Chapter 405
Tears welled in her reddened eyes, her expression fragile and pleading. “Shi Yao, don’t leave. Stay with me?”
Shi Yao’s expression darkened as he pushed her arms aside, his voice low. “Stop this.”
He moved past her, one hand restraining her while the other gripped the doorknob, his face nearly icy.
Xie Yingying couldn’t bear his coldness. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest, sobbing:
“Shi Yao, do you really not love me? We grew up together. You’ve always taken care of me–everyone says so. Even friends like Patrick said you treat me differently. When I was sick, you nursed me. When my parents were away, you were there. You must love me! Those women outside are tricking you–they’re cunning. Don’t trust them…”
“I thought we’d marry someday. Grandpa Shi, your parents… they all adore me…” Her grip tightened desperately. “Shi Yao, don’t do this. It hurts so much.”
Shi Yao frowned.
Xie Yingying’s muffled voice, thick with tears and broken by sobs, made her words hard to decipher–but he knew what she meant.
He gripped her shoulders, pushing her away with measured force.
She clung fiercely. Mindful of her fragile state, he held back, failing to break free immediately.
Xie Yingying pressed her face against him. “I won’t let go. You’re not leaving.”
Shi Yao’s tone sharpened. “Xie Yingying. Enough.”
She wept. “I’m not being difficult. Don’t scold me.”
Shi Yao shut his eyes briefly.
“Xie Yingying. I’ll count to three. If you don’t release me, I won’t hold back.”
She shook her head violently, arms locking tighter. “Never.”
Yao said: “Three…”
“Two…”
Yingying shook her head: “No.”
Yingying suddenly pulled Yao with force, slamming her own back against the door.
Yao clicked his tongue lightly, “Yingying, you–”
All sounds abruptly ceased.
The doorknob had clicked down unnoticed earlier, unlocking the door. Pushed open by Yingying’s impact, it revealed Alaricka Huston’s startled face and her raised hand, poised to ring the doorbell.
Yao’s eyelashes flickered.
Alarieka stared at the tightly embraced pair, her gaze growing complex.
“Tightly” wasn’t an assumption–she witnessed it firsthand. The girl in Yao’s pajamas burrowed into his embrace, arms visibly straining around his waist, pressing deep wrinkles into his sweatshirt.
The scene was truly explosive.
Alarieka had left ten minutes prior, only to learn mid–commute about a critical bug in the new game. She’d doubled back to kindly remind Yao about work and offer him a ride.
Never expected this sight.
Yao and Alarieka locked eyes, Yao’s shock unmistakable.
In the heavy silence, Alarieka lowered her hand first, offering a polite smile.
Feeling guilty for interrupting, she decided to acknowledge Yao’s romance as compensation: “Wow, is this your girlfriend? You two look really close. Happy for you both.”
Yao’s eyes widened instantly. He fumbled to grip Yingying’s shoulders: “No, no, you’ve got it wro-”
Alarieka raised a hand: “It’s fine. I totally understand. No need to explain. Love speaks for itself.”
Yingying recognized the voice instantly. She’d never release Yao now–especially not while showing this outsider their “closeness.” Her grip tightened further.
Yao’s panic became palpable.
Years of friendship meant Alarieka recognized Yao’s distress. Helpfully, she added: “Um… Didn’t mean to intrude. Just reminding you about work. New game bug emerged. I’m heading to fix it now. If I can’t handle it, I’ll need your help. So… try not to be late?”
Seeing how clingy his girlfriend was, lateness seemed inevitable.
Alarieka considered thoughtfully: “Hmm… Actually, late is okay. I get it. Take your time together first. Just… not too late, okay?”
“If that works, I’ll head out. Urgent matters. Won’t disturb you further.”
Chapter 406