Yina Yin never expected that a single sentence from her would make Cindy Wu burst into tears.
Yina Yin panicked immediately. "Oh no, little beauty, did I say something wrong? Why are you crying?"
Cindy Wu felt even more aggrieved after hearing that.
She had poured all her feelings into the wrong person!
She thought she was secretly in love with a prince, but it turned out to be a princess!
Yina Yin pulled out a handkerchief and offered it to Cindy Wu, but Cindy turned away and ignored her.
Yina Yin sighed, bent down to look at her, and wiped her tears herself. "Is it really my fault? How about I apologize? Such a beautiful girl—if you cry too much, my heart will ache for you."
Cindy Wu looked up at her. "Have you been teasing girls like this since you were little?"
"You call this teasing?" Yina Yin looked at her in surprise. "Isn't this just pampering you?"
Cindy Wu was speechless.
She thought that was such a strange question!
Cindy Wu wiped her tears and asked, "Your name is Yina Yin?"
"That's right! Yina—like a promise worth a thousand gold," Yina Yin replied proudly. "My aunt gave me this name. She said, 'A person should always keep their word.' I'm the Yin family's daughter, their only daughter, and even though I'm a girl, I have to stand by my promises!"
Cindy Wu let go of Yina Yin's waist, wiped her eyes, and said, "Your aunt is really good to you!"
"Of course! My whole family treats me well!" Yina Yin grinned. "My aunt spoils my mom so much—whenever she gets something tasty, fun, or useful, she thinks of my mom and me first."
"Then, will you keep your promises to me too?" Cindy Wu looked up at Yina Yin, her eyes shining with tears.
"Of course! Wait, what did I say just now?" Yina Yin scratched her ear, a little confused.
"You said you'd never stop seeing me!" Cindy Wu repeated earnestly. "You said you'd never avoid me!"
"Why would I avoid you?" Yina Yin asked, puzzled.
"Don't worry about that. Just remember what you said today!" Cindy Wu blushed as she spoke.
Yina Yin nodded. "Of course, I always keep my word!"
Suddenly, Cindy Wu stood on tiptoe and kissed Yina Yin gently on the cheek. "Remember what you said today, Yina Yin. I'm sticking with you for life! I can't help it—I like you!"
After saying that, Cindy Wu turned and ran away.
Yina Yin stood there, stunned for a long time.
What did that even mean?
Is this how girls express kindness these days?
Yina Yin touched her cheek, shrugged it off, and walked away too.
Back at Forest Grove High, Cindy Wu was immediately surrounded by her classmates. "Whoa! Your face is so red! Did you just see your dream guy?"
Cindy Wu sighed. She did see someone, but sadly, it wasn't a dream guy—it was a goddess!
But so what if she's a girl?
She really had fallen for Yina Yin!
Even if Yina Yin was a girl, she didn't care!
If she was bent, then so be it!
As long as the love was pure, nothing else mattered!
"Alright, enough gossip, you guys," Cindy Wu said. "She's a good person—gentle and thoughtful. No wonder so many girls like her."
"Wow, Cindy, you're really head over heels now, huh?" her classmates teased.
Cindy Wu didn't bother explaining.
Some things were better left unsaid, weren't they?
Just then, someone came in from outside and said, "Cindy, that guy is still waiting for you out there!"
The so-called 'guy' was Howard Hu, the boy who'd played ball with Yina Yin and Lucas Mu that day, then backed out. He was a second-year student, always secretly in love with Cindy Wu. After several failed confessions, he tried to act stubborn about it—only to have Yina Yin catch him and ruin his plans.
He still hadn't given up.
Cindy Wu was only a first-year, but already vice president of the student council.
She was not only cute, but also a top student.
Of course Howard Hu liked her.
But Cindy Wu had high standards and refused to accept any other boys' advances at school.
From the moment she first saw Yina Yin, she was drawn to her.
When Cindy heard Howard Hu was still waiting outside, she frowned and said, "I'm not seeing him. Tell him to leave."
The other classmates chimed in, "Cindy, just go talk to him! Tell him you're already with your dream guy, so he'll finally give up."
Cindy thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll make it clear once and for all!"
Cindy walked outside, and sure enough, Howard Hu was waiting below, looking anxious.
Compared to Yina Yin's noble, calm, elegant refinement, Howard Hu simply couldn't compete.
Not just in looks—her whole vibe outshone his by a mile.
Howard Hu saw Cindy come out and instantly lit up, rushing over. "Cindy, you're finally willing to see me!"
Cindy glanced at the classmates nearby and said, "Let's go somewhere quiet. I have something to say to you."
Howard Hu thought Cindy wanted to talk about dating, so he was over the moon, eagerly following her to the woods on the side of campus.
There weren't many people here, so it was perfect for a conversation.
"Howard, just give up." Cindy got straight to the point. "I don't like you. I never did, and I never will. Not now, not ever."
(This note about the chapter ending is irrelevant and can be skipped.)
Howard Hu looked totally confused. "But why? What's wrong with me? I know I'm not rich or super capable, but I've been working so hard, just to be with you!"
"Let me be honest. I actually like girls, not guys. So no matter how hard you try, it won't work!" Cindy replied. "Just let it go."
Howard Hu relaxed a little when he heard that. "Cindy, don't give me that lame excuse! You like girls? Please! I know you're just making that up to brush me off!"
"It's not an excuse, it's the truth," Cindy answered calmly. "Honestly, I just realized today that I've always liked girls."
"Come on, Cindy, I know being gay is trendy now, but you don't have to go that far! Is it that pretty boy who challenged me last time? Cindy, think about it! He's a rich kid! Anyone who goes to Saint Diana Academy can't be an ordinary person. Those high-and-mighty heirs aren't looking for real feelings!"
Apparently, Howard Hu was convinced Yina Yin was a boy.
Well, what could you expect? Yina Yin was just that handsome.
"That's my business, not yours," Cindy replied.
"How is it not my business? I can't just watch you get fooled! Cindy, listen to me! I'm the only one who truly cares about you! That rich kid looks all pale and delicate, like a girl—he's just a sissy! How could you fall for someone like that? I may look rough, but I'm a real man!"
Cindy nodded. "But that's exactly the type I like!"
Howard Hu was silent for a moment. "Damn!"
"So that's why we're not right for each other, okay?" Cindy finished, then added, "Don't bother me again! I'm leaving!"
With that, Cindy didn't give Howard Hu a chance to say more. She turned and ran off!
Howard Hu was left feeling utterly frustrated!
He'd actually lost to a pretty boy!
He just couldn't accept it!
Howard Hu gritted his teeth in secret. He was determined to get to the bottom of this guy's background!
There had to be some hidden secret behind that guy!
He was going to expose it, and make that annoying pretty boy lose his cover!
After Cindy left, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness!
She'd finally gotten rid of Howard Hu's pestering!
But... was she really going to be bent from now on?
If it was Yina Yin she was bent for, then so be it!
Two days flew by in a blink.
Ethan Yin and Miles Gu were finally coming back!
Cherry Miller had been anxious all morning.
Would Ethan Yin scold her when he got back?
Ugh, what a headache.
But no matter how much Cherry Miller worried, Ethan Yin and Miles Gu still came back.
When Ethan Yin and Miles Gu showed up in their sharp uniforms in front of Cherry Miller and Yina Yin, Cherry instinctively avoided Ethan's gaze.
Miles Gu hadn't seen his little fiancée in days and missed her terribly. As soon as he saw Yina Yin, he dragged her off to the side for some alone time.
Ethan Yin just stood in front of Cherry Miller, silent, staring at her.
Cherry felt his gaze like needles on her back. She struggled to greet him, "Master Ethan. Welcome back."
"I thought you'd never speak to me again," Ethan Yin said softly.
"I—" Cherry started, but when she looked up, she saw Ethan Yin walking toward her.
Startled, Cherry instinctively stepped back, her body pressing against the wall.
Ethan Yin braced his left arm against the wall, leaning in and cornering Cherry. A roguish smile played on his lips, his voice lazy: "Hmm?"
"Master Ethan..." Cherry stared at his handsome face, so close, but the words stuck in her throat. She couldn't get them out.
Ethan Yin leaned in even closer, their noses nearly touching. His long lashes lowered as he said, "I'm listening. Go ahead."