Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts
Chapter 792 530: When the Enemy Retreats, We Advance—A Subtle Approach (2)

After hearing the flushing sound from the toilet, he stood up straight again and patted the dust off his back.

"Qingfan brother, shall we go eat tea eggs?" Lin Wanning came out, waving her little hand and flicking water droplets.

"Then let's eat!" Xu Qingfan dried her hand on his school uniform pants; that's how school uniforms are used.

"Buy for Xiaoxiao too." Xiao Ruawen hinted in her words.

Xu Qingfan pretended he understood her warning, and the originally bright smile froze on his face. His fleeting disappointment was noticed by Xiao Ruawen, who was always observing him.

Xiao Ruawen secretly clenched her fists, feeling that familiar heartache again.

...

Last week, it was agreed that if they got first place in the performance, Xu Qingfan would treat everyone to dinner.

Xu Qingfan ordered Pizza Hut in the last class, and when the school bell rang, Wu Shichong and Lai Chenglang voluntarily acted as couriers and immediately dashed out of the classroom.

They walked slowly to the cafeteria, and when they arrived, the two were already waiting at the entrance.

Wu Shichong shook the two big bags he was holding and said, "Fan brother, why did you buy so much? We seven people can't finish it, right?"

This treat was a team-building event within their group: the six group members, plus He Caiting.

"If there's too much, take it back and share it with everyone." Xu Qingfan said.

The customs here are still very pure. No one thinks that packing leftovers for roommates is insulting. On the contrary, if roommates get to eat high-end food, they'd call you 'godfather.'

Of course, it can't be too unreasonable. Packing just potatoes from potato ribs stew, or just vermicelli from steamed scallops with vermicelli, is really treating people like monkeys.

At this time, the first floor of the cafeteria was already packed. Xu Qingfan pointed to the snack shop and said to the few people, "Ruanwen and I will go buy drinks at the snack shop, you guys go upstairs and grab seats."

Without waiting for Xiao Ruawen to object, he finished speaking and firmly held the other's hand.

Many people at the entrance recognized them, and seeing this scene, they became excited, trying to call friends without making a sound.

He Caiting noticed the embarrassed and angry look on Xiao Ruawen's face and had some thoughts in her mind. She said, "Fan brother, it's not convenient for me these days, so I can't have cold drinks."

Xu Qingfan gave her an "OK" gesture and, seeing that no one else had special requests, pulled Xiao Ruawen into the snack shop.

"Fan brother is really bold, daring to hold the class president's hand in public." Wu Shichong immediately said after they separated.

"Maybe Fan brother is just unashamed." Wang Xuan instinctively wanted to defend Xu Qingfan.

"Did Fan brother say anything? Is he and Xiaoxiao in a relationship?" He Caiting seized the chance to ask since she hadn't caught the latest rumor in morning study.

"No, my Fan brother said they made a deal: if he presented flowers on stage, Xia Xiaoxiao would kiss him." Wu Shichong patted Lai Chenglang angrily, "Damn it, why doesn't anyone make a deal like that with me!"

"You should reflect more, Fan brother could casually hold a girl's hand every day, and you're still on 'Are you there? Are you there?' with your phone?" Lai Chenglang teased.

"Damn shut up, how would I know what's going on? If she asks me about Fan brother, I understand, but why is she always inquiring about the class president? Do you think she likes me but is too shy to say?" Wu Shichong said, baffled.

"Maybe she likes the class president." He Caiting said casually, not knowing what cryptic language they were speaking.

"That's impossible. How could a girl like another girl? Caiting sister, don't joke like that." Wu Shichong immediately refuted.

"Then I don't know." He Caiting shrugged and asked, "The forum says Fan brother and Ruanwen are in a relationship; could it be true?"

No need for Wu Shichong to answer; Wang Xuan immediately said, "Impossible, Ruanwen told me she sees Fan brother as an older brother, there's no way for a romantic relationship."

[An older brother... isn't that more exciting?] He Caiting fantasized and didn't respond further.

...

The five found seats shortly after, and Xu Qingfan and Xiao Ruawen returned with drinks.

"Here, Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Aloe Juice, pick what you want to drink." He placed the drinks on the table, with red date-flavored hot milk bought for He Caiting.

"Thanks, Fan brother!"

Pizza Hut's pizza and snacks were delicious, but the drinks were a real letdown: pricey and hard to swallow.

"Haha, class president, we were just talking about Wu Shichong and the class president from next door. She always seeks information about you from Wu Shichong." Lai Chenglang said casually, as chatting is essential while eating.

"Why ask about me?" Xiao Ruawen felt it was quite baffling.

Xu Qingfan was stunned on the spot, suddenly enlightened!

He realized what he'd been forgetting lately: the class president from next door (a girl) confessed to Xia Xiaoxiao in the past life.

"Maybe she likes Ruanwen." Xu Qingfan could only hint this much.

"Why are you saying the same thing, Fan brother? How could a girl like another girl? What a joke!" Wu Shichong rolled his eyes, indicating the joke was bad.

Words of advice are hard to give to damned spirits; Xu Qingfan silently ate, thinking: Wait till the day she asks you to deliver a love letter to Ruanwen, then you'll wise up.

...

After the event ended, Xu Qingfan and Xiao Ruawen walked home together.

A rare moment alone, but Xiao Ruawen was always alert, keeping at least a three-meter distance from him while walking, accelerating every time Xu Qingfan tried to come closer.

Xu Qingfan laughed at her and said, "Is it fun?"

"If it's not fun, why are you playing?"

"Ah!"

When Xiao Ruawen glared back at him, she didn't watch her step and accidentally bumped into a lamppost.

"You're still laughing!" She got angrier seeing Xu Qingfan still amusing himself.

"Hahaha, it's funny, let people laugh, ouch... okay, okay, no more laughing." He raised his hands in surrender after Xiao Ruawen grabbed his ear.

"I've never met someone so exasperating!" Xiao Ruawen might have laughed at her stupidity too, rubbing her bumped forehead, she didn't bother keeping a safe distance anymore.

"Who told you not to look ahead." Xu Qingfan also wanted to help rub her head; after two failed attempts, he finally succeeded the third time, "It's no big deal, take a nap, and the bump will disappear."

Xiao Ruawen felt a warmth inside, stood with her hands in her pockets, letting him blow on her "wound."

Xu Qingfan took her hand again as they walked, neither speaking during the latter half of the journey.

As they approached the school gate, they naturally let go of each other's hands, pretending nothing had happened.

"Hey~ only Lingyu is here?" Xiao Ruawen jogged over, using running to mask her blushing face.

"Ruanwen, Fan brother." Wu Lingyu nodded, "Xia Xiaoxiao and Wan Ningyi are probably still at the celebration banquet."

"Oh, our class was talking about that forum post, hasn't it affected you guys?" Wu Lingyu looked at Xu Qingfan, suspecting if he had posted it.

Xu Qingfan understood her gaze, glared back: "Somebody made it up, saying I kissed Ruanwen in the lab building... damn, sounded believable to me at times."

Xiao Ruawen pinched him quietly and hugged Lingyu from behind saying, "What could possibly affect us? I'm righteous and not afraid of shadows, right Lingyu?"

Five of them had heart-to-heart conversations last night; Wu Lingyu understood her implied meaning.

"Yeah, Fan brother is not like the currency we use." Wu Lingyu echoed what she said last night.

"Exactly, exactly, Lingyu let's keep a distance from him!" Xiao Ruawen dragged Lingyu to the corner to whisper.

"What are you plotting, can't you tell me?" Xu Qingfan shouted.

"Move away, don't eavesdrop!" Xiao Ruawen displayed her fist.

Xu Qingfan found it amusing and thought: you probably haven't watched Infernal Affairs, huh!

...