Qin Sheng held out her tiny hand and pleaded, “Give me my phone!”
“I’ll give it back after I delete the photos,” Shen Xiyan said calmly.
Qin Sheng panicked.
“That’s my phone!”
“And that’s my face in those photos!”
“I don’t care! Give it back!”
Shen Xiyan raised the phone high above his head, ignoring her protest.
Qin Sheng stretched up on tiptoe but still couldn’t reach. She huffed, “What is wrong with you?”
“Keeping photos like that is way too risky…”
“You’re such a bully… big meanie!”
“…Flattery won’t work on me. Aren’t you supposed to be full of tricks? Come on—show me what you’ve got!”
At that moment, her calling him a “meanie” sounded more like a lover’s tease than actual annoyance—like how someone might sweetly whisper something wicked in just the right moment.
“Xiyan, don’t push me.” Qin Sheng looked up at him, her eyes fierce with determination.
“This is your final warning.”
“And what if I do?” he challenged, arching a brow.
Qin Sheng took a deep breath, emotions bubbling up—and suddenly wailed, her voice wobbling with fake tears, “Auntie! Shen Xiyan is bullying me!!”
“—The hell?!” Shen Xiyan cursed under his breath.
“You’re fighting dirty now?”
Aunt Jiang stormed into the room like a general into battle.
“What are you two up to this time?!”
Qin Sheng pointed at Shen Xiyan and accused righteously, “Auntie! He stole my phone!”
At the same time, she clung to Shen Xiyan’s arm with all her might, terrified he’d manage to delete the precious photos.
“Why are you taking her phone?” Aunt Jiang frowned.
“She was secretly taking pictures of me.”
“Secretly?” Aunt Jiang took the phone, swiped a few times—and instantly spotted a whole photo folder titled Xiyan.
There were candid shots taken after school, some selfies where he clearly hadn’t noticed she was posing with him, clumsy compositions, but each one brimming with girlish affection.
“Qin Sheng, why’d you take these?” Aunt Jiang asked.
“For… for wallpaper,” she mumbled.
Aunt Jiang: So this is how kids flirt nowadays, huh?
She glanced at Qin Sheng, who was blushing so hard even her ears and neck were red. Her delicate fingers twisted nervously at the hem of her shirt.
Clearly, she was dying of embarrassment inside—but still trying to play it cool.
And Xiyan?
Couldn’t he be a little more understanding?
Seriously—so heartless toward a girl?
“Alright, enough messing around. It’s late. Time for bed.” Aunt Jiang started issuing orders like a drill sergeant.
“Wenwen can sleep in Xiyan’s room, and you take hers.”
“No need to go through all that,” Qin Sheng said quickly.
“I’ll just sleep in Xiyan’s room.”
“It smells like boy in there.”
“I don’t mind. I’d feel awkward taking Wenwen’s bed.”
Aunt Jiang raised a brow. Not awkward sleeping in Xiyan’s room though, huh?
This girl was a mystery—sometimes so shy she looked like she might burst into tears, other times bold enough to make even Aunt Jiang do a double take.
Before leaving, Aunt Jiang shot Shen Xiyan a warning look.
Qin Sheng stayed sweet and obedient the entire time… until the door shut behind Aunt Jiang. Then she immediately dropped the act, planted her hands on her hips, and burst into gleeful laughter.
“Ha! Having Auntie on my side is amazing! What now? Thought you were gonna snatch it back? Huh?!”
Shen Xiyan: …
“Oh right, Auntie—I was in such a rush today, I didn’t bring a change of clothes. Is there a supermarket nearby where I can buy something real quick?”
Aunt Jiang emerged from Xiyan’s room, having just replaced all his bedding with fresh linen. She pointed down the hall.
“There’s one near the intersection, but it’s a bit far. You might get lost. Let Xiyan go with you.”
“I’ll pass,” Shen Xiyan said flatly.
“What am I supposed to do—help her pick underwear?”
“It’s rude for an elder to go with me,” Qin Sheng said, all dignity and manners.
Shen Xiyan let out a cold laugh.
“Just admit you want me to come with you. Why pretend?”
Caught red-handed, Qin Sheng didn’t even flinch. She nodded vigorously in front of Aunt Jiang.
“Yes, I do want you to come! It’s safer with a guy around. Girls get harassed when they’re alone… haven’t you seen the news?”
Aunt Jiang chimed in, “She’s right! It’s not safe for a girl to go out late by herself. Just go with her!”
Honestly, Aunt Jiang had already seen through her. She knew what kind of girl Qin Sheng was—but she didn’t care.
Because if it’s love, then even the flaws become endearing.
So, Qin Sheng happily dragged Shen Xiyan out the door, completely satisfied.
She knew exactly how much Aunt Jiang meant to him—and if she could win over the aunt, the nephew wouldn’t be far behind.
That girl next door, Lin Ci?
Lived here for free all this time, quiet as a mouse, and still hadn’t gotten this close with Aunt Jiang. And now she wanted to compete for Shen Xiyan?
Get real.
Once they were outside, Qin Sheng chirped non-stop in Shen Xiyan’s ear.
“Xiyan! Want some bubble tea?”
“No.”
“I’ll buy! And we can bring two cups back for Auntie and Wenwen!”
“You’re already sweet enough to give me cavities.”
“Thanks! But I still want bubble tea—and you’re drinking with me.”
Shen Xiyan rubbed his temples.
“I’ll wait at the store entrance.”
“SHEN XIYAN!”
Qin Sheng suddenly shouted, her voice cracking as if she were on the verge of tears.
“You promised Auntie you’d take care of me!”
This was an old residential block. The kind of place where elderly folks set up folding chairs at the gate and gossiped for hours in the evening breeze.
That’s how neighborhood rumors spread.
Who had a fight with their spouse. Whose kid got top marks. Who’s off making money and keeping a mistress on the side. If there’s no fresh gossip?
They just recycle the old stuff.
So when Qin Sheng shouted like that, all the old folks perked up.
And the girl? Gorgeous.
The boy?
…Wait, isn’t that Jiang’s nephew?
Because of Aunt Jiang’s beauty and status, the whole family was well-known in the community. Matchmakers were practically lining up at the door.
Shen Xiyan instantly panicked. An indescribable wave of shame washed over him as he dragged Qin Sheng away.
“Shen Xiyan!”
“Shut up! Weren’t you done ruining my image in front of Auntie? Now you want the entire neighborhood in on it too? Don’t you know how long those people can gossip?! Years!”
Qin Sheng’s voice grew soft. She looked up at him, teary-eyed.
“You… you hurt me…”
Shen Xiyan immediately let go of her wrist.
He’d been too rough in the moment—caught up in the embarrassment. Now guilt crept in.
They stood quietly by the roadside. Qin Sheng looked down, rubbing the red mark on her pale wrist.
Her whole demeanor screamed pitiful, like she might cry at any second.
Now, a normal guy would say: Sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.
But Shen Xiyan just curled his lip and muttered, “Quit acting.”
“Xiyan!” Qin Sheng shrieked, utterly scandalized.
In the end, he still ended up buying her a cup of bubble tea.
Weekend nights were swarming with couples—like cockroaches after lights out.
They clung to each other: girls hugging arms, guys with hands around waists, sipping from the same drink like they were joined at the soul.
Compared to them, Shen Xiyan and Qin Sheng were… weird.
The tall, handsome boy walked coldly in front, while the adorable girl followed behind, sometimes half-jogging just to keep up.
“Xiyan, you don’t even care about me anymore,” Qin Sheng whined.
“I could get hit by a car back here and you wouldn’t notice!”
Her tone suddenly shifted from teasing to serious, her gaze piercing.
Shen Xiyan’s heart clenched. He inhaled deeply.
“Fine. You walk in front. I’ll follow.”
Qin Sheng didn’t sense anything wrong and brightened up.
“Why can’t we just walk side by side?”
“We can. As long as you stop trying to hold my hand all the time…”
“But I can’t help it~~” she grinned, catching up and gently tugging at the corner of his shirt.
Shen Xiyan: …
“Xiyan, do you think I’m annoying? Do you want to hit me?” Qin Sheng asked with a strangely hopeful glint in her eye.
“???”
Why did she look hopeful?
“If you want to, go ahead! I was only helping Auntie anyway. I can endure any punishment. Whips, candles, golf balls—whatever you want. If it’s from you, I’ll take it with a smile!”
Shen Xiyan gave up.
Aside from Aunt Jiang, did she have any weaknesses?
How had she managed to grab him by the short hairs so completely?
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