Chapter 20: You Don’t Want to…

Lu Zhao had once heard a saying that a person’s mood affects their perspective on things.
Now, he finally understood what that meant.
Ever since he met Yun Shuiyao, she had always been expressionless, and Lu Zhao had grown used to it.
But now, at this very moment, he felt certain her demeanor held some deeper meaning!
What was she hinting at? What had she seen? What did she know?!
Lu Zhao clenched his teeth, struggling to keep his expression steady.
His throat swallowed instinctively, his hands beneath the table fidgeting uncontrollably.
“Ahem.” He cleared his throat to prevent his voice from betraying his nerves.
“Senior, what did you mean by ‘less than a month’ just now?”
Lu Zhao’s eyes locked onto Yun Shuiyao’s face, watching for the slightest change in expression.
To his disappointment, her exotic, strikingly beautiful face remained unchanged, not a single muscle twitching.
Just as he remembered her.
Sipping her drink through a straw, Yun Shuiyao spoke.
“Nothing special, Junior. Don’t overthink it.”
This is a threat, right? This is definitely a threat!
What do you mean, don’t overthink? You say something that makes me overthink, then tell me not to?
Does that even make sense?!
Lu Zhao’s mind was on the verge of exploding.
Even facing Yen Ruyue herself, he hadn’t felt this panicked.
All human fear stems from the unknown.
Lu Zhao suddenly realized he truly didn’t know the woman in front of him.
Knowing her name, her appearance, and where she went to school—was that understanding her?
No, far from it.
At least for Lu Zhao now, those details were utterly useless.
What was her personality? Why was she always so expressionless? Was it innate or caused by something later?
Lu Zhao knew none of these things.
So, he couldn’t figure out what she meant by “less than a month.”
Even assuming the worst—that she knew everything—what would she do?
That was something Lu Zhao couldn’t predict either.
He glanced back at the door, relieved to see Yen Qingxin hadn’t returned yet.
Breathing a little easier, Lu Zhao’s mind raced, thinking of how to get her to talk or figure out if she really knew something.
“Senior.”
“Hm?”
“What do you think of me as a person?”
Yun Shuiyao blinked and tilted her head slightly, expressing confusion through her actions, but she answered.
“You’re great. You’re a kind and gentle person, Junior.”
Lu Zhao’s cheek twitched. This was the first time he’d been given a “nice guy” card—he was usually the one giving them—but that wasn’t important now!
“Phew… I mean, you’d want me to do well and be happy, right, Senior?”
“Of course. Do you think I’d wish you ill?”
Yun Shuiyao met Lu Zhao’s gaze, her eyes clear and sincere.
But Lu Zhao didn’t dare trust the sincerity in those eyes.
“So…” He leaned slightly closer, a pleading smile on his face.
“Senior, you wouldn’t want Qingxin to hate me or break up with me if something from my past came out, right?”
Yun Shuiyao’s eyes widened, and she blurted out, “I won’t tell her!”
Realizing she’d slipped, she quickly clamped her mouth shut.
But it was too late—Lu Zhao had heard what he needed.
“Sigh…”
Lu Zhao propped his head on the table, his face full of exasperation.
Yun Shuiyao lowered her head, occasionally stealing glances at him.
In that brief moment, Lu Zhao had clearly seen her panicked expression.
It seemed his senior only showed emotion when she was worked up—she’d been even more flustered than him just now.
With this realization, Lu Zhao finally relaxed. Thankfully, his senior wasn’t the type to use such things to threaten others.
Otherwise, he didn’t even want to imagine what kind of unspeakable drama might unfold.
“When did you find out?”
Since it was out in the open, there was no point hiding anything. Might as well lay it all bare.
Yun Shuiyao’s voice was low. She never imagined she’d discuss this with him.
“Last summer, I came back for the break and saw you on the street. I was going to say hi, but then I noticed…”
She bit her lower lip, as if the next words were too hard to say.
Lu Zhao finished for her. “You saw me with another woman, right?”
Yun Shuiyao nodded silently.
Phew—
Lu Zhao let out a long breath, looking into her eyes. “Senior, you know I’m an orphan.”
“Yes.”
“I got into Echeng University, but I needed tuition.”
Yun Shuiyao’s pupils trembled slightly. No more needed to be said.
It wasn’t uncommon.
A vulnerable man relying on a woman to get by wasn’t exactly new.
She just never expected Lu Zhao to do it.
“You… I…”
Yun Shuiyao’s eyes reddened. She wanted to ask why he didn’t come to her.
But she couldn’t say it. Why would Lu Zhao come to her? What reason did he have?
They were just ordinary acquaintances, maybe even more distant than regular friends.
At least, that’s how Lu Zhao likely saw her.
“So, Senior, can you promise me? Promise you won’t tell anyone about this, okay?”
Seeing Lu Zhao’s slightly vulnerable expression and pleading smile,
Yun Shuiyao nodded firmly. “Don’t worry, Junior. I absolutely won’t say a word!”
“I trust you, Senior. After all, you’re a good person too.”
Unable to handle Lu Zhao’s direct, earnest gaze, Yun Shuiyao quietly looked away.
Seeing her reaction, Lu Zhao’s hand under the table clenched into a fist.
Done!
He never imagined last summer would leave such a ticking time bomb. Luckily, his senior was decent and hadn’t spilled.
He even felt a bit relieved—relieved that Yun Shuiyao didn’t know the woman she saw was Yen Ruyue, Yen Qingxin’s mother.
Otherwise… he didn’t dare think how this expressionless senior’s worldview might be shattered.
No, no, how could he call her expressionless?
She was… what’s the term? Right, a cool, blonde, mixed-race “emotionless” type!
He should keep in touch more, maintain a good relationship to ensure this stayed buried.
“Senior, let’s exchange contact info.”
Lu Zhao inwardly cringed at himself. To think he’d known her this long and didn’t even have her WeChat.
“Oh… sure, sure!”
Yun Shuiyao fumbled for her phone, a bit flustered.
Was it his imagination, or did she seem… excited?
Excited about what?
Her first time being asked for her WeChat by a guy? That would be exciting.
Ding-a-ling—
Soon after, Yen Qingxin pushed the door open and returned.
Lu Zhao turned at the sound. “Qingxin, you’re back. I ordered your drink.”
“Oh, how sweet of you.”
Knowing Yun Shuiyao had a boyfriend, Yen Qingxin found her much more tolerable.
But… hm? Was that woman smiling?
Why? What happened?
Though her face was still expressionless, Yen Qingxin was certain there was a spark of amusement in her eyes.
It wasn’t there when they first met.
Something was off—way off.
Her gaze darted between her boyfriend and Yun Shuiyao. She desperately wanted to know what they’d talked about in the short time she was gone.