Chapter 86

Because of Zhou Han and her daughter, Kong Xiyan put even more effort into cleaning that afternoon. She wiped down the entire apartment, inside and out, and wouldn't let Chi Wanzhao help. She said she wanted to personally drive away the bad luck.

Seeing her pretty face so serious, Chi Wanzhao truly didn't lift a finger, sitting on the sofa watching her bustle about.

After watching for a while, she got up and walked to the window.

The white floor had been mopped to a shine by Kong Xiyan, and Chi Wanzhao left faint high-heel prints as she walked. Kong Xiyan, watching her back, asked curiously, "What are you looking at?"

She finished speaking, dragged the mop over to the window, and wiped away Chi Wanzhao's footprints.

Chi Wanzhao tilted her head to watch her bend down, pressing her lips together. "Nothing."

At this moment, Kong Xiyan was right in front of her, right by her side, within arm's reach.

She no longer had to secretly hide in the room across the way, watching her figure through a dim window, noting what time she left each day, then going downstairs to fake a chance encounter.

Too bad her luck had been bad.

She'd never run into her even once.

Chi Wanzhao seemed to recall those days, her expression softening. Kong Xiyan straightened up, set the mop aside, and stood next to Chi Wanzhao, looking out.

Across the way was another building, apparently long deserted, because its entrance was plastered with promotional flyers, some yellowed and rustling in the wind. Kong Xiyan watched for a while, then spoke up: "I remember an old woman used to live across there. She was an amazing cook. Sometimes when my dad wasn't home, I'd take Queen over to mooch a meal."

As she said it, she felt a bit sheepish.

Chi Wanzhao's eyes were tender with warmth. "You really liked her?"

Kong Xiyan didn't notice how strange the question was; she thought a moment and said, "Really liked her."

Chi Wanzhao just nodded, saying nothing.

Her gaze followed Kong Xiyan's to the door that had been shut.

She had heard the story of Kong Xiyan and her grandmother many times. Her grandmother was always praising her, saying the young lady across the way was pretty and kind-hearted, and would come visit her often since she lived alone.

So different from other girls.

Back then, she'd wondered what could be so different—her grandmother must be exaggerating.

It wasn't until she first saw Kong Xiyan through the window that she understood.

She really was different.

Different enough that she couldn't look away.

Every day, she was bewitched, learning bits and pieces about her from her grandmother, watching her daily life through the not-so-clear window, imagining what she'd say if she came over.

Unfortunately, after she arrived, Kong Xiyan never came again.

During that period, she seemed very busy, leaving early and returning late, sometimes not until midnight. She'd stay upstairs, watching until she saw Kong Xiyan enter the building, the light come on in her room, her lovely figure cast on the curtain.

Only then would she turn off her light and sleep.

Sometimes, getting up early, she'd see her standing under the tree holding a big yellow cat, or scolding the cat for misbehaving again.

Each time, her expression was so earnest, and the cat squatting in front of her would raise its head and meow, as if they were arguing.

The one person and the one cat were both full of charm.

They made her brow soften.

She'd watched Kong Xiyan secretly for a long time before wanting to be more open, to stand before her—even if just to perform an awkward chance meeting.

Pity that her luck was bad.

Before she could run into Kong Xiyan, her grandmother fell gravely ill, passed away a few days after being hospitalized, and her parents came to take her back.

From start to finish, she'd never managed to say a single word to Kong Xiyan, not even a simple self-introduction.

It was an unrequited crush that faded without conclusion.

She was too young then, thinking time would dim that fondness, so she left far away.

But she was wrong. What had once been love at first sight wasn't slowly erased by time; instead, it settled deep in her heart. With a casual touch, traces of that affection could still be seen.

Seeing Chi Wanzhao silent for so long, Kong Xiyan couldn't help asking, "What are you thinking about?"

Chi Wanzhao turned to her. "About you."

Kong Xiyan: ...

Her cheeks flushed red. She gave Chi Wanzhao a reproachful glare and walked away, as if she thought her frivolous.

Chi Wanzhao rubbed her nose bridge, a little innocent.

She really had been thinking about her.

No mistake in that.

After Kong Xiyan finished tidying the house, she let out a breath. Then she stared at a door, thought it over, and still went in.

It was her old room.

There wasn't much in it—a bookshelf beside a desk, and a bed. Nothing special.

Chi Wanzhao followed Kong Xiyan in and watched her stand on her tiptoes to take a book from the shelf—thick, with a black cover. Confused, she asked, "What are you doing with that?"

Kong Xiyan didn't answer. Her fingers brushed lightly over the book, then she sighed and opened it. Only then did Chi Wanzhao see a letter envelope tucked inside.

It looked old; the paper had yellowed.

Holding the envelope, Kong Xiyan said, "Actually, there's another reason I came back today—to fetch this letter."

Chi Wanzhao moved closer and saw three characters on the envelope, written in neat black ink: Kong Xiyan.

She looked down and asked, "Does it have to do with your old friend?"

That old friend.

Naturally, it was the one she'd mentioned at the cemetery before.

Kong Xiyan nodded. "You could say that."

Chi Wanzhao understood. She took the thick book from her, closed it, and placed it back on the shelf.

The atmosphere in the room grew cold and still. Kong Xiyan clutched the envelope, pressing her lips together. "Actually..."

Suddenly, a phone ring interrupted her words. Kong Xiyan lifted her chin. "Answer it."

Chi Wanzhao pulled out her phone, and at the number, her brow knit slightly.

Then she answered.

"Hello."

The person on the other end was in good spirits; she said, laughing, "Sis, I'm back in City B!"

Chi Wanzhao's brow knit tighter. "Back in City B? Why the sudden return? Does Mom know?"

Chi Xuan pouted. "I left a message for big brother. Why can't I come back? You have no idea—I'm getting depressed at home, listening to Mom and big brother talk about Dad every day. Why should I have to behave?"

"I won't listen! It's not like I made a mistake—why do they all come scold me?"

Chi Xuan's emotions were running high. Usually, she wouldn't dare speak to Chi Wanzhao like that, but recently, because of Chi Chao, she'd been too stifled, and so she let her mouth run.

After saying it, she froze for a moment, then quietly said, "Sorry, sis."

Chi Wanzhao pressed her lips together. "It's fine. Are you at the airport? I'll have Zhou Sheng pick you up."

Chi Xuan refused. "No need, sis. Li Bo already arranged a car to fetch me."

"Li Bo said you've been staying at the apartment lately. Can I come straight there to find you? I'm almost there."

She asked cautiously, and Chi Wanzhao softened a little. "I'm not at the apartment right now."

Chi Xuan said weakly, "That's okay. I'll wait for you at the apartment."

Chi Wanzhao thought for a moment. "Alright."

"I'll be back soon."

Chi Xuan hurriedly said, "No rush. I can take care of myself."

Then, as if afraid of disturbing her, she quickly said goodbye and hung up.

Seeing Chi Wanzhao's brow furrow, Kong Xiyan asked, "What's wrong?"

Chi Wanzhao looked down. "Nothing. My sister came over."

Kong Xiyan hummed, put the envelope in her bag, then took Chi Wanzhao's hand. "Then let's head back quickly. I wonder if Haining can entertain your sister."

Chi Wanzhao's steps toward the door faltered, then her expression changed.

Wang Haining!

How could she have forgotten that Wang Haining was still at the apartment?

She quickly called Chi Xuan. The phone rang several times before someone picked up. Chi Xuan shouted, "Second sister!"

"Don't go to the apartment!"

Chi Wanzhao spoke coldly. "Have Li Bo take you back to the Old Mansion. I'll head back right now."

Chi Xuan asked, puzzled, "Why not? I'm already at the apartment door."

As she spoke, she had Li Bo open the door, and then Chi Wanzhao heard a scream that changed pitch.

"Wang Haining!"

Chi Wanzhao pressed her lips together, displeased. She grabbed Kong Xiyan's hand and hurried out of the house. Kong Xiyan was confused but didn't ask; she locked the door and followed her downstairs.

Lu Han was still waiting downstairs. Seeing them come down, he quickly opened the car door. Chi Wanzhao said coldly, "Back to the apartment. Fast."

Kong Xiyan didn't understand why she was in such a hurry, thinking it was her sister's doing. She comfortingly patted the back of Chi Wanzhao's hand. "Don't worry. Haining will take care of your sister."

Chi Wanzhao turned to her, face even tighter, and cast her eyes down.

How could she explain this to her?

Exactly because Wang Haining was at the apartment.

That's why she was in such a hurry to get back.