Lu Yu saw that Jiao Yuyin had unlocked his phone, so he figured he was doing a background check on his career.
She half-stood up, picked a bunch of grapes, pinched the stems with two fingers, and poured the remaining half-bottle of purified water into them.
The grapes were covered with water droplets, swaying gently. She plucked a few and placed them in her palm, then laid the rest of the bunch in front of Jiao Yuyin, not caring whether there was any dust on the stone table under the vine.
Jiao Yuyin had roughly read through the introduction of "female basketball star Lu Yu" and finally matched the pale-faced mysterious woman in front of him with the star player who was sweating freely on the court.
When he spoke again, there was a hint of regret in his voice: "A talented player failed in the Olympics and never recovered. So you weren't defeated by public opinion because you lost a crucial game, but because you couldn't sleep?"
A grape rolled into Lu Yu's mouth, skin and seeds included, and he happily accepted it.
The skin is astringent, the seeds are hard to chew, and even the flesh is sour.
Lu Yu placed a few grapes upside down on the stone table, her voice cold: "What people think is far more fierce and turbulent than the words on a webpage. Even the harshest words often flood their minds. I'm not going to give up on myself just because of the limited skills of keyboard warriors. The Olympics..."
Lu Yu hesitated for a few seconds, then stopped talking about the previous topic. "Jiao Yuyin, I've been very sincere. I've told you everything without even knowing you. If you'll do me the honor of agreeing, we'll be in this together. Tell me about your situation too, maybe I can help you get out of this mess."
The speaker has wasted his breath, but the listener remains unmoved.
Jiao Yuyin tilted his head back, his Adam's apple bobbing, and drank the water in the bottle clean.
He glanced at the bunch of grapes and a few plump, loose grapes on the stone table, withdrew his outstretched hand, and instead looked at the time: "A twenty-three-year-old girl calling herself 'older sister'? I understand your situation, and I'm sorry I can't help you."
Lu Yu felt she had been tricked by this person, and said with a barb, "You can't help me, but you're asking all sorts of questions. Do you think I'm a storyteller?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Yu heard two unfamiliar voices enter her mind, getting closer and closer.
Why did the Third Young Master come to such a godforsaken place?
The flight is at 8 PM, and there's still rush hour traffic, so we need to hurry, or we'll be late.
Lu Yuxin understood immediately. Jiao Yuyin had already arranged for someone to pick him up. This was like a turtle eating a heavy weight; he was determined not to agree.
Lu Yu felt a pang of bitterness in her heart; the wonderful surprise gift from heaven was about to vanish without a trace.
Lu Yu was still unwilling to give up, so she took out a notepad and pen from her backpack and wrote down her phone number.
"Here's my contact information. I think you'll contact me again."
She crossed her legs, pinched a note between her index finger and thumb, crossed her arms, and rested her elbows on her crossed legs.
He seemed to have everything under control. Little did he know that Lu Yu was playing hard to get.
Unable to fathom Jiao Yuyin's thoughts, she could only proceed cautiously. If he simply turned and walked away, she would force the note upon him. Compared to a good night's sleep, what did pride matter?
Jiao Yuyin took the note.
For some reason, he took Lu Yu's cold hand in his own and added an explanation: "I didn't mean to play a trick on you. I was afraid... you were sent by bad guys. I'm not at ease without knowing your true identity and motives. If you want to know about me, you can search online: Jiao Yuyin of the Jiao family. Before I leave, I'll reluctantly hold your hand for a while as a way of thanking you for helping me today."
Who wants this short time that they've begged for...?
It's so quiet, I want it, I want it.
The palms are large, warm, and dry.
Lu Yu enjoyed a moment of peace, her heart softening slightly, and she voiced her vague worries. "Are you going to the airport? My advice is not to."
Jiao Yuyin withdrew his hand and put the note into his bag. "You heard what was going on outside the door. Why didn't you suggest going to the airport?"
Jiao Yuyin's expression seemed to have turned cold again.
Why is this person acting so erratically all of a sudden?
"There must be someone keeping watch at the airport," Lu Yu guessed.
"Why didn't you say so earlier? You only said so after you knew I was leaving."
Well, so this is another case of suspecting someone of having ulterior motives.
"I heard it on the way before, but at that time my thoughts were too complicated and I wasn't sure. Now that I'm hearing it from you, I'm calculating the flight time in my mind, so I'm only a little more certain."
Lu Yu grabbed a few loose grapes from the stone table, swallowed them in one gulp, and didn't say another word.
Believe it or not, saying another word will only show that she doesn't learn her lesson.
Jiao Yuyin slung his shoulder bag over his shoulder, stood up, and walked towards the door. "We've come this far, I can't possibly give up on this final step just because of a few words from you. If I get abroad safely, I'll definitely contact you. If you really want a good night's sleep then, come find me, I'll give you a free day."
Jiao Yuyin paused again, then spoke softly, "I hope you can return to the competition soon. No matter the outcome, you have won glory for the country and deserve praise."
"Squeak..."
The creaking of the wooden door, along with the man's gentle voice, wafted into the wind, stirring up the vines and disappearing into the winding tendrils.
After a while, Lu Yu collapsed and lay on the stone table.
Before long, faint sobbing sounds came from under the grapevines, accompanied by muffled nasal sounds.
"This neighbor lady didn't want to live together anymore, so she got a divorce. She's always complaining in her heart. Who can she talk to about all this resentment?"
......
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