"You're welcome," Sheng Chenjin replied.
"Then I'm going to sleep, bye bye," Shi Xinxin said.
"Xinxin!" Shen Shiying rushed in, a fine sheen of sweat on her forehead and her cheeks flushed. "Where did you go? I've searched the entire city and couldn't find you."
"I... had a stomach ache just now, went to the restroom," Shi Xinxin fabricated an excuse.
Shen Shiying frowned. "Why is your face so red? Are you sick?"
Shi Xinxin shook her head. "Maybe because I drank water too quickly earlier."
Shen Shiying stared at her profile, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Xinxin, be honest, are you dating someone?"
"No," Shi Xinxin looked up, asking with confusion, "Why would I date someone?"
Shen Shiying crossed her arms. "Then why is your face red?"
"Because..." Shi Xinxin bit her lip. "I was scared just now, so..."
She dared not say the truth, fearing Shen Shiying would tease her.
"Scared?" Shen Shiying raised an eyebrow, asking with interest, "Who scared you?"
Shi Xinxin lowered her head, her voice growing fainter. "No... no one scared me..."
"Heh," Shen Shiying suddenly let out a laugh. "Xinxin, it seems you're quite reserved."
Shi Xinxin looked up and glared at her displeasedly. "Of course I'm reserved! I have a fiancé!"
Shen Shiying covered her mouth and chuckled. "Is that boy handsome? How does he compare to Sheng Chenjin?"
Hearing Shen Shiying mention Brother Chenjin, Shi Xinxin's earlobes flushed.
She pretended to be calm and looked at Shen Shiying. "Don't guess wildly, I really only have sibling affection for him."
"Alright," Shen Shiying waved her hand. "Go wash up and sleep, you have class tomorrow!"
Shi Xinxin hummed. "You sleep early too, goodnight."
Shen Shiying: "Goodnight!"
After washing up, they both lay in bed.
Shi Xinxin stared at the ceiling, the events of the day at the mall flashing through her mind.
She gritted her teeth and secretly made a decision: Sheng Chenjin, you can't escape!
The next day, after morning exercises, Shen Shiying and Shi Xinxin prepared to head to class.
As they passed a milk tea shop, Shen Shiying stopped. "Xinxin, let's buy a milk tea on our way to class."
Shi Xinxin looked at the milk tea shop, resisting slightly. "I don't want milk tea."
"Oh, why are you so difficult!" Shen Shiying pouted. "I want some."
"I'm not drinking," Shi Xinxin turned her head away, not looking at Shen Shiying.
"Xinxin," Shen Shiying grabbed her arm and shook it playfully. "Come with me! Just keep me company. I haven't bought milk tea in a long time."
"Alright," Shi Xinxin compromised. "I'll go with you."
"Oh yeah! That's great!" Shen Shiying was overjoyed and led Shi Xinxin towards the milk tea shop.
Entering the shop, they chose two strawberry milk teas.
After Shen Shiying paid, she handed the milk tea to Shi Xinxin and urged, "Let's go, let's go."
They walked towards the classroom.
It was just after school, and the classroom was bustling and lively.
Shi Xinxin and Shen Shiying found a seat.
She held the milk tea, appearing quiet and well-behaved, not making a sound.
Shen Shiying looked at Shi Xinxin's profile, deep in thought.
"Xinxin, do you like him?"
Shi Xinxin suddenly looked up, blinking. "Huh?"
"You went to dinner yesterday, did you see him?"
Shi Xinxin pursed her lips and shook her head. "No."
"Then... have you fallen for him?"
Shi Xinxin paused. "No."
Hearing this, Shen Shiying breathed a sigh of relief.
"Xinxin, don't lie to me. If you lie to me, I'll never talk to you again," Shen Shiying said, feigning fierceness.
"I won't," Shi Xinxin smiled and shook her head. "My biggest dream is to find a stable and well-paying job after graduation."
"Xinxin, you can definitely find a job," Shen Shiying said earnestly. "You're so beautiful and smart, finding a job should be no problem."
"Mm," Shi Xinxin lowered her head and said softly, "But I don't like the treacherous and scheming social environment outside."
She had grown up in a single-parent family. Although her parents loved each other, they couldn't be together.
Her father was a chief physician at a hospital, and her mother was the CEO of a domestic service company. They earned substantial incomes monthly, but her mother unfortunately contracted cancer.
From a young age, she knew her parents had a difficult time.
Therefore, she didn't want her childhood to be so arduous.
Shen Shiying nodded. "That's true, a girl like you is better off in a warm and comfortable home."
Shi Xinxin smiled faintly and said nothing more.
Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance. "Holy cow! Sheng Chenjin is actually at our school?"
"Is he here to see our class beauty?"
Shi Xinxin and Shen Shiying looked up simultaneously and saw Sheng Chenjin, dressed in casual wear, striding towards them with his long legs.
"Brother Chenjin..." Shen Shiying exclaimed in surprise.
Shi Xinxin frowned, wondering if Brother Chenjin was looking for her.
"Brother Chenjin..." Shen Shiying happily walked forward, about to speak, when she saw Sheng Chenjin walk directly towards Shi Xinxin.
Shen Shiying's words caught in her throat, feeling a little awkward.
Shi Xinxin was stunned, her gaze a little lost.
"Xinxin..." Sheng Chenjin stood before her. "Are you free tonight?"
Shi Xinxin quickly nodded. "Brother Chenjin, what's wrong?"
"Seven o'clock tonight, I'll wait for you," Sheng Chenjin said, his voice cool and unfathomable.
Shi Xinxin was dazed for a few seconds, then softly replied, "Okay."
Sheng Chenjin turned and left, leaving Shi Xinxin with a dashing silhouette.
"Xinxin, do you like Brother Chenjin?" Shen Shiying couldn't help but ask. "If you really do, I'll help you pursue him."
Shi Xinxin pouted. "I don't like him."
Shen Shiying was startled. "Xinxin, could it be that you've fallen for someone else?"
Shi Xinxin didn't answer, instead casting her gaze into the distance, her expression dim.
...
At three-thirty in the afternoon, Shi Xinxin carried her backpack home.
She walked to the garage to get her car when suddenly—
"Shi Xinxin," a familiar voice called out.
Shi Xinxin followed the sound and saw a black Range Rover parked not far away.
The man in the driver's seat was staring at her with his deep eyes.
His gaze was cold, like ice.
"Brother Chenjin..."
Upon seeing Sheng Chenjin, Shen Shiying immediately ran over and linked her arm through his. "Brother Chenjin, why are you here?"
Sheng Chenjin's gaze remained fixed on Shi Xinxin.
Shi Xinxin looked at Shen Shiying, then at Sheng Chenjin. "I'll go back first."
She said this and turned to leave.
"Shi Xinxin," Sheng Chenjin called out to her. "Can we talk?"
Shi Xinxin paused for a moment, then turned around to face him.
Sheng Chenjin pushed Shen Shiying aside and walked up to Shi Xinxin. "Go over there."