Chapter 66: There is a position

But as long as I take even one step back, I become a heinous person, a piece of trash unworthy of having a future.

By the time the setting sun went down the mountain, there were more and more people walking on the playground, and the streetlights on the side also lit up.

By the sixth lap...

Xie Qin ran in front of her; Shen Li didn't notice and bumped into his chest.

Xie Qin was afraid she wouldn't stand steady, so he gently supported her: "It's already the sixth lap, aren't you tired?"

Shen Li's breathing became a bit chaotic; she met his gaze, "You go back, you don't need to worry about me."

"It was just asking you to participate in a competition, no need to be so aggressive, running six laps in one breath, I really underestimated you."

"Walk one lap and go back?"

Shen Li didn't respond, lowering her eyes to quietly even out her breathing, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes. After a few seconds, she spoke, her words clear and distant: "Xie Qin, if any of my actions make you think I like you, you can tell me directly. I will try to be careful not to let you have such a misunderstanding. If you are only being this good to me because you want to pursue me, I think... it's unnecessary."

"There are some things I think I need to be responsible for and make clear to you."

"I am not a person suitable for dating."

Shen Li knew very clearly, whether it was the candy he gave her at the beginning, or bringing her breakfast, accompanying her to class, staying in the library with her after class, or the day he sent her to the high-speed rail station...

Everything he did was just because he liked her.

She understood that this liking of Xie Qin's wouldn't last long.

In the end, all the 'good' would be taken back.

She didn't want to become dependent on him because of these short-lived good things.

Because...

She knew.

People who originally loved you can also suddenly stop loving you one day.

The aura around Xie Qin cooled down a bit, and he frowned, "Did that bunch of idiots like Xu Zhouyuan say something messy to you again?"

Shen Li raised her eyes, looked at Xie Qin's expression, and shook her head: "They didn't say anything, I wanted to tell you these things myself."

"Xie Qin, if you didn't like me, you wouldn't be this good to me."

"But I don't like you."

"I've made it clear to you, you don't need to waste so much time on me anymore."

Xie Qin was amused by her serious words, hooked his finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at him, not letting her lower her eyes to dodge: "I don't even feel like I'm wasting time, what are you overthinking here for?"

"According to your logic, everyone who is good to me wants to date me? Then wouldn't my dad have to beat me to death?"

"People being good to you is because you're worth it, and because I'm willing, understand?"

"And you don't know, there are so many people behind our backs secretly talking about us!"

Shen Li raised her head and looked at him suspiciously: "Talking about what!"

Xie Qin leaned over to her ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe, his gaze locked on the expression on her face, his voice low, with a hint of mischief: "Saying that our looks are a perfect match. That our future children will definitely be very good-looking."

Shen Li's pupils widened suddenly; a few seconds later, the roots of her ears became red and hot.

"My dad told me, there is a position... that will definitely result in a son, do you want to try it!"

She couldn't listen anymore!

"Pervert!"

Shen Li turned around and left, not wanting to look at him anymore.

Xie Qin followed: "I'm serious, really don't want to try it with me?"

Shen Li: "..."

"After all, I have such good genes, don't you think!"

She couldn't hold it together: "Xie Qin... stop talking nonsense!"

"Really don't want to try!" His voice trailed off with a smile.

Shen Li: "..."

She shouldn't have asked.

The two went to a restaurant near the school to eat wontons, and Xie Qin ordered the same one as her.

"What do you want to drink?" He tapped the table with his fingertips.

"Anything is fine." Shen Li took a tissue to wipe the table, and by the way, thought about wiping his spot too.

Xie Qin took a can of cold beer for himself, then took a can of room-temperature milk and gave it to her, along with a straw.

The wonton filling at this place was very large; she could be full with about one bowl.

The boss cooked the wontons and brought them over.

Shen Li took small sips of the soup.

Xie Qin touched his trouser pocket and raised an eyebrow, "I forgot one thing."

Shen Li: "Hmm?"

Xie Qin: "Came out with you and forgot to bring my phone and wallet."

Shen Li told him: "It's okay, I brought mine."

Zhang Zixin had brought her the phone she left in the dormitory; it was a good thing she brought it, otherwise... she wouldn't have known how to pay.

Xie Qin didn't say anything else; this was his first time acting like a freeloader.

He ate very quickly, while Shen Li still had half a bowl left. Xie Qin waited for her patiently; having nothing to do, he went to chat with the boss.

He even asked the boss for a cigarette, and the two started smoking.

There weren't many people now, the door was open, and the wind blew in, dispersing the smoke immediately so it wouldn't blow toward Shen Li.

"Boss, your cigarettes are pretty good."

"That's a must, authentic expensive cigarettes brought from out of town, you can't buy them locally."

"So pretty, is she your girlfriend!"

Xie Qin opened his mouth and said: "Yeah, my wife. An arranged marriage."

"That's great..."

Shen Li took a sip of soup and choked, "Cough... cough cough..."

A few minutes later, she quickly finished what was in the bowl, paid the bill, and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Xie Qin immediately stood up, extinguished the half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray at the corner of the boss's table, and followed her.

Walking out of the shop, the evening breeze blew, carrying a hint of warmth.

Shen Li: "Didn't you say you quit smoking?"

Xie Qin walked beside her and said casually: "You didn't ask me to quit, so I'll just keep smoking."

Shen Li: "... You're still young, it's best not to smoke, it's bad for your health."

Xie Qin looked at her serious appearance, a faint smile rippling in his eyes, his tone restrained a bit, and he readily agreed: "Alright, I won't smoke anymore."

The two walked side by side toward the school dormitory, not saying much along the way.

Only the light sound of the evening breeze brushing through the leaves made the night look exceptionally quiet.

Unknowingly, they arrived downstairs at the girls' dormitory, and the dim streetlights stretched their shadows long and short.

Xie Qin stopped, looked at Shen Li, who was preparing to go upstairs, and asked softly: "Going to sleep when you get back?"

Shen Li had eaten more than usual today, and at this moment, there was a hint of faint sleepiness on her face, her spirits were low, and her voice was soft: "Yeah."

"Really going to sleep? Don't lie to me."

Shen Li raised her eyes to look at him: "Can you lie when you want to sleep?"

Xie Qin looked at her like this, his tone softening again: "Alright... send me a message when you get to the dormitory."

Shen Li was indeed sleepy; by the second half of the sentence, she was too sleepy to hear what he was saying, but she still nodded subconsciously.

"Rest early."

Watching her figure disappear, Xie Qin withdrew his gaze and left...