Fang Yuan knew Tang Tianyu had seen her, and there was no way to avoid him, so she simply stood up straight.
Fang Yuan's body was still trembling slightly, she couldn't tell if it was from the cold or fear.
Was it the gloomy atmosphere of the Red Mansion that frightened her, or was it the unpredictable boy before her?
Fang Yuan's eyes were dark and bright, translucent, like a pair of shimmering black gems.
At this moment, these black gems gave off a sense of confusion.
She stared silently at Tang Tianyu, who approached step by step, her expression blank.
Her eyes were her best weapon.
Tang Tianyu sensed the meaning in her gaze and seemed a little embarrassed. His eyes flickered, and he stopped a meter in front of her.
This distance was just right—just enough to see the other's vague figure, but hard to discern the expression on his face.
The two stood facing each other, neither willing to speak for a moment.
Fang Yuan was mulling over how to confront Tang Tianyu about stalking her.
What was Tang Tianyu thinking?
He was silent for two minutes before finally speaking, softly asking, "Fang Yuan, are you okay?"
Fang Yuan didn't answer him, but continued to stare at him with her bright, dark eyes.
She wanted to see clearly whether the boy standing before her was a devil or an angel.
Alas, she couldn't see him clearly.
Even if she could see his face, it would be useless—she couldn't see his inner world.
At first, Tang Tianyu held her gaze, appearing innocent.
But soon, he backed off.
He avoided Fang Yuan's gaze.
He must be hiding something!
Fang Yuan felt a dull pain deep within her. Tang Tianyu, he had been lying to her! Although he might have loved her, he was lying to her when she needed his sincerity the most!
Tang Tianyu sighed softly, "Fang Yuan, I know you don't believe me. There are things I haven't told you, but I'm doing it for your own good. Believe me, I'm doing this for your own good."
Fang Yuan sneered, "Really?"
Fang Yuan's cold, ruthless tone stung Tang Tianyu.
He waved his hand violently, as if to sever all ties to the past. "Fang Yuan, you may not believe me as a person, but please believe my feelings—my feelings for you are pure and sincere, without a trace of impurity."
At this point, Tang Tianyu's emotions were also moved. "Fang Yuan, think about it. I have no ulterior motives towards you. I am sincere to you and sincerely wish you happiness. Don't pursue Cheng Li's suicide anymore. Let the past be the past. I just want you to live happily every day."
Fang Yuan's thoughts wavered. If she had initially been angry at Tang Tianyu for concealing his relationship with Cheng Li, that anger now vanished with Tang Tianyu's sincere confession.
Women are strange creatures, far more emotional than rational. In their eyes, a man who sweet-talks is far more endearing than a man who silently dedicates himself.
Fang Yuan didn't want to let herself get lost in this superficial feeling of affection, so she quickly changed the subject. "Why are you following me?"
Tang Tianyu hesitated, "I'm concerned about you, not stalking you intentionally. I'm worried you might get into trouble. You've been in poor health and a bad mood lately..."
"An accident?" Fang Yuan sneered. "Do you think I'll commit suicide to escape reality like that fragile Cheng Li?"
Tang Tianyu shook his head repeatedly. "That's not what I meant. It's just... it's just..."
Tang Tianyu said "just" twice, but the rest of the sentence was lost.
Fang Yuan was even more certain that he must be hiding something from her!
What was it? How could he have imagined he'd get into trouble?
Tang Tianyu paused, took a few breaths, and then continued, "It's just that the human heart is unpredictable."
The human heart is unpredictable? Who was he referring to?
Suddenly, a cold evening breeze blew silently, and Fang Yuan shivered, seeming to lose her balance.
Tang Tianyu stepped forward, trying to support her. "What's wrong with you?"
Fang Yuan stepped back, dodging Tang Tianyu's outstretched hand, and said coldly, "I'm fine."
The pain in Tang Tianyu's eyes deepened. "You still don't believe me."
He seemed to remember something. "By the way, Fang Yuan, why are you alone in the Red Mansion so late? This building is said to be evil. Someone burned to death there before. Few students dare to come here at night."
Fang Yuan didn't know whether she should tell him about her stalking Li Rong. Tang Tianyu had kept the most crucial details from her. What about Li Rong? How trustworthy was he?
If she had to choose between Tang Tianyu and Li Rong, she would still choose Tang Tianyu. At least, Tang Tianyu's feelings for her were trustworthy. Li Rong, on the other hand, always left her with a white shadow in the dark night.
After weighing the pros and cons and pondering the matter, Fang Yuan finally spoke out, "I followed Li Rong in here."
Tang Tianyu frowned. "Li Rong?"
"Yes, Li Rong. The night Xu Yan committed suicide, it was because I followed him that he led her to the Red Mansion and locked her in the basement. But his roommate testified to the time."
"How strange!" Tang Tianyu was puzzled. "Why would he come here alone so late at night?"
Tang Tianyu tilted his head in thought, muttering to himself, "Could it be because of that? But that's not right. He can't be here. What else could it be? It's really puzzling!"
"What is that?" Fang Yuan asked softly, a thought stirring in her heart.
"That is..." The words were on the tip of his tongue, but Tang Tianyu drew them back, a look of caution on his face. "Nothing more, I'm just guessing."
Fang Yuan didn't ask again. She knew that if Tang Tianyu didn't want to say it, it would be useless to ask.
The Red Mansion fell silent again.
Fang Yuan stopped looking at Tang Tianyu and turned to gaze deeper into the Red Mansion's corridor. It was dark, a deep darkness. Something unknown seemed to be slowly moving within, peering eerily in her direction.
Her feet were numb, and her body felt a little weak. The excessive trembling had drained her energy.
The Red Mansion's corridor was actually quite gloomy. The sun never reached it for years, and green moss grew in the corners.
Fang Yuan leaned back slightly, leaning against the cold wall. Although the wall was filthy, she didn't care at this moment.
She needed support.
She was breathing lightly.
Tang Tianyu was still lost in thought, not noticing Fang Yuan.
Suddenly, a loud "bang" sounded, unexpectedly shocking them both.
What was that sound?
Fang Yuan and Tang Tianyu exchanged glances and spoke simultaneously, "Underground!"
The sound was coming from the basement! It was the sound of an iron door slamming against the wall!
That sound was definitely not the sound of wind—the basement door was heavy iron, and the wind couldn't move it at all.
Tang Tianyu said in a deep voice, "Fang Yuan, after following Li Rong in, did you see him leave?"
"No."
"He shouldn't have left yet."
Fang Yuan understood what Tang Tianyu meant. Li Rong was still in the Red Mansion, in the basement.
"Fang Yuan, don't be afraid. Wait here. I'll go check." Tang Tianyu took out a flashlight, turned it on, and walked forward in the dim light.
Fang Yuan bit her lip. "Wait, we'll go together."
Tang Tianyu smiled, a childlike smile of triumph.
The two of them walked side by side, slowly making their way to the basement.
The basement door was indeed open, the chain still swaying slightly.
Li Rong, had he gone back into the basement again?
Logically, since they hadn't encountered Li Rong along the way, his only option was to go into the basement.
Tang Tianyu stood at the doorway and shone his flashlight inside. Seeing no sign of Li Rong, he began to move forward.
"Wait!" Fang Yuan called out to Tang Tianyu.
"What's wrong?"
"Last time, Xu Yan and I went in together, and someone locked us in."
Tang Tianyu had vaguely heard about Fang Yuan's experience that night. After a moment's reflection, he came up with an idea. "How about this? You wait here while I go in alone."
Fang Yuan thought this was a good idea.
Tang Tianyu carefully and slowly examined the basement with his flashlight.
The basement was large, with two rooms, one inside and one outside. Tang Tianyu found nothing in the outer room.
He reached the inner room and was about to push the door open when he heard a scream: "Ah!"
It was Fang Yuan's scream! A shrill cry.
Tang Tianyu's heart skipped a beat, and he sank. Without giving it a second thought, he quickly turned and ran out the door. As he ran, he wondered, Fang Yuan, how is she?