Chapter 367
Shi Yao’s eyes raked over her face repeatedly before he finally wrenched his gaze aside. His voice turned gravelly. “You’re gorgeous, but that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. Saving me doesn’t mean I’ll fall for you or agree to… that kind of nonsense.”
Alarieka: Should I laugh?
Her lips twitched weakly. “What nonsense? What are you talking about?”
He glared. “You tell me.”
She’s holding my ID and still playing dumb?
Shi Yao scoffed inwardly. No way was he following Alarieka to get a room.
“I’ll pay you back double for the medical fees,” he snapped, thrusting out his palm. “But first—give me back my ID.”
Each word from Shi Yao hammered into Alarieka’s skull, making her dizzy.
The moment he mentioned repayment, she shoved the ID into his hand.
Her fingertips brushed his palm as she handed it over—neither noticing his fingers briefly curling inward.
Waving exhaustedly, she mumbled, “Just pay up. I’m done talking.”
Shi Yao’s expression seemed to darken further before he spun around. “Wait here.”
Alarieka pressed her forehead against the cold wall, gently bumping it to clear her foggy mind.
“Don’t hurt yourself, Cutie Pie.”
A ghostly voice suddenly drifted up from the stairwell below.
Alarieka Huston was startled and immediately turned around.
A plainly dressed middle-aged woman smiled at her apologetically before approaching with a look of exasperated pity.
“Cutie Pie, there are plenty of fish in the sea. If this man turned you down, just find another. So many men out there! You’re young—no need to hang yourself on one tree. Go try the next branch. You’ll find someone who’ll say yes.”
The woman stepped closer, urging earnestly: “Don’t hurt yourself over this. If you want romance, I can introduce my nephew. How’s that sound?”
Alarieka Huston froze.
This was Auntie Lin from upstairs—warm, popular, the neighborhood’s gossip hub. Everyone in these alleys knew her and her stories.
She couldn’t tell how long Auntie Lin had eavesdropped, but knew tomorrow’s gossip would spread: her rejection by Shi Yao, her “heartbroken self-harm.” Every neighbor would hear it.
Alarieka Huston snapped to attention, stammering: “No, Auntie Lin, you misunderstood! I wasn’t rejected… Wait—I never confessed! We’re not involved!”
Auntie Lin gave a knowing look, patting her shoulder. “Sweetie, it’s fine. I get it. No shame—you’re young and gorgeous. You’ll find someone. Relax.”
Alarieka Huston rushed: “That’s not—I meant I-”
“Rejection’s nothing! I won’t mock you.”
Auntie Lin beamed.
Alarieka Huston persisted: “I didn’t-”
“It’s fine, really.”
Alarieka: ..
Fine, she gave up.
“What are you all talking about?”
At the crucial moment, Shi Yao stormed out scowling, clutching a wad of red bills.
Aunt Lin spotted him and immediately shifted targets, marching up to him. “You’re a man. Even if you don’t like Cutie Pie here, no need to be so harsh. You hurt her feelings and damaged her social status.”
Alarieka’s mental alarm bells blared.
Her strong sixth sense screamed that Aunt Lin’s next words would utterly shatter her social status!
She rushed to interrupt: “Aunt Lin!”
But Aunt Lin’s enthusiasm knew no bounds. She babbled on: “Look, Cutie Pie was so upset she started banging her head against the wall! You can’t do this again. Girls care deeply about social status…”
Alarieka leaned against the wall, heart utterly numb.
Hearing this, Shi Yao’s scowl faltered. He shot Alarieka a suspicious glance, his eyes flickering with what seemed like regret and guilt.
Alarieka screamed internally: What are you regretting?!
What are you feeling guilty for?!
I order you to take that look back right now!
After finishing, Aunt Lin beamed, thoroughly pleased with her good deed.
She waved cheerfully at Alarieka and Shi Yao. “Alright, play nice now! Gotta rush home—can’t stay.”