Chapter 60 Jealousy

Chapter 60 Jealousy

"Then... let go of me first. Let's talk outside."

Lin Yao said softly, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Shi Yu’s kiss just now was a bit forceful.

Compared to the first time he kissed her a few days ago, it seemed to carry many more complex emotions.

She was still dazed from the kiss, her lips tingling and slightly swollen.

She felt that letting Shi Yu hold her on the bed to "negotiate terms" was too dangerous.

But as soon as she propped herself up with her elbow, the large hand around her waist tightened.

Shi Yu pulled her back and made her sit down again.

"Sit properly." He leaned casually against the headboard, lazily playing with her fingers, "Let's talk here."

Lin Yao: "..."

Alright then.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Talk..." Shi Yu’s thin eyelids lowered, his eyes darkening, just as he was about to speak.

Ding Dong—

The doorbell suddenly rang from outside.

Both of them looked at each other simultaneously.

Lin Yao’s eyes were filled with curiosity. "Who could it be?"

Her parents and Shi Nian all had the door code, so it couldn’t be them ringing the bell at this hour.

"I’ll go see." Shi Yu rubbed her head and got up, his clean white T-shirt and gray casual pants making him look tall and leggy, like a walking clothes hanger.

Although Shi Yu didn’t let her get out of bed, Lin Yao was curious about who would come at this hour. She thought for a moment and followed him out in her slippers.

In the living room, Shi Yu was just opening the door.

As the door opened, Shi Yu’s long, cool eyes narrowed slightly.

"Who are you looking for?"

Outside, Gu Xizhou, holding a gift box and smiling while waiting for the door to open, visibly froze upon seeing Shi Yu.

Seeing Shi Yu, his pupils constricted. "Shi Yu... do you live here too?"

It was an awkward question.

Gu Xizhou, always the top student at No. 3 Middle School and often jokingly called a golden couple with Shi Nian, naturally knew Shi Nian’s younger brother, Shi Yu.

He had also heard that Shi Nian and Shi Yu lived at the Lin family’s house.

But somehow... knowing was one thing, seeing it firsthand was another.

Moreover, Gu Xizhou had already prepared himself mentally before coming over. He had rehearsed what to say when he saw Lin Yao or her parents.

With good family background and a smooth journey, he had a certain grace in dealing with people. But he still showed obvious surprise upon seeing Shi Yu.

Shi Yu raised an eyebrow, his voice cold. "If I don’t live here, where should I live?"

Gu Xizhou realized his question was inappropriate and apologized. "That’s not what I meant..."

"Class Monitor, why are you here?" Lin Yao’s sweet voice came from behind.

She ran out, still wearing the light blue nightdress that Shi Yu had just messed up.

The length of the dress reached just below her knees, and with her movement, a small section of her fair legs peeked out from under the hem, dazzlingly white.

Not to mention, although the fabric of the nightdress was loose, it clung easily to her body.

As she moved, the outline of her budding figure, like a newly bloomed flower, was clearly defined by the fabric.

This made her lips, which Shi Yu had just kissed fiercely, appear slightly swollen and even more enticing.

Shi Yu frowned, his expression turning colder.

When Gu Xizhou looked up, he almost couldn’t take his eyes off her, being distracted for a few seconds before regaining his composure and saying warmly, "Oh, it’s like this... the school yearbook is ready, so I brought yours and Shi Nian’s copies."

"The yearbook is ready?" Lin Yao ran over happily, reaching out to take the yearbook from Gu Xizhou and flipping through it.

She had been waiting for the yearbook for quite some time. Seeing that Class 13 had already received theirs, she had specifically asked Gu Xizhou about it in the class group yesterday.

To her surprise, Gu Xizhou personally delivered the yearbook today.

Lin Yao lowered her eyes and flipped to the back of the yearbook, seeing the full-grade photo taken by a professional photography team.

That day, the weather was great, and whether by coincidence or luck, their Class 1 was arranged next to Class 13.

She stood beside Shi Yu, and the moment the shutter clicked, it captured the smiles of those dull yet fulfilling years of youth.

Lin Yao couldn’t help but smile as she looked at the photo.

She didn’t notice that, as she bent her head to flip through the album, the two people beside her exchanged glances—cold indifference met warmth and gentleness.

As fellow men, in that split second, they both understood each other's intentions clearly.

"Thank you, Class President. You can give me Shi Nian's as well."

Lin Yao took the additional commemorative badge from Gu Xizhou. Seeing that he was still standing at the door, she suddenly realized something.

"On such a hot day, you still had to personally deliver the commemorative album to us. I forgot to invite you in. Sorry, Class President, please come in and have some water. Rest for a bit before you leave."

Lin Yao felt a bit embarrassed and worried that Gu Xizhou might be too polite to accept her invitation.

Unexpectedly, right after she invited him, Gu Xizhou nodded lightly, "Sure."

He changed his shoes and came in.

Lin Yao quickly asked Gu Xizhou to sit on the sofa, "By the way, do you want juice or sparkling water? Oh, we also have iced coffee at home."

Gu Xizhou spoke gently, "Sparkling water is fine. By the way, there's something else I wanted to discuss with you."

Clearly, he wanted Lin Yao to stay and talk, indicating she shouldn't leave yet.

Lin Yao nodded slightly surprised, "Okay."

She turned back and winked at someone who had followed her over: "Shi Yu, could you pour a glass of iced sparkling water for the Class President?"

The young girl's long, thick lashes fluttered slightly as she looked up, her request gentle and soft.

Shi Yu's brows furrowed coldly.

But he couldn't refuse.

He nodded lightly and, in front of Gu Xizhou, placed his palm on the girl's raven-black hair, casually rubbing it, "And what about you, what do you want to drink?"

Lin Yao almost blushed and jumped up from her chair.

"I... juice is fine." Her cheeks were flushed, and she spoke incoherently, instantly lowering her head, not daring to look up.

Muttering softly, "Thanks..."

What is Shi Yu doing?

Doesn't he know that touching her head in front of others would easily reveal their relationship?!

The sight of the little green tea's face turning red made Shi Yu's previously sour mood lighten a bit.

His gaze swept past Gu Xizhou, sitting on the sofa, with a cool, unemotional expression.

Gu Xizhou seemed to sense something and raised his eyes, his gaze moving between Lin Yao's lowered, flushed face and Shi Yu's cold eyes. He frowned tightly, as if he wanted to say something.

Shi Yu seemed to see through his thoughts and left with a cold smile, unconcerned.

Gu Xizhou looked at the girl, still with her head down, feeling nervous and awkward. After a slight hesitation, he couldn't help but speak, "Sorry, Lin Yao, this might be impolite, but are you very close to Shi Yu?"

"Why... why are you asking this..." Lin Yao was taken aback, her face reddening even more.

Her heart raced, feeling both embarrassed and flustered.

She didn't want others to suspect her relationship with Shi Yu, "No, actually, Shi Yu and I are just..."

Gu Xizhou: "It doesn't matter. Who you're close to is your choice."

Lin Yao clicked her tongue, realizing she was suspected.

See, she said Shi Yu's behavior earlier was annoying.

The girl's face burned, about to explain and dispel any suspicions, when she heard Gu Xizhou's next words—

Gu Xizhou: "However, as a friend, I feel it necessary to warn you. I know Shi Yu is an excellent person, and many girls like him. But given the current situation of his family, he isn't really a good match for you."

"How much value does youthful infatuation hold? Girls are often attracted to boys' looks and talents, but in the long run, Shi Yu isn't a good choice for dating."

Lin Yao: "..."

Her eyelashes trembled, stunned, her face full of surprise, clearly incredulous at Gu Xizhou's words.

"What... what do you mean by that?" She regained her voice after a moment of shock.

Gu Xizhou remained calm and said, "Isn't it true? Shi Yu lost both his parents, and his family conditions can't compare to yours. He even has a sister. I know Shi Nian is also very talented. But reality is harsh. Even if they both got into Capital University, once they graduate, a diploma alone won't guarantee success. He will face many challenges, and you might suffer with him."

"Lin Yao, I believe Shi Yu may achieve something someday, but are you sure you want to wait for that? We've been classmates for three years, and I know you are soft and obedient, but you also have your pride. You were pampered by your parents. Why waste your time on someone like him..."

"Enough." Lin Yao interrupted him with a low, urgent voice.

After saying that, her first instinct was to turn and look towards the kitchen.

Fortunately, Shi Yu was still in the kitchen and hadn't heard anything.

Lin Yao breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart was racing, filled with frustration and anger.

Why did Gu Xizhou talk about Shi Yu like that? And what right did he have to say such things to her?

"Sorry," seeing her upset, Gu Xizhou said solemnly, "I might have been too hasty with my words..."

Lin Yao: "No need. Do you have anything else? If not, I have other things to do and can't keep you company."

Gu Xizhou: "..."

Lin Yao's tone was still gentle and soft, but her intention to dismiss him was clear.

If it weren't for the year and a half of interaction, where Gu Xizhou, as the class president, had been quite considerate towards her, especially when she was being rumored about by students from Class 1, and he was one of the few who didn't spread those rumors and even helped clarify them—

Lin Yao probably wouldn't be this polite.

Gu Xizhou naturally felt Lin Yao's distance and resistance. His expression turned cold for two seconds, and he nodded, preparing to get up and leave.

But just as he was about to stand up, he seemed to remember something, appearing reluctant, and sat back down.

"This... is a gift I got for you." The gift box he had been holding for a long time was finally gently pushed in front of her.

A gift?

Lin Yao looked at him in surprise, "Why are you giving me a gift..."

Gu Xizhou: "Because I like you."

Lin Yao: "What..."

Lin Yao's heart skipped a beat; she never expected Gu Xizhou to say something like this.

He likes her?

How could that be...

Gu Xizhou's expression didn't seem like he was joking.

He looked at Lin Yao and spoke seriously, "I know it must be sudden for you. This gift... is to congratulate you on your successful college entrance exam."

"Unfortunately, I didn't perform well this time and didn't achieve the results I hoped for. My parents have arranged for me to attend another university abroad, and I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow. Once I go, I don't know when I'll be back. So I thought, no matter what, I should come see you today and give you this gift along with my feelings."

As he spoke, he opened the gift box on the table.

Inside was a crystal swan. It was exquisitely crafted and beautifully packaged, clearly not cheap.

"This... this gift is too expensive; I can't accept it." Lin Yao pushed the gift box back without hesitation, "Besides, I don't like you..."

"I know." Gu Xizhou had anticipated that Lin Yao would reject him.

Gu Xizhou: "I knew you wouldn't like me, which is why I acted so out of character earlier and said those things. Sorry, I showed you an ungraceful side of me. To be honest, I was jealous of him."

Who 'he' was, both of them understood without needing to say.

Gu Xizhou's slender fingers touched the small swan in front of him: "Actually, the first time I saw you, I noticed you. We were just assigned to the same class, and there were many classmates around Shi Nian, thinking she was beautiful and perfect like a swan. But... I thought you were the real swan. Proud, stubborn, yet adorable..."

Lin Yao: "..."

She pursed her lips, not knowing what to say.

Gu Xizhou recalled the first time he met Lin Yao after the class assignment.

At that time, Shi Nian had transferred over, and he had just returned from a competition outside. He saw the two of them for the first time in Class 2, Grade 2.

Everyone said he and Shi Nian were a perfect match, calling her flawless like a swan.

But Gu Xizhou's eyes were drawn to Lin Yao, sitting by the window.

The girl was very beautiful, with skin whiter than snow, her eyes sparkling, and her delicate red lips slightly parted as she secretly glanced over.

Clearly, she was sneaking a peek, but she pretended not to care and would look away proudly whenever he caught her gaze.

Back then, he couldn't help but secretly remember Lin Yao's name.

Later, he found out she loved studying, so he started actively helping classmates with their problems, presenting himself as someone who welcomed any question and answered patiently.

Sure enough, later on, Lin Yao approached him for help with questions.

He wouldn't miss any opportunity, always trying his best to impress her, hoping to explain a single problem in ten different ways. Unfortunately, they had only just become familiar when Lin Yao, due to an accident, moved to Class 13.

When she returned, she had the more outstanding Shi Yu by her side, and naturally, she no longer needed him.

...

...

When Shi Yu came out with the fizzy water and juice,

Gu Xizhou was already gone, leaving only the open crystal swan statue on the coffee table.

His little green tea sat on the other sofa, her hand resting on her cheek, staring at the crystal statue with a troubled expression.

"He's gone?"

He placed the two glasses on the coffee table with a light clink.

The sound startled Lin Yao back to reality. Seeing Shi Yu, her face flushed red, and she hurriedly tried to cover the crystal swan on the table.

"No need to hide it; I've seen it." He held her wrist in his palm, "Did he give this to you?"

Lin Yao: "..."

Oh no, what will Shi Yu think now?

She shouldn't have sat here dazed after Gu Xizhou's confession, forgetting to hide the gift.

Lin Yao: "It's... not like that. Anyway, I wasn't planning to keep it. I wanted to return it to him, but he refused and left it here. I'll send it back via courier later."

Thankfully, getting the class president's address from the teacher privately would be easy.

Otherwise, she really wouldn't know what to do with the crystal swan.

"Crystal sculpture, swan..." Shi Yu casually touched the swan on the table, looking at her with lowered eyes, "Did Gu Xizhou confess to you?"

"You... how did you know?" Lin Yao's face turned even redder.

Of course I knew.

From the moment he opened the door and saw Gu Xizhou, Shi Yu knew.

It was that special intuition between guys, especially when Gu Xizhou looked at him with such obvious hostility.

Who would have the time to deliver a yearbook specifically to someone’s home?

If the class monitor were this considerate to every classmate, they’d probably break their legs running around.

Only a naive girl like her would believe it.

Shi Yu’s eyes betrayed no emotion; instead, he picked her up, sat down, and placed her in his lap.

Clearly not angry, without saying a harsh word, his expression remained normal, showing no hint of coldness.

Yet Lin Yao could feel an inexplicable chill emanating from Shi Yu.

She wondered if she should say something to ease the tension.

She gently tugged on his sleeve, "Shi Yu, um..."

He suddenly leaned down and kissed her.

At first, it was gentle, but then it intensified, becoming more forceful as he bit her lips harder.

Lin Yao found it hard to breathe, the familiar scent of cool wood filling her mouth, making her face flush red, and she could only whimper unconsciously.

She felt that Shi Yu was being so aggressive and dangerous, wanting to push him away.

But the more she feared him and tried to push him away, the more Shi Yu refused to let her go.

Instead, he pressed her closer into his embrace, biting her already slightly swollen lips even more.

After kissing her for a long time, the girl’s eyes gradually lost focus, and her body, which had wanted to struggle earlier, now lay soft and compliant in his arms.

Her slender white legs hung limply, occasionally curling her small toes in embarrassment when he kissed her harder, her feet tensing.

After a while.

In the living room, only their breathing remained.

Shi Yu’s fingertips brushed over her kiss-swollen lips, his gaze darkening further as he lifted her face to kiss her again.

"Baby, don't let him look at you like that anymore."

His hoarse voice echoed in Lin Yao’s ears, filled with intense displeasure.

He was extremely jealous.

Lin Yao thought Shi Yu was being unreasonable.

How could she control whether others looked at her or not?

But just as she was about to argue, she met his deep, dark gaze and all her words got stuck in her throat.

Forget it... better not say anything.

After all, the class monitor is leaving for abroad soon. She would send the gift back tomorrow, and they wouldn’t see each other again.

Seeing Lin Yao bite her lip without refusing, seemingly agreeing, Shi Yu’s expression softened slightly.

He knew his little green tea was very delicate. He almost couldn’t control himself and scared her. If he really scared her away, where would he find her?

"Give me your phone." He held out his hand.

Lin Yao: "What do you want my phone for?"

She instinctively tried to hide her phone behind her back, thinking he might delete her contact with Gu Xizhou and even kick her out of the class group.

He coaxed her softly, "Be good, give it to me first."

Lin Yao: "..."

After hesitating for a few seconds, she chose to trust him and handed over her phone.

Then she watched as Shi Yu’s long fingers gripped her phone, opened Taobao, and selected several items from the same brand as the crystal swan Gu Xizhou had given her, but clearly higher-end diamond-encrusted decorations.

With a few taps, a diamond-encrusted swan, a diamond-encrusted bear, a diamond-encrusted rabbit, a diamond-encrusted garden sculpture set, and even a diamond-encrusted vase, all went into her shopping cart.

Then Shi Yu transferred her shopping cart to his account and cleared it in one second.

Lin Yao: "What are you doing? Why spend so much money!"

She knew he had recently started redeveloping the software his parents left behind, and because of good progress, he had received a significant investment.

Though he wasn’t short on money, it was still too wasteful.

Shi Yu handed her phone back, pinching her cheek lightly, "If I let my girlfriend return what her rival gave her and don’t compensate her, what if someone else takes her away someday?"

Ah, Lin Yao suddenly felt he was being childish.

"Who’s your girlfriend? I haven’t admitted it yet." She puffed her cheeks, trying to return the items, but Shi Yu took her phone away.

He pinned her and her phone onto the sofa, looking down at her, "So, girlfriend, when will you make me official?"

That was what he wanted to talk about before Gu Xizhou knocked on the door.

Shi Yu was increasingly regretting his decision to agree to her terms of keeping their relationship secret.

"Going public? You mean you want to make our relationship public?" To his surprise, after hearing this, she fluttered her delicate eyelashes and averted her gaze, her expression filled with subconscious resistance. "No... no... we can't go public yet..."

"Why."

Shi Yu's deep voice made Lin Yao's expression freeze.

Why?

Because... because she knew that this part of the story was something she had stolen from the original plot without anyone knowing.

The original text did not elaborate much on Shi Yu's social interactions between graduating high school and meeting Zhou Yanan before his sophomore year.

So she could exploit this loophole and secretly have an underground relationship with him.

But an underground relationship remained just that—an underground relationship. Their ending would not be happy.

Everything she had now was because she couldn't help but fall in love with Shi Yu, and he happened to briefly like her too.

She told herself it was just a fleeting indulgence.

Two people destined to part ways.

There would always be a day when the dream would end...

"Because... because I think the timing isn't right yet. Besides, how long have we been together? It's too early to tell my parents. Moreover, who knows how many people we'll meet once we enter university. There are so many excellent girls in college; what if you meet someone you like more..."

"I won't." He interrupted her with a cold and deep voice.

Shi Yu gazed intently at the little green tea girl beneath him.

Looking at the face of his little girl, which was full of evasion and guilt, his dark eyes narrowed, sharp and possessive as he said each word deliberately.

"I won't like anyone other than Lin Yao."

Lin Yao: "..."

*

Shi Yu's declaration was both solemn and sincere, leaving Lin Yao momentarily powerless to respond.

She could only give a random number.

She said, one year.

If they were still together after a year, after the National Day holiday following the start of their sophomore year, she would agree to go public with Shi Yu.

Hearing that Lin Yao said they could go public at the start of their sophomore year, Shi Yu couldn't help but frown. "So you thought I couldn't even last a year?"

From Lin Yao's words, it seemed she didn't believe him and thought he would change his mind.

Shi Yu had assumed his precious girl was worried about him changing his heart after seven or ten years.

It turned out that, in her eyes, his commitment lasted only a year.

"W-who knows, there are so many variables once we enter university." Lin Yao looked away, avoiding his gaze.

She couldn't tell Shi Yu that she had read the book and knew that he would reunite with Zhou Yanan during his sophomore year.

Given their close relationship in the book, who knew if they would rekindle their passion upon meeting again.

If that were the case,

it would be better for her to step aside early, rather than obstruct the official couple's path and get caught up in the plot.

Lin Yao was well aware that she had succumbed to his charm and let Shi Yu hook her. She might as well enjoy this doomed romance while it lasted, taking advantage of the time difference.

"That's true, there are so many variables once we enter university, all watching closely." Shi Yu rubbed her rosy lips meaningfully.

Lin Yao quickly covered her mouth. "Y-you... what's with that look? No more."

Ugh, it was only their second day of secretly dating, and her lips were already swollen from his kisses.

Given Lin Yao's defensive attitude, Shi Yu decided to take her out for dinner.

It was getting late, and since Lin Yao's parents and Shi Nian were not home, Shi Yu took her out for crayfish.

She had wanted to eat crayfish for a long time.

But Xia Tingnan usually controlled her diet, so she never had the chance.

Hearing that she could eat now, Lin Yao's slight irritation with Shi Yu vanished, and she happily changed into a dress and went out with him.

This crayfish restaurant was the most famous in Jincheng.

When they arrived, there was already a long queue outside. Lin Yao looked at the line and thought they should just skip it, as it was too hot to wait outside.

But sniffing the spicy aroma of the crayfish, she couldn't move.

Worried that Shi Yu wouldn't want to wait, she clung to his hand and pleaded, "Shi Yu, maybe we should wait a bit longer..."

Shi Yu: "Let's go in, no need to queue."

Lin Yao: Ah???

He led her by the hand, greeted the manager familiarly, and walked in.

A private room was reserved for them inside.

As Lin Yao sat down, she felt dazed, realizing that Shi Yu's influence extended beyond his computer skills. When did he become so well-connected?

Lin Yao: "Do you know the manager of this restaurant?"

Shi Yu: "I don't, it's Huang Mao who knows him."

Lin Yao: ???

Shi Yu scanned a code and handed her the phone to order food: "This restaurant belongs to Shen Chaowen's family. On our way here, I mentioned it to Huang Mao, and he gave the manager a heads up."

Lin Yao: "Oh..."

It turns out it belongs to Shen Chaowen’s family; that's impressive.

Seeing the girl nod with an admiring expression in her eyes.

Shi Yu suddenly felt that after developing software and making money, he should first invest in a crayfish restaurant.

He didn’t like seeing admiration for other men in Xiao Lvxia’s eyes.

...

...

Eating crayfish is quite troublesome. By the time they finished and came out, it was already 9 PM.

Perhaps because the meal was so satisfying, Lin Yao was in a good mood.

Even the gloomy feeling she had earlier about Shi Yu eventually meeting Zhou Yanan and returning to the main plotline was pushed aside.

Lin Yao walked beside Shi Yu, slightly keeping her distance.

They had just entered the residential area, which meant they were back in a zone where they could run into acquaintances at any moment, so they needed to maintain a 'safe' distance.

Suddenly, the summer night wind became fierce, carrying a mix of humid heat and a slight coolness that could almost blow Lin Yao backward.

Lin Yao remembered the weather forecast from a few days ago, predicting another typhoon coming from the coastal cities.

At that moment, the boy beside her, wearing a white T-shirt, naturally reached out to hold her hand.

His slender fingers intertwined with her palm.

Lin Yao: "W-what are you doing..."

She was startled and tried to shake him off.

Shi Yu’s face remained expressionless, his voice deep and pleasant: "The lights are on upstairs at your place; your parents must have arrived home first. We won’t run into them here."

Lin Yao: "...W-what parents, can you please not call them that."

Her face turned red with embarrassment. She never realized how thick-skinned Shi Yu could be.

She bit her lip, her lips trembling slightly, easily catching the boy's attention in the dark night.

The darkness in Shi Yu’s eyes deepened.

He wondered if he should try to coax Xiao Lvxia into another kiss before they went back.

Suddenly, the headlights of a unfamiliar luxury car parked in front of their building turned on.