Persuasion

Xia Yanchun liked walking ahead of Shen Nian.

But Shen Nian's strides were a bit long, and he could easily catch up to her every time. Whenever he was about to catch up, she would quicken her small steps, putting some distance between them again.

After this happened many times, Shen Nian simply slowed down and walked behind, hands in his pockets, watching her slender, petite figure.

The light of dusk shone directly into his face. Shen Nian raised a hand to block it, shading his eyes. He used to compete with Xia Yanchun over who could stare at the sun longer, and he won easily, mercilessly teasing her that time.

The price was a faint afterimage lingering in his vision no matter what he looked at, not fading even when he blinked.

How old was he back then? He thought he was going blind and cried until his mom comforted him for a long time.

That same night, he got a beating from his mom for throwing a tantrum, demanding to buy a black eye patch to be a pirate.

Ah, the life of an emperor is fraught with hardship.

Walking along the path, the sports field lay ahead. Around the bend was a small ornamental bamboo grove, the cleaning area assigned to Class Eleven. Coming to clean here in summer guaranteed a leg full of mosquito bites.

Shen Nian, who liked wearing shorts, suffered terribly. Every time, he had to ask Xia Yanchun for mosquito repellent.

Why do girls always have mosquito repellent in their bags? Any gentlemen with girlfriends care to explain?

Reaching the sports field, Xia Yanchun deliberately slowed her pace, waiting for Shen Nian to catch up. She didn't look at him, just glanced briefly and quietly at a group of student athletes by the edge of the track.

"In this weather, those athletes are still wearing shorts."

"Normal. I don't find my lower half that cold either," Shen Nian muttered. "They have to train. Even sweatpants aren't as comfortable as shorts when running."

"Do you wear shorts when you exercise?"

"Hardly. Their training intensity is high. I just do casual workouts. Not only do I wear long pants, I wear a jacket too. And lately, I haven't even gone out to exercise, just doing some light workouts at home."

"That's true," Xia Yanchun nodded.

"What, wanna see my leg hair?"

"Psycho. Next time I'll secretly pluck your leg hair."

"I'll pluck yours."

"Get lost."

There was only a science comprehensive exam in the afternoon. After the exam, school let out, much earlier than usual. Right now, it was still quite early.

Even in such cold weather, the sports field had quite a few people, gathered in small groups like they were having some kind of gathering. The basketball courts had even more people.

These guys are even wearing short sleeves. Aren't they afraid of the cold?

Xia Yanchun silently wrapped her clothes tighter and hefted her hot water bottle. She felt so cold; even wearing socks and cloth shoes, her feet were icy.

So what if her constitution is a bit weak? She can just use Shen Nian for warmth in the future.

A few student athletes ran past. Xia Yanchun let out a soft gasp. "They run so fast."

"Mediocre."

"Here you go again, Mr. Pretentious."

"Shouldn't it be Little Pretentious?"

Shen Nian's reminder made Xia Yanchun immediately correct herself. "Indeed, Little Pretentious."

Shen Nian chuckled. "Seriously, they're not even faster than me. If I trained for a month, I could easily get into Beijing Sport University for the physical exam, believe me?"

Just kidding, I could get in even without taking the sports exam.

Xia Yanchun pursed her lips, raised her head, and exaggeratedly drawled in a loud voice, "I believe, I believe. Little brother Shen Nian is the awesomest, has the best stamina in the world, punches athletes, kicks Godzilla, and could punch me into a cream puff with one hit."

"Kicking Godzilla is beyond me, but the rest is basically true."

"Give you an inch and you take a mile."

"Seriously, have you forgotten when I carried you down from the mall after you sprained your ankle?"

"Mmm... Hmph!"

So what if you have good stamina? You still have to be my hand-warmer tool.

This isn't just self-consolation, it's simply stating facts. Besides, it's always Shen Nian who actively offers himself as a hand-warmer, not me asking for it.

The way Chunbao, rendered speechless and could only huff in defiance, deeply pleased Shen Nian.

That's my Chunbao. I love her.

I want to hug Chunbao into myself.

Walking to the basketball courts, Xia Yanchun stood by the side watching others play. They seemed to be mostly first and second-years. Xia Yanchun didn't recognize anyone.

After watching for a while, she found it dull. Xia Yanchun puffed out her cheeks. "You dragged me down for a walk without any purpose? Now that we're down here, we don't even know what to do."

"I said 'for a walk.' Walking around is the purpose."

"I guess so..." Xia Yanchun mumbled quietly. "Let's go, there's nothing good to see here."

Turning into the ornamental bamboo grove, there were far fewer people here.

There were even benches to sit on. Xia Yanchun patted one clean with her small hands and sat down, legs together.

The tile was cool, but thankfully she was wearing thermal leggings underneath.

The bamboo leaves were slender. Even in winter, they didn't shed too many leaves. No wonder people used to describe bamboo as tenacious.

"Not walking anymore?" Shen Nian stood beside her, taking advantage of the sparse crowd to secretly tug at the fine hairs on Xia Yanchun's head—fuzz shed from her ear muffs.

"Taking a little break."

"Just say you're tired. I feel like I could take on ten of you."

"You're so amazing? Then tonight, carry me around the neighborhood. If you can't do it, no more bragging from now on."

"And if I can?"

"If you can, the reward is... you get to carry me for another lap."

"Six six six."

Shamelessness truly is invincible. Shen Nian pinched the girl's soft cheek, stretching it until she grimaced before letting go.

Her fair skin immediately showed a red mark. Xia Yanchun covered her face but couldn't be bothered to scold him, simply indulging him.

"Hey, I'm serious. If I do it, shouldn't you give me some kind of reward?"

"I'll give you two bucks to buy spicy strips."

Shen Nian rubbed his nose. "You really treat me like a little brother, huh? We're both adults now. No snitches around, give me an adult reward."

Xia Yanchun kicked her feet lightly, dirtying the cuffs of Shen Nian's pants, and scolded, "What are you thinking? I'll hit you, believe me?"

"No reward, then I won't carry you."

"Who wants you to carry me anyway? Let's go, let's go." Xia Yanchun adjusted her bangs, patted her bottom, and stood up, walking ahead with light steps. "If you're feeling pent up, just review the old to understand the new. Don't pester me, got it?"

"?"

Six six six.

This is the masterpiece "Persuasion" by the modern Confucian poet 'Chunzi.' Can it be included in the People's Education Press textbook for memorization in full? Even if it meant Ma Mingfan had to be an ox or a horse in his next life, Shen Nian would agree.

Shen Nian narrowed his eyes, quickly ran ahead, turned around, and walked backwards, facing her. "You're too dirty-minded."

"Hmph, we're not little kids anymore. We're eighteen. Even if I were a naive sweetheart, I'd know what needs to be known by now."

Xia Yanchun felt that she knew so much precisely thanks to the person in front of her.

Although it was also biased of her to just open the door when knocking got no response...

But still, blame Shen Nian. Who told him not to lock the door and to wear headphones so he couldn't hear? She did knock! It was Shen Nian who didn't hear!

She was just worried about her little brother. Who knew if he had suddenly died inside?

Yan Xi reminds you: Due to Tomato's request for over three million daily visits causing excessive server pressure, it is now recommended you use other big shot's sources: