Dedicated to studying, yet forced into a chaotic situation.

Chapter 63 You Look Somewhat Familiar

The misty rain obscured the distant scenery, while a cool breeze blew through the slanting drizzle, adding a touch of romance.

"Your classmates all say that you and Shangguan Ying are a couple, but actually they are just trying to match you up."

A girl's voice broke the silence: "Every time someone asks you if Shangguan Ying is your girlfriend, you say no. They all say you and Shangguan Ying are having a secret relationship and don't want to go public."

“But I know you. I know you don’t like Shangguan Ying at all. You and she are just ordinary friends.”

The boy neither admitted nor denied it, but chuckled and asked in return, "You know me?"

"Pei Shuoxun, actually, actually I liked you from the first day of school."

All the girl's secrets can be summed up in one sentence: "It has exhausted all my courage."

The world seemed to freeze for a moment, filled with trepidation, as if one could hear the pounding of a heart.

Pei Shuoxun looked at her quietly, his face still showing the same gentle expression he never showed. After a moment, he still asked, "Do you understand me?"

"Of course I know," the girl said confidently. "From the moment I fell in love with you, I have been paying attention to you. I have written down your daily schedule, your various preferences, and your speeches on stage. I know it all."

"I'm sorry, but there's something you don't know: I already have someone I like."

His voice remained gentle, and his refusal was so mild that it was impossible to get angry.

The air was quiet for a while, then a faint sob was heard, the girl's voice trembling slightly: "Is...is it Shangguan Ying?"

"No." Pei Shuoxun handed over a tissue. "Wipe your tears first."

She took the tissue, but didn't wipe her tears. Instead, she asked urgently, "Who was that?"

You have no right to know.

"Since you won't tell me, you're definitely lying to me. There's no such person at all." Hope and fighting spirit ignited in the girl's eyes. "Pei Shuoxun, I will still continue to like you! Until you accept me."

"No need, I'm not worthy of your affection."

Whether it's worth it or not isn't up to you to decide. Liking you is my business, and you have no right to take away my right to like you.

The girl was passionate and flamboyant, like a rose in full bloom.

"Then I'm sorry, I will never betray someone I like." The boy's gentle voice gradually turned cold, "And that means I will never like you."

Breathing stopped, and courage deflated like a punctured balloon.

Shi Sui heard the sound of footsteps fading away; the girl who confessed had run away crying.

Will she give up?

Lost in thought, suddenly, the system's voice came through: [You can't date in high school.]

Shi Sui replied quickly: [Okay, okay, studying comes first.]

Just as she was about to continue writing her English test, footsteps sounded, passing over the bookshelves and getting closer.

Shi Sui subconsciously turned around to look. The boy wasn't wearing a school uniform; a black jacket was casually draped over his shoulders, his hair hung down naturally and was slightly damp. He had a high nose bridge, wore glasses, and had deep, cold eyes.

It felt strangely familiar.

It's that chain smoker who was smoking in the activity room last time.

His name was Pei Shuoxun.

Shi Sui looked away.

She doesn't like to meddle in other people's business, even if she's only met them once.

But the footsteps grew closer and stopped beside her.

It was obvious that she was the target, so Shi Sui had no choice but to speak.

Her gaze remained fixed on the exam paper as she said, "I won't tell anyone about this."

To say that you didn't hear the confession would be a blatant attempt to cover it up.

“You.” Pei Shuoxun looked at her, but could only see half of her profile, with soft and smooth lines that gradually overlapped with the face in his memory.

It's possible that the memory is just a bit distant and has become blurry.

Or perhaps he missed her so much that he assumed it was her whenever there was even a slight resemblance.

Pei Shuoxun stared at her face for a long time before asking, "Did you attend high school in G City?"

He saw on the campus forum yesterday that she was also from the southwest, but the city information didn't match up.

"Yes." Shi Sui nodded, finding his question a bit strange, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. I studied in Z City before." A hint of sadness flashed across Pei Shuoxun's eyes.

Shi Sui was stunned for a moment. She used to live in a small town in Z City and went to junior high school there. The town was in the mountains, and she had to walk along mountain roads to get to school.

However, she later encountered the Little Red Flower charity event, and with the help of kind-hearted people online, she moved to G City, where she also attended high school.

Later, with the help of kind people, she returned to the Jiang family, but that's another story.

Shi Sui didn't say anything; there was no need to talk too much with strangers.

For example, if you say to him, "You look familiar, do I know you before?", he might mistake you for a lovesick fool trying to pick him up.

Pei Shuoxun also thought so.

He felt that Shi Sui was somewhat familiar, but he also believed that this familiarity came from the blessing of her name. Her name was pronounced the same as hers, which was why he paid more attention to her.

Aside from their names, they are two completely different people.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Shi Sui continued writing her homework.

*

It was soon noon, and the rain outside the window had stopped, but there was no rainbow, and the sky remained foggy.

Shi Sui took out a huge insulated bag and poked her deskmate with her finger: "Deskmate, this is the bento I prepared for you."

She passed it under the table, her movements so stealthy, it looked exactly like an illegal transaction.

Chi Yan noticed the insulated bag as soon as she entered the classroom. The off-white bag was decorated with coffee-colored webbing and had a bear print on it.

No need to ask what's inside, everyone knows it's Shi Sui's love for him.

Chi Yan: "You'll come with me."

The fool has already missed one chance to be alone with him; she certainly won't refuse this time.

Shi Sui: "No need, I can eat it myself."

Chi Yan: !! How could she refuse me?! Damn it, is she going to go to the rooftop with that bastard Xu Chaomu?

"You're going to the rooftop?" Chi Yan asked coldly.

Shi Sui, oblivious to his implied meaning, gave a perfect answer: "How could that be? It just rained."

“Okay, then come with me to the lounge.” Chi Yan paused, then, as if remembering something, kicked Yan Ze’s chair leg. “Come with me to the lounge.”

I was worried she'd feel uncomfortable with just the two of us, so bringing another person along wouldn't be a problem.

Of course, I regretted it as soon as I got to the lounge; I'd brought a third wheel.

Yan Ze was playing a mobile game when he was startled at a crucial moment, and he dropped his phone.

Game over.

"Oh, it's time to eat." Yan Ze picked up his phone, his stomach growling, and stood up. "Let's go, Brother Chi, let's go to the cafeteria!"

Chi Yan: "...Didn't you hear me?"

Yan Ze looked at Shi Sui for help, but he had been too engrossed in his game to hear her.

Shi Sui: "Let's go to the lounge for lunch." Subordinates should help each other.

Yan Ze: "Restroom? Are we going to eat the northwest wind?" What food is there in the restroom? Are we going to eat the sofa or the chandelier?

Chi Yan picked up the insulated bag and waved it in front of him, raising an eyebrow slightly: "Let's go."

It couldn't hide its smugness any longer.

Yan Ze shed tears: Got it, I'll eat dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection).