Yichen carried Shiyue on his back, arriving at his home with Lingfei.

"Yichen... you really live here!?"

Lingfei looked up at the mansion, her eyes wide as saucers.

"Haha, yep. Come on in."

"Uh... sorry to intrude."

Lingfei followed Yichen inside cautiously.

Yichen helped Shiyue to her room and laid her on the bed.

Lingfei glanced around the room, then asked curiously, "Yichen, whose room is this?"

Yichen remembered Lingfei didn’t know Shiyue worked here.

"Uh, it’s a guest room."

"Oh. Do you have spare clothes? I’ll help her wipe down and change. She shouldn’t sleep like this."

"Sure."

Yichen instinctively headed for Shiyue’s closet but stopped after two steps. He rushed out instead.

He went to Zixuan’s room to find a nightgown for Shiyue.

Opening Zixuan’s closet, he saw racks of colorful girls’ clothes.

"Are all girls’ closets this vibrant?" he muttered to himself while picking.

His face grew redder as he searched.

He grabbed a semi-transparent pink lace nightgown, then shoved it back hard.

*So sheer—it’s practically naked!*

*Rabbit costume? If Jiejie wore this... bondage gear? Whip? Does she have that kind of kink? Seriously, why’d she even buy this stuff?*

Just finding sleepwear left Yichen flushed and breathless. After a struggle, he chose a normal-looking set and returned to Shiyue’s room.

"Lingfei, towels are in the bathroom next door. I’ll head out now."

Yichen sat on the living room sofa.

About twenty minutes later, Lingfei joined him.

She sighed, looking relieved, and sat on the opposite sofa.

"Shiyue should be fine. Just let her rest."

"You’re really experienced with patients, Senior Lingfei."

"Not really. As club president, I have to know these things."

"What a reliable president. Tea?"

Lingfei’s face reddened.

"Ah, yes. Thanks."

She paused while taking the cup Yichen offered, as if thinking.

"Lingfei?"

She took the cup, gazing at him seriously. "Yichen, is that really just a guest room?"

"Y-yes."

*Did she figure it out?*

Worried about exposure, Yichen’s tone turned stiff.

"If I hadn’t come here, I’d never know you’re a rich heir. But with Miss Zixuan as CEO, it makes sense."

"Just... better-off family. Haha."

Lingfei gave him a disdainful look that made Yichen uneasy.

"Better-off? Mansions like this aren’t for ‘better-off’ families. Hey, you know Shiyue’s poor, right?"

Yichen froze, nodding.

"If you ever play with Shiyue’s feelings—"

A cold glint flashed in Lingfei’s eyes.

Yichen gasped sharply.

"No way! I’m a model youth—patriotic, kind, teachers adore me at school!"

Lingfei stared at him like he was an idiot.

"Good. Then it’s fine."

After casual chat, Lingfei left Yichen’s home.

Outside, she turned back to the mansion.

She’d noticed Shiyue’s favorite teddy bear on the bed. If it were truly a guest room, why such a coincidence?

"Could... that be Shiyue’s room? Why would she live here? Or am I overthinking?"

Lingfei frowned, muttering to herself, doubts swirling.

She recalled rumors of girls tricked by rich boys, ending up pregnant and forced to abort. Worry tightened her chest.

She stood frozen awhile, then shook her head, smiling softly.

"No. Shiyue isn’t that kind of person."

***

That night, Shiyue woke up.

She sat up, moving slightly. Her body still felt heavy but mostly fine. Remembering Yichen carrying her from school, her face flushed. After showering and changing, she left her room to find him.

Yichen was studying in his room when he heard a knock. He opened the door immediately.

"Shiyue, how are you feeling? Any discomfort?"

Seeing his worried face, warmth spread through Shiyue’s heart.

"Mm, I’m okay now."

"Hungry? I made congee. Want some?"

Before Shiyue could answer—

Gurgle~

The cute sound froze the air.

Shiyue’s cheeks flushed crimson, spreading down her neck.

"Then... let’s eat downstairs... haha."

Shiyue nodded mechanically.

At the table, Yichen pulled out a chair.

"Sit. I’ll bring it."

"No need, I can—"

"Just sit. Be good."

Annoyed at being treated like a kid, Shiyue puffed her cheeks. But the irritation melted into happiness. She sat obediently.

"This is century egg and pork congee. Don’t burn your mouth."

Yichen placed the bowl before her and sat opposite. Watching his gentle smile, a strange thought popped up: *What if I actually burned my mouth? Would he feed me?* Her ears burned hot. *Silly, what am I thinking?* she scolded herself inwardly.

"Shiyue, what’s wrong?"

Startled by his puzzled look, Shiyue waved her hands and shoveled congee into her mouth.

"Ow!!!!"

"Told you! Be careful!"

Shiyue squinted in pain, panting to cool her tongue.

Yichen quickly poured some congee into an empty bowl, stirred it, and set it before her.

"Here. It’s cooled. I warned you."

Shiyue stared at the bowl, face burning. She wanted to vanish into the floor.

*So he won’t feed me after all.*

Disappointment flickered in her heart.

After eating, Yichen suggested, "Shiyue, it’s almost 11. Stay here tonight?"

"I need to go home."

"But—"

"Mom’s on night shift. I can’t leave my brother and sister alone."

"Right. I’ll walk you."

Shiyue shook her head. "I’ll manage. It’s too far for you."

"At least let me walk you partway."

Meeting his sincere gaze, Shiyue hesitated, then nodded.