Inside, there was no lavish decor, no expensive, glaring crystal chandelier.
The sun had fully set, casting the room in soft dimness.
Lin Beixing’s fingers fumbled along the wall before she barely found the light switch.
*Zzzzt*—a warm glow from the incandescent bulb bloomed in the center of the living room.
Lu Yu’s place was tiny. From the doorway, you could see straight through to the end.
No wall divided kitchen and living space: sink to the left, glass-walled bathroom to the right, then a desk, a sofa, a bed.
Just one simple room—every item purposeful, nothing extra.
Surprisingly, the boy’s space was spotless.
“Meeoow~~~”
A dark, fuzzy shape rolled from the corner and nuzzled gently against her leg.
“…Huh?!!!”
Startled, Lin Beixing let out a sharp yelp.
A neighbor passing Room 302 with a bicycle hoisted on his shoulder shot a puzzled glance at the 180cm-tall youth shrieking.
She snapped her mouth shut and quietly closed the iron door.
Heart pounding, she looked down at the little creature.
Truth was, Lin Beixing liked cats.
At least, she thought she did.
Whenever she spotted fluffy strays by the road or in grass, she’d feel the urge to crouch and pet them.
But her mom always said strays were dirty. Obedient Lin Beixing had never touched one.
“Can I pet you?” she murmured, bracing her knees as she bent down.
“Mrow~?”
The black kitten eyed her curiously, tail held high. It padded to the doormat where an empty bowl sat.
It tapped the bowl with a paw—clearly signaling hunger.
*Right.* Lu Yu had specifically reminded her: feed the cat.
“One bowl,” he’d said… but never mentioned *which* bowl.
She frowned at the tiny dish, then at the bag of cat food beside it.
Crouching, she lifted the bag—it felt oddly light.
Not because it was empty. Lu Yu’s body was just stronger. With one hand, she hoisted the ten-pound bag.
*Whoosh.* Under the kitten’s wide-eyed stare, she poured until kibble formed a mountain taller than its face.
“Meow…?”
It blinked once, then buried its nose in the feast.
“Lu Yu never said your name…”
She reached out.
The fur was silky-soft, faintly fragrant—clearly well-groomed.
“What’s your name, little one?”
A genuine smile touched her lips. Her eyes curved like crescent moons, gaze clear as spring water.
It had been so long since she’d smiled like this.
But the kitten flicked its tail irritably—clearly displeased with pets during mealtime.
Lin Beixing stood, taking in the room: shabby, old, small.
*Renting*, Lu Yu had mentioned once.
How could a high school senior live alone like this?
She didn’t know his story.
But one thing washed over her—
Freedom.
True, unprecedented freedom.
No more chained to chairs studying endlessly. No more forcing herself to touch that piano she never liked.
She leaped onto the bed—hard, narrow, but clean.
Above, a spiderweb tangled around the bulb; a trapped mosquito struggled.
A lump rose in her throat. “Mmph…”
She swallowed the whimper fast. *No tears in peace like this.*
Grabbing Lu Yu’s pillow, she hugged it close and rolled playfully across the sheets.
What next?
No favorite dramas. No beloved anime. No trendy mobile games.
Her gaze landed on the corner desk—the room’s only cluttered spot: scissors, pens, notebooks, tissues…
Clearly Lu Yu’s daily hub.
She flipped off the bed.
Time to explore the online world—step into the life of today’s youth.
The computer booted in seconds.
Mouse movements slightly clumsy, she scanned desktop folders.
*Study Materials.*
Lu Yu said: *Use anything. Just feed the cat.*
Without hesitation, she clicked it open.
………
*Beep.*
The mansion gate swung open after scanning the license plate.
Lush gardens greeted the eye, then a petite fountain, finally a white villa draped in ivy.
*Whoa.* Lu Yu’s mind reeled. *Jiangshui City has a paradise like this?*
He’d only seen places like this in pictures.
The car stopped. Hell-mode survival began.
“Miss, may I take your bag?”
The elderly butler bowed gently, hand extended.
“Thank you,” Lu Yu said with a strained smile, handing it over.
Outwardly poised, he smoothed the skirt as he stepped out—white flats clicking on polished stone.
Inside? Total panic.
*Lin Beixing never told me which room is mine!*
*Seriously… how unreliable.*
He forced calm as he entered the living room—the crystal chandelier nearly blinded him.
“Miss?” The butler paused at the stairs, glancing back at his dazed “mistress.”
Lu Yu shook himself awake. “It’s nothing…”
He caught the butler about to ascend with the bag.
“Let’s go upstairs first.”
