Chapter 113: The password is your birthday

She remembered it very clearly; at the time, Xie Qin was in high school in Wuchuan, probably in his third year.

It just so happened that his grandfather was sick and hospitalized that day, so that phone call came through to her.

Upon hearing that he had gotten into trouble at school, Xue Jingshu hurriedly bought a plane ticket and rushed to Wuchuan.

She had just arrived at the teachers' office when, unexpectedly, she witnessed a heart-stopping scene: A-Qin was having a dispute with a boy in the office, and he had picked up a chair and smashed it into the other person. The other party refused to back down, and the two began to trade blows.

Later, a girl appeared, standing in front of A-Qin to protect him, rolling up her sleeves in defiance and kicking the person over: "You dare to touch my person? You must be tired of living!"

A-Qin was bleeding, his stitches had torn open, and it was that little girl who took her and A-Qin to the hospital to have the wounds treated.

From her, she learned about some of Xie Qin's situation in Wuchuan over those years.

A bit too much time had passed.

Xue Jingshu had also somewhat forgotten that little girl's name.

She had also been that age once; she could tell that the girl liked A-Qin a little.

During their three years of high school, the two had a very good relationship.

In the past, she would often receive calls from the high school teachers in Wuchuan, who frequently mentioned his puppy love and skipping classes.

As long as he was fine and nothing major happened, these were all small matters to her; even if he caused a heaven-shattering disaster, the family had the ability to cover for him.

Being only eighteen and already in a relationship—it was a bit early.

If he liked her, knew how to be responsible toward a girl, and the other party's character wasn't bad, she didn't really have anything to say.

She had assumed the object of his puppy love would be that girl who stood up for him.

But looking at this photo, no matter how she looked at it, it didn't seem like the same person.

The build didn't look quite the same.

Last time he came back for National Day, he had been completely distracted at home, clutching his phone all day long, staying in his room, looking lost and completely unhappy.

It looked like it was because of her...

"Yeah, it's not. We'll talk when I'm free."

Xie Qin hung up the phone and shoved it into his pocket. Class had just ended, and they were still discussing where to eat.

Xu Zhouyuan had covered their meal tickets for this month, so it would be a waste not to eat.

Finally, the restaurant location was decided.

Xie Qin: "It's decided. Just transfer the money according to the meal standard above."

Xu Zhouyuan's head snapped up. "What do you mean? You two are going to eat, spending my money, and I don't even get a share?"

Xie Qin looked at him as if he were looking at an idiot. "I have a partner. Why would I let you tag along for dinner and shopping? Is your brain not working?" He tapped his temple.

Seeing Shen Li pack up and stand up, he grabbed her wrist to leave the classroom. Before leaving, he didn't forget to add a reminder: "Before we arrive, I'd better see the money transferred."

"Don't let my partner go hungry."

This naked showing off—he couldn't take it, he couldn't stand it.

Look at that look on his face.

If he weren't unable to beat him, he would have already made a move.

Xu Zhouyuan was a bit triggered. He was showing off so much that he nodded repeatedly, still putting up with him: "Fine, fine, fine! The meal standard is five hundred per person. I'll give you an extra five hundred. Eat, eat as much as you want, eat until you die!"

With his head down, he entered three zeros and hurriedly transferred the money. "Can I not afford this money? Take my money and get lost."

Shen Li's bag was being carried in his hand, while his other hand held her wrist as they walked down the stairs. There were many people getting out of class at this hour, and quite a few people looked over as they saw them holding hands.

She didn't feel uncomfortable because of these gazes; instead, she felt that such an intimate gesture allowed her to ignore and not care about those people.

She tilted her head and glanced at Xie Qin, staring at his lips. There was a small, broken wound at the corner of his mouth that was still a bit red and swollen, though it wasn't obvious unless you looked closely. His lip color was just deeper, a bit alluring.

Surprised by these thoughts, Shen Li didn't show it in front of him. She was afraid Xie Qin would say again that 'she was hungrily coveting his male beauty.'

Thinking of last night's kiss, after being stained with his scent, it felt like it hadn't dissipated even now, and his warmth still lingered. She didn't dare to let her gaze rest on him too blatantly; perhaps it was just that she wasn't used to such intimate behavior yet.

Walking out of the teaching building, Xie Qin knew she couldn't walk fast and deliberately slowed his pace to let her keep up.

Noticing her gaze, Xie Qin looked over. The moment Shen Li made contact, she subconsciously looked away in embarrassment. He curled his lips. "Last night... was quite rough." His tone was somewhat lingering.

Shen Li felt he wasn't any better; the force of his kissing was very heavy, but fortunately, it didn't hurt as much this morning. Just as she was about to say, 'You too,'

it just so happened that the phone in his pocket rang.

The words she was about to say were swallowed back.

"Check the phone."

He couldn't spare a hand.

Shen Li thought he wanted her to check her own phone, and she immediately thought to let go of him to rummage through her bag. But the next second, Xie Qin moved from grabbing her wrist to holding her palm, gripping it tighter without letting go, and said with amusement: "My phone."

Shen Li gave a dull "Ah," and after reacting, she used her free hand to reach into his left pocket and found it. "The password is your birthday."

The short words made her heartbeat accelerate, as if it had been coated with another layer of sweet sugar.

She entered the password and clicked on the message list.

"It's the money Xu Zhouyuan transferred to you."

Xie Qin didn't feel embarrassed at all: "Accept it. It's rare for someone to treat us to a meal."

Shen Li nodded: "Okay."

Xie Qin said again: "By the way, reply to one."

Shen Li: "How should I reply?"

Xie Qin told her: "Reply however you want. Since he's so kind to cover our meal money for a month, we have to show some appreciation for Boss Xu's generosity."

Did Xu Zhouyuan cover her and Xie Qin's meal money for a month?

So generous.

Although she didn't know what they had done again.

It was probably losing a bet again.

Shen Li took his phone and typed two words: Thank you (smile). Then added an emoji after it.

"Do you think this is okay?"

Xie Qin leaned over and took a look: "That works."

When Xu Zhouyuan saw the message, he thought this bastard had finally found his conscience and knew how to say thank you. Then he thought, this dog thing, when he wasn't acting like a human on weekdays...

He immediately guessed it wasn't him who sent it.

This emoji.

This scheming.

Showing off their love, showing it off on his head.

Xu Zhouyuan had often fed Xie Qin dog food, but now the tables had turned on him, and he even had to pay out of his own pocket for this dog thing's meal money for a month. It wasn't about the money; it was just purely annoying. He had been shown up again!

Xie Qin's car was parked in the school's underground garage. He found the car, pressed the key button, and it beeped twice. He walked over and opened the passenger door, letting her get in first, before Xie Qin finally walked around the front of the car to sit in the driver's seat.

Shen Li fastened her seatbelt and asked him: "Is the place we're going very far?"

He drove seriously, holding the steering wheel and looking at the road ahead: "Yeah, I'm taking you to eat something good."

For a first date, it really should be a bit more formal.

They had pretty much eaten everywhere near the school, and there wasn't anything good left, so this time he planned to change locations.

The car drove for about half an hour. It wasn't far, but the traffic was a bit congested at this time, which delayed them a bit.

Shen Li looked out the car window in boredom. Just then, the car stopped at a red light. After a while, she withdrew her gaze and saw the person beside her. He reached out his hand, fingertips curled, palm facing up.

She hesitated, looked at his profile, then looked at his slightly curled palm, and tentatively reached out her hand, placing it on top. Then she looked at him and asked uncertainly: "Is it like this?"

Xie Qin curled his lips and chuckled: "You're making progress."

Shen Li's mouth also lifted in a faint arc.

She liked being in a relationship with Xie Qin.

Every time it was him first; next time, she would be proactive too.

Fingers interlaced, palms close together, warm and scorching.

After the car drove over a large bridge, there was a very large lake nearby, almost endless, and this restaurant was in the center of the lake.

She couldn't help but take a few more looks. "This place... is so beautiful."

Xie Qin drove seriously. "After we finish eating, I'll take you for a walk."

Shen Li: "Okay."

Later, he added another sentence: "We'll go back before class."

Shen Li: "..." ===== CHAPTER 114 =====