Having an Affair

"Alright, alright, stop talking. I know exactly what kind of person you are. Get out first—I need to change."

Xia Yanchun stood up, her gaze not quite landing on Shen Nian as she casually remarked, "By the way, are you coming along? It’s been a while since you last went back to town. You could buy some gifts or something..."

"Well, since you’re offering, I suppose I could reluctantly—"

"Never mind, just roll away, will you?"

"Words once spoken are like water spilled—you can’t take them back now, heh."

Shen Nian darted off in a flash, closing the door behind him as he left.

Guys don’t fuss much when heading out. A quick splash of water on the face was enough for Shen Nian. Thanks to a satisfying nap, he was brimming with energy, not at all like someone who’d spent the entire morning grinding through exam papers.

"I’m taking your scooter keys," Shen Nian called out to Shen Yue.

"Where are you off to?"

"Just hanging out with Xia Yanchun. I’ll bring you back some food."

Shen Yue rested her chin on the back of the couch, her peach-blossom eyes curving mischievously. "Ohhh, a date? Got it, got it."

"You’ve got nothing. Just keep watching your show." Shen Nian rolled his eyes, not in the mood to argue. Once he got his own scooter, he wouldn’t even bother with Shen Yue.

No coins to spare, no use to me—such is the life of the "Saintess."

Shen Nian’s outfit was as basic as it got—a T-shirt and shorts, practically a non-outfit. Xia Yanchun, on the other hand, took her sweet time. What was supposed to be a quick change turned into a ten-minute ordeal, leaving Shen Nian loitering outside like a stray, idly scrolling through his phone until she finally emerged.

Xia Yanchun wore a loose white T-shirt with a printed design, the sleeves hanging naturally, delicate patterns softly spreading across the fabric. Her black shorts were just as relaxed, the hem slightly frayed, swaying with every step. Below them were slender, well-proportioned calves and a pair of white canvas shoes, completing the effortlessly cute look.

There really was something to the art of styling, Shen Nian had to admit. His heart skipped a beat, and before he knew it, his hands were already reaching out to mess with her.

"Cut it out! I just fixed my hair!"

Xia Yanchun jerked her head away, her usual ponytail slipping through Shen Nian’s fingers. Who in their right mind would immediately go for someone’s hair upon seeing them?

Shen Nian wasn’t bothered. He jingled the keys. "Look, I’ve got wheels. You should be grateful I’m even giving you a ride."

"Pfft, as if. I could just take a cab, enjoy some AC. Riding with you means baking in the sun."

"Without me, you’d have to pay for that ride. And hey, there’s a helmet. Behave, or once you’re on, where you get off won’t be up to you."

"Is that a kidnapping threat? How intriguing. Should I call the cops?"

"Let’s just go."

Shen Nian slung an arm over Xia Yanchun’s shoulder, nudging her forward. He’d already called the elevator—if someone else took it, they’d be stuck waiting.

Inside the elevator, Xia Yanchun stood slightly ahead, pulling out her phone when she felt another tug at her hair. She shot Shen Nian an exasperated glance.

Whatever.

"You’re pretty pale. Do you avoid the sun or something?"

Shen Nian twirled a lock of her smooth hair between his fingers, playing with it absentmindedly—lifting it to poke her cheek, brushing it behind her ear. Who knew how he managed to entertain himself like this?

Xia Yanchun remembered he’d always been this way since they were kids. Even when she told him to stop, he never listened. Over time, she’d just let him be.

Had she been conditioned by Shen Nian?

The thought darkened her mood. She was being way too lenient, letting him get away with so much, and yet he still argued with her all the time, refusing to even call her "big sis."

Annoyed, she swatted his hand away. "Quit it, or I’ll hit you for real."

"Uh, you already did?"

"Deal with it."

"?"

When I type a question mark, it’s not because I’m confused—it’s because you’re the confusing one.

So Xia Yanchun’s playing the domineering CEO now? Domineering, sure, but where’s the "CEO" part? She’s got less cash than I do.

Shen Nian was about to fire back when Xia Yanchun picked up their earlier conversation.

"Staying pale isn’t hard. Just be mindful. I tan a bit in summer, but by winter, I’m back to normal. Though, honestly, I’m just naturally flawless—fair skin, great complexion."

"Same here. Tall, handsome, the whole package."

"Ugh, typical overconfident guy. Bleh!"

The elevator doors slid open, and Xia Yanchun hurried out ahead. Not keen on sun exposure, she ducked into the shade and turned to wait for Shen Nian to bring the scooter around.

By the time he pulled up, she already had her umbrella open. After securing the helmet (adorably borrowed from Shen Yue’s rabbit-themed one), she hopped onto the backseat, one hand diligently holding the umbrella aloft.

"So, what’s the story when we get there?"

As the scooter hummed to life, Shen Nian occasionally glanced at the rearview mirror, where Xia Yanchun’s helmeted head bobbed like a curious bunny.

"What story?"

"You know, about the ‘loli girl.’"

"Hmm… How about: We agreed to go back to our hometown together tomorrow, but then you overheard me and Shi Yan planning to go shopping, and you begged us to tag along, offering to carry our bags?"

Shen Nian deadpanned. "Does that sound like something I’d do?"

"Then what’s your brilliant idea?"

"Easy. Just say we’re neighbors. Childhood friends, the whole deal. Let her know we’re… that kind of relationship."

Xia Yanchun tightened her grip on his shoulders, peeking over to meet his eyes in the mirror.

This guy—even his helmet was crooked. Idiot.

"Bad idea. Sounds like there’s something going on between us."

"There is something going on. Don’t even try denying it, Xia Yanchun. I literally just napped in your room."

Her pulse spiked at his words. What did he mean, "something going on"? There’s nothing! Just a month ago, we were still rivals who fought every time we met!

It was only after Shen Nian suddenly declared he didn’t want to fight anymore—that he wanted to make up and be "best friends forever"—that the tension eased.

"That’s not true at all!"

"Is too."

"Drop dead."

Before they knew it, the mall came into view. Thanks to the holiday crowds, parking was a nightmare. Shen Nian circled forever before finally squeezing into a spot.

Under the blazing sun, Xia Yanchun watched him maneuver the scooter. Once parked, Shen Nian shamelessly crowded under her umbrella.

The warmth radiating off him hit her face, and without a word, she thrust the umbrella at him—no way was she holding it now.

Shen Nian tilted it toward her anyway, brushing a stray lock from her cheek and studying her face with satisfaction.

Chun’er. So cute.

Back then, he’d gotten so used to her that Xia Yanchun seemed just… fine. Nice, but nothing special—certainly not as eye-catching as the "loli girl."

But Chen Dong’s comment had flipped a switch. Once he realized the ambiguous tension between them, Xia Yanchun became unbearably adorable. He just wanted to stick to her like glue.

He never bothered to hide the way he stared at Xia Yanchun, but she couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge him. Instead, she kept her head down, tapping on her phone to ask Li Shiyan when she’d arrive. Then, as if struck by a thought, she poked Shen Nian’s arm with her slender, pale fingers.

"Listen up," she said, "if Shi Yan doesn’t ask, we don’t say anything. But if she does, we tell her we planned to come shopping together for stuff to bring back home."

"No way. I’m telling her you begged me to come with you, crying that you’d ‘end it all’ if I didn’t."

"Pfft. Let’s see who she believes—me or you."

Her fingertips tingled faintly with warmth. When did this guy get so solid…?!

.

(Today’s chapter is postponed due to schedule adjustments. Will make it up later.)

Yanxi’s reminder: Due to Tomato’s request for 3M+ daily updates straining the servers, we recommend switching to other sources for now.