Si Chengyou parked his car at the entrance. As he and Shen Yue walked out of the school together, they attracted quite a bit of attention, and some even took out their phones to take photos.
Si Chengyou noticed people were taking photos of him and Shen Yue, but he didn't say anything.
It was Shen Yue who noticed someone taking photos and reminded Si Chengyou, "Your photos can't be posted online."
With just one sentence, Si Chengyou was reminded of the first time he met Shen Yue and had their photo taken together.
Speaking of which, was that photo still on Shen Yue's phone?
As Si Chengyou got lost in thought, he explained to Shen Yue, "I applied for a transfer, so it's fine now."
Si Chengyou unlocked the car and didn't get in first himself. Instead, he opened the passenger door for Shen Yue first and held onto the door frame as Shen Yue got in to make sure she didn't bump her head.
It seemed natural, but Si Chengyou was actually very nervous. He was afraid Shen Yue wouldn't like it.
This was the first time Si Chengyou had opened a car door for someone, but since he was little he had seen his father do it many times for his mother.
His father would always say that women should be doted on, pampered and tenderly cared for...
However, every time his father said that, his mother would scold him.
"Pamper my a**! Always feeding our daughter these outdated ideas. Baby, come here, mommy will teach you to make money. You gotta be able to rely on yourself first before expecting it from someone else."
Then his father would get rejected for being too greasy.
The more Si Chengyou thought about it, the more nervous he got. So after sitting next to Shen Yue, he kept glancing over to see her expression.
Did I go too far by opening the car door for her?
I was too impatient.
I shouldn't have rushed it.
But then Si Chengyou thought, Shen Yue already knew how he felt, so there was no point in pretending anymore.
Neither of them spoke first after getting in the car, until they hit another red light and Si Chengyou was caught again stealing glances at Shen Yue. This time, his ears instantly turned red.
Shen Yue looked away from Si Chengyou's face and to his ears, asking, "Why do your ears turn red when you're embarrassed? Does your face not get red?"
Si Chengyou felt a bit reckless and kept his eyes fixed ahead without looking at Shen Yue. "I don't know, why don't you ask my face."
Shen Yue then leaned in close to Si Chengyou's face and asked, "Why don't you blush? Your ears always turn red for you. You're too much."
Shen Yue's serious yet childish words made Si Chengyou laugh. Only when he smiled did he realize it was Shen Yue taking the initiative again.
Every time when he needed it, Shen Yue would give him a push. She had never left him to face things alone.
Thinking this, Si Chengyou felt even more guilty.
"I'm sorry," he suddenly said to Shen Yue.
Shen Yue knew what Si Chengyou was talking about. She didn't pretend not to understand and asked directly, "Does having feelings for me cause you a lot of distress?"
Si Chengyou was already hardly daring to look at Shen Yue. Hearing this question made him even less willing to meet her eyes. Luckily he was driving so he should be looking ahead anyway.
He swallowed and after a long pause softly replied, "I'm afraid you'll find it difficult."
Shen Yue saw Si Chengyou so hesitant for the first time and somehow felt very happy. She thought of the unflappable man in her memories and suddenly wanted to show that Si Chengyou what he looked like now.
Unfortunately that was impossible.
She was the only one who came back from that timeline.
Those memories were hers alone. Sometimes it felt disjointed, but other times she could relate deeply.
It used to be her nightmare, but she didn't mind so much anymore.
Shen Yue kept staring at Si Chengyou and asked, "What if I said I don't find it difficult?"
Si Chengyou's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Then I would...I'd be very happy."
"Extremely happy."
Shen Yue had been expecting Si Chengyou to equivocate, but hearing this answer left her momentarily speechless as well.
Si Chengyou was so honest.
Frank and guileless.
Also pretty cute.
Shen Yue didn't keep pressing the issue. Instead she asked, "What should we eat today?"
"Anything you like."
"You know what I like to eat?"
Hearing Shen Yue's question, Si Chengyou inexplicably sighed. "How could I not know?"
After saying this, Si Chengyou felt he was being presumptuous again. He paused and explained, "I watched you for 3 years."
After the explanation, Si Chengyou regretted it again, feeling like he sounded like a stalker.
While Si Chengyou was lost in thought berating himself, Shen Yue didn't mind at all. She was waiting for the time when Si Chengyou would blurt it all out.
Actually by her estimate, it would take Si Chengyou at least a few more years to realize it. But since Fourth Brother had gotten that photo, that changed things.
So Shen Yue didn't keep pressing on that point, instead asking about something else. "You said you transferred? Where to?"
"Transferred back to B City. My authority is much smaller now."
Shen Yue nodded. "That's good. You weren't that interested in all that power anyway."
Shen Yue's casual remark slammed into Si Chengyou's heart like a sledgehammer.
Si Chengyou steadied himself and pretended to calmly continue the conversation. "Yeah. I'll have a lot more time now. If you're willing...I could pick you up to go home when you're on break."
Shen Yue and Shen Hui both lived near school from Monday to Friday, and went home on the weekends.
Si Chengyou had already looked into it before coming.
Since Shen Yue didn't reject him just now, Si Chengyou also felt hopeful.
"No way, you'd be stealing Uncle Zhang's job. What would Uncle Zhang do to support his family? Si Chengyou, don't go too far."
Si Chengyou was abruptly rejected. He couldn't even pretend anymore, and his whole being drooped. He stopped at the red light and softly said, "I'm sorry."
Shen Yue suddenly spoke up, "Si Chengyou, come a little closer."
Si Chengyou looked at the seconds left on the red light, then moved closer to Shen Yue while still keeping an appropriate distance.
Shen Yue looked at the obedient Si Chengyou before her and reached out to pat his head.
Si Chengyou only felt a comfortable warmth spreading from his head...as well as a just right soft yet firm force.
Before Si Chengyou could fully enjoy the sensation, Shen Yue had already pulled her hand back and reminded him, "The light's green, drive properly."
Si Chengyou sat properly again, still a bit stunned.
She seemed to just briefly comfort me.
