Chapter 12

Seeing Xu Zhilu’s ellipsis, Shen Siyan raised an eyebrow: What?

Xu Zhilu: Boring.

Shen Siyan: Fine, I’m boring. Eat the meat in front of you. You can be mad at me, but not at the meat that you like.

Xu Zhilu: …

She put her phone on silent, not letting his messages bother her anymore.

Everyone around was engrossed in their conversations and food, not noticing their interaction.

After putting her phone aside, she glanced at the pile of meat next to her, feeling a bit tempted.

In her mind, two little figures were fighting, one saying, “Eat, eat, what’s there to be afraid of,” and the other saying, “No, have some pride, you can’t eat it.”

The internal struggle annoyed her.

She ground her teeth, feeling that Shen Siyan had done it on purpose. Knowing she couldn’t resist food, he used this tactic every time.

“Aren’t you eating?”

Shen Siyan’s voice came from across the table.

Xu Zhilu looked up at him.

Shen Siyan didn’t expect her to be kind just because he grilled meat for her. He continued grilling, listening to the sizzling sound, feeling quite content.

“It won’t taste good if it gets cold,” he said calmly. “Eat it now, there will be more later.”

Xu Zhilu glanced at the grilled meat beside her but didn’t move.

Suddenly, the person across put down the tongs. Under Xu Zhilu’s gaze, he put on a disposable glove and started wrapping food.

A piece of lettuce, a piece of meat, layered together, and finally adding her favorite vegetable.

Shen Siyan’s hands were very attractive, something Xu Zhilu had always liked. Now, she found herself staring at his hands, unable to look away.

After watching for a few seconds, as he finished wrapping a piece of meat, Xu Zhilu hadn’t reacted before something was stuffed into her mouth.

She made a sound of surprise, eyes wide, as she looked at Shen Siyan.

Shen Siyan smiled, his well-defined fingers pressing against her lips, pushing the wrapped food into her mouth. In a low voice, he said, “Xu Zhilu, you already touched it.”

Xu Zhilu: …

She rolled her eyes at him.

Shen Siyan chuckled. “Don’t be mad at me, just eat it.”

Since it was already in her mouth, Xu Zhilu couldn’t possibly spit it out. Besides, she loved eating this way the most, with the flavors spreading in her mouth. She couldn’t resist sticking out her tongue to savor it, and she swallowed it.

Shen Siyan watched her, his eyes flickering, and then he withdrew his hand.

“Eat by yourself.”

He glanced at Xu Zhilu. “If you don’t eat, I don’t mind helping you again.”

Xu Zhilu chewed and swallowed the food in her mouth. Just as she was about to drink water, a cup was handed over.

She was speechless for a moment, then took the cup without hesitation, drinking from it.

Since she had eaten the meat he grilled, there was no need to be polite anymore.

Of course, the most important thing was that Xu Zhilu had no resistance to food.

Their interaction naturally caught the attention of those around them.

Xin An’an hesitated for a while, finally staying silent under Shen Siyan’s gaze.

Xu Zhilu decided to give up the fight, eating as much as Shen Siyan grilled, not being polite at all.

She stopped only when she was full.

After the barbecue, they went to the arcade upstairs.

It was crowded on a Friday night, with people everywhere in the mall.

Xu Zhilu and Xin An’an squeezed together, whispering.

“Did you eat enough just now?”

Xu Zhilu nodded.

Xin An’an said enviously, “I wish someone would serve me like that.”

Xu Zhilu: … “Serve” is the wrong word, isn’t it?

“What’s wrong with it?”

Xin An’an looked at her. “Don’t you understand the saying ‘bystanders see things more clearly’?”

Xu Zhilu was silent for a few seconds, then retorted, “I don’t understand.”

Xin An’an was speechless.

Xu Zhilu didn’t want to argue with her over this and patted her shoulder. “What do you want to play?”

“Look around you.”

Xu Zhilu looked around and felt like playing the archery game.

As soon as she mentioned it, Xin An’an refused.

“I’m not going, I want to play video games.”

“…Oh.”

Xu Zhilu didn’t force her. “Then I’ll go over there to play. We’ll call each other later.”

“Okay.”

At this moment, Shen Siyan, Cheng Song, and Gao Chi were on the other side, exchanging game tokens.

When they returned, only Xin An’an was left at their spot.

Shen Siyan looked around. “Where’s Xu Zhilu?”

Xin An’an raised her eyebrows and pointed to the other side. “She went to the archery area.”

Shen Siyan nodded and handed them the game tokens. “You guys play first.”

Cheng Song looked at him and shouted, “Brother Yan, what are you doing? We agreed to play K-games together.”

Gao Chi snickered and hooked his arm around him. “Your brother Yan only has eyes for someone else now. Let’s go, An’an, let’s play K-games.”

Xin An’an: “…Okay.”

–

Xu Zhilu wasn’t the type who needed someone to accompany her in everything. If they could do it together, fine; if not, she could do it alone.

Probably because of her childhood environment, she didn’t have many friends.

After speaking with Xin An’an, Xu Zhilu went to the archery shop at the other end.

She liked this game and wasn’t very interested in video games.

There weren’t many people in the shop, and Xu Zhilu found a spot as soon as she arrived.

After listening to the owner’s instructions, she took the bow and arrow from the side.

When Shen Siyan found her, she was standing straight in the shooting area.

Xu Zhilu was of average height among her peers, about 1.66 meters. But her body proportions were good, and her legs were particularly long.

Even in loose school uniforms, her slender figure was noticeable.

Shen Siyan watched her without disturbing her.

Xu Zhilu was very focused when she did things, especially if she liked them. She could immerse herself in them.

Shen Siyan leaned against the side, watching. The owner gave him a puzzled look. “Hey, handsome, want to play?”

Shen Siyan shook his head and smiled lightly. “I’m waiting for someone.”

The owner followed his gaze and smiled. “Your girlfriend?”

“No.”

Then, Shen Siyan said softly, “Not yet.”

The owner smiled knowingly. “That girl is pretty good at archery.”

He could tell at a glance if someone had practiced.

Shen Siyan nodded and seemed to be lost in thought, not responding further.

He wore a simple sweatshirt and jeans, looking clean and fresh. Even standing in a corner, he stood out.

Seeing him silent, the owner didn’t continue chatting.

Soon, more people arrived.

Shen Siyan kept an eye on Xu Zhilu while occasionally checking his phone.

Suddenly, a soft voice came from beside him. “Hello.”

Shen Siyan looked up and saw the girl standing opposite him.

“What’s up?”

He had a cold attitude.

The girl wore a pleated skirt with a blouse, showing off her long legs. She was well-dressed and delicate.

She had noticed Shen Siyan when he arrived. Seeing him standing there alone for twenty minutes, she couldn’t hold back and came over to strike up a conversation.

After all, happiness is in one’s own hands.

“Are you waiting for someone, handsome?”

Shen Siyan lowered his eyes, not even giving her a glance.

The girl bit her lip and took out her phone. “Would you like to be friends?”

Shen Siyan glanced at it, his tone indifferent. “No, thank you.”

The girl’s smile stiffened, and she laughed awkwardly. “So cold?”

Shen Siyan paused, and he was about to ignore her when he noticed what she was holding.

He was silent for a few seconds. “Not interested in making friends.”

The girl didn’t respond.

Shen Siyan pointed and asked, “Can I ask where you got that?”

The girl was stunned, then looked at the milk tea in her hand, feeling a bit awkward. “…Sure.”

She gave him the address.

Shen Siyan nodded and said softly, “Thank you.”

He hesitated for a few seconds, then pointed to Xu Zhilu in the distance. “I like someone else. Sorry.”

After speaking, he didn’t look at the girl again and walked straight to the other side.

The girl glanced at Xu Zhilu a few times, feeling a bit disappointed but not too disheartened.

Sensing someone’s gaze, Xu Zhilu turned to look.

Meeting the pretty girl’s scrutinizing gaze, Xu Zhilu’s eyes showed little emotion. She glanced at her and then looked away.

–

Half an hour later, Xu Zhilu was still at it.

Shen Siyan spoke to the owner, then walked inside.

“Aren’t you tired?”

He stood beside Xu Zhilu and asked softly, “Take a break.”

Xu Zhilu glanced at him. “I’m playing. Why do you care?”

Shen Siyan: “…”

He reached out and took the bow from her hands. “If you don’t want to rest, at least drink something.”

Xu Zhilu glanced over and saw the milk tea in his hand, her eyes pausing.

She hesitated, then pursed her lips. “Okay, a five-minute break.”

Shen Siyan handed it to her.

She didn’t hesitate to take it and drank a few sips through the straw. Then she asked, “Do they sell this here?”

“No.”

Xu Zhilu glanced at him, her gaze direct. It seemed to ask, If not here, then where did you get it?

Shen Siyan smiled. “Outside.”

Xu Zhilu responded with an “Oh” and took another sip. “Thank you.”

Shen Siyan lazily acknowledged, motioning for her to stand aside.

Xu Zhilu didn’t refuse and obediently stood to rest.

She looked at Shen Siyan’s actions. “Are you going to play?”

Shen Siyan nodded. “I’m just trying it out.”

Xu Zhilu didn’t say more. She wasn’t petty. She nodded, Just about to tell him some pointers and the basics of archery, she saw he had already released the arrow.

Xu Zhilu followed its path. Great.

It hit the bullseye.

She frowned and looked at Shen Siyan. “You got pretty lucky.”

Shen Siyan nodded. “Not bad.”

Xu Zhilu stayed silent.

When Shen Siyan lifted his hand for the fifth time, she reached out and grabbed the arrow that was about to fly out, looking up at him in confusion. “When did you learn to shoot arrows?”