Lin Ci felt a sour ache in her heart after hearing that.
“Why do you have to explain what she did?”
“Maybe I just understand her a bit better right now?” Shen Xiyan lifted Lin Ci by the waist. “Because we’re neighbors, it’s normal for her to be hostile toward you.”
“Normal?”
“Isn’t it? Suppose I was your boyfriend, and another girl tried to flirt with me—wouldn’t you go after her?”
***
Wenwen.
Lin Ci had nothing to say.
Of course I would! I’d go after her like crazy.
I’m super fierce!
“But tripping herself on purpose, that’s not normal, is it?”
“Definitely not normal… Otherwise, why do you think I’m so afraid of her?”
No one wants their lover to have close relationships with the opposite sex.
A blue friend—add a bit of yellow and it turns green.
But likewise, no one understands Qin Sheng better than Shen Xiyan. She won’t allow anyone to distract Shen Xiyan’s attention… not even Wenwen.
She wants Shen Xiyan’s gaze to rest on her alone.
But how is that possible?
“That’s not right, is it?” Lin Ci tugged at his ear. “You knew on the first day?”
That’s all!
Shen Xiyan’s expression shifted slightly. He realized he’d said something wrong—accidentally slipping into God’s Perspective, a technical mistake.
So he made up a random excuse: “Just think of it as me not believing in love at first sight. I prefer feelings that grow over time.”
Lin Ci was stunned at first, then her expression turned odd. She raised an eyebrow. “Feelings that grow over time?”
She remembered, aside from spending more time with Wenwen, Shen Xiyan never had any ambiguous entanglements with any other girl.
Even though she and Shen Xiyan didn’t have much overlap in daily life—just going to school together, coming home together, attending class, resting together…
But she was confident she understood Shen Xiyan well, so why would it be feelings that grew over time?
Lin Ci thought for a moment, then suddenly realized something was off.
If Shen Xiyan had any special interactions with a girl in his life, it could only be her!
Lin Ci’s big eyes suddenly lit up. She frowned and asked, “Then what if she causes me trouble again after this? Shen Xiyan’s face was expressionless: “It’s fine, aren’t we always together? I wish she’d get tired of me.”
“Oh… But Xiyan, if Qin Sheng really used a favor to threaten you, asking you to break off with me, would you agree?” Shen Xiyan was startled, his expression strange. “What kind of question is that?”
“I’m just asking… Aunt owes her such a big favor, and you’ve always had no way to deal with Qin Sheng!”
Shen Xiyan looked up at the gloomy sky…
“No way…” he said.
“Really?”
“Yeah, definitely not this time.”
Lin Ci didn’t notice the strangeness in Shen Xiyan’s words. Her smile suddenly became bright, as if the clouds had parted to reveal clear skies.
***
Afterward, the three of them took the subway home.
Since it wasn’t the last stop, the seats were a bit cramped, and no one offered theirs up.
As the train started, Lin Ci wobbled on one leg. Luckily, she was in a corner against the wall and could barely keep her balance.
Shen Xiyan stood right in front of her, the two of them very close. Lin Ci secretly glanced up at him.
So the girls in their class were really blind?
What’s not attractive about Shen Xiyan?
Is it only those pretty boys nowadays, with their feminine looks, that are considered good-looking?
Just look at him now…
Shen Xiyan had his right hand in his pocket, dressed in a crisp white shirt with the collar undone, revealing a beautiful collarbone. The light fell on his tousled bangs, making his eyes gleam.
At that moment, Shen Xiyan noticed her slightly flushed ears and asked, “Are you hot?”
From this angle, it felt like she was trapped inside.
Shen Xiyan pulled Wenwen closer: “Wenwen, come over here, help block for Lin Ci so no one steps on her foot.”
Wenwen was playing on her phone and didn’t care where she stood.
But Lin Ci couldn’t do that.
Anyone who’s squeezed onto the subway knows you can play on your phone while sitting, but when you’re packed in, you can’t move your arms or legs.
You can only hope to lean against the sides, look up at ads or the station sign. If you’re stuck in the middle, it’s torture. So now, Lin Ci could only dart her big eyes around, taking in the people nearby.
There were all sorts, but the most eye-catching was a couple hugging each other, oblivious to everyone else.
They hadn’t managed to grab this corner, so the guy squeezed out a bit of space.
The girl stood in that little patch, burying her head in his chest with complete trust.
The two whispered softly, and sometimes the girl would look up at him, smiling as she hugged his waist, her cheek pressed to his chest.
Lin Ci felt a bit envious…
But if she were hugging Xiyan instead…
Lin Ci felt her heart skip a beat like a startled fawn.
“Tired of standing?”
“……”
Lin Ci hadn’t felt tired before, but when Shen Xiyan asked, she did feel a bit weary and nodded, exhausted. “A little bit.”
“Then lean on me, I’ll support you for a bit.”
“Lean?”
“Like this.”
Shen Xiyan slipped both hands under Lin Ci’s arms, sharing her weight with Wenwen.
Her skin was not only soft, even her bones felt delicate. Shen Xiyan was afraid he might break her if he used any more force.
On Lin Ci’s side, the warm, solid feeling filled her heart, making it beat so fast it felt like it might leap from her throat.
She didn’t struggle, just let Shen Xiyan support her. Her legs felt a little floaty and weak.
Even her breathing grew shaky, her eyes darting about as she tried, bit by bit, to push her luck.
At last, she let her whole weight rest on him, her forehead leaning against his chest, listening to his heartbeat pounding like a drum.
She felt wrapped in an unprecedented sense of security, almost losing control. She even wanted to nibble him, to leave a row of tiny teeth marks on his chest.
But when you look at others, others will look at you.
Several passersby glanced over, thinking sourly: Aren’t they hot?
“If you’re still tired, there’s really nothing else I can do—just bear with it,” Shen Xiyan said.
Lin Ci replied with great seriousness, “No need! I’m not a kid anymore, besides… it’s only a few more stops until we’re home. I can deal with being tired for a little while.”
For the first time in her life, Lin Ci wished the standing time could last a bit longer.
When they passed a particularly crowded station, a rush of people boarded. Shen Xiyan lost his balance and was pushed against Lin Ci by the incoming passengers.
She felt a sudden heat closing in, something hard and column-like slammed into her stomach. Lin Ci instantly tensed, eyes wide, her small hands nervously twisting her clothes.
Wait! Wait!
What was that just now?!
“Damn, it’s so crowded even on weekends… Did I hurt you?” Shen Xiyan was completely unaware.
Lin Ci stood frozen, her whole body tense. Her cute toes curled in her shoes.
She couldn’t tell if her heart was racing or if it was just the crowd, but she felt her temperature rising, especially where she’d just been bumped—her lower belly felt burning hot.
If she lifted her shirt, that patch of fair skin would definitely be flushed red!
If just one bump feels this good, what about many more…
Ying~!
Lin Ci covered her face, completely unable to face anyone.
How did she end up like this?!