Chapter 305: Hugging Cheng Lie
Cheng Lie responded with a quiet "hm." He could feel that when he asked her about this, she seemed a bit nervous.
He had a keen sense for people’s emotions, especially since she wasn’t good at hiding hers.
Why was she nervous? Was it because she could play the piano?
Although Cheng Lie found it strange, since she didn’t want to talk about it, he wouldn’t dig into it further.
When you like someone, you like everything about them—even the inexplicable secrets they carry. If she chose not to tell him, he was willing to wait until the day she did.
After the exams, Yun Shifei packed her things and got ready to go home. She hadn’t been home for half a year and was a bit excited.
She had also bought quite a few gifts for people, including plenty for Sun Xiaoqi.
Since she, Xu Yuejiao, and Ye Yi were all from the same city, they decided to take the same flight.
Yun Shifei didn’t expect to run into Cheng Lie before heading to the airport. Cheng Lie drove over and helped her get to the airport, giving Xu Yuejiao and Ye Yi a lift as well.
The two men met for the first time and discreetly sized each other up.
Ye Yi knew Yun Shifei liked Cheng Lie and that their relationship was very strong. Seeing Cheng Lie in person now, Ye Yi immediately understood he didn’t stand a chance.
Cheng Lie wasn’t only handsome, but the powerful aura surrounding him was leagues beyond Ye Yi’s—it was as if he kept others at arm’s length.
Yet, towards Yun Shifei, Cheng Lie was remarkably gentle. He carried her luggage, reminded her to stay safe during the flight, and even worried she hadn’t eaten, buying her a breakfast to take along.
Throughout the journey, Yun Shifei stayed close by Cheng Lie’s side, seeming especially reliant upon him.
Yun Shifei, truthfully, didn’t want to leave Cheng Lie either. Once she left, it would be over a month before they could see each other again.
And it was New Year’s—would he feel lonely being here all by himself?
"Call me when you get back to South City," Cheng Lie said.
Yun Shifei nodded. "Okay."
"Stay safe."
Yun Shifei nodded again.
They gazed silently at each other. Cheng Lie pinched her cheeks and whispered, "I’m leaving now."
He could see how unwilling she was to part. Surely, there was something she wanted to say to him?
Yun Shifei had so much she wanted to say to Cheng Lie, but she wasn’t sure what couples in love were supposed to talk about.
She wished she could see him every day—even a single day apart felt unbearable, let alone enduring an entire winter break before seeing him again.
But with so many thoughts in mind, when the moment came, she found herself unable to articulate them. The words caught in her throat. She grew flustered, unsure of which were the most important.
As Cheng Lie was about to turn and leave, Yun Shifei finally summoned her courage, reached out, and hugged him tightly.
The young man was steadily growing into his maturity. His figure had become tall and muscular—he was transforming into the body of a man.
Her height barely reached his chest. Hugging him like this, Yun Shifei could only bury her head against him, suffused with a sense of security.
She nuzzled her head against his chest before looking up at him and saying, "Take care of yourself too. Eat well, sleep well, and think of me. I’ll call you every day."
Watching her cling to him like a kitten, Cheng Lie’s heart was immediately enveloped by a soft and tender warmth. He even felt slightly stiff from the sensation.
After a long pause, he softly replied, "Alright."
Not far away, Xu Yuejiao watched the scene and couldn’t help but shake her head, clicking her tongue as she sighed: "Wow, who would’ve thought? Feifei seems so proper normally, yet when she’s in love, she knows how to act coquettish. Cheng Lie sure is lucky to have such an adorable girlfriend."
Ye Yi pursed his lips without speaking, his expression a mix of defeat and bitterness.
She loved Cheng Lie—the light in her eyes when she looked at him was something she never had when looking at anyone else.
That light filled Ye Yi with jealousy he could hardly contain, but he was powerless to change it.
Their love seemed impervious to outside interference.
Once Yun Shifei boarded the plane, she quickly fell asleep. Before long, she arrived in South City.
After stepping off the plane, Ye Yi parted ways with Yun Shifei and Xu Yuejiao.
Yun Shifei and Xu Yuejiao headed toward the same exit. Just as they walked out, they spotted Yun Tiancheng and Xu Ya.
Both of them looked delighted to see Yun Shifei, waving at her cheerfully.
Yun Tiancheng was smiling so wide his eyes nearly disappeared. He felt a tug at his heart—his daughter had grown up again in the half year since he last saw her.
Yun Shifei wore a short, light blue down jacket and black pants—a simple, neat outfit that still made her stand out in the crowd thanks to her looks.
Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a delicate, small face that radiated undeniable beauty.
Pushing her suitcase forward, Yun Shifei walked up to Yun Tiancheng and called, "Dad."
She then glanced at Xu Ya and softened her tone slightly, saying, "Mom."
"Uncle, Aunt!" Xu Yuejiao greeted Yun Tiancheng and Xu Ya warmly.
Then she turned to Yun Shifei and said, "Shifei, my brother’s here to pick me up. I’ll head off now. Hopefully, you’ll visit me soon—Grandpa and Grandma probably miss you terribly!"
Yun Shifei noticed Xu Yuejiao’s brother approaching in the distance.
She nodded. "Alright. Be careful on your way back."
Out of nowhere, Xu Yuejiao leaned closer to whisper in her ear, "Are you going to tell Uncle and Aunt about you and Cheng Lie?"
Yun Shifei immediately shook her head. "Not yet."
She wasn’t sure how Yun Tiancheng would react if he found out about her relationship with Cheng Lie. Would he disapprove?
After all, Yun Tiancheng and Cheng Lie’s father were friends. And this complicated connection...
For now, she decided it was better not to mention anything to Yun Tiancheng.
"Yuejiao, won’t you stay for a meal before leaving?" Yun Tiancheng asked from the side.
"No need, Uncle. My parents are waiting for me." After all, it had been six months since she saw them—her parents must be eager to reunite.
Once Xu Yuejiao left, Yun Tiancheng turned his gaze to Yun Shifei and commented, "Shifei, you look more beautiful—and taller—than ever."
Yun Shifei curved her lips into a smile. "Of course! I’m still growing!"
Though truthfully, her height was likely capped at this point.
"Dad, I’m hungry," she added.
"Let’s go eat!"
Yun Tiancheng drove Yun Shifei to a restaurant. As they traveled, Yun Shifei observed the scenery outside the car window. It surprised her how much South City had changed during her time away—there seemed to be more skyscrapers than before.
In truth, South City’s level of prosperity was not far behind that of Beijing.
Yun Tiancheng asked about her university life, and Yun Shifei shared some of the fun things she had experienced.
Yun Tiancheng nodded thoughtfully. "That’s good, Shifei. University life is really enriching."
The father and daughter hadn’t had a proper talk in over two years, so they had endless things to share. Even after ordering dishes at the restaurant, their conversation showed no signs of stopping.
Meanwhile, Xu Ya sat silently beside them, watching Yun Shifei and Yun Tiancheng chat. She felt like an outsider looking in.
Deep inside, she couldn’t help feeling sorrowful, but she also knew—it was a consequence she had brought upon herself.