Chapter 22

Xu Zhilu found Shen Siyan’s smile oddly significant, as if it implied, “You didn’t want to go at first, but you’ll end up going after all.”

She suddenly regretted making the proposal, but faced with Shen Siyan’s gaze, she couldn’t back out. It wasn’t in her nature to go back on her word.

She paused and murmured, “Then make sure to record it well.”

Shen Siyan smiled. “Sure, I’ll get closer for a better recording.”

Xu Zhilu turned her eyes away, not wanting to see his smile any longer.

Once she was on the podium, Xu Zhilu realized how clearly she could see from below. When she looked down, she met Shen Siyan’s striking eyes.

His eyes were long and narrow, slightly resembling peach blossom eyes, though not very pronounced. They were very attractive.

Xu Zhilu glanced briefly and then looked away.

She addressed Shen Siyan’s position, whispering, “Could you step back a bit?”

To record her speech, Shen Siyan had moved from the back to the front row.

Shen Siyan raised his eyebrows. “The recording from the back wouldn’t be clear.”

Xu Zhilu was at a loss. “Is this what digging a hole for yourself looks like?”

She sighed and said, “Fine.”

Clearing her throat, she looked down at her speech. “I’ll begin now.”

“Okay.”

Shen Siyan remained silent.

After a few seconds, Xu Zhilu gave up. “Forget it, I can’t pronounce it.”

“Why can’t you pronounce it?” Shen Siyan asked.

Xu Zhilu glared at him. “Could you please stop staring at me?”

Shen Siyan, exasperated by her illogical reasoning, chuckled. “How can I record a video if I don’t look at you?”

“Just hold up your phone and close your eyes,” Xu Zhilu retorted. “I can’t read it if you’re watching me.”

Shen Siyan smirked. “Can others read it just by looking at you?”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

She glared at Shen Siyan. “Shut up, I’m starting.”

Shen Siyan shrugged, unfazed by her annoyance.

Although Xu Zhilu was initially uncomfortable, she soon became engrossed in her role. Her voice was excellent, and she read her speech fluently, rarely stumbling or pausing. Her delivery was full of emotion, as though she were reading from a textbook.

Shen Siyan listened intently, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions that no one could decipher.

When Xu Zhilu finished, she stepped down from the podium and asked, “Did you finish recording?”

Shen Siyan snapped out of his reverie. “Yes.”

He clicked pause and saved the video.

“Shall I send it to you?”

“Sure.”

Xu Zhilu took out her phone. “Let me check if there are any issues first.”

Shen Siyan sent her the video and replied calmly, “No issues.”

He hesitated for a moment before adding, “When did you become so fluent in reading English manuscripts?”

Xu Zhilu paused, looking down at the phone. “It’s always been smooth; you just didn’t know.”

Shen Siyan murmured, “Really?”

He felt something was off.

Xu Zhilu, feeling slightly guilty, decided not to argue further about it.

She opened the video and listened to her speech carefully.

“The expression seems a bit stiff.”

“Good.”

Shen Siyan said, “It’s fine.”

Xu Zhilu looked at him and said, “Let’s try it again. I’ll give it another shot.”

“Alright.”

Shen Siyan didn’t stop her and let her try again.

–

By the time they left the classroom, it was already dark.

Xu Zhilu realized it was past seven in the evening, and she and Shen Siyan had been in the classroom for over two hours.

“Shall we head straight home?”

Shen Siyan looked at her. “Let’s eat first. I don’t have the energy to walk home.”

“…You could take a taxi.”

“Oh. I don’t want to wait.”

Xu Zhilu curled her lips, knowing he was having one of his typical moments.

“So, what do you want to eat?”

“What do you want to eat?”

This time, Xu Zhilu was more accommodating and didn’t insist on fried chicken.

She looked around and said softly, “Let’s have grilled fish. I haven’t had it in a long time.”

“Okay.”

The two went to a crowded grilled fish restaurant.

To Xu Zhilu’s surprise, Peng Jin was still at the restaurant so late and happened to be there.

Initially, Xu Zhilu didn’t want to approach him, but Peng Jin had already called her name.

“Xu Zhilu.”

Xu Zhilu nodded.

Peng Jin smiled. “What a coincidence. Why are you still here?”

Xu Zhilu smiled awkwardly. “I’m preparing for my speech.”

Peng Jin understood. “How’s the preparation going? Are you nervous?”

Xu Zhilu replied, “Not too bad.”

Peng Jin smiled and said, “Good luck tomorrow.”

He glanced at her and asked, “Are you alone? Would you like to share a table?”

Before Xu Zhilu could respond, a familiar voice came from behind her. “Who said she’s alone?”

Shen Siyan appeared behind her with two bottles of yogurt, looking indifferent. “Who are you?”

Peng Jin looked at Shen Siyan in surprise. “Shen Siyan?”

“Yes.”

Shen Siyan replied calmly, “Why are you blocking the door? Why don’t you go inside and order?”

Xu Zhilu said nothing, “Right away.”

Peng Jin looked between them and said, “Why don’t we share a table? It’s hard for two people to finish one portion, right?”

Before Xu Zhilu could refuse, Shen Siyan interjected, “She can finish it.”

He pointed at Xu Zhilu. “She has a huge appetite.”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

Peng Jin was stunned. “Really?”

He smiled and added, “I didn’t notice that when we had dinner together last time.”

Xu Zhilu smiled and chose not to say anything.

Shen Siyan frowned and addressed the waiter. “Two seats, please.”

The waiter gestured to a table. “Please sit over there, handsome.”

Shen Siyan nodded and walked straight over.

Once seated, he looked at Xu Zhilu with an indifferent expression but spoke in a surprisingly intimate tone. “Why don’t you come over?”

“…”

Xu Zhilu smiled apologetically at Peng Jin. “I’ll go first, then.”

Peng Jin didn’t insist and smiled. “See you tomorrow.”

“Um.”

As Xu Zhilu walked away, Peng Jin returned to his friends.

“Are you playing together?” one of his friends asked.

“Yes.”

The friend glanced at him with a smile. “Seems like Shen Siyan isn’t too pleased with you.”

Peng Jin smiled and looked over at them. “Really?”

…

The tables were a bit far apart, so the conversation was unclear.

After Xu Zhilu sat down, Shen Siyan had already ordered several dishes.

She glanced at the table and asked, “Did you order too much?”

Shen Siyan replied, “I’m hungry.”