Missing the Days When I Could Throw Punches and Kicks

Shen Nian didn't bother Xia Yanchun. After all, they had agreed yesterday that today would be a pause from their ambiguous flirtation. They needed to focus on their studies and not interfere with each other. A simple greeting was enough.

Studying independently was pretty nice too. He had reviewed biology yesterday, so today he would focus on chemistry. If he had more time, he would expand his reading to Chinese and English. As for physics and math, just reading wouldn't do any good for those two subjects.

Shen Nian picked up a sweet rice pudding and started eating. He had to admit, the little shops next to the elementary school were truly top-notch—cheap and tasty. The oil they used for frying was quite clear compared to the oil at city street stalls that had been reused for who knows how many days. At the very least, you could see straight to the bottom.

Nom, nom, nom... nom, nom, nom...

After finishing the sweet rice pudding, it was time for the cheap fried skewers.

Nom, nom...

Xia Yanchun peeked over secretly. This guy was definitely making those sounds on purpose!

Here she was trying to study, and he was hosting a mukbang right next to her.

It made Xia Yanchun want to eat something too.

Right, she had bought some snacks yesterday.

Xia Yanchun just remembered and waved at Shen Nian. Shen Nian, bring me two bags of my snacks. Anything is fine.

Shen Nian shot her a puzzled look. Today is our do not disturb day, classmate Xia Yanchun. Could you please not interrupt my eating?

...

How could anyone be so shameless?

Xia Yanchun huffed angrily, It's just grabbing some snacks, hurry up.

I surrender. I have no choice but to indulge you a bit today. Shen Nian stood up and went back to his room.

??

Xia Yanchun was dumbfounded.

Since when did a younger brother indulge an older sister? Anyone who didn't know better would think Shen Nian was the older brother!

She was mad!

Here, catch.

Shen Nian tossed two bags of potato chips over to Xia Yanchun, but she was too slow to catch them. They dropped to the floor with a clatter, and she had to pick them up herself.

Her good mood for the whole day had started to sour the moment she saw Shen Nian.

Tomorrow she would sulk and let Shen Nian guess why.

It had been a while since she and Shen Nian had been at each other's throats like this. This was exactly how it was during their freshman and sophomore years of high school. If they didn't annoy each other for a day, they would feel uncomfortable all over, and sometimes their bickering would spark real anger.

Xia Yanchun grumbled inwardly as she ate her chips, determined not to give Shen Nian a pleasant look. Today was a throwback event; she was going to be on bad terms with Shen Nian for the whole day!

The sun was warm and cozy. Xia Yanchun, wearing only her pajamas, shifted her bare feet, resting them on the armchair's footstool one moment, and gently kicking the railing the next. Gradually, her slightly ruined mood turned pleasant and relaxed again.

She would be in a good mood and let Shen Nian guess why.

Until noon, the two barely spoke, each busy with their own things. Shen Nian had been reading his book so intently that he even forgot Xia Yanchun was right next to him. He reached into his pants to scratch an itch and continued turning the pages without even wiping his hand.

Xia Yanchun saw everything. Next time Shen Nian wanted to touch her, she would absolutely make him go wash his hands all over again first.

In the afternoon, both of them returned to their own rooms.

Today, neither of them truly bothered the other. It felt a bit like the old days.

When did they roll out the classic server update?

Shen Nian missed the days when they used to trade punches and kicks. He hoped Xia Yanchun would wash her feet clean and step on him.

...

The next early morning, a thick white mist blanketed the surroundings.

Shen Nian came back from his workout and happened to run into Wen Zhining, who was pushing her electric scooter out the door.

Phew, Auntie, are you going grocery shopping?

Yes, where did you... go so early in the morning?

I went for a run and bought some groceries on the way back. Shen Nian lifted the plastic bags in his hand.

Wen Zhining was a bit astonished. At this hour, her own daughter was definitely still asleep, yet Shen Nian had already returned from outside, looking full of energy.

What was going on? Her daughter had always been excellent, but with this comparison, she suddenly felt like her daughter was a bit of a lazy pig.

You look so energetic, Wen Zhining couldn't help but praise him.

It was truly rare to see a high school student wake up this early during the holidays. If it had been Xia Yanchun coming back from grocery shopping this early, her first thought would be to wonder if Xia Yanchun had stayed up all night.

Sigh, Shen Nian was really... becoming more and more outstanding.

Auntie, you go ahead and buy your groceries. I still need to cook some porridge.

Oh, okay...

How sensible. Shen Nian was no longer the little brat who would cause trouble and try to shift the blame onto Little Chun.

He had grown into a little man who knew how to take care of others.

Wen Zhining covered her mouth and chuckled softly. Having watched Shen Nian grow up, she treated him like her second child. Plus, she had recently sensed a spark of romance between the two kids. Naturally, the more outstanding Shen Nian became, the better; it meant she would have less to worry about in the future.

Shen Nian cooked breakfast and went to take a shower. He had sweated during his morning run, and feeling sticky all over was uncomfortable.

Shen Nian has been too hardworking lately. I'm not quite used to it. During breakfast, Chen Minyue spoke to Shen Shi about Shen Nian with a serious expression.

Half a year ago, he was a lazy bug who would sleep until the afternoon, but now he was waking up early every day to make breakfast. This, this, this.

Could studying hard really change one's lifestyle habits and long-standing laziness?

Studying truly was a good medicine.

Is being hardworking a bad thing?

It's not bad, it's just very weird...

It's quite normal. The kid has grown up and become sensible.

Shen Shi felt there was no problem. It would be even better if Shen Nian took the initiative to wash his father's feet every night and slip him fifty bucks—that would be true filial piety.

They say falling in love changes a person. Chen Minyue had every reason to suspect that Shen Nian had started dating.

Sigh, the kid had really grown up. In the blink of an eye, he had reached the age where she had to worry if he would bring an unfamiliar girl home to hang out one day.

Chen Minyue had to mentally prepare herself for the day Shen Nian might bring a girl home.

If Shen Nian really was dating, as his mother, she would have to remind him to keep his distance from Little Chun...

It was fine when both kids were single, but once one of them got a partner, such a close relationship would be hard for others to accept. Calling it a form of infidelity wouldn't be a stretch.

You guys aren't done eating yet. Shen Nian had just come downstairs. He went straight to grab a bowl and scooped a ladle of hot porridge.

Today's dish was scrambled eggs with chives, which was very appetizing when paired with the porridge.

Shen Nian, do you have a girl you like? Chen Minyue decided to get straight to the point. Asking wouldn't hurt.

Uh, why?

Are you dating anyone?

No, Shen Nian replied nonchalantly. Would my eight hundred bucks of living expenses be enough if I were dating? How about this, Mom: if you give me four hundred more, I'll immediately find a pretty little beauty to date. Give me eight hundred more, and I'll date two.

Shoo, shoo, stop being so slick. I can give you an extra two hundred. A thousand a month should be enough no matter what.

Chen Minyue understood now.

It seemed Shen Nian really wasn't dating.

He was permitted to remain close to Little Chun.

Ahem, no need. I've saved up quite a bit from catching and selling fish myself.

After breakfast, Shen Nian helped load the tools onto the pickup truck and watched his parents drive off.

The uncle and aunt next door were also just heading out. Shen Nian asked curiously, Auntie, is Xia Yanchun up yet?

Mhm, she's already finished breakfast.

Then I'll go find Xia Yanchun to hang out.

...?

Coming over this early? Not even pretending anymore?