I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 42

Yue Xi saw Da Mei again—the fair-skinned, exquisitely-featured man she had glimpsed at the funeral. She kept feeling like she had seen him somewhere before. But when?

Da Mei wore a deeply apologetic expression. No matter how fast he rushed back, he still hadn’t made it in time to see Grandma one last time. He hadn’t spent much time with He Juan, but every time they met, he could feel her warmth. For someone like him, who rarely felt any kindness, He Juan had been truly special—someone who didn’t care about his background, didn’t judge his past, and sincerely cared for him. He would never forget anyone who treated him kindly, and he would do everything he could to repay He Juan and Shen Wei for their kindness.

“Jie,” Yue Xi softly called out to Ning Ran, glancing at Da Mei. “Have I met him before?”

“I thought you didn’t remember,” Ning Ran forced a smile that looked a little awkward, but she quickly covered it up. “He visited us when you were in elementary school, but he didn’t stay long, so you probably don’t remember much.”

Then it clicked—Yue Xi remembered. A boy had visited their home when she was little. She didn’t pay much attention, had tossed her schoolbag aside and rushed off to play with Yi Luo. At that time, Da Mei and Ning Ran were in some kind of argument. The atmosphere had felt tense. By the time she came back home, Da Mei had already left.

Ning Ran watched Yue Xi thoughtfully. Back then, Yue Xi probably didn’t know about the argument. As for the rest… she would deal with it later. One day at a time. She had already prepared to atone for it all. She just hoped Yue Xi wouldn’t end up hating her. That would be enough.

After He Juan was laid to rest, Yue Xi and the others stayed at Shen Wei’s house. She wanted to remain a few more days before returning to CH City—to spend more time with Shen Wei. She really wanted to hear Yi Luo’s voice, but was afraid she wouldn’t be able to hold back her emotions. That’s why she had waited until now.

“You’re still up?” Yi Luo’s voice was especially comforting in the quiet of the night.

“Yeah,” Yue Xi smiled faintly, her heart already fluttering toward Yi Luo. “What about you? What are you doing?”

“Thinking about you,” Yi Luo murmured into the phone. Yue Xi hadn’t called much lately, and her texts had all carried a helpless tone. That familiar anxiety had crept up on her again.

“I miss you too,” Yue Xi replied softly, her voice gentle and slow. “I’ve missed you so much these past few days—missed looking at you, holding you. I wish you were right here with me.”

“Ah—” Yi Luo suddenly remembered something, her tone speeding up. “I saw someone today who looked so much like you. If I didn’t know your mannerisms so well, I’d have mistaken her for you.”

“Really?” Yue Xi was surprised. “Did you go up and say hi?”

“No. I was confused at first. I thought—aren’t you in P City? How did you suddenly show up without telling me?” Yi Luo absentmindedly twirled her hair. “I watched for a while before realizing it wasn’t you.”

Yue Xi frowned. Could someone really look so much like her that even Yi Luo almost mistook them? “What was she doing?”

“Not sure. Talking to the security guard at the neighborhood entrance,” Yi Luo guessed. She had been too far away to hear clearly.

“Oh~ I thought maybe you missed me so much you started seeing me everywhere,” Yue Xi teased, shifting the topic. She didn’t care about some stranger.

“Maybe I did,” Yi Luo played along. “How’s your grandpa doing?”

“He’s alright. When will you come meet him?” Yue Xi said confidently. Grandpa was a soldier—he saw life and death more openly than most. Next time she met him, she’d bring Yi Luo along. Grandpa would definitely like her.

“I’ll come whenever you want me to~” Yi Luo’s ears burned. She had always thought Ning Ran was Yue Xi’s only relative. But now, knowing Yue Xi had a grandfather too, her boldness shrank a little at the thought of being formally introduced.

“Mm. Next time, for sure,” Yue Xi looked at the time. “You should sleep soon—you have class tomorrow.”

“You take care of yourself too. Especially with me not around,” Yi Luo reminded her. She was truly worried about Yue Xi—losing a loved one after finally reuniting with them… that kind of loss could break anyone. “Come back safe and sound.”

“Mm. Goodnight.” Yue Xi nodded, then remembered Yi Luo couldn’t see her. She scratched her head. “You hang up first.”

“Alright. Goodnight. I love you,” Yi Luo said before ending the call.

The dial tone beeped in Yue Xi’s ear before she realized Yi Luo had hung up. She stared at her phone, thumb brushing over Yi Luo’s photo on the screen, silently whispering back the words of love.

Yue Xi never imagined that would be the last time she ever spoke to Yi Luo.

It was like Yi Luo had vanished into thin air. No matter how hard she searched, she was gone—taking Yue Xi’s heart with her, never to return. Day after day, Yue Xi dragged her empty shell of a body around, searching aimlessly. The world lost its light. She stumbled blindly, lost in a dead, silent world. Like the black of night, her soul had dissolved into the darkness.

A few days later, Yue Xi, Ning Ran, and the others returned to CH City. Yue Xi’s heart had long since flown back to Yi Luo’s side, though she had no idea what was waiting for her.

Before heading back, Yue Xi hadn’t received any reply from Yi Luo. She figured Yi Luo was just busy with school and hadn’t seen her messages. Since she was about to return, she didn’t bother calling again.

Tired, she leaned against the sofa after arriving home, wondering why Yi Luo still hadn’t replied. Her phone was nearly burning from being held too tightly.

Sarah, watching Yue Xi’s troubled expression, couldn’t help teasing, “Xiao Xi, your phone’s about to snap in half. If it could talk, it’d be screaming for you to let it go.”

“Really?” Yue Xi raised an eyebrow and glanced over. Ning Ran was currently toying with Sarah’s hand. “Jie, are you saying your hand is being held too tightly?”

“Hey!” Ning Ran pretended to be offended. “Getting bold, huh? Teasing your own sister now?”

Yue Xi sighed. “If I wanted to flirt, I wouldn’t do it with my sister.”

“Hmph.” Ning Ran dramatically pulled Sarah into her arms. “Go find your own girlfriend. Don’t eye mine.”

Sarah lifted her head off her human pillow. “Who’s your girlfriend?”

“Hey—babe, you can’t say that! You need to take responsibility for me!” Ning Ran clung to her, panicking.

“Hmm~ But lately, I’ve taken a liking to Xiao Xi. What should I do?” Sarah shrugged innocently at Ning Ran.

“Jie, you’re kidding, right?” Yue Xi widened her eyes.

“Nope. As a beauty of my caliber, I’d never joke about something like this,” Sarah cupped her face dramatically. “I’ve seen too much of Ning Ran—her face doesn’t excite me anymore. But Xiao Luo and Xiao Xi… they’re so fresh and cute. I like them more and more. Maybe I should—”

“Should what?” Ning Ran, for once, didn’t get jealous. What’s there to be jealous of over her own sister?

“Maybe I’ll just collect Xiao Xi and Xiao Luo together. Expand my harem!” Sarah’s eyes sparkled. She had recently become obsessed with girls’ love novels and was reading them day and night, completely ignoring Ning Ran.

“Wife, do you have a fever?” Ning Ran reached out to check her forehead while trying not to laugh.

“Shoo.” Sarah slapped her hand away. “Xiao Xi, what do you think?”

“My girlfriend won’t reply to my texts.” Yue Xi held up her phone.

“Then call her,” Sarah suggested, leaning back against Ning Ran again.

“She’s in class.” Yue Xi sighed.

“Then wait a little longer. Xiao Luo would never want you to worry.” Ning Ran reassured her.

“Exactly.” Yue Xi grinned and hugged a throw pillow tightly to her chest.

“Oh, look at that smug face!” Ning Ran teased. “Careful, you’ll pop that pillow.”

“If I do, I’ll buy you a new one,” Yue Xi rolled her eyes.

“You said it!” Ning Ran narrowed her eyes, half-joking, half-serious. “I remember you once told me—no matter what I did, you’d always believe me.”

Yue Xi tilted her head in thought. She had said that, hadn’t she? She nodded. “Yeah, I did. Why bring that up now?”

“No reason, just asking,” Ning Ran smiled, though inside, guilt was crushing her. She had protected Yue Xi so fiercely not only for Shen Wei’s sake, but for another reason—one that only Da Mei knew.

“Oh~” Yue Xi nodded. No matter what, Ning Ran was her family. And family didn’t need too many words. Trust was something they were born with.

Just as Ning Ran was about to say more, the doorbell rang. She smiled at Yue Xi. “Your girlfriend must be here. No need to strangle your phone or pillow now.”

“I’ll get it.” Yue Xi ignored her teasing, heart set on finally seeing Yi Luo.

But the moment she opened the door, she froze like she’d been struck. She didn’t move a muscle.

Ning Ran saw her face and immediately turned serious, dragging Sarah toward the door.

Standing there was someone wearing a mocking smile. Someone who, according to Yi Luo, looked just like Yue Xi. Their height was almost identical. It was like looking into a mirror—except for the contempt in the girl’s eyes.

Unlike Yue Xi and Sarah’s shock, Ning Ran seemed unsurprised, as if she’d known this was coming. Her gaze turned cold.

The stranger’s smile was arrogant and devilish, a perfect blend of cruelty and bloodlust—like a vampire reveling in the night. Her eyes roamed freely and shamelessly, and her voice was as chilling as ice.
“So, you’re Yue Xi.”

Yue Xi stood frozen, unsure if she should answer.

The girl sneered, as if Yue Xi weren’t even worth her attention. She brushed her nose lazily, her voice laced with disdain.
“I’m Shen Niansheng.”