Proud senior schoolgirl was tender and sweet, we fell in love

Chapter 7: 7: Senior, I don't want a red envelope, can you treat me to a meal instead?

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As these words were spoken, the people around looked at Xie Xiao with surprise.

Xie Xiao, however, paid no attention to the various probing glances and just looked towards Luo Yanran, whose face still bore the signs of disappointment she hadn't had time to conceal, "Senior, this is for you to take away."

The tone of his voice was completely devoid of the impatience he had shown towards Zhou Mianmian, instead, it carried a hint of gentleness.

The crowd, who had originally been watching the drama in the dark, were startled; a major show was unfolding!

The rivalry between the two school beauties was thrilling!

Just then, the aunt's yelling could be heard, "What are you looking at? The dishes are over here! Why are you craning your necks over there?"

Luo Yanran came back to her senses amidst the aunt's shouting and the sharp pain of Liu Ou stealthily pinching her waist.

She glanced downward at the two portions of sweet and sour small ribs in Xie Xiao's hand and asked, "For me?"

"Yes, I got two extra portions. I saw that senior was also in this line, so you must like this dish too, right?" Xie Xiao said, his voice very gentle as he looked at her.

Behind him, Lin Yu rolled his eyes. Two extra portions? All neatly packed, no less! And to think it had earned him a few glares from the people queued up behind him.

It was clearly premeditated.

Zhou Mianmian, having been thoroughly ignored, had a face that shifted between shades of green and white.

The moment when the two bags were taken from her hands reminded her of that night at the party.

It had been the same then; it had been Luo Yanran; and from that night on, Xie Xiao had changed!

Perhaps it wasn't because she had rejected Xie Xiao's confession after all; had Luo Yanran done something?

The prying eyes of those around made Zhou Mianmian feel embarrassed.

She felt as though she could hear a myriad of mocking laughs.

In the end, she glared fiercely at Xie Xiao and Luo Yanran before turning and running out of the cafeteria.

Liu Xiuping uttered an "Aiyo, Mianmian!"

Then, she stuffed her meal card into her friend's hand, "You help me get a takeout meal; I'm going to check on her..."

Someone whispered, "Xie Xiao, Mianmian ran away crying..."

Xie Xiao looked towards the classmate who had spoken; he usually got along quite well with Zhou Mianmian.

To be accurate, Zhou Mianmian got along pretty well with everyone in the class, except for the rare individuals like Lin Yu who could see through her true nature.

Zhou Mianmian was too good at pleasing people, she would never refuse anything anyone asked her to do, regardless of whether she could do it or not, because Xie Xiao would always help her carry it out in the end.

Xie Xiao's gaze was indifferent at that moment; he glanced at the girl and said, "Oh, what does that have to do with me?"

Liu Ou let out a sigh, thinking that perhaps her best friend's secret crush might still have a chance.

She smiled and reached out to take the sweet and sour small ribs from Xie Xiao's hand, "Thanks, junior. I was worried I wouldn't get any today..."

Luo Yanran also looked up at Xie Xiao. She had seen everything he had done to Zhou Mianmian, including the glare she had received from Zhou Mianmian just a moment ago.

Luo Yanran couldn't deny feeling a bit happy at the time, but her face didn't show it; instead, she slightly raised her chin and said with a bit of defiance in her tone, "I'll transfer the money to you later."

Liu Ou rolled her eyes behind her; her best friend's arrogant little problem was acting up again, no wonder everyone said she was out of their league.

Just as she was about to smooth things over, Xie Xiao laughed. "Sure. We'll go secure a spot and eat first, senior. You go get your meal, too."

With that, he grabbed Lin Yu, who had been joining the onlookers in relishing the spectacle, and walked away with a smile to Luo Yanran, ignoring the various gazes around them.

The girl who had spoken just now looked at Xie Xiao's retreating back and couldn't help but glance at Luo Yanran, meeting her emotionless gaze.

She withdrew her gaze in a fluster. Although Luo Yanran was beautiful, she still wasn't as gentle as Mianmian.

Xie Xiao couldn't possibly be blind!

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Xie Xiao, of course, wasn't blind, but now he felt completely indifferent towards Zhou Mianmian, so naturally, he wouldn't treat her the same way as before.

Lying on the hospital bed for three years, he went from initial resentment, despair, and self-loathing to gradually letting go until, finally, the only thing left in his heart and eyes was the vivid image of another person.

When a person encounters their own sun in the depths of despair, they only wish to chase after the sunlight that belongs to them for the rest of their lives. As for those bulbs trying to obscure the sun with their faint glow, Xie Xiao naturally wouldn't spare them a second glance.

"Xie Xiao, what's going on with you?" After sitting down with him, Lin Yu couldn't hold back anymore, "You don't seem like yourself today."

Lin Yu had known Xie Xiao since elementary school and understood him very well; he was genuinely a gentle person.

He originally thought that at most Xie Xiao would just ignore Zhou Mianmian from now on.

But now, it seemed his attitude had turned quite hostile, and it didn't seem like something Xie Xiao would do.

Even though it felt satisfying to watch, Lin Yu still worried whether Xie Xiao had been overly stimulated.

Xie Xiao met his puzzled and concerned gaze with a smile, "I've simply come to a realization. Instead of caring too much about how others see me, I'd rather live a life that pleases me."

Lin Yu was stunned, staring at Xie Xiao's candid smiling face for quite a while before he could snap back to reality.

In the end, he didn't say much, simply nodding his head, "I like what you said. You were too 'pretentious' before, looking like you had lots of friends but in reality, everyone was just taking advantage of you."

Xie Xiao: ... Although he was speaking the truth, it did hit home.

He sighed, "Lin Yu, do you know why you don't have other friends? Your mouth is too venomous."

Lin Yu, however, was quite composed, "What's the use of having so many friends? It's hard enough to have one who truly understands you."

Looking at Lin Yu in front of him, Xie Xiao remembered things from his past life, a smile appeared in his eyes, and he nodded in agreement, "You're absolutely right."

Lin Yu gave him a look, still feeling that Xie Xiao was acting strange.

Xie Xiao had planned to secure a good spot; maybe he could even have lunch with Luo Yanran.

But he discovered she had left with her food packed, and when leaving, she cast a glance at their table.

Xie Xiao gave her a radiant smile.

Luo Yanran swiftly looked away, her steps to leave seemed a little hurried.

Lin Yu, who was watching his goofy smile, found it somewhat unbearable to watch, "What's the deal with you and Luo Yanran? I thought you were just trying to upset Zhou Mianmian."

But now, it didn't quite seem like that!

Xie Xiao glanced at him, "Isn't it obvious?"

Lin Yu gestured for him to share the juicy details.

However, Xie Xiao just smiled and shook his head, "I can't tell you. It's just that I suddenly found a treasure, and now I want to keep it all to myself."

So he declined to share.

Lin Yu had a face that read 'what's that supposed to mean?'

The people around who were eavesdropping in an attempt to gossip were equally perplexed.

Yet Xie Xiao smiled unconcernedly, and then his phone vibrated.

The profile picture of someone he had looked at countless times but never dared to initiate a chat with appeared on his phone screen, followed by a WeChat red envelope.

Xie Xiao didn't click on the red envelope but replied instead, [Senior, I don't want the red envelope, but how about you treat me to a meal along with the milk tea from last time?]

After sending the message, Xie Xiao patiently waited for a response.

But before he got an answer from Luo Yanran, he received a text message.

It was from Zhou Mianmian, [Xie Xiao, I'm waiting for you at our old spot, I won't leave if you don't come!]