Ever since Shi Yang returned from the provincial capital, no matter how busy he was, he would always find ti to co to the tutoring class to pick Zhao ii up, even though it was just a building away, Shi Yang still couldn’t feel at ease.
That evening, Shi Yang arrived early at the entrance of the tutoring class, stretching his neck along with a bunch of parents waiting. Every ti, Zhao ii was one of the first to rush out, but this ti she was the last to leave, accompanied by a tall, thin, very good-looking male classmate beside her. They were walking shoulder to shoulder, talking closely and intimately.
Ever since Zhao ii found out Zhang Zhao’s secret, their relationship had skyrocketed, leaping into a whole new realm, and they instantly beca best buddies.
Zhao ii earnestly advised Zhang Zhao, "The city-wide joint exam is coming up soon, don’t daydream all the ti, whatever it is, let’s talk about it after the exam."
Zhang Zhao pouted, "You’re such a nag, doesn’t your guy mind your nagging?"
Zhao ii kicked him and said, "Get lost! Who’s nagging? I’m just concerned about you!"
Zhang Zhao jumped back to dodge and chuckled, cursing, "Damn! You’re so violent, you’re more suited for . I just like girls who are as manly as you!"
Zhao ii’s face turned green, "Even if you like , I have to like you too, right? You’re just not my type!"
Zhang Zhao muttered, "Oh, right, you’re just saying you like your guy, really tasteless... I’m so handso, and rich too..."
Zhao ii swung her arm, planning to give him a hard hit, but then saw Zhang Zhao looking surprised behind her, quickly putting away his teasing expression, and greeting, "ii, your brother."
Zhao ii turned her head in confusion, only to see Shi Yang standing right behind her, with a calm and expressionless face looking at them.
Zhao ii: "Brother... I, I was just ssing around with him."
Shi Yang said coldly, "Why aren’t you heading ho right after class, ssing around with what?"
Zhao ii said, "No, I just kicked him during a conversation."
Shi Yang’s eyes were dark, his gaze fixed on Zhao ii’s face, then he turned and asked Zhang Zhao, "You’re Zhang Zhao, right? Zhang Xin’s brother? Are you close with my ii?"
Zhang Zhao was scrutinizing Shi Yang, and at the ntion of Zhang Xin’s na, his whole body flinched slightly. He swung the backpack he held in his hand onto his back, "No, no, I’m not that close with her, it’s just her always pestering to hang out. I was about to leave, and she insisted on ssing around with . Well, brother, goodbye."
Zhao ii was furious, "Damn! Zhang Zhao, do you want to die?"
Shi Yang nodded at Zhang Zhao, "It’s late, go ho early, and be careful on the road."
Zhang Zhao quickly scampered off, ran a few steps, then looked back to see Shi Yang holding Zhao ii by the back of the neck, her head hanging low, looking as if she was defenseless. His eyes revealed a trace of envy.
Shi Yang put his arm around Zhao ii, his thumb and forefinger accurately pinching the hollow of her neck, gripping her neck. To outsiders, it looked like an extrely affectionate gesture. Only Zhao ii, who was pinched, knew that Shi Yang was not being tender. She could tell from his grip that Shi Yang wasn’t pinching her neck out of love, but was angry and wanted to vent by squeezing soone.
With a stern face, Shi Yang took large steps, leading Zhao ii ho, who obediently hung her head, trying to explain as she walked along, "Brother, I really have nothing going on with Zhang Zhao, we were just joking around. He teased , and I hit him."
Shi Yang loosened his grip, pulling Zhao ii into the shadows of the hallways, then suddenly hugged her tightly, venting all his bottled-up grievances on her.
He used his powerful arms to pin Zhao ii against his chest, and the sudden increase in restraint made Zhao ii’s face rush with blood, breathing heavily.
Shi Yang lowered his head, pressing his forehead against Zhao ii’s, questioning in a low voice, "Nothing going on, but you were laughing and joking with him. You’re even horsing around with him! Do you think he’s pretty handso, especially appealing to look at, huh?"
Zhao ii rolled her long, thin eyes in circles, half-crying and half-laughing, explaining, "I was just playing around with him, we’re just bros, pure friendship. Brother, are you jealous? Geez, you’re so petty, getting jealous so easily."
Shi Yang’s eyes ached from her words, he moved his head aside, feeling both angry and embarrassed but also wanting to laugh, and couldn’t help but pinch Zhao ii’s face, pulling it apart to force her mouth open, revealing her neat white teeth, "Why don’t you joke around with ? You can fool around with others, but not with ?"
Zhao ii saw that Shi Yang was genuinely angry, his emotions unstable, with a hint of a wounded beast in his eyes, appearing aggrieved and unwilling.
In a hurry, Zhao ii struggled to throw her arms around Shi Yang, softly cooing, "Brother, why wouldn’t I ss around with you? I adore you the most and love to ss around with you, you misunderstood."
A flash of complex emotion crossed Shi Yang’s eyes, as he huffed, "How co I didn’t see you adore ?"
Zhao ii blushed, honestly admitting, "Zhang Zhao knows I have a boyfriend, I told him, and he also has soone he likes, and it’s not . We’re purely bros, and I only have eyes for you. Besides you, I don’t fancy anyone."
Shi Yang said nothing, staring at Zhao ii with his eyes.
Of course, Shi Yang knew that Zhao ii and Zhang Zhao had nothing going on. When he approached earlier, he heard their conversation and understood that these two kids were just good friends. He wasn’t truly jealous of Zhang Zhao; if he had really misunderstood, he wouldn’t be rely holding Zhao ii innocently and listening to her confess right now. He would’ve taken her ho directly and handled it thoroughly.
Zhang Zhao’s decent looks, when paired with his ii, fooling around and joking, sharing the sa youth and vibrancy, deeply pricked Shi Yang’s heart, making him extrely upset.
He never used to think that the age gap between him and Zhao ii was a big deal. He thought since he’s more mature and experienced than Zhao ii, he could always lead the way for her, let her admire and follow him, and he could guide her throughout her life as her ntor, partner, and close friend.
However, since hearing that unintentional, factual comnt from ii’s mother last ti, he suddenly realized that it’s precisely because he has always been one step ahead of Zhao ii in experiences, that he could never truly share in Zhao ii’s growth process as childhood sweethearts, truly growing up together and growing old together.
This regret, as Shi Yang’s feelings for Zhao ii deepened, began to entangle him more bitterly, making him feel aggrieved and suffocated.
Reviews
All reviews (0)