Unreasonable Request

Xia Yang remained vigilant despite hearing Lin Yu's words.

"You're my sister's boyfriend... ex-boyfriend?"

"Then I shouldn't be unable to find any trace of you."

While Xia Yang remained vigilant, Lin Yu relaxed considerably.

Her asking this question is precisely the proof that she's taken the bait.

Although very clever...

But they were still too young.

He explained in a low voice, "It's precisely because he's my ex-boyfriend that I can't find any trace of him."

"Our breakup wasn't particularly amicable."

As Lin Yu spoke, his expression was one of restrained sadness, yet his eyes held an unconcealable melancholy—as if he truly had a beloved ex-girlfriend who had died.

"I thought I'd have another chance to make it up to her... but... but..."

Xia Yang pursed her lips.

The young girl believed most of it.

After all, Lin Yu's acting skills are simply too good.

She hesitated for a moment, then said again, "I didn't even know my sister had ever been in a relationship."

"I've had very little contact with her in recent years."

Xia Yang spoke in a low voice, his tone somewhat dejected.

Of course we have less contact now!

Although Lin Yu's lie was somewhat of a hasty, impromptu reaction, it wasn't entirely without prior consideration.

Over the past few years, Xia Yue's life has been a mix of working at a pet store and continuing her university studies.

Her colleagues at the pet hospital spoke highly of her, and judging from her academic records, she doesn't seem to have fallen behind in her studies either.

So...

How could Xia Yue possibly have time to spend with her family for an extended period of time!

In recent years, in the eyes of her family, Xia Yue's experiences must have had large gaps.

Moreover, under these circumstances, Xia Yue would likely rarely talk about her life with her family, especially her younger sister.

Lin Yu was well aware of this.

Because...

He also has an older sister who is much older than him.

This gave Lin Yu ample room to maneuver.

"Perhaps it's because I haven't gained her approval yet," Lin Yu sighed softly. "I'm sorry, Xia Yang."

Lin Yu's sincere apology completely disarmed Xia Yang.

She slowly sat down in a chair at the dining table.

"It's okay... I should be apologizing for doubting you."

"Not at all, I didn't explain myself clearly," Lin Yu waved his hand, "You should go back to your room and rest... I'll make you some pear soup."

"You weren't feeling well to begin with. If you didn't get enough rest because of my visit, then I would truly feel sorry for your sister."

As Lin Yu spoke, Xia Yang hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Okay... but don't bother with the pear soup. Please sit down for a while; my mother will be home soon."

With that, Xia Yang slowly walked back into the house.

Lin Yu went to the kitchen and busied himself for a while. After cutting the pears and turning on the stove, he left the kitchen.

Since cooking requires constant attention, Lin Yu left Hannah there.

After all, this Little Octopus is a professional; her pear soup might even taste better and be more effective.

Xia Yue's house only has two bedrooms.

Xia Yang just went into the more spacious master bedroom.

So...

Lin Yu had reason to speculate...

"Do the two sisters share a bedroom, and does their mother sleep in the second bedroom?"

He pondered for a moment, then picked up one of the paper bags he had brought and gently pushed open the slightly ajar door to the master bedroom.

Xia Yang, who was lying in bed looking at his workbook, heard the door open and turned around.

"What's wrong."

As she spoke, Lin Yu shook the paper bag in her hand.

"I bought you a gift, but I forgot to give it to you earlier."

Xia Yang was somewhat flattered and wanted to get up, but Lin Yu stopped him.

"Just lie down."

As Lin Yu spoke, he moved a stool and sat down beside Xia Yang's bed.

He glanced around the room discreetly; sure enough, there were two single beds and two desks inside.

Xia Yang shines by the window, Xia Yue shines by the door.

There was a simple curtain separating the two sisters' beds.

The curtain has now been drawn up, and Xia Yue's side has been neatly arranged.

Lin Yu slowly took out the gift he had prepared from the paper bag.

A new mobile phone.

Xia Yang saw the phone box and immediately sat up.

"No, this won't do. It's too valuable. Take the phone back."

Lin Yu insisted on placing the phone box on her bedside table.

You probably don't have a cell phone, right?

Xia Yang said, "No, but this thing... it's not good for children to use; it will affect their studies."

As she spoke, Lin Yu laughed.

"The fact that you can say something like that proves you're not a child who can be easily influenced."

Xia Yang remained stubborn. "It's still too expensive, no way, my mom won't agree."

"I'll persuade Auntie."

As Lin Yu was speaking, Xia Yang hurriedly interjected, "If my sister were here, she wouldn't have let me accept it!"

"But your sister is gone."

Lin Yu interrupted her, his voice slightly choked.

"I... I can't make it up to her anymore, I've lost my chance."

Xia Yang stared blankly at Lin Yu, whose eyes had instantly reddened, for a moment before her heart softened.

Her tone softened.

"Okay, I'll accept it."

Xia Yang picked up the phone and opened the box.

"I'll work to pay you back after I get into university... Please don't refuse."

The little girl spoke softly, and Lin Yu nodded.

"Then I look forward to you getting into university and making lots and lots of money."

Lin Yu laughed, "Okay, keep it up."

He said this, then continued, "I'll go check on the pear soup; it should be ready soon."

Lin Yu stood up and used the [Mind-Reading Mirror] to observe the little girl's emotions.

Trust, emotion, sadness, regret...

Very good.

Just as Lin Yu got up to leave the room, Xia Yang called him back.

"Wait a minute, Brother Lin."

Lin Yu turned around and looked at the girl who was covered with a blanket and sitting half-upright on the bed.

She hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke.

"Brother Lin, I didn't mean to doubt you just now."

"I know you're just too sad..."

Lin Yu was speaking when Xia Yang interrupted him.

"No, what I mean is, I always feel there's something fishy about my sister's death," she pointed to her head, "Why did she suddenly die unexpectedly, and why was the manner of her death so coincidental... Although I really want to believe the police's conclusion, I just feel like something's not right."

"My sister shouldn't have died so absurdly and simply."

Lin Yu listened to the little girl's words and originally wanted to tell her, "The dead cannot be brought back to life, don't think such nonsense."

But in the end, Lin Yu swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue and said something else instead.

"I see."

"I'll try to investigate."

After saying that, he went to the kitchen, ladled out a bowl of pear soup, let it cool down a bit, and then served it to Xia Yang.

"Alright, it's getting late. I probably won't be able to wait for Auntie to come back, so I'll be going now."

"This is my phone number, save it," Lin Yu picked up Xia Yang's pen and paper from the desk and left a phone number. "Just call me if you need anything."

After speaking, Lin Yu looked at Xia Yang.

"By the way... I have a favor to ask. May I take a look at Xia Yue's phone?"