In the deep of night, Wei Ping descended from the dormitory building alone. She quietly walked around the corner and saw Xuan Lang waiting on the opposite side of the road.
"You've been waiting for a while, haven't you?" Wei Ping walked towards him with a smile.
Xuan Lang gave her a meaningful smile and said, "I heard you treated Gu Ya to dinner tonight, and you brought some friends along."
Wei Ping nodded and replied, "Yes, he saved me twice. I had to show my gratitude."
"Then, can you still do what you promised me?" Xuan Lang asked softly.
Wei Ping pondered for a moment, then made up her mind and said solemnly, "I'm sorry, I can do anything except get close to Gu Ya."
"Is that so." Xuan Lang smiled again, his smile carrying a hint of imperceptible displeasure.
"Your father still needs a few more courses of treatment, and whether he can recover depends on your attitude," Xuan Lang's tone carried a touch of sharpness.
Wei Ping tensed slightly and lowered her head, remaining silent. She knew Xuan Lang would not let her go.
This feeling was like she had done something wrong, causing Wei Ping to worry.
"However," Xuan Lang smiled and continued, "If you're willing to help me one last time, I'll agree to continue supplying the medication until your father recovers."
Wei Ping, as if grasping at a life-saving straw, looked up and asked, "What kind of help?"
Xuan Lang leaned close to Wei Ping's ear and whispered something.
Wei Ping's eyes suddenly widened, and she shook her head repeatedly, "No, I can't do that!"
Xuan Lang's smile turned more sinister as he slowly said, "Is your father more important, or is Gu Ya more important? Think about it before you answer me."
"There's no hurry, Gu Ya's birthday is tomorrow."
"I'll wait for your news."
With that, Xuan Lang turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness.
Wei Ping finally understood. She was merely a "tool" for Xuan Lang to bring down Gu Ya.
As for the sweet words he had spoken, and that kiss, they were all just to win her over.
Wei Ping's eyes suddenly welled up with tears.
It felt as if a huge stone had fallen into her heart, crushing all her unrealistic and fanciful illusions about the future.
They were all bubbles, pierced one by one by Xuan Lang's cold and mocking tone.
She crouched down, lowered her head, and began to cry silently.
The dim streetlight cast a glow upon her.
Her figure was so sorrowful.
...
The next morning, Gu Ya was already waiting below Ye Ying's building.
They went to the mall together and bought many gifts for Youyou, a considerable amount, no less than what they bought for Ye Ying.
Ye Ying was not jealous at all; instead, she carefully helped Gu Ya select the gifts.
After buying the items, they both headed to the Alliance's new community.
Following the address given by Sister Ge, Gu Ya found their new home in the Alliance community.
The new house was deliberately chosen in a secluded spot,
with trees providing cover all around.
It was close to the street, yet it felt very peaceful and elegant.
It was a very ordinary bungalow, with new bricks, new tiles, a new door, and new windows—everything was new.
This was specially built for Gu Ya by Wu Xuan.
Youyou and Sister Ge had already moved all their belongings into the house.
They had done all this without even informing Gu Ya.
Gu Ya looked at his new home, sighed with a smile, and walked in with Ye Ying.
"Brother!"
Before they even entered, Gu Ya heard Youyou's excited shout from inside.
Youyou rushed out and, upon seeing Gu Ya, froze as if she were looking at a stranger.
She glanced at Ye Ying again before she seemed to register his presence.
"Brother?" Youyou asked with a frown.
Gu Ya smiled and scooped Youyou up, asking, "What's wrong? Don't you recognize me?"
"Brother, you've grown taller, and your face has developed some sharp angles," Youyou said, gazing at Gu Ya somewhat dazedly.
Gu Ya touched his face and said, "Have I changed that much?"
In just half a month, Gu Ya had become almost unrecognizable to his own sister.
Youyou broke free from Gu Ya and rushed into Ye Ying's arms, tilting her small face up and smiling, "Sister Ye Ying, you're here."
"Did my brother bully you? If he did, I'll teach him a lesson!" Youyou said seriously.
Ye Ying couldn't help but laugh at Youyou's words, saying, "No, he wouldn't dare."
"Come quickly and help me! The pot is burning!" Sister Ge shouted from the kitchen.
Gu Ya stuffed the gifts into Youyou's arms and hurried into the kitchen.
In the afternoon, Wu Xuan and Old Gan Tou arrived.
Just before lunch, Liu Feng arrived, complaining with a laugh that he had searched for a long time to find them.
With Youyou present, she was naturally the star of the day.
Youyou was surrounded by everyone and sat in the center of the dining table.
Gu Ya sat himself on the lower seat with a hint of grievance, close to Ye Ying.
The small dining table was filled with friends, but no one felt crowded,
especially Liu Feng, who became more excited the more people there were. He held a bottle of wine and loudly instigated, creating a very lively atmosphere.
As everyone was enjoying their meal,
Wang Panpan arrived fashionably late. As soon as she entered, she exclaimed self-reproachfully, "Oh, my brothers, I'm so sorry. My schedule was packed, and I rushed here right after finishing my shoot!"
"I'll punish myself with three cups!"
Gu Ya loudly teased, "You're a big star now. It's good enough that you remembered to come. In a few more years, we might not even see each other!"
Wang Panpan drank the three cups of wine in large gulps and shouted, "Brother Gu Ya, if you say such distant and rude things again, don't blame me for drinking all the wine in your house!"
"Drink to your heart's content! We'll get drunk today, hahaha!" Gu Ya stood up and tossed a new bottle of wine to Wang Panpan.
They both opened their bottles simultaneously, and Gu Ya shouted heartily to everyone, "You all take your time. Wang Panpan and I are going to have a competition! Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Hahahaha!"
In the afternoon, after the meal, Wang Panpan had to leave early for her next scene.
Wu Xuan pulled Gu Ya aside and said, "Next week, we can't delay any longer. Hurry up and sign the documents at the relevant department, and tell me the company name so I can prepare in advance."
Gu Ya nodded and said, "Don't worry, I'll go tomorrow."
"Recently, some people have been eyeing mecha motorcycles. We need to hurry."
Wu Xuan nodded thoughtfully and said, "I can manage the company temporarily, but in the long run, we need someone who understands business management. Do you have anyone in mind?"
Gu Ya shook his head and said, "I can ask my classmates to help find someone."
"Alright, those are the two matters. I'm going to attend to community affairs." Wu Xuan patted Gu Ya's shoulder and left with Old Gan Tou.
As soon as Wu Xuan left, Youyou trotted over and nestled in Gu Ya's arms, saying, "Brother, can you help me find spare parts for the androids? I'm missing quite a few things."
Gu Ya affectionately stroked Youyou's little head and smiled, "List what you need, and I'll check the spare parts station tomorrow."
Youyou mumbled an "mm" and disappeared into her small storage room.
Sister Ge hummed a little tune while cleaning the dishes in the kitchen.
Liu Feng, overcome by alcohol, was fast asleep on the bed.
Only Ye Ying sat quietly beside Gu Ya.
The once lively home suddenly became quiet again.
"It's just the two of us again," Gu Ya said with a smile.
Ye Ying smiled and nodded.
As the sky gradually darkened, starlight began to appear in the night sky.
Gu Ya looked out the window, and on a whim, he pulled Ye Ying up and said, "Let's go, I'll take you somewhere nice on my motorcycle!"
"But you've been drinking!" Ye Ying said with some surprise.
"It has automatic driving, what are you afraid of?"
Gu Ya entered the navigation coordinates into the mecha motorcycle. After a period of transformation, the motorcycle flew towards the outskirts of Wuhe City.
"Where are we going?"
Ye Ying, sitting on the back seat, gently placed her hand on Gu Ya's waist and asked softly.
"You'll know when we get there!" Gu Ya said with a smile.
They flew in the sky for nearly half an hour,
which was much shorter than when the old motorcycle carried Youyou.
After circling a high mountain, they arrived at the back mountain. Gu Ya said, "You must go via the mountain road to be truly amazed!"
Ye Ying was even more bewildered.
The mecha motorcycle transformed into its land form and proceeded up the winding, bumpy mountain road.
After about ten minutes of driving, the vegetation on both sides suddenly disappeared, replaced by a large expanse of flat gravel.
Gu Ya pulled Ye Ying and ran towards the cliff at the end of the mountain path.
Ye Ying did not show fear, following Gu Ya in silence.
When they reached the edge of the cliff and gazed into the distance,
Ye Ying was still awestruck.
The once vast and boundless Wuhe City was now completely within view.
It was like stars inverted, incredibly brilliant.
And in the sky, the starlight was dazzling, mirroring Wuhe City.
The massive upper city seemed like a mystical celestial palace,
filling one with longing.
They felt as though they were in a place between heaven and earth,
and a sense of freedom, joy, and uninhibitedness washed over them.
Gu Ya cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted loudly.
Ye Ying took a deep breath and shouted along with Gu Ya.
Gu Ya still felt he hadn't expressed enough. He took a deep breath and, facing Wuhe City, shouted, "I, Gu Ya, like Ye Ying!!!"
Although Ye Ying knew Gu Ya's feelings,
she was still stunned by the sudden confession, her face turning instantly red, and she stared at Gu Ya blankly.
Gu Ya smiled and said, "This has been bottled up in my heart for so long, and I've finally let it out."
Ye Ying lowered her lovable face and whispered, "Gu Ya, I..."
Gu Ya smiled and said, "I understand, you're not ready yet."
"There's no rush. With me by your side from now on, we have plenty of time."
Ye Ying looked up again. Her eyes were already moist. She gave Gu Ya a knowing smile and nodded.
"You're the second girl to come here with me," Gu Ya said with a smile.
Ye Ying looked slightly surprised and unhappy, asking, "Who was the first one?"
"Youyou! Hahaha!"
Ye Ying covered her mouth and burst into laughter, saying, "I bet she was startled too."
"You guessed right! Hahaha!"
Ye Ying suddenly became a little embarrassed and said, "It's your birthday, and I haven't given you a gift yet."
Gu Ya smiled dismissively and took an old communication bracelet from his pocket.
Ye Ying recognized it as her old bracelet at a glance and said, "You still kept it."
Gu Ya nodded and said, "I keep everything you give me."
"I've linked it to my own bracelet. If my bracelet has any problems, it will automatically activate and record.
"Consider it an insurance policy. I'll always wear it, but I hope I'll never have to use it."
Ye Ying smiled and said, "It definitely won't happen."
They both burst into laughter and looked towards Wuhe City.