She Understood

Of course, in the end, they didn’t actually go in. There was no way Ye Shuang would be so easily persuaded by this girl to check into a hotel room.

"So, why did you want to go in?"

"I heard they have some interesting little cards inside. Wanted to see if it’s true," An Shiyu answered honestly.

Ye Shuang: "..."

Booking a room just for some little cards? You’re truly a genius.

"Aren’t you afraid I might take advantage of you?" Ye Shuang couldn’t wrap his head around An Shiyu’s thought process. This girl was by far the most unpredictable person he’d ever met.

"Then I hope you can finish faster than the police can arrive," An Shiyu mused, tilting her chin as if imagining something unpleasant. "Though that’d still be pretty awful—getting done in seconds for a first time? Terrible experience."

Why are you even imagining this scenario?!

"I’m hungry," An Shiyu suddenly announced.

"And?"

"Not gonna treat me to a meal?"

"Why should I?"

An Shiyu thought for a moment, then pointed at her own face. "Because I’m cute?"

"Cuteness is worthless in the face of sexiness."

"Actually, I look pretty sexy in black stockings. Maybe I’ll wear them for you next time," An Shiyu said with a sly grin.

"..."

Ye Shuang’s gaze drifted to a nearby braised pork rice stall. "Braised pork rice. Nothing more expensive than that."

"Deal."

Acting as if they were old friends, An Shiyu ordered a bowl and grabbed two soy milk bottles from the fridge.

"Didn’t you just finish bubble tea?"

"I can’t eat without something to drink."

She sat beside Ye Shuang, scooting closer before casually draping her slender, stocking-clad legs over his lap.

"What are you doing?"

"Eating like this is comfy," An Shiyu replied nonchalantly.

"But this is..." Realizing he couldn’t win this battle of words, Ye Shuang fell silent. Instead, he retaliated—lightly scratching the inside of her thigh with his fingernail.

Instantly, An Shiyu’s body shuddered as if zapped by electricity.

She wordlessly pulled her legs back, her expression unreadable, before muttering, "You win, you pervy old man."

"You’re the last person who should call me that," Ye Shuang shot back.

An Shiyu ate delicately, taking small but quick bites. Before he knew it, her soy milk was nearly gone.

After finishing his meal, Ye Shuang turned to the girl beside him and casually brought up something that had been on his mind. "Say, if a girl who’s usually clingy suddenly starts avoiding you one day, what do you think that means?"

"She’s cheating."

"Uh… no other possibilities?"

"You didn’t give details. How should I know?" An Shiyu gave him a deadpan look, almost as if she found him annoying.

Ye Shuang elaborated, omitting certain parts.

"Ohhh," An Shiyu nodded.

"You get it now?"

"Nope," she answered bluntly.

Ye Shuang: "..."

Why did he suddenly feel the urge to flip her over his knee and spank her?

"Just ask her directly. Maybe she’s working through something," An Shiyu said. "Give her time."

"Guess so." Ye Shuang figured that made sense.

As they left the stall, An Shiyu—having other places to be—waved goodbye and added him as a contact.

Her reasoning?

According to her, Ye Shuang clearly had too much free time. Might as well hang out later.

Ye Shuang got into his car and drove home, his kitten curled up in the passenger seat.

---

Yinshan Academy.

"Yuyou, you’ve been spacing out all day. What’s on your mind?" Tang Keke had noticed Bai Yuyou’s unusual behavior and decided to probe.

Of course, she also had a mission—to figure out what was troubling her friend.

Bai Yuyou remained silent, head bowed over her book, completely unaware of Tang Keke’s question. Or rather, she hadn’t heard it at all.

"Yuyou!" Tang Keke shook her arm, finally snapping her out of it. Bai Yuyou blinked slowly, tilting her head as if just realizing she’d been spoken to.

"Knew you weren’t paying attention."

Tang Keke had long noticed her distraction and grinned. "Thinking about Ye Shuang?"

Bai Yuyou gave a small nod.

"Did you two fight?"

"No..."

"Then why did you ignore him and leave today?" Tang Keke pressed, curiosity bubbling. "Come on, tell me! Aren’t we friends?"

Bai Yuyou lowered her eyes. Words didn’t come easily to her, so she picked up a pen and wrote in her notebook:

[Last night, I kissed Ye Shuang… But neither of us felt happy. It wasn’t like how it is for others.]

[My chest… hurts more now.]

She placed a hand over her heart, staring quietly at Tang Keke.

"Whoa, that’s juicy!" Tang Keke hadn’t expected such a bombshell. Fueled by gossipy excitement, she scanned the words before suddenly whispering:

"Yuyou… are you in love?"

Bai Yuyou seemed confused.

"Ugh, how do I explain this?" Tang Keke pondered before saying, "Love is what happens before becoming husband and wife. It’s necessary."

"What you’re feeling is normal. Love makes you feel all sorts of things—happiness, sadness, everything."

"Did you try copying how others kiss but didn’t feel the same joy?" Tang Keke adopted a sage-like tone.

"You’re still far from there, girl! This is just part of the process. Nothing to worry about."

Hearing that this was normal, Bai Yuyou seemed to have an epiphany. Her spirits visibly lifted.

"What… do I do?" she asked, a rare moment of her speaking up.

"Kiss more! Be clingy! Pour out all your feelings!" Tang Keke slammed the desk, pointing dramatically like a storyteller.

"I guarantee you’ll win him over!"

Of course, Tang Keke was a total novice with zero experience. The loud slam drew stares from their classmates, making her bury her face in embarrassment.

But Bai Yuyou understood.

Love meant kissing more, being affectionate—necessary steps to becoming husband and wife.

The ache in her chest was gone. All she wanted now was to go home and see Ye Shuang.

She got it now.