The office fell silent. Wen Mo didn't say anything, but took out his phone with a smile and started playing with it openly, seemingly waiting for Qin Zhou to confess.

Qin Zhou was speechless this time, like a mute gourd, not uttering a sound for a long time. His face was bright red, and the redness extended all the way to his neck, like a rash.

He glanced at Wen Mo, who stood by as if nothing was wrong, then punched Wen Mo's arm and choked out, "Don't tell anyone else about this."

"Which matter?"

"It's about Xiao Nan bringing me the band-aids."

"Oh, I'll try my best."

"Don't keep saying 'try your best' or 'don't try your best,' if word gets out, Xiao Nan will definitely explode."

Xiang Xiaonan is the kind of girl who is usually carefree and can get along with anyone. She had short hair that reached her ears from the first and second years of high school, but she started growing her hair long after the third year of high school, and now it is shoulder-length.

To put it bluntly, while she may seem easy to talk to on the surface, she can also be quite shy. Even when she comes over to offer a band-aid, she's hesitant and awkward, taking a long time to slap the table before turning around and running away.

Her behavior at this point was no longer unusual. Everyone in the class knew that Xiao Nan and Qin Zhou Wen Mo were close friends, but they had never seen her shy before.

Who has ever seen someone speak to Xiao Nan so hesitantly?

Hey, I actually saw Qin Zhou right now.

If someone else had helped beat someone up, Xiao Nan would probably have just said a half-joking thank you and that would have been the end of it.

But it was Qin Zhou who, upon seeing Xiang Xiaonan's charming side, blushed like a sunset, sat there without saying a word, a complete change from his previous tomboyish demeanor, leaving behind a band-aid and then leaving.

Is this normal?

"What have you thought about that matter you mentioned before?" Wen Mo thought for a moment, then turned around, put down his phone, and patted Qin Zhou on the back.

"Stop messing around, I'm writing a self-criticism, don't touch me." Qin Zhou rolled her eyes at him and buried her head in her writing. "What are you thinking about?"

"It's about... what do you think of Xiao Nan as a person, that's all."

"..."

Click.

The pen tip went astray, and a black mark pierced the paper. He didn't know if the self-criticism he had spent half a day writing was invalid, but Qin Zhou's head was definitely ruined.

His body stiffened instantly, but Qin Zhou still shouted as he continued, "What could I possibly think! The three of us have been together for almost three years and no one has said anything. I only fought for her because I was really angry... Of course, Zhang Xie deserved a beating too. I was also very grateful that she gave me a Band-Aid..."

The only sound in the small office was Qin Zhou's constant chatter; his mind was completely elsewhere from writing his self-criticism. Wen Mo, standing to the side, simply stroked his chin and nodded in agreement from time to time.

"Then why did you change your hairstyle recently?"

"You told me to change my image, and besides, I'm willing!" Qin Zhou retorted, sticking out his neck.

Having been brothers for three years, Wenmo knew what kind of person Qin Zhou was. He could be crazy at times, but when it mattered, you had to rely on your brothers as mentors.

Wen Mo sighed, patted his back, and comforted Qin Zhou as if soothing a dog.

Three years have passed. It would be a lie to say there are no feelings between them. While we wouldn't say their bond is stronger than gold, there is definitely a deep father-son affection. Although Xiao Nan gets along quite well with him, she is still a girl, so she can't be as uninhibited as boys and can't hug him occasionally like that.

Therefore, it's normal to have feelings for someone.

High school, youth, and a time of naivety.

Those who know, know.

"Besides, she just brought me a band-aid and didn't say anything. What could possibly happen? Don't overthink it. Just focus on your own relationship. As for you, well... ugh, I can't bring myself to say it. If the security camera picks up sound in a bit, then you're really dead."

Qin Zhou muttered to himself as he smoothed out the paper and continued writing. Although the paper was torn, it didn't matter. Did he have to be that serious about writing a self-criticism?

"I'll focus on my relationship, but if my brother is in trouble, I definitely have to help him."

"This is nothing difficult, just mind your own business."

"Tell me honestly, just based on appearance alone, what do you think of Xiao Nan?"

The self-criticism was probably going to take a while to finish, and Qin Zhou fell into a state of nostalgia again, touching the band-aid in his pocket.

The band-aid was still warm when it was placed on the table, probably because Xiao Nan had been holding it in her hand the whole time. It was the first time Qin Zhou had ever seen Xiao Nan in that state.

Ask Qin Zhou, is Xiao Nan pretty?

That answer is definitely beautiful, even extremely beautiful.

Tomboys have their advantages, namely their extroversion, which is something most girls don't have. They're so outgoing that they become like brothers. They have big, blinking eyes and love to laugh. In the classroom, when the sunlight shines on them, they smile like flowers.

His features were originally quite delicate, but they were just hidden by his usual lively and active nature. We're all brothers, who would pay attention to what you look like?

Qin Zhou thought so too, until he met Xiang Xiaonan now. Since her short hair had grown long, this was the first time he had seen her shy.

Although it's not very nice to say it like that, at that time, Xiang Xiaonan's face was flushed, her big eyes were misty, and her gaze towards Qin Zhou was slightly trembling.

It would be a lie to say she's not pretty.

Actually, he always knew that Xiao Nan was incredibly beautiful.

"It's really, really pretty. What's wrong?"

"Oh, so you think it looks pretty good." Wen Mo nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly turned around, glanced at the door, and waved.

"Alright, stop hiding. I've seen you lurking around outside for ages."

Qin Zhou was taken aback, and Xiang Xiaonan, who was hiding outside the door, was also startled.

The next second, I saw a girl walking carefully through the door with her back to the sunlight, her hands behind her back, but she didn't dare to look up.

"I, I'm here to...deliver water."

Xiang Xiaonan stammered as she pulled out two bottles of drinks from behind her back. She had just sneaked downstairs to buy them from the vending machine and was about to bring them up when she overheard the conversation between the two people inside.

So I eavesdropped for a while until I heard that unusually striking sentence.

He complimented me on my looks...!

They had never said that to each other before, and their usual greetings always started with the word "handsome." Occasionally, the girls would also compliment Xiao Nan on her good looks.

But this was the first time I'd heard the word "beautiful" from someone close to me.

"Oh, thank you." Wenmo naturally took the water.

But when Xiang Xiaonan handed over the second bottle, both of them subconsciously looked away and said nothing. After a long while, Qin Zhou finally managed to stammer out a "thank you" like a pufferfish.

This completely stunned Wenmo.

Dude, is this your persona?

Xiang Xiaonan didn't say anything, just nodded, "It's okay...you two, keep drinking...I'm going back."

No, sister, are you mimicking my Lianbao's way of speaking?

When Xiao Nan ran back to the classroom, Qin Zhou was still in shock. When he came to his senses again, all he could hear was Wen Mo's irritating voice.

"Yo yo yo yo~ They've brought us water~"