I have few friends, but many childhood sweethearts.

Chapter 525. Should we be honest?
Xu Qingfan took off his down jacket and gave it to Xia Xiaoxiao to wear. He then turned on his phone's flashlight and held it up to give her makeup and lighting.

The blush on the girl's face had not yet faded; under the lamplight, her skin appeared radiant and her clothes were a vibrant, cloud-like color.

Xia Xiaoxiao reached into his down jacket pocket and rummaged around; there were tissues, lipstick, and a makeup mirror—everything she needed.

She gave Xu Qingfan a slightly strange look, then looked at herself in the mirror and said, "Why do you carry a mirror in your pocket?"

Xu Qingfan shrugged, offering no answer, and used his hand to comb her bangs, saying, "Your hair is a bit messy."

Looking at her flushed face in the mirror, Xia Xiaoxiao felt a mix of emotions, including nervousness, trepidation, and sweetness.

As she opened the lipstick and was about to apply it, she took a closer look and was instantly dumbfounded.

"Why is it Ruan Wen's lipstick?" She glanced at Xu Qingfan in confusion, but didn't stop her actions, and began to carefully apply the lipstick to her lips.

Xu Qingfan thought to himself: It's just Ruan Wen's lipstick, otherwise why would I bring it out!

The fact that he "eloped" with Xia Xiaoxiao tonight was purely accidental, and he certainly couldn't have planned ahead and prepared a lipstick in his pocket beforehand.

But why did he still bring it? And it was Xiao Ruanwen's! That's because when that scoundrel took Xiao Ruanwen away that night, he wasn't planning on doing anything good.

Unfortunately, he was eventually blown up by the cunning Ruan Wen and escaped.

"Ruan Wen finished touching up her makeup and handed me the lipstick. It was just a casual thing to do," Xu Qingfan said nonchalantly.

Xia Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and realized that when she was busy, it seemed perfectly normal to casually stuff the things she had finished using into the hands of the person next to her.

She stopped thinking about the question and carefully applied lipstick to her lips.

The stinky dog, with its silver tongue, had already eaten and wiped away all of her original lipstick, saving her the trouble of cleaning it up. After smacking her lips to blend the lipstick, she carefully checked every detail on her face again.

Xu Qingfan also leaned closer to check her, resisting the urge to eat her lipstick again, and said, "I can't tell anymore. How about we just say I took you to the bathroom?"

"Cough," Xia Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at him, not entirely because of what he had just said. She pulled a tissue from her pocket. "You don't even wipe yourself after sneaking a bite in the bathroom."

Huh?
wrong!

Xu Qingfan and Xia Xiaoxiao simultaneously noticed the ambiguity in his words. Before he could speak, Xia Xiaoxiao interrupted him, saying, "Shut up!"

Xu Qingfan, with a suppressed laugh, took the mirror and tissues and began to clean up the traces of his "cheating".

Xia Xiaoxiao was a little embarrassed and didn't say anything for a moment. She glanced at him a few times, and after the stinky dog ​​wiped his mouth clean, she took the mirror and tissue from his hand.

"Let's go back first." Xu Qingfan didn't tease her with words, but took the girl's hand and said as they walked, "Let's think about how to explain this to my mom and the others first."

Xia Xiaoxiao wanted to say: What's there to explain? Just admit our relationship!

But she's not a selfish person, and besides, she really enjoys her current cohabitation life with her best friend, her favorite person, and her beloved cat and dog.

"Just say the noise scared you, so you dragged me away," Xia Xiaoxiao said casually.

Xu Qingfan thought about it and realized it wasn't a bad excuse, but it was still a bit far-fetched, since everyone knew he was a real tough guy.

"Then let's say that." He couldn't think of any other good reason for the time being, so he could only say that.

Xia Xiaoxiao didn't speak. After a moment, she suddenly asked, "Did I dance well tonight?"

Xu Qingfan's vision blurred for a moment, because the girl had asked him the same question in her past life.

"More beautiful than a fairy from heaven." He turned his head and laughed from the bottom of his heart.

Xia Xiaoxiao's smile was harder to suppress than AK's. She turned her face away and said, "Disgusting."

Xu Qingfan ignored her haughtiness and continued, "Next time when no one is home, dance for me alone."

"Only a dog would jump for you!" Xia Xiaoxiao symbolically tugged at the hand he was holding, but naturally didn't break free.

Actually, I had already made a mental note of this, and was even considering what clothes to wear.

"Then I'll go home and ask Xiaobai if she'll let me dance." Xu Qingfan wasn't lying; when he was bored, he often grabbed Xiaobai to dance the waltz.

"Little White will bite you to death!" Xia Xiaoxiao bared her fangs.

Xu Qingfan didn't speak because the host was already announcing the winning classes for the evening.

Xia Xiaoxiao also quieted down and listened attentively.

The announcement started with the third prize winners. There were seven classes in total. Xu Qingfan quickly heard that the skit planned by Lin Wanning and Zhang Yiyi from Class 1 of Grade 1 won the third prize.

Two smiling faces appeared in his mind, and Xu Qingfan smiled subconsciously.

There were two second prize winners. When Xu Qingfan heard that it was Class 2 of Grade 1, he elbowed Xia Xiaoxiao and said, "Congratulations."

Xia Xiaoxiao snorted through her nose, as if to say, there's nothing to congratulate her on not winning first prize.

"The performance that won first prize is from Class 16 of Grade 11, and everyone chose C! Congratulations!!"

As expected, both the original song and the excitement among the students made "Choose C" a popular choice.

"Congratulations!" Xia Xiaoxiao nudged him with her elbow and said.

Xu Qingfan smiled without saying a word, and gestured for her to calm down.

"Oh, right," Xia Xiao said.

"Hmm?" Xu Qingfan looked up.

"Why are you so skilled at kissing?" Xia Xiaoxiao asked unexpectedly. "Have you practiced with someone else?"

Xu Qingfan broke out in a cold sweat. He had indeed practiced with someone else, but that wasn't the main reason he was so proficient.

"What are you thinking? I gave you my first kiss. Guys are naturally good at these things, don't you know that?" Xu Qingfan slapped her on the back of the head.

Xia Xiaoxiao pouted, as if to say: It's like I didn't give you my first kiss!
"I'm not a boy, how would I know?" She was still quite happy because the rascal had admitted that he had given her his first kiss!

[Well, not counting the stolen kisses Wan Ning usually gives, and those without sticking out his tongue don't count!]
When we returned to the square, the students had already started moving their chairs and leaving.

Xu Qingfan let go of Xia Xiaoxiao's hand, and after returning to the formation, he took the initiative to start a conversation, saying, "Are you all hungry? Do you want to go get some late-night snacks?"

After calling out "Auntie," Xia Xiaoxiao took off her down jacket and quietly put her own back on.

"?"

Whether it was the four girls or the three mothers, a huge question mark appeared above their heads. [Wait, why do you two seem completely unaffected?!]
"What are you trying to do without even wearing clothes?" Yao Jinping forgot all the words she had prepared, glanced at the down jacket in his hand, and said.

Xu Qingfan obediently put on the down jacket. The clothes still had Xia Xiaoxiao's fragrance and body heat. The dog man's mind was filled with the scenes in front of the climbing frame, and he felt very moist.

Everyone was observing the details on their faces, trying to find some clues, but they couldn't see anything on their faces; and with them wrapped in down jackets, it was even less likely that they would find anything.

Xia Xiaoxiao felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by Lin Jing, so she quietly went to chat with Xiao Ruanwen.

Yao Jinping wanted to ask where the two of them had just run off to, but she hadn't asked first, and now she forgot to ask.

"Why did Xiao Fan run off with Xiao Xiao just now? Did they sneak off on a date?" Zhao Yuemin chuckled and asked jokingly.

Xia Xiaoxiao held her breath, not daring to show any expression on her face.

"Ah, us," Xu Qingfan was just about to use the excuse the two had agreed on when they returned, when Wu Shichong and Lai Chenglang ran over at that moment.

"Brother Fan, we're heading back now. Do you need us to help us get the chairs?"

"Yes, you and the class monitor, should we help take it back?"

Xu Qingfan rarely found the two of them so agreeable, and nodded with a smile, saying, "Thank you for your hard work. I'll treat you to soda tomorrow."

"Hey, Fan-ge, just don't forget the dinner we agreed on tomorrow."

"Yes, yes, Fan-ge, don't forget what you promised last week. We're leaving now, goodbye Auntie."

"Goodbye, Auntie."

After taking Xu Qingfan and Xiao Ruanwen's chairs, the two turned and left. As for Xia Xiaoxiao and the others' chairs, their classmates naturally helped them take them.

"Everyone's gone now, let's go home and talk about it later," Xu Qingfan said, pretending to have forgotten Zhao Yuemin's question, and turned to the crowd.

It was almost 11 p.m. After the staff packed up the valuable equipment, the remaining steel frame would be dismantled the next day. With the stage lights off, the only light source in the square was the streetlights.

Zhao Yuemin was taken aback. If she pressed for more information, it would make her seem overly concerned. She could only pretend to remember it later.

"Brother Qingfan won first prize!" Lin Wanning looked at Xu Qingfan expectantly, cautiously trying to see if his attitude towards her had changed.

“I heard it. Wan Ning and Yi Yi won the third prize, and the little second prize.” Xu Qingfan bent down and pinched her face, laughing.

Lin Wanning smiled, her worries instantly vanishing. "Mhm!"

"Let's go, Wanning, hold on tight." Xu Qingfan pushed the wheelchair from behind, leading Lin Wanning out first.
"Go for it!" Lin Wanning puffed out his cheeks and blew, as if trying to blow away the headwind and give Qingfan a boost.

Those who remained in the same spot exchanged smiles and quickly followed suit, leaving as well.

It's only a five-minute walk from school to home. As soon as I opened the door, Xiaobai smelled a familiar yet unfamiliar scent and immediately poked its head out of its kennel.

After recognizing the three mothers, Xiaobai excitedly went up and wagged its tail.

For no other reason than that every time the mothers come to deliver supplies, they will also feed it a little. Although it is a dog, how could Xiaobai not know who is good to it?

"Won't you catch a cold if you keep the dog chained up in the yard in this cold weather?" Yao Jinping asked, stroking the dog's head.

"Auntie, Xiaobai's nest has heating, it's even warmer than home!" Lin Wanning explained with a grin.

Regardless of what had just happened between Brother Qingfan and Xiaoxiao, she was happy as long as Brother Qingfan's attitude towards her remained unchanged.

“It’s even warmer than home. Did Wan Ning stay in there?” Zhao Yuemin joked with a smile.

"Yes, it was Brother Qingfan who said so. Brother Qingfan stayed here!" Lin Wanning said with a hint of pride.

Everyone looked at him suspiciously. Xu Qingfan tapped Wan Ning's head and explained helplessly, "I was afraid it wouldn't be warm enough, so I went in to try it out."

But you know what, the doghouse is warm in winter and cool in summer. If he were ten years younger, he would really be competing with Xiaobai for the secret base.

It was still too cold in the yard, so after playing with the dog for a bit, everyone quickly went inside.

The mothers were greeted by the five girls, while Xu Qingfan went into the kitchen to wash and brew tea, quickly returning with the brewed tea. Drinking tea before bed isn't good for your health, but a little chrysanthemum tea is fine.

Xu Qingfan filled everyone's cups with hot tea, then sat down and continued to lead the conversation, "It's so late, and it's cold outside. Mom, Auntie, why don't you stay overnight? I'll sleep in a room on the second floor, and we'll make room for you in two rooms on the third floor."

After being exposed to the wind all night, Yao Jinping was actually a little reluctant to move after sitting down. She said, "Look at you guys, I don't have anything to do tomorrow."

Zhao Yuemin glanced at her daughter and said, "Let's see Jingjing. I don't have anything to do during the day tomorrow. But Xiaofan shouldn't move around too much. He has to go to class tomorrow, and changing places to sleep can make it hard to fall asleep."

She's been here quite a few times, and she knows there's a folding bed on the second floor that's not used, just in case.

“Yes, Xiao Fan can sleep in his own room, and the three of us can squeeze into one bed,” Lin Jing said, clearly agreeing with him.

"Xiaoxiao and Ruanwen, go take a shower first. Chou Xiaozi, go too. Have Wan Ning, Yi Yi, and Xiao Yu taken a shower yet?" Yao Jinping asked. The three of them shook their heads at the same time. "Get moving, we'll be in charge of cooking midnight snacks. Everyone can come down and eat midnight snacks after you've showered."

"Sure!"

"Thank you, aunt!"

After Yao Jinping gave the order, the six people immediately dispersed on the spot, while Lin Wanning was carried up to the third floor by Xu Qingfan.

Once only the three mothers remained in the living room, Zhao Yuemin spoke up, "Why didn't A-Ping ask the two children about what happened tonight?"

"Oh, I knew I'd forgotten something. Let's ask again when we have supper," Yao Jinping said, slapping her forehead in realization.

Lin Jing smiled slightly and said, "I'll go check what ingredients are in the kitchen first."

After carrying Lin Wanning into the bathroom, Xu Qingfan was the last to enter the bathroom to take a shower.

After the steaming hot water was poured over his head, he stretched gently, his joints cracking.

The hair wax on his head was washed away instantly. He didn't squeeze out the shampoo water, but just stood quietly under the running water, his mind more active than ever at that moment.

Tonight's events happened so suddenly, and now that he has time, he needs to sort out his thoughts.

[Xiaoyu already knew about my relationship with Xiaoxiao, so she wasn't worried. Ruanwen knew a little about it too; we'll just keep trying to fool her.]
[But should Wan Ning and Yi Yi tell the truth?]
Xu Qingfan mentally considered the consequences of telling the truth.

To be honest, the fact that Lin Wanning and Zhang Yiyi can accept each other gives that scoundrel a lot of confidence, at least preventing the worst-case scenario from happening.

It's obvious to everyone that Xia Xiaoxiao likes her, and Lin Wanning and Zhang Yiyi are no exception. This is a good opportunity to give the two of them a "vaccination."

[It still needs to be said, but the wording must be carefully chosen.]
(End of this chapter)