Chapter 17: Saying It Like That Actually Sounds Kinda Romantic

“Sis, don’t you think Xu Qingzhou is actually pretty good?”

Ding Jiahui and Song Yao were on their way back to the classroom.

“I don’t think so,” Song Yao replied coolly. In the sunlight, her long, curved eyelashes cast a delicate shadow across her fair face.

Ding Jiahui counted off on her fingers, “First, his grades are great—he’s ranked number one now. Second, he’s not shy anymore, he’s handsome and mature, unlike other guys who never act serious.”

“You’re not falling for him, are you?” Song Yao’s eyelashes flicked slightly as she fixed her gaze on Ding Jiahui’s endless chatter.

“Impossible!” Ding Jiahui reacted strongly, sternly rebutting: “In our otaku world, perfect romance doesn’t exist in the third dimension!”

“Rumors about you two are all over the class. Every day for the past two days, people have asked me if you and Xu Qingzhou are together. What’s going on between you two? Wang Xiaoxiao even asked me in secret.”

At dusk, warm sunlight filtered through the parasol tree leaves, casting dappled shadows on the old black wall. The road was quieter than usual, with fewer cars. A few elderly men, having just finished dinner, sat under the parasol trees fanning themselves and playing chess.

Read! {

“Honestly, I ship you two. A regular guy, staying up every night studying hard, enduring cold windows and lonely lamps, just to get into the same school as the girl he likes. This story—”

“Right after the exam, you’re going to the library?” Ding Jiahui knew Song Yao often studied there alone.

“Wang Xiaoxiao?” Song Yao’s voice rose slightly.

Ding Jiahui didn’t notice Song Yao’s unease, nodded, and sighed, “Alright, it’s barely two months left. Your genius’s life is really tough.”

Friday passed quickly. The weekend, for senior students nearing graduation, was no different from regular school days.

“Your mom said she wants to celebrate you getting first place—let’s go out for something good,” Xu Shouyun set down his teacup and added.

Song Yao pressed her lips together, helping Ding Jiahui recall: “I remember you said he was only chasing me to make Zhang Yuxin jealous.”

Wang Xiaping stepped out of the master bedroom, irritably retorting to Xu Shouyun before turning to Xu Qingzhou: “Qingzhou’s back? Hurry up, get ready—we’re leaving.”

“I’m good at reading people. If he didn’t like you, why would he keep finding chances to get close to you? There were plenty of classmates around back then,” Ding Jiahui insisted.

“What did you say to her?” Song Yao still asked.

“Hmm, just reviewing,” Song Yao suddenly felt guilty, as if she’d done something shameful.

Xu Qingzhou had just walked in when he noticed the house felt unusually quiet—no hum of the exhaust fan, no smell of food.

!.

Song Yao was speechless. Her best friend’s logic was always so strange. She explained seriously: “What I mean is, Xu Qingzhou doesn’t like me.”

“You’re getting even more ridiculous,” Song Yao said, though she realized Ding Jiahui’s words did sound a little romantic.

“Look, his grades used to be about the same as yours. Then suddenly they shot up—maybe he did it just to catch up to you and get into the same school.”

“Hm?” Song Yao snapped back to attention, puzzled, looking at Ding Jiahui.

The figure that used to rush straight to internet cafes after class had become rare. "Yeah, Wang Xiaoxiao is close with Zhang Yuxin—she’s probably just asking on Zhang Yuxin’s behalf."

Right, tomorrow’s Saturday again—time to go to the library. Song Yao’s lips curved into a beautiful smile, her mood unexpectedly bright. “Yao Yao?”

“No way—he definitely likes you,” Ding Jiahui declared firmly. Then she noticed Song Yao’s tone was odd. “Wait, why do I hear a hint of disappointment in your voice?”

“Arguing? Who in this house would dare argue with the CEO?” Xu Shouyun sipped his tea and rolled his eyes.

“No, I’m just stating facts,” Song Yao corrected.

Ding Jiahui gave her a strange look, wondering why her best friend had been acting so odd lately: “Hey, let’s go shopping tomorrow night—we haven’t gone out together in a whole month.”

Song Yao stayed silent, suddenly thinking Ding Jiahui might have a point—but then she recalled their recent interactions and felt something was off. Sometimes Xu Qingzhou clearly disliked her, especially when explaining problems.

“To be honest, Xu Qingzhou likes you, but you don’t feel the same.”

“Times change. Maybe he finally realized you’re his true love.”

Xu Qingzhou asked cautiously, “Did you and Mom argue?”

Xu Shouyun sat on the sofa watching TV—the atmosphere was completely different from his usual homecomings.

“Hot pot.”

“I’ll put my bag down,” Xu Qingzhou nodded with a smile, then asked, “What’s for dinner tonight?”

“Hmm, is there a problem?… Wait, do you like Xu Qingzhou too?” Ding Jiahui was startled, her expression exaggerated. “You used to say you wouldn’t date until after college.”

Hearing this, Song Yao felt even more guilty, silently promising: Jiahui, next time, next time I’ll really make time for you.

“That’s being honest?”

“CEO? I think I’m the lowest in this house—everyone, young and old, expects me to serve them.”

Ding Jiahui linked arms with Song Yao and sighed dramatically.

Shopping? Song Yao hesitated for a long time. After brief inner conflict, she chose the library over shopping. “Uh… Jiahui, tomorrow night… I have something to do.”

Seeing Song Yao truly wasn’t interested, Ding Jiahui dropped the topic and shifted to weekend plans: “Forget it. You’re not dating anyway. Tomorrow’s Saturday—feel like going shopping to relax?”

“Or is there anything you want to eat?”

“Hot pot.”

Xu Qingzhou actually missed Rongcheng hot pot. In the past, due to years of lab work and poor diet, his stomach had been weak—he hadn’t eaten anything too spicy in a long time.

There wasn’t much to pack. Xu Qingzhou dropped his bag, picked up his phone, and the whole family set off together.

(End of Chapter)