What's Wrong With Being Fifteen Years Older Than Me?! - Chapter 32.2

The school and visa applications were done, and it was only July. Ye Li had almost two months before she had to leave for school. To pass the time, she decided to use the money her dad gave her to sign up for a class.

After looking at a bunch of options, she chose boxing, a less common sport for girls. It would help her get in shape and teach her how to defend herself.

One day, after a half-day session, she got a call from Qin Shu.

“Where are you? I’m coming to find you.”

Half an hour later, they met in the hallway. Qin Shu, who was dressed in a stylish polka-dot skirt and high heels with a delicate bag on her arm, looked like she was on her way to a date. Ye Li, on the other hand, was in a black training outfit, her hair in a high ponytail. Her face was flushed from the workout, and her hair was sticking to her forehead with sweat.

Qin Shu looked at her, shocked. “Even if you have a pretty face, you can’t just waste it like this. Ye Li, you look so unkempt.”

Ye Li unscrewed a bottle of water and took a big gulp, uncaring. “I’m boxing. What do I need to look good for?”

“And out of all the things a girl can learn, why boxing?” Qin Shu was completely baffled.

“I was bored. It passes the time,” Ye Li said nonchalantly, putting the cap back on the bottle.

“Then why didn’t you want to go on a trip with me? Now you’re just cooped up in this boxing gym all day.”

“It’s too hot. I don’t want to go. Don’t you see all the vacation photos online? The beaches are packed with people, and all you can see are heads everywhere.”

Qin Shu was speechless. She took a deep breath and asked, “So what’s this about you studying abroad? You always said you’d die before you went.”

“People change.” Ye Li leaned against the railing, her head down, her eyes fixed on the ground. She swung the water bottle with her fingers, her expression unreadable.

“If you have nothing to do, why don’t you come in and practice with me?” she asked, looking up at Qin Shu with a playful smile.

Qin Shu was so angry that she couldn’t speak. She pursed her lips and turned to leave, but then turned back. “I’m leaving!”

Time flew by, and it was soon the end of August. The house in Ye Li’s hometown of Changqing had been renovated. She went back and stayed for a few days, but she couldn’t get used to its nouveau riche style.

“Dad, are you sure this is the interior designer’s work?” the girl asked, incredulous.

“The designer did it based on my requests,” Ye Deyou said proudly.

“…” No wonder. If all the designers in the company were this bad, they would be out of business soon.

Her plane ticket to Los Angeles was already bought. She would be leaving in two days. To make it easier, she would leave Changqing tonight and stay in Jingchuan for one night. Her father had wanted to go with her, but she had refused.

“Don’t worry, I’ll call you when I get to Jingchuan tomorrow, and I’ll go to the airport with my friends the day after.”

Ye Deyou just nodded, silently filling his cup with more wine. “The Ye family’s ancestors must be smiling down on us! I never thought my little Xiaoli would go abroad to study one day.”

“Don’t drink too much. No one will be here to watch you when I’m gone. Don’t get drunk every day.” Ye Li reached out and took the bottle from him.

“It’s okay, Xiaoli. Your dad’s just happy today.”

Ye Li didn’t return the bottle. Instead, she asked, “How’s the restaurant you and Uncle Wang are investing in?”

“The renovations are starting in a week!” her father said, holding up a finger. He was already a little drunk. “Xiaoli, there are a few things I need to tell you.”

“Go on,” she said, resting her chin in her hand.

“First, when you’re abroad, you need to study hard. Don’t make friends with the wrong crowd, and you must protect your innocence.”

“Second, your dad will always be your greatest support. Don’t be afraid to spend money, and don’t be so frugal that you don’t take care of yourself, okay?”

Ye Li had been ready to argue about the first point, but when she heard the second, her heart softened. She nodded. “I know.”

That night, the father and daughter had a heart-to-heart that lasted late into the night.

The next morning, her father was drunk and unconscious. Since Ye Li wanted to leave early, she didn’t wake him up. She quietly packed her things and left alone.

She was back in the little apartment across from Jingchuan No. 1 High School. She had spent most of her summer here. She chatted with Han Yueyue about their travel plans for tomorrow, then grabbed her pajamas and went to take a shower.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Ye Li quickly dried herself off, changed, and went to open the door.

She was a little surprised to see who it was. She hadn’t seen Tang Qianxia all summer because she had been on vacation with her family.

“Aunt Tang, why are you here?”

“I haven’t seen you all summer, and I heard you’re leaving tomorrow, so I came to see you. I also brought some snacks.” The woman held up a bag containing takeout containers and a few cans of beer.

The two of them sat down at the table in the living room. Tang Qianxia opened a can of beer, then hesitated and didn’t offer it to Ye Li, remembering she had a flight tomorrow.

“There’s something else I came for,” the woman said, pulling a key from the bag on her chair and then a deed. “This is for you.”

Ye Li frowned and took them. She was shocked to see that the deed was for the apartment she was in, and the owner’s name was her own.

“This is…?”

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“Lu Zhiyun gave this to me before she left. She told me to give it to you. I’ve been traveling, so I didn’t have a chance to bring it to you until now.” Tang Qianxia paused. “Honestly, I think Lu Zhiyun has done more than enough for you. No matter her reasons, she left her job and family in the U.S. and spent six years—the best years of a woman in her 20s and 30s—devoted to you. Most people can’t do that.”

“I know,” the girl said, her eyes lowered as she nodded.

Tang Qianxia was surprised that the usually aloof and willful girl had agreed so easily. The woman continued, “I still don’t understand why you refused to see her off at the airport after her exam.”

“But never mind. You’ve reconnected, so let’s just let the past be the past. I was surprised that you chose to study in California, Ye Li.”

Tang Qianxia took a sip of beer and picked up a pair of chopsticks to start eating the grilled skewers and seafood.

Ye Li lowered her eyes, twisted open a can of beer, and took a small sip. Then she opened her chopsticks and asked, “So, Aunt Tang, do you want to know why?”

“Why what?” Tang Qianxia was a little confused.

“Why did I choose to go to the U.S. and study in California?” The girl’s expression had become serious, her eyes holding an unreadable emotion.

“Why?” Tang Qianxia asked, intrigued.

“Because I like Aunt Lu.”

Tang Qianxia narrowed her eyes, still confused.

Afraid the woman didn’t understand, the girl repeated it.

“I love Lu Zhiyun.”