New Year's Eve. 03

Xia Yueshan recovered very well.

He had only been in a coma for a little over a month, so when he woke up, his bodily functions, which hadn't deteriorated much to begin with, recovered extremely fast.

When Xia Yueshan first woke up, it was nearly twenty days before New Year's Eve.

The days flashed by and New Year's Eve arrived. Recalling the time spent day and night with Xia Yueshan over the past few days, Lin Yu had the illusion that Xia Yueshan had already been discharged from the hospital for over a month.

Actually, calculating carefully, it had been nearly ten days since he was discharged.

During this time, Lin Yu had been hanging out at Xia Muzhu's house, keeping Xia Yueshan company by playing video games.

Occasionally, out of a pang of conscience, he would help Xia Muzhu cook in the kitchen.

The overt and covert invitations from Tang Manman and Qing Mo were all dodged by Lin Yu with various excuses.

But today, it seemed there was no more room to retreat.

Tang Manman was already waiting in exasperation. He figured if he didn't go pacify her soon, she would come knocking on the door!

There was no way around it now.

Lin Yu could only temporarily leave Xia Muzhu and Xia Yueshan to go out and accompany Tang Manman.

As for Qing Mo.

She had booked some of his time after the New Year. From what she said, it sounded like she wanted to take him to her home.

Was this the legendary meeting the parents?

Thinking of Qing Mo's terrifyingly powerful family background, even someone as thick-skinned as Lin Yu couldn't help but feel a bit timid.

Hmm...

It seemed his cultivation level still wasn't quite enough.

Looking at those delinquents online, they dared to meet their fathers-in-law carrying just a big bottle of iced black tea, their faces not red and hearts not racing, acting incredibly cocky.

Then what about himself...

...

Lin Yu smacked his lips a couple of times and decided to forget about it.

Given the power of Qing Mo's family.

If things went south, his heart might literally stop beating.

Walking into the kitchen, Lin Yu looked at Xia Muzhu, who was busy preparing tonight's New Year's Eve dinner. Feeling inevitably guilty, he mumbled vaguely,

Uh, well...

I'm going out for a bit.

Xia Muzhu saw through Lin Yu's uneasiness at a glance and quickly guessed what he was going out to do.

She nodded and didn't stop him, only pausing before asking softly,

Are you coming back tonight?

Lin Yu pondered for a moment and realized he couldn't guarantee anything, so he could only say hesitantly,

I probably will?

If anything changes, I'll text you.

Hearing this, Xia Muzhu didn't say anything more. She nodded and went back to her work in the kitchen.

Lin Yu gave her a gentle hug, then turned and left the kitchen. After putting on his coat, Lin Yu called out toward the computer room inside the house before leaving,

Little Shan, I'm heading out for a bit.

Where are you going?

Xia Yueshan's puzzled voice came from the half-open computer room.

A friend wants to hang out.

Don't worry about it.

Lin Yu casually made up an excuse to brush him off.

After saying that, Lin Yu opened the door and left.

In the computer room, Xia Yueshan furrowed his thick but faint eyebrows, smelling something unusual.

To be honest, there was nothing wrong with Lin Yu's behavior, but Xia Yueshan just felt something was off.

On New Year's Eve, people usually stay at home during the day, right?

Even if there was a gathering, playing cards or whatever would be at night. Going out this early in the morning...

...

The above two points weren't really suspicious. What truly made Xia Yueshan feel something was wrong was Lin Yu's behavior recently.

Overall, he had started protecting his phone as if he had a guilty conscience.

Not only did he set a lock screen password, but he also applied a privacy screen protector!

And whenever he was around, Lin Yu would adjust his wrist to tilt the phone screen at a certain angle, as if subconsciously preventing him from peeking.

All these behaviors were really unusual.

So now that Lin Yu had just done something slightly out of the ordinary, Xia Yueshan's suspicion of him skyrocketed!

After thinking about it, Xia Yueshan still couldn't put his mind at ease. He immediately put on his clothes quickly, planning to play a game of tailing to see what exactly Lin Yu was going to do!

Just as Xia Yueshan finished dressing and reached the door, ready to open it, his sister's voice suddenly came from the kitchen.

Little Shan, come help me knead the dough.

Knead it yourself, I have to go out for a bit.

Xia Yueshan looked down to put on his shoes and refused crisply.

Come help your sister, I'm feeling a bit unwell today.

Xia Muzhu stood at the kitchen door, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, pleading with a somewhat pitiful look.

Xia Yueshan's movement of tying his shoelaces froze.

He looked at his sister standing at the kitchen door, appearing as fragile as a willow in the wind, then turned his head to look at the front door right in front of him, and then turned back to look at his sister at the kitchen door.

For a moment, he fell into a dilemma.

After a brief hesitation, Xia Yueshan finally chose to take off his shoes and help his older sister.

As for Lin Yu's side...

If he really dared to do anything to betray his sister, he would catch him sooner or later!

There was no need to rush right now.

Xia Yueshan changed back into his slippers and entered the kitchen to help.

What Xia Yueshan didn't see was that after he walked into the kitchen, his sister standing by the door seemed to breathe a sigh of relief...

...

It was strange to say, this girl Tang Manman cried and made a fuss on the phone.

But when they actually met, she appeared gentle and submissive.

As if that whiny Little Crybaby on the phone wasn't her.

Looking at Tang Manman leaning against his shoulder, Lin Yu couldn't help but reach out and poke her forehead, saying with some resentment,

Didn't I already tell you?

Once school starts, the two of us will have plenty of time to be together at A University.

What are you rushing for right now?

Lin Yu had only meant to complain a little, but unexpectedly, it made Tang Manman's eyes turn red.

Tang Manman didn't speak; she just raised her face, her expression wronged and pitiful. She stared eagerly at Lin Yu, letting tears slide down from her reddened eyes without a care, just looking at Lin Yu with grievance.

What's wrong?

Seeing Tang Manman cry, Lin Yu somewhat frantically cupped her face and asked softly,

Why are you crying?

I'm scared.

Tang Manman muttered grievously.

Scared of what?

Lin Yu was completely baffled.

Tang Manman raised her hand to wipe the tears from her face, seemingly becoming even more wronged.

I'm scared you'll be like before.

Brushing me off on the phone.

Refusing to see me.

And later just ignoring me altogether.