Air Force with Medal of Honor

Xia Yanchun ultimately didn’t show up at Shen Nian’s place.

Shen Nian was perfectly content with the peace and quiet. After taking a shower, he retreated to his room, played some games with Chen Dong, and by 10 p.m., he was already sitting at his desk, diligently studying.

Grinding in secret was the way to go—grinding openly wasn’t grinding, it was just called studying.

The next day, at noon under a bright sun,

Shen Nian finally stirred awake after a solid nine and a half hours of sleep, then lazed in bed for another half hour.

Anyone who didn’t laze in bed on weekends was a superhuman.

Shen Yue was asleep on the living room couch, her hair splayed out like a flower. The TV played a drama series in the background. Shen Nian glanced at it before heading off to brush his teeth and wash his face.

On the table were the buns and soy milk Shen Yue had brought back. After breakfast, Shen Nian stuffed his fishing gear into a bag and bombarded Xia Yanchun’s phone with seven or eight memes.

[Xia Yanchun]: Keep spamming dragon memes and you’re dead in a bit.

[Shen Nian]: (serious_dragon_meme.jpg)

A short while later, Xia Yanchun emerged from her house.

She usually wore her school uniform, but today, since she was going fishing with Shen Nian, she’d changed into a cute short-sleeved top with lace trim. Her loose shorts made her slender frame appear even more delicate.

Her fair feet, toes slightly turned inward, peeked out from her canvas shoes, with a hint of white socks visible at the ankles.

Shen Nian gave her a once-over, then smirked with exaggerated sleaziness. "Hey there, cutie."

"Moron."

"Wow, such aggression!"

He’d seen plenty of high-attack-low-defense types, but someone who was both relentlessly offensive and impenetrably defensive was a first.

"Who told you to act so cringy out of nowhere?" Xia Yanchun huffed, flicking her ponytail and crossing her arms. "So, where to? Cibin Park?"

"Yep. Chen Dong said there’s good fishing there."

"You’re paying for the ride."

"Like hell I am. I’m driving—got two helmets in the car."

Shen Nian jingled the electric scooter keys from his pocket. Since Shen Yue needed the car for work on weekdays, the scooter was his for the weekend.

"Stay right here and wait for me a sec."

Xia Yanchun ducked back inside, but Shen Nian wasn’t about to obediently wait. He followed her in.

Her home had a refreshing coolness to it, the kind that drifted from a girl’s bedroom.

Shen Nian craned his neck like a curious turtle. The little blanket on the soft bed was still rumpled, and a few plush toys sat against the wall—very much a girl’s space.

Xia Yanchun wasn’t particularly bothered by the intrusion. She’d already tidied up anything that needed tidying.

Besides, she’d been in Shen Nian’s room plenty of times before. It’d be hypocritical to forbid him from seeing hers now.

As long as it wasn’t anything too private, and as long as it was Shen Nian, she was willing to lower her boundaries just a little.

Was this a small indulgence toward him?

They’d even shared a bed before.

They’d slept together, kissed cheeks, even lips—just like every pair of childhood friends seemed to go through at some point.

But childhood was something neither of them could control. Adults couldn’t fully relate to their younger selves, just like how Xia Yanchun couldn’t understand why she’d been so close with Shen Nian back then.

Shen Nian as a kid? Kinda cute.

Shen Nian now? Who let this guy in here?

Well, no use dwelling on it. Time for sunscreen.

She sat on the edge of the bed, applying sunscreen to her arms and legs, her delicate face glowing with moisture.

One glance was peeking. A second glance was appreciation. A third glance was respect. Only by the fourth did it become an offense.

Shen Nian had always been a boy who knew his limits. By the second look, he’d habitually glance at the door, resetting his "respect counter."

Xia Yanchun wasn’t annoyed—if anything, she was curious. She never wore anything particularly revealing, just her arms and calves, the same amount of skin she showed in her school uniform. What was so interesting about that?

And yet, he never even tried to hide it.

"Quit staring. You want some? The sun’s brutal today." She waved the sunscreen bottle.

"Us guys don’t need this. Using this would make me no better than Xiaonan Liang."

"Really? You’ll cry when you turn into a tanned gym bro."

"Fine, gimme some." Shen Nian, a Naruto fan, grinned and held out his fist.

"You think you’re the emperor in my house? Do it yourself."

"......"

The sunscreen felt sticky at first but soon turned smooth and cool.

They headed downstairs together. Because of the scorching sun, Xia Yanchun brought an umbrella while Shen Nian wrestled the scooter out of the garage. She stood by, watching him struggle.

The sunlight was blinding.

Once the scooter was out, she wobbled onto the backseat, one hand resting on Shen Nian’s shoulder for balance, the other holding the umbrella over them both.

Her small hand was soft and warm, the umbrella shielding them perfectly from the sun.

Shen Nian mused, "You’re actually pretty nice, huh."

"Took you long enough to notice. I’ve known that forever."

"……"

Xia Yanchun, you’re unstoppable.

Cibin Park wasn’t far from Cinan No. 2 High School—just a half-hour ride. A modest river ran through it, popular among local anglers.

Fishing didn’t harm the ecosystem much; if anything, the bait dumped into the water fattened the fish. The park management seemed to turn a blind eye—staff passing by would often just smile at the clusters of fishing enthusiasts.

Shen Nian, carrying his fishing rod bag, found a relatively empty spot under a tree. Then it hit him—he’d forgotten to bring a stool.

Damn it.

"I think we should just head back."

"You drag me all the way out here just to turn around? Pay up for the date fee, thanks." Xia Yanchun kindly held the umbrella over him.

"Who said this was a date?" Shen Nian paused. "Wait, were you the one thinking of this as a date?"

"If you’re into me, just say it. I don’t like you, but you’re the prettiest girl in Cinan. Your eyes are full of stars."

"?"

Xia Yanchun blinked, her almond-shaped eyes glistening.

That smooth combo left her momentarily speechless.

"Who asked you?" She took a step back, putting distance between them and withdrawing the umbrella. "No fish is one thing, but not even trying? At least buy me bubble tea for wasting my time."

"Fine, my treat. Hand me your phone." Shen Nian closed the gap again, this time standing even closer.

"Trying to scam me into a loan, huh?"

"Damn!"

Xia Yanchun’s defense stats were inhuman.

Shen Nian still didn’t want to leave. Scanning the area, he spotted a middle-aged man nearby, lounging on a folding chair with a fishing rod. A small wooden stool sat unused beside him.

The man, amiable and kind, noticed the two kids without seating and offered them the spare stool.

Young anglers were rare these days. The future of fishing rested on their shoulders.

Go forth, young ones. Become the Fishing King.

"Mission accomplished." Shen Nian shot Xia Yanchun a wink.

She turned away, leaning on the stone railing to gaze at her reflection in the river.

The kindhearted man chuckled at their dynamic. "You two in elementary school?"

Shen Nian: ?

A six-foot-tall elementary student? Now that’s a new one.

"Sir, we don’t look that young, do we? We’re seniors in high school."

"Oh ho ho, senior year of high school already? I’ve got a nephew in his third year too."

"Quite a coincidence, huh? Uncle, how long have you been fishing here?"

"Been here since eight in the morning."

Shen Nian glanced at the empty bucket, then at the uncle’s fishing rod.

No catch? Since when?

Seeing Shen Nian stay silent, the uncle grew anxious. "Just bad luck today, young man. Don’t get me wrong—this river’s ecosystem’s been wrecked lately. Hardly any fish around. Look around, no one’s hauling in big ones these days."

"Because of this dry spell, even my wife’s stopped supporting my fishing trips. If I don’t land something soon, she’ll never let me out here freely again."

The uncle’s tone grew melancholic. Nothing weighs heavier than a middle-aged man’s sorrow.

"Mm-hmm, Uncle, I believe you," Shen Nian smiled.

"Ah, well, fishing’s all about luck. Normally, I pull in catches over ten pounds! Today’s just off. Heck, I even won gold at last year’s Cinan Fishing Tournament."

As if to prove it, the uncle rummaged through his bag and pulled out a gold medal engraved with "Fishing Tournament," subtly flashing it Shen Nian’s way.

"Lately, sweaty hands, numb legs, bad grip, wrong rod, faulty bait, lousy weather, laggy net—all of it’s why I’ve got nothing today. This ‘no-catch’ thing? Pure accident. I’ve got real skills, kid."

Shen Nian blinked. "Uncle, you’re amazing."

An "Air Force" with an actual medal of honor? My respects.

Yanxi reminds you: Due to Tomato's daily request volume exceeding 3 million+, the server pressure is overwhelming. We now recommend switching to other big players' sources.