For several consecutive days, Shen Yu didn't do anything out of line again.
Nor did he come to visit Yi Pin as frequently as before.
In the morning, the world was shrouded in mist, and the air was filled with a damp smell.
"The New Year is coming soon, and the weather is getting colder," Shen Yu said, looking out of the window with a faint smile.
"Yeah!" Yi Pin nodded, glanced at Shen Yu, then lowered his head and continued to pick at the food in his bowl.
"You should go back home these days and spend the New Year with your family. The other day, your grandfather said that he felt empty and missed you so much during the days you were away. Moreover... actually, all the family members care about you. Although you went back last time, it seemed that you had no intention of giving in. I think your grandfather must have been quite sad!" Shen Yu said with a smile.
"Okay, I know. What about you?" Yi Pin replied with a smile. Naturally, he knew that he shouldn't be at odds with his grandfather just for the sake of a feud.
"I... I'll probably go abroad," Shen Yu said with a smile. There was a hint of a smile on his lips, but a tinge of melancholy in the corners of his eyes.
"Oh!" Yi Pin nodded, feeling a bit sad. For some reason, the thought of Shen Yu not being in the country and not by his side during the New Year made him feel a sense of loss.
As the New Year approached, the law firm became busier, and with Shen Yu's university courses, the two of them had less time to interact.
Yi Pin always felt that Shen Yu had been acting strange since that day. Although he was eager to know the reason, he didn't want to force himself on Shen Yu.
Shen Yu returned to his long - deserted home. The whole family gathered together for a meal.
"Have you been getting quite close to that grandson of the Yi family recently? What's his name... Yi Pin or something?" Shen Junkun suddenly asked with a smile.
"Yes, he's doing an internship at our law firm," Shen Yu paused for a moment and replied coldly.
"Back then, his grandfather was a domineering man... It's been a long time since we last met," Shen Junkun said, recalling the past. Back then, he and Yi Pin's grandfather both had feelings for a girl, Yi Pin's grandmother, who was his distant cousin. He thought he had the upper hand, but unexpectedly, Yi Pin's grandfather came out of nowhere and won her heart.
Shen Yu nodded in agreement, but his heart was filled with sadness. He and Yi Pin could be said to have grown up together. Although there was an age gap between them, they knew each other well. However, he never expected that Yi Pin had never trusted him.
Even after living together for so long, Yi Pin still regarded him as an enemy.
"How about we take him out to play in a few days? You can invite him to go abroad with us! You young people should have a lot in common," Shen Junkun continued, beaming.
"No need. He probably doesn't want to go with us," Shen Yu said coldly, leaving no room for negotiation.
"How could that be? What kind of way is that to talk, you brat?" Shen Junkun frowned. His grandson had been introverted since childhood, not fond of communicating with others. He was also precocious, more sensible than his peers, but extremely stubborn. Once he made up his mind, he would never listen to others' advice.
Shen Yu didn't say anything else, just forced a smile, which was tinged with bitterness.
When he returned to his place, Yi Pin was curled up on the sofa, seemingly watching a detective movie. The light was dim.
The two of them glanced at each other, but neither of them spoke first. The air was filled with a tense atmosphere.
"Back?" Yi Pin broke the ice with a smile.
"Yeah!" Shen Yu replied coldly, then went straight into his room and closed the door.
Somehow, Shen Yu had reverted to his cold and aloof self, rarely smiling.
Yi Pin was a bit stunned and felt quite unaccustomed.
After entering his bedroom, Shen Yu packed a few clothes and some daily necessities. He stared blankly at the black suitcase, not knowing what to do.
He tossed and turned all night, unable to fall asleep. This had been going on for many days. Somehow, Yi Pin had started to affect his emotions and daily routine.
In the past, his life had been very regular, almost like clockwork. But since Yi Pin came into his life, everything had changed. He often couldn't fall asleep because of trivial matters.
The next morning, he got up with a gloomy face and dark circles under his eyes. Looking out of the window, he saw a hazy world with a cold wind blowing.
When Yi Pin walked into the living room, he only found a note and a breakfast.
"Remember to have breakfast. I'm going to Paris!"
Looking at the note, Yi Pin frowned, feeling annoyed. Why didn't Shen Yu even give him a chance to say goodbye in person? He had been thinking about whether to invite Shen Yu to his home for the New Year.
Now, seeing such a note, Shen Yu had left without saying goodbye. Although he knew it was only for a few days during the New Year, he still felt a sense of loss.
After Shen Yu left, the whole room seemed empty and lifeless. Yi Pin tried to make breakfast by himself, but he just couldn't do it well.
After finishing the case at hand, Yi Pin rushed back home.
When he got home, he saw Zi Qi, who had a cute chubby face and a look of innocence, and couldn't help smiling.
As the New Year was approaching, the house was filled with all kinds of relatives. Some of them he couldn't even name.
His grandfather, father, and step - mother were all busy entertaining the guests. The house was bustling with activity every day, but Yi Pin always felt that there was a void in his heart, not knowing what was missing.
The livelier the occasion, the lonelier he felt.
He would curl up in his bedroom alone and sometimes play games with Zi Qi in the toy room.
Since Shen Yu left without saying goodbye, Yi Pin hadn't received any news from him. Shen Yu didn't like to post his updates on social media, so it was as if he had vanished from the face of the earth.
Yi Pin spent his days doing meaningless things just to kill time and stop himself from thinking about Shen Yu.
He was sitting cross - legged on the sofa in the living room, sipping cola and munching on snacks.
Suddenly, he saw his grandfather walking over excitedly.
"Pinzi, accompany grandpa for a couple of drinks?" his grandfather said, suddenly approaching with two glasses in his hand.
Yi Pin was quite shocked. This was the first time his grandfather had wanted to drink with him in such a long time.
Although surprised, Yi Pin still nodded and smiled.
Most of the time, his grandfather didn't know how to express himself, so he rarely showed his true feelings. But sometimes, some things didn't need to be said explicitly. Those who understood you would naturally understand.
After having a couple of drinks with his grandfather, Yi Pin felt a bit tipsy and frowned. But the old man was still as energetic as ever. After a few glasses, he didn't seem to be affected at all.
"Grandpa back then..." the old man suddenly said, with a glint of a smile in the corners of his eyes.
"Don't say it. I know!" Yi Pin said with a smile, then drained the wine in his glass in one gulp.