Wish?
Lin Xin didn't understand what Ye Linghua meant. What did she mean by her wish? Was her wish so important?
They were just strangers who had crossed paths by chance, with no debts owed to one another.
Maybe Ye Linghua had told Zheng Lanwen not to waste time on her because she didn't like her. But because of work, she had to curry favor.
But did Lin Xin need someone's pity or forced affection?
She didn't.
If someone didn't like her, there was no need for them to cater to or accommodate her. And the wishes of someone who didn't like her held no value.
Lin Xin didn't ask what Ye Linghua meant. Instead, she replied expressionlessly, "I'll calculate your wages for the past two days."
Ye Linghua chuckled but responded, "No need. I'm not short of two days' pay."
Lin Xin froze, her innocent expression making it hard for Ye Linghua to say anything harsh.
Unable to vent her frustration, Ye Linghua scratched her head absentmindedly, eventually suppressing her irritation. In as calm a tone as possible, she said, "I didn't do much over the past two days. You even made the meals. I wouldn't feel right accepting the money, so just leave it at that."
After a brief pause, she added, "Even though I won't be here, if you ever need help, feel free to reach out. And one more thing—don't trust anything Zheng Lanwen says before she actually reconciles with you."
The caring reminder made Lin Xin's previously resolute heart waver.
But then she thought of what Ye Linghua had said to Zheng Lanwen earlier and reminded herself not to falter. She had already made the mistake of holding onto someone who didn't care for her once.
Even if… even if… it was just a housekeeper this time.
Seeing that Lin Xin didn't seem to take her advice to heart, Ye Linghua sighed. She turned and glanced behind her. The road she had arrived on was lined with trees washed clean by the rain. The heavy clouds that had once hung in the sky were gone.
Today, the sky was clear and boundless, with only a few small clouds perched atop the mountains. The radiant sunlight warmed the spring season.
Ye Linghua checked her phone—[1:42 PM]
"Your luggage?" Lin Xin's hesitant voice came from behind her.
Without turning, Ye Linghua replied lightly, "No need. I didn't bring any when I came. And besides…"
A breeze swept past, lifting Ye Linghua's bangs. She shielded her eyes from the dazzling sunlight with the back of her hand and continued, "If I don't leave now, I'll miss my flight."
Lin Xin was taken aback. Something about the statement felt off, but all she could do was watch Ye Linghua standing in the wind. Her fluttering skirt and hair, combined with her wistful tone, seemed to echo in Lin Xin's ears.
* * * *
True to her word, Ye Linghua didn't linger. She left as cleanly as she had come.
At the villa's entrance, Lin Xin stood alone, just as she had when seeing Zheng Lanwen off. This house, once meant to be a home for two, always seemed to leave the remaining person feeling particularly lonely when someone left for good.
But unlike with Zheng Lanwen, Lin Xin no longer felt the complex tangle of sadness, anger, heartbreak, or even relief.
This time, as she watched Ye Linghua's retreating figure, all she felt was loneliness. Deep within that loneliness was a faint trace of reluctance.
They had only known each other for three days.
Yet those two or three days had coincided with one of her darkest times.
She should have spent that time hiding in her room, sitting in a corner, crying in pain, consumed by resentment. She might have become someone she despised, trapped in a whirlpool she could never escape—a whirlpool that could swallow her for a lifetime.
But that afternoon, Ye Linghua had come, holding a red umbrella, standing before her. Through the curtain of rain, her gaze had been calm yet tinged with a hint of hope, like a lover reunited after an eternity apart.
Ugh, what am I even thinking!
Lin Xin shook her head vigorously, snapping herself out of it. But then she paused.
Red umbrella?
Yes, the red umbrella.
She turned abruptly and went back to the entryway. Sure enough, there was a red umbrella in the stand. Lin Xin never liked such bright colors—not even for umbrellas—so its presence stood out starkly.
She picked it up and noticed its weight. On closer inspection, the red wasn't garish but rather a deep, subdued shade. The handle, shaft, and tip were crafted as one seamless piece, likely from solid wood, while the canopy was made of thick polyester.
An ordinary umbrella, yet Lin Xin, with her limited knowledge of umbrellas, could tell it was both high-quality and tastefully made.
For a housekeeper, she sure has good taste.
Holding the umbrella, Lin Xin rushed out without even changing her shoes. Her indoor slippers made walking along the stone path—once her favorite—slightly uncomfortable.
She ran all the way to the neighborhood park but couldn't see Ye Linghua anywhere.
Out of breath, Lin Xin struggled to continue. Exercise had never been her strong suit.
But at that moment, she was determined—adamant—to return the umbrella to her.
Without a car, Ye Linghua couldn't have taken the main road, which was a longer, winding route around the neighborhood. She must have taken the direct path through the park.
But where was she?
Lin Xin didn't understand. There wasn't much time. How could she have disappeared so quickly?
Could she have already left? Was I too late?
Feeling a pang of disappointment, Lin Xin absentmindedly ran her fingers over the umbrella in her hand. This umbrella might be the only connection between them now.
"Eh? Can't book it? Take the train? But the train takes thirty hours!"
Fate seemed to play tricks on her. Just as Lin Xin was about to turn back, she heard Ye Linghua's surprised voice coming from the fountain plaza behind a row of trees.
* * * *
Ye Linghua sat on the edge of the fountain pool, one hand propping herself up while the other held her phone, chatting with the person on the other end of the call.
The walk from the villa hadn't been short, and after being essentially dismissed by Lin Xin because of Zheng Lanwen, her mood wasn't exactly great.
When she reached the park, she decided to find a spot to rest.
Though it was spring and the sun wasn't particularly harsh, walking under it for a long time still made her feel hot and irritable.
It wasn't until she sat by the fountain, enjoying the cool mist carried by the spring breeze, that she finally felt some relief.
Ye Linghua had no family or connections in Youcheng. After being driven out by Lin Xin, all she could think about was going home.
So she asked the person on the phone, "Are all the economy class tickets sold out too?"
"No, there are still some available, but economy isn't very convenient," the voice replied.
Ye Linghua nearly choked. "What's inconvenient about it? I'm not picky! Just book one for me!" She glanced at the time and added, "If I leave for the airport now, it'll take me about an hour and a half. Actually, no—I haven't even had lunch yet. I need to eat something first."
Tch. There are restaurants at the airport too.
Frustrated, Ye Linghua ruffled her hair, feeling completely disoriented and unsure where to start.
"Ye Linghua—!!!"
Lin Xin's voice suddenly called out from behind her, blending with the sound of water splashing into the fountain, giving it a faintly ethereal quality.
Ye Linghua froze for a moment, then turned to look over her shoulder.
The luxury community's park was meticulously designed, with large expanses of grass, transplanted trees of varying heights, an artificial lake not far away, and the fountain plaza where she was sitting.
A set of stairs led from the fountain plaza back to the villa area, and a large bear mascot stood at the base of the staircase.
Lin Xin stood on the staircase, wearing a black dress that swayed in the breeze. She was holding the red umbrella in both hands, looking a bit unsure of herself.
Ye Linghua slowly stood up.
Seeing her silence, Lin Xin grew even more unsure. She fiddled with the umbrella, her voice soft as she said, "I came to bring you your umbrella."
It was such a small voice, easily drowned out by the fountain's noise, yet Ye Linghua heard it clearly.
She glanced at her phone, where the person on the other end was still shouting, "Hello? Hello?" With a press of a button, she ended the call and put it in her pocket.
Then she walked toward Lin Xin, stopping at the bottom of the stairs. Looking up at Lin Xin from below, she couldn't help but notice how beautiful she still was, the kind of beauty that could make one's heart skip a beat.
Ye Linghua said, "You could've just mailed it back to me."
Lin Xin froze, unwilling to admit she hadn't thought of that. "Wouldn't that be impractical? Shipping costs aren't cheap."
Ye Linghua chuckled lightly, her smile warm as she replied, "It's fine if you don't. It's just an umbrella."
Lin Xin hesitated. "I'm not the type to take advantage of someone else's things."
Ye Linghua nodded. "I know."
When she didn't elaborate, Lin Xin awkwardly continued, "I thought about it later, and something didn't sit right with me. Ye Linghua, do you live far from here? Far enough to need a plane to get home?"
Ye Linghua nodded. "Yes."
Lin Xin's heart tightened as she realized what had been bothering her.
"Why would you come all the way here for a job?"
"Do you really need to ask?" Ye Linghua replied, her dark eyes fixed on Lin Xin, their depths drawing her in. She was puzzled by Lin Xin's question, even more so by her current attitude.
But still, Ye Linghua answered, "Because it's a job."
"Was it absolutely necessary to go so far just to find work?" Lin Xin pressed.
Ye Linghua thought for a moment, running a hand through her hair as if searching for the right words. "Not really. It's because it was your job, so I came this far."
Because of me, you were willing to come this far?
Lin Xin lowered her head with a smile. So it's because of me?
Was I overthinking it? Was I being too sensitive?
And in doing so, did I end up pushing away someone who only meant well?
She laughed bitterly at her own stubbornness. Unable to hurt Zheng Lanwen even a little, she had instead managed to hurt the person standing beside her.
As she began descending the stairs, she reached out with the umbrella, saying, "Here, it's yours."
The rain-soaked stairs had yet to be cleaned, and as her foot slipped on a damp leaf, Lin Xin lost her balance.
The sensation of weightlessness stunned her.
Her mind raced through the events of the past two days, and shame flooded her as she realized…
Why… why am I falling down the stairs again?!