Chapter 113: Whose Little Sweetheart

"Mom, Dad, why are you all back so soon?" Luo Yixia swallowed the food in her mouth.

"Isn't it because you two are about to head back to school? We couldn't help but worry," Song Zeming replied as he dragged a suitcase inside.

"Did my mom and dad come back too?" Luo Yixia looked around but didn't see them.

"They're next door," Zhou Yun answered.

Song Chengyi went over to help carry the suitcases as well.

"Didn't we agree last night that we could go to school on our own? Ye does it that way all the time," Luo Yixia protested.

"Don't listen to your brother's nonsense," Zhou Yun said with a smile. "It's just that your father has work now, so we had to rush back."

After Song Shaohui came in, he changed clothes and hurried to leave for the company again.

"Dad, aren't you staying for lunch?" Luo Yixia brought him a cup of water.

"Xiaxia, Dad’s a bit busy. I haven't been able to spend much time with you and Chengyi this holiday," Song Shaohui apologized.

"But it was me and Chengyi who didn't want to go out. Dad, you work so hard; you deserve a break," Luo Yixia replied earnestly.

"Alright, your mother and I brought you both some gifts. I have to go to the office now, so I won't see you off to school," he said.

"Okay. Safe travels, Dad," Luo Yixia waved at the doorway.

In truth, Luo Yixia never had a strong impression of Song Shaohui. He was always busy with work and rarely at home. Even on those occasional nights he joined them for dinner, she barely had a chance to talk with him. Still, she knew he was good to her, and his occasional concern meant a lot.

Taking advantage of everyone's busyness, Luo Yixia slipped over to her own house. Sure enough, her parents were there, busy sorting things.

She leaned against the doorframe, poking her head inside, "Did you bring me any gifts?"

Her parents, busy with their tasks, were startled by her sudden voice.

"You little rascal, can't you make a sound when you walk? You see your parents and don't even greet us?" Yu Wenjing chided her with a glare.

Luo Yixia stuck out her tongue and dashed over with a giggle.

"Dad," she called out to Luo Hongtao with a bright smile.

"It's been over a month since Dad really got a good look at our little treasure," he said, gazing fondly at his daughter, who was growing more graceful by the day.

She had truly grown up. Once, Luo Hongtao had little time for her because of work; now, she was married—even if only in name—and he saw her even less. He couldn't very well show up at her in-laws' place late at night just to see his daughter.

"Dad, you work so hard. How was the trip with Mom during this rare holiday?" Luo Yixia grinned mischievously.

"Your mom spent the whole time talking about you; she didn't spare a thought for me." Song Shaohui joined in with a laugh.

"I wasn't talking about her—I was worrying she'd get into trouble at home with Chengyi," Yu Wenjing rolled her eyes at her daughter.

"Sometimes I think I must not be your real daughter. Is Song Chengyi actually your son?" Luo Yixia teased, feigning a pout.

"I wish," Yu Wenjing joked, then playfully swatted Luo Yixia on the head with a bag.

"What's this?" Luo Yixia took the bag.

"Your mother bought you some Tibetan clothes," Song Shaohui explained.

"Wow, you really got them for me, Mom? I meant to ask you, but forgot. The ones you had your friend buy last time weren’t authentic; this one looks amazing!" Luo Yixia exclaimed as she eagerly opened the bag.

Inside was a brilliant red outfit, adorned with intricate embroidery.

"You've always said the costumes I bought for your folk dance weren't authentic. Now you have no reason to complain," Yu Wenjing told her.

"Thank you so much, Mom!" Luo Yixia hugged her mother and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"And thank you, Dad!" She did the same for Song Shaohui.

"You're a grown girl, aren't you even a little embarrassed?" Yu Wenjing grumbled, though she was smiling inside.

"Hehe." Luo Yixia hugged her new clothes, grinning foolishly.

Happy as could be, she carried her new outfit next door, where she ran straight into Zhou Yun.

"Xiaxia, I was just looking for you. Come, I've got a gift for you," Zhou Yun said warmly, pulling Luo Yixia into her room.

Zhou Yun noticed the clothes in Luo Yixia's arms. "Your mom bought you a dance costume, didn't she? Wenjing spent the entire afternoon picking it out. That one nearly got snatched up by someone else—she had to fight for it."

"Really? She didn't mention it," Luo Yixia said, hugging her new clothes closer.

"Come see the accessories I got for you," Zhou Yun said, producing a bag that jingled with a crisp sound.

"They're all ethnic-style bracelets and necklaces. They’ll go perfectly with your new costume. When you dance, they'll make a lovely sound together."

"Thank you, Mom," Luo Yixia beamed, unable to hide her delight.

She suddenly felt so grateful for having two such wonderful mothers.

Not wanting to disturb Zhou Yun further, Luo Yixia happily carried her gifts back to her room.

"Look at all the presents I got—aren't they beautiful?" she said, like a child showing off treasures, to Song Chengyi.

"So superficial," Song Chengyi said, seeing that they were all girlish trinkets.

"You don't even have anything!" Luo Yixia retorted, satisfied as she packed her gifts into her suitcase. There was no time to try them on now; she'd do it at school.

A knock sounded at the door.

Luo Yixia turned to see Song Zeming standing at the threshold.

"Hope I'm not disturbing you two?" he asked.

"Not at all," Luo Yixia said as she finished putting things away.

"I brought you both presents," Song Zeming said, handing each of them a wooden box about twenty centimeters long.

"What is it?" Luo Yixia wondered aloud.

"A Tibetan knife," Song Chengyi said blandly.

Luo Yixia and Song Zeming both turned to him in surprise. Song Chengyi opened the box curiously, and sure enough, inside lay a Tibetan knife with an exquisitely carved handle.

Luo Yixia was fascinated.

"How did you know?" she asked, puzzled, since he hadn’t even opened the box.

"When you travel in Tibet, there are only a few typical souvenirs. If it's about this long and in a box, it has to be a Tibetan knife," Song Chengyi replied, as if it was obvious.

Song Zeming clicked his tongue. "Boring. What a brother..."

"Thank you, Zeming. It's beautiful," Luo Yixia said to him as she closed the box.

"I'm glad you like it," he replied with a smile. "Are you heading to school this afternoon? Got your things packed?"

"Yes, everything's ready," Luo Yixia nodded.

"Good. Then get some rest. I need a nap too—five hours on a plane has left my back stiff." He knocked on his lower back as he spoke.

"Don't call us for lunch—we already ate on the plane," he added as he left.

Song Chengyi set his box on the bookshelf, which held fewer books than it did a variety of odd souvenirs and keepsakes, including the Luffy figurine Luo Yixia had given him.

Luo Yixia tapped Luffy's forehead and placed her box next to Song Chengyi’s.

"Seems like Zeming dotes on you the most. No one else brought you a gift, yet you’re always bickering with him," Luo Yixia teased.

"Are you taking all my affection for yourself?" Song Chengyi raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe I am. They all gave their gifts to me," Luo Yixia admitted, feeling a bit guilty.

"Should I give you some of my jewelry then?" she offered cautiously.

"You think I’d like those girly things?" he scoffed.

"Don’t worry, I wouldn’t really give them to you," she replied, humming smugly.

They had a simple lunch together at noon.

That afternoon, dragging their suitcases, they left without saying goodbye to anyone—the others were all resting after the long flights and couldn't be disturbed.

Song Chengyi drove first to their apartment to drop off his luggage. When he reached for Luo Yixia’s suitcase, she stopped him.

"I have to stay at the school dormitory first. I haven’t applied to live off-campus yet, and even when I do, it'll take about a month to process," she explained.

Song Chengyi pressed his lips together, saying nothing, but Luo Yixia could sense his displeasure.

She sighed inwardly. She’d have to coax him.

So she placed her hands on his shoulders, rose up on tiptoe, and kissed the corner of his lips.

"Don’t be angry, okay?" she said with a sweet smile.

Song Chengyi’s mood softened. "I’m not angry," he insisted, though the hint of a smile tugged at his lips.

This time, he drove the car straight onto the school grounds, not letting her get out halfway.

"Why did you drive right in? What if someone sees? Oh no, oh no!" Luo Yixia covered her face in panic.

"There are hardly any students in the parking garage," Song Chengyi replied, exasperated.

Still, there were a few students here and there. Luo Yixia ducked down as low as she could to avoid being seen.

Once he parked, she glanced around like a thief before getting out, pulling her suitcase behind her.

"I’ll go first," she whispered, voice low, then hurried off with her suitcase.

Song Chengyi watched her stumble away, unable to suppress a laugh.

Whose little darling is that? She’s just too adorable...

They parted ways.

Luo Yixia, feeling guilty, rushed inside without lifting her head, hurrying up the stairs and into her dorm room.

Inside, her three roommates were already there, turning to look at her.

"You’re late today," Gan Yanyan commented, munching on a potato chip.

"I came after lunch," Luo Yixia said as she dragged her suitcase inside.

She was worried they’d ask her about Song Zeming, but surprisingly, everyone went about their own business and didn’t question her at all.