He Likes Me...

You really can't believe a single word a bad woman says.

If there really was a last time, Xia Yanchun wouldn't have had the chance to say "last time" today. There would have been many, many more "last times" after that.

Shen Nian waited for others in line to finish getting their water before filling hers, handing her a full bottle. "Everyone's going home soon, couldn't you have just waited to drink at home?"

Xia Yanchun took it, took a couple of small sips, and started chattering, "I was thirsty. Why so many questions? Asking you to get water is always such a production, like summoning wind and rain."

"..."

Grudge, grudge, grudge, grudge—

Just as Shen Nian was mentally noting this grudge, a girl walked over, smiling and waving her phone.

"Ma Mingfan, I downloaded that game too."

"You downloaded it? That game isn't that fun, but with two people..."

"It looked pretty fun when I saw you playing it."

Shen Nian narrowed his eyes.

Could it be that playing Naruto really helps you find your own Hinata?

The girl was Liang Jing, who didn't have much presence in class. During P.E., when the girls gathered to chat, Liang Jing was usually the quiet one who couldn't quite join the conversation, only chiming in occasionally.

How did she start playing Naruto? And it looks like she just downloaded it...

In Shen Nian's memory, Ma Mingfan and Liang Jing hadn't talked much either. They were the kind of classmates you forget after graduation, occasionally liking each other's social media posts—a perfectly normal classmate relationship.

Whatever, not his business. He could gossip about it later if he got the chance.

Shen Nian slung his backpack on, fished out three lollipops, and tossed the extra one to the little anemic girl—she had low blood sugar.

"Thank you." Li Shiyan was super polite, very ladylike.

"Speaking of which, since you have low blood sugar, do you usually carry candy with you?" Shen Nian asked curiously.

"Yes, I have chocolate and milk candies."

"Alright then. If you ever forget, ask the class monitor. I have some in my bag, you can have her look for you."

"Okay, okay, thank you~"

Walking downstairs with Xia Yanchun, Shen Nian swirled the lollipop stick in his mouth, zigzagging from left to right. "Does low blood sugar make you faint? Seems pretty dangerous."

"Shiyan's is just a little low, she's usually fine."

"Oh, okay."

Xia Yanchun also tore open her wrapper and popped an Alpenliebe milk candy into her mouth, the sweet taste melting on her tongue.

The moonlight was hazy, with only a few stars visible.

They made it home without incident. Shen Nian hurriedly took a shower and then called home.

"Hello, what's up?" His mom's familiar voice came through the phone.

Shen Nian rubbed his nose. "Mom, what time are you coming tomorrow?"

"Early. I'm catching a ride with Aunt Wen. Why, don't want me to come? Did you mess up your exams?"

"Of course not!"

"You've never called about this before. Is something up this time, or are you just asking?"

"It was always Sis who came to parent-teacher conferences before. You guys never came."

"That's true."

"Nothing's wrong, just asking. What time are you coming, um... Mom, if I did mess up, would you scold me?"

"I'd scold you to death. And here I thought you were getting serious." Chen Minyue's words were barely out before Shen Shi's voice immediately followed, "Messed up? If you messed up, you get a beating! Low scores? Beating! No improvement? Beating! High scores? Beating too!"

It was clear he'd wanted to hit Shen Nian for a long time, just couldn't find a reason.

As for why he wanted to hit him, Shen Nian could only say some things are better left unasked.

Shen Nian was heartbroken. He was such a filial son, after all.

Ah, the pain of a dysfunctional family. Maybe he'd go pour his heart out about his tragic upbringing on Xiaohongshu later, see if any sympathetic big sisters would come comfort him.

After chatting idly for a few more minutes, Shen Nian hung up.

His mom was coming tomorrow, and Aunt Wen too. They'd definitely barge into his room to look around. He needed to tidy up a bit later to avoid getting an earful from his mom.

And who knew when they'd leave.

With both sets of parents around, Xia Yanchun would definitely warn him to behave properly. So troublesome.

Shen Nian decided to go find Xia Yanchun. (After 0.01 seconds of deep thought)

Hearing the knock, Xia Yanchun, who had just finished her shower, padded over in her slippers. She peeked through the peephole, confirmed it was Shen Nian, but didn't open immediately. Instead, she scurried back to her room to put on her bra.

When a girl's home alone, she goes without if she can.

Xia Yanchun opened the door to find Shen Nian, his hair still damp. "Just finished showering? Didn't even bother to dry your hair."

"It'll dry in a bit." Shen Nian tugged at his own hair and grinned.

Xia Yanchun blocked the doorway, openly looking him over. "You do look somewhat presentable after a shower. What do you want?"

"Let me in first. I have important business to discuss."

"All mysterious. Say you won't hug me or touch me, and I'll let you in."

"..." Young man Shen Nian stood stiffly, silent as a mute.

Xia Yanchun wore an "I knew it" expression and was even less inclined to let him in now.

She started to close the door without another word, but as soon as she moved, Shen Nian's hand shot out to stop it. "You opened the door but won't let me in? What's that about?"

"What's a boy doing visiting a girl so late at night?" Xia Yanchun retorted, annoyed.

"What about it? You're allowed to visit me late at night, aren't you?"

"...Hmph." Xia Yanchun didn't argue further and changed the subject. "I called my mom. They're coming first thing tomorrow morning."

"I know, I called home too. By the way, where's that draft of yours? Let me see."

"Nothing worth seeing."

"Come on, let me take a look."

Xia Yanchun sighed, went back to her room, and pulled a folded piece of draft paper from her backpack. She was about to hand it to Shen Nian when she realized he hadn't followed her in—he'd gone to the fridge to look for a peanut ice cream bar instead.

"Is this also part of your 'important business'?"

"Food is the paramount necessity of the people."

"So, is this what you meant by having important business to discuss?"

"Pretty much."

Shen Nian sat on her soft bed, legs crossed, reading the draft she'd written. He immediately pointed out the funny parts.

"'Does homework from exercise books every night after going home?'"

"What else? I was about to start on it before you showed up."

"'Uses lunch break to memorize ancient Chinese poetry? How did I not know that?'"

"Hmm... It's half true, half made up anyway. What's the problem?"

"No problem, no problem. Chunbao is always right."

Shen Nian chuckled. He skimmed through it and realized their drafts were actually quite similar. When it came to school life, there were only so many things to talk about.

"What about yours?"

"After the teacher checked it, I stuffed it in my desk. Didn't bring it home."

"Oh." Xia Yanchun wasn't too concerned. She climbed onto the bed. With Shen Nian here, she had zero intention of studying.

Shen Nian was hindering her education. Puppy love was wrong. Good thing she and Shen Nian weren't in puppy love. Not at all, nope.

Also fresh from a shower, Xia Yanchun was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, revealing her fair arms and calves. She didn't mind Shen Nian seeing. The AC was blowing warm air, making it a bit stuffy. Lying in bed like this was super comfortable. She had just pulled the blanket over herself and was already cozily settled on her pillow.

"Shen Nian, go open the window. Just a crack for some air."

"Ordering me around again?"

"Last... well... can't you just help me this once? Hurry up." Xia Yanchun kicked his butt with her foot.

Shen Nian went to open the window and draw the curtains, again leaving only a small gap. "You haven't changed much since we were kids. If I hadn't put on some weight, who knows how much longer I'd have to endure your bullying."

"You're the one who's changed completely."

"Changed how?"

"......" Xia Yanchun pulled the thin quilt over herself, refusing to tell him.

The old Shen Nian used to be quite disdainful of her, acting as if he'd seen a ghost whenever he saw her. Now it was completely the opposite. The moment he saw her, he'd come close, sniffing and touching like a little puppy.

He likes me...

He likes me...

He likes me...

A delicate blush gradually spread across her fair little face. Xia Yanchun said in a mumbling, drowsy voice, "You should go back now, I want to sleep."

"So early?"

"Mhm, I'm sleepy!"

Shen Nian boldly pinched her exposed cheek and chuckled softly, "I'm sleepy too. I want to sleep with you tonight."

Yanxi reminds you: Due to Tomato's request for 3 million+ daily visits causing excessive server pressure, it is now recommended that you use sources from other big platforms.