Good Chuncun is the one who actively changes the subject; bad Chuncun is the one who brings up embarrassing past stories.

The Barber Shop.

Luckily, there was no queue. The small barbershop only had two stylists—one man and one woman—both idly scrolling through their phones since there were no customers.

The moment someone finally walked in, the barber eagerly greeted them. Shen Nian gave simple instructions—he just wanted his hair trimmed a bit shorter. Xia Yanchun’s request was even simpler: a trim at the ends and her bangs shortened. If a barber couldn’t handle that, they might as well go back to school.

Shen Nian finished his haircut first, even treating himself to a wash to get rid of the stray clippings. By the time his hair was nearly dry, Xia Yanchun was just wrapping up.

How did such a tiny trim take so long? Was she getting a luxury treatment or something?

Shen Nian felt shortchanged.

Washing a girl’s hair took longer, of course. The female stylist worked gently, even adding a scalp massage. Though Xia Yanchun was glued to her phone, Shen Nian could tell she was enjoying it.

He sat nearby, glancing between the stylist—now engrossed in some melodramatic short drama—and Xia Yanchun, who looked utterly relaxed. His eyes traced the soft curves of her reclined figure, admiring her youthful, delicate silhouette. For a moment, he thought, Yeah, losing to her makes sense.

"Phew…" Xia Yanchun exhaled as she sat back in the chair, letting the stylist blow-dry her hair. The shop was filled with the scent of shampoo.

"Your hair isn’t even that long. Why’d it take so long?" Shen Nian muttered under his breath.

"Girls’ hair needs extra care," the stylist chuckled. "Alright, all dry now."

Shen Nian swiftly paid the bill—over ninety yuan. He missed the small-town barbers where fifteen yuan got you a full haircut and styling. Now that was value for money.

"I’ll go grab Shi Yan’s food first…" Xia Yanchun said, still glued to her phone.

"Hold on, come with me. I’ll show you my little treasure—my Xiaoniu," Shen Nian grinned. Time to pick up his ride. Soon, he’d be chauffering Yanchun straight to campus.

"Your… Xiaoniu?" Xia Yanchun hesitated, her expression freezing as if she’d just imagined something scandalous. She shot him a weird look but stayed silent.

Shen Nian: "…?"

What the hell is that look for?!

"Bruh, get your mind out of the gutter! I meant my electric scooter. What were you thinking?"

The evening sun stretched their shadows long across the ground. Xia Yanchun turned her face away, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

"You should’ve been clearer!"

Shen Nian felt awkward all over. Sometimes, you could crack the most obvious dirty joke, and girls wouldn’t get it. But then, out of nowhere, an innocent remark would make them think you were being lewd.

"You’re the one with the filthy mind. Who corrupted you? Xiaohongshu?"

"You don’t get to act innocent. Weren’t you the one watching those videos over summer break?"

"……"

Shen Nian fell silent.

Why is the sky blue? Why are sunsets yellow? Why is the sun red? Why does morning sunlight feel different from evening light? Why are humans human? And why is Chen Dong such a dog?

What even is the origin of the universe…?

He wanted to ponder these questions, but his brain had short-circuited. Xia Yanchun had a way of rendering him utterly thoughtless. She was overpowered—how was anyone else supposed to compete?

"Can we please move on from this?"

You really had to bring it up, huh? I don’t even dare think about it, yet you keep rubbing it in my face.

"I wouldn’t have mentioned it if you hadn’t called me the pervert."

Xia Yanchun huffed, her face now fully flushed. But she didn’t bother hiding it—any girl would feel awkward and shy discussing that with a guy. Blushing was natural.

"Alright, alright, let’s just drop it, okay? I’ll show you my new scooter, take you back to school, and treat you to dinner. Sound good? If not, I’ll literally kneel. Don’t make me cosplay as a teru teru bōzu outside your dorm tomorrow."

"Hmph. If you didn’t want people to know, you shouldn’t have done it." Xia Yanchun smirked, reveling in how easily she could fluster him. She’d treasure this blackmail material forever.

Sweating bullets under the pressure, Shen Nian walked ahead in silence, glancing back every few steps to make sure she was following.

Behind him, Xia Yanchun kept giggling. What’s so funny? All I see is a handsome guy dying of embarrassment over his past mistakes.

Maybe he should counterattack by bringing up the time she accidentally ate cow dung during their childhood. Mutually assured destruction wasn’t ideal, but mutual loss beat a one-sided victory.

Xia Yanchun lifted her chin, utterly unrepentant.

Shen Nian always called her a bad girl—well, now she was living up to it, and he was the one squirming.

Why aren’t you laughing? Not having fun?

Doesn’t matter. I’m having fun. Little brothers exist to amuse their older sisters, and right now, your Yan-jie is thoroughly entertained.

"Anyway, this Xiaoniu scooter—you bought it?"

"Yep. Got it while you were napping. Should be registered by now." Shen Nian sighed in relief.

Good Yanchun: changing the subject. Bad Yanchun: dredging up ancient history.

"Bet it stings, huh? Sleeping like a log while I leveled up to successful adult status."

"Pfft. It’s just a scooter. Brag when you’re driving a car."

Xia Yanchun quickened her pace to catch up, though she wasn’t surprised. Shen Nian had mentioned wanting to buy one once he saved up.

"Just wait. I’ll get my license this winter and buy a car right after graduation."

"With your own money, not your family’s."

"That’s the plan." Shen Nian laid out his roadmap. "Winter break: license prep, tutoring gigs, maybe even selling fish if I get time. Easy ten grand."

"Talk is cheap. I could say I’ll be U.S. president tomorrow."

"Fine, don’t believe me. When I get the car, you’re riding in the trunk."

"Ugh, no thanks. Your car’s probably reek of sweaty socks and cheap plastic mats anyway."

……

Their bickering carried them all the way to the scooter shop. Class had ended at 4:50, and it was nearly 6:00 now.

Shen Nian’s Xiaoniu was parked outside, ready to go. The shop owner sipped tea, waiting for him to arrive.

"Boss, is the license plate done?" Shen Nian greeted him, while Xia Yanchun lingered outside, scrolling on her phone.

"All set. You can take it now." The owner glanced at the slender girl outside and grinned. "Brought your girlfriend too, huh? Nice. Now you can drive her to school."

Xia Yanchun heard every word.

She and Shen Nian were constantly mistaken for a couple. So annoying. Couldn’t a guy and girl just be siblings or friends?

Before Shen Nian could respond, she cut in, "We’re siblings, boss."

"Oh-ho, siblings, eh?"

Siblings, huh? Well, siblings can still—

Wait, no!

The owner’s face stiffened as his mind ventured into dangerous territory. Horrified, he gulped down the rest of his tea.

"Ha! Finally sold the car—I’m so happy I’m practically losing my mind. Actually, he never had that idea in the first place. Siblings can’t be together, not even cousins. Only those ‘siblings’ with no blood relation who still call each other brother and sister can get together."

Shen Nian couldn’t be bothered to argue. He quickly grabbed the keys and got in the car, urging, "Hurry up and get in. If we don’t bring food to that little lolita soon, she’ll starve to death in the classroom."

"Oh! Right!"

Xia Yanchun climbed into the car, using Shen Nian’s shoulder for support. It was a new car, with high back seats that felt incredibly comfortable.

"The first ride on my little ox—I mean, the first time my little e-scooter’s carrying a passenger. Aren’t you gonna treat me to a meal for this?"

"I’ll treat you to eating rocks."

"Xia Yanchun, you’re disgusting."

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