Chapter 42

Qiao Rui now felt that he was the bond in their relationship.

In short, they were too shy to ask each other out directly, so they used him as an excuse to create opportunities to meet.

At first once or twice was fine.

But the longer it went on, the more he felt this way.

Every time they met, it was because of him.

He, the tool person, was being thoroughly utilized, yet he could not refute them. If he did, they would adopt a patronizing tone and lecture him: “It’s all for your own good!”

“...”

Just like now -

In the huge restaurant, Qiao Rui sat at the dining table with Yu Na beside him. Between them was an English workbook, a vocabulary book, and a notebook.

She was seriously going over test questions with him while Qiao Rui had no choice but to listen attentively.

Xiao Chen, meanwhile, was leisurely wandering around between the two, occasionally leaning over to check Qiao Rui’s progress.

Yu Na was very serious in explaining, and when Qiao Rui didn’t understand after a long time, she would patiently try a different approach.

There were only so many grammar rules that went round and round.

Qiao Rui harbored deep grievances against Xiao Chen, because he had originally agreed to go out and play basketball with Song Yan today. But Xiao Chen had called him back with a single sentence.

Telling him to finish his homework first before going out.

While Qiao Rui was doing his homework, Xiao Chen had been watching him the entire time nearby. When Qiao Rui threw down his pen in a fit of childish temper, “I don’t get it.”

Xiao Chen casually glanced at the question and readily echoed: “Me neither.”

“So stop writing. I’ll just ask–”

“Get lost,” Xiao Chen pitilessly rejected him. “Your teacher told me to properly supervise you.”

After thinking for a bit, he finally revealed a wicked smile. “Why don’t I just get your teacher to teach you instead? Since you like your head teacher so much.”

Qiao Rui: ???

“As much as I like her, I don’t want her supervising my studies over the weekend.”

After Qiao Rui spoke, he then noticed something fishy and had a sudden realization. He fearlessly called Xiao Chen out: “If you want to see Teacher Yu, just directly ask her out. No need to–”

Before he could even finish speaking, his workbook was already smacked over his head. “Looking to die?”

“...”

And so, Xiao Chen called Yu Na over. Qiao Rui’s basketball plans were officially ruined today.

To get back at him, Qiao Rui refused to admit defeat in his words. When he had the time, he provoked Xiao Chen: “Despite both studying abroad in the UK, this is the difference.”

In an extremely annoying way, he added: “Some people have fluent grammar, spoken English, and writing skills. While others–” He dragged out his words and said slowly: “Only know how to casually chat with foreigners. Honed useless spoken skills. *sigh*”

Xiao Chen: ?

He wasn’t riled up either. Lazily imitating Qiao Rui’s irritating intonation, he said: “Your brother led a few white lackeys back then. We killed it in debate competitions. While some people, when they see foreigners, get tricked by fake compliments.”

This was true.

Because there was video and certificates from the competition back home.

Qiao Rui felt extremely powerless yet unwilling to admit defeat. Using the last of his stubbornness, he sneered and continued burying his head to write.

While he was working on the questions, Yu Na couldn’t help but glance back at Xiao Chen, who had just finished bragging behind her.

Unexpectedly, he was also staring at her.

His eyes were roguish yet meaningful, and carried innate arrogance in them.

Yu Na’s heart was uncontrollably struck heavily once.

For a moment, it was as if she saw the him from their university days.

A confident and sunny youth, with an unyielding competitive spirit.

Yet he never gave people a feeling that he was pretending. On the contrary, he was easy to get along with. Everyone liked being friends with him, regardless of gender.

Yu Na hated pretentious people the most. Her dad was one, and so were the men around her.

So when she met Xiao Chen, it was like the murky surroundings were irrigated by a clear spring, clean and refreshing.

In those few short seconds, she also felt like she had returned to that time. The young girl’s throbbing feelings came flooding back at this moment.

Qiao Rui was just getting ready with a question when he saw those two making eyes at each other. Their gazes were like shooting spider silk at one another.

“...”

“Bro,” With Qiao Rui’s heart set on going out to play, he spoke without thinking. “Teacher Yu has come. Can I leave now?”

His meaning was: I’ve already successfully helped you invite Yu Na over. Can you let me go now?

Xiao Chen’s expression changed slightly. Yu Na’s breathing also grew heavy. She wanted to teach Qiao Rui a lesson, yet found herself unable to raise her hand, like a shrinking sensitive plant. The moment you touch it lightly, its head droops down.

Just then, an incoming call broke the awkward atmosphere.

Xiao Chen looked at the caller ID. He didn’t avoid the situation, instead openly answering the call right behind them.

The other end of the call transmitted a familiar voice that he hadn’t heard in a long time. It was Han Chengxun.

She could only vaguely make out some sounds. But she couldn’t hear what was being said specifically.

On the phone, Xiao Chen readily agreed: “Sure, coming over now.”

...

After hanging up, Xiao Chen acted as if nothing had happened. He told Qiao Rui: “Hurry up and write. I have something to do later.” Yu Na’s heart sank a little. She wondered to herself: What does he have to do? Go work with Han Chengxun? Or hang out? In that case...would there be girls?

All sorts of strange questions popped up in her mind, distracting her momentarily until her phone on the table suddenly lit up, pulling back her train of thought.

As she casually picked up her phone, she saw that the person messaging her was actually the man standing behind her.

: [Coming to Old Han’s place later?]

Yu Na was startled, then turned back to look at him again.

Sensing her confusion, he sat down on the sofa and sent her another message: [Dinner party. I'm bringing you along]

I see, dispelling her earlier doubts, she heaved a small sigh of relief.

Reply: [Okay]

After seeing her reply, Xiao Chen patted Qiao Rui’s shoulder. “Hurry up and write. I’ll let you go out and play after you’re done.”

“Really?” Qiao Rui whipped his head back in disbelief.

Xiao Chen had a nonchalant expression, lightly mm-ed back at him from the sofa.

Qiao Rui secretly ridiculed him in his heart. He felt like he was now able to see through his cousin’s facade to grasp his essence. How a grown man could have more little schemes in his heart than a child. Yet also rather skilled in employing deception.

But either way, he could finally leave.

Although he guessed that his cousin was trying to make way for the two of them alone, he could still gain something out of it in the end.

Thus, the remaining assignments were finished exceptionally smoothly.

In around half an hour he was done, with only vocabulary dictation left.

After completing the tasks, Qiao Rui swiftly went to change into sportswear and took his basketball. Before leaving, he didn't forget to throw back: “Bro, I’ll be back around 8 pm.”

Meaning: Don't expect me back anytime earlier. Feel free to relax until then.

Xiao Chen was too lazy to bother with him. He put on his jacket.

Yu Na stood uneasily on the side, fidgeting with her fingers.

Although she didn’t mind the misunderstanding itself at all, and even felt a sense of happy satisfaction.

But what about Xiao Chen?

Did he also not mind? Or was he already used to being teased?

It shouldn’t be, right.

Qiao Rui said Xiao Chen didn’t even have a single long hair around him. How could he possibly have such scandals?

So...was she his only “scandal partner”?

Why did he never refute it?

After putting his clothes on, Xiao Chen was about to call her to leave. But seeing Yu Na playing with her fingers while staring blankly into space, her thoughts having drifted off somewhere.

So he half-crouched down to meet her eye-level, his voice low and pleasant, carrying an interrogative tone: “Thinking about someone?”

The sudden close proximity caused Xiao Chen’s features to abruptly magnify before her.

The fresh scent of his laundry detergent also suddenly approached her in that instant.