Chapter 640
Only Xue Rui is allowed to set fires, but Xi Xi is forbidden to light lamps.
After being scolded by Xue Rui, Lin Ruoxi drove silently without saying a word.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Xue Rui felt a pang of guilt, constantly wondering if he had spoken too harshly.
Turning her head, she saw Lin Ruoxi staring straight ahead, not paying any attention to her at all, as if she were angry.
Too……
Lin Ruoxi had the right to be angry, even though she had spoken so harshly just now, all to protect another girl.
Xue Rui was torn about whether or not he should apologize.
Actually, Lin Ruoxi wasn't angry at all; she was just afraid of facing Xue Rui's gaze.
While driving, he would steal glances at Xue Rui's expression to see if Xue Rui was still angry.
Gu Muxue had just offered her her vacation time, and Lin Ruoxi wanted to thank her, but she couldn't...
In the past, Lin Ruoxi wouldn't say thank you, but would instead give Gu Muxue a hug. However, today Gu Muxue was holding a pile of gifts...
Therefore, Lin Ruoxi chose to bow.
Looking back now, Lin Ruoxi also realizes that her behavior was inappropriate, and Xue Rui's anger was justified...
Each of them had their own thoughts, like a couple having a cold war, neither of them speaking first.
Lin Ruoxi drove very fast, keeping the car at its maximum speed the whole way, and the engine emitted a deep, muffled roar.
Every time Xue Rui tried to speak, he was silenced by a push against his back, which made him certain that Lin Ruoxi was sulking with him.
In this oppressive and strange atmosphere, the car slowly drove into the familiar residential area.
Lin Ruoxi didn't take Xue Rui home; instead, she returned to an old neighborhood near the school.
After the car came to a complete stop, Xue Rui voluntarily unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car.
You've already angered Lin Ruoxi, and you're still expecting the little girl to open the car door for you?
is it possible?
To avoid embarrassment, Xue Rui made the safest choice.
However, Xue Rui didn't notice at all that Lin Ruoxi's arm was already hanging in the air.
The apartment building had stairs, and Xue Rui walked slowly at the front, pondering how he should apologize.
Saying "I'm sorry" would break their agreement, giving off a "only Xue Rui is allowed to set fires, but Xi Xi isn't allowed to light lamps" vibe.
The key point is that Lin Ruoxi doesn't want to see herself bowing her head.
How else can I apologize?
Raising children is so difficult...
Wait... a child?
There are many ways to maintain dignity while expressing remorse, and the simple working people have already summarized a set of experiences.
That means: we're going out to eat.
He didn't even need to cook; he just needed to take the unopened little cake from Gu Muxue and apologize. The little girl couldn't resist sweets.
Thinking of this, Xue Rui smiled and secretly glanced behind him.
Lin Ruoxi hung her head and followed closely behind Xue Rui, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.
Xue Rui hasn't been mean to me in a long time. He didn't even say a word to me the whole way. How could I possibly coax him?
As Xue Rui reached the door, he faced the closed door and felt deep regret.
He regretted walking in front...
Because he didn't have the key.
So Xue Rui touched his nose and awkwardly made way for him.
Lin Ruoxi swallowed hard, took out her key, and opened the door.
The moment the door opened, Xue Rui slipped inside like an eel, afraid that Lin Ruoxi would lock him in.
However, once inside, Xue Rui noticed that Lin Ruoxi's gaze softened, with a faint smile hidden in her eyes. But only for a moment, and then Lin Ruoxi's expression turned serious again.
Xue Rui's expression was somewhat unnatural, and he thought that Lin Ruoxi was probably laughing at his childishness.
The two stared at each other for a second, then simultaneously took a deep breath, and the atmosphere reached its peak at that moment.
"I was wrong."
"Thump!"
"Should we...?"
Xue Rui's last sentence caught in his throat, his hand holding the small cake froze in mid-air, and then his gaze slowly drifted downwards...
Lin Ruoxi knelt on the ground, her head bowed very low, and one small hand gently tugged at his trouser leg.
"Don't be angry, it was my fault..."
Lin Ruoxi's voice trembled. She dared not look Xue Rui in the eye, nor did she dare to think about what Xue Rui wanted to say.
Do you want anything?
separate?
Lin Ruoxi dared not think any further and instinctively hugged Xue Rui's leg tightly.
Xue Rui froze instantly; all the worries he had carried along vanished in an instant.
The little girl is still the same little girl, she's never changed.
They're still apologizing in the most humble, almost shameless way...
So Xue Rui stopped rushing to apologize and instead asked:
Why didn't you talk to me on the way?
"I dare not... I'm afraid you'll be angry." Lin Ruoxi's voice was trembling with tears.
Xue Rui patted Lin Ruoxi's head and explained softly, "Me too."
Lin Ruoxi paused, then slowly raised her head, looking timidly at Xue Rui.
She blinked quickly to clear her vision, wanting to see Xue Rui's expression clearly.
From Xue Rui's perspective, the little girl was hugging his leg with teary eyes, blinking at him as if she were trying to be cute.
Xue Rui gently wiped Lin Ruoxi's moist eyes and asked in a coaxing tone, as if speaking to a child:
"Would you like some cake?"
"I want...I want to eat."
Lin Ruoxi smiled with relief and then buried her face in Xue Rui's stomach and rubbed it against him.
"Alright, alright, get up, get up." Xue Rui felt the soft touch on his stomach, his tone quite helpless.
He probably understood Lin Ruoxi's thoughts.
In fact, Lin Ruoxi had wanted to back down for a long time, but because they were in public, she couldn't coax him into submission in one go by being unreasonable. That's why she dragged it out until they got home, where he clung to her leg and wouldn't let go...
As for the "stubborn driving" behavior on the road, it's just that they want to get home as quickly as possible.
Lin Ruoxi lingered with Xue Rui for a while before standing up, gently patting her knees, taking the cake from Xue Rui's hand, her eyes curving upwards like blooming white apricot blossoms.
Lin Ruoxi pulled Xue Rui to sit on the sofa, unwrapped the cake herself, took out a fork, scooped out a piece, and excitedly brought it to Xue Rui's lips:
"Hmm, the first bite is for you."
"it is good."
Xue Rui opened his mouth and swallowed it, feeling both helpless and heartbroken.
She can appease someone with a small cake that no one else wants; she's always the first to back down during a cold war; she has no ill intentions, only boundless flattery and indulgence.
Xue Rui knew that Lin Ruoxi wasn't born this way, but became this way for him.
Never growing up is also Lin Ruoxi's own protective shell.
Seeing Lin Ruoxi's satisfied expression as she ate the cake, Xue Rui reached out, dipped his finger in the cream, and irresponsibly smeared it on the tip of Lin Ruoxi's nose.
Lin Ruoxi instinctively stuck out her tongue, but couldn't lick it no matter what she did, looking quite adorable.
"Xixi, do you think you're Big Yellow? How can a person lick their own nose?" Xue Rui teased.
Lin Ruoxi pouted and then looked at Xue Rui's fingers, which were covered in cream.
She grasped Xue Rui's hand, opened her mouth without hesitation to swallow it, and then gently sucked on it.
Xue Rui subconsciously swallowed; this girl was really alluring.
Lin Ruoxi slowly released Xue Rui's hand, pointed to the cream-stained tip of her nose, and then slowly closed her eyes.
Xue Rui paused for a moment, how could he not understand what the little girl meant?
That means: It's your turn to help me.
Xue Rui did not refuse. He cupped Lin Ruoxi's face and leaned close to her pert nose.
Lin Ruoxi, on the surface, obediently closed her eyes, but in reality, she left a slit open.
The moment Xue Rui leaned in, she tilted her head back slightly and moved closer.
"Well!"
Xue Rui's pupils suddenly contracted.
The gentle breath brushed against his face, carrying a faint milky scent, and Xue Rui's heart pounded even harder.
Oh no, I've been tricked by that little brat again...
In fact, Xue Rui had a vague idea of what was going on.
But some things, even if you know them, you can't change them; you'll still willingly jump into them.
Lin Ruoxi never holds back her cards, yet she always maintains the initiative...
...The next morning, Xue Rui woke up on the sofa, covered with a quilt.
He rubbed his eyes groggily, and heard Lin Ruoxi's voice beside him: "You're awake?"
Lin Ruoxi was also sitting on the sofa. When she saw Xue Rui wake up, she handed him her phone.
"Mu Xue is waiting for your reply. Please reply."
"Okay." Xue Rui took the phone and realized it was already nine o'clock in the morning.
Gu Muxue: [Xiao Rui, call me when you wake up.]
……
at the same time.
Gu Muxue sat at the piano, holding a piece of paper in her hands, her eyes full of appreciation and joy, with a copyright transfer contract beside her.
Another gift Xue Rui left her was a piece of music she liked.
The music itself is not the point, nor is the copyright.
The key point is that Xue Rui actually wrote the lyrics himself!
The name Xue Rui was prominently listed as the lyricist.
Gu Muxue couldn't help but hum along to the rhythm.
The meaning is completely changed simply by changing the Chinese lyrics.
She wasn't moved by Xue Rui's talent, because Gu Muxue knew that it was most likely written by someone Xue Rui had commissioned.
But that doesn't matter; she wants to sing it for Xue Rui.
The phone screen lit up, and Gu Muxue grabbed it instantly. When she saw that it was a text message from China Mobile, she couldn't help but show a look of disappointment.
"Damn it, it's past nine o'clock, why aren't you up yet? What were you doing last night?" Gu Muxue muttered under her breath.
Just as she was complaining, Xue Rui called.
A hint of joy flashed in Gu Muxue's eyes, but she was also somewhat flustered and at a loss.
She took a few quick, deep breaths, then composed herself, pressed the answer button, put the phone aside, and placed her fingers on the piano keys.
……
On the other end of the phone.
"Mu Xue, you're up so early today? Have you opened your gift yet?"
"Hey, hey, hey, Mu Xue, why aren't you saying anything?"
Xue Rui pressed the speakerphone button, held up his phone, and walked to the balcony, inwardly complaining about how poor the infrastructure and services were in this old neighborhood.
Suddenly, a clear piano melody came from the speaker, its rhythm light and familiar.
Shortly after, Gu Muxue's sweet voice rang out.
"We traveled and stopped along the way"
Following the trail of the boy's drifting journey
The moment before stepping out of the station
He hesitated for a moment…
Xue Rui didn't speak or disturb him; he just listened quietly with a faint smile on his lips.
Contrary to his expectations, Gu Muxue wasn't really suited to sing this song, but that didn't stop Xue Rui from enjoying it.
Because this is a song sung to myself.
When the song ended, neither of them spoke first.
"Hey? Xiao Rui, did you hear me?" Gu Muxue couldn't help but speak first.
"Hello? My signal is bad. I didn't hear anything just now. Mu Xue, why don't you sing it again?" Xue Rui said with a grin.
"You, you, you..." Gu Muxue stammered, fuming.
Bad signal? Should I sing it again?
"I just love listening to you sing, I never get tired of it." Xue Rui's tone became serious, and he stopped teasing Gu Muxue.
"Hmph! If you keep doing this, I won't let you listen anymore," Gu Muxue said angrily.
"What a pity, Apple doesn't have call recording. I was so anxious just now, I wanted to record it but there was nothing I could do," Xue Rui said with great regret.
"It's okay, I'm here, you don't have to worry about not being able to hear me," Gu Muxue comforted her.
“I recorded that sentence,” Xue Rui said with a smile.
"You bastard! I'm not talking to you anymore!"
As the busy signal came through, Xue Rui's lips twitched.
Why are you so easily amused?
Soon, another message popped up on the screen.
Gu Muxue: [I really want school to start.]
A faint smile played on Xue Rui's lips; Gu Muxue's sweet words were always subtle and understated.
Xue Rui replied: 【I miss you too.】
Gu Muxue: [When did I ever say I missed you?!]
Suddenly, Lin Ruoxi's voice came from beside Xue Rui: "Breakfast is ready, come and eat."
Xue Rui patted his empty stomach and decided to finish his meal before talking to Gu Muxue.
"Rui, I'm off today. Where do you want to go?" Lin Ruoxi was in a good mood.
Every time I return to this house, the familiar smell of the old furniture always evokes many wonderful memories.
So, she plans to take a day off.
"Where to?" Xue Rui rubbed his chin, unable to think of anything for a moment.
There are quite a few attractions in Hedong, but the famous ones nearby seem to be either statues of Guan Yu or temples dedicated to Guan Yu...
The strong presence of Guan Gong culture left Xue Rui momentarily at a loss as to where to begin.
Let's not even talk about the crowds during the National Day holiday.
Taking your girlfriend there, does that mean you're becoming sworn sisters?
"Should we...should we go to the school? It's nearby," Lin Ruoxi asked tentatively.
“Okay.” Although Xue Rui found it strange, he did not refuse.
After all, it's only natural for college students to revisit their alma mater during holidays.
However, Xue Rui felt that Lin Ruoxi chose this place mainly because she didn't have to pay for tickets...
After dinner, Xue Rui planned to report his day's itinerary to Gu Muxue.
Of course, it would be even better if Gu Muxue were willing to come.
Gu Muxue: [I miss you too.]
Xue Rui was so shocked he couldn't close his mouth. He had forgotten to reply to the message during the half hour he was eating, and the little girl had actually lowered her head?
What a wonderful holiday!
At ten o'clock in the morning, the two stood at the school gate, but their clothes were very different.
Xue Rui was dressed in casual clothes, while Lin Ruoxi was even wearing her high school uniform with a large backpack on her back. Xue Rui guessed that this was probably to reduce her presence.
To be honest, Xue Rui's attitude towards high school is complicated.
Not to mention that my own relatives work there, and I always get teased when I run into them.
The key point is that he read it twice, and the two completely different experiences made his memory somewhat confused.
"Let's go."
Xue Rui took a deep breath, grabbed Lin Ruoxi's arm, and tried to go through the main door.
However, Lin Ruoxi remained motionless, her eyes secretly gazing into the distance.
“I…I want to go in from that side,” Lin Ruoxi said, pointing to the green belt in the distance.
Xue Rui paused for a moment. He knew that direction all too well, even better than the school gate. He had almost taken the wrong turn when he came here.
That was the dog hole he'd crawled through for years...
Xue Rui was somewhat conflicted; Lin Ruoxi really wasn't opportunistic at all...
Lin Ruoxi single-handedly transformed Hedong No. 2 Middle School from a bottom-tier school to a top-tier one.
Even if the principal were to come out to greet them, he would only greet them with a smile.
And what about Lin Ruoxi? She actually wanted to crawl through a dog hole?
"alright."
Xue Rui nodded and followed Lin Ruoxi over.
Before he even got close, Xue Rui noticed something was wrong. The dog hole he used to know had been patched up with barbed wire...
"Xixi, let's go through the main entrance."
Xue Rui turned to leave, while Lin Ruoxi squatted on the ground, cautiously looking around before unzipping her backpack and taking out a pair of pliers… (End of Chapter)