Shen Yujing's abrupt and disconnected words caught Song Yi off guard. The phrase "you're crazy" almost escaped her lips, but considering there was a child present, she managed to hold it back.
At that moment, while Shen Yujing appeared calm and composed on the surface, his toes were actually curling anxiously inside his leather shoes.
In that brief instant, he suddenly realized that some things weren't quite as he had imagined.
At least... at least Song Yi wasn't planning to confess her feelings to him today.
To cover up his embarrassment, Shen Yujing quickly returned to Song Yi's earlier question, "Math? What math?"
Song Yi picked up the math workbook from the table and waved it at him, "Elementary school math, third-grade Olympic math problems."
"Heh." Shen Yujing sat down confidently, taking the workbook from Song Yi's hands. "Third-grade math problems? You're really underestimating me."
The little boy frowned and asked skeptically, "Cousin, Grandpa has always said you're stupid. Don't mess with my homework if you can't do it."
When Song Yi heard the little boy call Shen Yujing "cousin," she suddenly understood why he had seemed so familiar earlier - he had the same arrogant way of speaking as Shen Yujing, equally irritating.
Being called stupid in front of Song Yi wounded Shen Yujing's pride. He immediately smacked the workbook on the little boy's head, "Shen Luo, don't talk nonsense about things you don't understand. I just didn't bother studying, that doesn't mean I can't do it, okay?"
Shen Luo gave Shen Yujing a look of disdain, "But Brother Quan Le also says your grades are terrible."
Shen Yujing: "He's just jealous of me."
Speak of the devil - Quan Le walked into the garden and was surprised by the scene before him.
Quan Le asked, "Shen Yujing, top student, what are you all doing here?"
Shen Yujing replied impatiently, "Teaching this stupid kid Shen Luo math. I heard he ranked last in his class in the final exam, really bringing shame to our family."
Shen Yujing? Math problems? These two concepts seemed completely incompatible in Quan Le's mind.
So he asked worriedly, "Do you really know how to do it?"
"And you - stop spreading rumors about my bad grades. I just didn't bother doing the work, doesn't mean I can't," Shen Yujing said as he opened the workbook, continuing to mutter, "Nonsense, it's just third-grade stuff, how could I possibly..."
Shen Yujing's words suddenly froze.
Wait, what kind of problem is this? He couldn't understand it.
The smile on Shen Yujing's face stiffened, but he tried to calm himself down and read the problem again.
He was now certain - he couldn't solve it.
At this moment, Song Yi's voice calmly spoke up, "I think this problem is beyond the curriculum. The answer I got seems wrong."
Hearing Song Yi admit she couldn't solve the problem, Quan Le was quite surprised and couldn't help but come closer to look.
The final scene was Shen Luo sitting in the center with his arms crossed, while Song Yi, Quan Le, and Shen Yujing were all hunched over with paper and pen, working on the problem together.
In the end, they came up with three completely different answers.
Quan Le: "Trust me, mine is definitely the correct answer."
Song Yi: "I'm top of the grade, listen to me."
Shen Yujing: "I'm your cousin, I wouldn't mislead you."
Shen Luo: "..."
He felt like none of these three seemed very reliable.
Just as the three were about to argue it out, Uncle Chen came over and urged, "Young Master, everyone is waiting for you."
Finally, all three of them stuffed their answer sheets into Shen Luo's hands, telling him to think carefully about whose answer to choose when he got home.
When Murong Huan saw Song Yi and Shen Yujing enter the hall one after another, she gave Song Yi a gossipy look.
But when she saw Quan Le following right behind them, her expression instantly turned to disappointment.
She had thought Song Yi and Shen Yujing were alone together - how boring.
Feeling Murong Huan's disdainful gaze, Quan Le couldn't help but wonder what he had done recently to offend this young lady.
Of course, he wouldn't find an answer.
The banquet officially began.
Shen Yujing had never been good at making small talk, and once again felt irritated by others' attempts at conversation.
Someone was obviously trying to curry favor with Shen Yujing, saying with a bright smile, "Young Master Shen, I just returned from abroad. If you need anything, just let me know. I can arrange the most expensive and best things for you."
Shen Yujing sneered, "Do I look like I'm lacking anything?"
The person realized their words weren't elegant enough and continued with an apologetic smile, "Yes, yes, of course Young Master Shen doesn't lack anything. I just wanted to show my sincerity."
Quan Le suddenly leaned in and said seriously, "No, you do lack something."
Shen Yujing raised his eyebrows in surprise, "What?"
Quan Le said earnestly, "Common sense."
Song Yi, who happened to be passing by, quietly added, "And decency."
Shen Yujing: "..."
Finally, he turned to Quan Le and uttered one word, "Scram."
Although it was his birthday party, Shen Yujing didn't particularly enjoy the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Song Yi was happily eating her piece of cake.
The reason she had stayed at this party until now was just for this cake.
It was said to be made by an international pastry chef, worth over 100,000 in market value, and impossible to buy even if you had the money.
But clearly, apart from Song Yi, few people at the party were there for the cake.
Looking at the cut cake displayed on the main table, thinking about how such delicious food was being ignored, Song Yi went over and took a second piece.
Suddenly, a ghost-like voice sounded behind her, "Is the cake really that good?"
Song Yi shuddered in fright, but relaxed when she turned around and saw it was Shen Yujing, asking, "Why are you here again?"
Shen Yujing said, "I have something to tell you."
Song Yi had a bad feeling about this, so she quickly finished the cake on her plate and looked down at her high heels.
Not bad - the heels were high enough that if Shen Yujing tried anything, she could take them off as weapons.
Shen Yujing looked at her, "Thank you for your gift. I really like it."
Song Yi: "...?"
Like a hammer? No way, he must be being sarcastic and mocking her.
Though Song Yi thought this, she still put on a perfunctory smile and said, "Glad you like it."
"Come on," Shen Yujing said as he directly grabbed Song Yi's wrist, "Let's go upstairs."
Song Yi immediately broke free from Shen Yujing's grip and stepped back several steps, "What for?"
Seeing Song Yi's wary expression, Shen Yujing had to explain, "You gave me a birthday gift, and I have a gift I want to give you too."
Song Yi refused without hesitation, "It's late at night, and it's not appropriate for a man and woman to be alone together. It's quite dangerous. Let's do it another time, another time."
The system spoke softly.
[Yes, of course it's dangerous for a man and woman to be alone - what if you beat Shen Yujing to death and he couldn't even call for help?]
Song Yi: "..."
Crude words but true reasoning.
However, Shen Yujing misunderstood the meaning behind Song Yi's words.
A man and woman alone? Dangerous?
Was Song Yi trying to hint at something? That if they were alone together, she might not be able to resist her feelings of admiration and confess to him?
Thinking of this, the corners of Shen Yujing's lips turned up again.
This sudden smile made Song Yi's brows furrow even more deeply.
She couldn't understand why Shen Yujing was smiling, and felt goosebumps rising on her skin.
"I..."
Before Shen Yujing could finish speaking, suddenly all the lights in the entire villa went dark.
Everything was pitch black, accompanied by screams and soothing voices.
"There's a problem with the circuit breaker, power will be restored soon! Don't panic! Don't move around! Just stay where you are!"
Song Yi suddenly remembered the time at school when she and Shen Yujing were mysteriously locked in the storage room.
Sure enough, the system spoke again.
[Host~ Congratulations on triggering another classic Mary Sue novel scenario~ In the darkness of night, the distance between two hearts often grows closer, it's the easiest time for romantic feelings to develop~ Please cherish this moment!]
Song Yi: "..."
Develop romantic feelings with Shen Yujing?
No way! She absolutely refuses!
Without any hesitation, Song Yi turned around, determined to flee the scene even in complete darkness.
However, before she could take her first step, she sensed something strange.
A warm hand grasped hers, with an index finger gently tracing her palm...
Song Yi: "???"
Was this place haunted?
If it wasn't a ghost... could it be that Shen Yujing was taking advantage of this opportunity to make a move on her? How scandalous of him!
This was harassment! Harassment!!!
Song Yi couldn't take it anymore, so she instinctively grabbed that hand and executed a shoulder throw without hesitation.
"Thud—" accompanied by a female scream as someone hit the ground.
Song Yi: "..."
That didn't sound like a noise Shen Yujing could make... had she... thrown the wrong person?
At that moment, the lights suddenly came on.
Seeing an unfamiliar girl lying on the ground before her, Song Yi was momentarily at a loss, unsure how to apologize and seek forgiveness.
The girl seemed equally surprised and called out despite her pain: "Song Yi? How can it be you?"
Standing to the side, Shen Yujing's beautiful phoenix eyes held some intriguing emotions.
This girl was also a student at Saint Slee, and apparently the president of some fan club dedicated to him. She had liked him for a long time and confessed to him multiple times, continuing to pursue him despite countless rejections—a fact well-known to everyone.
Just before the lights went out, he had seen this girl approaching, and Song Yi must have seen her too.
How unexpected—Song Yi had become so jealous that she would physically confront girls who liked him.
Though somewhat exasperated, he could somewhat understand her feelings.
