, her gaze lifting to meet Zhong Tian’s. “Hmm, I believe I can make it.”

“That works.”

Zhong Tian considered for a moment, thinking that once he contacted Jiang Nanjin, everyone he wanted to invite would be accounted for.

With that thought, Zhong Tian departed from Chu Lenghu’s home.

****

Lin Yu had just received her dinner.

She casually found a place to sit. Since the second-year students were absent, the cafeteria wasn’t as crowded or noisy as usual.

She ate her dinner absentmindedly.

Her thoughts still lingered on what Lin Chu had told her before leaving.

“Lin Yu, let me teach you how to properly gain someone’s attention.”

“Constantly giving to that person isn’t the right approach; you should let that person put in a reasonable effort for you. The more effort someone invests in you, the more they will value you.”

“It’s like something you buy; the more expensive it is, the more you cherish it. It’s the same principle.”

“Lin Yu, you really need to step up; don’t let someone else get ahead of you.”

Lin Yu took out her phone, opened the chat interface, and then closed her eyes.

She wasn’t sure if she should follow Lin Chu’s advice.

Her heart was still in turmoil.

‘Do I truly like him as a girl? Or as a boy?’

Since that winter break, she had pondered this question countless times.

She ultimately found no conclusion, so she turned off her phone screen and slipped it back into the pocket of her school uniform skirt.

….

Buzz.

Zhong Tian, who was in the midst of drawing, was distracted by his phone’s vibration. He picked it up, unlocked it, and glanced at the screen.

‘Lin Chu, the editor?’