"That's enough for today. Starting tomorrow, I'll go to the court for extra practice. I'm sure I can catch up on what I'm lacking." He picked up his backpack, which he had just put on the ground, stood up, and waved to Pei Xi. "Come on, Pei Xi, let's go home."
"Oh, okay." Pei Xi stood up, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and waved to Shi Chen and Shen Miaoyi. "Bye-bye, see you next week."
"Bye-bye," Shen Miaoyi said.
Shi Chen waved back.
After watching Pei Zhi and Pei Xi leave, he stood up and had just slung his backpack over his shoulder when he heard Shen Miaoyi's low voice: "Everyone says the corn milk at Grandma's shop is delicious. Would you like to try some?"
Shi Chen was taken aback and looked down at her.
Shen Miaoyi tilted her head back, meeting his eyes directly, her gaze open and honest.
A smile appeared in Shi Chen's eyes, and he nodded slightly, saying, "Okay."
Upon hearing this, Shen Miaoyi's eyes lit up for a moment. She stood up, turned around and walked into the house, saying anxiously as she went, "Then wait for me a moment, I'll be there soon."
Shi Chen nodded, "No rush."
Upon hearing this, Shen Miaoyi still jogged back into the house.
Shi Chen stood there, looking at her through the window.
A moment later, she came out carrying a paper cup and handed it to Shi Chen.
She pursed her lips, revealing a small dimple, and said to him, "Drink it while it's hot."
Shi Chen took the cup; the cup was very hot, warming his palm. The sweet aroma of corn, enveloped in the heat, wafted into his nose.
He lowered his head and took a sip; it was just as he had imagined.
Warm and sweet.
Shen Miaoyi stood to the side watching him, a hint of gratitude on her face, and whispered, "I haven't thanked you yet for last time in the stairwell."
Shi Chen was taken aback and asked her, "What are you thanking me for?"
"Thank you for comforting me," Shen Miaoyi blurted out.
Shi Chen tapped the paper cup in his hand with the index finger of his other hand and chuckled, "So it's for saying thank you?"
Shen Miaoyi nodded.
Shi Chen raised an eyebrow and hummed, "I thought you deliberately waited until Pei Zhi left before giving it to me, showing favoritism on purpose."
Shen Miaoyi was taken aback, feeling a little embarrassed by what he said.
She quickly waved her hand and explained, "I didn't mean to not give it to Pei Zhi, I just..."
"I know, given how he was just now, you wouldn't have had a chance to speak even if you wanted to." Shi Chen smiled, then looked at her and said softly, "Just kidding."
His voice was already low and magnetic, and when he softened it, it sounded especially like he was coaxing someone.
If Pei Zhi were here, hearing his tone, his jaw would probably drop and he'd roll his eyes to the heavens.
Shi Chen raised the paper cup in his hand, seemingly in a good mood. He said, "You passed the preliminary test because you sang very well. I didn't do anything and just got a cup of corn juice for free."
Shen Miaoyi was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. She asked, "You heard me sing?"
Shi Chen paused, looked down at her and said, "Later, when I got to the entrance of the auditorium, it was your turn to sing, so... I stopped and listened for a while."
He added, "She sang very well."
"Thank you." Shen Miaoyi smiled shyly.
She looked up at Shi Chen, as if she had something to say. After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke: "I don't understand basketball, but I could tell from Pei Zhi's anger that you must have encountered some very difficult problems."
She pursed her lips: "Although I can't be of much help, playing basketball requires support from family and friends, right? I'll definitely cheer you on with my loudest voice."
Shen Miaoyi's expression was very serious, as if she was afraid he wouldn't believe her, and she nodded firmly.
"Okay." Shi Chen looked at her chubby cheeks, smiled, resisted the urge to pinch them, and said to her, "Thank you."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
