Yu Na was not joking.
......
Seeing that Qiao Rui had only scraped his knees and twisted his ankle, nothing else.
Xiao Chen didn't even try to help him up.
When Xu Yi raised her hand, ready to help him, Xiao Chen retorted: "He's not disabled, why are you helping him?"
She was left speechless: "......"
Qiao Rui complained: "Damn, my leg hurts!"
"Then why not just amputate it?" A sharp glint flashed through Xiao Chen's eyes, "Without the leg, it won't hurt anymore."
Xu Yi gasped.
This brother is so scary, even though he's handsome.
It just so happened to be Xiao Chen's birthday, and the two kids had to study together, so Yu Na took the initiative to suggest having dinner together at home.
At first Xu Yi was a little embarrassed, but couldn't resist the sincere invitation and nodded in agreement.
The four went to the supermarket together, bought some groceries, then returned to Yunwan Mansion.
Qiao Rui and Xu Yi went to the bedroom to continue studying.
She had left in a hurry and didn't bring her workbook, so she used Qiao Rui’s.
Afraid that the two kids would do something else in the room, Xiao Chen intentionally had them keep the door open while studying, saying it was because: "Your room needs ventilation."
The two kids vaguely guessed his real intentions but didn't dare say much, and really left the door wide open.
Before leaving, Xiao Chen exhorted again: "Don't come out, stay here and study hard. I'll come check on you guys later."
After he left, Xu Yi whispered: "Your brother seems to have such a strong aura."
Qiao Rui snorted, "I'm just a little chick in front of him."
"Is your brother really that scary?"
"What for?" Qiao Rui looked at her leisurely and teased, "Why do you care so much if my brother is scary or not?"
"......Who cares," Xu Yi quickly dismissed her curiosity, "I was just casually asking."
Qiao Rui held a pen in his hand, twirling it skillfully: "Don't worry, he's only fierce to me. He's very gentle to everyone else."
Just then, Qiao Rui's phone suddenly rang.
It was his aunt, Xiao Chen’s mother, calling.
"You and uncle have arrived?!"
On the phone: "Yes, your uncle had some things to take care here, and today happened to be your brother's birthday, so your uncle and I came along to accompany him and celebrate his birthday, give him a surprise."
Qiao Rui smiled bitterly: “For my brother, is this really a surprise?"
They were being all lovey-dovey with his girlfriend, anyone else right now would be a disturbance.
Xiao’s Mother: "Stop with the nonsense, I called your brother but he didn't pick up either, open the door for me."
"......Okay."
Qiao Rui opened the door and returned to the room.
Xu Yi was still immersed in her studies. Seeing Qiao Rui come back, she uneasily asked: "Is it really okay for me to be here?"
"What's it got to do with you, no one can get along better than my aunt and uncle."
"......"
Qiao Rui wondered if he should tell Xiao Chen that his parents had arrived.
Xiao Chen was currently in the kitchen with Yu Na, cooking together.
If he went over now, and happened to catch some indecent scenes...
His brother would skin him alive for sure.
Amidst Qiao Rui’s struggles, his gaze seemed to receive some kind of signal, drifting to the seriously studying Xu Yi.
He was shameless enough to think, going together with her to tell Xiao Chen, even if they did catch some inappropriate scenes, at least the embarrassment would be shared between two people rather than just himself alone!
Plus with Xu Yi here, Xiao Chen couldn’t beat him up either.
"Hehe~"
Xu Yi's goosebumps instantly flared up all over as she met Qiao Rui’s intense gaze, "What's up?"
"Are you thirsty?"
"A little."
"Let me take you to the dining room for some water."
"......Okay."
She didn't know what Qiao Rui was up to, but since this was someone else's home, she couldn't refuse either.
So she obediently followed Qiao Rui to the dining area.
Between the dining area and kitchen was a transparent glass door.
Looking in towards the kitchen, sure enough——
Yu Na leaned back against the countertop, her arms circled around Xiao Chen's neck.
Xiao Chen leaned down slightly. Both hands braced against the countertop, nestling Yu Na firmly in front of him.
Although they could only see their backs, nothing clearer, but both kids were already over 18 years old. Naturally they knew what was going on.
That kind of feeling, how to put it?
It was like watching TV with your parents when the leads suddenly kiss on screen.
Awkward to the max.
"......"
Xu Yi’s small face turned crimson. She quickly turned her head away.
Qiao Rui appeasingly handed her a bottle of mineral water, saying: "You’re a good student, they like you. Go remind them that my aunt and uncle have arrived."
Xu Yi: ?
"Are you kidding me——"
Before she could finish speaking, there was a loud "bang" from the front door closing.
They were done for.
No chance left to give a heads up.
Xiao Chen and Yu Na of course also heard the sound. Reluctantly they parted.
But when they turned around, first they saw the two at a loss kids, then looking further out they saw...Xiao Chen’s parents.
......
And so, the sixth socially awkward thing to happen in Xiao Chen’s life came about.
He was exasperated but couldn’t speak out.
He had originally planned to spend his birthday alone with his girlfriend, but the result was Qiao Rui first gave him a “surprise”. Just when that was barely resolved, the second “surprise” followed right after.
Luckily the two only showed their backs to the parents before they entered the kitchen. Quickly separating and resuming normalcy.
As long as they didn’t feel awkward, the embarrassment would fall onto others instead.
"My son!" Xiao’s Mother stroked Xiao Chen's face, smiling radiantly, "Happy birthday!"
Xiao Chen: "......"
In high spirits, Xiao’s Mother handed the bag she was holding to Yu Na. "Na Na, this is a gift auntie got for you. See if you like it or not."
Inside the bag was a pair of very beautiful high heels.
Yu Na smiled sweetly: "I love them, they’re so pretty. Thank you auntie."
Xiao Chen: ???
He didn't quite understand this move. "Mrs. Qiao, today is my birthday, isn't it?"
Xiao’s Mother had only wished him happy birthday, nothing more. Even retorting: "You're so old already, still wanting birthday presents. I came personally to accompany you celebrate your birthday already, aren't you satisfied enough?"
Xiao Chen was both amused and miffed: "......Oh."
To comfort his son, Xiao’s Father said: "Don't be upset son. Dad ordered you a big cake! We'll go out to eat later."
Noticing an unfamiliar face in the house, Xiao’s Mother smilingly asked: "Who's this young lady?"
Qiao Rui explained: "My study partner."
Yu Na added: "Auntie and uncle, this is Xu Yi. She helps Qiao Rui with his studies often, explaining questions to him."
Everyone's gaze focused on Xu Yi. Feeling a bit shy, she wanted to greet them but didn’t know how to address them.
Qiao Rui patted her shoulder, "Call them auntie and uncle."
"......Hello auntie, hello uncle. My name is Xu Yi. The Xu is from promise, and Yi is from art."
Pretty and soft-spoken, Xu Yi naturally charmed the elders.
Warm by nature, Xiao’s Mother was always smiling towards girls. No different now, apologetically she said: "Oh dear, auntie didn't prepare any gifts for you. Next time I’ll have Qiao Rui pass some to you."
Xu Yi blushed bashfully: "No need auntie, thanks."
Amidst all this, Xiao Chen not only became an outsider at his own birthday gathering, but also the biggest victim.
Yu Na received a certain luxury brand of high heels gifted by his own mother.
While all he got was a cake.
They didn’t eat at home, going instead to a high-end restaurant.
Xiao Chen received no presents at all, and ended up having to foot the bill treating them to a meal.
Leaving him utterly aggrieved.
Luckily, Yu Na thoroughly compensated him that night. Comforting Xiao Chen until he felt utterly satisfied and happy again, all grievances gone.
Lying blissfully in bed, he sighed in content: “Now this feels like my birthday.”
......
After the chaotic weekend ended, they returned to work again.
The high school grade three parent assembly was scheduled at 3pm on Thursday of the second week.
On Wednesday night self-study session, Yu Na emphasized the time repeatedly in the parent WeChat group, along with the procedure being the same as the last parent-teacher conference. Hold the big meeting first then break up into separate class meetings after.
【Parents please be at the school auditorium by 3pm sharp tomorrow for the meeting. The same as last parent conference, after the main assembly is over, we’ll have a small class meeting】
Parent replies kept popping up——
【Okay teacher】
【Got it】
【Will be there on time】
【Teacher Yu, is it still the same auditorium as parent-teacher conference? 】
Yu Na was busy answering parents’ questions.
At this moment, a message from that scumbag Xiao Chen popped up unexpectedly among these messages—
Qiao Rui: [Teacher, I have some questions I'd like to ask you privately, would it be okay to chat with you alone tomorrow?]
