"What's wrong?"
Seeing Meng Ruyi suddenly stop at the door, staring at the lantern, Song Huaizhi instinctively frowned. He thought something had happened and followed her gaze.
Hearing this, Meng Ruyi came back to her senses. Looking at Song Huaizhi, she smiled and said, "It's nothing."
She shook her head but couldn't help stealing another glance. The red lantern was no longer as festive as before. Maybe it was because her state of mind had changed. Thinking that a great upheaval might be about to befall the Gu family next door, Meng Ruyi felt that the lantern seemed to be tinged with blood, which made her feel uneasy.
"Hmm?" Noticing the absent - mindedness of the girl beside him, Song Huaizhi stopped and looked at her. His eyes were calm as he tilted his head slightly, waiting for Meng Ruyi's answer.
"Really, it's okay. I'm just a bit worried that the matter of the Gu family might affect us," Meng Ruyi said quickly, shaking her head as she felt Song Huaizhi's eyes on her.
Some might think she was cold - hearted, but after knowing the plot, Meng Ruyi really couldn't feel any affection for Gu Ling, who was related to her death. Moreover, Meng Ruyi had suddenly gained several enemies. Although she knew there was still time, she couldn't help but feel worried.
[Oh my god! How could Meng Ruyi be so vicious? Why does she treat Gu Ling like this? Who cares!]
[I'm so over it. Gu Ling is the protagonist, so the whole world has to revolve around him, right? If you don't like it, just get out. This isn't from your Master Gu's perspective. Scram!]
[Protect our cute Yuyu. No flirting!]
"No."
Song Huaizhi hadn't thought about this matter for a long time. Whether Gu Ling lived or died had nothing to do with him. But since Meng Ruyi was worried, he thought about it for a moment and then explained, "You don't need to worry. Just focus on your studies. If something really happens, there's nothing you can do about it for now."
Meng Ruyi: "..." Thanks, I'm really comforted.
The bullet comments burst into laughter again. Meng Ruyi had already gotten used to it. Sighing, she followed Song Huaizhi's steps.
When they got home, after a simple meal, Meng Ruyi stared blankly at Song Huaizhi, waiting for him to finish.
Song Huaizhi ate really fast, but his movements were not rough. Meng Ruyi noticed that his appetite had returned to normal recently. Although it was still exaggerated compared to hers, it was much more normal than at the beginning.
She had heard that some people's personalities would change drastically after suffering a great blow. Maybe Song Huaizhi had overeaten because of a great shock, and now that his appetite was gradually returning to normal, it might mean that he was gradually recovering.
It was really not easy.
Meng Ruyi felt that although Song Huaizhi wasn't as gentle as he seemed at the beginning, he was much more real. Occasionally, she could even hear his sarcastic remarks. He was really a perfect companion now, and Meng Ruyi was happy to regard him as a family member.
"Let's go," Song Huaizhi said after finishing his meal. He saw the little girl sitting there, resting her chin on her right hand, looking blank. When she heard his words, she suddenly came back to her senses and looked at him with clear and bright eyes.
"The New Year is coming. My mother asked me to take you to the street to buy some New - Year goods."
"Ah!?" Meng Ruyi let out a long - drawn - out "ah" in confusion. "We just came back from the street. Why do we have to go out again?"
"I forgot," Song Huaizhi said calmly. "What, don't you want to go out?"
"Let's go!" Compared to staying indoors, Meng Ruyi wanted to go out for a walk.
Walking on the street with Song Huaizhi, Meng Ruyi was gradually infected by the happy atmosphere of the crowd. A gentle smile appeared on her face.
The day after tomorrow would be Chinese New Year's Eve, so the street was extremely lively today. The street vendors were selling all kinds of roasted snacks. The sweet and crispy fragrance filled the air, making Meng Ruyi can't help but sniff and swallow subconsciously.
"Do you want some?" A faint smile appeared on Song Huaizhi's face. Seeing Meng Ruyi nod, he took her to a roasted - snack shop. "Buy some, but don't buy too much. It'll make you get inflamed."
"Okay!"
Meng Ruyi reluctantly shifted her gaze from the snacks and asked the waiter to weigh them.
"Ruyi?"
Just as she was about to pay after choosing the snacks, Meng Ruyi heard a gentle female voice behind her. She turned around and saw Mrs. Gu pulling her son. There was a gentle smile on her face as she nodded slightly at Meng Ruyi. "What a coincidence. I haven't seen you for several days, Ruyi."
Meng Ruyi bowed and greeted her. Under Gu Ling's angry gaze, she smiled at Mrs. Gu and said, "I've been quite busy these days. I've been learning from Brother Song."
"Oh?" Mrs. Gu didn't expect that Meng Ruyi was already preparing to take over the family business at such a young age. A look of surprise flashed in her eyes. Then she glanced at Gu Ling, who looked like a duck with its beak pinched. "You're really amazing, Ruyi. You're much better than this good - for - nothing Gu Ling."
[Gu Ling: ... Mom, you can just scold me directly.]
[Laugh out loud. Is this the so - called child of the neighbor?]
[Gu Ling's mouth is almost pouted up to the sky.]
Meng Ruyi smiled politely. Just as she was about to say some more polite words, she saw the maid beside Mrs. Gu had already paid the bill and whispered something in Mrs. Gu's ear.
"Really!" A look of surprise appeared on Mrs. Gu's face, which usually only showed a polite smile. She said to Meng Ruyi, "Sorry, I have something to attend to now, so I'll take this boy back. Consider these roasted snacks as a small New - Year gift for you. I hope you won't be polite with me."
Mrs. Gu's words were very polite, and her eyes were sincere. Meng Ruyi couldn't say no at all. She could only nod and say, "Thank you, Mrs. Gu."
After watching Mrs. Gu and Gu Ling leave, Meng Ruyi realized that since Mrs. Gu appeared, Song Huaizhi had been standing silently beside them, not saying a word.
"Damn!" Meng Ruyi gasped. She looked at Song Huaizhi uncertainly. "No way. Am I being schemed against again?"
"No," Song Huaizhi took the roasted snacks. After a moment of silence, he said to Meng Ruyi, "Let's go. Go back first."
"Mrs. Gu is a good person. Don't worry too much."
Meng Ruyi was curious about what the momentary silence on Song Huaizhi's face meant. But she vaguely felt that this matter was not simple, so she held back and didn't ask further. She just noticed that his eyes were more and more gloomy, like dead leaves sinking to the bottom of a stagnant pond, rotting silently.
Meng Ruyi felt a chill run down her spine. For the rest of the way, they were both silent, hardly talking to each other.
Song Huaizhi was thinking, with a rare look of hesitation on his face from time to time.
Meng Ruyi was recalling Mrs. Gu's every move. Mrs. Gu was really a very gentle and intelligent noblewoman. She didn't take out her anger on them because of Gu Ling's matter. So why did Song Huaizhi show such an expression?
Could it be that the upheaval in the Gu family he mentioned was related to Mrs. Gu?
Suddenly, Meng Ruyi felt a chill all over her body. She instinctively looked at Song Huaizhi.