He added seriously, “Your last name is Xu too. You deserve to enjoy the same things she does. Don’t feel like it’s unreasonable or undeserved. We should take what’s rightfully ours.”

Xu Zhilu was silent.

She stared at Shen Siyan for a long time without saying a word.

Faced with her gaze, Shen Siyan raised an eyebrow. “What, am I wrong?”

Xu Zhilu shook her head. “You’re right.”

She propped her chin up and asked, “I’m just curious, if you had a brother, would you do the same?”

Shen Siyan was speechless. “My parents wouldn’t be like that.”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

She sighed. “True. Aunt Shen is so nice; she wouldn’t do something like that.”

Shen Siyan couldn’t bear to see her looking so down, so he reached out and ruffled her hair to comfort her. “Don’t be discouraged. Even without them, you still have my mom.”

“…”

He added with a hint of jealousy, “My mom likes you more than me. I’m starting to suspect I’m not even her biological child. One day, when I have time, I’ll secretly go to the hospital for a test.”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

She choked and looked at him speechlessly. “What kind of test?”

“A paternity test, of course.”

Shen Siyan twirled the pen in his hand and started to ramble. “Otherwise, why does my mom like you so much but doesn’t trust me at all?”

Xu Zhilu knew he was joking, using this method to lift her spirits. He was also subtly reminding her that someone cared about her—Aunt Shen loved her very much.

“Then I’ll go tell Aunt Shen,” Xu Zhilu said with mock seriousness. “You actually doubted her.”

Shen Siyan looked at her and smiled. “You’re heartless. Who am I doing this for?”

Xu Zhilu snorted and stopped looking at him.

She turned away for a moment, then glanced back at him. “Shen Siyan.”

“Hm?”

Shen Siyan raised his eyebrows.

Xu Zhilu pursed her lips. “I’m sorry… and thank you.”

Shen Siyan was startled, looking at her in surprise. “Why are you apologizing? What bad things have you done to me?”

Xu Zhilu admired his wild imagination. 

“No, nothing,” she replied. She didn’t know why, but she just felt like she needed to apologize.

She realized that Jian Anran was right—Shen Siyan had really been good to her. There was no need to blame him for past incidents; she would leave the rest to time.

She needed to apologize for her previous behavior and was grateful for Shen Siyan’s comfort. At least now, she felt better.

Shen Siyan studied her for a moment. After confirming that she seemed fine, he tapped her head and said, “Alright, let’s go back together later. I’ll wait for you downstairs at the dormitory.”

“Okay.”

“Can you manage the luggage?”

“I can.”

After the teachers had assigned summer homework and handed out piles of papers, they all welcomed the start of summer vacation.

_

After returning to the dormitory and packing her things, Xu Zhilu said goodbye to her roommate and walked downstairs with her suitcase.

She didn’t have much—a suitcase and a big bag.

As soon as she stepped into the corridor, she saw Shen Siyan leaning against the wall.

They made eye contact.

Xu Zhilu was surprised. “How did the dormitory manager let you come up?”

Shen Siyan took her suitcase and said with a hint of narcissism, “Maybe it’s because I’m handsome.”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

“That might actually be true,” she conceded.

The dormitory manager was usually quite strict.

Typically, boys weren’t allowed in the girls’ dormitory building. It was for their safety, and even a simple request could lead to a scolding.

Xu Zhilu vividly remembered one incident where a female classmate, who was in a relationship, had brought a lot of things and couldn’t carry them all upstairs. Her boyfriend asked the dormitory manager if he could help carry them up, promising they would be quick.

The manager refused and scolded them both.

In the end, the girl had to make several trips on her own, eventually crying out of frustration.

Xu Zhilu had heard the story and couldn’t help but admire the strictness of the dormitory manager.

All in all, it was best not to test her patience.

Normally, Xu Zhilu didn’t dare return to the dormitory late, fearing the manager wouldn’t even let her in.

Seeing Shen Siyan brought up to the dormitory was surprising, and she thought it might really be because of his looks.

When Shen Siyan heard her honest response, he smiled playfully. “So, do you think I’m handsome too?”

When Xu Zhilu looked up, she met his deep, amused gaze.

She was stunned for a few seconds before lowering her head. “I didn’t say that.”

She added, “I just think Auntie and we must have different perspectives.”

Shen Siyan smirked lightly and let the comment slide. “Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

The two of them went downstairs.

When they reached the ground floor, the dormitory manager looked at Xu Zhilu and said, “So this young man is here to help you.”

Xu Zhilu nodded with a smile. “Thank you, Auntie.”

The manager waved her hand dismissively. “I mainly let him up because he has a trustworthy face. He doesn’t look like he’d cause any trouble.”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

She really wanted to tell the dormitory manager that she was wrong—Shen Siyan had caused plenty of trouble in the past.

Shen Siyan knew exactly what she was thinking just by her expression.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so he pinched her cheek gently. “What are you slandering me for this time?”

“I’m not!”

“You are, in your mind.” Shen Siyan said, “I know exactly what’s going on in that head of yours.”

Xu Zhilu rolled her eyes at him. “Oh really? Then tell me, what am I thinking about right now?”

Shen Siyan raised an eyebrow and looked at her intently. “You really want me to say it?”

Xu Zhilu nodded. “Go ahead.”

Shen Siyan stared at her for a few seconds, his gaze burning, and said, “You’re thinking about me.”
“…”