CH 43.3

“It’d really be great if we could be together every day. It’s just that I also have a lot of things to handle. I have quite a few assignments I need to complete over the Christmas Holidays,” lamented Ji Xinxin with a sigh. “We should have time to meet up a couple of times though. Shiyu, is there anywhere you want to go to?”

“I know of a private art exhibition that will pique your interest. Shall we check it out?” Song Shiyu asked. 

“Sure!” Ji Xinxin heaved a sigh of relief. 

The painter I like isn’t that famous. If Song Shiyu intends to bring me to his private art exhibition, he must have been specially paying attention to the painter. It looks like his heart is still with me.

… Are his recent changes just because he has been busy with work?

“Is there anything I can do to help you with your work?” asked Ji Xinxin. “I can ask my dad and mum for help.”

Song Shiyu revealed a gentle smile at her remark. He ruffled her hair and said, “Don’t worry, I can cope. Just seeing you chases my fatigue away.”

Ji Xinxin intimately leaned toward him and rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s so tiring to ride on planes. My neck always feels sore afterward.”

“Didn’t I tell you that I’d get you a first class seat?” said Song Shiyu with a sigh.

“You’d usually message me, but you forgot about it this time around. It’s too embarrassing for me to demand a plane ticket from you,” grumbled Ji Xinxin coyly. “But since you have been busy with work, I’ll forgive you this once!”

“Alright alright, it’s my fault.”

Ji Xinxin subconsciously glanced at her phone and murmured, “Why hasn’t big sis replied to the message I sent yet…”

“… Ji Fanyin?” asked Song Shiyu.

Ji Xinxin didn’t notice the unusual edge to Song Shiyu’s voice. She nodded in response and said, “I told her about my flight yesterday, and I just texted her to tell her that my plane has landed. It’s weird how she hasn’t replied yet… Is she busy with other stuff?”

It might have been Ji Xinxin’s imagination, but she thought that she had heard a sneer coming from the man sitting beside her.

Bewildered, she turned to Song Shiyu questioningly. “Shiyu?”

Song Shiyu met her eyes in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

… Did I hear it wrong?

Ji Xinxin shook her head before leaning back onto Song Shiyu’s shoulder. “Actually, I’ve received quite a few calls from my parents about my big sis. A cousin of mine saw my big sis entering a famous bar around two to three months ago, so my parents are worried that she might have gotten involved with bad company.”

“A famous bar?” asked Song Shiyu.

“Yeah. I don’t really know what kind of bar it is since I’ve never been there before. My parents might just be making a big fuss out of nothing,” Ji Xinxin sighed. “It’s just that my big sis doesn’t have many friends, so it’s worrying to know that she has been going to a bar alone at night. I’m planning to talk to her about this, but I’m worried that she wouldn’t confide in me.”

Song Shiyu replied with a distracted “Mm”.

“Shiyu, do you know anything about the bar and big sis’ recent changes?” Ji Xinxin turned her head over and asked him. “I mean… my big sis likes you. She might have shared something with you.”

Song Shiyu’s eyes were fixated on his laptop screen. It took a few seconds before he finally turned to answer Ji Xinxin’s question with a hint of resignation in his voice. “Sorry, I haven’t met Ji Fanyin ever since you went abroad. So… I don’t know anything about how she’s doing.”

“You haven’t met my big sis? Not even once?” asked Ji Xinxin in surprise.

Song Shiyu averted his gaze. He began tapping on his keyboard as if he was replying to someone. “Mm, not even once.”