Unexpected Connections and Lingering Thoughts

“Oh, I see.”

A look of disappointment flickered across Gu Yuetong’s face. She had thought Lin Yi would understand her, but it seemed their perspectives diverged.

However, what Lin Yi said also made a great deal of sense. Yet, was he, in his own way, restricting her freedom? Its soul was already gone, so this shouldn’t count as restricting its freedom at all.

“Lin Yi, if it’s already dead, am I still restricting its freedom?”

“This…”

A subtle shift crossed Lin Yi’s face. He had never considered such questions before. With his normal way of thinking, how could he possibly comprehend the thoughts of someone with a yandere disposition? Consequently, he couldn’t provide an answer.

Seeing Lin Yi speechless, a relieved smile touched Gu Yuetong’s lips.

‘Indeed,’ she thought. ‘No matter what, Lin Yi is just an ordinary person. How could he possibly understand my thoughts?’

A hint of disappointment settled in Gu Yuetong’s heart. She had, in fact, been searching for someone who shared her philosophy since she was very young. Despite her long search, she hadn’t found anyone. Lin Yi had offered her a glimmer of hope, but ultimately, that light was not meant for her.

“Lin Yi, I want to ask you a favor.”

“What?”

“Don’t let my brother know about me killing the squirrel. He’ll think I’m a bad child.”

After circling the topic for so long, Gu Yuetong felt weary. She no longer wished to beat around the bush and decided to explain the situation directly to Lin Yi.

Lin Yi’s expression instantly relaxed upon hearing her words. So, she hadn’t intended to have an episode with him; she merely wanted him to keep a secret for her. A sigh of relief escaped his chest. As long as Gu Yuetong didn’t do anything to him, everything else was manageable.

Besides, he had no intention of telling anyone else about this matter anyway. Even if he did, given Gu Yulong’s temperament, he wouldn’t believe it. Therefore, Gu Yuetong’s prolonged anxiety had been entirely unnecessary.

“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.”

A sudden flash of inspiration struck, and Lin Yi added another sentence to his promise.

“But, if you don’t show some sincerity, who knows what I might do one day…”

Gu Yuetong’s eyes suddenly sharpened. A sharp utility knife had appeared in the palm of her right hand at some unknown moment. It was as if another word from Lin Yi would send the blade plunging towards him.

“If you can’t keep a secret properly, then you might as well close your mouth forever.”

The girl’s face was terrifyingly grim, and her words did not sound like a joke. A yandere was truly capable of murder to silence someone.

Lin Yi swallowed hard. He had intended to haggle like his sister, but he had overlooked a crucial detail: he lacked Lin Yiting’s strength, and he had chosen the wrong person to bargain with.

How could a yandere ever be reasoned with?

“Uh… I was just joking, haha.”

“I promise, I’ll definitely keep your secret.”

“That’s more like it.”

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Lin Yi’s forehead. He had almost pushed his luck too far.

Gu Yuetong had no desire to dwell on such trivialities; she simply wanted to achieve her goal. Otherwise, Lin Yi might have ‘transmigrated’ once more.

It seemed there was no common ground for conversation between the two, and for a while, the campsite was enveloped in an overwhelming silence. Lin Yi, sitting on the bench, found the atmosphere unbearable and retreated into the tent.

Just as he lay down, he suddenly noticed a pair of black stockings lying by his feet.

Lin Yi sat up, bewildered, and picked up the black stockings.

He recalled his sister taking these stockings. Why were they back in the tent now?

As he pondered this, the tent flap was suddenly pushed open. Gu Yuetong, peering inside, happened to spot the item in Lin Yi’s hand.

“You like black stockings?”

“Ah? *Cough*, no, I don’t.”

Lin Yi awkwardly tossed the stockings aside, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. This sense of embarrassment was akin to experiencing public humiliation at school.

Gu Yuetong, however, appeared quite natural. She found such things ordinary, and instead, found Lin Yi’s shy reaction somewhat endearing.

“Alright, they’re back. Time to go home.”

“Oh, okay, coming!”

Only after Lin Yi emerged did he realize he had entered the wrong tent. This was understandable, as all the tents looked identical, differing only by their numbers. Lin Yi had simply not paid attention and walked straight into the first tent he saw.

“Yuetong, are you alright?”

Gu Yulong’s concerned voice drifted from a distance. He hurried over, meticulously checking Gu Yuetong from head to toe.

“Brother, there’s no need to be so thorough. I’m really fine.”

Grabbing Gu Yulong’s wrist, Gu Yuetong instinctively took a step back. She couldn’t let her brother continue his inspection; otherwise, the little squirrel would surely be discovered.

“Brother, let’s pack up first. If you’re worried, we can go to the hospital.”

“Alright, fine.”

Gu Yulong accepted Gu Yuetong’s suggestion. There was a hospital on the way home, where they could get a check-up.

Watching their interaction, Lin Yiting quietly leaned closer to Lin Yi, bumping him gently with her slender shoulder.

“So, any progress?”

“Hm?”

“What progress?”

Lin Yi gazed at Lin Yiting, utterly bewildered. He felt as though his sister had been trying to push him towards Gu Yuetong ever since she first saw her. Could it be…

“Sister, did someone drug you?”

“Huh?”

Now it was Lin Yiting’s turn to be confused. She merely wanted Lin Yi to find a partner soon; why was she suddenly being accused of being drugged?

“My foolish brother, what put such an absurd idea into your head?”

“Ah, haha…”

Lin Yi merely offered an awkward laugh, not answering Lin Yiting’s question.

With their luggage packed, it was time for everyone to part ways. This unexpected encounter and brief companionship left a deep impression on each of them.

Before leaving, Gu Yuetong stood by the car door, gazing at Lin Yi’s handsome face. She hadn’t felt much while they were together, but as the moment of separation drew near, a hint of reluctance blossomed in her heart.

Lin Yi paused. She had called out to the boy who was turning to leave.

“You shouldn’t be studying here, should you?”

“Yes, I’m at…”

Lin Yi suddenly stopped short.

He instinctively wanted to say the name of his school, but it wouldn’t be good if Gu Yuetong found him according to the original plotline.

The thought of Chen Sishi, Qin Ruoxue, and Gu Yuetong all together was enough to send a shiver down Lin Yi’s spine. Such a scene was better left to dreams.

“Well, I attend a high school in Xige City. It’s quite far, so I only come back for a few days during holidays.”

Lin Yi deliberately claimed his high school was in Xige City, a place very distant from Dongge City, requiring several days by train to reach.

Lin Yiting, who hadn’t walked far, suddenly turned around. She had heard Lin Yi’s words and instinctively blurted out,

“You’re not in Xinshi— *oof!*”

Mid-sentence, Lin Yi suddenly stepped forward and clapped a hand over his sister’s mouth, then offered an awkward smile.

“We’re off. See you later.”

“Mm…”

Watching them leave, Gu Yuetong returned to her car. She felt a strange emptiness in her heart, and the past few days spent with Lin Yi kept replaying in her mind. As she pondered, Gu Yuetong suddenly felt a pang of regret.

‘I should have brought Lin Yi into the car just now,’ she thought. ‘Then my heart wouldn’t feel so heavy.’