"I don't know, let me check," Ming Yutong said as she reached for her phone on the side table. "It's eight o'clock."
Fortunately, it wasn't too late.
"You've slept quite a bit today. How about getting up and eating something?" Ming Yutong suggested.
Since most events start around 7 PM and last at least two hours, Ming Yutong figured Fu Yinxiu wouldn't be back so soon. She decided it would be best to leave before 9 PM to ensure everything was handled properly.
Aunt Huo had been keeping porridge warm for Little Jingshi, and as soon as Ming Yutong and Little Jingshi came out, Aunt Huo served them two bowls.
Ming Yutong was also a bit hungry, so she ate with Little Jingshi, enjoying the meal together. Given that Little Jingshi was just recovering, it was best for him to eat something light like porridge.
To avoid tempting Little Jingshi with other foods, Ming Yutong decided to stick with the porridge and accompany him.
After they finished eating, Ming Yutong spent some more time with Little Jingshi. When the time seemed right, she prepared to leave.
Little Jingshi clung to Ming Yutong, reluctant to let her go. "Tong Tong, can't you stay and keep me company?"
"I'll come back to see you tomorrow, okay? I'll spend the whole day with you," Ming Yutong promised.
Little Jingshi had taken the day off tomorrow and wouldn't return to school until the day after.
"Then… how about I go back with you?" Little Jingshi asked, hugging Ming Yutong's arm and rubbing his head against it like a little cub. "Tong Tong, I want you to stay with me."
Ming Yutong touched his forehead, noticing it was getting a bit cold outside. She didn't want to leave him either, so she said, "Then you should dress warmly and come home with me."
"Okay!" Little Jingshi eagerly jumped off the sofa. "I'll get ready quickly. Tong Tong, wait for me!"
"I'm waiting for you, so don't rush," Ming Yutong said, trying to calm him down.
Little Jingshi ran excitedly back to his room.
Ming Yutong patiently waited, noting that it was only 8:40 PM and there was still plenty of time.
As she was waiting, she suddenly heard the sound of the door opening.
Startled, Ming Yutong turned her head to see Fu Yinxiu walking in from outside, his presence imposing.
She froze, her first reaction being to hide.
Before she could think clearly, she was already on her feet.
But then she realized, where could she hide now?
The thought of hiding seemed utterly foolish!
"Sir, you're back!" Aunt Huo said happily.
Fu Yinxiu nodded and changed his shoes at the entrance.
He was grateful to Little Jingshi for this. Just before dinner, Little Jingshi had called him while he was in the restroom, telling him that Ming Yutong was here.
So he hurriedly left the banquet to return home.
Initially, he thought Ming Yutong would also attend the event, which was why he went.
Otherwise, he had no interest in the event and wouldn't have attended at all.
Unexpectedly, Ming Yutong had stayed home instead.
Seeing that hiding was no longer an option, Ming Yutong steeled herself and approached Fu Yinxiu.
She decided to face him directly; there was no need to be evasive since she hadn't done anything shameful.
"Tong Tong!" Fu Yinxiu, despite knowing she was here, still looked pleasantly surprised to see her.
Fortunately, he had returned just in time. She hadn't left yet.
Fu Yinxiu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked into the room. "You're here!"
Normally, he was adept at handling various situations with charm and eloquence. He could be humorous, smooth, and even harsh or sarcastic when needed. Unlike Chu Zhaoyang, who was stoic and rarely spoke, Fu Yinxiu was never lacking in verbal skills.
But now, Fu Yinxiu seemed to have suddenly lost his words, and even his movements appeared clumsy.
Standing in front of Ming Yutong, despite having many things to say, he ended up uttering the awkward phrase, "You're here."
He seemed uncharacteristically foolish.
Ming Yutong took a step back, distancing herself from Fu Yinxiu. "I'm here to see Little Jingshi. I'm leaving now."
Fu Yinxiu frowned slightly. What was going on with her?
The last time they met, she wasn't exactly warm towards him, but she didn't show this level of aversion. She was now avoiding eye contact and seemed overly sensitive to his presence.
Fu Yinxiu couldn't understand why she was reacting this way. He stared at Ming Yutong intently.
He had hoped to see some improvement, especially after their last encounter when he felt a glimmer of hope.
But now, after just a few days, it seemed like everything had regressed. In Ming Yutong's eyes, there was only coldness and even stronger rejection.
Had something happened in the meantime?
"Tong Tong, what's wrong? Did I do something wrong? Why is your attitude so different?" Fu Yinxiu asked, bewildered.
He was being tormented by the constantly changing attitude and was at a loss about what to do to make things right.
"It's nothing," Ming Yutong said coldly, finally lifting her gaze to him, her eyes reflecting complex emotions. "By the way, I want to take Little Jingshi back to my place for the night. Is that okay?"
"Since you're worried about his health and want to take care of him, why not stay the night?" Fu Yinxiu seized the opportunity and suggested.
Ming Yutong was about to refuse but Fu Yinxiu spoke first. "You can either have a room to yourself or stay with Little Jingshi. You don't have to worry about me. I won't disturb you."
As long as she agreed to stay, he would be satisfied.
"If you don't want me around, I'll just stay out of sight," he added, "watching from the shadows."