Maybe he just wants to be a human being.
What was said in a serious and earnest tone sounded particularly sarcastic to Xue Yi.
Did Sheng Yan overhear what they were saying?
Impossible. If Sheng Yan heard that, how could he still compete so calmly?
Xue Yi thought this, but ultimately felt guilty. As if trying to salvage something, he said anxiously, "Ayan, don't listen to Qin Zigui. Things aren't as he says."
Did Qin Zigui say anything?
Sheng Yan raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence.
Xue Yi was immediately frozen in place.
He couldn't possibly repeat what Qin Zigui had said in person, otherwise it would be no different from admitting guilt without being asked.
However, he couldn't be sure whether Sheng Yan had really not heard it.
Amidst this anxiety and helplessness, Sheng Yan smiled again: "If you didn't say anything, then forget it. But Qin Zigui probably already told you that we're not familiar with each other, so please don't call me A-Yan anymore, it's inappropriate."
Sheng Yan's smile didn't reach his eyes; it merely hovered at the corners of his lips, revealing a distant coldness.
Xue Yi had never seen Sheng Yan smile like that before. Her heart ached instantly. She opened her mouth, but hesitated, as if she wanted to explain something.
Sheng Yan didn't bother to look at him anymore. He turned around and took the milk tea with the straw already inserted from Qin Zigui's hand. The two walked out side by side.
As they walked, Sheng Yan turned his head and said something. Qin Zigui responded softly and reached out to straighten Sheng Yan's collar.
As his fingertips glided across her neck, their skin made contact, Sheng Yan showed no resistance whatsoever.
Xue Yi saw this and remembered how Sheng Yan had always avoided him whenever he tried to help him tidy his clothes. His eyes stung, and all the resentment, regret, guilt, and jealousy festered within him. Finally, he called out to Sheng Yan again, "Sheng Yan!"
Sheng Yan frowned and turned around, as if his patience was almost exhausted.
Seeing this expression, so different from when she faced Qin Zigui earlier, Xue Yi couldn't help but blurt out, "Then what gives Qin Zigui the right to call me that?"
Sheng Yan now genuinely felt that Xue Yi's words were somewhat problematic: "Qin Zigui spends more time with me than my mother does, so if he can't be called that, who can?"
Xue Yi choked up.
Sheng Yan then asked, "And Qin Zigui can help me pass my math exam, can you?"
Xue Yi choked up again.
"So don't compare yourself to others too much. You can't win by comparing yourself to others. Oh, and of course, it's best not to compare yourself to others when you're trash either, otherwise you might start out as recyclable waste and end up as hazardous waste, which is not good."
Sheng Yan sincerely offered a profound saying.
Xue Yi felt a mouthful of blood choke in his throat, feeling as if he had never been so humiliated in his life.
Fu Yun, who had just arrived, witnessed this scene and immediately stepped in front of Xue Yi, annoyed, and said fiercely to Sheng Yan, "Sheng Yan, what are you so arrogant about? You just got lucky and won a one-on-one match. If you're so capable, why don't you go to the city championship next month!"
“If that’s what you’re saying, it’s not impossible.” Sheng Yan sipped his milk tea and thought for a moment. “But I’m mainly worried that if I go, your brother Yi might not even be able to win a silver medal. He’s not young anymore, and if he doesn’t win any decent championships, he’ll have to stay in the city team until he retires.”
Sheng Yan has always been clear about his likes and dislikes, and he is also very good at criticizing people. A casual remark can be as devastating as killing someone's spirit.
Fu Yun choked on his own blood for Xue Yi.
Then Sheng Yan added, "Oh, right, and also, a man should keep his word. Don't forget that when you wear that 'vegetarian dog' doll around your waist for three days, Gou You is recording it."
"Huh?" Gou You was suddenly called out, and then realized what was happening. She immediately raised her head arrogantly and said, "Of course, I'm recording this. If you dare to renege on your promise, don't blame us for being impolite and playing your angry face in a 360-degree surround sound."
“Exactly.” Zhu Peng chimed in professionally, “So this story tells us that we shouldn’t be too upset. Some people, even if they make it into the city team, will still be unable to compete with those they can’t beat. Even if our Brother Yan doesn’t make it into the city team, he’s handsome, rich, and talented. He can crush everyone in no time. Hey, it’s just a game.”
The sarcastic duo has completed their attack.
The faces of the enemy, Xue Yi and Fu Yun, turned almost black with green.
Sheng Yancai spoke up lazily and elegantly: "Alright, keep a low profile. We should be cultured people and not learn from those who are constantly being humiliated."
“Brother Yan is right.” Zhu Peng and Gou You gave Sheng Yan a lot of face and followed along smugly, one on each side, habitually putting their arms around Sheng Yan’s shoulders.
However, as soon as they got on, the two felt a chill. Turning their heads, they met Qin Zigui's indifferent gaze, who had been pushed aside.
For some reason, at that moment, Gou You suddenly remembered Qin Zigui's words in the fried chicken shop: "I can help him make the decision, no reason why. Also, don't call him Ayan, I feel disgusted for him." A strange, ominous, instinctive feeling of seeking advantage and avoiding harm welled up in his heart.
After staring at each other for three seconds, he decisively let go, took a step back, and casually slapped Zhu Peng's other hand: "Let go."
Zhu Peng looked bewildered: "Huh? Why?"
"Why so many questions? Don't you understand restraint? Don't you understand elegance? What kind of behavior is it to put your arms around someone's shoulders? We need to show those trash the temperament of the victors."
Gou You was always smarter than Zhu Peng, and he spoke with righteous indignation, so Zhu Peng didn't think much of it. He obediently let go of Sheng Yan's shoulder and stood next to Gou You: "And then?"
"And now, do you feel like going home and doing your math homework?" Gou You said very seriously.
Zhu Peng: "?"
He didn't want to, he really didn't want to.
Before he could answer, Gou You solemnly took his hand and said, "Okay, I know what you want. Let's go back quickly."
After saying "Goodbye, Brother Yan," the two quickly disappeared at the entrance of the shooting range.
Sheng Yan: "??"
Are these two not quite right in the head?
Thinking it over, he turned to look at Qin Zigui, tapped his head, and explained earnestly, "There's something about them here, you know, you get the idea."
Qin Zigui felt that Gou You and his companion's method might be more effective than Sheng Yan's.
Before he could answer, Sheng Yan narrowed his eyes again: "But tell me honestly, have you done anything to wrong me?"
Qin Zigui raised his eyebrows in confusion.
Sheng Yan said confidently, "Otherwise, why would Xue Yi say you're just like him? How exactly are you the same? Have you also done something shameful behind my back? Otherwise, why would he say that you calling me A-Yan is disgusting? If you confess honestly now, you might get leniency."
Qin Zigui looked at the idiot in front of him who couldn't even understand what he was eavesdropping on, remained silent for three seconds, and then coldly slung his backpack over his shoulder: "The thing I did that hurt you the most was printing out five more math tests this noon."
Sheng Yan stood frozen in place, biting on the straw.
This man has such a cruel heart!
The most ruthless man in the world remained unmoved, gripping his shoulders and turning him around: "Fifteen papers, you can finish them in a weekend."
Sheng Yan grumbled irritably, "Can't we just skip it today?"
Qin Zigui was very strict: "Give me a reason."
"There's no reason, I'm just in a bad mood."
Sheng Yan threw out this sentence somewhat capriciously.
Qin Zigui turned his head to look at him and saw that his originally very long and slightly curled eyelashes were drooping listlessly, completely unlike the spirited little rooster he had been just moments before.
It seems she's still sad.
Qin Zigui paused slightly, then nodded: "Okay, we won't do it today. I'll take you somewhere."
Where to?
Sheng Yan looked up and asked.
Qin Zigui opened his umbrella and shielded him and Sheng Yan from the sun: "You'll see when you come with me."
Perhaps the summer night rain had brought some relief from the dryness, but the scent of gardenias permeated the moist air, making it incredibly pleasant. Walking slowly through the winding alleys of Nanwu with an umbrella felt much more comfortable than during the day.
Located near the old town and not far from the residential compounds of government agencies, this place is filled with the local atmosphere that has continued from the last century. The buildings are dilapidated but lively. Even when it is drizzling, the night market in the old street is still brightly lit and bustling with people after the stalls are set up.
"The trade fair is still going on."
Sheng Yan looked at this familiar place with some surprise.
When they were very young, they lived in a residential compound. Their favorite thing every year was the summer vacation fair held on the street. A long string of tents would be set up, and small vendors would bring their delicious food, drinks, and toys and set up their stalls densely along the street.
The adults would give each of them ten yuan, and the children could play from the opening to the closing time.
I never imagined that after all these years, it would still be here.
Qin Zigui was not surprised at all. After seeing Sheng Yan into the tent, he put away his umbrella and said indifferently, "It is held every summer vacation. I only found out about it last year when I came to participate in a competition in this area."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Back then, I was still throwing a tantrum at you."
"Tch, childish." Perhaps recalling many things from his childhood, Sheng Yan seemed to be in a much better mood. Standing in front of a sugar figurine stall, he said, "Look, I'll make you a dragon."
After saying that, he spun around and sure enough, a dragon appeared.
The stall owner auntie laughed and said, "Young man, you're so lucky, everything you wish for comes true."
Sheng Yan said proudly, "That's right. When we were kids, I always managed to get the biggest one, while that guy with the grumpy face always got the smallest one."
"That's why you two can become brothers. In the words of us old folks, he gave you all his luck so that you could become brothers." The aunt smiled and handed the "dragon" to Sheng Yan.
"Who said we're brothers? I'm so handsome, it's obvious we're not even from the same gene." Sheng Yan didn't take his aunt's words seriously, just took the candy and turned to Qin Zigui, asking, "Do you want some?"
Qin Zigui habitually opened Alipay and paid for him: "No need, I don't like sweets."
Sheng Yan: "?"
Didn't this person say just a couple of days ago that they love sweets? How come they've changed their mind so quickly?
Qin Ziju casually put away his phone and looked at him: "Want to go check out Uncle One-Eyed's stall?"
"Huh?" Sheng Yan was taken aback at first, but when he remembered who the one-eyed uncle was, he exclaimed, "Holy crap, is that uncle still around?"
"Hmm, still scamming kids out of their money. Shall we go check it out?" Qin Zigui's words seemed to carry a hint of amusement.
Without a second thought, Sheng Yan hooked his arm around Qin Zigui's shoulder and said, "Go, we have to go. When I was a kid, that uncle swindled half of my allowance every summer. We can't not go."
The so-called "one-eyed uncle" is the uncle who runs a small shop outside the family compound. Because he is blind in one eye, the children all call him that, and he doesn't mind at all, so he just happily accepts it.
Every summer during the trade fair, they would buy a large quantity of pirated dolls or figurines that were particularly popular with children, set up a shooting range stall, collect money from the kids, and give away prizes to those who hit the target high enough, and continue to give money to those who didn't.
It can be said that Sheng Yan's shooting enlightenment education was a great achievement.
And it seems that quite a few people have been enlightened by him.
Sheng Yan and Qin Zigui watched from afar as a large group of boys and girls, clutching five- or ten-yuan bills, surrounded the little boy in the center holding a gun, holding their breath in anticipation. They couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
Sure enough, as expected, the child, who was just tall enough to aim at the target, gave his pocket money to the one-eyed uncle and could only pout as he returned empty-handed.
Seeing the little boy biting his lip and bravely pulling out another ten yuan from his pocket, ready to offer it to Uncle One-Eyed, Sheng Yan couldn't help but cross his arms and chuckle: "Kid, that's not how you shoot a gun."
Although small in stature, the little boy, full of ambition, turned around defiantly, raised his chin, and looked at Sheng Yan: "I'm the best shooter in our neighborhood. I even shot a Judy Bunny for Yuanyuan yesterday. What makes you think you can talk to me like that?"
“Because I’m better than you.” Sheng Yan raised his chin, answering in a very provocative manner.
The boy, having lost face in front of the girl he liked, became even more defiant: "Try it if you dare!"
Sheng Yan snorted: "Let's give it a try."
I can argue back and forth with a seven or eight-year-old child without any generation gap.
Qin Zigui lowered his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to cover his face.
Sheng Yan then sat down in front of the sniper rifle with great magnanimity, turned his head to look at the cute girl named Yuan Yuan, and asked in a low voice, "Yuan Yuan, which one do you want? I'll shoot it for you."
Yuanyuan handed over the five yuan in her hand, and then pointed to the Barbie doll box set at the top of the prizes in her childish voice: "Yuanyuan likes that princess. Can you help Yuanyuan take her home, handsome brother?"
The little girl is quite eloquent.
Sheng Yan smiled brightly, his eyebrows curving upwards: "Alright, then I'll help Yuan Yuan take the princess home."
Then, with a quick bend of his long legs, he braced his gun.
Bang bang bang bang.
One shot, one hit; two shots, two hits; a hundred shots, a hundred hits.
When all the bullets were fired, all the targets on the other side fell down without exception.
The children's eyes widened instantly as they watched in disbelief as the Barbie doll set they had been longing for was taken from the top shelf of the prestigious prize display and placed into Yuanyuan's hands.
After a brief silence, the children erupted in anger.
"Brother, brother, I'll give you five yuan, can you help me beat up an Ultraman?"
"Brother, brother, I want that bear."
"Brother, brother, you're the most handsome, even more handsome than Naruto! Can you give me a Naruto doll?"
"Brother, I have money! Can you call it for me first?"
...
“Okay, you can have whatever you want, but you all need to line up first. The younger ones go in front of the older ones, and the girls go in front of the boys. Give the money to Uncle One-Eyed, and Uncle One-Eyed will collect the prizes for you.” Sheng Yan sat at the shooting position, looked up at Uncle One-Eyed and smiled, “Uncle, you don’t mind, do you?”
The boy's smiling eyes overlapped with those of the short-legged little boy who used to squat in front of his stall every day with his pocket money many years ago. The one-eyed uncle recognized him as the Sheng family's child and laughed, "Then take it easy on me. If you bankrupt me, I'll go and make a scene with your grandparents."
Sheng Yan chuckled, turned around, fixed his gun, aimed, and asked lazily, "What do you want?"
"Ultraman! Thank you, brother!"
"Naruto! Sasuke! Gojo Satoru!"
"Brother, you're so handsome!"
"Brother, you're the king of the night market!"
"Brother, I want that bride!"
"Brother, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Brother, Yuanyuan says he likes you!"
Bullets shot by shot, targets shot by targets, dolls shot by dolls.
Sheng Yan sat there, holding the cheapest fake gun, aiming at the most primitive target, enjoying the purest and most innocent praise and honor, and recalling the joy he felt when he first fell in love with shooting.
He loves shooting, regardless of all the scheming and pursuit of fame and fortune; he simply loves shooting.
So even in the most rudimentary night market, with the most naive audience and the worst equipment, he still radiates light as he sits there, easily capturing everyone's attention and affection.
He wasn't unaware of or indifferent to those sordid and disgraceful things; he simply looked down on them and thus didn't allow them to leave undue shadows in places that should have been filled with light.
Qin Zigui thought that Sheng Yan would one day stand back where he belonged and receive the flowers and applause he had missed, because he was born to be part of it all.
So, just as all the children were happily hugging their own dolls, Sheng Yan suddenly heard a low, cold voice from above: "I want a little prince."
"?"
Something's not right with this sound.
Sheng Yan looked up and saw Qin Zigui holding five yuan in cash that he had tricked from some child. He waved it in front of him and then pointed to a little prince and his B612 crystal ball on the prize cabinet: "I want that little prince."
Sheng Yan knew why Qin Zigui had brought him here.
And having just been flattered by the kids, his vanity was inflated to the extreme. Plus, it was rare to see Qin Zigui so leisurely, so he was in a good mood and smirked mischievously: "Then call me 'brother' first?"
Anyway, Qin Zigui won't hit him; at most, he'll just say a few sarcastic things.
However, Qin Zigui wasn't even sarcastic. He simply leaned back against the railing, looked down at him, and then replied in a low, casual tone, "Okay."
Sheng Yan: "?"
Before he could react, Qin Zigui said calmly, "I like that little prince, so can you help me take him home, handsome brother?"
The warm, dim lights of the night market cast a soft glow on Qin Zigui's lowered eyelashes. His low, magnetic voice soothed her ears, effortlessly drowning out all the noise and commotion of the children.
At that moment, Sheng Yan, who had been smug, arrogant and wicked, suddenly lost his grip and missed his first target of the day.
grass.
The night market warlord, his reputation crumbled in his later years.
Beauty can ruin a nation; this is no exaggeration.
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