When He Xu woke up the next day, his back was kinked and almost broken; this small wooden bed, only one meter wide, had nearly killed him.

He rubbed his aching back, and for once, he didn’t complain about Luo Yu. Instead, he reached out and gently massaged her waist.

“How can you stand sleeping in this bed every day?”

“I’m used to it.” Luo Yu got up. “Come on, Prince Pea, let me give you a massage.”

“…Can you stop teasing me?” he said, changing the subject and telling her to seriously consider getting the marriage certificate today.

After a quick breakfast, He Xu went to the company. It was Saturday, and he gave Luo Yu the day off, giving her enough time and space to think about their future.

… …

At noon, Luo Yu received a call from her eldest cousin, asking if she was at the company or at home, and that he would come pick her up for lunch.

“Eldest Brother, are you in Beijing?”

“Yeah. Luo Qi is away on a business trip, so it’ll just be the two of us eating.”

“Okay, I’m at home.”

After hanging up the phone, Luo Yu started changing her clothes. She had only recently found out about her cousin and Chu Lin’s relationship. A few days ago, Chu Lin came over to ask her to help her bake and mentioned that her eldest cousin had gone to her concert. 

Luo Yu found out many things then.

The reason why her eldest cousin and Chu Lin got together was both dramatic and absurd.

At that time, her eldest cousin had just broken up with his first love, and Chu Lin had also just broken up with her first love. They met at a mutual friend’s birthday party. Neither of them liked being in a crowd, and having just gone through breakup, they weren’t in the mood to chat and laugh with others. 

They were both drinking alone in a corner, and that’s how they started talking.

That night they exchanged contact information. Not long after, Chu Lin had a performance and gave her eldest cousin tickets to the concert. At that time, her eldest cousin wasn’t even in China, but in order to support her, he flew back home to listen to Chu Lin’s performance.

Afterwards, the two went to celebrate alone, and that’s how they ended up together, completely in a daze.

Chu Lin didn’t go into details about how confused she had been at the time, but it was probably similar to what happened between her and He Xu—hormones got the better of them, and they lost control of many things.

The two got together, but they never mentioned whether they loved each other or not.

The breakup was triggered when her eldest cousin’s first love, who had gone abroad, came back to try and get back together with him. 

She even confronted Chu Lin.

Chu Lin and eldest cousin had their first argument. 

Chu Lin knew how good her eldest cousin had been to his first love, and she knew that she was not as important to him than his first love. She was always worried about losing him but didn’t want to humble herself too much in this relationship. 

In a fit of anger, she said something reckless. “If you want to get back together with her, just seize this opportunity now. 

“Don’t feel sorry for me or be embarrassed to break up with me. Anyway, I never loved you. I was just looking for someone to pass the time when I was lonely.”

Luo Yuli stared at her. “Chu Lin, is it really necessary to hurt me like this?”

“It hurts because it’s the truth.”

After that, neither of them contacted the other again.

Luo Yu understood then why Chu Lin always chose Suzhou as the first stop for her concerts.

… … translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

She waited downstairs for a few minutes before her eldest cousin finally arrived.

Luo Yuli lowered the car window and explained why he was late, “There was a traffic jam at one intersection and it took more than ten minutes to get through.”

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing.” Luo Yu walked around the front of the car to the passenger side.

“Where do you want to eat?” Luo Yuli let her choose.

Luo Yu considered this. “Let’s go somewhere nearby. It’s a pity the tavern isn’t open at noon, otherwise I would take you there. It’s owned by the pianist, Chu Lin. 

“I heard she’s waiting for her ex-boyfriend to come back to her, but I don’t know if that’s true. I can’t just ask Chu Lin directly after all.” She pretended not to know that he and Chu Lin had dated before.

Luo Yuli paused for a moment, “Where is it located? I’ll visit it sometime when I have time.”

Luo Yu told him the exact address, “The wine is good, but the food is really just so-so.”

“Isn’t the point of going to a tavern to drink?”

“That’s true.”

Luo Yu glanced at her eldest cousin; he really knew how to handle things. He didn’t even flinch when she mentioned Chu Lin.

While waiting at a red light, Luo Yuli took out his phone and searched for the tavern.

… …

Later, after having lunch and then dropping Luo Yu off back at her apartment, he drove off.

Luo Yuli stood at the door of ‘Come, I’m Still Here’, his heart in turmoil.

The wooden sign in front of the tavern showed its opening hours. It used to be open at noon, but recently the owner had some family matters to attend to, and its opening has been moved to 6 p.m.

The tavern was run by Chu Lin, so Luo Yuli naturally assumed that something has happened to Chu Lin’s family.

He took out his phone, realizing he finally found an excuse to call her.

Her number seemed etched in his heart, even more so than his own. Luo Yuli entered the numbers directly.

… …

Chu Lin knew his phone number by heart.

She had to swipe twice, her fingers trembling, before finally answering the call.

Once the call was connected, there was a long silence on the other end of the line.

“Chu Lin, it’s me.”

There was no response on the other end.

Luo Yuli only heard the sounds of someone sniffling and suppressed sobs.

Seventh Year of My Secret Love for You translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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T/N: The story is ending this Sunday. It’s been quite a journey.

It will be replaced with Pearls and Jade Beside Me in the 80’s. Rebirth. Scumbag ex. Marry the Uncle instead. But it’s a heftier novel than the premise suggests. Antiques. Forgeries. Family ties. History. Business empire.

In the meantime, you can still check out my PATREON and leave a tip! Thanks for your support.