Chu Yu was slightly taken aback. After a moment, she softly responded to the call outside before turning to Gu Chusheng. "Wait until your carriage arrives at the back gate before you leave," she said.
With that, she lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and stepped out.
As soon as she emerged, an umbrella shielded her from above. Chu Yu looked up to see Wei Yun holding it. The umbrella wasn't large, and as he held it high over her head, the rain began to fall onto him instead.
He gazed at her, his face brimming with joy, carrying a youthful vigor she had long lost. His presence seemed to brighten the entire world.
Chu Yu stared at him quietly, momentarily dazed.
Wei Yun looked puzzled and called out, "Sister-in-law?"
The address snapped Chu Yu back to her senses. She quickly shook off her reverie and stepped down from the carriage.
Wei Yun held the umbrella over Chu Yu as the carriage began to move again. He glanced back and caught a glimpse of Gu Chusheng's face through the swaying curtain.
Wei Yun's heart tightened, but his expression remained composed. He simply adjusted the umbrella over Chu Yu and moved a little closer.
Heartache always grows deeper the more one dwells on it. Chu Yu had just revisited the past with Gu Chusheng in its entirety, and after recounting it all, she felt as though she had relived that life all over again. She was so exhausted she could barely walk.
The weariness radiated from her, accompanied by a deep sorrow and despair. Even though Chu Yu said nothing, Wei Yun, walking beside her, sensed it all too clearly.
His gaze lingered on her face. She looked weary, her expression resembling that of an elderly person nearing the end of life, as if she might pass away at any moment.
It seemed there was nothing left in this world for her to cling to. Her coming and going had become utterly unpredictable.
Wei Yun couldn't help but feel a pang of panic. He followed closely behind Chu Yu, and when she entered the room, she noticed he was still trailing her. She couldn't help but chuckle, "Why are you following me?"
"I noticed the scent of alcohol on you, Sister-in-law. I was worried you might have had too much to drink."
Wei Yun knelt opposite Chu Yu, who had let down her hair and reclined lazily on the couch. Calmly, she replied, "It's nothing. My tolerance is higher than this. I'm only slightly tipsy, nothing serious."
"But you seem deeply intoxicated, Sister-in-law."
Wei Yun smiled gently. "Let me stay with you. It'll put my mind at ease."
Chu Yu understood his concern. She wasn't one to hide her feelings, especially not in front of family—and she didn't need to.
When had she started considering Wei Yun as family?
Chu Yu wasn't sure.
Holding a hand warmer, she studied the young man quietly before her.
The alcohol was indeed affecting her, though she didn't realize it. Her actions betrayed her state. Feeling overheated, she kicked off her silk socks. Wei Yun, noticing her bare feet dangling over the edge of the couch, instinctively stepped forward, picked up the discarded socks, and carefully put them back on for her.
Nearby, Wei Xia saw this and hurriedly pulled Changyue, who was standing guard, out of the room. Changyue looked confused, but Wei Xia covered her mouth and dragged her away without explanation.Wei Xia and Changyue had gone out, leaving only Wei Yun and Chu Yu in the room. Chu Yu's thoughts were sluggish, her gaze fixed on Wei Yun as the young man half-knelt before her, calmly putting on her socks for her. He looked up and smiled gently, saying softly, "The floor is cold in winter. You should wear your socks and not be stubborn."
Chu Yu remained silent, lowering her eyes, unwilling to acknowledge anyone.
Noticing her damp, loosely draped hair from the rain, Wei Yun, having nothing else to do, stood up and fetched a towel. Standing behind her, he said gently, "Sister-in-law, let me dry your hair for you."
Unable to think much, Chu Yu gave a faint murmur of assent and sat up, allowing Wei Yun to take hold of her hair.
Her hair was long, thick, and black. Wei Yun carefully dried it strand by strand with the towel. The hands that could wield a heavy long spear to stir the heavens and earth now moved with extraordinary tenderness and precision.
His warmth behind her reminded her of his presence. Chu Yu said nothing, and so he remained silent as well. Her long hair cascaded down, veiling her face. After a long while, Wei Yun suddenly felt something wet fall onto the back of his hand.
He froze momentarily before panicking, "Sister-in-law, did I use too much force?"
Chu Yu didn't answer. She hadn't felt wronged before, but his question inexplicably brought forth an overwhelming surge of sorrow.
All the grievances from her past life and this one combined, Chu Yu bit her lip, unable to speak, her lips turning pale from the pressure, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Wei Yun didn't dare move to face her. Standing behind her, watching her silent tears, his heart ached as if trampled by a thousand horses.
She sat alone before him, and only now, up close, did he realize how frail and delicate she truly was.
Like a slender, beautiful flower swaying gently in the wind and rain—so lovely it stirred longing in his heart, yet so fragile it filled him with tenderness.
Listening to her sobs, sensing the loneliness swirling around her, he wanted to say something but didn't know how to comfort her.
Helplessness gnawed at him, leaving him standing there quietly. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he reached out, pressing her head gently to let her lean against him.
The moment warmth touched her, Chu Yu could no longer hold back, bursting into loud sobs.
She had suppressed it for so long, for so many years.
Twelve years in her past life without crying, and none in this one—yet in this young man's embrace, she finally found a place of solace to weep freely.
Wei Yun stood silently, letting her lean against him, his hand gently smoothing her hair.
He didn't even ask why she was crying, simply offering her quiet support without question.
Chu Yu cried for a long time until exhaustion overtook her, and she fell asleep in his arms like a child.
Noticing she was asleep, Wei Yun carefully laid her on the bed, covered her with a blanket, and tiptoed out.
The moment he stepped outside, he strode toward the guest quarters in the backyard. Wei Xia glanced at the water stains on his clothes and, sensing the overwhelming anger radiating from Wei Yun, didn't dare say a word.
Wei Yun stormed straight to Gu Chusheng's door and kicked it open.
Gu Chusheng hadn't changed his clothes, sitting disheveled on a cushion, his eyes fixed on a hairpin.Wei Yun's gaze fell upon the hairpin, and without a word, he raised his foot and delivered a fierce kick to Gu Chusheng's chest.
Gu Chusheng was violently kicked aside by him. Wei Yun stepped forward, grabbing his collar and closing in on him like a wolf.
"What did you say to my sister-in-law?"
Gu Chusheng remained silent, his expression lifeless. Wei Yun slapped him across the face and roared, "Speak!"
Author's Note:
[Bonus Scene]
Mo Shubai: I bet with you all that the top comment will definitely be "First!"
Readers: I have my own brilliance.
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