Chapter 17: Saying it like that really does sound a bit 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 answered indifferently. Under the sunlight, her long, curved eyelashes left beautiful silhouettes on her fair face.

Ding Jiahui counted on her fingers as she analyzed for her, "First, his grades are good now; he can even score 1st place. Second, he's not introverted anymore, he's handsome, and he's mature—unlike other boys who are always acting like idiots."

"You haven't fallen for him, have you?" Song Yao's eyelashes flickered slightly as she stared at the incessantly chattering Ding Jiahui.

"How is that possible!" Ding Jiahui reacted strongly, refuting seriously, "In the world of us homebodies, the perfect romance doesn't exist in the third dimension!"

"Rumors about you two are spreading everywhere in class. Every day for the past two days, people have been asking me if you and Xu Qingzhou are together, and what the situation is with you two right now. Wang Xiaoxiao even asked me secretly."

In the evening, the warm sunlight filtered through the leaves of the plane trees, leaving mottled shadows on the old black wall. On the road, there were far fewer vehicles than usual; the street was very quiet. A few old men who had just finished eating sat under the plane trees with palm-leaf fans, playing chess.

Read! {

"Actually, I quite ship you two. An ordinary boy, in order to chase the girl he likes, studies hard by candlelight every night, grinding away at his books, just so he can attend the same school as her. This story..."

"Just finished the exam, and you're already hitting the library?" Ding Jiahui knew Song Yao often studied in the library.

"Wang Xiaoxiao?" Song Yao's voice rose.

Ding Jiahui didn't notice Song Yao's oddity, nodded, and said with emotion, "Fine, it's only been less than two months. The lives of you top students are truly too hard."

Friday passed quickly. For high school seniors nearing graduation, the weekend was no different from regular school days.

"Your mom said to celebrate you getting first place, let's go out and eat something good." Xu Shouyun put down his teacup and explained from the side.

Song Yao pursed her lips and helped Ding Jiahui recall, "I remember you said a while ago that he was only chasing me to make Zhang Yuxin angry."

Wang Xiaping came out of the master bedroom and said crossly. After refuting Xu Shouyun, she looked at Xu Qingzhou, "Qingzhou is back. Hurry, pack up, let's go."

"I'm a good judge of character. If he didn't like you, why would he find opportunities to get close to you? At the time, there were several classmates around..." Ding Jiahui still insisted on her own idea.

"Then what did you say?" Song Yao asked anyway.

"Hmm, just reviewing." Song Yao suddenly felt a bit guilty, as if she had done something shameful.

Xu Qingzhou had just pushed the door open to go home when he found the house seemed a bit cold and quiet; there was no sound of the range hood, and even less of the aroma of food.

!.

Song Yao was speechless. Her best friend's train of thought was just so strange. She explained earnestly, "I mean, Xu Qingzhou doesn't like me."

"The more you say, the more outrageous it gets." Although Song Yao said this, she found that what Ding Jiahui said really did sound a bit romantic.

"Look, his grades used to be about the same as mine, and suddenly they improved. Maybe it really is to catch up to you and get into the same school."

"Hmm?" Song Yao came back to her senses, looking at Ding Jiahui in confusion.

That figure that used to rush to the internet cafe as soon as class ended had become much rarer. "Yeah, Wang Xiaoxiao and Zhang Yuxin are close; she must have come to ask for Zhang Yuxin."

That's right, tomorrow is Saturday again, and she can go to the library again. Song Yao's mouth curved into a beautiful arc, and her mood became inexplicably happy. "Yaoyao?"

"Impossible, he definitely likes you." Ding Jiahui's tone was certain. After saying this, she noticed Song Yao's tone was a bit strange, "Why do I feel like you're even a little disappointed?"

"Arguing? Who in this house would dare argue with the Chairman?" Xu Shouyun took a sip of tea and rolled his eyes.

"No, I'm just stating facts." Song Yao corrected.

Ding Jiahui's expression was strange, wondering why her best friend had been so weird these past few days: "I'm saying, let's go shopping tomorrow night. We haven't been out together for a month."

Song Yao was silent and didn't speak. She suddenly felt that what her best friend said made quite a bit of sense, but... recalling their time together recently, she felt it wasn't right. Xu Qingzhou clearly disliked her at times, especially when explaining problems.

"To be honest, Xu Qingzhou likes you, but you don't have any thoughts on your end."

"Today is different from the past. Maybe he realized that you are his true love."

Xu Qingzhou asked cautiously, "Dad, did you two argue?"

Xu Shouyun was sitting on the sofa watching TV, the atmosphere completely different from when he usually came home.

"Hot pot, I guess."

"I'll go put my schoolbag away." Xu Qingzhou nodded with a smile, and after coming out, asked, "What are we eating tonight?"

"Hmm, any problems?... Wait, don't tell me you like Xu Qingzhou too?" Ding Jiahui was a bit surprised, her expression exaggerated, "You used to say you wouldn't date until you graduated from college."

Hearing her best friend say this, Song Yao felt even more guilty, silently reciting in her heart: Jiahui, next time, next time I will definitely accompany you properly.

"This is called stating facts?"

"Chairman? I think my status is the lowest in this house; the old and the young both need me to serve them."

Ding Jiahui linked her arm with Song Yao's, clicking her tongue and sighing.

Shopping? Song Yao hesitated for a long time. After a brief struggle, between going to the library and going shopping, she chose the former, "That... Jiahui, tomorrow night... I have something to do."

Seeing that Song Yao didn't seem interested in this matter, Ding Jiahui didn't continue the topic and began to plan for the weekend, "Forget it, you don't date anyway. Tomorrow is Saturday, do you want to go shopping to relax?"

"Or is there anything you want to eat?"

"Just hot pot."

Xu Qingzhou really missed Rongcheng hot pot. In the past, because he did experiments all year round and didn't pay attention to his diet, his stomach wasn't very good, and he hadn't eaten overly spicy food for a long time.

Actually, there was nothing that needed packing. Xu Qingzhou dropped his schoolbag, picked up his phone, and the family set off in a grand manner.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 18 =====