Tick tock, tick tock.

The room was so quiet that only the sound of the clock remained.

Shi Sui looked at him.

Every cell in her body, from her brain to the soles of her feet, was screaming two words—

Fear.

At this moment of such high tension.

Through Yan Tingli’s eyes, her memory returned to that summer long ago, when they had just gotten together.

At that time.

Although she found him surprisingly fierce in bed, which scared her somewhat, Shi Sui attributed this to biological instinct, thinking perhaps she was too timid.

At other times, Yan Tingli would help her fill out college applications and teach her piano.

He even showed interest in the nail polish Zhou Xuyan had given her, lying on the recliner to paint her toenails.

That day on the third floor of the Yan house, the plants in her small bedroom were blooming beautifully.

On that summer morning, sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Yan Tingli’s lowered brows and eyes like a dream.

He seemed both far and near to her.

Although she knew they definitely wouldn’t have a future, she couldn’t resist her girlish heart fluttering.

At that moment, Shi Sui’s heart felt like it had grown a green, unripe fruit.

Sweet and sour.

After changing her application to A University, Shi Sui gave them four years in her heart.

—If nothing unexpected happened, they could be together for four years.

But now, Yan Tingli was forcing her to talk about marriage.

She could no longer feel even half of that girlish flutter from that moment.

Instead, endless melancholy enveloped her, this emotion causing Shi Sui to inexplicably tear up, crying silently.

How exactly had they reached this point?

Cool fingertips brushed past her eye socket, Yan Tingli lowering his gaze to look at the crystal clear droplet on his fingertip.

He seemed confused: “Why are you crying?”

His eyelashes lifted, his gaze lightly falling on her cheek.

His lips slowly tugged: “Even saying this one sentence makes you feel so terrible?”

Shi Sui didn’t know how to describe these myriad emotions.

“…No.”

She looked up.

The room had no lights on, only the dim light and shadow from the TV screen. Yan Tingli’s lips were pressed tight, his face appearing pale.

Shi Sui was still deliberating when Yan Tingli suddenly moved.

Gripping her face, he kissed her fiercely, opposite to his usual ease, like a trapped beast, appearing completely chaotic.

“Then what is it?”

His breathing was heavy, forcing her to speak, “Hmm? Say something.”

Shi Sui could no longer find any excuse; the string in her mind was about to snap. In the second before collapse, she couldn’t control herself, crying as she hugged him, pleading: “Brother Tingli, let’s date, let’s date first, okay?”

Shi Sui was truly at her wits’ end.

Burying her head in his chest, holding him tightly, choking out: “Just now I was very scared, I don’t want you to be like that.”

This person’s embrace always made her afraid, yet also at peace.

At least no matter how angry he got.

He wouldn’t hurt her.

Yan Tingli didn’t say yes or no.

He only moved his palm from her thin shoulders up to the back of her neck, his fingertips moving to the front, slowly tightening.

Unable to see his expression, she could only hear his hoarse, clear voice, speaking each word with force.

“Sometimes I think.”

“It would be good to turn you into a robot with preset programming. One that would only say things that make me happy.”

A chill ran up Shi Sui’s back, and she closed her eyes.

“…Don’t say such things.”

“I’m scared.”

He paused for a long time, then finally put down his hand. The turbulent waves from just now receded, and he suddenly seemed exhausted.

After a while, he said: “Then try coaxing me a few more times.”

Shi Sui was silent.

She was naturally bad at sweet talk, much less able to promise things she couldn’t do.

Yan Tingli seemed to suddenly calm down, withdrawing from all emotions. When he spoke, his tone was flat and emotionless: “You’re usually quite good at lying.”

Shi Sui didn’t dare speak.

When she lied, he could see through it at a glance.

“I’m not happy, you love me, shouldn’t you coax me?” he continued.

Shi Sui was discovered.

Yan Tingli used such direct vocabulary to describe his emotions.

For example.

Happy, not happy.

Shi Sui even felt.

He seemed only able to distinguish these two words, unable to feel more emotions.

When uncomfortable.

It was just “not happy.”

Then—

Shi Sui tentatively said: “…I’m willing to marry you.”

“Fake enough.”

“…”

Yan Tingli’s hand ran through her hair: “But it doesn’t matter, I’m very happy.”

With just this one sentence…he was happy?

Shi Sui couldn’t believe it.

Until she heard him say in her ear, breathing each word: “What I want, I’ve never failed to get.”

Yan Tingli’s emotions had calmed down.

But Shi Sui got goosebumps all over her back because of his words.

No matter how slow she was.

She still slowly understood his meaning.

Yan Tingli would make a scene because she lied about Fang Huaijing.

Because he only wanted to force out the truth.

But today.

He only wanted to hear what he wanted to hear. Lying didn’t matter, as long as he was happy.

As for her true intentions.

That wasn’t important.

Because what he wanted, he would get no matter what.

Yan Tingli rested his chin on top of her head, his palm stroking down her spine repeatedly.

Such a warm and intimate distance.

Yet Shi Sui felt cold all over, feeling he was more distant than before.

Her heart seemed to fall into an abyss, completely unable to reach the bottom.

At the end of March, Shi Sui finally submitted her competition entry before the deadline.

It was a ten-minute 3D animation, with plot and script all written by herself. At the beginning of creation, she had even discussed it with Yan Tingli.

Shi Sui wrote a fairy tale-like little story.

—The forest elf Wendy yearned for urban luxury. She entered the city and got to know the prince, seeing all the prosperity, but lost herself in the decadence. Seeing everything clearly, Wendy returned to the forest, choosing freedom.

After Yan Tingli scanned through the plot, he only tugged his lips and smiled dismissively.

Seeing this made Shi Sui’s heart tighten: “What’s wrong, is something unreasonable?”

Yan Tingli commented: “The prince is useless.”

His focus was inexplicable, Shi Sui was confused: “Why?”

“Why let her leave?” he asked, puzzled.

Shi Sui blinked, explaining: “Because the prince loves Wendy.”

“Love?” he scoffed, clearly unable to understand.

Shi Sui added, “And Wendy is an elf with wings, the prince couldn’t keep her anyway.”

Yan Tingli propped his chin, saying carelessly: “For a prince, breaking a little elf’s wings, is that difficult?”

Too dark!

Shi Sui felt he was simply impossible to communicate with: “Then it wouldn’t be a fairy tale anymore!”

He shrugged, sneering: “It could only be a fairy tale then.”

“…”

Pressing the submit button on the official website and watching the page transition, Shi Sui also snapped back from memory.

Thinking of Yan Tingli’s words now, her back inevitably felt cold.

Unconscious reactions were the most honest.

In Yan Tingli’s concept, what he wanted, he would get by any means necessary.

Shi Sui felt dizzy, burying her head in her arms to ease the stuffy feeling in her chest.

Just then, her phone beside her rang.

Seeing the caller, Shi Sui was startled and immediately got up from her dorm seat, walking to the corridor.

After a few seconds of psychological preparation, she answered with a serious expression: “Auntie Song.”

The other end hummed, getting straight to the point: “Sui Sui, are you busy this weekend?”

Shi Sui’s heart tightened: “Not busy.”

“Then come back to Auntie’s house for dinner. Haven’t seen you in a long time.” Song Jie said flatly, “Coincidentally, the coral bracelet I mentioned giving you last time arrived, I’ll give it to you.”

Previously, Song Jie would occasionally call her back for dinner.

But usually it was when she wanted to see Yan Tingli, to ask about recent studies and work, calling her was incidental.

Shi Sui responded: “…Okay. Thank you, Auntie.”

“Oh, right.” Song Jie seemed to suddenly remember something, smiling: “Auntie also invited another girl, the daughter of Auntie’s friend, called Su Han.”

“What a coincidence, Auntie learned from her that you two are even classmates.”

Shi Sui had an ominous feeling in her heart, slowly responding: “…Mm.”

“This weekend, bring her back home as a guest together, okay? If Tingli asks, just say she’s a classmate you get along well with.”

Song Jie’s hint was already very obvious.

Probably afraid that forcibly calling Su Han back as a guest would cause Yan Tingli’s rebellion.

So she took this big detour, making her the middleman.

Like a heavy stone, pressing down heavily on Shi Sui’s heart.

She parted her lips but couldn’t respond for a long while.

“Sui Sui, are you listening?” Song Jie called her name.

Perhaps even Yan Tingli himself hadn’t noticed that his forceful, non-negotiable tone was exactly like Song Jie’s.

Shi Sui was very afraid of them.

“I’m listening,” Shi Sui was silent for a while, saying gently, “it’s just that Su Han and I aren’t very familiar…”

“It doesn’t matter.” Song Jie interrupted her, “Won’t you become familiar through more interaction?”

Just as Shi Sui wanted to say something more, Song Jie suddenly started a different topic: “By the way, did your mother receive that balance payment?”

“…What?” Shi Sui was stunned.

Song Jie smiled: “Looks like your mother hasn’t had time to tell you yet. Xinshuo was dragging on the balance payment, I had Tingli help with a small favor.”

So that’s how it was.

Shi Sui remembered that magical last Wednesday.

She suddenly felt drained of all strength: “I see, thank you, Auntie.”

After a pause, she said, “I’ll contact Su Han tomorrow and ask her to come as a guest together.”

“Good.” Song Jie said with satisfaction, “I’ll have the driver pick you both up.”

She was never one for idle chat. After finishing business and exchanging a few pleasantries, she hung up.

Shi Sui leaned against the wall, staring blankly at a point.

She didn’t dare think about what Yan Tingli’s reaction would be when he found out she brought Su Han back.

If their cover was blown.

What then.

Thinking about it, she suddenly felt a splitting headache.

She slowly crouched down weakly, burying her head in her knees.

The next day after class.

Shi Sui specifically asked Su Han to stay behind.

When she brought up this matter, Su Han seemed especially surprised, widening her eyes and looking her up and down: “You’ve been living at Yan Tingli’s house all along?”

It was the classroom after everyone had dispersed, and there were probably classmates who hadn’t gone far yet. Su Han’s loud voice scared Shi Sui terribly.

She quickly reached out to cover her mouth: “Shh, keep it down.”

Seeing Shi Sui’s guilty expression, Su Han wanted to laugh, her upturned eyes curving as she asked: “Then why do you act like you don’t know him?”

Although Shi Sui was inseparable from Xue Jing, who Su Han got along with the least, Su Han’s impression of her had always been good – well-behaved and soft, with emotions as stable as a capybara.

Being asked this by Su Han, Shi Sui struggled for a while before saying, “I don’t want to be noticed.”

Su Han raised an eyebrow: “Coincidentally, I want to be noticed.”

“Then…” Feeling that Su Han wasn’t as difficult to get along with as the rumors suggested, Shi Sui relaxed a bit. “Are you willing to go with me this weekend?”

“Of course,” Su Han tossed her curly hair, saying frankly, “why wouldn’t I go? I want to pursue Yan Tingli.”

Shi Sui glanced at her, thought about it, and still asked: “Do you like him?”

“Not really.” She shrugged.

“Then why…” Shi Sui hesitated.

“Because I’m very vain,” Su Han propped her chin, saying seriously, “being with Yan Tingli would be so face-saving.”

Shi Sui: “…”

Hearing this reason, she felt no burden in her heart.

Su Han looked at her expression and asked openly: “Do you have any relationship with Yan Tingli?”

“I’m just staying at his house.” Shi Sui didn’t look into her eyes, saying dully, “Not very familiar.”

“Can you not tell others about this?” She looked at Su Han pleadingly.

“Don’t worry, I don’t have such a big mouth.” Su Han stood up with her books, waving, “See you this weekend then.”

The communication with Su Han went unexpectedly smoothly.

Shi Sui watched her departing figure, her thoughts floating in the air.

After reacting for a while.

She tasted an emotion called envy.

She was slightly stunned.

What was she envious of?

Envious that Su Han could follow her heart and be free?

Or envious that she could openly be with Yan Tingli.

Shi Sui shook her head vigorously, took a deep breath, and dismissed all distracting thoughts.

Song Jie had given advance notice days earlier that at nine o’clock on Saturday, she would send a car to pick up her and Su Han.

So Friday, Shi Sui told Yan Tingli she wouldn’t be coming over.

He didn’t say no, just made a tsk sound, looking very impatient about returning to the Yan house.

Shi Sui then said, “Then you don’t have to go back.”

If he insisted on not going back, maybe Song Jie wouldn’t call her either.

Then there wouldn’t be so many complications now.

There was keyboard sound on the other end, Yan Tingli should be busy. Hearing this, he asked flatly: “She calls you, would you refuse?”

Shi Sui naturally wouldn’t.

“So I agreed to go back,” he said.

Shi Sui understood.

It was because of her that he agreed to go back.

Shi Sui lowered her eyes and said nothing more.

She didn’t dare think what his reaction would be if he saw her bringing Su Han tomorrow.

She sighed softly.

“I’m going back, and you’re sighing?”

Shi Sui tested: “Can you agree to one condition?”

“What?”

“Tomorrow at your house, don’t kiss me.”

Shi Sui decided to try a desperate measure.

At least he couldn’t lose control at home.

The keyboard sound on the other end paused.

“Do it directly then?”

Shi Sui was exasperated: “Of course not! Tomorrow at your house, we need to act like we’re not familiar.”

He laughed mockingly: “Do I usually act familiar with you?”

“Just like before.”

Yan Tingli tapped the keyboard twice: “Is there anything different about tomorrow from before?”

The question was almost sharp.

Shi Sui’s heart jumped, almost falling into his trap again.

Racking her brains: “Our relationship is different now.”

Yan Tingli suddenly laughed, seeming very pleased by her words.

“So you agree?” she asked carefully.

“You also agree to one condition for me.”

Shi Sui was cautious: “…What?”

“I’ll tell you when I think of it.”

It was unfair.

But given tomorrow’s urgency, Shi Sui still gritted her teeth and agreed.

The next day at nine o’clock.

Shi Sui saw Su Han downstairs at the dorm, dressed in a short skirt with curly hair, carefully made up.

Su Han was a few centimeters taller than her, probably about 168cm, plus a pair of eight-centimeter-high leather shoes.

Shi Sui is in her sweatshirt, standing beside her.

Looked like an elementary school student on a field trip.

She looked up and let out a soft “wow,” “You’re so beautiful.”

Su Han proudly raised her chin: “Thank you.”

Walking from the dorm to the school gate, Shi Sui discovered that Su Han, who usually seemed aloof and quiet, was quite easy to get along with.

As long as you praised her, she would be very happy.

Just on this stretch of road, Su Han had already changed from coldly crossing her arms to affectionately linking arms with her: “I declare, Shi Sui, from now on you’re my close friend.”

Shi Sui smiled, also learning that her so-called “irreconcilable” conflicts with Xue Jing were just trivial matters.

Two excellent and sharp girls having some friction was perfectly normal. It was just that both had proud personalities and neither was willing to yield first.

Once they got close, Su Han couldn’t hide things. She told her about the relationship with the Yan family, like pouring beans, proudly saying: “My dad Su Ye is Yan Tingli’s mentor and knows Uncle Yan and them.”

Shi Sui could only put on an expression of just learning this, saying supportively: “I’ve heard of him, your dad is amazing.”

“Of course,” Su Han smiled, “you’re my first friend since returning to China, I’ll introduce you to my dad next time.”

After saying this.

Su Han pondered for a moment. Having studied abroad since childhood, she didn’t know what the procedure for making friends in China was like.

After thinking, she still said loyally: “If you encounter any difficulties, you can tell me too. If I can’t help, I’ll have my dad help you.”

Shi Sui smiled it off.

The next second, her steps suddenly stopped.

She stared at her blankly.

Su Han blinked: “What’s wrong, you don’t believe me?”

Shi Sui quickly shook her head: “No, no, I believe you.”

In a flash, a certain thought arose, her heart racing.

Taking a light breath, she forcibly suppressed it.

Don’t be hasty.

She told herself, take it slow, don’t rush.

From school to the Yan residence was quite a distance, about half an hour by car. Along the way, Su Han held her hand and shared her study experiences growing up in Boston, America.

Shi Sui maintained a serious expression, watching her throughout.

“You’re the first person since I returned to China who listens to me so seriously.” Su Han’s eyes sparkled, “When I tell others, they all think I’m showing off.”

Shi Sui came back to herself, saying softly: “I really find it very interesting.”

American education completely different from domestic, free and passionate campus life.

It was something she had never experienced.

Su Han propped her chin: “Then you can go too.”

“If possible.” Shi Sui replied quietly.

“We’re here, we’re here.” Seeing the car drive into the Yan family’s villa area, Su Han leaned close to Shi Sui’s ear: “This is my first time at Yan Tingli’s house, I was shocked. Is it this luxurious?”

Even Su Han was shocked, let alone Shi Sui.

She smiled: “I was shocked three times.”

“Pft hahaha you’re so funny.”

Su Han burst into laughter.

While talking, Master Li got out of the car and opened the door for them: “We’re here, please enter, young ladies.”

Getting out of the car, Shi Sui saw Song Jie standing by the door. She could tell she took this meeting very seriously.

She lowered her eyes, pushing Su Han forward: “You go first.”

Song Jie welcomed them inside. The table was full of exquisite pastries, and she gave each of them gifts.

Shi Sui thought of the coral bracelet.

She thanked her and accepted it.

“Looks like you two get along well.” Song Jie said with a smile.

Su Han put her arm around Shi Sui’s shoulder: “Yes, we’re already friends.”

Song Jie said: “Sui Sui has a very good personality, you’re very suitable to be friends.”

The conversation then gradually shifted to Su Han. Song Jie asked about Su Ye’s recent situation and asked her to give her regards.

Su Han was in a very good mood: “Sure, I’ll tell my dad when I get back.”

Song Jie smiled with satisfaction.

After waiting for a long time without seeing anyone return, Song Jie looked at the time and frowned: “It’s almost noon, why isn’t he back yet?”

Shi Sui glanced at the time, not surprised at all. At this time, he should have just woken up less than an hour ago.

To get here would take at least another half hour.

But the waiting process was inevitably torturous. She unconsciously tensed up, drinking water absent-mindedly.

Then couldn’t help but run to the bathroom.

Until she heard commotion outside.

Shi Sui was washing her hands in the bathroom, looking in the mirror, constantly taking deep breaths.

After sufficient psychological preparation, she gripped the handle and opened the bathroom door.

She also saw, standing at the living room entrance.

Yan Tingli standing straight, frowning, his gaze scanning around the room.

His expression wasn’t good.

Song Jie beside him said: “Really didn’t expect it, hearing from Sui Sui that Xiao Han is her good friend, what a coincidence, so I invited them both to our house as guests.”

“Right, Sui Sui?” Song Jie’s gaze turned to her.

At the same time, Yan Tingli’s substantial gaze also fell on her from mid-air.

Shi Sui’s fingers hidden in her sleeves gripped tightly.

She parted her lips.

Heard herself nod and say: “Yes, Auntie.”

She looked away, not daring to meet Yan Tingli’s eyes.

But she could feel it.

Cold to the bone.