The rain poured relentlessly. So heavily that Zhou Zhiyi was drenched to the bone the moment he stepped out of the building—like a drowned rat.

Yet, he felt a refreshing coolness he’d never known before.

This rain would probably last all night, huh?

The tattered umbrella wasn’t big. It barely covered one person. But it shielded Liu Muyu completely, protecting her from the rain.

Thanks to her slender figure…

Rain streamed over Zhou Zhiyi. Distant thunder rumbled. He thought: even with his uninjured foot, this downpour would surely give him a cold.

They walked in silence. Only the pitter-patter of rain accompanied them.

“You really are strong,” Zhou Zhiyi said, gazing at the pitch-black sky, breaking the awkward quiet.

“So are you,” Liu Muyu replied calmly, holding the umbrella like a delicate doll.

“Why didn’t you resist back then?”

“Why bring that up? Want me to hate you more?”

“I’m bad with words,” Zhou Zhiyi murmured, realizing his mistake. “Sorry.”

“Resisting would’ve been useless if you meant to do it,” Liu Muyu said, ignoring his apology. “And I might’ve gotten hurt. Tomorrow’s the school sports day.”

Even on such a sensitive topic, Liu Muyu didn’t blush like Qin Huan would. Her expression stayed unchanged.

“Why join the sports day?”

“I don’t know. Or it’s hard to explain.”

You don’t even know? What kind of answer is that?

“I’m going this way. You?” Zhou Zhiyi pointed toward his home after leaving the school gate.

He’d never seen Liu Muyu walk his direction. They’d part here, probably.

“Same.”

Her unexpected reply made Zhou Zhiyi pause.

But she always went home late. How could he have seen her?

“Lucky, then,” Zhou Zhiyi smiled.

“Don’t show that disgusting smile,” Liu Muyu said, displeased. “Forced smiles mean nothing.”

“Sorry.”

Zhou Zhiyi had lost count of his apologies. But skipping it would cause trouble.

“My place is near. If you’re thick-skinned, wait downstairs. I’ll grab an umbrella for you.”

Liu Muyu spoke suddenly. Words a normal girl might say actually came from her.

She had been talking more lately, come to think of it.

“I’m already soaked. Does an umbrella matter?”

“You’ll catch a cold. I’m just reducing that chance,” Liu Muyu said, looking at him. “If someone gets sick because of me, I’d feel disgusted.”

So that’s it? Not like she cares about me.

“Thanks, then.”

“No need.”

Liu Muyu went upstairs. Zhou Zhiyi sheltered inside, watching the heavy rain outside.

I walked ten minutes in this downpour? Is this really me?

Zhou Zhiyi started to admire himself. But soon, three options surfaced in his mind.

Option one: Go to Liu Muyu’s place. Option two: Wait here. Option three: Leave now.

So, which one to choose?