Extreme Pampering
Chapter 220 - 216: If We Had Been Together Sooner

Chapter 220: Chapter 216: If We Had Been Together Sooner

In the first few days of school, Shen Zhiyi didn’t adjust well. The curriculum arrangement at the private high school was completely different from any she had encountered before, with many added experimental courses. It was her first time facing these and she was unable to find her bearings, even with the sports class activities being new to her.

"You don’t know how to play tennis?"

The girl who was partnered with her looked at her quizzically.

Shen Zhiyi picked up the ball and, with her eyes lowered, said, "I’ve never learned."

After watching her for a bit, the girl said, "Then you should get a private coach to teach you or else you’ll never be able to return my serves."

Most of them had advanced from the junior high section and had been exposed to these sports early on; the school had set its student body and curriculum from its inception to be all-encompassing and free, not necessarily nurturing bookworms but seemingly teaching the children of the wealthy how to indulge in leisure.

Shen Zhiyi nodded.

The girl waved her tennis racket and glanced back, uninterested, "I’m getting scorched; I’m going to play billiards indoors. You practice by yourself."

At that time, the billiard room was crowded, and Qin Xiaoran was also there, surrounded by friends, handing a drink to Qin Fang while holding another girl’s arm.

The school’s uniform was Western-style, and Qin Fang had taken off his dark blue blazer and left his shirt and tie undone, looking rakishly at ease and carrying an air of suavity.

He took the water and asked, looking to the side, "Brother Pei, want some water?"

It was the hottest part of the afternoon, and the bright light climbed along the window sills, casting a hazy glow on the slim figure of the youth. Pei Yu was slightly bent over, eyelashes half-dropped, the cue stick moving lightly.

He didn’t have the casual dress sense of Qin Fang, his coat so neatly pressed it didn’t have a single wrinkle, with unruly soft and fluffy hair, a few strands resting on his brow bone.

Pei Yu responded flatly, "No need."

He lackadaisically drew back the cue stick with a chilly expression, his pale face tinted gold by the sunlight. His lips were barely pursed, and he appeared to be in a low mood.

Qin Fang gave him another look, "Are you still jet-lagged?"

It had been several days since school started, but it was Pei Yu’s first day at school. He had been taken abroad by Father Pei on a field investigation, and had returned to school before getting over the jet lag.

Pei Yu grunted coldly and saw Qin Xiaoran standing nearby with a tall girl, the two chatting about something.

His gaze slid over the girl, and Pei Yu frowned slightly, speaking in a tone neither loud nor low, "Qin Xiaoran."

Qin Xiaoran immediately turned around, "What’s up, Brother Pei Yu?"

Pei Yu, his gaze down, languidly fiddled with the chalk, as if casually saying, "Does your class also have physical education?"

"Yeah," Qin Xiaoran said, "It’s too hot outside, so I came here to play since I’m not great at sports."

For some reason, she felt that Pei Yu had inexplicably glanced at her friend next to her.

"This is my good friend," Qin Xiaoran introduced, somewhat puzzled.

Pei Yu asked indifferently, "How many good friends do you have?"

"Not many," Qin Xiaoran started naming people, "...Oh right, and Zhiyi, Zhiyi is also my good friend."

It was as if she had just remembered, "Zhiyi seems to be playing tennis outside."

After finishing his water, Qin Fang casually mentioned, "Call her over to play; tennis is no fun."

"Sure, that’s fine," Qin Xiaoran looked towards Pei Yu, "Shall I call her over then?"

Pei Yu, with his head lowered, as if he hadn’t heard, or as if he simply didn’t care.

Fifteen minutes later, Shen Zhiyi arrived at the billiard room. She had just finished exercising and wore only a white sports tee. When the air conditioning hit her, she sneezed softly.

She hadn’t expected the billiard room to be so cool and hadn’t brought a jacket.

"Zhiyi!" Qin Xiaoran waved at her.

Shen Zhiyi walked over, and the first person she saw inside was the young man standing there. He lifted his dark pupils as if he was also watching her.

"Long time no see," Qin Fang greeted her lazily.

Shen Zhiyi nodded, and her hand was immediately stuffed with a bottle of cold drink.

"You play tennis? Maybe we can play together sometime," Qin Fang said it as mere politeness.

Shen Zhiyi showed a slightly embarrassed expression, "I’m not really good at it."

"Didn’t your family hire someone to teach you?" Pei Yu suddenly spoke up.

She shook her head, "I haven’t told Aunt Shen yet."

Qin Fang boldly stood between the two, his height completely shielding Shen Zhiyi; Pei Yu poked him impatiently with his racket, "Go stand on the side."

"Am I squeezing you again?" Qin Fang muttered as he changed spots, "So high-maintenance."

Pei Yu was fussy, didn’t like being crowded by others; even sitting together, one had to keep distance from him.

After he walked away, Shen Zhiyi also moved a bit to the outside, afraid of crowding Pei Yu like he did.

By then, Qin Fang was already arguing with Qin Xiaoran over some trivial matter; the siblings argued every day anyway.

Shen Zhiyi found their conversation interesting, watching while taking a sip of water when her shoulder was suddenly lightly prodded; she turned her head and met the young man’s dark and clear eyes.

Leaning against the wall, playing with the racket on the table, Pei Yu looked somewhat languid and casual, "Come here."

There was room between them for two more people to stand.

Shen Zhiyi moved closer, thinking he had something to say and quietly looked at him.

But Pei Yu didn’t speak again, just lowered his long lashes and let his gaze rest on her face, casually sizing her up.

Shen Zhiyi gradually felt her face heat up under his gaze, she looked away and asked in a low voice, "What’s wrong?"

"Seeing if you’re doing well."

He certainly had a lot going on and rarely had the energy to pay attention to her all the time.

Shen Zhiyi’s voice got even quieter, finding his question strange, "I’m doing fine."

Even if she was still not used to school life, her life was much better now than before.

Pei Yu lightly responded with a nod, "If you have any problems, you can come to me."

His words were soft and didn’t sound like a joke.

Looking up at him, Shen Zhiyi sincerely said, "Thank you, you’re really nice."

She hadn’t expected Pei Yu, who seemed not very approachable, to actually have a warm heart.

For a moment, Pei Yu paused, his look at her turned indistinctly gloomy. After a long while, he smiled silently, "I’m not this nice to everyone."

Shen Zhiyi was stunned and uttered a dumbfounded "Ah?"

She had been well taken care of for several months; the flesh on her cheeks was significantly plumper and looked soft and pinchable. Pei Yu felt an itch to touch, and couldn’t help but lift his hand and gently press the back of it against her cheek.

"Just remember that."

Shen Zhiyi felt dizzy, not knowing what she was supposed to remember. The place where he rubbed her cheek felt like it was on fire, making her whole body heat up.

Almost subconsciously, she stepped back a few paces.

Pei Yu didn’t let her escape; he grasped her slender wrist and pulled her back to his side.

His eyebrows slightly raised, "Run from what?"

Shen Zhiyi didn’t know why she had wanted to run; she pulled her hand back, a bit perplexed, "I don’t understand what you mean."

Pei Yu put down the racket casually, "What I mean is, if you want to thank me, stay close to me."

His gaze was steady, "Anytime."