Chapter 18

Chapter 18

"You?!"

A sudden surge of inexplicable anger rose in Lin Shengjin's heart.

What did Shen Siqin mean by this?

Hadn't he just severed ties with Wen Changxiang?

Although Lin Shengjin had his suspicions, they were only guesses.

Shen Siqin's attempts to curry favor and show concern were so obvious that it would be strange if he was unaware.

Without a clear answer, he preferred to think the best of people.

In Lin Shengjin's view, even if Shen Siqin had turned over a new leaf and wanted to attend night school for the college entrance exam, that would be better than Shen Siqin... actually pursuing him to make him happy.

Lin Shengjin suddenly lifted his head, meeting Shen Siqin's unsmiling gaze.

Unlike the half-smile from earlier, Shen Siqin now looked sincere.

The anger in Lin Shengjin's chest momentarily wavered, unsure whether to flare up or not.

For a fleeting moment, he even thought Shen Siqin might be serious.

But then he immediately dismissed the idea.

Ha, how could that be possible.

In a calm yet earnest tone, Shen Siqin said, "It's for you."

Lin Shengjin lowered his eyes, noticing Shen Libin watching them intently.

Shen Libin, holding his bowl, had a puzzled and curious look on his thin, dark face.

Lin Shengjin turned and walked away. Shen Siqin quickly followed, turning back to give instructions.

"Sanlin, watch the store; I'll be back soon."

Lin Shengjin casually placed the lunch box in the basket and swung his long legs onto the bicycle.

"Wait!" Shen Siqin chased out of the store.

Lin Shengjin had no intention of leaving; he simply sat on the bicycle, his cold and handsome face devoid of any smile. He slightly tilted his head, gesturing for Shen Siqin to sit behind him.

Shen Siqin pointed at himself in surprise. "I sit behind?"

Lin Shengjin's reaction was unexpected for Shen Siqin.

Having never pursued anyone before, he searched his mind but found no experience to judge whether this was normal or not.

But even if it wasn't normal, what difference did it make?

He still got on the bicycle with a smile.

Lin Shengjin pedaled off with a stern face.

Sitting on the back seat, the cool autumn breeze brushed against Shen Siqin's face.

Lin Shengjin remained silent.

Shen Siqin made no attempt to speak first.

Lin Shengjin rode all the way from the North Gate to the South Gate.

This area belonged to the Agricultural College, with plenty of empty land. Lin Shengjin abruptly stopped the bicycle, and the inertia pushed Shen Siqin forward. He quickly grabbed the metal frame of the rear seat to steady himself, preventing himself from bumping into Lin Shengjin.

"What do you mean by this?" Lin Shengjin stopped the bike and asked in a low voice.

Shen Siqin got off the bicycle and first glanced around.

His reputation was already so bad that there was little more to lose.

After all, minus one minus a hundred is still a negative number.

The problem was, he didn't want Lin Shengjin to follow the old plotline.

However, Shen Siqin's actions only made Lin Shengjin feel more suspicious.

"At this time, no one is here," he said coldly.

"Better safe than sorry." Lin Shengjin's original self had been discovered because of carelessness.

Shen Siqin scanned the surroundings again and noticed Lin Shengjin's expression had worsened.

Shen Siqin: "???"

What had he done wrong this time?

Usually, Shen Siqin's mind worked well, but it took him a few seconds to realize what was going on.

"Oh!"

"I'm not worried about myself; my reputation is already like that. I'm worried about you!"

Lin Shengjin: "…"

He suddenly felt that arguing with someone like this was foolish.

After Shen Siqin spoke, he realized how much his words sounded like excuses.

But he was telling the truth!

Sigh, the downside of having low credibility was that even the truth sounded like a lie.

"I'm actually quite fond of beating around the bush."

"However, some things need to be said clearly."

"I am pursuing you."

There was nothing wrong with saying it out loud!

Shen Siqin thought he just wanted to say it directly.

He stopped dodging and looked straight at Lin Shengjin.

Lin Shengjin couldn't understand how Shen Siqin could say such things.

He helplessly spun around on the spot.

"I don't like guys. Don't think about this kind of thing anymore."

Lin Shengjin still harbored anger, but in the end, he didn't say anything harsh.

Even if Shen Siqin's current attitude was an act,

even if it was just for the sake of impressing him, he didn't want to be too harsh.

In such a serious situation, Shen Siqin suddenly felt like laughing.

Well, the boss is very polite.

Shen Siqin didn't laugh; he just calmly said, "I'm serious."

Lin Shengjin pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth and remained silent for a while before saying, "I'm also being serious!"

Regardless of whether Shen Siqin truly knew he liked men or was just guessing, he wouldn't admit it.

How many days had passed?

No matter how well Shen Siqin had treated him these past few days,

Lin Shengjin couldn't believe that Shen Siqin had genuinely become a good person.

"Okay, I understand." Shen Siqin nodded obediently. "I promise I won't initiate any conversation with you in the future."

He wasn't expecting Lin Shengjin to believe him right away; such things weren't easy to accept.

Though he was a little sad now.

Just a little.

Before today, perhaps he had been more attracted to Lin Shengjin because of his looks and voice.

Now, he felt he had truly fallen for him.

Lin Shengjin.

Despite being so angry, he couldn't even utter a hurtful word.

Maintaining his composure.

Who wouldn't like someone like that?

Lin Shengjin took two steps back. "I hope you keep your word."

"You can go back by school bus yourself." Lin Shengjin raised his left hand and pointed east. "Walk two hundred meters, there's a bus stop. Go back quickly; Sanlin still has class."

After saying this, he rode off quickly.

Shen Siqin turned to watch him leave, still as captivating as ever. This time, though, Shen Siqin admired him not just for his beauty but for his character.

He looked east and indeed saw the school bus signboard in the distance.

It seemed this place wasn't chosen randomly by Lin Shengjin.

He shook his head and smiled bitterly.

Today, he had admitted it so straightforwardly.

He had forgotten his plan of playing the long game.

Maybe… maybe he didn't want to see Lin Shengjin worried.

Making him guess made him feel uneasy.

Shen Siqin started walking towards the bus stop sign.

But after a few steps, he saw Lin Shengjin again.

Riding his black bicycle, he returned to his side like a gust of wind.

Lin Shengjin didn't get off the bike; he just leaned over to untie the plastic bag in the front basket.

"The food and drinks are what you paid for; you don’t need to repay me." Shen Siqin quickly stepped back.

There’s no need to be so ruthless.

"You wish!" Lin Shengjin gently kicked the pedal, and the bicycle glided forward, placing him in front of Shen Siqin once again.

Lin Shengjin merely took out the heart-shaped jelly and shoved it back into his hand.

"I can't accept this. Keep it. From now on, don’t try to take advantage anymore. It’s better to do some honest business."

Lin Shengjin felt that this time, it should be the last conversation he would have with Shen Siqin.

He was adhering to his principles, making one final attempt to advise him.

After saying this, Lin Shengjin turned and left.

Shen Siqin stood there, holding the heart-shaped jelly he had carefully chosen.

After a long while, he slowly exhaled a gentle breath.

Shen Siqin looked down at his palm.

Strawberry flavor.

In the book, the flavor Lin Shengjin would later come to like.