When the group usually came to eat dessert, Shi Chen was usually not there, so Granny Shen had no recollection of him.
"Grandma is biased," Shi Chen joked, his smile deepening.
Upon hearing this, Pei Zhi sneered from the side, "For a scoundrel like you who forgets his friends for the sake of a pretty face, does it matter what you eat?"
Since Shi Chen was always away from home to be with his girlfriend, and his girlfriend changed more often than his hairstyle, Pei Zhi always deeply resented his frivolous and dissolute behavior, and would seize every opportunity to condemn him.
"What nonsense are you talking about..." Shi Chen was about to retort when he was interrupted by a clear voice, "Grandma, he likes red bean and taro shaved ice, so add extra red beans."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was stunned.
Shi Chen's expression froze for a moment. He turned his head to look at Shen Miaoyi, his peach blossom eyes narrowing slightly.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Shen Miaoyi blinked as she met everyone's gaze.
Pei Xi asked, "Miaomiao, how did you know?"
“He’s eaten here before.” Shen Miaoyi smiled shyly, seemingly embarrassed by everyone’s gaze. “I’ve been helping my grandma run the shop since I was little, so remembering customers’ preferences is a basic skill.”
After saying that, she added, "I know what many familiar faces at school usually like to eat."
Pei Xi nodded, "Oh, I see."
Shen Miaoyi smiled and pointed to the table under the parasol, "You guys go sit down outside first, otherwise someone else will take the seats. I'll go inside to help my grandma."
The group nodded and walked to the table to sit down.
As soon as he sat down, Pei Zhi leaned back lazily in his chair, staring at Shi Chen across from him, and asked casually, "By the way, what brings you here with us today? Did you break up again?"
The word "again" was deliberately emphasized.
Shi Chen said indifferently, "It's pointless, so we broke up."
Pei Zhi clicked his tongue, his eyes filled with even more disdain as he looked at him. He turned to Pei Xi, who was sitting to his right, and said in a stern voice, "See? This is a scumbag. I'm telling you, you can't date this kind of guy."
Pei Xi smiled upon hearing this, already used to their banter.
Shi Chen rolled his eyes, too lazy to explain to Pei Zhi.
He has principles when it comes to dating; he never cheats on anyone and only dates people who are on the same path as him.
It started out of mutual consent and ended amicably. Throughout the process, he tried his best to meet any requests the girl might have. He never cheated, used emotional abuse, or engaged in psychological manipulation. He was both emotionally and materially valuable.
There's only one rule: whoever initiates the breakup must agree.
But regardless of who dumped whom, he gave the girl the right to explain, and he would stick to whatever she wanted to say.
However, in Pei Zhi's worldview, this is also a kind of scum.
Although he wasn't as good at studying as Pei Zhi, he grew up in a merchant family and was quite shrewd. Pei Zhi was wary of him, both openly and secretly, fearing that he might have designs on his precious younger sister. He had seen through it long ago.
Shi Chen tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, a hint of teasing interest appearing in his eyes. "Then tell me, what kind of man is worthy of your precious little sister?"
Pei Zhi clicked his tongue and said without hesitation, "Then naturally it's someone like her brother, who remains unmoved and chaste in the face of so many temptations."
Shi Chen raised an eyebrow, his expression noncommittal.
Pei Zhi's composure is truly exceptional.
He has received love letters from hundreds, if not thousands, of girls since childhood, but he has never had a relationship with any of them.
Shi Chen then asked, "They also have to be as handsome and good at studying as you, right?"
“Of course.” Pei Zhi nodded.
In short, he uses himself as the standard, and resolutely disagrees with anyone who is inferior to him.
Seeing the two of them chatting so well, Pei Xi awkwardly cleared his throat and tapped the table twice. "Hey, you two, what are you doing? Why are you dragging me into this?"
"I..." Pei Zhi was about to speak when he suddenly heard a quarrel behind him.
The group immediately turned around and saw several thugs dressed in a shady manner standing in front of the window. The leader, a blond-haired man, was holding a pink banknote in his hand, looking arrogant, and pointing at people while cursing.
"Old woman, I said this is real money, so it's real money. Stop talking nonsense and give me my change!"
The two thugs behind him immediately echoed, "Don't be so shameless, you old codger, what do you know!"
"Don't curse my old lady!" Shen Miaoyi's voice rang out, trembling at the end. "We don't accept counterfeit money here, please leave quickly!"
The blond-haired man chuckled lewdly, his tone utterly shameless, "We won't bully your grandma, but we can bully you, little fat girl."
“You…” Shen Miaoyi’s hands, hanging by her sides, trembled slightly, and her eyes immediately reddened.
Upon seeing this, Pei Xi's expression hardened, and he instantly stood up, only to find that a figure had already walked quickly past him.
Shi Chen walked over and shielded Shen Miaoyi behind him. His peach blossom eyes still held a smile, but there was a coldness that didn't reach his eyes. He said to the three thugs, "Watch your mouth."
The blond-haired man sized Shi Chen up from head to toe, chuckled, revealing his teeth stained yellow from smoking, and said with a contemptuous and disdainful tone, "Oh, I thought you were some pretty boy, but you're just a bookworm from No. 1 High School."
He reached out and tapped Shi Chen's shoulder. "With your puny build, you think you can play the hero and save the damsel in distress?"
The blond-haired man's grip tightened, and Shi Chen took a step back, looking at him with a light laugh, "Is this never going to end?"
"What are you pretending for? What can you do to me..." Before the blond-haired man could finish speaking, a heavy force struck him hard on the corner of his mouth. He staggered and fell backward to the ground.
Yellow Hair cried out in pain, propping himself up on the ground, "You fucking want to die!"
He turned to look at the other two thugs and shouted through gritted teeth, "Beat them up!"
The two thugs rushed forward instantly. Seeing this, Pei Zhi threw his backpack onto Pei Xi's lap, saying, "Pei Xi, take this!"
"Hello!"
Before Pei Xi could react, Pei Zhi had already rushed into the crowd, and several people were already engaged in a fierce fight.
The air was filled with the sounds of fists colliding. Shen Miaoyi and Pei Xi wanted to rush over to break up the fight, but found that the battle was so intense that they had no chance to intervene.
"Pei Zhi!"
"Shi Chen!"
Passersby stopped to watch. Shi Chen and Pei Zhi were fighting three against one, and they were not at a disadvantage, but Shi Chen was still beaten until his mouth and forehead were bruised.
Just as the blond-haired man was about to throw his fist at Pei Zhi's face, Pei Xi steeled his heart and threw Pei Zhi's schoolbag, which hit the blond-haired man squarely on the head.
Huang Mao cried out in pain, and taking advantage of the moment, Pei Zhi flipped him over and pinned him down, punching him hard several times.
The fight was reaching its climax when suddenly a screeching sound of brakes came from the roadside. Someone got out of a car and shouted at everyone involved in the brawl, "Police! Stop it! Everyone involved in the fight, come with me to the police station!"
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