STAY HERE FOR TONIGHT

MingYu hugged the crying woman tightly. He didn't know that things would turn out like this. His eyes turned cold after hearing her words.

'I was a failure, I was a blemish...'

All of these lines pierced his heart.

"The moment I picked my course, I was prepared of what will happen. But I still didn't know that it hurts that much. They all think about what others would say to us. They doesn't care what I feel, what I dreamed to be. My only hope is my mom. She still supports me financially in secret." She said while trying to pull out from his tight hug.

"Don't hug me so tight. I'm not that vulnerable. I can handle myself. One flush of tears then I'm done." She wiped her tears and stepped back. She tried to smile.

Still, MingYu didn't let go. He just hugged her tighter in response. He now realized where Han Ri's bravery came from.

"Now that I'm here, you should be accustomed of my protection. I won't let you down."

Han Ri smiled from her heart. She was indeed lucky to have MingYu. She then faced him.

"Let's go to my parent's place after sometime." Han Ri said.

"Aren't you afraid?" MingYu felt weird with her suggestion.

"You said that you're my protection. With you around, I won't worry about other things." She snickered.

"Another thing, I want to thank them for what happened. Because that time, it paved a way to meet you and I want to show them that my decision hasn't gone to waste." She spoke as if she didn't cry hard beforehand.

MingYu smiled lovingly.

"Indeed, you're weird."

"What weird?" Han Ri glared at him. She then glanced at her watch.

"Oh god! It's already quarter to nine! If I travel from here to our dormitory for 20 minutes, I'm still late and the gates will be closed! I'm going to leave now!" She lightly kissed MingYu's cheek and ran away. But before she could take another step, she felt someone holding her wrist.

"Don't panic. You can stay here for the night."

Han Ri was dumbfounded.

"What?! I won't!" She couldn't control her voice because of shock.

"What's wrong?" A calm voice of a woman rang on their ears.

Han Ri turned red like tomato while MingYu looked at Mother Tang.

"Mom, Han Ri will stay here for tonight. With our university's curfew, she might not able to get in time."

Embarrassed, Han Ri smiled awkwardly. Though she didn't want to stay longer at the 'shameless' house', she also didn't want to standby outside the gate.

"It's okay. We have available guestroom here. You can stay there for tonight."

"How about the other women here earlier?" She politely asked.

"They already left. My sons drove them to their own residences."

"Oh, b-but I haven't called my friends at the dorm. They might be in solicitude if they doesn't know my whereabouts."

"I already informed Yu Li that you're staying here." MingYu answered.

Han Ri made up a conclusion. She glared at MingYu.

'Then all this time, you planned this?!'

MingYu knew what Han Ri was thinking. In response, his eyes showed fake innocence.

"I still have some female dresses here, I could lend you some." Mother Tang added.

Han Ri get back to her senses. She sighed deeply. She had no reason not to refuse Mother Tang's offer. MingYu's family was really kind to her.

"I'm honored Mrs. Tang to stay in your residence." She bowed to her.

"Xiao Ri, don't be too polite. Just call me Mom."

"Alright. M-Mom" She was trying to calm herself.

Mother Tang smiled. "Alright. Let's go inside. I'll tell the maids to prepare your room."

--------

- Tsing University Dormitory -

"It's already 8:40! Where did that MingYu brought Xiao Ri!" Yu Li kept on rolling and her bed, couldn't be relaxed until she saw Han Ri's silhouette.

"Sleep Yu Li. For sure.... Han Ri's safe." ShenYi groggily opened her eyes, forcing herself to speak.

"Alright! I'm just worried!"

Ting!

All of a sudden, Yu Li's phone rang.

She immediately sat down and reached for her phone.

[XIAO RI'S SCARY HUSBAND: Don't worry. Han Ri will be staying here for tonight.]

Yu Li tightened her grip to her phone. She typed fast.

[Yu Li: You! If you dare do anything to her, I'll kill you with my own hands!]

However, she received no reply from Tang MingYu.

"Urgh! That man is really!" She uttered before she lay down on her bed.

--------

- Tang Mansion -

Creak!

In the middle of the night, Tang MingYu woke up and went to Han Ri's room. Luckily, the door wasn't locked.

He opened the door and looked at the sleeping figure above the bed. His sight fell on her collarbones. Her night dress was from his mom, her favorite dress during her youth. He gulped a mouthful of saliva and tried to control himself.

After he relaxed, he continuously stared at her relaxed but tired face. He couldn't help but to poke her cheeks. He sighed deeply after discovering her story.

'Ai, why do you have to experience that?'

He placed a soft kiss on her forehead, adjusted her blanket and walked outside.