Chapter 126: Persuasion

Seeing the looks exchanged among the group and watching Xue’er Shangguan drive away with Wang Yuqing, Xiao Lin’s expression darkened. Some things, it seemed, were simply impossible to keep hidden.

“Xiao Lin, are you and Ma Yunrou dating now?” Zhang Zhenghao asked, disbelief evident in his voice.

“Yeah, we’re officially together now. Wish us luck,” Ma Yunrou interrupted before Xiao Lin could respond, boldly looping her arm through his in a public display of affection.

The group turned inquisitive eyes toward Xiao Lin, who solemnly nodded, tacitly confirming Ma Yunrou’s words.

A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd upon seeing Xiao Lin’s acknowledgment.

“Well, I won’t keep you all any longer. I’m taking Rou’er home,” Xiao Lin said reluctantly, forcing a smile. He gently patted Ma Yunrou’s hand, signaling her to follow him.

The news of Xiao Lin and Ma Yunrou reuniting stunned Zhang Zhenghao and the others so much that they lost all desire to return to the club.

“Let’s go home, then. What a mess this is,” Zhang Zhenghao sighed before everyone dispersed to their respective homes.

By now, Xiao Lin and Ma Yunrou had boarded a taxi. Ma Yunrou gave the driver the name of a residential complex. Since she had successfully separated Wang Yuqing and Xiao Lin, Lin Yuemei had given her 400,000 yuan. With that money, Ma Yunrou’s family moved out of the suburban prefabricated house, repurchased their previously sold home, and, with the help of Uncle Xiang, her parents found new jobs. Though the salaries weren’t high, they were decent for Donghai City.

Hearing the name of the complex, Xiao Lin couldn’t help but ask, “You’re still in the old neighborhood? Didn’t you sell that place?”

“We bought it back. It was left to us by my grandfather. Of course, we had to get it back,” Ma Yunrou explained.

“Oh,” Xiao Lin nodded silently, troubled. Just now, Wang Yuqing’s sudden departure had pierced his heart with anguish.

Seeing his expression, Ma Yunrou guessed his thoughts.

“Xiao Lin, that Wang Yuqing was your girlfriend back in Innovation High, right? She’s really beautiful,” Ma Yunrou said softly, deliberately.

“Uh... yeah... Rou’er, don’t jump to conclusions. I’ve already broken up with her. Don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility for my actions,” Xiao Lin said earnestly.

Ma Yunrou nodded. Watching his serious face stirred something inside her; she recalled that night when Xiao Lin’s well-toned body had captivated her. A seductive glint appeared in her eyes as she leaned close to his ear.

“Xiao Lin, let’s go to a hotel. I don’t want to go home,” she murmured, teasingly nibbling his earlobe.

But this tempting invitation, hard for any man to refuse, made Xiao Lin uncomfortable. He awkwardly shifted away.

“No, I have to go back and change my bandages,” Xiao Lin lifted his hand as proof—though it was almost healed and didn’t really need changing.

Hearing this, Ma Yunrou snorted in frustration. She hadn’t expected him to refuse. Was she really so inferior, unable to compete with Wang Yuqing? Both fell silent, their minds occupied with their own thoughts.

Soon, the taxi pulled up at Ma Yunrou’s residential complex. After paying, they got out.

Looking at the familiar neighborhood she once frequented, Xiao Lin felt as if he had stepped into another world.

“I’m here. I won’t invite you in,” Ma Yunrou, still annoyed over earlier events, said.

But her words were exactly what Xiao Lin wanted to hear. “You should get inside and rest,” he replied, then tried to hail another cab home. This move made Ma Yunrou’s teeth grit with anger.

“Hey, Xiao Lin, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“What is it?” Xiao Lin furrowed his brow.

“In a few days, I’ll be going to Kyoto Film Academy. So when you return to school, we’ll go together—just the two of us,” Ma Yunrou emphasized the last part with a pointed tone, thinking bitterly, Don’t think I don’t know you want to go back with Wang Yuqing; I’m not giving you that chance.

“Oh, I got it,” Xiao Lin replied, voice tinged with melancholy.

Meanwhile, in the car driven by Xue’er Shangguan, tears streamed down Wang Yuqing’s face uncontrollably. Seeing her distress, Shangguan silently handed her some tissues.

“Yuqing, can you tell me your story? Sometimes, speaking it out makes the heart feel lighter,” Shangguan said softly. This time, she wasn’t seeking material for her novel; she genuinely cared for the gentle girl. Though they hadn’t known each other long, female friendships blossomed quickly. To Shangguan, Wang Yuqing was her closest confidante, and her pain was her pain.

“Xue’er, he’s so happy. Why does my heart still ache?” Wang Yuqing sobbed.

Shangguan was momentarily stunned by the seemingly nonsensical remark, but then she understood.

“Silly girl, do you think you’re some kind of saint? The one you love is in someone else’s arms. If you don’t feel pain, that means you’ve lost your heart. Yuqing, haven’t you thought about fighting to win Xiao Lin back? I really don’t like that Ma Yunrou; she gives me a very flirtatious vibe,” Shangguan said, handing over more tissues.

“No, they’re so happy together. They were sweet back in middle school. As long as he’s happy, that’s enough,” Wang Yuqing replied bitterly, wiping away tears.

Shangguan pulled the car over and grabbed Wang Yuqing’s shoulders, turning her to face her directly.

“How do you know he’s happy? You’re not him, so how could you know? Yuqing, when you say you love him so much, I don’t believe you do. You don’t truly understand him. Loving someone isn’t about retreating after setbacks; it’s about never giving up on him or yourself. Hiding behind tears is the act of a coward, a complete failure,” Shangguan’s tone suddenly grew firm.

Wang Yuqing was taken aback, her tears forgotten as she stared blankly at Shangguan, unable to comprehend such harsh words.

Seeing her reaction, Shangguan softened her tone. “Yuqing, I know you’re kind and not good at fighting. But some things you can’t let go. You think letting him go is giving him happiness, but even I, who just met him, can see he still carries you in his heart. I don’t know why you broke up, but that much I’m sure of.”

“Really? You mean there was a reason for the breakup? And he still thinks of me?” Wang Yuqing’s eyes lit up with hope. Since their breakup, she’d been miserable. Though she’d seen Xiao Lin a few times recently, she dared not look at him closely, so she hadn’t noticed the sorrow in his eyes.

“Yuqing, you don’t even know why you two broke up?” Shangguan asked, astonished.

“I really don’t. He didn’t say, just apologized to me,” Wang Yuqing sniffled, tears flowing again.

“He apologized to you,” Shangguan repeated thoughtfully.

“If you want to be with Xiao Lin again, you have to tell me everything about your story—no secrets. Even the intimate parts,” Shangguan said seriously.

***

Back home, Xiao Lin greeted his parents briefly before retreating to his room.

“Waiting for the misty rain in the sky, and I am waiting for you...” Just as he sat down, his phone rang. It was Zhang Zhenghao.

“Hey, Zhenghao, what’s up?”

“Xiao Lin, are you home?”

“Yes, what’s wrong?” Xiao Lin noticed a serious tone.

“Listen, I’m telling you this as your brother. Don’t get mad, okay?”

“Alright, nothing’s off-limits between us,” Xiao Lin chuckled.

“I don’t know what happened between you and Ma Yunrou to make you choose her again, but take my advice—she’s not right for you. Be careful not to get hurt again,” Zhang Zhenghao said after careful thought.

“Uh... it’s fine. I know what I’m doing,” Xiao Lin said, smiling bitterly after a moment.

“I hope so. I won’t say more, but one last thing: don’t hurt the person who loves you deeply,” Zhang Zhenghao left a heavy message before hanging up.

“Hurt the one who loves me...” Xiao Lin muttered quietly.

Then the phone rang again, this time from Ye Hao.

“Xiao Lin, are you crazy? How can you be with that wicked woman, Ma Yunrou?”

“Because... because...” Xiao Lin couldn’t find an explanation.

“No matter what, you can’t be with her. Don’t you remember how she hurt you? Listen to me and break up with her immediately. There are so many good girls out there—Shangguan Xue’er, Xu Qing...” Ye Hao rattled off a long list.

No sooner had Ye Hao’s call ended than another came in—from Xu Qing.

“Hey, Xiao Lin, who were you talking to just now? You’ve been on the phone for a long time. Just so you know, you and Ma Yunrou aren’t right for each other...”

Xiao Lin then received calls from Jin Hai, Haozi, and others. They all shared the same opinion: you two don’t belong together.

Xiao Lin looked up at the sky with a pained cry, “I know we don’t match, but I have no choice. I have to take responsibility.”