Did they ever laugh and talk like this together in junior high? Did they ever have any physical contact that was more intimate than what the two of them were doing now? He had imagined these strange questions in his mind countless times.
Today, as they smiled at each other, that restless feeling in his heart resurfaced.
It's unclear whether he simply harbors a prejudice against Qin Zhi, or if he fears that if Shen Moyu likes Qin Zhi, the two might drift apart or even break up because of another girl.
Perhaps there are many factors he can't figure out, but he's just feeling a bit upset.
Shen Moyu rubbed his temples, somewhat helplessly: "I don't like Qin Zhi, please don't say that." He paused for a moment after saying that.
Suddenly remembering how well they had chatted before, even about his own life, he chuckled softly and said, "I don't compete with my brothers for women."
Yes, if you like her, don't worry, I'm not a stumbling block.
The wind on the tree-lined path was a bit chilly, perhaps because the temperature difference between morning and evening was too great. Su Jinning was wearing relatively little clothing, and he immediately shivered as the biting spring wind seeped into his clothes.
His anger, which he had just extinguished, suddenly reignited with a gust of wind, this time directed at Shen Moyu: "So what do you mean? Are you saying I like her?"
Shen Moyu looked at Su Jinning's slightly questioning eyes and let out a cold snort.
He shrugged nonchalantly and said, "Aren't we pretty close? I think that girl is quite nice, and she's good to you too. You haven't been in a relationship for so long, why don't you give it a try..."
Before he could even utter the last word "try," Su Jinning pulled him close to her chest and then led him behind a tree.
Shen Moyu was pulled so suddenly that he didn't react in time, and his rapid breaths sprayed onto Su Jinning's cheek. His chest was pressed tightly against Su Jinning's chest, and Shen Moyu could feel Su Jinning's body temperature and heartbeat.
He frantically tried to push Su Jinning away, but suddenly realized that his hands were being held tightly by that person in a rather strange position.
The hurried pedestrians and vehicles on the street paid no attention to the two people behind the tree.
Shen Moyu was pinned against the tree trunk by Su Jinning. This was the second time today that Su Jinning had tied him up in such a strange position.
"What do you mean?" Su Jinning was very close, her breath occasionally blowing through Shen Moyu's hair, and her eyes were like sharp thorns trying to pierce through Shen Moyu.
He was genuinely angry; he truly hated Shen Moyu's indifference to the matter and even his apparent attempt to orchestrate the match.
Shen Moyu hurriedly swallowed, his hands pressed against Su Jinning's chest as he tried to keep his distance. His eyes suddenly reddened, like red ink staining silk, slowly spreading: "Did I say something wrong? Weren't you just jealous of her?"
"I'm jealous of her??" Su Jinning repeated, both puzzled and annoyed, her gaze fixed on him fiercely: "Can you please stop saying things that are so irritating?"
His voice was urgent, but his words were sharp: "No, if you think what I said deserves a beating, then beat me up. I don't have time to deal with your business. It has nothing to do with me."
With a cold expression, he added, "Just don't treat me as a rival in love."
Su Jinning's lips trembled with anger, and he instantly lost the will to explain. Shen Moyu's sharp words and cold expression made him suddenly lose the strength to hold on to him.
Shen Moyu broke free and pushed him several steps away, then picked up her schoolbag and left as if nothing had happened.
He didn't even glance at Su Jinning again.
Su Jinning stood there, stunned, watching Shen Moyu's departing figure. He recalled the words Shen Moyu had casually uttered to him at the school gate that day: "When were we friends?"
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then leaned against the tree trunk, looking at the branches swaying in the wind, feeling somewhat annoyed.
He felt he was sick, that he was insane.
At that moment, he actually wanted Shen Moyu and Qin Zhi to sever all ties, preferably to become complete strangers who would pretend not to see each other if they met.
But why exactly?
Su Jinning was certain that she didn't like Qin Zhi, and she was also certain that her feelings weren't because she was afraid that Shen Moyu would steal her woman.
He was probably afraid that the two of them would break up because of a girl... It was as if he was guiding himself.
What else could it be for? Su Jinning was a little scared.
The willows sprouted, the wild grass grew in patches, and spring, which had rushed in with its dust and grime, seemed to have not lingered for long.
Is summer coming soon?
--------------------
Author's Note:
The kid's finally getting it. Let's celebrate with some Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).
——
(What if my drafts are being saved too quickly to keep up with my update speed?)
Chapter 29 The Person I Want to See
The books on the table were stacked high, covering Shen Moyu's profile. In the dim yellow sunlight streaming in from the window, he quietly looked at the densely packed exercises on the test paper, feeling extremely dizzy.
He's been like this ever since he came back from school. His head feels as heavy as if it were filled with lead, and the throbbing pain makes him tremble all over. Sometimes his vision even becomes blurry.
"Hoo..." Shen Moyu exhaled a breath of hot air, staring drowsily at the half-finished test paper in his hand, feeling extremely annoyed.
He simply tossed the test paper and pen aside, leaned back lazily in his chair, and gently pressed his throbbing temples with his fingers.
He seemed to have a fever. He could feel it. He felt weak all over, his limbs limp. He slumped in the chair, listening quietly to his own breathing; even the breath passing through his chest felt hot, burning his throat.
He had a stuffy nose yesterday, but he thought it was just a minor cold from being caught in the rain and didn't pay much attention to it. He never expected it to get so serious.
Xia Wei was chatting with some of Aunt Liu's friends downstairs and probably wouldn't be back until very late.
He tilted his head, swallowed hard, and found that his throat hurt terribly.
Every possible ailment or inflammation has been found. Shen Moyu complained inwardly. But sitting like this wasn't comfortable either; he was a little sleepy, so he could only slowly prop himself up and, with his last bit of strength, collapse onto the bed.
Wrapped tightly in the soft quilt, Shen Moyu found a comfortable position and curled up inside. Whenever he was sick, he liked to wrap himself in the quilt, seeking warmth and a sense of security. Like a silkworm about to hatch, except this one was sick.
Gradually, her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and her breathing became even. Shen Moyu gently nuzzled the pillow and then fell asleep.
He seemed to be very ill; he, who is usually a light sleeper, slept very soundly this time.
Shen Moyu gently opened his eyes only when he heard his mother's whispers.
In a daze, he moved his neck with difficulty and met Xia Wei's worried gaze.
"Oh my god, Mo Yu, you scared your mother to death! How could you have such a high fever..." Xia Wei breathed a sigh of relief, and her shoulders slumped.
Shen Moyu felt a burning pain in his throat, as if someone was grilling it inside, and even his breath smelled burnt.
He glanced at the clock on the wall; it was already 8:30. His pupils dilated, and he looked anxiously at Xia Wei: "I..." Before he could finish, he was startled by his own hoarse voice. He frowned: "Cough...cough!" He tried to clear his throat, but unexpectedly, he started coughing violently.
"Oh, don't worry, Mom has already asked your teacher for leave for you. You should rest well." Xia Wei knew what he was worried about. After all, no matter if he was sick or it was raining or thundering, he was always the one who arrived at school early and would never let it interfere with his studies.
Shen Moyu coughed violently, unable to stop even if he wanted to: "Cough cough... um... cough cough"
His chest felt as if it had been ripped open from the inside out; every cough brought him excruciating pain and cold sweat. His throat felt like parched, thirsty earth in the dry season, steaming with white vapor after being baked by the scorching sun.
"Water..." Shen Moyu weakly stretched out his hand. Xia Wei was also anxious and quickly took the freshly poured warm water and fed it to Shen Moyu.
The dry fields were washed by the babbling stream, becoming warm and sweet. After a cup, the color gradually returned to my face.
He carefully cleared his throat and said in a hoarse voice, "Mom, I think I should rest for a while before going to school..." He started to feel anxious when he thought about the new lesson Yan Sheng was going to teach today, which was also the key unit of this semester.
Xia Wei wasn't shocked. Shen Moyu was always like this; he never wanted to be delayed in anything he did, even when he was sick and receiving an IV drip, he would still hold a book in his hand. His love of learning and willingness to endure hardship might be seen as virtues by other parents, something to celebrate. But in Xia Wei's eyes, this was precisely what made her most heartbroken for her son.