Chapter 914: Childhood Sweetheart Youth Chapter 08

That... handsome guy?

Cheng Huai noticed he had stopped, tentatively poked his back, gave a few light coughs, and apologized sincerely.

Sorry... I made you lose such an expensive coat.

Mu Henian wasn't angry about that; he turned to face Cheng Huai, asked awkwardly, "My name's Mu Henian—has the coat been washed?"

Cheng Huai personally washed that coat for him! It got ruined before he even wore it!

No.

Really infuriating... what?

Mu Henian blinked in surprise, "Then why did you take it out in a bag?"

Cheng Huai scratched his head, "Last night I looked up the price of that coat—it's really expensive. I was afraid I'd ruin it washing it myself, so I wanted to send it to the dry cleaners."

I really didn't expect that going out without checking the almanac would lead me to run into that extreme guy.

So... it's just a dirty coat, after all.

The boss's anger lasted only a moment.

Mu Henian: "No need to apologize; it's not your fault."

He handed the milk tea he'd been holding in his other hand to Cheng Huai, his tone softening a bit: "Here, have a drink—don't be angry."

Cheng Huai stared for two seconds, then quickly lowered his lips; the emotions he hadn't even managed to voice during his argument with Jipin Biaoge were stirred by this stranger he'd barely met.

His eyes were red, but he refused to show even a hint of weakness in public.

Cheng Huai sniffed, forced a smile, tried to stay light: "Thanks, about the coat… if the police need to investigate, I'll definitely cooperate."

Cheng Huai was grateful that this person didn't press for more details right now.

He didn't want to reveal the messy affairs at home to anyone.

Mu Henian also curled his lips, seemingly offhand: "I just got here; I'm not familiar with the streets."

So... shall I show you around?

Cheng Huai, sipping his milk tea, made the suggestion, but worried the handsome guy would think it a waste of time.

Sure.

Mu Henian answered, even seeming a bit eager.

——

He'd been holed up at home studying for nearly a week.

Jin Chen repeatedly said he was about to go moldy, and finally, with Ms. Liu Ou's approval, he took a three-day break.

He went to the mall with Song Xu, then was invited by neighborhood friends to play basketball.

After asking Song Xu's opinion, Jin Chen decided to bring him along, equally well-equipped, just with different gear.

Arriving at the park basketball court, Jin Chen bumped fists with the guys who were already warming up.

They were all neighbors nearby, peers from different schools.

Song Xu naturally sat on a resting bench with his pack, headphones on, and pulled a book from his bag.

"Chenzi, what have you been up to these days? You haven't come out to play ball in ages."

A few of the guys asked, and Jin Chen honestly replied that he'd been studying at home, with Song Xu tutoring him.

"Well, today I brought Xiao Yu'er out for some fresh air."

"Gee, Chenzi's family runs a tight ship!"

The guy who had just asked laughed, making a joke that instantly drew teasing from the whole group.

Jin Chen caught their meaning, smiled, and didn't argue back.

"All right, all right! Let's start!" someone shouted, then called out to Liu Xing, who was still across the court.

"Stop flirting with your girlfriend and get over here!"

"Coming!"

Liu Xing replied, tied his shoelaces, and ran over.

"Yinyin, how do you know Jin Chen will come today?"

Xu Jiujiu touched her made-up face, watching the boy's running back on the court, and smiled shyly.

"Liu Xing and Jin Chen have a basketball group chat; as his girlfriend, how could I not know?"

Zhong Yin linked arms with Xu Jiujiu, smirking, "You're all dolled up today—you'll definitely swoon Jin Chen!"

"Oh no… but what am I supposed to talk to him about?"

Xu Jiujiu clenched her skirt hem, only able to turn to a friend with dating experience for help.

"Yinyin, help me."

Zhong Yin rolled her eyes, "Come on, you've had a crush on him since last semester and held out this long—you can definitely hold out."

"Look over there."

She pointed to Song Xu across the court; the boy had his head down, reading, headphones on, unaffected.

"That guy's Song Xu, Jin Chen's neighbor and little brother—Jin Chen treats him like a treasure."

"Why not ask him what Jin Chen likes?"

So the two girls started plotting, planning what questions to ask Song Xu to win Jin Chen over more quickly.

At halftime, seeing Jin Chen run over to Song Xu, his usual fierce court demeanor shifted to a warm, sunny smile; his just‑right tall build and muscles practically made hearts race.

Jin Chen didn't notice anyone watching; he took off one of Song Xu's earbuds and said, laughing, "You won't read at home, but out in the sun it's torture."

"No."

Song Xu touched his slightly warm hair, then brushed Jin Chen's face, smiling with crescent eyes, "Not hot."

Jin Chen took two snack packs from his backpack, thoughtfully tore them open and placed them in Song Xu's hands, then sat down beside him, propping himself up with his hands to rest.

Brother, you're sweating a lot.

Song Xu said this, his gaze involuntarily following the droplet that slid down Jin Chen's throat, unable to tell whether it was the water he had just drunk or sweat.

But for some reason it made Song Xu feel a bit flushed and his heart race.

He quickly looked away, tore open a cool wet wipe, and wiped the sweat from Jin Chen's face.

Just then, Song Xu saw Xu Jiujiu walking over; the girl's smile was bashful, her gaze at Jin Chen holding a faint light, sweeter than a summer peach.

Jin Chen...

Xu Jiujiu called out, stopped beside the chair, saw Jin Chen resting with his eyes closed, and whispered softly.

Jin Chen opened his eyes, sat up straight, looked puzzled, and said, "Who are you?"

I'm Xu Jiujiu… this… is for you.

Xu Jiujiu extended the hand she had behind her back; the mineral water bottle in her hand still dripped cold water, looking very refreshing.

No need, thank you.

Jin Chen politely declined, without a hint of hesitation.

Xu Jiujiu's smile froze on her face, her arm a little stiff, "I—I didn't mean anything else, I just wanted to get you a drink."

Hardly had she finished when Song Xu interjected, "He just drank."

She turned her eyes in surprise, meeting Song Xu's gentle gaze; he was clearly smiling, but it didn't reach his eyes, aloof and cold.

"Thank you for your kindness," Song Xu added.

Hearing this, Jin Chen raised an eyebrow at his little fish, Xiao Yu'er, the corner of his mouth unconsciously lifting as he ruffled his hair.

Turning back to Xu Jiujiu, he echoed Song Xu's words: "Yes, I just drank, thank you for your kindness."

Just then the second half began, and Jin Chen was called back by his teammates.

Xu Jiujiu watched the boy's running figure, bit her lip, and glanced toward Zhong Yin not far away, seeking help.

Zhong Yin hurried over, pulled Xu Jiujiu to sit beside Song Xu.

"Song Xu, long time no see," Zhong Yin greeted him.

Song Xu nodded slowly, "Yeah, long time no see."

Actually we're not that close, but Brother said that when we're out we should talk more, since not everyone can understand his meaning.

"We've known each other this long, help sister out with something."

Zhong Yin put her arm around Xu Jiujiu, "She likes your brother, wants to pursue him—why don't you give her some ideas?"