Chapter 37 When looking for a boyfriend, it's best to find someone your own age.

Gu Ci put down his chopsticks and carefully examined Xia Fan's hand. Seeing that she was alright, he sneered at Jiang Deyu, "What, even eating meat can't shut you up?"

"It can be blocked, it can be blocked." Jiang Deyu, completely unaware that he had misspoke, chuckled and stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth.

Then, his eyes lit up. "Mmm, this sliced ​​beef is delicious!"

Seeing this, Jiang Sui said, "Then let's order two more plates."

Jiang Deyu was about to nod, but then, thinking of Jiang Sui's complicated family situation, he quickly refused, "No need, no need, there's enough to eat."

"You forgot I have a half-price coupon."

Jiang Deyu was quite embarrassed, "Then I won't be polite."

"Why are you being so polite with me? Hurry up."

Jiang Deyu didn't argue, "Okay, then I'll treat everyone to milk tea later."

When Jiang Sui went to see Xia Fan again, her expression had returned to normal.

It was as if it really was just an accident.

It would be even more convincing if she hadn't smashed the mint chocolate shaved ice that the hot pot restaurant gave her to pieces.

Jiang Sui's gaze shifted between Gu Ci and Xia Fan.

She subtly pursed her lips. Gu Ci hadn't even left yet, and Xia Fan was already so unaccustomed to it. If he really went to university and only came back to Xunning once a month or even once a semester, Xia Fan would be miserable.

Gu Ci, that scheming man!

Therefore, when looking for a boyfriend, it's best to find someone your own age.

But the next second, Jiang Sui was caught off guard and met Ji Jingyu's gaze.

Those dark eyes were deep and unfathomable. For a moment, Jiang Sui felt that the other person had seen through her thoughts.

It was a perfectly normal thought, but under Ji Jingyu's gaze, Jiang Sui felt inexplicably guilty.

She hurriedly picked up a stalk of chrysanthemum greens to cover it up.

"It's spicy..." Ji Jingyu didn't have time to stop her and watched helplessly as Jiang Sui ate the chrysanthemum greens.

"hiss……"

Jiang Sui's eyes reddened from the spiciness, and every cell in her body felt as if it were being burned. The discomfort was most noticeable on the tip of her tongue and in her throat. In an instant, not only the corners of her eyes, but even her fair earlobes were stained with a deep crimson.

Of the five people, only Jiang Sui doesn't eat spicy food, or strictly speaking, she can't eat spicy food. So they specially ordered a hot pot with two broths, but no one expected that she would go across the clear broth pot and pick up food from the spicy broth pot.

For a moment, everyone was caught off guard.

Only Ji Jingyu quickly stood up from her seat, pushed the shaved ice that was originally placed next to Xia Fan in front of Jiang Sui, and said in an unusually urgent tone, "Hurry up and suck it."

Jiang Sui immediately did as she was told, stuffing her cheeks full, no longer caring about the shaved ice freezing her mouth.

Jiang Deyu looked at Jiang Sui, who had transformed into a hamster, with a surprised and amused expression. "Jiang Sui, how come I never noticed how persistent and willing to try new things you are? I thought the wontons last time had already made you realize your own limitations."

What's the difference between this and directly saying that Jiang Sui is "a terrible cook with a big addiction"?

Xia Fan glared at him, annoyed. "If Brother Hao knew you had such high literary skills, he would be moved to death on the spot."

After saying that, he looked at Jiang Sui again, "Sui Sui, are you alright?"

Jiang Sui's shaved ice had melted into water, making it difficult for her to speak. She waved to Xia Fan to indicate that she was alright.

Before she could lower her hand, she saw Ji Jingyu, who had disappeared at some point, return.

He was holding something in both of his hands.

He held a row of yogurts in his left hand and a can of milk in his other hand, with water droplets slowly dripping down his well-defined fingers from the can.

They're all for relieving spiciness.

Jiang Sui spat the water in her mouth into the trash can, then looked at Ji Jingyu pitifully with her misty eyes, "It's all your fault."

The accusations were baseless, but Ji Jingyu accepted them all without hesitation.

"Yes, it's my fault."

A cool, clear voice reached everyone's ears.

After a long while, Jiang Deyu finally asked weakly, "What are you two talking about?"

—

On the way back, because Xia Fan suggested sitting with Gu Ci, Jiang Sui naturally ended up sitting with Ji Jingyu.

Having already gotten up early in the morning, and feeling sleepy after a full meal, Jiang Sui started yawning not long after getting on the bus.

Outside the car window, the scenery of the small town remained unchanged, with lush green trees lining both sides of the road, and cicadas chirping noisily.

Ji Jingyu stared silently at the scene outside the window, lost in thought.

Suddenly, his shoulder slumped. He looked down and saw that Jiang Sui had fallen asleep leaning against him.

The other person's light breath seeped through Ji Jingyu's thin short sleeves, spreading from his shoulder all the way to his chest, like a sharp arrow without any pattern, yet it hit the most hidden target in the boy's heart.

The scent of Jiang Sui filled Ji Jingyu's nostrils, and Ji Jingyu instantly tensed up, even her temples began to throb.

The traffic light turned red, and the bus driver stepped on the brakes.

As the car came to a stop, a few stray hairs gently brushed against Jiang Sui's small and delicate face.

"Hmm..." Jiang Sui, who was sleeping, seemed to be disturbed and subconsciously frowned.

Immediately, Ji Jingyu slowed her breathing, afraid of disturbing her.

To everyone's surprise, Jiang Sui simply nuzzled his shoulder and fell asleep again.

Are you that sleepy?

Halfway through the bus journey, Ji Jingyu's gaze fell on Jiang Sui's head; her hairstyle, which had been quite neat before she left home, was now somewhat loose.

After all, it was his first time braiding someone's hair; he'll have more experience next time...

Ji Jingyu was slightly taken aback.

There won't be a next time.

The smile faded from Ji Jingyu's lips as she suppressed those inappropriate thoughts, closed her eyes, and pinched the bridge of her high nose.

It's as if this way I can stop listening and stop thinking, and let everything go back to the very beginning.

Just then, the phone on my lap suddenly lit up.

Gu Ci messaged him privately.

[Gu Ci: [Photo]]

[Gu Ci: You call this impossible?]

Ji Jingyu lowered his eyes and opened the photo sent by Gu Ci. It showed him and Jiang Sui. Jiang Sui was leaning against him obediently, while his ears were so red that they looked like they were about to bleed. He was the most unmissable presence in the whole photo.

[Gu Ci: Luckily, I was the one sitting in the back. If Jiang Deyu had seen this, how would you have explained it?]

This proves nothing.

He was just a little uncomfortable being in such close contact with a girl for the first time.

Gu Ci glanced at Ji Jingyu's ears, which were still getting hotter, and couldn't help but sneer.

He just looks stupid, he's not actually stupid.

Actually, there was a second half of Gu Ci's sentence that he didn't say.

It's only a matter of time before Ji Jingyu's intentions are discovered. With his worthless appearance, who can he possibly hide from?

Perhaps it was discovered a long time ago.

Jiang Sui was always particularly spoiled in front of him.

Ji Jingyu did not reply to Gu Ci again.

He looked down at Jiang Sui.

Her long, curled eyelashes drooped slightly, and her little face was flushed and rosy from sleeping, like a soft, lazy kitten.

Whether he likes her or not, he is not worthy of having anything to do with Jiang Sui.

Ji Jingyu stared at the photo Gu Ci sent for a long time before finally saving it to her album.

This is his first photo with Jiang Sui.

—

Jiang Sui slept the whole way, and when Ji Jingyu woke her up, she was completely dazed.

If Ji Jingyu hadn't been supporting her shoulders, she would have rolled right into his arms.

"arrive?"

"Um."

Jiang Sui stood up with Ji Jingyu, her right hand naturally taking his sleeve, showing complete dependence.

Ji Jingyu paused slightly, prompting Jiang Sui to curiously peek out and ask, "What's wrong?"

Looking at the sleepy-eyed Jiang Sui, Ji Jingyu clenched her numb left hand, but her face showed no sign of anything amiss: "It's alright, let's go."

Sunlight filtered through the branches, and a gentle breeze carrying the restlessness of summer softly brushed against the intertwined shadows of the two people.

Even the sunlight seemed to soften.

—

As soon as Xia Fan returned to the used bookstore, Grandma Ji called out to her, "Fanfan, there's a package for you."

Xia Fan took the package from Grandma Ji and immediately looked at Jiang Sui, "Sui Sui, our package has arrived."

"So fast?"

Xia Fan nodded, "I calculated that I would arrive today, so I just wrote the address at Grandma Ji's address."

Jiang Deyu came over to join in the fun, "What did you buy?"

"Bracelet".

"The kind that the girls in the class wear? I saw the class monitor had one too."

Recently, many girls in the class have been wearing red bracelets on their wrists. Although Jiang Deyu hadn't looked at them closely, he thought they looked quite nice.

"Yes, it was recommended by the class monitor. Sui Sui and I each bought one."

To be precise, one person bought a rope-making kit.

The two girls had already planned that after the bracelets were finished, they would go to the temple together to have them blessed.

Looking at the small wooden plaque engraved with "Passing the Imperial Examination with flying colors," Jiang Deyu seemed to be thinking of something, and asked with envy, "Why didn't you invite me when you bought it?"

Jiang Sui was taking things out of the box one by one when she heard this. She gave him a strange look and asked, "Why did I call you? Do you want to wear it too?"

"Can't I wear it? Nobody says this thing can only be worn by girls." Jiang Deyu stretched out his muscular arm in front of Jiang Sui, his tone indignant. "You two are discriminating against me!"

Jiang Sui subconsciously took a step back. "I didn't discriminate against you, I just think it looks ugly on you."

After she finished speaking, her gaze involuntarily fell on Ji Jingyu's pale and slender wrist. It would definitely look good on him.

Jiang Sui thought that she could prepare one for Ji Jingyu.

In a way, they could be considered to be using matching couple items.

Thinking of this, she took out her phone and contacted the seller, saying that she wanted to buy another one.

—

After much pleading and cajoling, Jiang Deyu finally convinced Ji Jingyu and Gu Ci to play games with him.

"Brothers, this round is crucial for me, please, please help me!"

After pleading with Ji Jingyu and Gu Ci, he went to Xia Fan, his attitude even more humble, "Sister Fan, please tell me what you need right now, and don't go looking for Brother Gu Ci halfway through the fight."

In Gu Ci's heart, Xia Fan will always be the most important person. No matter what he is doing, as long as Xia Fan calls him, he will always rush to her side immediately.

It's been like this since they were kids; Jiang Deyu is almost traumatized by them.

Xia Fan was busy at the moment, so she casually gave him an "OK" sign.

"Jiang Sui, you too, say what's on your mind quickly."

"How is this related to me?" Jiang Sui was taken aback. "Do you think I can order Gu Ci around?"

Jiang Deyu: "..."

This has absolutely nothing to do with Gu Ci. He thinks Jiang Sui is just pretending to be ignorant.

Xia Fan pulled Jiang Sui to sit down and watch the video. "Focus on your game. We're busy and don't have time to bother you."

Jiang Deyu sighed. It wasn't that he didn't trust Jiang Sui and Xia Fan; he just didn't trust those two guys.

The girl beckoned with her finger and followed.

How pathetic!

The boy, wearing headphones, sat close together, giving most of the space to the girl.

The detailed rope-braiding tutorial has been released.

Jiang Sui: "Did you understand, Fanfan?"

Xia Fan met her gaze, then shook her head honestly, "No."

"Shall we watch it again?"

Xia Fan paused, her tone hesitant, "Sui Sui, I think we might need to watch it many times."

Jiang Sui: "..."

—

"Brother Ji, come to the mid lane and help me tank!"

"They're here."

"No, Brother Ji, why did you stop!" Jiang Deyu was practically going crazy. He had calculated that his health was enough to hold out until Ji Jingyu arrived, but who knew that Ji Jingyu would stop halfway through his journey.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Jiang Deyu was surrounded and beaten to death by three enemy soldiers, and the advantage was seized by the opposing side.

"I'll die with my eyes open in disbelief!" Looking at the grayed-out screen, Jiang Deyu was on the verge of tears. "Brother Ji, what happened?"

Gu Ci clicked his tongue lightly, "Stop howling, come gather here after you revive, we can't lose this round."

Jiang Deyu was easily appeased, "Okay, brother!"

Gu Ci met Ji Jingyu's gaze, and they exchanged a knowing glance. "Let's finish this quickly and help him win this round."

He wasn't worried that if they lost this game, Jiang Deyu would die in front of them. Rather, in just a short while, Xia Fan had looked in his direction almost eight hundred times, so he had no mind to play the game anymore.

"Um."

As Ji Jingyu was leveling up his skills, his mind was filled with the image of Jiang Sui looking at him with a pitiful expression.

Tsk.

I still want to surrender.

A while later.

Jiang Deyu threw his phone on the table, clenched his fists and swung them in the air, "Yay, I won!"

Just as he was about to high-five his teammates in celebration, he saw two of them stand up at the same time.

"Shall we press our advantage and play another round?" he continued, extending an invitation.

Gu Ci refused without hesitation, "I'm not coming. You can play by yourself."

Jiang Deyu stood up and said, "Okay, my milk tea is only 500 meters away. I'll go downstairs to get it."

As he passed by Jiang Sui and Xia Fan's location, he couldn't help but let out a mocking laugh: "I've already finished a whole game, how come your progress is still zero?"

As if he knew he was going to get beaten up, he ran downstairs as soon as he finished speaking.

When he went upstairs again with the milk tea, he saw his two former teammates braiding bracelets using video tutorials on an iPad.

The two slender fingers moved nimbly, and soon the red rope was taking shape.

Seeing this, Jiang Deyu was not surprised at all; on the contrary, he felt a sense of "I knew it."

Author's note: Luckily I made it in time! Happy Qixi Festival!

Send red envelopes to the babies.