Luo Xingqian paused and started to laugh, “He hasn’t come down yet today. You can go find him in his room. His room is the one by the stairs on the second floor.”
Qiao Qing nodded and was about to head up when Luo Qingqian asked, “Are you here to tell him that you’re moving?”
Qiao Qing stopped her steps, “Yes.”
Luo Xingqian asked as if he didn’t care, “Are you moving by yourself? Or are your brothers going with you?”
Qiao Qing didn’t know why he asked that but she didn’t think too much about it, “We’re all moving.”
Luo Xingqian’s lips curled up. His mood seemed to have drastically improved, “Go on up.”
Qiao Qing didn’t say anything anymore and went to the second floor.
Outside Luo Chen’s room, she knocked on his door three times but nobody answered.
She thought Luo Chen may still be asleep so she sent him a text. Then, she turned to leave.
Before she even took two steps, she heard a “crack” and the door behind her opened.
Luo Chen’s voice was ridden with exhaustion, “Qingqing.”
When Qiao Qing turned to look at Luo Chen, she froze.
Luo Chen was still in the same clothes as yesterday. His hair was messy like a chicken nest.
The boy who once looked like a manga character was now pale and dejected. With darkness under his eyes, he looked like he hadn’t slept all night.
“What happened to you?” Qiao Qing asked.
Luo Chen didn’t answer and shot a look behind her. Then, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his room. After he shut his door, he asked, “Qingqing, why are you here?”
Agitated by the smell of smoke in the room, Qiao Qing coughed.
Luo Chen quickly went up to his window and opened it. Then, he pushed down his messy hair, “Sorry, I forgot to ventilate.”
Qiao Qing saw the tray of cigarette butts next to his bed and frowned slightly, “What... What happened to you?”
“Huh? Oh no!” Luo Chen reacted as if he had been traumatized. His milky face and silky skin suddenly turned even whiter.
He smiled at Qiao Qing, “Qingqing, you’ve been introduced into the Qi family, right? Though I didn’t attend the birthday party last night, I saw some news articles about it. Congratulations!”
When Qiao Qing saw the forced smile on Luo Chen’s lips, she knew something was wrong.
Since he refused to tell her, she didn’t want to pry. Instead, she nodded, “I’m here to tell you that I’m going to move into the Qi family home today.”
“Is that so?” Luo Chen was a little taken aback and also dazed, “That makes sense. Since you’re a part of their family now, there is no way they’d let you live outside of their own home. At least we go to the same school and have each other’s contact information. It won’t be hard for us to see each other.”
Qiao Qing nodded, “Then, goodbye.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Luo Chen seemed to have finally found a convincing reason to leave his room and left with Qiao Qing.
Qiao Qing remembered that only Luo Xingqian was in the living room so she asked, “Your parents aren’t home?”
Luo Chen nodded, “They are traveling for work.”
The two headed down the stairs and when they passed the living room, Luo Chen acted like he didn’t see Luo Xingqian. He didn’t even say hi to him as he led Qiao Qing out of the house.
Qiao Qing couldn’t help but look back. She found that Luo Xingqian had put down the morning newspaper and with his gaze dim, he stared back at them.
She then turned her head again to look at Luo Chen – his handsome face tightened so hard it was basically in a knot.