Who are you messaging?

Shen Xu looked up and found that everyone at the dinner table was looking at him.

"It's the counselor sending a message to wish you a Happy New Year."

He took out his phone and showed the chat history on the screen.

It was a New Year's greeting that Li Taizhou had just sent to Shen Xu.

It was filled with a long string of dense writing, accompanied by colorful fireworks that drifted and filled the entire screen.

Shen Xu was just replying to his message.

Ning Wan asked curiously, "Is it the counselor who brought you to the hospital last time?"

Shen Xu nodded: "Mm."

Aside from Ning Yanshu and Ning Wan, Li Taizhou should be considered Shen Xu's first true friend.

Ning Wan was also very happy for him.

"This counselor is a really nice person. I haven't had a chance to properly thank him for what he did last time. Next time I have time, I'll remember to invite him over for a meal."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xu nodded emphatically again: "Yes!"

For some reason, Ning Yanshu became unhappy again.

He poked at the vegetables in his bowl, complaining, "What is this? That message was obviously a mass message, what's there to thank me for... They didn't put any effort into it..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xu's smile froze.

Ning Wan slammed the bowl down on the table.

"Ning Yanshu!" she raised her voice, her tone stern. "What did your mother tell you before?"

Seeing Shen Xu's pale face, Ning Yanshu couldn't help but feel annoyed.

His body stiffened, his jawline taut: "It's wrong to gossip about others behind their backs..."

After answering, Ning Yanshu apologized to Shen Xu: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that..."

He didn't know what was wrong with him lately.

I finally got Shen Xu back, but why do I keep saying things that upset him?

Shen Xu hurriedly waved his hand and said, "No, it's nothing, it's alright."

Although Shen Xu said it was okay, Ning Yanshu lost all interest in the meal.

The atmosphere was no longer as harmonious as it had been at the beginning.

After dinner, Ning Wan and Shen Fu happily went out to set off fireworks.

Completely oblivious to the fact that he was hiding in his room, reflecting on his actions, Ning Yanshu...

Shen Xu came to his room and gently knocked on the door, inviting him, "Xiao Shu, shall we go set off fireworks?"

Ning Yanshu remained silent, simply sitting down on the edge of the bed with her head down.

Only after Shen Xu approached did he realize that there was a deep sense of dejection and regret in his eyes.

He patted Ning Yanshu's head and comforted her, "Don't be upset, it's the New Year, be happy."

Ning Yanshu felt that she couldn't be happy at all.

With a mournful face, he asked, "Shen Xu, will you hate me?"

Shen Xu was filled with confusion and doubt.

"I know I've been a bit annoying and disliked lately, but I didn't mean to... I'll change. Can you please stop being angry with me? Can you please stop hating me?" Ning Yanshu became more and more upset as she spoke.

Later on, she simply let herself go and burst into tears.

Fourteen-year-olds have simple thoughts and pure hearts.

He was afraid that Shen Xu would really do what Wang Zihao said.

I don't like him, I hate him.

I think he's an annoying person, a nuisance.

Then they went far away and never came back...

...

Shen Xu couldn't understand why Ning Yanshu was crying so sadly.

But just like when he was a child, he pulled him into his arms and gently patted his back to comfort him, saying, "Don't cry, don't cry. Little Shu, don't cry anymore..."

Ning Yanshu tugged at his sleeve and insisted, "Do you hate me?"

Shen Xu sighed helplessly and shook his head, saying, "I don't dislike it."

He likes him so much, how could he possibly dislike him...

...

Ning Yanshu then stopped crying and started laughing again.

He sniffled and said with tears in his eyes, "Then you're not allowed to sneak back to school so often. You have to tell me in advance so I know."

"Okay." Shen Xu nodded in agreement.

"If I do something wrong, or if there's something you dislike or hate about it, please tell me, and I will definitely change."

"good."

"Mom and Dad won't be home tomorrow, let's go out and play together! I want to eat fried chicken and hamburgers, cola and fries. I also want to go to the amusement park and ride the drop tower and roller coaster..."

Ning Yanshu talked on and on for a long time.

But no matter what he said, Shen Xu always answered with "Okay" again and again...

...

On the second day, the first day of the Lunar New Year, Shen Fu and Ning Wan set off for their trip early in the morning.

All that was left were a few hundred yuan on the coffee table in the living room, and Ning Yanshu pouting with a face full of displeasure.

But upon seeing Shen Xu returning from outside carrying breakfast, Ning Yanshu instantly forgot all her complaints and grumbles.

When the adults aren't home, the kids take charge.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the streets were bustling and crowded with people.

Ning Yanshu didn't want to join the crowd.

He and Shen Xu then hid at home playing Monopoly and video games.

Order takeout when you're hungry, and go to sleep when you're tired.

I felt incredibly comfortable.

Even if they stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning, no one will urge them to rest.

The second day of the Lunar New Year.

With Ning Wan and Shen Fu not at home, Ning Yanshu took the initiative to visit relatives and offer New Year's greetings.

They went to Ning You's house first in the morning, and then went to Shen Yurong's house in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, the adults on both sides all gave the same answer: asking Ning Yanshu how she did on her final exams.

His head was spinning, and he felt terrible.

So before evening even arrived, Ning Yanshu hastily dragged Shen Xu away in a hasty escape.

That utterly hopeless reaction made Shen Xu's eyes crinkle into a smile. He laughed along with him, just like a fool.

He had a accommodating and doting look on his face.

After returning home that evening, the two had a simple dinner and then began enthusiastically planning where to go for fun the next day, the third day of the Lunar New Year.

Ning Yanshu had prepared various itinerary plans well in advance.

From the order in which the two of them want to go on amusement park rides to the smallest details like which shoes they should wear when they go out.

Everything was arranged in a very orderly manner.

Shen Xu was momentarily lost in thought as he watched Ning Yanshu diligently taking notes by the edge of the bed.

He only came to his senses when Ning Yanshu called him repeatedly.

"What are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought."

Shen Xu gently shook his head, merely reflecting on how quickly time had passed: "...Little Shu, you've grown up."

Ning Yanshu had heard this phrase far too many times in a single day.

He doesn't like it.

It's as if I'm so small.

Especially when those words came from Shen Xu, who was three years older than him.

It felt like the difference in seniority between the two suddenly became several levels.

Ning Yanshu suddenly jumped out of bed, retorting defiantly, "Who do you think you are? I'm the tallest boy in our class!"

He was barefoot, standing on the floor.

He raised his chin and puffed out his chest, gesturing for Shen Xu to stand up and compare.

Shen Xu waved his hands repeatedly to indicate that he did not want to.

But she couldn't resist Ning Yanshu's stubbornness, so she could only obediently stand up and straighten her back.

Then Ning Yanshu slowly raised his head: "..."

...