Holiday

It might have been psychological, or maybe the weather was just exceptionally nice today.

Lin Yu felt like the whole world was bright and radiant, lifting his spirits.

Exams were finally over, and what awaited him now was a long winter break...

Well, maybe not that long.

With less than fifteen days until the Lunar New Year, and classes resuming about ten days after that, his break would barely last a month.

Damn it!

Less than a month of vacation?

Are high school seniors just second-class citizens or what?

Grumbling, Lin Yu bought his last sweet drink of the semester at the supermarket. After taking a sip, his mood improved slightly as he headed toward the school gate.

At the gate, he spotted Gu Yue outside and was about to grin and ask how she thought she did on the exams when he suddenly noticed Tang Manman standing nearby.

Instantly wiping the smile off his face, Lin Yu sniffed and decided to change course, walking toward Tang Manman instead.

After a few steps past the school gate, his field of vision widened, and that was when he saw it—a sleek, luxurious supercar parked not too far away.

Lin Yu’s expression darkened at the sight.

Seriously?!

Why is everything happening at once?

Just here to ruin my mood, huh?

Ignoring both the supercar and Gu Yue, he strode toward Tang Manman.

When he reached her, he curved his lips into a gentle smile and asked softly,

"How did it go?"

"Think you did well this time?"

At the mention of grades, Tang Manman’s delicate face, which had been faintly smiling, immediately fell. Her pretty brows furrowed in sorrow as she replied dejectedly,

"The questions were kind of hard..."

"It’s fine, it’s fine."

Seeing her so upset, Lin Yu quickly patted her head reassuringly.

"If you didn’t do well this time, just work harder next time. Don’t stress too much—I believe in you."

Under his encouragement, Tang Manman’s smile returned. She tilted her head up, not shying away from his hand, and nodded with a sparkle in her eyes.

The picture of someone easily comforted.

"Alright then," Lin Yu said, withdrawing his hand.

"Head home now."

"Don’t keep your mom waiting."

Tang Manman nodded obediently, her gaze flickering briefly behind Lin Yu before she turned away, her eyes crinkling into happy crescents.

Once she was gone, Lin Yu turned back toward Gu Yue.

He had meant to greet her as he originally planned, but the moment he saw her stormy expression, his cheerful "How’d you do?" morphed into a more cautious:

"What’s wrong?"

"Something bothering you?"

"Nothing."

Gu Yue’s face was stony, and though she was speaking to him, she refused to meet his eyes.

Lin Yu had no idea what was eating at her, but since she wasn’t saying anything, he didn’t press further. Instead, he circled back to his initial question:

"So, how’d it go?"

"Think you scored high enough to cash in on your mom’s reward money?"

He asked with a teasing grin.

"Don’t know."

Gu Yue’s voice was icy, laced with anger and a barely detectable hint of hurt.

???

Lin Yu blinked, baffled by her hostility.

What’s her problem?

Did she wake up on the wrong side of the bed or something?

Since she was being snippy, Lin Yu wasn’t about to humor her.

"Fine, whatever," he shot back, rolling his eyes before turning away.

Crunching through the freshly fallen snow, he reached the supercar and smoothly pulled open the butterfly door, sliding into the passenger seat.

The interior was heated to a balmy 28 degrees, warm as early summer.

Yet, even that couldn’t thaw the frosty expression on Qing Mo’s face.

She sat rigidly, radiating a chill that was almost physically uncomfortable.

Before Lin Yu could even shut the door properly, Qing Mo cut in with a sharp, mocking tone:

"Busy man."

"Must be exhausting, juggling so many people, huh?"

Lin Yu yanked the door closed and fired back without missing a beat.

"None of your damn business."

"Why’re you here, anyway?"

"Spit it out or get lost!"

Qing Mo’s eyes flashed, her breath hitching slightly.

Lin Yu kept up his usual indifferent front—the attitude she supposedly liked—but inwardly, he found her reaction odd.

She seemed angry, yet there was something off about it.

Her cold glare was undercut by something heated lurking in her gaze.

Her rapid breathing could’ve been from fury, but the warmth of her exhales felt almost... feverish.

It was as if her body was betraying her, reacting in ways her anger couldn’t suppress.

Still, Lin Yu didn’t dwell on it.

Wasn’t this why she kept him around? To be treated like dirt?

If he started being nice, she’d probably just snap at him anyway.

No point overthinking it.

After a moment, Qing Mo leaned back against the seat, as if forcing herself to calm down. She took a deep breath, her voice icy but slightly unsteady:

"You’re coming to a banquet with me tonight."

"Banquet?"

"What kind?"

Lin Yu frowned.

"Just a regular social event. You’ll be playing my new boyfriend."

Lin Yu considered it briefly before nodding.

He’d taken plenty of her money without having to sell his dignity. Refusing a simple favor would be pushing it.

"Fine."

"Pick me up later, then."

He moved to leave, but Qing Mo’s voice stopped him cold.

"Stay."

Lin Yu turned to look at her. She wasn’t meeting his eyes, staring straight ahead instead. Only when she sensed his gaze did she slowly turn her head and say,

"You’re spending the afternoon with me."

"I need to get you ready for tonight."