Chapter 46

Chapter 46

She paused, straining her ears. The room was utterly silent, as if the earlier sound had been a figment of her imagination.

She switched on the light and checked the door again; it was still securely locked.

A wave of frustration washed over her before she returned to bed and lay down.

After a long while, she finally turned off the light.

Darkness enveloped the room once more, and the sound, like a door opening, echoed again. Su Su held her breath, vowing that if it persisted, she would simply sleep with the lights on!

A few seconds later, the sound vanished. She exhaled softly in relief and switched on the dim bedside lamp.

Before she could fully settle, she turned her head and saw Tao Youming lying on the other side of her bed.

Even with the light now on, Su Su was genuinely startled. She immediately got out of bed and stared at him. "Tao Youming, how... how did you get in here?"

The man was dressed in a dark green sleeping robe, its belt casually tied at his waist, the loose neckline slightly agape, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his chest.

He licked his lips, a playful smile spreading across his face. "I walked in."

Su Su gritted her teeth. "When did you walk in?"

The man raised an eyebrow. "Probably... while you were showering."

Su Su’s gaze swept the room, landing on the slightly ajar walk-in closet. She didn't need to think twice to understand. Turning back to glare at him, she demanded, "So you hid in my closet for nearly half an hour?"

Tao Youming chuckled softly. He wasn't that foolish. He had already been lying on the bed while she showered, only retreating to the closet when she was about to emerge.

"Yeah, I hid for half an hour," he said, lifting his gaze with a hint of feigned innocence, as if enduring that half-hour had been an immense hardship.

"I was too lonely in my room. I couldn’t sleep, so I came here."

Su Su took a deep breath, forcing a smile through clenched teeth. "Well, I’m not lonely, so you can go back."

Tao Youming pulled the thin blanket around himself, his tone laced with reluctance. "We’ve made up. Why are you still sending me away?"

"I have school tomorrow," Su Su said, stepping forward, hands on her hips. "Go back to your room and sleep!"

Tao Youming eyed her slender arms and long, shapely legs, tempted to pull her into his embrace for some intimacy. But remembering his promise not to casually touch her, he said wistfully, "I’ll just sleep on this side. I won’t do anything."

Su Su rolled her eyes so hard they almost disappeared. If she believed that, she might as well believe in ghosts.

"No," she refused bluntly. "I’m used to sleeping alone now. Having someone next to me will keep me awake."

Tao Youming rubbed the bridge of his nose, watching her. This woman truly was something—she wouldn't even accept him when he was practically throwing himself at her. What a waste of his good looks.

Rejected twice now. How frustrating.

His fox-like eyes flickered as he pointed to the rug beside the bed and said slowly, "Then... can I sleep on the floor?"

For some reason, Su Su burst into laughter upon hearing this. She turned her head, covering her lips, inexplicably finding the man somewhat... endearing?

Tao Youming watched her shaking with laughter, feeling a pang of annoyance. "What’s so funny?"

"Nothing," Su Su replied, turning back to him with a gentler, more conciliatory tone. "Tonight really isn’t a good time. I have orientation tomorrow morning, and it’s sweltering in the afternoon. I don't want to go out at night."

As soon as she finished, Tao Youming quickly caught the hidden meaning: tonight wasn’t good? What about tomorrow night? Or the night after? Or any night after that?

"Tomorrow, you’ll take me to school," Su Su added when he remained silent.

"Fine," Tao Youming said, watching her maintain a three-foot distance as if afraid he’d pounce like a beast. He slowly dragged himself up. "So I’m really going back to sleep?"

Su Su gave a slight nod.

Tao Youming got off the bed but lingered. "Really going back?"

Su Su, hearing his twice-repeated, reluctant questions, strode around the bed to his side and gently pushed him toward the door. "Yes, you can go back!"

"Wake up at eight tomorrow. I need to be at school by nine-thirty."

"Oh." Tao Youming shrugged, opened the door, and sauntered out.

The next day marked the official start of the semester. Su Su went to school early for registration, and classes were in full swing two days later. Glancing at her class schedule, she noted she had a heavier course load this semester than last.

Tao Youming hadn’t caused any mischief in those two days—Su Su made sure to lock her door every time she entered, ignoring his silver-tongued pleas over the phone.

After another week of classes, Zhou Xin invited her and a few classmates to visit an orphanage.

Su Su had initially considered asking Tao Youming to come along, but after what Zhang Liqi had told her about him striking a deal with Tao Yifeng to buy her that flashy red sports car, she dropped the idea.

She hadn’t known that the car had been part of a deal with Tao Yifeng.

During summer break, between her internship and matters concerning Su Yaobo, Su Su hadn’t visited the orphanage. Now, seeing the children again, it seemed none recognized her—except for one.

The child quietly asked, "Super Handsome Teacher hasn’t come to see us in so long. Can you call him for me?"

The child remembered her—this was the sister who had appeared when Super Handsome Teacher threw out his back while dancing. Since they seemed close, the child hoped she could help.

A complicated feeling settled in Su Su’s heart. After his deal with Tao Yifeng, Tao Youming had thrown himself into work, keeping his word never to return to the orphanage.

Just to gift her a sports car for her birthday, he had given up his carefree lifestyle and the orphanage. Because he wasn't living up to his potential yet, Tao Yifeng had stopped indulging him, forcing him to comply with the company’s demands.

The more Su Su thought about it, the more a sense of guilt weighed on her.

"Sister..."

The child’s gentle tug brought her back to reality. She smiled softly, stroking the child’s hair. "How about this—I’ll find a time to bring him to see you all, okay?"

"Can Teacher really come?" the child asked.

"Yes, he can," Su Su promised.

After their volunteer work at the orphanage in the afternoon, the group returned to school. Upon getting off the bus, Zhou Xin suggested everyone split the bill for some Szechuan food.

No one objected—after a year together as classmates, they were all familiar with each other.

Su Su paused for a beat but decided she should get along with her classmates. "Let me treat you all," she offered.

"No, let’s just go Dutch!" Zhou Xin laughed, sensing that this classmate was finally starting to blend in.

Seeing no objections, Su Su agreed. Just as she was about to call Tao Youming to tell him not to pick her up, his car pulled up toward the school.

Today, he was driving the BMW—per Su Su’s earlier text request to keep a low profile.

The car rolled to a stop in front of her. He opened the door and lowered the window. "Get in."

Su Su gave her classmates an awkward smile, then bent down to speak to the person in the car, "Did you eat already?"

"Yeah, I ate," Tao Youming replied. "It's almost nine—who hasn't eaten by now?"

Su Su cleared her throat lightly, thinking to herself, *Well, we haven't eaten yet.*

"We're grabbing food. You can go ahead, I'll just catch a cab later."

Tao Youming glanced at the classmates behind her and said casually, "What are you getting?"

"Sichuan cuisine," Su Su answered. "I was gonna call—"

"I'll go too," Tao Youming cut her off.

Su Su hummed in acknowledgment, looking at him in confusion. "Didn't you say you already ate? Then why go?"

"To pick up the tab for you guys," the man said leisurely. He just wanted to flaunt their relationship in front of her friends and remind them he existed.