Chapter 119: Impossible to Conceal

He Chuan's face bore almost no smile; his dark pupils exuded a chilling coldness. Passersby who saw the two of them occasionally cast strange glances, perhaps because the man was too serious, his aura overwhelmingly powerful, causing unrelated people to quickly walk past without stopping.

Their eyes met, and Cheng Hui’s heart tightened, with no way to retreat. Her voice gradually weakened. "He Chuan, please don’t be angry, alright?"

She tried to soothe him. His displeasure was understandable—after all, she had wanted to hide everything from everyone, afraid to tell others. Even when her roommate asked who her boyfriend was, she dared not say. Deep down, she feared being gossiped about. She wasn’t usually so hesitant, but since being with He Chuan, she had become sensitive, fearful, and hesitant. This wasn’t fair to He Chuan.

He Chuan said nothing, silently watching her. It seemed he couldn’t bear to see her cry. His tone softened: “Forget it. Go home now. Aunt Cheng will look for you later; you won’t be able to explain.”

Cheng Hui stubbornly grabbed the edge of his coat. “I’m not going home today. I told my mom when I left. Can I come to your place tonight?”

He Chuan replied, “I have something to do tonight.”

“Then I’ll wait at home…”

“We’ll see.”

His words were a veiled refusal.

It felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her. She opened her mouth, wanting to speak but hesitated. The coldness in his eyes made her withdraw.

He Chuan sighed softly. “Come on, I’ll take you back first.”

Cheng Hui summoned all her courage. Knowing he was upset and it was her fault, she lowered her stance to appease him. “I want to go to your place. I won’t go home.”

He Chuan seemed resigned, his voice deepening. “Fine, go to my place.”

He Chuan remained silent along the way, not speaking to her or even glancing at her once. Cheng Hui lowered her head, feeling like she had done something wrong. Because of that, she dared not speak.

When He Chuan was cold, he was truly cold—he wouldn’t utter a word. This version of He Chuan felt unfamiliar and distant, unlike the man she once knew.

Upon arriving at the apartment parking lot, He Chuan’s voice was cold: “Remember to eat dinner. Don’t wait for me.”

“When will you be back tonight?”

“When I finish.”

“…”

Cheng Hui bowed her head, feeling a bit lost. “I understand. Then don’t drink alcohol. If you do, don’t drive. I’ll go up first.”

After saying this, she got out of the car without looking back, walking straight to the elevator without turning around.

He Chuan watched her solitary figure and sighed helplessly, knowing she must be unhappy. Well, there was no way to soothe her for now. He would wait until she figured out what she really wanted.

This time, no one could help her. She had to understand for herself what she wanted and whether she had enough faith in their relationship.

He Chuan wanted more than just Cheng Hui. He wanted her heart—a lifetime commitment to only him.

…

Familiar apartment, everywhere seemed to bear He Chuan’s traces. Her nose tingled, and she rubbed her eyes. He Chuan’s attitude toward her was so cold and hot, she knew where she was wrong, but still, he remained distant. She didn’t know how to coax him anymore.

She turned on the TV, picked a random channel, and lay on the sofa, heartbroken.

Midway through, Cheng Hui’s father called, asking where she had gone. Her hoarse voice said, “Out having fun.”

“When will you be back? Should I send the driver to pick you up?”

“No need, Dad. I’ll stay at school tonight. I might be out late, so I won’t come home.”

“Why stay out so late? Who are you with? How many people? Boys or girls?”

Cheng Hui lied, “Quite a few, boys and girls. Don’t worry; I’ll be fine. I’ll tell you when I get back to the dorm.”

Her father said, “Alright, just remember—don’t drink alcohol. You’re a girl; be careful.”

After much coaxing, her father finally hung up. The moment the call ended, Cheng Hui immediately breathed out and collapsed onto the sofa, feeling weak and powerless.

She repeatedly opened their text messages and WeChat conversations. He said little but always replied, showing sincerity. Yet, judging by his recent cold attitude, he must have been disappointed in her.

Cheng Hui felt trapped in a vicious cycle. Her mind was consumed by the matter, and the more she thought, the more painful it became.

By nine o’clock at night, He Chuan still hadn’t returned. Cheng Hui wiped her tears and went to shower. She didn’t want He Chuan to see her in such a disheveled state. After showering, while drying her hair, she heard the doorbell and thought He Chuan had returned. She hurried to open the door, forgetting to put on shoes and that she was only wearing pajamas, her hair wet and draped over her shoulders.

She opened the door and just as she was about to call He Chuan’s name, she saw her father and mother standing there. Especially her mother, who looked shocked and helplessly angry to see her appearing at He Chuan’s home.

“Mom… Dad…” Cheng Hui stepped back, panicked and speechless.

Her father frowned, displeased.

Her mother almost slapped her but held back, saying, “Why are you dressed like this at He Chuan’s house? Where is He Chuan?”

Cheng Hui’s face turned as pale as paper, trembling and unable to speak.

“Speak! Why are you at He Chuan’s house in pajamas? What are you doing? Cheng Hui!” Her mother’s voice was sharp, her expression a complicated mix of anger and disappointment.

Cheng Hui couldn’t explain. She had no way to explain to her mother, nor could she.

“Do you know whose house this is? At He Chuan’s, dressed like this—if this gets out, won’t you lose face?”

Cheng Hui’s limbs went cold; she was speechless, ashamed, head bowed.

“Change immediately and come home with me.”

Cheng Hui mechanically changed clothes, her fingers trembling. She wanted to contact He Chuan, but her mother had taken her phone away, seemingly afraid she would call him.

Back at the Cheng household, her mother couldn’t help but slap her, scolding her for being undisciplined and lacking self-respect.

Cheng Hui covered her face, silent without tears, deeply quiet.

Her father urged her mother not to hit their child, but she refused. “If we don’t discipline her now, it’ll be too late once she’s grown wings. How can you keep indulging her at this time? No, today I have to teach her a lesson. Step aside and don’t interfere!”

Her father said, “Will hitting her change anything? Will violence solve anything? Calm down—don’t hurt her.”

“She’s shameless already. How can I stay calm? When Mrs. He told me about this, I didn’t believe it. But tonight, didn’t you see with your own eyes? She was at He Chuan’s, showered and changed into pajamas. What do you think she was up to? Don’t try to fool me. I say, when Cheng Hui had her troubles, He Chuan was so attentive, taking her out. So she’s already been deceived by him!”

…

Cheng Hui kept her head low, afraid to meet her mother’s gaze, enduring the accusations.

Her worst fear had come true. She hadn’t expected them to come directly to He Chuan’s house tonight and catch her there. She understood their anger and felt sorry for them.

Previously, her mother disapproved of her relationship with Tang Que, causing a big commotion. Relations had barely improved when Tang Que bullied her. Had He Chuan not appeared, she might not have escaped that dark period. Because of this, she now only cared about He Chuan. But her family’s attitude was as expected—they would never approve of her and He Chuan.

Her father kept trying to calm her mother, urging her to speak calmly and not scare the child, but her mother was inconsolable, too emotional to listen.

…

Her father could only send Cheng Hui to her room and try to soothe her mother.

Cheng Hui didn’t leave, standing there with a choked voice, muttering to herself: “I’m not shameless. Nothing happened between He Chuan and me.”

Her mother sneered, “Nothing happened? Then what did your father and I see tonight? You say you were out shopping with classmates, so how did you end up at He Chuan’s in pajamas, just out of the shower? What do you think you’re doing?”

Her emotions broke, tears falling as she looked up at her mother. “Mom, it’s not what you think…”

“I spoiled you, that’s why you have no discipline, causing trouble every day. Take the affair with Tang, for example—when I disapproved, you threw a tantrum and ran away. You can’t control yourself and have to chase men, so of course those scoundrels outside have their eyes on you!”

At these words, Cheng Hui’s vision blurred, the world spun, her legs weak. She almost fell but was caught by an aunt nearby, who worriedly asked, “What’s wrong, Hui Hui? Are you okay? Madam, please stop. Even if she made mistakes, talk calmly. Don’t get angry.”

Cheng Hui barely steadied herself, gently pushing the aunt away, voice choking, “Mom, is that how you see me? You think it’s my fault? That I seduce men? That I’m despicable? Is that it?”

“You’re talking nonsense. Your mother was just angry; it wasn’t intentional. Don’t mind her. Go back to your room.”

Her father hurried to smooth things over, wanting Cheng Hui to leave.

Cheng Hui’s temper flared; she refused. “I’m not deaf. I heard everything. Mom, is that how you see me?”

Her mother, still furious, didn’t care anymore. “If you’re not, then why did that happen? Why don’t you think about whose fault it really is?”

Cheng Hui gave a bitter laugh, broken in spirit. She no longer wanted to explain. Since even her own mother thought so little of her, no amount of explanation would help. She might as well say nothing.

“Mom, sorry for disappointing you. Is that what you think of me?”

…

Cheng Hui was taken back to her room by the aunt who stayed with her, but she remained silent, unresponsive to any words.

Downstairs, her mother sat on the sofa, silent for a long time.

Her father poured her a cup of warm water and said, “I have to say, what you said to our daughter just now was too harsh. No matter what, she’s still a girl. How will she face you in the future if you speak like that?”

Her mother was also upset. “Did I say anything wrong? What of it is false? When Cheng Hui was in trouble, I stayed home every day taking care of her, fearing she might despair. But she’s already in cahoots with He Chuan! He said he’d take her to the hot springs, and she went. Does she have any regard for me? She’s grown, and no one can control her now!”

She was too emotional to listen to anything her husband said. He tried to reason, but she remained indifferent.

…

He Chuan didn’t return home until past midnight. Opening the door, he found the house unusually quiet, seemingly empty.

He searched the room but found no sign of Cheng Hui, only her pajamas on a chair—still wet. So late, and she had gone out again?

He called her, but her phone was off.

Feeling uneasy, He Chuan remembered she had said she’d wait for him at home. She wouldn’t run off. Irritated, he loosened his collar and immediately called the property management to check the surveillance footage.

This wasn’t the first time; the property management showed him the footage right away.

When He Chuan saw Cheng Hui’s parents appear on the screen and enter his house, alarm bells rang.

Shortly after, the couple left with Cheng Hui, who kept her head down as if she had done something wrong. It was clear she had been taken back home.

It was too late to go to Cheng’s house now, and unable to reach Cheng Hui or know her situation, he decided to wait until tomorrow.

…

Cheng Hui hadn’t slept all night. Wanting to call He Chuan, she borrowed a phone from the aunt. The aunt warned, “Hui Hui, don’t go against Madam. She’s angry now. You should apologize and try to soothe her first, then talk later.”

“Honey, she said those things about me, which means I’m already so despicable in her heart. What can I say? Will she believe me?”

The answer was no.

Her mother would never believe her.

Cheng Hui felt very wronged, but what could she do? This was all her own doing, reaping what she had sown. No one else to blame.

The aunt brought her a warm towel to wipe her face. “Why don’t you try to sleep? It’s late…”

“No, you go rest. Don’t worry about me. I’ll sleep when I’m tired.”

“…” The aunt was still worried. “Hui Hui, I’ve watched you grow up. You’re a good child. No matter what, she’s still your mother. Wait until she calms down before talking.”

…

The next morning, the aunt woke Cheng Hui and urged her to come downstairs for breakfast.

After some thought, Cheng Hui tidied up and went down.

Her mother was there, naturally wearing a sour expression, as if she didn’t recognize her own daughter.

Cheng Hui sat as far from her mother as possible and ate half a sandwich before wanting to return to her room.

At that moment, her mother said, “Since you don’t care about school, don’t go anymore. I contacted the school to arrange your leave of absence.”

Cheng Hui turned around, incredulous. “Why would you do that?”

“Don’t you know why? Do I have to repeat myself? I’m still your mother, and I have the right to control you.”

Her father had not come downstairs yet, unaware of the mother-daughter quarrel.

Cheng Hui felt suffocated, struggling to breathe. “So you won’t let me go to school?”

“You stay home now. Don’t go anywhere. Don’t even think about stepping outside. I won’t let you.”

She locked her door after returning to her room, wanting to cry but unable to, choking on her emotions.

…

Her mother’s anger made her ill. She lay in her room, even calling the family doctor for a check-up.

Cheng Hui was confined to her room, forbidden to leave.

She wanted to borrow a phone to contact He Chuan, but the aunt said, “Madam won’t let me lend you the phone. Hui Hui, just rest at home for a while. Wait until Madam calms down…”

Cheng Hui sneered silently, speechless.

…

He Chuan came to Cheng’s house but was barred from entering by the neighborhood guard. He learned this was Madam Cheng’s order—to prevent his car from entering.

Unable to get in, He Chuan called Cheng’s father, who was unsurprised but spoke coldly: “Don’t come looking for Cheng Hui anymore. She’s not suitable for you. Since nothing happened, let it end here.”

He Chuan tried to argue, but the call was abruptly ended.

Now, he was completely cut off from Cheng Hui.

…

He Chuan had no choice but to seek help from Cheng Jiu.

Cheng Jiu learned about the situation from He Chuan and said, “Don’t worry for now. Since Cheng Hui went home, she should be safe. I’ll go check on things and let you know.”

He Chuan, irritated, smoked silently.

Cheng Jiu and Xin Gan went to Cheng’s house. Upon entering, they felt the heavy atmosphere. No one was on the first floor. The aunt informed them Madam Cheng was ill and resting, while Cheng Hui was locked in her room, forbidden to leave.

Cheng Jiu’s face darkened. He sent Xin Gan to check on Cheng Hui and went to see Madam Cheng.

Xin Gan held Cheng Jiu’s hand. “Mom isn’t well. Be careful with your words. Don’t upset her. I’ll see how Cheng Hui is.”

“I understand,” Cheng Jiu replied.

Xin Gan knocked on Cheng Hui’s door but got no response. She knocked again. “It’s me, Hui Hui. Are you in there?”

Cheng Hui was inside but had no key; she couldn’t open the door.

The aunt said, “Madam has the key; Hui Hui can’t open it.”

“Is there a spare key?”

“Yes, but Madam has it.”

“…” Xin Gan sighed and went upstairs to Madam Cheng’s room. Upon entering, Madam Cheng said, “Come in.”

Cheng Jiu and Xin Gan exchanged glances. Madam Cheng immediately guessed why they were together.

She bluntly said, “Don’t interfere with Cheng Hui’s matter.”

Cheng Jiu was speechless.

Xin Gan was even more silent.

Cheng Jiu said, “Actually, I know about He Chuan and Cheng Hui.”

Madam Cheng stared at him. “Say that again? You know? Since when?”

“For a while now.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

Cheng Jiu explained, “I tried to stop it, but when I saw He Chuan wasn’t joking around with Cheng Hui, I let it be. In some ways, I’m responsible too.”

“So you two conspired to deceive me?”

“Not really. He Chuan wanted to explain to you but got delayed.”

“I never thought He Chuan would be like this. Does he have no guilt deceiving Cheng Hui? With such an age gap, how could he trick a young girl?”

Xin Gan gave Cheng Jiu a look to stop talking.

Madam Cheng was so angry she had nothing more to say, trembling. “You and your sister are making a mess. You knew all this but didn’t tell me, letting things go this far. Cheng Hui is already living with He Chuan, just a kid, cohabiting? Your father and I have been kept in the dark. Are you trying to kill me with worry?”

Xin Gan quickly went to comfort Madam Cheng and said, “Cheng Jiu, stop talking. Just go out.”

Madam Cheng clung to Xin Gan’s hand, grief-stricken.

“Mom, don’t be angry. Let’s drop this for now. Rest a bit. I’ll get you medicine.”

Xin Gan hurried downstairs to fetch some cooled herbal medicine, then returned to feed Madam Cheng, soothing her. “Mom, rest first. We’ll talk later when you feel better. Don’t worry. No matter what, Hui Hui is your daughter. She listens to you.”

Madam Cheng, exhausted, pinched her temples. “You all go out. I want to rest.”

…

Cheng Jiu and Xin Gan stood in the corridor. Xin Gan sighed. “How did Madam find out about Cheng Hui and He Chuan?”

“Probably He Chuan’s wife told her.”

Xin Gan said, “So it was a tip-off…”

“Still, this couldn’t be hidden forever. It would have come out eventually.” Cheng Jiu lowered his eyes and asked, “What about Cheng Hui?”

“Her door is locked. The aunt doesn’t have the key either. Madam has it.”

But judging by the situation, Madam Cheng probably wouldn’t give up the key.

Only during meals would the aunt get the key to open the door and deliver food.

Opening a door was nothing for Cheng Jiu.

He went to the tool room, fetched a thin wire, and picked Cheng Hui’s door.

Soon, the door opened. Cheng Hui was curled on the bed wrapped in a blanket, motionless. Even when the door opened, she didn’t move.

Xin Gan called, “Hui Hui, are you okay?”

Cheng Hui thought it was a hallucination. She quickly got up and turned to see Xin Gan and Cheng Jiu. Tears streamed down her face as she cried, “Brother, Sister Xin…”

Xin Gan hugged her. “You’ve lost so much weight. Are you alright?”

Cheng Hui shook her head, then nodded. “Where’s He Chuan? He can’t find me—is he worried?”

Cheng Jiu was colder. “Go wash your face and change. Come eat.”

Cheng Hui said, “I have no appetite. I don’t want to eat.”

“Hui Hui, if you don’t eat, at least drink some soup. You’ll get sick if you starve,” Xin Gan said tenderly.

Without a word, Cheng Jiu lifted her from the bed and took her to the bathroom. He took a towel, dipped it in hot water, and wiped her face.

Cheng Hui winced, her features contorted. He was too rough. “Be gentle, it hurts! Brother, are you trying to ruin my face?”

“Stop talking nonsense. Looks like you’re okay.” Cheng Jiu released her. “Do the rest yourself. I’ll wait outside.”

After Cheng Jiu left, Cheng Hui stared at the mirror. The reflection was ghostly—her face colorless, dark circles under her eyes, lips dry and peeling, utterly lifeless.