Who Takes Advantage of Whom (Two-in-One)

At the bus stop.

Ma Mingfan, wearing his backpack, stared blankly at the download progress on his phone.

Just six more days, six more days, and your King will return to protect the village!

Only God knew how much Ma Mingfan wanted to play a match of the Naruto mobile game.

Since these two days off were meant for adjusting his mindset anyway, playing some games wouldn't hurt. So, he downloaded the game again, planning to play a match during his study breaks.

Just thinking about it felt incredibly relaxing.

He was now a top student who could score 640 on the major mock exams, rather than a "Super Kage" who only scored 550. Things were different now.

The current him wouldn't even tilt if he went on a losing streak and got spammed with the mocking "pat head" emote all day. He was as cold as a stone, and he didn't even know how someone with his current mindset could ever lose.

"What are you doing?" Liang Jing leaned in from the side.

Ma Mingfan had been grinning creepily for a while now, looking like a total weirdo.

"Uh, downloading a game."

"Minecraft?"

"No... Naruto."

"Oh." Liang Jing bounced on her toes. "Are you going to play Minecraft during these two days off? I kind of want to play."

"If you're playing, I'll download it again to play with you. But I won't play for too long, probably just an hour or two a day."

"An hour or two is fine. I have to read my books when I get back anyway."

"Yeah."

Liang Jing wasn't the only one beside him; there were a few other classmates waiting for the bus. After chatting with him for a bit, Liang Jing turned around to talk to the other girls.

If it were Shen Nian, he would definitely be able to chat naturally with all those girls right now.

Ma Mingfan had no idea how Shen Nian managed to handle relationships with the opposite sex so healthily and naturally. He could barely manage talking to Liang Jing, but around this many girls, he could only act like a mute.

Damn that Shen Nian, his stats were so high, how was anyone else supposed to compete?

A petition with ten thousand signatures to capture Shen Nian and dissect him to study why his stats are so maxed out (10000/10000).

Liang Jing was chatting with the other girls nearby, laughing happily. Her arm accidentally brushed against his, and Ma Mingfan jolted, startled into taking a half-step away.

Why do girls always smell so nice...

Glancing over, Liang Jing didn't seem to mind at all and was still chatting merrily.

Ma Mingfan secretly sized up Liang Jing.

Liang Jing wasn't exceptionally beautiful like the class monitor, but she was still very pretty. The more you looked at her, the prettier she seemed—the type whose looks grow on you. Her skin was quite fair, and she reached about his chin... probably a little over 1.6 meters tall. Although she wasn't particularly well-endowed, she wasn't completely flat either... Holy crap, why am I acting like such a creep?

Ma Mingfan stood up straight. He didn't want to be a creep. As soon as those inappropriate thoughts appeared, he immediately snapped out of it.

"The bus is here!"

The bus slowly pulled up. In a place like a school, getting on the bus was always a battle. Getting a seat was secondary; whether you could even get on the bus was the main issue.

A single bus could only carry so many people. No. 2 High School was already a high-traffic area. Aside from students, there were also regular citizens waiting, and people's manners varied. Swarming the doors was the norm. On a holiday break like this, it was common for people to wait an hour or two just to squeeze onto a bus.

Before the bus even stopped, people nearby were already getting restless.

Coincidentally, the bus stopped right in front of him. Ma Mingfan took two steps forward and slipped onto the bus, quickly swiped his student card, and sat down in one of the courtesy seats.

The crowd immediately surged forward. Even though Liang Jing boarded just a step behind him, she couldn't grab one of the few empty seats.

"Ah..." Liang Jing pouted helplessly and obediently held onto the handrail to stand steady. Fortunately, her backpack didn't have much in it, so standing wasn't a big deal.

She scanned the area and finally spotted Ma Mingfan on the other side with difficulty. She squeezed her way over to stand next to him. "You actually managed to grab a seat!"

"Do you want to sit?" Ma Mingfan, who was just about to play his game for a bit, closed the app.

"No need, my backpack is really light. Yours is probably full of books, right? It looks so heavy."

Just as she lifted her backpack, the bus suddenly lurched. Everyone in the carriage swayed, and Liang Jing almost lost her footing.

Ma Mingfan was about to speak, but Liang Jing seemed to know what he was going to say. She immediately gripped the handrail tighter and frowned, saying, "You sit."

"..."

This was ridiculous; he had never seen anyone so stubborn.

Ma Mingfan was left completely speechless. Fine, he'd respect women's wishes. He wouldn't force her to take the seat.

At least, that was what Ma Mingfan initially thought.

In the already packed bus, the young girl was squeezed quite close to him. As the bus braked and accelerated, the passengers swayed along with it. Liang Jing's lower stomach and hips kept brushing against his arm from time to time. Even in such a chaotic and stuffy carriage, he could still faintly smell that pleasant scent coming from her.

It made him blush.

"You'd better sit..." Ma Mingfan couldn't take it anymore and stood right up.

"I don't need to, you're still wearing your backpack..."

"Just sit, hurry up."

"..." Liang Jing was stunned for a moment, then quickly sat down, genuinely afraid that some blind passenger might snatch the seat.

Having a seat was definitely more comfortable than not having one!

It was the first time a boy had offered his seat to her.

Liang Jing sat up perfectly straight. Ma Mingfan was now standing where she had been, and right next to her were his waist and legs. She didn't even dare to turn her head.

So Ma Mingfan had been feeling this awkward the whole time?!

Now she understood why he had offered her the seat!

Liang Jing lowered her head, only daring to look out the window.

As if thinking of something, she clenched her fist slightly and tugged at the hem of the standing boy's shirt.

"Um... let me hold your backpack for you?"

"No need."

"Just give it here, I'm not tired sitting down."

"...Oh. It might be a bit heavy." Ma Mingfan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and with minimal movement, he handed the backpack to her.

Liang Jing placed the backpack on her lap and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "It really is quite heavy."

"I told you, it's full of study materials and books..."

"Mhm, I'm putting my earphones in. Call me when it's time to get off." Liang Jing smiled at him, put on her Bluetooth earphones, and looked out the window without saying another word.

Ma Mingfan scratched his cheek, his feelings a bit tangled.

The two of them were taking the same route back, and they had agreed in advance to buy their tickets home together. However, this time they didn't manage to get tickets in the same train car.

Ma Mingfan felt it was a bit of a shame.

For the first time, he felt it was a bit of a shame.

...

Back around their residential neighborhood, Shen Nian gave Xia Yanchun a ride as they picked up some takeout for dinner. They also took a detour to a snack shop to buy some treats. For this two-day holiday, they definitely needed to stock up on snacks to satisfy their cravings.

They only had two classes in the afternoon, and it wasn't even five o'clock yet. Xia Yanchun wasn't hungry. She muttered to Shen Nian not to close his door, dropped her food off at her own place, and then followed him into his house.

Shen Nian was still taking off his shoes in the entryway. His socks were a bit worn out, with the soles hanging on by just a few threads.

"Are you out of socks?"

"I have some."

"Then why are you wearing this pair? They're completely ruined."

"I only planned to wear them one last time anyway." Shen Nian turned to the sink to wash his face, looking much more refreshed.

Xia Yanchun bounced happily onto the sofa, crossing her feet and resting them on the coffee table. "Let me buy you a few pairs of socks."

"No need, no need, I have new ones."

"Oh, okay."

"What are you still doing here? Hurry up and organize all your notes for me."

"What's the rush? I still need to read them. I'll organize them all for you after the exams."

"Don't throw them away. This is my first step to getting rich. If I don't get rich in the future, I'll blame you."

"Tch." Xia Yanchun curled her lips, too lazy to roast him.

It was almost six o'clock when Shen Yue returned home, exhausted.

Fortunately, Shen Nian had packed dinner for her, so she could eat a hot meal as soon as she got back.

"You're on holiday now, right?"

"Yeah." Xia Yanchun nodded.

"Then you guys need to adjust your state of mind. Go out and have fun these next two days, relax a bit. There's no need to spend too much time studying like before. These two days are specifically for you to adjust your mindset, got it? Your sister here speaks from experience."

"Wow, a seasoned veteran."

"Shut up, Shen Nian. I ordered three cups of milk tea, help me get them later."

"Got it..."

Twenty minutes later, the delivery guy knocked on the door, and Shen Nian quickly brought the takeout in.

Three large buckets of fruit tea, the kind with real fruit pulp inside.

After eating the savory pork rib rice and drinking the sweet, cold fruit tea, Xia Yanchun and Shen Yue felt like life was beautiful.

After staying at Shen Nian's house until eight o'clock, Xia Yanchun went home to take a shower. She didn't go back to play at Shen Nian's house; instead, she took her study materials back to her room, planning to do a lightning-fast review of the important knowledge points over these two days.

Adjusting her mindset or whatever, she didn't need that. Reading study materials was already her daily routine.

Xia Yanchun gave herself a mental thumbs-up. The number one beautiful girl in the world was indeed amazing. As expected of me. Shen Nian really got a good deal; he must have saved the galaxy in his past life.

Time slipped quietly by. Xia Yanchun stretched her back, glanced at her phone, and realized it was already half-past ten.

Two and a half hours to do a lightning-fast review of three years' worth of biology knowledge points. Piece of cake.

She hadn't expended much time or energy at school today, so even at ten o'clock at night, she was still full of energy. She didn't even need to use the Pomodoro technique, and she hadn't been distracted once during these two-plus hours.

I'm really amazing. I'll reward myself with a peanut ice cream bar!

Xia Yanchun shuffled out to the living room in her slippers and sat happily on the sofa eating her ice cream. Licking it bit by bit—this was the correct way to eat ice cream.

Biting and gnawing at it like Shen Nian did would ruin the deliciousness of the ice cream. That was an evil, unorthodox way of eating; not only did it taste bad, but it would also give you a brain freeze.

Speaking of which... why hasn't Shen Nian come over yet today?

Xia Yanchun hugged her legs. Just as she was thinking this, the front door creaked open.

It was as if they had a telepathic connection.

Xia Yanchun watched Shen Nian swagger over and immediately put on a look of disgust. "Why are you at my house again?"

"Damn, who told you to eat my ice cream without my permission?"

"What do you mean yours? I bought it, okay."

"Do you have proof? I could say it grew wild in the fridge."

"Get lost, we bought it together!"

"Haha, my memory is a bit bad, sorry about that." Shen Nian held his forehead, looking as if he couldn't remember anything, and sat down next to Xia Yanchun. "Uh... I think I really have a bit of amnesia. I've forgotten what it feels like to be hugged by Chunbao. Could Chunbao give me a hug?"

"You, you're always so smooth-talking. You use all your brains just to take advantage of me..."

"It can't be helped, I just can't control myself, Chunbao."

Xia Yanchun pouted, took a quick bite of her ice cream, tossed the wrapper into the trash can, clapped her little hands, and wrapped her arms around Shen Nian's waist.

"Just one hug..."

"No." Shen Nian pulled her in with his large hands, gathering Xia Yanchun into his arms. Resting his chin on the girl's shoulder, Shen Nian quietly sniffed that faint milky fragrance, feeling completely refreshed.

Xia Yanchun struggled to lift her small face just to breathe some fresh air. She patted Shen Nian's back with her little hands, looking relieved. "Be a good baby, Mama Xia is here."

"?"

Who the hell was taking advantage of whom here?

Shen Nian sweatdropped and didn't dare to keep hugging her, afraid that Xia Yanchun would evolve from a mother role into a grandmother role in a moment.

Roleplay should be left to boss and secretary, police and criminal, or doctor and patient. This kind of play was a no-go.

"What's wrong?" Xia Yanchun tilted her head; she hadn't hugged him enough yet.

"I just wanted to eat the grass near my own burrow, and you freaking want to be my mom...?"

"That's how it was when we played house in the past."

"You said it yourself, that was in the past."

It was bad enough that Shen Nian used to play both the dad and the son, but he also had to play the happy family's little dog. He played multiple roles all by himself; just the two of them could act out a family of three with a dog.

"Actually, I wouldn't mind if you said you were my older sister."

Xia Yanchun blinked her almond eyes and immediately changed her tune, "Then I'm your older sister."

"Damn, inces..."

"Ahhh!" Xia Yanchun was furious. Sure enough, the moment she heard the first syllable, she knew exactly what kind of crap Shen Nian was going to spout, and she quickly covered his mouth.

Shen Nian pulled her hand away and laughed, "Are we still playing or what?"

"I'll hit you, I'll hit you!"

She wouldn't play these little flirting games with Shen Nian anymore; let's see if he cries then.

"Hehe." Shen Nian hugged Xia Yanchun, passed his other arm under the girl's knees, and with a little effort, easily lifted her into his arms.

The feeling of floating made Xia Yanchun panic, and she subconsciously hugged Shen Nian's neck tightly.

She thought Shen Nian was going to throw her onto the bed and cuddle her, but Shen Nian just picked her up, placed her sideways on his lap, and gave her a silly smile.

Sitting sideways on Shen Nian's lap, she was a little taller than him.

"Mhm..." Xia Yanchun hummed, poking Shen Nian's silly face. "What are you smiling at? You look so punchable."

So Shen Nian stopped smiling, keeping a straight face without saying a word.

"Pfft... You look so ugly."

"I'm trying to make you happy and you resort to personal attacks, huh? Get down."

"No way."

"You've got some nerve, Chunbao."

"Don't move." Xia Yanchun ordered Shen Nian, and Shen Nian cooperated by freezing in place, not even blinking an eye.

Xia Yanchun hummed proudly, got off him, sat next to him, lazily leaned against him, and blatantly sniffed him. "You're stinky."

"Then that means I smell good."

"I want to go back to my room and lie down for a bit, then read a book later. I want you to carry me back."

"Ten bucks per hug."

"Then how much money should I charge for all the times you've hugged me? I'd be a millionaire!"

"I'll put it on my tab."

"This shop doesn't allow tabs."

"Then I'll just have to do a zero-dollar purchase."

"?"

This freaking Shen Nian.

Just as she was about to curse Shen Nian out, the feeling of suspension suddenly washed over her, scaring her into hugging Shen Nian's neck tightly again.

"Do you want to die?!"

"Ha, didn't you ask me to carry you?"

"Couldn't you give me some time to prepare, you jerk!"

"Wasn't all that talking just now the preparation time?"

"..."

An angry Xia Yanchun took a bite out of Shen Nian's shoulder.

It was light and wet, leaving two small canine teeth marks, which Xia Yanchun then wiped for him.

She couldn't bear to bite him too hard...

Xia Yanchun puffed out her cheeks. Fortunately, Shen Nian placed her gently on the bed. If he had thrown her down, she would have kicked him hard in the butt—the butt had a lot of meat, so it wouldn't hurt too much to kick.

......

Tomorrow should be the college entrance examination chapter. Asking for urge updates and small gifts.