Back then, Yun Tiancheng had said this to Xu Ya: If Xu Ya insisted on being stubborn, he would divorce her. But now, if she finally woke up and drove Yun Sisi away, would Xu Ya and Yun Tiancheng’s relationship go back to how it was before?
Her parents were reconciled as if nothing had happened, and she was happy for them. Yet Yun Shifei felt that it would be hard for her to forgive Xu Ya.
The wounds from the past had long since worn away her expectations and affection for her, little by little.
Even if she had changed, it didn’t mean the past would simply disappear.
However, when Yun Tiancheng asked, Yun Shifei still smiled and said, "Sure."
She knew her father loved her mother. Their relationship had always been good, and if Yun Tiancheng had truly divorced Xu Ya because of her, she would have been ridden with guilt.
Even now, she felt a bit uneasy. Thinking of this, Yun Shifei couldn’t help but sigh. Life was indeed difficult, and dealing with people felt even harder. By comparison, studying seemed so much simpler and easier.
There were just over three months left until the college entrance exam, and she had to work even harder!
On the weekend, Yun Tiancheng drove to pick Xu Ya up, while Yun Shifei stayed at home waiting.
Yun Tiancheng didn’t say much to her about it—perhaps because he understood that she couldn’t easily forgive Xu Ya—and he didn’t pressure her either. He just told her it’d be a simple meal.
At that moment, Yun Shifei stroked her beloved pet’s fur and, looking at its lazy demeanor, couldn’t help but feel envious: "Sometimes it wouldn’t be so bad to be a dog—eat, sleep, play, and then sleep again after getting tired of playing."
In response, her pet let out a little howl, as if protesting against Yun Shifei’s words.
A while later, the sound of a car engine came from the doorway, and Yun Tiancheng entered together with Xu Ya.
It had been a while since they’d last seen each other. Xu Ya had actually cut her hair short, making her look especially polished, exuding the air of a career-oriented woman.
As Xu Ya walked in, carrying a bag in her hand, she smiled at Yun Shifei. "Shifei, Mom bought you some jewelry."
"Thank you." Yun Shifei accepted it and maintained her quiet and well-behaved demeanor.
She was truly growing up to be more and more beautiful. Xu Ya’s gaze softened as she looked at Yun Shifei.
Xu Ya knew Yun Shifei wasn’t going to forgive her. After all, the harm she had caused her in the past had been too deep.
So Xu Ya simply accepted the distant dynamic in their interactions.
"Let’s eat," Yun Tiancheng said, steering the conversation to avoid the atmosphere becoming awkward.
Yun Shifei wasn’t much of a talker to begin with. During the meal, she ate seriously and quietly. Yun Tiancheng glanced at Xu Ya, then at Yun Shifei. He could sense subtle changes in Yun Shifei’s demeanor—slightly more reserved than before.
Obviously, Xu Ya’s presence was making her uncomfortable.
Yun Tiancheng sighed inwardly. He understood—back when Xu Ya had done so much to hurt her, she had left shadows in her heart, shadows that wouldn’t dissipate easily.
He chose not to disturb her, letting her have her silence during the meal.
After dinner, they moved to the living room to chat.
Yun Shifei was feeding her pet some snacks. Yun Tiancheng and Xu Ya exchanged a glance, both seeing the complexity in each other’s eyes.
After all this time, Yun Shifei still couldn’t forgive her.
Xu Ya knew it was entirely her own doing.
Since she’d decided to seek Yun Shifei’s forgiveness, she would have to take the initiative.
She smiled and asked Yun Shifei, "Shifei, I heard your grades have improved a lot recently. Have you thought about which university you want to go to?" Updates are released by N0velFire.ɴet
Yun Shifei, upon hearing this, quietly replied, "I don’t know."
"With grades like yours, you could probably get into a teaching college or a foreign languages university. Something like that would be great for a girl."
Great? But she didn’t like those options.
Still, Yun Shifei didn’t show it on her face. After a moment, she said, "I’ll decide when the time comes. For now, I just want to do well in the college entrance exam."
She didn’t want to pin herself down with plans for schools or majors just yet. She figured those were things to think about later.
With her current grades, none of the schools she could get into were exactly what she wanted most.
But in her heart, she’d already set a goal for herself.
In her past life, once Cheng Lie became a big shot, he had stayed in Beijing. So Yun Shifei thought she had to get into a school in Beijing as well.
That way, they might have a chance to meet again someday.
And she wouldn’t have to face those familiar faces in South City, the ones she disliked so much.
This little plan of hers was something neither of her parents were aware of.
Yun Tiancheng and Xu Ya would never expect that Yun Shifei was planning to go to Beijing.
Logically, kids from their area rarely went out of province for university, since the schools within their province were already numerous and high-quality, and the local economic development was improving greatly, offering excellent future career prospects.
Plus, familiarity with the environment gave people peace of mind.
Given Yun Shifei’s personality, she’d probably apply to schools in South City, they thought.
Xu Ya asked again, "Have you encountered any difficulties in your studies recently?"
Yun Shifei shook her head.
Xu Ya continued, "If you do, make sure to communicate with... your dad. Don’t keep it bottled up."
Xu Ya asked her a few more questions, all about things Yun Shifei was knowledgeable about and interested in.
Yun Shifei knew that Xu Ya was trying to win her over.
The feeling was weird, and it also triggered a sense of instinctive resistance within her.
Xu Ya stayed for a while longer before leaving.
Yun Tiancheng drove her back, and Yun Shifei found herself unable to remain home. She took her pet out for a walk.
Ever since Cheng Lie left, she hadn’t had a playmate in the neighborhood.
Sun Xiaoqi lived a bit farther away, so it wasn’t like she could visit her anytime she wanted.
Most of the time, she’d walk her pet around outside.
By chance, she bumped into Mu Chengzhu again.
Mu Chengzhu was also walking a dog.
Looking at the tiny husky, which was only as tall as her dog’s leg, Yun Shifei fell into a contemplative silence.
She hadn’t expected that when she jokingly suggested Mu Chengzhu get a husky that day, he had actually gone and gotten one!
The little husky, just like her dog when it was a puppy, was curious about everything. Spotting her much-too-larger dog, it joyfully bounded over, wanting to play.
But her dog, now all grown up, had become far more composed than before. It looked down at the husky with indifference, unmoving, clearly uninterested in playing with it.
Yun Shifei, worried that the husky’s enthusiasm might provoke her dog into biting, tugged her pet closer to her.
"It’s fine. Let them play," Mu Chengzhu said, noticing her concern.
"Their size difference is a bit much," she replied.
Mu Chengzhu chuckled, picked up the husky, and held it up for Yun Shifei to see.
Watching the husky’s silly eyes dart around her face, Yun Shifei couldn’t help but laugh.
Sure enough, huskies are silly from the moment they’re born, and they stay silly forever.