Chapter 86

Xia Xi lowered her head to check her outfit, feeling an urge to run back and change. Since she hadn't planned to wait for Xu Yanfeng here today, she put on the competitive swimsuit she had bought earlier, very plain black with white trim, a one-piece long-sleeve style, only showing half her back.

She figured that if she went back to school to change into a swimsuit and then hurried over, Xu Yanfeng would have already vanished, leaving her wondering where she could find him. After thinking it over, Xia Xi decided to stay.

She sat by the pool, hands planted behind her, a pair of slender straight legs dangling over the pool wall, feet dipped in the water, occasionally kicking out of boredom, watching the splash rise and fall.

Xu Yanfeng swam back and forth for several laps without resting midway; Xia Xi silently praised his stamina.

After a while, Xia Xi noticed his swimming speed gradually slowing, guessing he might be about to get out; she sat up straight, preparing for confrontation.

As she expected, Xu Yanfeng stopped, grabbed the rail and climbed out, bare feet on the tile floor, took two steps, slipped on the sandals left there. He removed his goggles and swim cap, revealing a handsome face dotted with water droplets.

His short hair, mussed from the swim cap, he casually tousled a few times, yet it looked better than Teacher Tony's carefully styled hair.

There's nothing to be done—when your face is good, any style looks handsome.

Xia Xi's gaze followed him closely, afraid he might vanish. When he reached the resting area, he sat on a chair, took a towel to wipe water from his face, and with his other hand picked up the sports water cup on the nearby table, flipped open the lid with one hand, tilted his head back, and drank.

He was in a state of complete relaxation.

Xia Xi seized the moment, lifted her feet from the water, stood up, and walked toward Xu Yanfeng.

Who knew a rival would appear midway—a girl in a scarlet bikini stepped in front of Xu Yanfeng, blocking Xia Xi's view; she halted, silently mouthing two words: 'Doomed.'

The girl hesitantly offered her phone; Xia Xi couldn't hear what she said, but could guess she was asking Xu Yanfeng for contact information.

Isn't this how you always start chasing a guy?

Xia Xi quietly said, 'Fine.' Since things should proceed in order of arrival, and the girl had gone first, she wouldn't interfere, letting them finish their conversation. She didn't step forward, staying where she was and watching the two.

To give herself something to do, she began counting, wondering at which number Xu Yanfeng would reject the girl.

"One, two, three…"

Having just counted to three, Xu Yanfeng stood up, his expression cold as if not being hit on but rather fleeing an enemy; he skirted the girl and headed straight for the changing room.

The girl in the pink bikini turned her head, watching Xu Yanfeng's retreating back, her eyes filling with loss and reluctance.

Thus Xia Xi got a clear look at the girl's face; in her opinion, the girl was very pretty, like a female lead from a Korean drama she'd seen, the sort of beauty that would turn heads on the street.

Xu Yanfeng showed no reaction at all—had he quit drugs?

Even if he didn't like her, a appreciative glance would normally linger a bit longer; instead he outright ignored her, which was quite a blow.

Xia Xi felt a knot in her stomach, unsure whether charging forward would earn her the same outcome as that young lady.

Never mind—she'd just rush in. Xia Xi silently psyched herself up, clenched her fists, and ran forward to block Xu Yanfeng's path: 'Please wait a moment.'

Xu Yanfeng had no idea where this girl came from; she appeared like a firecracker, suddenly landing in front of him, forcing him to stop abruptly and nearly causing him to collide. He furrowed his brows—having been bothered repeatedly, even his composure couldn't hold.

"Move aside."

Xia Xi refused.

Xu Yanfeng is tall, so she had to tilt her head slightly to see his face; the last time she fell into the water she was startled and dazed, never really taking a good look at him, but now, at this close range, she realized her initial glimpse had been hasty.

He bears closer scrutiny better than a fleeting glimpse.

"Xu Yanfeng." Xia Xi said his name, finding it pleasant to the ear, then got to the point: "Why did you block me on WeChat?"

Xu Yanfeng replied impatiently, "Who are you?"

Xia Xi: "…"

He actually asked the exact same question he had posed on WeChat yesterday.

This once again made her doubt herself—was she really so ordinary and unremarkable as to leave no impression? Xia Xi decided not to hold it against him; after all, he was the person she liked, so she could be tolerant, even more tolerant.

She took a deep breath and spoke up: 'Last time it was right here—I nearly drowned, and you saved me. Do you remember? We're from the same school, even the same Architecture Department; I'm Xia Xi. Yesterday I had someone get your WeChat, added you, and you blocked me. Did I offend you with something I said? Oh, that line where I told you to call me wife—I was just joking, don't take it seriously.'

Xia Xi spoke a little quickly, fearing interruption; when she finished, she let out a long sigh, finally having said everything she wanted to.

Xu Yanfeng suddenly realized—of course the girl who had added him on WeChat the previous night was her. He certainly remembered her; it was she who had shouted at the barbecue restaurant that she would eventually catch him, and even these past few days, the person causing a stir in various school groups was likewise her.

Her name is Xia Xi.

He had long known; even if he didn't want to know, people would keep repeating in his ear, asking how he felt.

What feelings could he have? He simply didn't want to deal with it.

Among the girls who had pursued him before, there had been bold ones, but none as bold as she.

Xia Xi patiently waited for him to speak, but he remained mute; unwilling to let it go, she asked, 'You already passed—why did you block me?'

Xu Yanfeng didn't mind telling her the truth, hoping she'd give up and leave it at that: 'I added the wrong person.'

"What?" Xia Xi didn't understand.

Xu Yanfeng looked into her eyes and said, word by word, 'I thought you were someone else—I added the wrong person.'

Xia Xi's expression froze as if turned to ice, stuck on her face. Frankly, she felt a little hurt; she would have preferred that he blocked her because of her remarks last night, rather than learning it was a mistaken approval of her friend request.

Seeing she had no further reaction, Xu Yanfeng assumed his goal was achieved and turned to walk away.

Xia Xi felt sad for only two seconds before returning to normal; she didn't want to miss this chance, mustering courage that even frightened herself, she stepped back a few steps and blocked Xu Yanfeng again: 'If you added the wrong person, then just add the wrong person—can you unblock me? I swear I won't harass you; we'll just have normal communication.'

Xu Yanfeng's expression stalled; he had never seen someone switch states so quickly—even a robot needs time to boot up and shut down.

"Cannot." Xu Yanfeng said.

The corner of Xia Xi's pursed lips dropped instantly; his refusal was too blunt.

Unwilling to concede, she pressed on: 'Well… then do you have a girlfriend?'

Xia Xi asked despite knowing the answer; she had already heard from others that Xu Yanfeng was currently single.

Xu Yanfeng didn't answer that question, and Xia Xi didn't mind; she went on: 'Do you think I could be your girlfriend? Or you could be my boyfriend—either works. I guarantee you won't lose out.' She lifted the corners of her mouth, striving to show her best side; although her swimsuit today wasn't particularly attractive, her natural beauty should make an impression.

But Xu Yanfeng was impervious to persuasion, saying, 'I have no interest in you.'

"…"

The smile on Xia Xi's lips froze.

All her smooth sailing over the past twenty years must have been leading to this tumble over Xu Yanfeng. Still unwilling to believe it, she said, 'How can you know you're not interested without trying? You have to taste a dish to know if it's good.'

Xu Yanfeng: "Then what kind of dish are you?"

Xia Xi: "I… I am your heavenly dish."

*Mid-Autumn Festival day, Xu Yanfeng went home to have reunion dinner with his parents; just as he put down his chopsticks, his roommate Fang Huaiyuan sent him a message, which was a screenshot from the campus tieba.

Fang Huaiyuan: "Congratulations, you've been put up for a high bounty."

Xu Yanfeng saw it; it was another prank pulled by the girl named Xia Xi. Because her nickname on the tieba is exactly her real name, without any concealment, openly and aboveboard.

Xu Er, please remember your current pretentious demeanor! (End of chapter)