The night rain continued relentlessly—the gods seemed to be in a poor mood today.
The halos of streetlights were blurred by rainwater, gradually spreading through the air.
Leaves danced gently in the wind, mixed with raindrops creating somewhat noisy sounds.
Viloti stood behind that tree, her white dress hem already soaked through.
She looked completely different from when she'd been ready to enter Felyn's house earlier. Now she was like a stray cat drenched by rain—afraid to approach, yet unwilling to leave.
After a moment of slight comfort, Viloti had gotten in her car only to realize she'd forgotten to give Felyn the notes she'd stayed up nights preparing for him.
Although Felyn didn't want her appearing at his home, at least these notes could help him pass the joint examination.
Plus, Viloti always felt there was something off about Adeline's expression when she left.
So she'd secretly returned to Felyn's house.
Just as Viloti arrived at Felyn's door, she indeed saw Adeline knocking on Felyn's door.
But Viloti didn't step forward to stop her. She just stood behind the tree, silently waiting.
She didn't want to knock and disturb Felyn.
She didn't want Felyn to hate her anymore.
She'd just wait for the two of them to come out, then hand the notes to Felyn.
In a world with only the sound of rain, she held her umbrella and waited silently.
Although the handbag was made of waterproof material, she still wasn't at ease.
She hugged the handbag to her chest, not caring that her shoulders had long been soaked by rain while waiting outside.
Viloti herself didn't know how much time had passed.
Finally, that door opened.
Adeline showed an expression of embarrassment and anger. Seeing her flee in such a disheveled state, a slight smile appeared on Viloti's previously cold face.
She'd been somewhat worried that something might happen between Adeline and Felyn.
Now it seemed, nothing happened, tonight Felyn hadn't been seduced by Adeline.
She'd only just recognized her own feelings. It didn't matter if Felyn was deliberately keeping his distance from her now. As long as he wasn't stolen by another woman, there was still a chance that Felyn might be willing to get a little closer to her...
"Viloti, you haven't left yet?"
Viloti's body trembled. After seeing Adeline come out, she'd become somewhat flustered.
She hadn't expected to be discovered by Felyn.
Viloti was blown by the night wind, her lips slightly trembling...
"Fe... Felyn. I'm sorry, I have something I want to give you. I wasn't intentionally standing here watching you two."
She wanted to hand the bag to Felyn, but her feet had gone numb from standing too long, causing her body to lose balance and fall toward him.
Viloti instinctively reached for the tree trunk, but ultimately her hands still clutched the handbag tightly.
The things for Felyn were in there—it didn't matter if she fell.
Viloti closed her eyes, waiting for the pain.
"Be careful."
Viloti was gently caught by Felyn.
Her body leaned against Felyn's shoulder, carefully feeling Felyn's body temperature.
"I'm sorry." Viloti's head instinctively wanted to enjoy Felyn's embrace.
"You've said sorry too many times tonight."
Felyn saw that even her lips had turned purple from being drenched by rain all this time.
Viloti lowered her head, thinking Felyn was blaming her.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."
Viloti was about to say sorry again and felt a bit uncomfortable. She quickly shut her mouth, looking up at Felyn in panic to check if he was angry.
"Why are you looking at me with those eyes? I'm not a bad person." Felyn sighed.
He helped Viloti up and turned to pick up the umbrella that had been dropped on the ground.
Viloti's hand felt Felyn's fingertips leaving. She wanted to reach out and hold him back, but ultimately didn't act.
"Here's your umbrella. Be careful."
"I've caused you trouble."
Viloti took the umbrella and glanced at Felyn again.
"Just now, just now I wasn't peeping at you from outside." Viloti still felt the need to clarify. "I wanted to give you the notes I wrote."
Viloti hurriedly opened her handbag, wanting to prove to Felyn that she really hadn't lied.
"Look, these are review notes I wrote for you. There are some key points on them..."
Viloti's voice grew quieter and quieter because she saw Felyn had no reaction.
"Sorry Viloti, I appreciate your kind intentions."
Felyn's tone was gentle, but Viloti felt a sense of distance.
Viloti's amber eyes widened slightly. She gripped the handbag tightly, enduring psychological pain.
She wanted to say something but didn't know what to say.
"You should go home quickly. Be careful not to catch a cold."
Viloti lowered her head, her pink hair hanging limply behind her.
She secretly glanced at Felyn again, wanting to firmly remember him in her heart.
Viloti turned and left, her slender figure looking particularly lonely in the rainy night.
Her dress hem was soaked by rainwater, clinging heavily to her legs. Each step was slow and light.
Her shoulders trembled slightly—whether from cold or suppressing her emotions was unclear.
Felyn watched Viloti's figure gradually merge into the night rain's mist, slowly fading.
At this point, Felyn had to admit that Viloti had developed inappropriate feelings for him.
What had he done in the past?
Usually he'd cut off contact with clients completely. After a few days when they emerged from their fantasies, everything would be fine.
This protected both himself and his clients.
So this time, he'd do the same.
Felyn turned around, no longer watching Viloti's retreating figure.
Viloti shook her head slightly, seeing that Felyn had already turned away and walked back into the house.
She kept comforting herself, trying to hold back the tears that were about to flow.
It's okay, Viloti. It's okay.
Viloti bit her lip tightly. She still wanted to turn back and look at that little house once more.
But she was afraid that if she looked, she wouldn't want to leave.
Viloti gripped the umbrella tightly, but the night wind still slapped rainwater against her face.
Her figure gradually turned the corner and disappeared.
"Viloti, um, come to my house first to take a bath. Change clothes before going home, or you'll catch a cold."
Viloti froze in place.
She thought she might have heard Felyn's voice.
Viloti wanted to turn around immediately, but she was afraid she'd really been hearing things—that would just be another false hope.
How wonderful it would be if it were real.
"Viloti?"
This time someone patted her shoulder. Viloti's stiff body finally relaxed.
She saw that familiar face that brought peace to her heart.
It was Felyn's appearance.
The cherished thought that had always accompanied her in the past.
"Is... is it okay?"
Viloti's lips trembled from the cold, but she didn't care about her current physical state at all.
"It's okay. After all, you've helped me a lot before. It's just taking a bath and changing clothes."
Felyn held up a large umbrella, properly covering Viloti.
"Let's go. Your lips are already purple from the cold."
After Felyn finished speaking, he walked toward home. Viloti hurriedly took a few quick steps to catch up.
She occasionally stole glances at Felyn's profile, wanting to confirm whether this was really her imagination.
Rain struck the umbrella surface, creating pleasant sounds.
She could feel the warmth from Felyn's body and the faint tea fragrance on him.
If this was a dream, she'd be willing never to wake up for the rest of her life.
Viloti didn't even notice that a slight smile had appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing."
Viloti followed closely beside Felyn.
She didn't dare walk too close, yet didn't want to walk too far—maintaining this subtle distance.
The front door grew closer and closer.
This time Felyn had invited her in himself—no need to worry about whether Felyn would be angry.
"Excuse me."
Viloti bowed at the entrance, taking off her shoes.
She saw that her feet were stained with water and mud, so she prepared to walk barefoot.
"Put on shoes, young lady. Otherwise if you go home and catch a cold, your father will blame me."
Felyn's words warmed Viloti's heart, making her feel Felyn's concern.
Felyn found a pair of shoes from the shoe cabinet and handed them to Viloti.
"Thank you."
There were no other slippers in the house, so Felyn gave her his own.
Those feet still stained with rainwater and mud were like lotus roots in flowing mud—still breathtakingly beautiful. Felyn could even smell a faint girlish fragrance coming from those pink, tender feet.
Of course, such a scent couldn't possibly exist—it was purely Felyn's visual nerves sending incorrect signals to his brain.
"Go take a bath first. The bathroom is over there."
(End of Chapter)