Chapter 40: The Grand Finale (Part 1)
After Song Yang carried her to bed, Shen Yi slept fitfully.
When Jiang Yue woke up and saw Shen Yi still crying in her sleep, muttering "liar," she quickly woke her up and asked, "Yi Yi, did you have a nightmare?"
Seeing Jiang Yue's concerned face, Shen Yi couldn't help but cry even harder, nodding repeatedly, "Yes! I had a really, really bad dream..."
In her dream, her best friend was a liar.
He's a liar; even his last letter was a lie to her.
He clearly said he was going to train her to be a villainous supporting character, but when she was ten years old, he had already used his most precious cheat on her.
Right now.
All those previously unanswered questions have finally been answered.
No wonder Song Yang said such nonsensical things, no wonder their memories before the age of ten were inaccurate, because these are all facts.
Jiang Yue quickly got up and grabbed some tissues to wipe away Shen Yi's tears. She found her both cute and pitiful, and gently comforted her for a while.
Hearing the door open again, followed by the sounds of washing up, Shen Yi knew that she wouldn't be able to explain herself to so many people if she kept crying, so she desperately stopped crying.
really.
At the dinner table, no one noticed Meng Zihan's absence. Although Wen Que was present, everyone chatted as usual, and the atmosphere remained unchanged.
Shen Yi opened the school forum again and watched the video that someone had filmed yesterday. Sure enough, the voice in the narration had become unfamiliar.
Jiang Yue peeked over and said, "Yiyi, you're watching this again? Yesterday was really thrilling. Thanks to senior sister's quick thinking in helping us cover up the situation, we were able to keep the audience from noticing anything amiss and even won an award!"
This senior could be anyone, but she will never be Meng Zihan again.
Thinking of this, Shen Yi felt a lump in her throat, but she couldn't help but save the video.
Even if the voice changes.
Shen Yi knew that these words were spoken by Meng Zihan. To Shen Yi, this was proof that Meng Zihan had existed and what she had left behind.
etc……
The things Meng Zihan left for her.
Shen Yi suddenly raised her head and stared straight at Song Yang opposite her.
That's right.
Everything Meng Zihan gave her could disappear, but Song Yang, this living, breathing person, truly existed here. He was left to her by Meng Zihan, and only for her.
then--
Shen Yi picked up her bowl and, under everyone's puzzled gazes, pushed past Shen Yu, who had just finished adding a bowl of porridge and was about to sit back down, and took his place next to Song Yang, saying, word by word, "I want to sit here."
Everyone: "?"
What did Song Yang do to offend her this time?
Song Yang himself also thought so.
Although he did stumble upon Shen Yi crying alone outside last night, he won't go around telling anyone. Please don't kill him to silence him!
Just as Song Yang was lost in thought, considering how to get Shen Yi to let him go, he suddenly found a shrimp in his bowl, a peeled shrimp.
Everyone: "?"
Song Yang: "!!!"
Holy crap?
Shen Yi peeled shrimp for him? Really?
What does this mean?
It was always others who were enslaved by Shen Yi; this was the first time they had ever seen her peel shrimp for someone, especially Song Yang, whom they usually couldn't stand. Everyone thought it was a ghost.
Under Shen Yi's expectant gaze, Song Yang picked up his chopsticks with trembling hands, barely managed to pick up a shrimp and eat it, praising, "Delicious."
I'd die if I said it didn't taste good.
But in fact, he was so scared that he swallowed the shrimp whole and didn't taste anything at all.
Seeing Song Yang eat the shrimp, Shen Yi immediately smiled and said, "If you like it, I'll peel another one for you."
As he spoke.
Shen Yi then picked up a few more shrimp and put them on the plate. She peeled them carefully and put them all into Song Yang's bowl.
Jiang Yue's eyes widened, completely unable to believe what she was seeing.
Wen Que frowned, and Xu Qingzhe pursed his lips. It was obvious that neither of them could figure out what Shen Yi was up to.
The two geniuses, who had always been at odds and even disliked each other, exchanged a puzzled look at each other at this moment. After realizing that the other was just as confused as they were, they both fell silent.
Shen Yu even moved to a more distant spot, still holding his bowl, and kindly reminded Song Yang, "If you've offended her, apologize right away! Don't drag us into this!"
nonsense!
Having been Shen Yi's brother for so many years, he had never seen her so considerate and caring towards others, even taking care of Song Yang herself. How was this any different from being possessed by a ghost?
Whatever that thing is! Get off her sister right now!
If Song Yang doesn't apologize today, he definitely won't see the sun rise tomorrow! He doesn't want to be buried with Song Yang!
Shen Yi looked at Shen Yu with some dissatisfaction: "What are you saying?"
Shen Yu immediately buried his head in his food and shut his mouth, afraid of being implicated.
Song Yang was extremely restless during breakfast, even shivering from time to time, and kept looking at Shen Yi with a hesitant expression.
What about yesterday?
Is it really necessary? Besides, he didn't even say that!
After breakfast, the Wen family's car arrived, and everyone got in one after another.
Shen Yi even deliberately chose the seat next to Song Yang, and kept looking at him with a gentle and caring expression the whole way, asking him from time to time if he was carsick, thirsty, or if he needed anything from her.
Song Yang was so frightened that his body stiffened. He didn't care about his bad relationship with Wen Que anymore and looked at Wen Que with pleading eyes, his face saying: Save me! Save me!
Wen Que: "..."
Wen Que turned his face away, choosing to pretend he couldn't see it.
Although he didn't know how Song Yang had offended Shen Yi, he understood Shen Yi; with her temper, aside from him and...
Hmm? Who was he with again?
Besides him, who else could control Shenyi in the past?
Wen Que couldn't find the answer in his heart, and thought that he was also shocked by Shen Yi's attitude towards Song Yang, which made his thoughts a little confused.
At first, everyone thought that Song Yang must have offended Shen Yi in some way, and this was just Shen Yi's little threat and punishment. They thought that once Song Yang sincerely apologized, everything would be over and Shen Yi would return to normal.
However, a week later.
When they saw Shen Yi standing in the kitchen, seemingly preparing a special bento for Song Yang, and saying confidently, "There should be more vegetables and meat, Song Yang is still growing," Shen Yu and Jiang Yue exchanged glances, their feelings a complex mix.
They finally realized that Shen Yi was acting strangely, or rather, she only became very abnormal when she was in the presence of Song Yang.
before.
Shen Yi's favorite person to boss around is Song Yang. She makes him do all the dirty work and tiring tasks. If Song Yang is unhappy, she will slam the table. She acts like a slave owner.
But things are different now.
For example, during the dinner cooking session every night, Shen Yi never allowed Song Yang to enter the kitchen. Whenever they assigned Song Yang some tasks, Shen Yi would immediately appear and do everything for him, only telling Song Yang to go to the side and study, and not to waste time doing this kind of thing.
Song Yang was very distressed.
Studying? Him?
Is he going to study? Really?
But faced with Shen Yi's hopeful expression (?), Song Yang could only swallow his words and pick up the English book he couldn't understand at all.
What the heck is this?!
What kind of day is this?! Good heavens!
finally.
Song Yang couldn't take it anymore, and neither could anyone else.
While Shen Yi was busy in the kitchen, Shen Yu grabbed Song Yang's hands and pleaded, "Please, I'm begging you, can you apologize to her and make amends? I can't live like this for another day!"
Terrifying! Absolutely terrifying!
Xu Qingzhe also closed his eyes and, unusually, nodded in agreement with Shen Yu's words.
Two days ago, Shen Yi actually came to ask him why he could grow so tall, wanting to seek some experience from him to use on Song Yang. In a daze, Xu Qingzhe felt as if he had seen a great but meddlesome mother.
He didn't understand.
Song Yang is clearly over 1.8 meters tall, isn't he? What more could he possibly want to grow? Does he have to punch through his ceiling to be satisfied?
Their eyes met.
Song Yang also looked up in pain: "I understand."
soon.
Shen Yi came out of the kitchen with two cups of hot milk, one for Jiang Yue and one for Song Yang, and instructed, "Drink it while it's hot."
Jiang Yue: "..."
She didn't dare to speak, she could only hold the milk and gulp it down, wanting to finish it as soon as possible.
Song Yang's lips twitched as he put the milk aside and looked at Shen Yi: "I have something I want to tell you."
Shen Yi looked at Song Yang with confusion, but her tone became increasingly gentle: "What's wrong?"
Song Yang touched his goosebumps, his entire face a mask of pain.
He really didn't know what he had done wrong to make Shen Yi so angry and retaliate against him like this.
But it's too late now—
Song Yang bowed deeply to Shen Yi at a ninety-degree angle: "I'm sorry! I was wrong! I'll listen to you in everything from now on! Please..."
Please, just be normal!
Song Yang felt himself being helped up by Shen Yi. Shen Yi looked confused, but still smiled at him and said, "Although I don't know what you did wrong, it's okay. I will forgive you no matter what you do."
These words were interpreted ironically by Song Yang.
Do you even know what you did wrong? No matter how much you apologize now, I will never forgive you! This time! I really want your life!
Song Yang's face was ashen.
He turned around and walked out awkwardly, his back view so desolate and heartbreaking that it was hard to bear just looking at him, as if they were about to jump into a river.
Although Shen Yu was terrified, he couldn't stand it any longer: "If Song Yang did something wrong, just scold him directly. We're all on your side. We'll even beat him up, just stop doing this. We really can't take it anymore!"
Jiang Yue painfully put down her milk glass and added, "Yes, Yi Yi, I think so too. It's been so long, calm down."
Shen Yi: "?"
What are they saying?
Shen Yi, puzzled, looked at Xu Qingzhe, the only one who hadn't spoken, and pointed at the two of them: "Can you translate this?"
Xu Qingzhe pressed his hand to his forehead, feeling a bit of a headache, but still answered, "Your attitude towards Song Yang lately has been too strange. Everyone... is very scared."
Yes.
That includes him.
Given Song Yang's dazed and confused state, he would ask anyone he could get his hands on to protect him, and he was harassed by Song Yang quite a bit.
Shen Yi: "..."
"Oh, I see," she said, explaining why everyone's attitude had been so strange lately.
Too.
The current way of getting along is indeed quite different from before, and it's normal that people can't accept it for a while.
So Shenyi decided to make things clear.
She shouted towards the door, "Song Yang! Come in for a moment!"
Song Yang immediately returned and stood obediently at the door.
Shen Yi looked at everyone and patiently explained, "You've misunderstood. Song Yang didn't do anything to upset me. On the contrary, his existence makes me too happy, so I've decided that I can't treat him like before anymore. From now on, I will treat him even more gently than I would treat butterflies and flowers."
Everyone: "..."
In this deathly silence.
Song Yang let out a deafening wail, his steps faltering as he leaned against the wall and left.
soon.
Jiang Jiabao's voice came from the doorway: "Hello, Brother Song Yang... Huh? Brother Song Yang, what's wrong? Why are you banging your head against the wall?!"
＊
During the long break on the second afternoon, a meeting was held in which everyone except Chen Yi was present.
Jiang Yue arrived last and cautiously took her seat, saying, "I asked the president of the drama club to hold Yi Yi back, so she's safe now."
Shen Yu praised Jiang Yue: "You did a great job!"
Xu Qingzhe covered his forehead with one hand, not wanting to speak because of a slight headache.
Wen Que naturally understood why they had gathered here. He looked at Song Yang, who was almost petrified and soulless in the corner, and said, "First of all, I want to make it clear that I did not join you for Song Yang's sake. I just couldn't stand seeing Shen Yi care about him so much."
Song Yang glared back fiercely: "Do you want this good fortune?"
Wen Que looked slightly puzzled: "She's always like this in front of me."
These words were like a knife plunged into Song Yang's heart.
That's right.
Shen Yi's attitude varies from person to person, and therefore he knows very well that she would never treat him that way in this lifetime!
A cold laugh came from the side.
Xu Qingzhe added slowly, "There's no need to keep bringing up things from the past."
Wen Que was naturally displeased.
But the person in front of him was the only one present who had seen his true self in front of Shen Yi, so he had nothing to argue about and simply responded with a cold snort to show his attitude.
No matter when Yiyi will be able to forgive him.
Their past is something that outsiders like Xu Qingzhe can't compare to.
Seeing that the air was thick with tension, Shen Yu quickly tried to smooth things over: "Alright, whatever the reason, we've all gathered here today for the same purpose, so let's not argue over trivial matters and let's get through this together!"
Although Jiang Yue secretly regretted that the intense atmosphere of the battle had not continued, she also knew that there were priorities. She shared her information: "I have asked Yi Yi many times, but Yi Yi's answer is that she is really not angry with Song Yang. Moreover, I think that Yi Yi's recent behavior is really out of concern for Song Yang. That's all."
"That's right."
Shen Yu nodded in agreement with his sister and offered his own opinion: "Knowing Shen Yi as I do, with her temperament, even if she really wanted to intimidate Song Yang this way, she wouldn't have kept it to herself for so many days. That's so unlike her."
Xu Qingzhe frowned slightly, grasping the key point in her memory as she looked at Wen Que: "You mean, Shen Yi used to be this gentle and caring towards you?"
Wen Que: "..."
Although it wasn't that exaggerated.
However, for the sake of his self-esteem and to show his importance in Shen Yi's heart so that his rival would back down, Wen Que's expression remained unchanged. He nodded arrogantly, treating it as just another ordinary meal.
"I understand now!"
Shen Yu suddenly slammed his hand on the table, and amidst a sea of questioning gazes, launched into his brilliant analysis: "Shen Yi used to care so much about Wen Que because she liked him! Now Shen Yi cares so much about Song Yang because she likes him now..."
That concludes the discussion.
Feeling two murderous gazes suddenly directed at him from the left and right, Shen Yu suddenly became timid, and his voice became lower: "I'm just making a guess... a guess... if you don't accept it, you don't have to accept it."
Don't look at him like that! He'll be scared too!
Wen Que said calmly, "Don't make wild guesses."
Xu Qingzhe echoed, "That's unlikely."
Song Yang: "?"
Song Yang raised his head in dissatisfaction and said, "What do you two mean? How can you say it's impossible? I'm so handsome, it's perfectly normal for Shen Yi to have a crush on me, isn't it?"
Shen Yu's lips twitched as he reminded Song Yang, "If you still expect everyone to help you find a solution, then don't say things like that, or I'll be the first to beat you up."
Song Yang: "..."
Okay, it seems that solving the problem is more important than saving face.
So Song Yang turned to look outside the cafeteria, wanting to space out for a while, but when he saw Shen Yi's figure, he was so frightened that he immediately crawled under the table.
Shen Yu asked in confusion, "What are you doing..."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw Shen Yi walking towards the cafeteria from afar, and he quickly followed Song Yang under the table.
I don't know why.
But I felt guilty.
If Shen Yi finds out that they've been getting together behind her back, who knows what kind of misunderstandings she'll have!
As a good older brother, Shen Yu's last bit of conscience led him to pull Jiang Yue in, urging her to hide inside with him.
so--
When Shen Yi arrived at the cafeteria, she saw Xu Qingzhe and Wen Que sitting at the same long table.
Shen Yi opened her eyes wide, feeling extremely surprised.
When did their relationship become so good?
Shen Yi walked over and greeted them, asking, "You two came to the cafeteria together... uh, for strawberry milk?"
There are two glasses of strawberry milk in the middle of the table.
Coupled with the two expressionless faces in front of him, it looked even stranger.
Xu Qingzhe: "..."
He turned his head away, utterly speechless at the scene.
Wen Que wanted to say something, but he felt a pair of hands pulling at his trouser leg under the table, as if warning him that if he dared to betray him, his trousers would be pulled down in public.
Wen Que couldn't bear the shame.
In the end, he chose to look at Xu Qingzhe: "Let Xu Qingzhe explain."
Xu Qingzhe: "?"
Xu Qingzhe was so angry at Wen Que's shamelessness that he laughed out loud. This wasn't just a figure of speech; he was genuinely so angry that he laughed out loud.
Wen Que, however, smiled gently at him and repeated, "Student Xu, please explain why you called me to the cafeteria."
Shen Yi: "!"
Shen Yi stared wide-eyed at Xu Qingzhe, completely surprised that it was him who had arranged the meeting with Wen Que! And hadn't Xu Qingzhe just smiled? Good heavens! There's such a thing.
Could it be that Xu Qingzhe has regretted his arrogant behavior towards Wen Que and wants to extend an olive branch of friendship to Wen Que in return?
Actually, this isn't bad...
Considering how much effort Wen Que had put into helping Xu Qingzhe, Shen Yi wasn't as angry with him as before. Since Wen Que and Xu Qingzhe were willing to reconcile, that was a good thing.
Xu Qingzhe also felt a mysterious force and grabbed his pants. He could only grit his teeth and make up a lie: "There's a competition, and the teacher asked me to find Wen Que to participate with."
This doesn't count as lying.
That did happen last year, but he refused.
What competition?
Shen Yi became interested and simply sat down in the chair opposite them, but suddenly felt that he had kicked something.
Shen Yi raised her head and looked at Xu Qingzhe in front of her, sincerely apologizing: "I'm sorry, I think I kicked your foot."
However, crossing your legs is not a good habit. Let's find an opportunity to talk about Xu Qingzhe later.
Under the table.
Song Yang clutched his injured chin, rolling his eyes in pain, but dared not make a sound, for fear of attracting Shen Yi's attention.
Xu Qingzhe: "...It's nothing."
It's okay, he wasn't the one who got kicked anyway.
Seeing that neither of them answered her questions related to the competition, and instead both looked thoughtful, Shen Yi immediately understood that the questions must be too complicated for her to understand. She considerately said, "Never mind, don't bother, I don't understand anyway."
A crisis was averted.
Shen Yi then asked them, "Are you finished talking?"
The two nodded together, both preparing to find an excuse to leave.
Suddenly, Shen Yi pulled out a first-year high school textbook from behind her back: "Perfect timing, I also have something I'd like to ask you!"
Everything for the children! Everything for education!
＊
evening.
Xu Qingzhe's family.
Song Yang sat at the enormous desk that originally belonged to Xu Qingzhe, with Xu Qingzhe on his left and Wen Que on his right, looking utterly bewildered, yet he dared not move an inch.
Shen Yi brought in a first-year high school textbook, looked at Song Yang intently, and said excitedly, "Song Yang, you'd never guess! Xu Qingzhe and Wen Que have highlighted all the key points in this book for you. You only need to memorize a few key question types. Aren't you touched?"
Song Yang: "..."
He wanted it.
Because while Xu Qingzhe and Wen Que took turns highlighting the important points for him, he was squatting under that table! His legs went numb!
Of course, he wasn't the only one.
Song Yang raised his head and looked at Shen Yu and Jiang Yue outside the window with a mournful gaze. What cowards they were!
Stared at by Song Yang with such a terrifying gaze, the two exchanged a glance.
Shen Yu: "I'll go make dinner!"
Jiang Yue: "You can't do it, I'll help you!"
Watching the brother and sister rushing into the kitchen to help everyone prepare a delicious dinner, and with two renowned academic stars sitting next to Song Yang, Shen Yi's face showed a satisfied expression.
This scene is so beautiful.
So Shen Yi looked at Wen Que, then at Xu Qingzhe, and said, "Then I'll leave Song Yang in your care. I'll go out first so as not to disturb your class."
Xu Qingzhe's lips twitched, and he lowered his head, barely managing to squeeze out a "Mm."
Wen Que was clearly more patient, and a gentle smile appeared on his face: "Leave it to us."
If the math teacher of Class A saw this scene, he would definitely faint while pressing his philtrum.
God knows.
Even a competition that could guarantee a university admission spot couldn't bring these two together, and now they're being forced to tutor a math slacker like Song Yang? Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut!
I believe in you!
Shen Yi closed the door from the outside as he spoke.
The room became quiet.
Xu Qingzhe could no longer bear it, and even looked somewhat haggard: "I can't take this anymore."
Song Yang looked at him expressionlessly: "Do you think I'd be willing?"
Although Wen Que's expression was indifferent, he didn't like Shen Yi constantly circling around Song Yang, and directly pointed out the crux of the problem: "Don't you think Shen Yi's attitude towards Song Yang now is just like his mother's? She really cares about him."
Even if Song Yang offended Shen Yi, there's no need to call them in as tutors, is there? That's too strange.
Song Yang raised his hand resentfully and said, "My mom won't care about me that much."
The Song family's approach to education has always been casual: if you can learn something, great; if you can't, then forget about it.
Xu Qingzhe looked at Wen Que: "You mean, we need to figure out what exactly happened that caused Shen Yi's attitude towards Song Yang to change like this, and we need to solve the problem at its root."
Wen Que did not deny it.
Song Yang asked, puzzled, "...No, did you guys talk that much?"
How come he didn't hear it?
The two legendary young geniuses frowned as they recalled the events of the past few days, but ultimately came up empty-handed. They then turned to look at Song Yang.
Song Yang: "..."
Why are you looking at him like that?
Xu Qingzhe said directly, "The change happened that night. The next day, her attitude towards Song Yang was different."
Wen Que agreed and asked Song Yang, "Shouldn't you tell me now? What happened between you two that day?"
Song Yang tried hard to recall.
Song Yang remembered.
What happened that night...
Song Yang later promised Shen Yi that he would never tell anyone about her crying alone that night, but Shen Yi obviously didn't care about that. She only cared whether he had caught a cold because he wasn't wearing enough clothes.
Although I feel it has nothing to do with this matter.
But Song Yang hesitated for a moment, and under the questioning gazes of the two men, he still said: "That night she had a nightmare and was hiding outside crying by herself, and I saw her."
Song Yang could clearly sense it.
As soon as he said those words, both pairs of eyes turned sharply toward him.
Song Yang thought they didn't believe him.
The room wasn't too cold because the air conditioning was on, so he simply pulled his hoodie down a bit, revealing the skin where Shen Yi had bitten him that night. The bruises were still yellowish-purple. He pointed and said, "Look, she's like a dog. It hurt so much, and it's still not fully healed."
But later...
As Song Yang carefully examined the wound in the mirror, he thought about the warmth of her body in his arms and the wetness of her tears, and he still generously forgave her.
Everyone has bad days. Since Shen Yi was crying so much, he decided not to hold it against her.
Song Yang continued to recall what happened that night: "Shen Yi was still holding me at that time, but her nails were really sharp. I think she scratched my back and broke the skin."
It seemed like I was just imagining things.
But now Song Yang understood that when he said those words, the expressions of the two people beside him were definitely not friendly.
The habitual, polite, faint smile on Wen Que's face had vanished, replaced by an icy expression. He slowly said, "There's such a thing?"
Xu Qingzhe's gaze fell on the wound on his shoulder. He remained silent with a gloomy face as always, but did not look away for a long time.
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