Shen Moyu was in a state of utter confusion. Looking at the bustling traffic below, he truly didn't know how to answer.
Zhou Xingqi stopped laughing this time, his tone turning cold: "You should avoid contact with him; he's not a good person."
"Zhou Xingqi." Shen Moyu couldn't hold back any longer, her gaze immediately turning stern: "What do you mean?"
Zhou Xingqi was somewhat shocked by his attitude. He closed his eyes to compose himself, pointed at Su Jinning in the kitchen, and said somewhat agitatedly, "Brother, don't forget how Gu Junxiao treated you last time."
Shen Moyu's eyes widened as she looked at him: "What does Gu Junxiao have to do with him?"
Zhou Xingqi nervously grabbed his hand: "Su Jinning, the school bully at Zhengde No. 1 Middle School, he fights, skips school, does everything. Why do you insist on being so close to him?"
"You investigated him?" Shen Moyu's gaze turned icy.
Given his background and abilities, this seems unsurprising.
"No need to investigate, you can find out by asking around." Zhou Xingqi released his hand: "Why are you getting so close to him, such a good student like you?"
Shen Moyu pointed to the door, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity with Zhou Xingqi: "Zhou Xingqi, if you keep spouting this nonsense, you're leaving through here."
Zhou Xingqi looked somewhat aggrieved, her endearing, starry eyes glistening with tears: "I just don't want you to get hurt, and besides, this kind of person will lead you astray."
Shen Moyu took a step back, suddenly realizing how absurd it was. He closed his eyes tightly: "I'll go help in the kitchen."
Looking at Su Jinning and Shen Moyu smiling at each other in the kitchen, Zhou Xingqi was filled with mixed emotions.
Even if Shen Moyu forgot, he wouldn't forget how Gu Junxiao had treated him back then. He remembered how Gu Junxiao sat across from him, covered in bruises, saying he wanted to transfer schools.
At that moment, he felt that anyone who got close to Shen Moyu or his brother was a bad person, except for himself.
——
"Xiao Ning, are you leaving now?"
Hearing Xia Wei's voice, Su Jinning stopped putting on her shoes and replied with a smile, "Yes, Auntie. It's getting late, so I'll head back now."
"Okay, I'll come again when I have time."
Su Jinning was about to open the door when he remembered he'd left his schoolbag somewhere. He turned to Shen Moyu and asked, "Have you seen my schoolbag?"
Shen Moyu thought for a moment: "It should be in the bedroom."
"I'll go get it, wait a moment." Su Jinning hurriedly opened the door and went into the bedroom.
As soon as he opened the door, Zhou Xingqi, who was making the bed, met his gaze.
Su Jinning stared blankly at the two pillows and two quilts on Shen Moyu's bed, while Zhou Xingqi was wearing the same clothes she had worn at his house before.
He felt a chill creep up from his fingertips.
Zhou Xingqi stared at him blankly, then tilted his head and asked, "Brother Jinning, are you leaving?"
Su Jinning took a while to react. But her gaze remained fixed on the two pillows: "You're sleeping here?"
Zhou Xingqi chuckled as if he'd heard a joke, "Of course, I've always slept here."
Always……
Zhou Xingqi tugged at the blanket, flashing his signature smile: "Are you leaving? I'll see you off."
"Alright, you can stay home. You don't need to come out." Shen Moyu's voice drowned out his next few words, and he pulled Su Jinning away.
Su Jinning brushed past Zhou Xingqi, grabbed her schoolbag from the bed, and turned to leave.
A cool breeze suddenly rushed into his clothes in the stairwell. In that instant, anger and resentment intertwined. He rushed into the stairwell, ignoring Shen Moyu who was chasing after him.
"Su Jinning! Wait a minute!" Shen Moyu ran a few steps and finally grabbed his arm.
"Let go!" Su Jinning was so angry that she was dizzy.
Shen Moyu held on tightly and pulled the person back.
Looking at Su Jinning's darkening face, he said with some guilt, "Don't be like this, he..."
"What else could I do?" Su Jinning grabbed his wrist and pulled him sharply in front of her, her naturally fierce phoenix eyes radiating an intimidating aura: "If he hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known you two were sleeping together tonight, would I? What kind of ordinary friends act like this? He did help you before, but don't you think he's overstepping his bounds?"
He suddenly felt that he hadn't been a part of Shen Moyu's life. It seemed like he had never told him that Gu Junxiao was, and now Zhou Xingqi, whom he was so close to that they could sleep together, was also involved.
Shen Moyu held his hand, and the more silent he became, the tighter his grip seemed to become.
"Let go." Shen Moyu stared at Su Jinning's hand.
After a moment, Su Jinning let go, turned her back to him, as if suppressing her anger.
Shen Moyu composed herself and stepped forward to hug him from behind.
He didn't explain, but simply whispered behind his ear, "I'll handle it."
Su Jinning felt a soft pang in his heart. He rubbed his face in frustration and asked hesitantly, "Could you keep your distance from him? I'm really uncomfortable..."
"Yes." Shen Moyu answered with only one word.
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Author's Note:
Who doesn't love a scheming boy? If sixteen-year-old Qiqi had pheromones, they'd probably smell like green tea.
Chapter 78 Broken Promise
"You should go back first, it's getting chilly outside." Su Jinning seemed to have given in, reaching out to pull Shen Moyu's loose coat up a bit. The resentment in her eyes was ultimately replaced by helplessness.
Shen Moyu pursed his lips and nodded, like a child who had done something wrong. After thinking for a long time, he took Su Jinning's hand again: "I'm sorry, I made you feel bad."
Su Jinning was stunned. What he couldn't stand the most was Shen Moyu's earnest apology. No matter what, all his anger would be extinguished in an instant. He would even suddenly reflect on his mistakes after turning around.
"I was too impulsive. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you." Su Jinning gently rubbed his hand.
"Hmm." Shen Moyu was probably a little cold, and unconsciously sniffed, but in Su Jinning's eyes, it turned into a look of grievance.