Chapter 51: Getting to Know Each Other Again

Facing the boy’s questioning, Liu Yun didn’t stop her pace, responding without even looking back.

“Since we are strangers, it shouldn’t matter what my attitude toward you is, right? What business is it of yours?”

With that, Liu Yun used her fingerprint to unlock the door and shut it behind her the moment she stepped inside.

Lin Xiu looked at the closed door and let out a sigh.

The fact that this woman was so afraid to face him was enough proof of how much she cared about what happened that night. He had to find a way to break this stiff deadlock.

Lin Xiu didn’t want things to stay like this forever; otherwise, the prize already in his grasp might fly away before he even got a taste.

***

Inside, Liu Yun leaned against the door after entering. She watched the boy return to his own home through the hallway monitor before finally letting out a heavy sigh of relief.

At the same time, what puzzled Liu Yun was the complex emotion swirling within her heart.

Why? Why did she lose her composure and descend into such a panic just by running into that guy? Was this still her?

A look of uncertainty and doubt flickered across Liu Yun’s face. It took a while for her to snap out of it and put the groceries into the refrigerator.

By the time she reached the living room and looked out the window, she noticed that the dark clouds on the horizon were beginning to scatter, and strands of rosy sunset light were starting to peek through…

As the light faded, the entire city was soon plunged into darkness. Even the city lights couldn’t quite drive away the all-encompassing gloom.

Liu Yun sat alone at the dining table, eating her dinner listlessly.

At that moment, a group message suddenly appeared in the homeowners’ chat. Liu Yun picked up her phone and saw that Grandma Chen’s bobtail cat, Meiqiu, had slipped out through the crack of the door again, and she was currently frantic.

Liu Yun knew how important that little cat was to Grandma Chen, so she couldn’t help but frown.

This wasn’t actually the first time. Grandma Chen’s cat had run away before, and it was always Liu Yun who helped find it.

Thinking of this, Liu Yun sent a message to Grandma Chen.

“Don’t worry yet, Grandma Chen. I’ll head out and help you look for it.”

“Xiao Yun, I’m so sorry. I have to trouble you again…”

Liu Yun replied that it was no problem, then threw on a jacket and headed out.

Grandma Chen’s cat was timid; it was most likely hiding in the basement garage, a storage room, or perhaps the nooks and crannies between floors.

However, just as Liu Yun closed her door, she happened to run into Lin Xiu, who was also opening his door.

The two locked eyes and both were momentarily stunned.

But Liu Yun reacted quickly, turning away to walk toward the elevator.

Seeing this, the corners of Lin Xiu’s mouth curled up. He naturally followed behind her. In the quiet environment, the only sounds were their footsteps and breathing.

It wasn’t until they reached the underground garage that Liu Yun finally couldn’t take it anymore. She turned and glared at the boy.

“What are you following me for?”

Hearing this, Lin Xiu shrugged and uttered two simple words.

“Finding a cat.”

Liu Yun froze, then glanced at him with suspicion, clearly not believing him.

Since when did this guy have such a heart? Helping Grandma Chen find her cat—it would be a miracle of moral standards if he just didn’t lead an old lady across a red light.

Lin Xiu gave a light chuckle at her reaction.

“Stranger, do you have an issue with me helping find a cat?”

Liu Yun was left speechless. She let out a soft huff and said coldly, “You’d better actually be looking for the cat.”

As she spoke, Liu Yun turned on her phone’s flashlight and began searching the garage…

Seeing this, Lin Xiu followed silently behind the woman.

In truth, he didn’t have much interest in finding a cat; he had only followed because he saw the message in the group chat.

Neither of them spoke after that, searching in silence.

Feeling the boy behind her, the slight fear Liu Yun felt from being surrounded by darkness completely dissipated.

Well, maybe it wasn’t so bad having this guy follow along…

After a while longer, Liu Yun finally spotted a small, curled-up figure among a pile of boxes in the storage room.

“Found it! Meiqiu is here.”

Subconsciously, Liu Yun called out with joy toward Lin Xiu, who wasn’t far away. By the time she realized what she’d done, the words were already out.

Watching the boy approach, Liu Yun suddenly felt a bit awkward.

But Lin Xiu took a very serious look and analyzed the situation.

“It’s stuck. We need to move these boxes out of the way.”

Sensing the fresh scent of laundry detergent lingering on the boy, Liu Yun’s reaction was a beat slow.

“Oh, then let’s move the boxes.”

As she spoke, Liu Yun pulled away slightly to create some distance before she started moving the boxes.

Lin Xiu naturally noticed the woman’s unease, or rather, he had intentionally moved that close. A successful smile flashed in his eyes.

However, Lin Xiu didn’t just stand there watching; he also began moving the heavier boxes.

When only the last box was left pinning the cat, Liu Yun and Lin Xiu bent down almost simultaneously. Their hands unexpectedly brushed against each other…

Feeling the warmth of the boy’s hand, Liu Yun instantly retracted hers, cradling the back of her hand like a startled kitten.

Even in the dim environment, Lin Xiu could notice the flush on the woman’s pretty face…

Seeing this, Lin Xiu cleared his throat and spoke.

“Let me do it.”

Liu Yun awkwardly shifted her gaze away and gave a muffled “Mm.”

As the box was moved, Meiqiu was finally free, but it was so scared that it tried to shrink further into the shadows.

Seeing this, Liu Yun crouched down and reached out toward the kitten. Her voice held a gentleness Lin Xiu had never seen before.

“Come here, Meiqiu. It’s okay now.”

Meiqiu hesitated for a moment upon hearing her voice before finally lunging into her arms, its warm little body trembling slightly.

Liu Yun stroked the kitten’s head, feeling a slight sense of relief in her heart.

In Lin Xiu’s eyes, however, the woman before him looked exactly like a gentle, motherly figure.

So, did children really make women this tender? Even though this was just a kitten and not a child…

Afterward, the two went to Grandma Chen’s house to return Meiqiu. Seeing its owner, the kitten scurried into the old woman’s arms in a flash, let out a soft, milky meow.

Grandma Chen looked at the two of them, tears of joy in her eyes.

“Xiao Yun, young man, thank you both. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

Liu Yun and Lin Xiu glanced at each other, both waving their hands to say it was no trouble at all.

Despite that, Grandma Chen still invited them in for a cup of tea, and they only managed to leave after that.

By the time they walked side-by-side back downstairs, the atmosphere had become somewhat awkward again.

Liu Yun looked at the silent boy, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

It wasn’t until they reached their doors and Liu Yun unlocked hers, preparing to close it, that the boy finally made a move.

He pressed his hand against the doorframe. Under Liu Yun’s slightly panicked gaze, he gave a faint smile.

“Hello. I just moved here after returning from abroad. My name is Lin Xiu. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Liu Yun froze, unable to quite understand what he was doing.

Seeing this, Lin Xiu explained.

“Since we were strangers, I suppose we can consider ourselves acquaintances after tonight. So, let me introduce myself. May I ask how I should address you, neighbor?”