Chapter 30

Xu Zhilu was surprised and glanced outside. There was a window backstage that provided a view of both the stage and the audience, though it was not very clear.

She looked around but didn’t spot Shen Siyan in the crowd. She wondered if she was overthinking it—perhaps Shen Siyan had seen the photo elsewhere and sent it to her, but she thought that was unlikely.

Shen Siyan wasn’t that thoughtless.

Just then, another message arrived from Shen Siyan.

Shen Siyan: “Do you want to return with the teacher?”

Xu Zhilu: “Were you here?”

Shen Siyan: “Yes.”

Xu Zhilu: “Why are you here? When did you arrive?”

Shen Siyan: “I arrived before your speech.”

He sent the message, bent down, and left discreetly. Though the provincial competition was a bit of a distance, it wasn’t a major challenge for Shen Siyan, given that the provincial capital wasn’t far from where Xu Zhilu had competed before. The city felt a bit taller and more majestic, but it was otherwise familiar.

Shen Siyan, wearing a T-shirt and a black hat, looked young and handsome. He found a shaded spot and checked his phone.

Xu Zhilu hadn’t responded yet. Shen Siyan waited lazily.

After a while, Xu Zhilu replied.

Xu Zhilu: “It’s hard to get a taxi here. I plan to return with the teacher later. Do you want to come with us?”

Shen Siyan: “Did you ask the teacher?”

Xu Zhilu: “Yes.”

Shen Siyan: “Okay, let’s go back together.”

He called his driver and asked him to return alone. The driver, accustomed to Shen Siyan’s occasional whims, complied without asking questions.

Xu Zhilu came out with a classmate and her teacher. Other students from No. 1 Middle School were also present.

As Shen Siyan heard the commotion, he looked up and saw Peng Jin. Noticing Shen Siyan’s gaze, Peng Jin also looked over. Their eyes met briefly before Peng Jin smiled and turned away.

Shen Siyan frowned.

Xu Zhilu called out, “Shen Siyan.”

Shen Siyan responded and walked over.

A female classmate from No. 1 Middle School looked at him and asked in surprise, “Who is this?”

Peng Jin smiled. “Don’t you recognize him? It’s Shen Siyan from next door.”

“Ah?” The girl was surprised. “Shen Siyan from next door?”

Peng Jin nodded.

The girl stared at Shen Siyan and muttered, “He’s very handsome.”

Peng Jin remained silent.

Xu Zhilu, standing next to the girl, glanced at her for a second longer.

Xu Zhilu followed the girl’s gaze, curled her lips, and muttered, “Only her face is good.”

As soon as she spoke, both Peng Jin and the girl turned to look at her. Xu Zhilu met their gazes with a smile, unperturbed.

Shen Siyan approached and raised an eyebrow at her unusual comment. “What are you talking about?”

“They said you’re handsome,” Xu Zhilu replied without hesitation. “The students next door all know you.”

Shen Siyan was momentarily speechless.

He tapped her head with his cellphone and turned to the two teachers, who were still engaged in conversation. Once they finished, Shen Siyan addressed them politely.

The English teacher looked at Shen Siyan and smiled. “Are you here alone?”

Shen Siyan nodded.

The teacher glanced at Xu Zhilu and added, “In that case, I’ll take you out for a meal before heading back. It’s hard to find a taxi here.”

The other classmate had no objections, and Xu Zhilu and Shen Siyan were equally agreeable. 

A teacher from No. 1 Middle School suggested, “Why don’t we all have a meal together? It’s a chance to meet again in the future when we’re in other parts of the country.”

The suggestion was accepted. The area they were in wasn’t very prosperous, resembling a somewhat forgotten place. The dining area wasn’t upscale, but it was clean and pleasant.

The teachers asked the students to order first. Including Shen Siyan, there were only five students and a total of seven people.

After ordering, Xu Zhilu stood up to go to the bathroom. The other female classmate also wanted to go, so they left together.

Upon returning, they encountered Zhao Shuchen at the sink.

Zhao Shuchen turned to Xu Zhilu, smiled, and asked, “Xu Zhilu, are you close with Shen Siyan?”

Xu Zhilu paused, feeling the cool water running over her hands. “It’s okay. Why do you ask?”

Zhao Shuchen replied, “I just think he’s quite handsome, not like what the rumors say.”

Xu Zhilu lowered her eyes to hide her thoughts and asked softly, “What do the rumors say?”

“Ah?” Zhao Shuchen seemed surprised, then smiled and said, “Many people at our school say he looks fierce and often gets into fights. I used to think he was really tough, but I didn’t expect him to be so handsome.”

As Xu Zhilu listened, she recalled the name. Zhao Shuchen was a top student at No. 1 Middle School, known for her excellent grades and quiet demeanor—a goddess in many students’ eyes.

Xu Zhilu had often heard male classmates from her school bragging about a top female student from the neighboring school, known for her good grades and sweet nature.

She responded softly, “Yeah, it’s okay.”

Zhao Shuchen raised an eyebrow. “Just okay? He’s much better looking than the boys at our school.”

Xu Zhilu pulled her lower lip. “Really? I think Peng Jin is quite handsome too.”

Zhao Shuchen gently replied, “He’s still a bit less impressive.”

Xu Zhilu didn’t want to continue the discussion, so she replied calmly, “Maybe. Everyone has different perspectives.”

“Oh,” Zhao Shuchen smiled gently, “that’s true.”

Xu Zhilu nodded and said, “I’ll head back first.”

“I’ll be right there too,” Zhao Shuchen responded.

_

Soon after returning to their seats, the food arrived. The round table could accommodate seven people comfortably. Xu Zhilu sat between Shen Siyan and the English teacher, focusing on eating and listening to the teacher’s conversation.

While eating, Xu Zhilu noticed Zhao Shuchen talking to Shen Siyan. Peng Jin and another male classmate were discussing the speech, sitting together, while Zhao Shuchen was seated next to Shen Siyan.

Xu Zhilu glanced over and quickly looked away, though she was listening intently.

“Hello, Shen Siyan. I’m Zhao Shuchen,” Zhao Shuchen said.

Shen Siyan nodded calmly.

Zhao Shuchen wasn’t fazed. She observed him eating and asked, “What do you think of the food here?”

Shen Siyan hesitated for a moment before replying, “It’s not bad.”

Zhao Shuchen nodded and whispered, “I think it’s okay too. I particularly like this steamed fish. You have a lighter taste, right?”

Shen Siyan nodded.

Zhao Shuchen smiled gently. “Then our tastes are quite similar.”

Shen Siyan remained silent.

Zhao Shuchen continued, “I’ve heard of you before.”

Shen Siyan acknowledged it with a nod.

Zhao Shuchen’s eyes brightened slightly. “But you’re different from what I expected based on the rumors.”

Before Shen Siyan could respond, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. Without warning, he used his chopsticks to intercept Xu Zhilu’s chopsticks.

Zhao Shuchen looked over, puzzled.

Shen Siyan fixed his gaze on Xu Zhilu with a concerned expression. “Are you allergic again?”

The others turned to look, confused. “What’s wrong?”

Xu Zhilu was taken aback, then realized what had happened. She looked apologetically at Shen Siyan and said, “Sorry, I didn’t see it clearly earlier.”

The English teacher smiled and asked, “Are you allergic to mangoes?”

“Um,” Xu Zhilu replied, somewhat embarrassed. “Just a little.”

It turned out the restaurant had several desserts, including a large mango dessert in the center. Xu Zhilu had inadvertently picked it up.

She felt a bit embarrassed by Shen Siyan’s concern.

It was neither right to put the mango down nor to eat it.

Struggling with the dilemma, Shen Siyan took the mango and called out, “Excuse me, could we please get a new pair of chopsticks?”

“…”