âNo, Iâm fine!â
I glared at him and urged, âGo on home!â
Su Qi nodded, as if he had something left unsaid. Suddenly, I was afraid that if he had a chance to speak, heâd say something that would make me feel awkward, so I quickly added. âBe careful on your way.â
âDo you have a cell phone?â he asked suddenly.
I shook my head, frowning. âWhy are you asking me about my cell phone?â
Cell phones were a luxury item for us in our secondary school days. Usually, those who brought their cell phones to school were from wealthy families. Otherwise, we would only own a cell phone when we got to high school.
I shook my head. âNo,â I said.
Su Qi did not insist. He waved his hand coolly and left.
I turned around to head up the apartment, but at this point, under the street lamps, I spotted the silhouette of a slender figure on a small stone bench.
I stared, startled.
âDongyuâ¦â
I didnât know how long heâd been sitting there, waiting. He would have seen Su Qi sending me back. I suddenly felt guilty.
Dongyu slowly stood up and walked towards me. There was a hint of anger and sullenness in his eyes. He looked down at me and then at the school bag in my arms. He asked in his deep voice, âYouâre back late. Where have you been?â
âIâ¦â
I looked at him and hesitated. After thinking for a long time, I came up with a lie. âI went to my classmateâs house for tuition!â
âClassmate?â
Dongyuâs expression darkened. âSo, why were you with Su Qi?â
âHuh?â I panicked. âBrother, you saw usâ¦â
Normally, I would call him by his name. I would only very cautiously address him as âBrotherâ when I did something I shouldnât have or when I angered him.
âDo you know?â Dongyu suddenly said, âYouâll always look away when you tell a lie.â
I lowered my head in embarrassment. âI didnât mean to lie to you! I⦠I was just afraid that youâd worryâ¦â
I admit that I really didnât know how to lie. The most perfect lie in my life was the one time I cried and told him that I no longer loved him and that I was letting go.
Dongyu couldnât bear to blame me. I knew that as long as I had this expression on my face, he wouldnât pursue the matter.
âSince you know Iâd be worried, donât come home so late in the future.â
He lowered his head and his gaze suddenly fell on my knees. A hint of heartache appeared in his eyes. He immediately squatted down and touched the bruises with his fingertips. His beautiful brows furrowed. âWhat happened?â
âI fell.â
He looked up. âYou fell? How?â
I said, âI was careless⦠tripped over a rockâ¦â
Dongyu was so angry that he didnât know whether to laugh or cry. He jabbed my head with his finger. âYou even trip while walking? Are your eyes positioned at the top of your head?â
When he said this, I knew that he couldnât bear to stay angry with me. With a flattering smile, I took his arm and snuggled into his embrace. âBrother, I know I shouldnât haveâ¦â
Dongyu slid his arms around me. He seemed helpless, and couldnât bear to say anything else. He merely remarked, âDo you know that I was very worried?â
He couldnât reach me, and I didnât have a cell phone. That was why he waited downstairs for me.
âI wonât do this the next time,â I muttered.
âNext time?â
âNo, no! There wonât be a next time.â
âRemember! Youâre not to come home late!â
He took my bag from me. It was heavy but he handled the weight very easily. I could see the contour of his lightly muscled arms.