Chapter 70: What's There to Touch?

Once life became fulfilling, time seemed to fly by.

In July, with the summer break upon them, the Lu family of four went to a nearby seaside resort for a holiday.

For three days straight, Lu Qingyue was either swimming laps in the infinity pool or snorkeling with an instructor. Each day left her exhausted, so much so that once she returned to the room, she barely managed to exchange a few words with Cheng Xingye.

“You haven’t been sneaking out to see Cheng Xingye lately, have you?”

Taking advantage of their parents sunbathing on the beach, Lu Yi called her over to the poolside bar, asking about her recent activities with clear concern.

Lu Qingyue had just come out of the pool and changed into a strappy floral dress. Her pale shoulders glistened under the sun, and at his words, she pursed her lips, sipping orange juice through a straw, sounding a little displeased as she replied,

“Why would I need to sneak around to see him?”

They hadn’t done anything scandalous—just liked each other, that’s all!

Although, now that she thought about it, she and Cheng Xingye hadn’t seen each other for nearly half a month. Last week, she’d been busy with finals, and he hadn’t come looking for her, respecting her schedule. The only contact was the occasional late-night message with a cold joke to make her smile.

Lu Qingyue was quite content with how things stood.

They kept a comfortable distance, each busy with their own future, and there was a reassuring sense that they would meet again as promised.

But Lu Yi, hearing her answer, almost laughed in exasperation, arching his brow coldly.

“If you’re not going to listen, go ahead and try. But if you ever get cheated out of your money or your heart, don’t come crying to me.”

Lu Qingyue: “???”

She could understand being cheated in love, but cheated out of money? How desperate did he think Cheng Xingye was?

She widened her eyes in mock surprise and said,

“How could I possibly be swindled out of money? Is he after the twenty-five yuan and seventy-four cents in my WeChat wallet?”

Lu Yi: “....” I was being too cautious.

He stared at her in silence for a few seconds, then suddenly asked,

“Did you ever ask him about that thing with his first love?”

With this reminder, Lu Qingyue suddenly remembered, smacking her forehead,

“Oh... I haven’t asked him yet...”

She really hadn’t given it much thought, and with finals keeping her busy, it completely slipped her mind.

Lu Yi, seeing right through her, crossed his arms and scoffed,

“No chance to ask? I’ll give you an opportunity. Remember, when it comes to guys, keep your eyes open. Don’t let romance get to your head or you’ll end up dating a dog.”

Lu Qingyue: “....”

Who are you calling a dog?

That’s her future boyfriend!

Lu Qingyue thought indignantly, feeling that it was really Cheng Xingye who needed to be careful not to end up with a dog for a friend.

...

Lu Yi said he’d find her a chance to ask Cheng Xingye, but as soon as he took responsibility, the matter dragged on for another couple of weeks.

Just when Lu Qingyue thought he’d forgotten all about it, one day Lu Yi suddenly announced he was taking her to a friend’s gathering.

He had plenty of friends, and social gatherings filled every weekend. Lu Qingyue was long used to it, so she didn’t ask any questions. She picked out a dress and waited for Lu Yi to pick her up that evening.

The party was being held at the same seaside resort they’d visited last time—far from the city, a good hour’s drive each way.

Arriving at the venue, Lu Qingyue was taken aback to discover that the guest of honor was Ye Zixuan.

Tonight, Ye Zixuan wore a tight black mini dress with a delicately designed semi-sheer waist and a smart blazer over her shoulders, exuding both sensuality and a dash of boldness.

She had rented a villa suite for the birthday celebration, the room festooned with balloons, streamers, and flowers—a dreamy display of luxury.

At the moment, she was surrounded by friends, chatting on the sofa, her exquisite features lit up with a dazzling smile.

Catching sight of a slender, delicate girl walking in, her eyes lit up. She immediately stood, waving,

“Dian Dian, come here!”

Lu Qingyue hadn’t expected her to remember, and quickly raised her hand, giving a small, polite wave at chest level and greeting her sweetly,

“Hello, big sister.”

Ye Zixuan came over, pulling Lu Qingyue to sit beside her, and nodded at Lu Yi,

“All the guys are upstairs playing cards—you can join them.”

Lu Yi grunted in response and bent down to murmur in Lu Qingyue’s ear,

“Be good, I’ll come find you later.”

Lu Qingyue obediently agreed and went to sit with Ye Zixuan on the sofa.

Most of the guests were the same crowd as at Cheng Xingye’s previous birthday, but tonight there were more girls. To her surprise, Xu Qian and Li Jing were there as well.

They were sitting diagonally across the room, chatting with two other girls. Their eyes flicked over, but, as if they hadn’t seen her, quietly turned away.

If they had no intention of picking a fight, Lu Qingyue certainly wasn’t going to cause trouble. She followed their lead, pretending not to know them, hoping to avoid any unpleasantness.

The moment Lu Qingyue sat beside Ye Zixuan, several curious glances were cast her way.

“Who’s this?” one girl, unfamiliar with Lu Qingyue, asked.

Ye Zixuan handed Lu Qingyue a bottle of orange juice before responding softly,

“Lu Yi’s younger sister.”

The girl shot her a surprised look, perhaps thinking she seemed very young, and leaned closer, her tone full of curiosity,

“She’s so cute—how old is she?”

Lu Qingyue held her orange juice, answering obediently,

“I’ll be seventeen soon.”

“Seventeen...” the girl sighed.

She couldn’t help reaching out, gently pinching Lu Qingyue’s soft cheek with envy,

“All that collagen—reminds me of the youth I lost nearly five years ago...”

At that, another girl reached over,

“Oh my, what an adorable little sister! I want to feel too—I haven’t touched skin this smooth in ages...”

Her face was pink and delicate, her skin soft and silky under their hands—simply irresistible.

Lu Qingyue was completely unprepared for how popular her youthful face would be. She sat there, bewildered, letting them pinch her cheeks.

When Cheng Xingye came down from upstairs, this was the scene he found.

His little girl was sitting quietly in the crowd, her expression dazed and sweet, like a doll at the mercy of others, her cheeks puffed up from all the attention.

Seeing how engrossed the two were, another girl couldn’t resist joining in,

“Little sister, can I have a turn too?”

Lu Qingyue was growing a bit embarrassed. She knew they meant no harm, but she didn’t want to be treated like a plaything.

She hesitated, unsure how to refuse without causing awkwardness, when suddenly a cool voice sounded overhead,

“What’s so interesting to touch?”