Chapter 35

Chapter 35

A flush appeared on Xie Shiyu's face as he met Shen Yan's beautiful eyes, looking away, seemingly embarrassed.

"I remember you from the first time we met, Yan Yan," Xie Shiyu said shyly. "I'm not good with words, and I don't have any ill intentions.

"When we met on the island later, I was actually very happy.

"So when I was asked by a senior to help out and saw your class schedule, I made sure to remember it, not because of a good memory."

Shen Yan looked a bit dazed upon hearing this. Was this situation a little strange?

Xie Shiyu laughed softly to himself and intertwined his slender fingers. Looking honestly at Shen Yan, he said, "You are the most beautiful person I've ever seen.

"When I asked for your help in this short film, apart from your aura fitting the character, it was also because I personally wanted to be friends with you."

Shen Yan breathed a sigh of relief when Xie Shiyu mentioned being friends.

He was worried Xie Shiyu might confess.

It wasn't because he was narcissistic, but Xie Shiyu's flushed expression earlier resembled those who had confessed to him before.

Shen Yan didn't doubt Xie Shiyu's intention of 'being friends' because when Xie Shiyu looked at him, his eyes were very open, without the cautiousness of a secret admirer.

However, thinking about Xie Shiyu's future relationship with Hu Chengyu, he felt a bit conflicted.

If Xie Shiyu wanted to be friends with him now, what if in the future Xie Shiyu and Hu Chengyu got together and Xie Shiyu regretted today's decision after hearing about past events?

Seeing Shen Yan's contemplative sigh, Xie Shiyu's expression darkened for a moment, but it was fleeting and went unnoticed by Shen Yan.

Xie Shiyu forced a smile. "Yan Yan, don't worry. It's okay if we're not friends, I..."

Seeing Xie Shiyu's hesitant, almost sad look, Shen Yan felt a bit of heaviness in his chest.

"I didn't say I wouldn't."

Xie Shiyu's eyes lit up with surprise and joy, and he immediately took Shen Yan's hand. "I'm so happy!"

"I was already thinking, if you refused, I would have to cancel the short film, delete my contact information, and never see you again..."

Shen Yan withdrew his hand and placed it on Xie Shiyu's shoulder. "Just relax."

Xie Shiyu took a deep breath and said with a slightly embarrassed smile, "Sorry, I got too excited.

"Because of some reasons, Ye Pei and senior are the only two friends I have."

Thinking of Xie Shiyu being an orphan, Shen Yan felt a deep sense of empathy.

Even though Shen Yan felt much better after taking his medication, Xie Shiyu still insisted on escorting him back to his dormitory.

Seeing Shen Yan's insistence, Xie Shiyu persuaded, "The official shooting starts on Saturday, so it's not urgent. You can go on Friday.

"Go back and rest well today, alright?"

Shen Yan couldn't resist Xie Shiyu's pleading tone, which really resembled puppy dog eyes.

If he called me 'brother,' I'd probably say yes to anything.

Shen Yan was startled by his own thoughts, his eyes widening in surprise.

Xie Shiyu waved his hand in front of Shen Yan: "Yan Yan?"

Shen Yan snapped out of it: "Ah?"

"Are you okay?" Xie Shiyu looked at him worriedly. "Your face is a little red."

It had been pale as a sheet just a moment ago.

Shen Yan pressed the back of his hand to his cheek. It did feel a bit warm.

Xie Shiyu asked, "Is it too stuffy out here?"

"Uh, yes, it's too stuffy."

Xie Shiyu was really thoughtful, always taking care of others.

If it weren't for Shen Yan's insistence, Xie Shiyu would have carried him back to the dorm.

But after Shen Yan's repeated refusals, Xie Shiyu had no choice but to give up. Even so, on their way back to the dorm, Xie Shiyu stayed close to Shen Yan, worried that he might trip if he wasn’t careful.

"I'm not a kid, you don’t need to worry so much," Shen Yan said with a helpless smile.

Xie Shiyu glanced at him and teased, "You’re more delicate than a child; at least they can run around."

Shen Yan chuckled and playfully swung at Xie Shiyu's shoulder, but Xie Shiyu laughed and grabbed his wrist.

As they were playing around, they suddenly heard a cold voice. "Shen Yan."

Both Shen Yan and Xie Shiyu turned to look. It was Hu Chengyu.

A petite girl stood next to him, wearing a blue dress with wavy long hair falling over her shoulders, looking delicate and lovely.

Though Shen Yan had never met Meng Yiyi, he instantly recognized her and instinctively glanced at Xie Shiyu.

Only then did he realize how strange his reaction was.

Hu Chengyu and Xie Shiyu weren’t supposed to be together yet.

Still, Xie Shiyu was staring blankly at Hu Chengyu and the others.

His face remained unreadable, giving nothing away.

Shen Yan was startled. Could it be that Xie Shiyu was already falling for Hu Chengyu by now?

From Meng Yiyi’s point of view, Hu Chengyu’s gaze was fixed on Shen Yan, while Shen Yan seemed to be watching Hu Chengyu, who was focused on someone else.

The relationship between the three seemed a bit complicated.

"Mr. Hu, are these two your friends?"

Hu Chengyu ignored Meng Yiyi and went straight to Shen Yan. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Shen Yan instinctively asked, "How did you know?"

Hu Chengyu didn’t answer. Instead, he looked at Xie Shiyu. "I’ll take him back."

He was about to lead Shen Yan away, but Xie Shiyu didn’t let go of his hand.

Hu Chengyu raised an eyebrow, clearly losing patience.

Shen Yan: …

Meng Yiyi, who had been ignored, was watching them with bright, curious eyes.

Xie Shiyu was silent for a moment before suddenly smiling at Hu Chengyu and saying, "I think, Hu Chengyu, you should take care of things with that girl."

His words were undeniably sarcastic.

Shen Yan was filled with surprise. Was Xie Shiyu actually jealous of that girl?

In his past, he had heard that Hu Chengyu had firmly rejected the Meng family because of Xie Shiyu.

Just as they were stuck in a tense standoff, Shen Yan was trying to figure out how to defuse the situation when Gu Jia’s cheerful voice interrupted, "Yan Yan!"

"Yan Yan, what are you guys doing?" Gu Jia asked, puzzled.

Shen Yan quickly pulled back his wrist and grabbed Gu Jia’s sleeve. "Let’s head up, you guys can keep talking," he said, trying to escape the awkwardness.

He had no intention of being dragged into the center of the conflict.

Confused, Gu Jia let himself be dragged toward the dorm, nearly dropping his chips. "Yan Yan, slow down!" he called out.

Gu Jia’s shout was a bit strange, and Shen Yan, with a wooden expression, kept walking forward, almost stumbling.

Shen Yan could feel three intense gazes on his back.

But he couldn’t figure out why Meng Yiyi was staring at him like that.

Shen Yan figured it was probably because he had heard rumors that he used to chase after Hu Chengyu back in the day.

Once they reached the dorm, Shen Yan finally let out a breath of relief.

Ignoring his crooked sleeve, Gu Jia first took a bite of his chips before asking, "Yan Yan, what were you guys doing?

"Why were both Hu Chengyu and Xie Shiyu grabbing your wrist?"

Recalling the scene, Shen Yan’s mind wandered. "It was my wrist, not my hand—please be precise with your words," he corrected, though it felt pointless.

Gu Jia pulled a chair and sat in front of him. "Alright, the wrist.

"If I hadn’t known any better, I would’ve thought two guys were trying to kidnap you right outside the dorm!"

Shen Yan was shocked by his words. "W-what nonsense are you saying?

"The center of the conflict should be the girl in the blue dress, right?"

"Huh? Was there a girl?" Gu Jia looked confused.

Shen Yan helplessly face-palmed, not knowing how to explain it to Gu Jia.

After all, he didn’t know what the exact relationship between Hu Chengyu and Xie Shiyu was either.

He could only change the subject, "Do you know Xie Shiyu?"

Gu Jia said, "Of course! But he probably doesn’t know me.

"Xie Shiyu is quite famous at A University and is also a regular on the confession wall.

"Basically, Hu Chengyu is the top name on the confession wall, and Xie Shiyu is right behind him at number two."

Shen Yan responded with an "Oh," clearly uninterested, as long as Gu Jia didn’t press him about what had happened downstairs.

Gu Jia leaned in a little closer. "Aren't you curious about your own ranking?"

Shen Yan wasn't interested; he was more curious about what was happening downstairs now.

Gu Jia chuckled. "What I said just now was about the ranking of who girls confess to. As for the boys, you're overwhelmingly in first place!"

Shen Yan was truly shocked. "What are you talking about?"

Gu Jia clicked his tongue and reached out to pinch his delicate chin, trying to act like a libertine. However, he looked so cute that it seemed more like a cute younger brother clinging on.

"You're just too good-looking. I was stunned when I first met Yan Yan too..."

The dorm room door creaked open, and Hu Chengyu was still standing outside with his hand raised to knock.

The two inside the dorm room were startled. Gu Jia had left the door open again!

Gu Jia was the first to snap out of it and hurriedly tried to move away, but the chair caught for a moment, making a harsh sound.

Gu Jia was so embarrassed he wished he could hide his face in a chip bag.

Hu Chengyu said, "Shen Yan, come outside for a moment."

Shen Yan coughed lightly. "What’s up? Can’t you just tell me here?"

Hu Chengyu glanced at Gu Jia. "Not here."

Gu Jia was quick to take the hint. "I’ll step out for a bit."

Shen Yan stopped him, then followed Hu Chengyu out.

Hu Chengyu opened the door to his own room next door. Shen Yan initially wanted to refuse, but then thought, it’s not the first time I’ve been in his room, no reason to act like I’m avoiding him.

Besides, he had something to discuss with Hu Chengyu too.

Hu Chengyu placed the plastic bag on the table, making a rustling sound, and gestured for Shen Yan to sit. "Sit."

Shen Yan said, "No need. Just tell me what it is."

He had seen Meng Yiyi carrying this bag downstairs earlier. Did she bring it for Hu Chengyu?

Hu Chengyu looked at Shen Yan with a deep expression, and Shen Yan felt a little uneasy under his gaze, inexplicably sitting down.

Hu Chengyu then rolled up his sleeve, revealing his bandaged arm.

Hu Chengyu asked, "Guess why I called you over?" As he spoke, he took out cotton swabs and medication from the bag beside him.

Shen Yan had no way to refuse, after all, it was because of him that Hu Chengyu got injured.

Shen Yan took a deep breath and carefully undid the butterfly clasp of the bandage.

The mid-October noon sunlight poured into the dorm room, landing precisely on Shen Yan's face, casting a small shadow over his eyelashes.

His face was smooth and clear, with a faint fuzz on his ears, giving him a slightly adorable look.