“Lin Ci.”
“It’s so hot! So hot!”
The reserved girl mistakenly thought Shen Xiyan understood her words, her delicate face flushed rosy red.
Because of her tender skin, even a slight rush of blood would color her cheeks.
Her small hands fluttered continuously, fanning herself as if to brush off the heat.
“… It’s okay, I guess. Later, we’ll see which place has air conditioning and just eat there…”
Shen Xiyan tugged at the collar of his shirt, wiping away sweat, suddenly forgetting what he was about to say.
He felt quite hot too—after all, he had just stepped out of an air-conditioned room, and his once smooth skin now felt sticky.
If it were winter, it would be nice. Cold weather meant holding Lin Ci’s hand would feel warm.
Huh? Why do I suddenly want to hold Lin Ci’s hand?
Shen Xiyan… you have a problem.
His gaze lingered on her face. “Didn’t sleep well again last night? Your dark circles seem a bit worse…”
“Mm, anyway, it’s vacation. I secretly watched some videos.”
“Oh!”
Shen Xiyan’s exaggerated expression: “Lin Ci, you’re so naughty. If you get caught, your phone will be confiscated. If you don’t want your uncles and aunties to know, just obediently agree to one request from me, okay?”
Lin Ci pinched him angrily. “I’m super careful!”
Perhaps because last time she searched for Zhimei Bamboo Horse online, she’d been bombarded these days with recommendations—either novels or anime about Zhimei Bamboo Horse.
Did Lin Ci find them rare and precious? Not at all!
Those stories about Zhimei Bamboo Horse who already have ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends and then go around in circles before realizing the best person was beside them all along—Lin Ci blocked every single one!
If their pasts weren’t clean, how could they still call each other sweet Zhimei Bamboo Horse?
As for the “boring” stories where the Zhimei Bamboo Horse have been inseparable since childhood, shamelessly clinging to each other like two little teddy bears, Lin Ci liked every single one, but tipping was out of the question since her pocket money was tight.
***
After about an hour, Lin Ci felt a bit weak and empty inside, so she stopped and switched to watching sweet and heartwarming anime.
Like: Takagi-san, Tamako Market, and in some sense, Cardcaptor Sakura is also a big win for Zhimei Bamboo Horse!
Tonight, no more watching.
… Tomorrow is school.
“I know.”
Lin Ci pulled a tissue out of her pocket and wiped the sweat off her forehead.
Shen Xiyan saw it and reached out. “You brought tissues… If I’d known, I wouldn’t have wiped my sweat with my shirt. That’s so uncomfortable.”
“Girls always bring tissues when they go out, that’s basic common sense… When you have a girlfriend someday, I’ll appoint you the ‘Bringing Tissue Attendant’ who always carries tissues for her.”
Lin Ci lifted her small hand and gently wiped the slight sweat from his forehead and neck with the tissue.
Shen Xiyan was a bit surprised but quite happy to be cared for.
“… What you said is problematic.”
“What problem?”
“I already have a girlfriend… why do you have to appoint me?”
“I’m willing! What do you care?”
Lin Ci’s little secret almost got exposed, and she pinched his face in embarrassment and anger.
That greasy little pinch that could grab a bunch of flesh on a chubby kid could only grasp a thin layer of skin on Shen Xiyan, and after pinching, her fingers felt clean and dry.
Clean and fresh… was the highest praise for a boy.
At the entrance of the neighborhood, Lin Ci stopped, panting. “I’m too lazy to walk anymore. How about we just eat here?”
“Okay… but your stamina isn’t great, you know… tsk tsk. You’ll suffer in bed later.”
“Let’s go! Line up!” Lin Ci pursed her lips, wrinkled her pretty nose, trying not to laugh too obviously.
Doing anything with Shen Xiyan was effortless because they knew each other so well.
They didn’t care much about appearances or formality.
That’s why the “Gossiping Besties” in class often joked about them.
Many couples only looked close on the surface.
What does “look close” mean?
Walking together but keeping a small gap between them.
Don’t underestimate that few centimeters—it shows whether the two have truly accepted each other.
Only when two people are truly familiar does that “strangeness” disappear; the boy won’t fake being easygoing in front of the girl, and the girl won’t pretend to be reserved in front of the boy.
Sometimes, boys even fart deliberately under the covers and push their girlfriend’s head to smell it…
… The result, of course, is them getting scolded.
“I’ll line up; you go in and find a seat…”
“Ah! It’s the weekend today; not that many people are out for breakfast. Let’s go together.”
At that moment, someone bumped into Lin Ci.
She stepped back a few paces and accidentally fell into Shen Xiyan’s arms.
He quickly steadied her.
As Lin Ci was about to say thanks, her heart suddenly fluttered wildly.
She was pressed against him as if by a gun, unable to move.
There was an awkward silence for over ten seconds.
Shen Xiyan turned his head and saw a pair of misty eyes—seductive, beautiful, captivating.
When you’re looked at by such eyes, you can’t help but want to procreate with her.
… Um, I…
Lin Ci pulled away from Shen Xiyan’s embrace, staring hatefully at the person’s retreating back. “Walk while looking where you’re going, so annoying…”
She seemed… not to have noticed?
Shen Xiyan breathed a sigh of relief.
See? New underwear really can’t be worn yet—the gun (his crotch) is crooked, and no twisting can fix it.
Qin Sheng, forgive me!
Inside the shop.
Lin Ci chewed her porridge slowly, looking up with a concerned expression. “By the way, have you and Wenwen been fighting these past couple of days?”
“No… It was just a misunderstanding, and it’s been cleared up.”
Everyone knew each other well, so hiding things was pointless.
Recently, Wenwen and Shen Xiyan had a minor cold war.
Wenwen thought her brother was hopelessly desperate—he actually played music loudly outside when their aunt wasn’t home late at night?!
But considering he was single, it was understandable.
In the end, they just held a little scolding session.
Since Shen Xiyan apologized sincerely, Wenwen forgave him and even gave him her earphones.
Shen Xiyan felt bitter.
My glorious image!
This is a lifelong matter!
Every guy has his “five-finger maiden” to keep him company, but knowing it in your heart isn’t the same as hearing it out loud.
Qin Sheng, forgive me!!!
“Oh.”
“Don’t you suspect anything?”
“Suspect what? I believe whatever you say…”
“Then where are you going today? Maybe we’ll run into each other.”
“Some private business. Definitely won’t run into you guys. You guys go do your own thing.”
Shen Xiyan had already found out that Lin Ci and Wenwen were going to the mall, while Qin Sheng was heading to the pedestrian street, miles apart.
“Maybe, we can’t stay in one place forever.”
“Then let’s see if we have that kind of fate.”
Seeing his insistence, Lin Ci stopped asking.
She knew this guy was stubborn.
Usually, when he was being contradictory, asking a second time would make him yield; the third time, he’d confess.
But when he was really determined, no matter how many times you asked—even three hundred—he’d remain silent.
“Then let’s see if we have that kind of fate~~” Lin Ci hummed proudly.