Chapter Six: Followed by a Young Woman

With the principle that a boy must learn to protect himself when out in the world, I gently pulled my hand away from Luo Si’s grasp, which she hadn’t released yet.

“I really didn’t expect you to be a new student at No. 3 High as well,” I said, expressing my astonishment once again.

“I didn’t expect you’d be attending No. 3 High either. Why didn’t you tell me your name yesterday?” Luo Si’s tone made it clear she was rather displeased I hadn’t shared it.

At the time, not telling Luo Si my name hadn’t seemed important—I simply thought the two of us would never cross paths again, so it was unnecessary. As for asking her name, truthfully, it was just curiosity; she was pretty, and I wondered what kind of name a girl like her might have.

But since fate had brought us together at this school, and since we’d surely run into each other often, there was no point withholding my name—she’d find out soon enough anyway.

“I didn’t tell you because, well, I believe when you do a good deed, you should be like Lei Feng and leave your name out of it,” I replied lightly.

Luo Si, however, wasn’t ready to let the matter drop.

“Then why are you telling me your name now?”

I couldn’t very well say, “You’ll find out soon enough,” since that would invite a scolding.

“I believe in fate. Since we’ve met again, I don’t see any reason to hold back.”

“Really?” Luo Si sounded skeptical.

“There’s another reason, too: it’d be nice to be able to say I know such a beautiful girl—it gives me some bragging rights, doesn’t it?”

“At least you’ve got some taste,” she nodded, clearly pleased with my compliment.

Indeed, the best way to deal with girls is to shower them with praise.

“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head home to get ready. We’re supposed to go to the military camp tomorrow, aren’t we?” I waved and started toward the school gate.

“Wait for me, let’s go together.” Luo Si caught up in a few quick steps.

I didn’t think much of it—we were both leaving the school, so it was probably on her way. I nodded in agreement.

But after we’d walked some distance beyond the gate, I glanced back and saw Luo Si still following me.

“Hey, miss, I remember your home at Shaolai Residence is in the other direction. Why are you following me?”

Luo Si planted her hands on her hips and glared at me.

“This road isn’t yours. Why should you be allowed to walk here and not me?”

She had a point—maybe she had some other errand that required passing this way.

But when I reached the entrance to my apartment complex, I noticed Luo Si was still trailing behind at a respectful distance.

“Hey, Luo Si, don’t you think following a boy home is a rather inappropriate thing to do?” By now, it was obvious she was deliberately tailing me—if I hadn’t figured it out, all these years would have been wasted.

“Hmph. You know my name, you know where I live, but I don’t know your name or where you live. Isn’t that unfair?” Luo Si, realizing her cover was blown, hurried to my side.

---

“You’re honestly the first person I’ve met who can make stalking someone sound so fresh and innocent,” I said, clapping ironically.

“Well, since you’ve followed me all the way home, come up for a glass of water. Of course, if you’re afraid I might do something to you, you’d best go home.” With that, I turned away and headed inside.

“Hmph, what’s there to be afraid of? Even if you were given more courage, you wouldn’t dare,” Luo Si retorted, storming after me into the building and onto the elevator.

I took out my keys and unlocked the door, then turned back to her.

“Do you want to come in and sit for a bit? This is my home.”

“Well, since I’m already here, I might as well sit for a while.” Luo Si entered, and I shut the door with a loud snap.

She shuddered, crossed her arms protectively, and asked, a little nervously, “What are you planning to do?”

I rolled my eyes and tapped her lightly on the head.

“I’m just closing the door—wouldn’t anyone do that? Don’t bother changing your shoes, just come in and sit.” I didn’t want her to linger; I hoped she’d leave before my lovely mother came home and started grilling us.

But Luo Si ignored my suggestion and slipped on a pair of slippers at the entrance.

“We only have orange juice and plain water. What would you like?” I asked politely.

“Plain water,” Luo Si answered cautiously, settling onto the sofa.

I went to the water dispenser to pour two glasses, only to discover it was empty.

“How about orange juice? There’s no water left in the dispenser.”

“Either’s fine.” Luo Si nervously fiddled with her clothes.

I took two bottles of orange juice from the fridge, thought better of it, and put one back, grabbing a room-temperature bottle from beside the fridge.

“I hear it’s not good for girls to drink cold beverages. Here, have this one.” I handed her the juice.

Luo Si tried to unscrew the cap but couldn’t. She looked at me with a pitiful expression.

“Hey, don’t give me that look—as if I’ve done something terrible to you.” I took the juice and opened it for her.

“Thank you,” Luo Si said softly.

I watched her for a moment, unsure if she was thanking me for opening the bottle or for something else.

“No need to thank me. But, really, you’re not that brave—why would you follow a stranger into his home? Aren’t you worried I might actually be a bad person?” Seeing her discomfort, I teased her lightly.

“You’re a good person,” Luo Si countered.

Although she was sincere, her response had a slightly stinging undertone—like the lines from novels where a girl tells a guy, “You’re a good man, but we’re not right for each other.”

“Just be more careful in the future. Don’t trust people so easily, and don’t just follow strangers home like today.”

“I won’t. You’re different. You saved me. I trust you.” Luo Si looked up and met my gaze.

Her words brought a surge of happiness—there’s nothing quite like being trusted.

---

“By the way, did you tell your family about what happened yesterday?”

Luo Si shook her head.

I frowned. “I really think you should let your family know.”

She nodded silently.

Suddenly, the sound of a key turning in the lock echoed.

No need to ask—my mother was home.

“Oh? Yu, home from school so early?” Ren Xue exclaimed, then turned to Luo Si. “And who’s this young lady?”

“Hello, big sister, I’m Yan Ruyu’s classmate. I was just passing by and stopped in for a bit,” Luo Si said, rising politely.

“Don’t call her ‘big sister,’ she’s my mom. You should call her ‘auntie,’” I scolded, rolling my eyes. Was she trying to get one over on me?

“Ah, a-auntie, hello,” Luo Si corrected herself, embarrassed.

“Oh, don’t mind him, dear. Call me whatever you like,” Ren Xue replied, clearly delighted at being called ‘big sister,’ forgetting all about her son.

“Auntie, it’s getting late. I should head home,” Luo Si said, preparing to leave.

“I’ll walk you out,” I said, getting up.

“Oh, don’t go yet. Stay for dinner!” Ren Xue immediately urged her to stay.

“No need, auntie. It’ll be dark soon, and I’m afraid of the dark,” Luo Si gently declined.

“That’s no problem—Ruyu can walk you home,” Ren Xue said, slipping on her slippers and leading Luo Si back to the sofa.

“But…”

Luo Si started to protest, but Ren Xue interrupted her. “Enough with the ‘buts.’ Sit down, watch some TV, have a chat. Dinner will be ready soon.” She then remembered her son. “Ruyu, look after our guest.”

With that, my mother headed to the kitchen, leaving Luo Si and me staring at each other.

“So, I’m staying for dinner at your place?” Luo Si glanced at me, seeking confirmation.

“Just stay, and I’ll walk you home afterward. If I tried to send you away now, my mom would scold me.”

“All right, then. I’ll wash my hands and help auntie,” Luo Si said, starting to rise, but I stopped her.

“Don’t. If my mom finds out I let the guest help in the kitchen, she’ll give me an earful. Just sit and watch some TV.”

Apparently, my firm tone convinced her, and Luo Si sat back down on the sofa.