“So it turns out Sister Xueting’s family is in the jewelry business. No wonder Sister Xueting is so naturally beautiful, a true beauty who could topple kingdoms.” Ji Yuenián said this utterly illogical nonsense solely to change the subject and rescue the situation.
“Yuenián, your family’s clothing business makes me envious as well, and you’re so handsome—your looks surpass Pan An.” Tang Xueting replied easily.
“If I hadn’t met your brother last time, I’d have thought you were a little sister, Yuenián.”
What an unfortunate topic!
Ji Yuenián knew he’d grown more delicate and handsome compared to two months ago, but there was no need to rub salt in his wounds like this. Besides, who praises a man for looking like a girl!!
After this round, Ji Yuenián didn’t want to say more. He shot everyone a look, signaling: I’ll withdraw first, time to start Plan B!
Plan B, the relay battle—everyone says a sentence to drag out half an hour, then they’d all declare themselves full, dust off their hands, and leave.
“Tang-jie, which university are you at?” Receiving the signal, Hu Li spoke up first, simultaneously tugging Yao Shiming closer, pulling him away from those two “sources of all evil.”
For the next half hour, the group took turns chatting, back and forth, forcibly dragging out the time for thirty minutes. Once that was confirmed, Yao Shiming hurried to his feet and said, “It’s getting late, I have something to do tomorrow,” and pulled everyone to dash out of the restaurant.
“I’ll walk you out,” Tang Xueting said, also rising to follow them.
Once they exited the restaurant, just as Yao Shiming let out a sigh of relief, a slender, fair hand suddenly seized him from behind and yanked him back. The elegant, long-skirted lady pinned him to the wall, her red lips pressing directly onto his…
After a deep kiss, Tang Xueting tasted the other’s flavor, her eyes smiling as she leaned close to his ear, breath as soft as silk: “Darling, do you like this surprise?”
Yao Shiming was stunned for a while before he reacted, his face flushing awkwardly. He wanted to push the woman away, but faced with those bright, smiling eyes and the firm arms encircling his waist, he couldn’t muster the will.
Yao Shiming gave a dry, awkward chuckle, forcing a smile uglier than crying.
“It’s… alright, I guess.”
“Xueting, um, I… I, um… Tomorrow, yes, I have something tomorrow, can you let me go?”
Tang Xueting narrowed her beautiful eyes, thought for a moment, then released her embrace. She cast a meaningful look at the dumbfounded group. “Classmates, I’ll be relying on you to look after Shiming at school.”
“No trouble at all, no trouble at all,” everyone hurried to answer.
“Thank you, classmates.” Tang Xueting smiled at the group and gave a shallow bow before turning and leaving.
Once Tang Xueting completely disappeared from sight, everyone finally processed what had just happened!
Each of their expressions was odd.
No one had expected Tang Xueting to be so bold, forcefully kissing and pinning someone against the wall in front of everyone.
“Uh, someone help me up.” Yao Shiming said, his legs finally giving out, and just as he was about to collapse, Hu Li rushed forward and supported him.
“Thanks.” Yao Shiming thanked her, only then realizing how awkward his situation was just now. He lowered his head, turning into an ostrich.
No one said anything, nor did they do anything, but walked quietly back toward the school.
On the way, everyone was silent. Not only had the plan failed, but they’d also been force-fed a mouthful of “dog food.” Especially Yao Shiming, whose face turned red and white in patches after being kissed, his legs trembling, needing Hu Li’s support just to walk.
Hu Li supported Yao Shiming all the way. Yao Shiming looked at her delicate side profile, wanting to say something, but noticing the people around, swallowed his words.
Liu Yao’s eyes flashed with a trace of cunning. He nudged Luo Yikang beside him. When Luo Yikang turned, looking at him with a hint of confusion, Liu Yao gave him a look.
Luo Yikang instantly understood, grabbing Ji Yuenián, who was looking down, scrolling through short videos. “Old Ji, let’s go—there’s a supermarket over there. Let’s grab some Cokes.”
With that, he gave Ji Yuenián no chance to react, dragging her away.
“You guys go on ahead, I’m going to the restroom.” Liu Yao said, turning toward the public toilet by the intersection.
In an instant, the area emptied, leaving only Hu Li and Yao Shiming in a quiet little alley.
Silent and hesitant for a long while, Yao Shiming turned to the petite “boy” supporting him. “Lin…”
“I think Tang-jie is pretty great.” Before he could finish, Hu Li interrupted, half-serious and half-teasing. “Fair skin, beautiful legs, a little rich lady—Old Yao, maybe you should just go for it.”
“I don’t like her. I can be friends with her, but that’s it.” Yao Shiming shook his head.
“Feelings can grow with time. You might not like her now, but maybe you will someday.”
“Only if there’s still an empty place in my heart for someone. But I…” Yao Shiming raised his hand, pointing to his chest, lips curling slightly.
“Someone already lives here.”
Hu Li fell silent, suddenly letting go of his arm. But Yao Shiming didn’t fall—he simply smiled faintly, as if he’d already recovered.
“Who?”
“A very cute person.” The boy smiled.
“She’s a little short, not tall even among girls; she’s stingy, calculating everything, but still gives me gifts on my birthday; she loves money, but knows right from wrong; she works so hard, and even when she’s about to fail, she comforts the people around her.”
“Old Hu, do you want to know who she is?”
Hu Li took a few steps aside, deliberately putting distance between them, and said coldly, “I don’t like the same sex.”
“You figured it out?”
“You named me directly,” Hu Li replied blandly.
“No wonder you’re a fox.”
The two fell into silence again. Finally, Yao Shiming looked at the delicate “boy” a few steps away, took a deep breath, and solemnly said, “Hu Li—no, Lin Li, I like you. I’ve felt something for you for a very, very long time.”
“Get lost.”
“And don’t call me that name. I don’t like it.”
“It’s all the same.” For the first time, Yao Shiming cut her off. “No matter if you’re Hu Li or Lin Li, I like you.”
“I’m not gay.” Hu Li replied coldly, without a trace of emotion in her eyes.
“Me neither.” Yao Shiming shrugged. “I looked up your condition, Hu Li, we…”
“Get lost!” As if a sensitive nerve had been struck, Hu Li exploded, “Say another word and I’ll kill you!”
At this, Yao Shiming sighed helplessly. He stepped forward, approaching Hu Li one step at a time.
“Alright, maybe Old Ji was right.”
“In love, the man should always show a bit of dominance.”
With that, he suddenly stepped forward, forcing Hu Li against the wall, both hands braced on the wall, forming an imposing kabedon.
Hu Li’s eyes widened in shock and anger. She was about to shout, but Yao Shiming acted first, decisively lowering his head and kissing her hard.
Hu Li instantly stiffened, struggling and resisting, her fists pounding against Yao Shiming’s chest. Yet Yao Shiming’s strength made her resistance seem powerless, as he held her tightly and deepened the kiss.
Gradually, the person in his arms stopped struggling, her resistance turning into acquiescence and even responding.
In that moment, time seemed to stand still. The world blurred, leaving only the two of them, their intense emotions crashing together in the air.
Meanwhile, from a hidden corner behind them, a pair of beautiful eyes watched as the struggling girl in the boy’s embrace gradually softened, the lips curling into a faint smile.
“Little sister, you’re falling for him.”
******
Elsewhere.
“Old Luo, haven’t you decided yet?” Ji Yuenián carried five bottles of ice-cold Coke, calling into the shop at the boy still browsing the shelves.
“Almost, almost!” Luo Yikang answered, but his gaze was on the photo his fiancée had just sent—familiar petite girl, being forcefully pinned and kissed in the alley by a domineering boy.
Staring at those two familiar faces, surprise filled Luo Yikang’s eyes.