Chapter 71: Let Me Go Break Off Ties with Him First

When Cheng Xingye came downstairs, a few girls assumed he had come for Ye Zixuan and immediately exchanged knowing smiles, no longer teasing Lu Qingyue. Ye Zixuan, who was fully aware of the situation, simply raised an eyebrow with interest and gave him a meaningful smile.

"Not playing cards anymore?"

Cheng Xingye, looking casual, rested his hand on the back of Lu Qingyue’s sofa, quietly drawing her into his space—a subtle yet unmistakable gesture of possession.

"The game’s over. They’ll be down soon."

Ye Zixuan drew out her response with a sly glint in her eyes, deliberately teasing, "Then why didn’t you wait and come down with them?"

Cheng Xingye could hardly miss the playful undertone in her words. Wasn’t she just making fun of him for being so eager to see the girl that he came down first the moment she arrived?

He looked at her lazily and, for once, played along in good humor. "I couldn’t wait."

Ye Zixuan, having gotten her fill of this daily dose of sweetness, finally looked satisfied, her smile radiant as a blooming flower.

On the surface, it looked as if the two of them were flirting. But only those involved knew the truth—the real reason Cheng Xingye couldn’t wait another moment to come downstairs was the innocent, bewildered girl sitting quietly between them.

As they were talking, a burst of noise erupted from the stairs. Several boys came down, with Lu Yi in the center, hands in his pockets, head tilted as he chatted with the people beside him.

As he stepped off the last stair, he instinctively looked up and locked eyes with Lu Qingyue and Cheng Xingye, who were sitting by the window.

The brief meeting of their gazes crackled with tension.

Lu Qingyue’s heart gave a strange leap, the kind of nervousness one felt when caught by a parent in the midst of a forbidden romance.

The person behind her, however, met Lu Yi’s gaze openly, without a hint of guilt.

After a few seconds, Lu Yi looked away as if nothing had happened, turning back to his conversation. Only then did Lu Qingyue feel as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her chest, and she could breathe freely again.

Once all the boys were downstairs, a girl stood up and said, "Everyone’s here—let’s cut the cake! I can’t wait any longer!"

The cake was brought in, and everyone gathered around, laughing and singing the birthday song, making wishes and blowing out candles.

With so many people crowded into the living room, there wasn’t quite enough space to sit. After the cake was cut, those who had their slices scattered in small groups—some heading outside to chat by the pool, others staying near the sofa to play games.

Lu Qingyue finished her cake and watched Ye Zixuan and the others play board games for a while, but soon found herself growing bored.

She was just thinking about going to find Cheng Xingye when her phone buzzed—a message from the very person on her mind.

[hOShinO]: Come out.

Lu Qingyue glanced around and finally spotted him in the small garden outside.

He was wearing a white casual shirt, standing quietly in the night. When he saw her notice him, he beckoned her over.

Taking advantage of everyone’s distraction, Lu Qingyue quietly slipped out, opened the balcony door, and walked outside.

The garden was planted with many osmanthus trees. Though it wasn’t their blooming season, their lush branches cast shifting shadows in the moonlight.

Lu Qingyue circled one of the trees, hands clasped behind her back, her steps light as she walked toward him.

Today she wore a light green dress—sleeveless, slightly cinched at the waist. It set off her slender figure and left her skin looking as delicate and fair as scallion whites.

Cheng Xingye leaned against the garden railing, the vast sea stretching out behind him. He had sized her up from the moment she appeared, taking in every detail.

He realized just how irrepressibly youthful and vibrant she was—even in the dim light, her brightness could not be hidden.

Just watching her for a moment made him want to gather all the light in the world and lay it at her feet.

When she finally bounced over and stopped in front of him, Cheng Xingye shot her a sidelong glance and drawled, "How did you do on your finals?"

Lu Qingyue hadn’t expected that after so long apart, the first thing he’d ask would be that. She pulled a face, feigning weariness. "You sound just like my dad..."

Cheng Xingye raised an eyebrow wordlessly. "I’m not the one with an unfilial daughter like you."

She glared at him, but couldn’t help showing off a little, lifting her chin with a hint of pride and saying, "Thirty-fifth in my grade. My teacher said if I keep this up, I’ll have no problem getting into Jiang University."

Cheng Xingye had never insisted she go to Jiang University. In his eyes, a girl should see more of the world, broaden her horizons, and set her sights higher.

Still, he couldn’t deny that he didn’t want a long-distance relationship. She was so clingy—he doubted she’d cope well without him. Besides, sending a girl far from home for school always carried its worries.

So when he heard her first choice was Jiang University, he merely responded with a faint "Oh," and asked, half in jest, "Are you sure about Jiang University?"

Lu Qingyue tilted her head, sensing that the corners of his mouth were about to curl up. Suppressing a mischievous urge, she said deliberately,

"Actually, I’m not sure. If I try a bit harder, maybe I could get into an even better school."

Cheng Xingye gave her a sideways look, his tone unreadable. "That’s great."

Lu Qingyue was surprised. "Great?"

Didn’t he worry she might end up far away, seeing each other only a handful of times a year?

Cheng Xingye looked at her puzzled face, the corners of his lips lifting in a rare, genuine smile. His tone grew serious.

"Just follow the path you want to take. As long as you bloom to your heart’s content, I’ll always be with you."

He was a grown man—he could go anywhere. It didn’t matter to him.

But she was the family’s cherished girl, probably raised in a greenhouse all her life.

If she truly wanted to see distant horizons, he’d be her knight, clearing the way so she could blossom without a care in the world.

Cheng Xingye had set the mood perfectly, but the little rascal before him only blinked, deeply moved, and said, "Wow, you almost made me cry."

With that, she tried to burrow into his arms while hastily making up an excuse, "I’m really so touched, can I have a hug?"

Cheng Xingye could only laugh in exasperation. Was she always scheming for a way to take advantage of him?

He pressed her shoulder, pushing her gently away and giving her no chance.

He tilted his head, gesturing to the side, and reminded her unhurriedly, "Enough, your brother’s watching over there."

Lu Qingyue froze.

She followed his gaze and indeed saw Lu Yi standing by the balcony’s glass door, holding a cup of orange juice. As he chatted with someone, his eyes drifted over to them, dark and oppressive.

Under the weight of his gaze, all her romantic notions evaporated. She turned to Cheng Xingye and said, "Why don’t you go break up with him first, and I’ll wait for you here?"

Cheng Xingye: "....."