Chapter 56 What's so cute about her? ...
Peng Chengyi's breath hitched, feeling incredibly guilty, but she forced herself to say, "Who, who was looking at you?"
"Didn't you see it?" Chen Yubai raised an eyebrow, his tone lazy.
"No, don't flatter yourself." She said dryly, her eyes darting away.
Chen Yubai stared at her fluttering eyelashes for a few seconds, then slowly curled up the corners of his lips, as if he had seen through her long ago but was too lazy to point it out. He simply looked away and continued to arrange the cards.
The air was still for a few seconds.
Zhang Yang finally couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out slyly, "Brother Yu, how can you notice who's watching you while you're playing cards? Is it because you actually..."
“Three Kings.” Chen Yubai interrupted him without looking up, his tone flat, and casually tossed the three cards into the center of the small table, precisely blocking the card Zhang Yang was about to play.
"Huh? No... Holy crap!" Zhang Yang's teasing expression froze instantly, turning into incredulous despair. He groaned, scratching his head, "How can you be like this! If you can't win an argument, you just flip the table!"
Chen Yubai slowly raised his eyes, glanced at him lazily, and said with a faint smile, "Just focus on playing cards and stop talking nonsense."
Zhang Yang: "..."
Sitting opposite him, Zheng Xinyue glanced at Chen Yubai, then secretly glanced at Peng Chengyi, whose ears were slightly red, and couldn't help but smile wildly, as if she had just tasted some amazing sweetness.
She held back until the train arrived at the station, and everyone was carrying their luggage and bustling off the platform when she finally found an opportunity. She nudged Peng Chengyi with her elbow and asked in a low voice, "Hey, tell me honestly, what were you secretly looking at Chen Yubai for on the train?"
"...I really didn't look." Peng Chengyi's eyes unconsciously drifted elsewhere, trying to avoid her probing gaze.
"Why would I need to hide anything from you?" Zheng Xinyue blinked, giving him an expression that said she had seen through everything. "Tell me, tell me!"
Peng Chengyi, unable to resist his persistent questioning, hesitated for a moment before speaking in a barely audible voice, as if she had finally made up her mind: "It's just... I suddenly realized that now that we've graduated and are in college... maybe, perhaps, we'll... start dating..."
She spoke somewhat haltingly, as if the thought itself carried a burning heat.
"Ahhhhhh—" Zheng Xinyue was so excited she almost couldn't keep her voice down, which made Chen Yubai, who was walking in front, turn around and glance at her. She quickly covered her mouth, her eyes wide open, and asked in a softer but still excited voice, "You want to talk to him?!"
"No, no!" Peng Chengyi shook her head hastily, as if she had been stepped on, her cheeks burning slightly. "That's not what I meant!"
"Why are you looking at him?" Zheng Xinyue's smile widened, clearly disbelieving.
Peng Chengyi pursed her lips, slowly organizing her thoughts, trying to explain the complex and subtle emotions she felt at that moment: "I was just thinking... back in high school when dating wasn't allowed, I ran errands for him and delivered several love letters. If we're still in the same university, wouldn't I be driven crazy by all this..."
"...That's it?" Zheng Xinyue's smile froze, as if she had been doused with cold water, her tone filled with deep disappointment.
"Well, what else?" Peng Chengyi asked casually.
"I thought... you'd finally come to your senses and were starting to have feelings for him too," Zheng Xinyue sighed softly, looking disappointed in him.
"What could I possibly have feelings for him?" Peng Chengyi chuckled as if he'd heard a joke, trying to mask his inexplicably racing heart with an exaggerated tone. "We're best buddies! And what do you mean 'also'? How could he possibly like me? Absolutely not, okay?"
“Why not?” Zheng Xinyue retorted immediately. “If he didn’t pay special attention to you, how could he be so perceptive as to notice you spying on him? If you ask me, he’s definitely scanning your every move out of the corner of his eye all the time!”
She paused, then added a strong argument: "Besides, haven't you noticed? He's completely icy towards girls other than you."
"That's only because we've known each other since we were toddlers, we're too familiar with each other! If he dares to act all high and mighty with me, I'll definitely beat him up!" Peng Chengyi quickly retorted.
"Fine." Zheng Xinyue rolled her eyes helplessly and decided to try a different approach. "Then let me ask you, if he goes to college, gets a girlfriend, and studies, eats, and walks with other girls every day, would you still be completely indifferent?"
Peng Chengyi pursed her lips, the image flashing uncontrollably through her mind, and a subtle, inexplicable awkwardness arose in her heart that she herself was unaware of.
But she quickly dismissed the thought, saying decisively, "Whatever, what does this have to do with me..."
Hearing this, Zheng Xinyue was completely at a loss. Helplessly, she turned to Chen Wei, who had been walking silently beside the two of them as if she were detached from the matter, and asked, "So, Weiwei, what about you? Do you have a boy you like? Or do you have any feelings for anyone?"
Chen Wei, dragging her suitcase, replied casually, "No, I just like playing the drums."
"...You two, really, I'm speechless." Zheng Xinyue rubbed her forehead, letting out a long sigh. "I don't even have anyone I can seriously discuss relationship topics with anymore!"
"Yueyue," Peng Chengyi quickly seized the opportunity to steer the conversation back to her, "Do you have someone you like?"
Zheng Xinyue immediately perked up, adopted a serious thinking posture, and then waved her hand and said boldly, "I like all the handsome guys in our school. The range is too wide, it's really hard to choose!"
Peng Chengyi: "..."
What kind of serious discussion is this?!
"However," Zheng Xinyue changed the subject, lowering her voice mysteriously, "I heard that some people in our class have already found partners right after graduation and started dating quickly!"
"Who and who?" Peng Chengyi asked curiously.
"The Sports Commission and Xu Qing."
"Huh?" Peng Chengyi was taken aback, trying hard to recall any connection between the two. "Aside from that time at the first-year sports meet, they don't seem to have had much interaction in class, right?"
Seeing the incredulous look on her face, Zheng Xinyue chuckled: "Hey, you can't even see something as obvious as Chen Yubai liking you, yet you expect to see their clandestine affair, which is like an underground intelligence group?"
Peng Chengyi choked for a moment, her mood complicated, and said, "He doesn't like me at all... Don't talk nonsense."
"Okay, okay, that's enough," Zheng Xinyue said, immediately ending the conversation as she saw Chen Yubai flag down a taxi after reaching the street. "Let's get in the car quickly! Dahai, here I come!"
-
It was already evening when we arrived at the seaside villa.
As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, it dyed the azure sea a warm orange-red. The moist sea breeze, carrying a salty yet liberating scent, swept over us, dispelling the fatigue of the journey and leaving only boundless comfort.
The villa has two floors, decorated in a fresh and simple style. Each floor has its own toilet and bathroom, which is very convenient. The girls naturally occupied the two bedrooms on the second floor, while the boys tacitly took up residence on the first floor.
Since Chen Wei was used to sleeping alone, Peng Chengyi and Zheng Xinyue moved into the sea-view room with a spacious balcony.
After settling their luggage, the group strolled over to an open-air seafood stall by the sea.
"Shall we order a beer to celebrate?" Zheng Xinyue asked, looking at the menu with eager anticipation.
"We have to order! We're finally free, we should order more things and drink to our hearts' content!" Zhang Yang was the first to respond enthusiastically, his spirits high.
“Well… I’d like to try some too.” Peng Chengyi hesitated for a moment, then raised her hand as well.
“You won’t like it,” Chen Yubai said lazily, leaning back in his chair and splashing a bucket of cold water on the drink. “I suggest you order a Coke instead.”
"How do you know I don't like it?" Peng Chengyi glanced at him with displeasure, her rebellious spirit instantly ignited. "I'm going to try it!"
"Whatever," Chen Yubai scoffed, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation. "Don't force it on me if you can't drink it."
"No way!" Peng Cheng pouted defiantly and ordered a draft beer from the waiter without hesitation.
When the frothy beer was served, she took a small sip with an almost solemn air.
The next second, the bitter taste of malt instantly assaulted her taste buds.
What the hell is this?!
It tastes so much worse than cola!
Peng Chengyi frowned subconsciously, and as soon as she looked up, she met Chen Yubai's teasing gaze.
She paused, immediately smoothing the wrinkles between her brows, trying to put on a nonchalant expression, and even smacked her lips in evaluation: "Hmm...not bad."
"What's so good about it... It tastes awful." Zheng Xinyue couldn't help but stick out her tongue and mutter a complaint.
“You don’t understand,” Zhang Yang immediately commented with an air of experience, “This is the taste of an adult! It’s bitter at first, but sweet in the aftertaste. Once you get used to it, you’ll love this slightly tipsy feeling.”
Chen Wei, standing to the side, uttered two words expressionlessly: "Hehe."
Zhang Yang: "...What are you laughing at?"
Chen Wei: "It's nothing, I just can't stand people who show off."
Zhang Yang: "..."
"Hahaha, I think Zhang Yang is right too," Ling Baizhou laughed and tried to smooth things over. "I had a few more drinks, and I do feel pretty good now."
Peng Chengyi: "If I thought it was good at first bite, does that mean I'm particularly mature?"
Ling Baizhou suppressed a laugh and nodded in agreement: "Yes, you are the most mature among us."
"Pfft..." Chen Yubai, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"..." Peng Chengyi frowned and stomped her foot hard under the table. "What are you laughing at!"
"I'm laughing at you, a primary school student trying to act mature." Chen Yu didn't pull his foot back, letting her sandals step on his canvas shoes, a lazy smile on his lips.
"You're the one who's in elementary school!" Peng Chengyi glared at him angrily, then kicked his shin in frustration before pulling her foot back. Too lazy to pay him any more attention, she picked up her glass and, with a forced smile, gulped down most of the draft beer.
Seeing how enthusiastically she was drinking, Zheng Xinyue lowered her head and took a few more sips, still somewhat skeptical.
Zhang Yang, not to be outdone, raised his glass and cheered, "Awesome, Peng Chengyi! I admire your spirit! Come on, let me toast you again!"
"Come on, cheers!"
Perhaps it was the sudden intake of alcohol that dulled her taste buds, but Peng Chengyi actually felt that the bitter taste had faded considerably, and even a strange sweet aftertaste rose in her throat.
So, during the meal, she unknowingly downed two glasses of draft beer all by herself.
By the end, her cheeks were flushed, her head was a little dizzy, and she staggered slightly.
Chen Yubai reached out and steadied her arm at the opportune moment, teasing her in a casual tone: "Tsk, someone who claims to be mature can't even stand up after just two glasses of low-alcohol beer?"
"Who's drunk! I'm perfectly sober!" Peng Chengyi shook off his hand unhappily, steadied her steps, and tried to divert his attention, "You should go help Zhang Yang, he looks like he's really not up to it."
"I...I'm not drunk! I'm perfectly sober!" Zhang Yang's face turned bright red, and he swayed and mumbled his explanation.
He drank the most tonight, mixing beer with baijiu, and almost collapsed on Chen Wei when he got up.
“Indeed,” Chen Wei said helplessly, supporting his slumping shoulders. She looked up at Chen Yubai and Ling Baizhou. “Who’s going to lend a hand?”
“Here I am…” Ling Baizhou walked over unsteadily and took Zhang Yang’s other arm.
Chen Yubai glanced at Peng Chengyi again to make sure she could walk steadily on her own before letting go of her hand and going to Zhang Yang's side.
To everyone's surprise, Zhang Yang shook him off, stubbornly grabbed Chen Wei's arm, and asked in a thick tongue, "Why... do you always dislike me like this? What did I do to offend you?"
"I don't look down on you." Chen Wei looked at him speechlessly.
“Yeah, Weiwei just dislikes all guys equally, you just happen to be the closest to her,” Zheng Xinyue chimed in.
"..."
Zhang Yang looked as if he had been struck in the heart by an arrow, his expression sorrowful. He slowly released his grip on Chen Wei's arm, and the next second he was about to give up and collapse to the ground.
Chen Yubai reacted quickly, grabbing his arm and lifting him up forcefully: "Stop acting up."
Zhang Yang's body was still half-falling, being pulled up like a chick, swaying and his expression was more miserable than crying.
Fortunately, the restaurant was not far from the villa, and the group managed to drag Zhang Yang back to his room.
It was getting late, so everyone went back to their rooms to rest.
Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Peng Chengyi felt hot all over as she lay in bed, tossing and turning for a long time without being able to fall asleep. She decided to get up quietly and go to the balcony to feel the sea breeze.
Pushing open the glass door, the night rushed in. A cool breeze, carrying a salty, damp scent, brushed against my cheeks, slightly dispelling the sweltering heat.
She let out a long breath and was about to lean against the railing to take a few more breaths of fresh air when her gaze inadvertently glanced down and saw a familiar figure under the warm yellow light of the courtyard.
Chen Yubai was sitting alone in a rattan chair, his head slightly lowered, the light from the screen faintly illuminating his profile, as if he were looking at his phone.
Peng Chengyi opened her mouth, about to ask him why he wasn't asleep in the middle of the night, when she saw Ling Baizhou also walk into the yard. She immediately fell silent and subconsciously shrank into the shadows.
Ling Baizhou patted Chen Yubai on the shoulder and sat down in the rattan chair next to him: "Why aren't you asleep yet? Did you get woken up by Zhang Yang's snoring?"
“Hmm,” Chen Yubai lifted his eyelids and smiled casually, “It seems the soundproofing in this villa isn’t very good; you can hear everything from next door.”
“It’s mainly because he hit too loudly,” Ling Baizhou smiled.
"Regretting coming on this trip with us?" Chen Yubai raised an eyebrow, teasingly quipping.
"How could that be? I should thank you for calling me." Ling Baizhou paused slightly, then said casually, "By the way, you know that the Sports Committee member and Xu Qing are together, right?"
"It's hard not to know, he posted four or five updates on his WeChat Moments." Chen Yubai turned off his phone and tossed it onto the table.
“Indeed, incredibly high-profile.” Ling Baizhou chuckled in agreement, but then subtly changed the subject, “What about you? Haven’t you thought about… dating someone in your class? We’ve all graduated by now.”
"What, do you have plans?" Chen Yubai asked instead of answering.
"Well... a little," Ling Baizhou smiled sheepishly, his tone becoming somewhat hesitant, "After all, the college entrance exam is over, and I still want to avoid having any regrets."
"Oh?" Chen Yubai seemed intrigued and lazily followed up, "Who do you want to talk to?"
Ling Baizhou remained silent for a moment, as if he had made up his mind, before saying in a low voice, "Actually... I still think Peng Chengyi is quite cute."
As soon as he finished speaking, the courtyard became so quiet that you could hear the rustling of the leaves in the wind.
The casual smile on Chen Yubai's lips froze instantly, his eyes darkened, and the atmosphere around him seemed to drop several degrees.
On the balcony, Peng Chengyi was suddenly stunned, almost doubting that she had heard correctly—Ling Baizhou actually liked her?!
Aside from occasionally exchanging a few words about anime, she and he hardly ever interacted!
Peng Chengyi hurriedly took a few steps back, her heart pounding uncontrollably, a sense of panic mixed with disbelief spreading rapidly.
Just as she was in a state of confusion and at a loss, Chen Yubai's sneer came clearly from downstairs, carrying a hint of coldness: "Are you blind? What's so cute about her?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: [Eating popcorn][Eating popcorn][Eating popcorn]
Thanks to 67678877 and Levenseleve for the bombs! And thanks to En, Soleil, 咸鱼不想翻身, Sunshine, and uoow for the nutrient solution!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
