Dedicated to studying, yet forced into a chaotic situation.

Is Xu Chaomu the one you like the most in Chapter 152?

Pei Shuoxun bought an apartment not far from the school.

The Pei family has complicated relationships. Even though he is good at socializing and everyone in the Pei family approves of him, he still gets annoyed. Occasionally, when he doesn't want to go back to the main family, he will make an excuse to stay here overnight.

The door opened automatically with facial recognition. I whispered "turn on the lights," and the whole house became smart, with the living room lights turning on.

The house is small, with a three-bedroom, one-living room layout and a minimalist style of decoration without excessive ornamentation.

Pei Shuoxun carried Shi Sui to the sofa in the living room, gently put her down, knelt on one knee to take off her shoes, and then found a pair of cotton slippers for her to change into.

Shi Sui sat obediently, without kicking anyone, her gaze slightly unfocused.

Pei Shuoxun knew she wasn't fully conscious.

Someone who can stay up all night after just a drop of alcohol can't possibly sober up so quickly.

Turn the central air conditioning to warm air, and once the room temperature is comfortable, help her take off her coat, fold it neatly, and put it aside.

I combed her slightly messy hair again, filled a hot water bottle, and placed it in her hands...

After finishing everything he could see, Pei Shuoxun squatted down in front of her, looked up at her, and tentatively asked, "Sui Sui?"

I always felt that she was unusually obedient, except that she was always curiously, quietly, and secretly observing her surroundings.

Shi Sui frowned again, gave a soft "hmm," and asked, "Chen Xun, is this your home?"

"Yes." Noticing her frown, Pei Shuoxun asked cautiously, "How are you feeling?"

"It's very warm." Shi Sui's eyelashes trembled, and she pursed her lips again.

After a moment of bewildered silence, her gaze fell on the coffee table. She pointed to the shopping bags on the table, her eyes lit up, and her voice became incredibly cheerful: "Chen Xun, this is a birthday present for you."

I finally remembered. I said I always felt like I'd forgotten something super important.

Today is Chen Xun's birthday.

Pei Shuoxun went to get the shopping bag. He recognized the men's clothing brand and had heard Song Xinying mention it; it was bought by Shi Sui for her brother.

She really only saw him as an older brother.

Pei Shuoxun sighed softly, somewhat helplessly.

Then I heard Shi Sui's intermittent voice.

I bought you a gift.

"I didn't just brush you off; I carefully selected them."

"I don't know if you'll like it, but I bought it for you, so you have to like it."

"It's clothes."

"That's your usual style of dressing."

“I don’t know what boys like, but Chi Yan was happy to receive the clothes, so I thought you would be happy too.”

"It should fit, right? You and Chi Yan are about the same height, so the size should be the same..."

"..."

Those smiling, peach-blossom eyes suddenly darkened.

Pei Shuoxun leaned closer, placing his hands on either side of the sofa, his gaze deepening as he looked at the girl beneath him.

"You bought clothes for Chi Yan?"

A shadow fell over her, as if she were imprisoned.

"Mm." Shi Sui nodded, completely unaware of the danger, and said matter-of-factly, "He bought me clothes, so I'll buy him clothes."

Pei Shuoxun then remembered that their very first reunion was when he was sitting in the car watching Chi Yan deliver clothes to her.

She recalled her previous ignorant comments about her, mocking her for getting close to Chi Yan because of money.

His heart was pierced with a sharp pain, and a bitter, astringent feeling welled up inside him.

"sorry."

"Hmm?" Shi Sui looked up at him blankly and saw his beautiful peach blossom eyes were moist, shrouded in sadness.

Although she didn't know what he had done to wrong her, Shi Sui still said loudly, "It's okay!"

Pei Shuoxun had never seen Shi Sui so well-behaved before. Her voice was sweet, and her smile was sweet too.

But a surge of bitterness welled up in her heart, and a dark jealousy rose in her peach blossom eyes.

—Did she speak to Chi Yan in such a sweet voice? Did she always smile so sweetly in front of Chi Yan, which is why Chi Yan was blinded and fell in love with her?

He had always thought that Chi Yan was fooled by her obedient appearance, but now he realized that the obedient appearance was also hers.

She just wouldn't listen to him.

He liked her defiant, prickly side, but he also liked her gentle, obedient side.

……

Pei Shuoxun couldn't help but reach out and touch her soft cheek, his palm warm but carrying his icy emotions.

Shi Sui paused for a moment, slightly slow to react, but didn't dodge. Her fingers hesitated for a moment before she raised her hand to touch the other person's cheek, her fingertips brushing against the corner of his eye, stirring up a layer of moisture.

"Chen Xun, are you sad?"

"Yes, I'm very sad." He touched her cheek, his fingertips lingering on the corner of her lips, his voice hoarse, "Sui Sui, can you comfort me?"

"Okay!"

Pei Shuoxun's eyes seemed to light up, and he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Shi Sui pushed him away, her eyes shining as she stared at the cake on the coffee table: "Then let's eat cake. Eating something sweet will make us feel better."

Pei Shuoxun was pushed onto the sofa and looked at the girl who was already sitting in front of the coffee table, eagerly unpacking the box.

He rubbed his temples and let out a helpless sigh from the sofa.

A cake topped with large cherries, paired with chocolate and rum cream, and filled with cherry and butter French crisps, with an enticing burgundy color and sweet aroma.

Arrange the cake and stick candles on it.

"Chen Xun, I need a lighter." Shi Sui reached out to the person next to her.

Pei Shuoxun lowered his eyes to look at the hand in front of him, grasped it without hesitation, and then put it down.

He glanced at the cake, frowned slightly, and his eyes reddened with jealousy as he asked, "Is this cake also one of Chi Yan's favorite flavors?"

No one knew that Chi Yan liked sweets, not even his follower Yan Ze. It wasn't until he was caught stealing cake that he pretended, "Shi Sui bought it for me. She loves me so much, I can only accept it reluctantly."

Later, she stopped pretending and directly confronted him, saying, "Pei Shuoxun, Shi Sui often feeds me cake, has she ever treated you to cake?"

“No.” Shi Sui shook her head, looking at him blankly. “Chen Xun, this is your birthday. Why should I buy a cake that someone else likes?”

The Black Forest cherries were chosen by the system.

While Shi Sui was doing practice questions, it was looking at cakes and comparing the good and bad reviews of various dessert shops. Finally, it selected three shops and used a reward of 2 to lure Shi Sui to visit them in person.

Finally, the winner was decided between matcha yuzu and cherry black forest tea. This year it will be black forest tea, next year matcha tea.

Hearing that it had nothing to do with Chi Yan, Pei Shuoxun's jealousy lessened considerably. He smiled and placed the lighter in her palm.

"Let's light the candles."

Shi Sui lit the candles, and Pei Shuoxun turned off the living room lights.

The candlelight cast a soft glow on the girl's face as she blinked at him: "I want to make a wish this year too!"

"My wish is yours." Pei Shuoxun smiled at her; his wish had been fulfilled.

Shi Sui lowered her head slightly, closed her eyes, and, just like before, spoke her wish aloud: "I hope—"

"May Xu Chaomu enjoy good health, free from illness and disaster, and live a long and happy life in Chang'an!"

Pei Shuoxun's smile froze instantly upon hearing the name 'Xu Chaomu,' turning chillingly cold.

He understood that Shi Sui buying clothes for Chi Yan was simply a way to distance herself from him and pay off what she owed him.

But Xu Chaomu is different.

Her wish was actually for Xu Chaomu!

He unconsciously clenched his fists, the acidic fluid seeping into his chest and causing a sharp, aching pain.

Shi Sui closed her eyes, completely unaware of the emotions of the person beside her, and commanded with great self-righteousness: "Chen Xun, you must make the same wish as me."