I'm a senior in high school, and the system says I'm going on a blind date with my childho

Chapter 227 Li Zhi: Is the strawberry sweeter, or am I sweeter?
Shen Yuan watched as Li Zhi hurriedly packed his schoolbag and put on his down jacket.

The two said goodbye with a mix of reluctance and helplessness in their eyes.

After seeing her to the door, Shen Yuan walked back to his empty bedroom with somewhat heavy steps.

Ms. Zhang Yuyan had already tactfully returned to her room, and the living room was very quiet.

Shen Yuan closed the bedroom door, and the heating in the room seemed to lose its previous heat all at once.

The air still seemed to carry the faint, sweet scent of Li Zhi, as well as the smell of the leftover durian pizza.

Shen Yuan slowly walked to the bedside, took off his slippers, and then suddenly fell backward, sinking into the soft mattress.

"Ugh--"

A long sigh, heavy with melancholy, escaped his lips.

Shen Yuan stared at the ceiling, his eyes somewhat vacant.

The slightly warm touch of my hand rubbing against Li Zhi's calf through the thick black pantyhose still seems vivid in my memory.

Delicate, warm...

And that enchanting atmosphere, that feeling of my heart racing...

It's all gone!

Interrupted!

It was abruptly cut off by a message from Lao Li!

Just thinking about Li Zhi's adorable, helpless expression made Shen Yuan feel like he'd been scratched by a cat's claws—it was both itchy and a little frustrating.

He turned over and buried his face in the pillow.

"Damn it..."

His muffled voice came from under the pillow, filled with deep grievance and resentment.

The feeling of being forcefully interrupted by "parental power" at a crucial moment is even more frustrating than not being able to solve a difficult math problem.

"Surveillance... Old Li definitely installed surveillance cameras, didn't he..."

He couldn't help but mutter something again, like a child sulking after having his candy taken away.

His mind was filled with images of Li Zhi's slightly flushed cheeks, his coy yet welcoming gaze, and his toes, encased in thick black stockings, gently dangling on his leg...

Shen Yuan suddenly lifted his face from the pillow and exhaled heavily, as if trying to expel the restlessness.

He sat up and looked around the quiet bedroom.

The space, which had just been filled with the whispers and tender atmosphere between the two, was now empty except for him. Nao Nao and San Geng had disappeared somewhere, and even the cat's purring could not be heard.

That intense sense of loss, like the chill of a winter night seeping in through the window, was like a gentle breeze.

He raised his hand and rubbed his face, trying to rub away the beautiful memory and the frustration of being interrupted.

But the effect doesn't seem to be obvious.

"Forget it……"

He muttered to himself, as if trying to comfort himself. Although his tone still carried a hint of displeasure, one could already detect a lighthearted self-consolation.

"What's with all the fuss...?"

He let out a long breath and smiled at his reflection in the mirror-like windowpane, though the smile seemed somewhat forced.

"New Year's Day is tomorrow! What's the rush?"

Shen Yuan cheered himself up again, his fingers unconsciously tapping the mattress, as if new hope was quietly rising with the word "tomorrow".

This thought, like a spark, instantly illuminated the gloom in his heart. Shen Yuan sat up abruptly from the bed, his face regaining its radiance.

"Take a shower and go to bed!"

Shen Yuan eagerly awaited tomorrow.

The next morning, Shen Yuan almost couldn't wait to send a message to Li Zhi.

Shen Yuan: "Li Bao! Are you up yet? [sun emoji]"

Shen Yuan: "Come to my house to do your homework again today? There are still a lot of practice questions waiting for Li Bao to grade!"

After sending the message, Shen Yuan stared expectantly at the top of the screen, his mind already filled with the image of Li Zhi reappearing in the study, wearing that captivating pantyhose suit.

I even fantasized that maybe today... we could go even further.

A smile crept onto his face, and he felt confident he was back in action.

However, the wait for a reply took a little longer than expected. Just as he was starting to have some doubts, Li Zhi's reply finally appeared on the screen.

Li Zhi: "..."

Li Zhi: "Selan!"

Li Zhi: "Go to your house? You're dreaming, you idiot Shen Yuan."

Upon seeing the words "It's all over," Shen Yuan's heart tightened, and his smile froze on his face.

Just as Shen Yuan was about to ask Li Zhi what was going on, another message came in.

Li Zhi: "My dad had a family meeting this morning."

Li Zhi: "Comrade Lao Li severely criticized me!! He said I was never home during the New Year's Day holiday! I was always running around outside!"

Li Zhi: "He said I have to stay home and keep them company today! [crying cat emoji]"

The text is filled with Li Zhi's exaggerated accusations in imitation of Lao Li's tone and her own grievances.

Shen Yuan immediately felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.

Comrade Li! Did you install surveillance cameras in my house?! How come I was so easily caught off guard just as I was having this idea?!
Shen Yuan: "[Cracked.jpg]"

Shen Yuan: "Then... what should we do?"

Shen Yuan: "My homework needs your divine blessing, Li Bao!"

Shen Yuan: "How can I concentrate on studying if I can't see you? [rolling around frantically.gif]"

After a brief silence, there was a new development on Li Zhi's end; a line of text with a hint of cunning appeared on the screen.

Li Zhi: "My dad only said I can't go out... he didn't say anyone else can't come!"

Li Zhi: "So! You idiot Shen Yuan! You! Come! Here!"

Li Zhi: "Hurry up and tidy up your test papers and error notebook!"

Li Zhi: "I'll reluctantly stay home and supervise you today!"

Shen Yuan was stunned for a moment when he saw the words on his phone screen, then his eyes lit up.

Although it's not as relaxing as being in your own study and... well, not to receive some sweet rewards, the physical distance might be even greater.

Moreover, the thought of Comrade Lao Li's scrutinizing gaze made Shen Yuan feel an invisible sense of constraint surrounding him.

He could almost see himself sitting upright at the table in the Li family's study, like a primary school student, not daring to breathe loudly.

But it's still better than not being able to stay with Li Bao at all.

Shen Yuan's gaze unconsciously drifted to the test papers spread out on his desk, the thick stack of past exam questions waiting to be completed, and the notebook of wrong answers that bore witness to his diligence and progress.

"Just right!"

Shen Yuan steeled his resolve, thinking with a do-or-die spirit, "Let Lao Li see for himself! Let him see clearly what Li Bao and I are doing together!"

The image seemed to appear before his eyes—

In the bright and spacious study of the Li family, he and Li Zhi were engrossed in their studies and exercises.

He worked through the exercises quickly, his brow furrowed as he tackled the difficult problems. Li Zhize quietly read a book or graded the papers he had just finished.

Sunlight streamed through the window onto the desk, the only sounds being the scratching of pens on paper and the occasional hushed discussion of key points of a problem.

The atmosphere was serious and focused, a truly strong academic atmosphere!
There's absolutely no romantic atmosphere here!

"That's it!"

Shen Yuan slapped his thigh. The slight disappointment he felt because Li Bao's restricted-level reward had fallen through quickly transformed into high morale and a sense of mission as a class monitor.

He felt this was a golden opportunity.

He used the most irrefutable evidence to prove to his future father-in-law that his purpose in being by Li Zhi's side was absolutely pure—to learn from him!
Motivation instantly reaches its maximum.

Shen Yuan darted to the desk and quickly began packing his schoolbag.

Exam papers? Absolutely! The more the better, to show how heavy the workload is and how hard you've worked!

A collection of past exam papers? Bring the whole set to prove how much practice you're doing!

The error notebook? Absolutely crucial! This is irrefutable proof of his hard work; every page is a response to Li Zhi's strict teaching!

All the learning equipment was stuffed into the bulging backpack.

He zipped up his backpack with a "whoosh" and pulled it all the way down.

Shen Yuan took a deep breath, picked up his schoolbag and slung it over his shoulder, his face showing a solemn and determined look as if he were about to head to the "exam hall".

Fine!

Just go!
By practicing problems and studying diligently, we will openly and squarely conquer the fortress that our father-in-law is known for in Li Bao's home!

Shen Yuan took a deep breath, like a warrior carrying a sacred mission, picked up his bulging schoolbag and slung it over his shoulder, then strode open the door to his bedroom.

In the living room, Zhang Yuyan was leaning back on the sofa scrolling through her phone.

Hearing the noise, I looked up and immediately saw my son fully armed, with a face filled with a strange sense of tragedy.

"Oh?" Zhang Yuyan raised an eyebrow, drawing out the last syllable with a knowing, teasing tone.

"Are you... going to battle again?"

She emphasized the word "battle" and her eyes crinkled with laughter.

Shen Yuan paused for a moment, his "heavy responsibility on his shoulders" expression almost slipping off his face, a hint of embarrassment and the embarrassment of being caught red-handed flashing across his cheeks, which flushed slightly.

But he quickly straightened his back and tried to look righteous and indignant: "Hey, Mom! I'm going to Li Zhi's house to do my homework! We'll study together, it'll be more efficient! Li Bao is waiting for me to come over!"

He pronounced the words "doing homework," "reviewing," and "high efficiency" with exceptional clarity and volume, as if afraid of not expressing himself clearly enough.

Zhang Yuyan's smile deepened as she looked at her son, who was trying to remain calm but whose ears were turning slightly red, and nodded knowingly.

"Oh--"

"Doing homework? That's good, that's good! Doing homework is good!" She suppressed a laugh and waved her hand. "Go on, go on, do your best, don't keep... Li Bao waiting."

Shen Yuan was momentarily speechless at his mother's emphasis on the last two words, "Li Bao," and felt that the "learning warrior" aura he had just built up had been punctured again.

He quickly gave a vague reply and scurried towards the entrance.

He forcefully turned the cold metal doorknob, and with a slight "click," the crisp, cold air of a winter morning rushed in, dispelling the warmth at the doorway.

Shen Yuan stepped out of the house, and the door behind him slammed shut, shutting out his mother's unsettling teasing gaze.

Just one step away is Li Zhi's security door.

He stood at his own doorway, his gaze involuntarily drawn to the familiar door that now seemed as heavy as a thousand pounds.

The hallway was quiet; I could even hear my own heartbeat quickening.

The backpack on his shoulder was heavy; inside were the "ammunition" he had prepared.

He subconsciously gripped the strap of his schoolbag, his knuckles turning white.

The heroic ambition to fight was still in his chest, but the cold air of reality and the door that was so close at hand made a sense of unease, like meeting the parents, spread rapidly.

He could almost feel the sharp, scrutinizing gaze of Old Li that might appear behind the door.

Shen Yuan took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, calming his inexplicably tense emotions.

I mentally rehearsed what I should say and what expression I should use when I entered the room.
Should I maintain the serious and diligent demeanor of a model student? Or should I politely greet the uncle and aunt first?
"On the bright side, what if it's Li Zhi who opens the door?"

With a hint of hesitation in his steps, Shen Yuan finally stepped across the narrow middle doorway and stood in front of Li Zhi's house.

He stared at the small doorbell button under the house number, and his heart pounded twice uncontrollably.

Shen Yuan raised his hand, paused in mid-air for a moment, and finally made up his mind to lower it.

"Ding-dong-"

The crisp sound of the doorbell suddenly rang out in the quiet hallway, its echo reverberating like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

Shen Yuan's heart leaped into his throat. He held his breath, waiting for the world behind that door to open to him.

A moment later, the sound of the doorknob turning could be heard, followed by the clear sound of the latch sliding.

The door slowly opened, and a warm, cozy atmosphere from inside, mixed with a faint aroma of food, wafted out.

Standing at the door was Lao Li.

Old Li's face was expressionless, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, instantly locking onto Shen Yuan at the door.

Their eyes met briefly, and the air in the hallway seemed to freeze for a fraction of a second.

Shen Yuan could clearly feel Lao Li's scrutinizing gaze sweeping over him.

From the bulging backpack on his shoulder, to his slightly tense shoulders due to nervousness, to the stiff expression on his face that hadn't yet fully adjusted.

My heart pounded wildly in my chest, and the fighting spirit I had been forcing onto was instantly punctured.

His Adam's apple bobbed nervously; he could almost hear the rush of his own blood.

But the next second, Shen Yuan took a deep breath!

Now is the time to show your determination!

Shen Yuan straightened his back and spoke loudly and clearly, his tone much more assertive than when he had hesitated at his own doorstep.

"Uncle Li! Good morning!"

His voice was loud and enthusiastic, breaking the silence in the hallway, and even his smile seemed particularly sincere and... deliberate.

He even leaned forward slightly, causing his backpack to sway slightly, revealing the substantial contents inside.

"I'm here to do my homework and review with Li Zhi!!"

Shen Yuan smiled like a small sun that had been suppressed for a long time and suddenly burst forth, trying to melt away the invisible pressure in the air and Lao Li's coldness with pure enthusiasm for learning.

The warm yellow light from inside Li Zhi's house shone on his enthusiastic face, and his forehead seemed to reflect light faintly.

It was probably a light sweat from the tension just now.

Old Li looked at Shen Yuan's smiling face, which could almost be described as "overly sunny".

The sharp gaze lingered on his face for a moment, as if assessing whether this sudden enthusiasm was a genuine impulse or some kind of clumsy acting.

"Ah."

Old Li nodded, moved aside, and the door opened a little wider.

"Come in, it's cold outside."

Shen Yuan tried his best to maintain the "sunny" smile on his face and responded loudly.

"Okay, Uncle Li!"

Stepping across the threshold, the winter chill is instantly replaced by the warm, spring-like air inside.

But the pressure from his future father-in-law's gaze made him feel as if he were walking on thin, trembling ice, and he had to be careful with every step.

Old Li casually closed the door, shutting out the cold wind in the hallway.

His gaze fell peacefully on the bulging backpack on Shen Yuan's shoulder, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly upwards, seemingly with a hint of understanding and... a rare gentleness.

"Zhizhi is in the study."

Old Li's voice was much more relaxed than in the hallway, even quite amiable.

He casually gestured with his chin toward a room in the corridor, his tone as natural as if stating a perfectly ordinary fact, as if Shen Yuan coming over to study together was a perfectly normal daily routine.

Shen Yuan forced a smile, his voice involuntarily tightening slightly: "Uncle Li, I understand! I'll be right there!"

His gaze didn't even dare linger on Lao Li's face for a second longer, for fear that the barely suppressed unease would be caught by those eyes that seemed to see through everything.

The bulging schoolbag seemed to be the only lifeline at that moment, and Shen Yuan ran all the way to the study.
The inner lining of the warm down jacket had a small patch of fabric that seemed to be slightly damp with the cold sweat that had quietly seeped out from the back of the body.

He tried hard to maintain his facial expression and prevent his mouth from drooping, but deep down he was screaming silently.

"Stay calm, Shen Yuan!"

"Never mind, Li Bao, help me!"

With a mix of relief and anticipation, Shen Yuan gently pushed open the study door.

Li Zhi was sitting with his back to the door.

She seemed to hear the noise at the door, but did not turn around immediately. Her fair fingers unconsciously twirled a strand of hair that had fallen beside her ear, her gaze focused intently on the open exercise book.

The moment Shen Yuan's gaze fell on Li Zhi, his steps involuntarily faltered at the doorway. It was as if something had gently bumped into his heart, followed by an indescribable sense of loss.

The Li Zhi before me was no longer dressed in the same captivating outfit as last night.

Instead, she wore a very ordinary set of casual home clothes.

A large, light gray hooded fleece sweatshirt with long sleeves that covered half of one hand, revealing only a few slender fingertips.

What made Shen Yuan even more "desperate" was her lower body.

The previously visually striking thick black tights had vanished without a trace, replaced by an extremely loose and soft light-colored fleece-lined pajama bottom.

The trousers were loosely bunched up at the ankles because of the sitting posture, completely covering and hiding the slender legs, without revealing a single line, and even the ankles were wrapped in thick woolen socks.

She looked like a little rabbit wrapped in a marshmallow, fluffy and extremely cute, yet all the fantasies of youth were tightly welded to the soft fabric.

The beautiful girl exuded a pure sense of homeliness and focused concentration on studying, which contrasted sharply with the idyllic images that lingered in his mind.

Shen Yuan stood at the door, feeling the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. Although he had roughly guessed what was going on, he still felt a little... discouraged for some reason.

Just then, the beautiful girl who had her back to him seemed to finally lose her temper.

She slowly turned her head, her clear eyes looking at the figure standing blankly at the door.

Li Zhi's lips curled up slightly in a barely perceptible arc, and her expressive eyes clearly reflected Shen Yuan's expression, which was a mix of disappointment and helplessness.

With a hint of smugness, Li Zhi's voice rang out softly.

"What are you standing there for, you idiot?

Shen Yuan coughed lightly, trying to shake off the disappointment in his heart.

"coming."

Shen Yuan quickly walked to the chair on the other side of the desk, placed his heavy schoolbag on it, and tried to cover up his earlier lapse in composure with words as he unzipped the bag.

"I brought my homework, past exam papers, and a notebook of my mistakes."

However, Li Zhi did not seem to intend to let him off easily.

The pretty girl rested her elbows on the table, cupped her chin in her palms, and tilted her head to look at Shen Yuan.

Those smiling eyes seemed to pierce through his disguise, reaching right into his slightly disappointed heart.

“Hey,” Li Zhi’s voice was lowered a little, with a mischievous smile, as he asked knowingly, “Are you very disappointed?” Shen Yuan’s movement of zipping up his backpack suddenly froze.

"Huh? What...what disappointment? Disappointed about what?" Shen Yuan tried to play dumb, his voice a little unsteady because of his guilty conscience.

Seeing his attempt to cover up his misunderstanding, Li Zhi burst out laughing.

She pointed at him with her finger, deliberately putting on a stern face and scolding him in a slightly warning tone.

"Thran! Stop pretending! What are you thinking!"

Her voice lowered slightly: "You idiot Shen Yuan, get this straight! This is my home! My dad's in the living room!"

"How could I possibly come here wearing... wearing the same clothes as yesterday?! Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Get down to business and focus on your work! Stop thinking about all that other stuff!"

Li Zhi sat up straight, picked up the pen on the table again, tapped the table with his fingertips, and gave Shen Yuan the task.

"Hurry up! Take out the test papers! Finish three before you go back to school and organize the wrong questions!"

Just as Shen Yuan was about to take the test papers out of his schoolbag, Li Zhi suddenly leaned over and gently poked his arm with her index finger.

Shen Yuan paused, turning to look at her in confusion.

A girl's sweet scent brushed past her face, her pink lips parted slightly, and her voice was soft and gentle.

“Silly idiot, if you can really complete the task on time and with high quality…” She paused, looking at Shen Yuan with a sly look, “when you go back to school to study tonight, I can consider what to wear.”

After saying this, the beautiful girl seemed to be burned by her own bold words, and quickly shrank back into her seat to start reading seriously.

Shen Yuan felt a "buzz" in his head. The slight sense of loss he had felt from wearing conservative pajamas was instantly ignited and exploded into a sky full of fireworks!
"To be considered on a case-by-case basis!"
"Go back to school to study!"
"What should I wear!"
These three words were like a bombshell, instantly stirring his emotions.

"Do it! Do it right now!"

The boy's voice trembled slightly with extreme excitement, and his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

The awkwardness and trepidation I felt when I entered the room and faced Lao Li vanished instantly, replaced by an almost fanatical focus and burning enthusiasm.

At this moment, Shen Yuan didn't even have the energy to look at the girl beside him, and buried himself in conquering the test paper.

Soon, Shen Yuan entered a state of focus.

Li Zhi caught a glimpse of his focused expression, as if he had received a shot of adrenaline, and the corners of her lips involuntarily curved upwards.

The pen tip glides smoothly across the paper, making a fine, rhythmic scratching sound.

With the help of his focused skills, Shen Yuan is extremely efficient at solving problems.

Around 2 p.m., Shen Yuan stretched.

nailed it.

After completing the three test papers, check the answers and organize the questions you got wrong.

Shen Yuan picked up his test paper and notebook of incorrect answers and looked at Li Zhi: "Li Bao, do you need to check these?"

Li Zhi waved his hand and closed the practice test book, a relaxed smile in his eyes: "No need to check anymore, your speed and accuracy in answering questions have improved a lot."

She stood up and gently patted Shen Yuan's shoulder: "Pack your schoolbag and rest for a while."

Li Zhi tapped the calendar on the table with her fingertip, her voice light but with a hint of reminder: "New Year's Day is almost over, and then it'll be time for the final exams."

Shen Yuan followed her gaze and saw that the date January 21st was heavily circled in red.

His hand, gripping the pen, paused slightly before meeting Li Zhi's smiling eyes. The two exchanged knowing smiles.

The promise of 665 points is getting closer.

……

As dusk completely soaked through the windowpanes, different aromas of food wafted from the two kitchens.

Shortly after Shen Yuan finished eating, he received a message from Li Zhi reminding him to go to school.

After replying to the message, Shen Yuan put on his down jacket, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and prepared to leave. But in the entryway, Ms. Zhang Yuyan handed him a box of washed strawberries: "Take this to Zhizhi!"

"Isn't there any for me?"

Zhang Yuyan rolled her eyes: "If you want some, go ask her yourself."

Shen Yuan sighed helplessly, but still took the strawberries and went out.

The door closed gently, and the motion-sensor light behind me turned on.

Shen Yuan subconsciously turned his head, and his gaze was immediately locked onto the figure standing not far in front of him.

Li Zhi's outfit today wasn't what he had expected, but the girl in front of him still made his heart skip a beat.

The beautiful girl had shed her everyday daytime attire, and compared to her usual self, she seemed like a completely different person.

She wore a soft beige long down jacket, and through the open front, a creamy white long knit dress was visible, the hem gently covering her ankles.

Most importantly, Li Zhi's hairstyle was one that Shen Yuan hadn't seen in a very, very long time.

Her usually smooth, flowing long hair was now carefully tied into two cute pigtails, which playfully cascaded down her shoulders.

On the side of one of the ponytails, the small, exquisite pearl hair clip he had given her shimmered with a warm luster under the sensor light.

This outfit is completely different from her usual simple or slightly sexy style; it exudes a sweet and lovely vibe.

Especially her twin ponytails, which made her even more adorable, exuding breathtaking youthful energy.

Shen Yuan was stunned, his steps and breaths even stopping for a moment.

Just then, the sweet girl standing in front suddenly took a few steps and lightly ran a few steps to Shen Yuan.

The light from the motion sensor flowed above her head, illuminating her slightly tilted head.

Those clear, bright eyes stared unblinkingly at Shen Yuan, a hint of cunning and a strong sense of playfulness in them.

Her smooth twin ponytails swayed gently with her movements.

The girl's lips curled into a bright, slightly devilishly smug smile. She deliberately lowered her voice and spoke in a soft, delicate tone that Shen Yuan had never heard from her before.

"elder brother!"

This sudden address was like an electric current, instantly piercing Shen Yuan's cerebral cortex and making him feel numb from head to toe.

"Does it look good?"

Li Zhi tilted his head and asked again, his big eyes blinking as if he was admiring the wonderful expression that Li Zhi was about to make.

Shen Yuan felt as if his heart was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and then suddenly injected with a scalding hot current that pounded wildly in his chest, almost bursting out of his throat.

The visual, auditory, and explosive impact of that "brother" instantly turned his thoughts into mush, leaving his mind blank and utterly empty.

He opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound. All he could see was the girl's playful and sweet smile shining brightly under the motion sensor light, captivating all his senses. He almost dropped the strawberry box in his hand.

Seeing Shen Yuan's silly look, Li Zhi burst out laughing.

Her twin ponytails swayed gently with her movements, and the pearl hair clips shimmered faintly under the light.

She took a half step forward, stood on tiptoe, and stared intently at his absent-minded face with her clear eyes, asking in a sweet and soft voice.

"elder brother?"

"Brother! I'm asking you, is it pretty or not?"

The glow of the motion sensor light danced across her face, making her smile appear even more sly.

Seeing that Shen Yuan still didn't move, and that silly look of his made her laugh, she deliberately wrinkled her pert little nose and gently poked his head with her finger.

"Hey! You idiot Shen Yuan, snap out of it!" The voice was filled with barely suppressed laughter. "Why are you acting so silly?"

Shen Yuan suddenly shuddered.

The box of strawberries in his hand slid down a little, and he frantically tried to catch it.

The edge of the plastic box pressed against my palm, but the coolness was no match for the burning heat that instantly erupted on my cheeks.

Li Zhi's words, "How can you be so stupid?" were like a mirror, instantly revealing his foolishness.

"It's over..."

Shen Yuan let out a wail in his heart. His cerebral cortex still seemed to retain the tingling aftertaste of being bombarded by that "brother." All he could see in his vision was the girl's pretty and cute appearance.

He felt like he had really gone stupid.

He was completely like a fool who had been put under a mental retardation spell.

That last bit of intelligence seemed to have been drained and ground to dust by those repeated calls of "brother," and was unwittingly thrown into the cold winter wind.

"Ding--"

The crisp sound of the elevator arrival notification broke the silence in the hallway briefly, like a gentle tap on Shen Yuan's confused mind.

Li Zhi smiled as she looked at his still somewhat stiff posture, her small nose wrinkling cutely. She didn't say anything, but naturally reached out her hand.

This time, instead of poking his head, she gently grabbed the cuff of his down jacket.

"Let's go, brother."

She trailed off with a teasing yet endearing tone, and without a word, pulled him toward the open elevator doors.

The warm elevator car acted like a safety barrier, isolating it from the chill of the hallway and the unseen gaze of Comrade Lao Li.

As he was gripped by those slightly cool fingertips through his sleeve, and struck again by the voice of "brother" so close to his face, Shen Yuan was almost dragged into the elevator in a daze.

The buzzing sound of the elevator doors slowly closing amplified in the cramped space.

Shen Yuan finally felt his brain begin to thaw, and he was finally able to barely control his body again.

He looked down, his gaze first falling on the small hand that was still holding onto the cuff, then slowly moving to the strawberry in the hand.

Li Zhi also followed his gaze and looked over, the ends of her twin ponytails swaying slightly.

Eyes facing each other.

Li Zhichong raised his chin at him.

The girl clearly hadn't forgotten her earlier question.

Her fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around his sleeve, and her pink lips curved back into that sly yet expectant smile.

"My brother hasn't answered my question yet!"

Li Zhi leaned even closer, repeating each word slowly and deliberately, as if trying to nail each word into his brain:
"Brother, I'm asking you... do I look good dressed like this?"

Shen Yuan froze again.

My throat felt like it was being forcefully blocked by something; it churned and swelled before I finally managed to squeeze out a few fragmented syllables from the roaring sound:
"So...beautiful!"

He nodded vigorously, again and again.

"Beautiful! Li Bao! Really beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!"

He seemed to be trying to pile up every beautiful word, adding clumsily but earnestly:
"So...super cute...!"

Upon hearing Shen Yuan's answer, Li Zhi's lips formed a smile that she tried hard to suppress but which still managed to spread.

She gently bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, and a blush spread across her delicate ear tips at a visible speed.

"You're smart to know your place! You idiot brother!"

The pretty girl muttered softly, hiding her burning cheeks inside the fluffy collar of her down jacket, but still clinging tightly to Shen Yuan's arm.

The elevator descended smoothly.

Shen Yuan's brain felt as if it were being soaked in warm honey.

Li Zhi's shy yet sweet "idiot," and that lingering "brother," echoed repeatedly in his ears.

He didn't even know how he walked down the street or through the school gate.

When Shen Yuan came to his senses, he found himself already downstairs in the teaching building.

Damn it?

How did I get here?

Shen Yuan stood there, stunned, his pupils dilated slightly, his eyes filled with confusion.

The cold wind whipped up fallen leaves that brushed past my feet, carrying the icy edges of reality.

The warm, sweet scent that seemed to cling to my sleeve and the shimmering pearly luster just a moment ago were abruptly replaced by the noisy reality of the campus, a seamless transition that felt utterly unreal.

"Why are you dazed?"

Shen Yuan looked over upon hearing the sound, and he blinked subconsciously.

Although Li Zhi still had the same double ponytail hairstyle, her expression was completely different from before.

That adorable image of the "older brother" seemed to have never existed.

The lingering echoes of those tender, dreamlike whispers and sweet nicknames from a moment ago have now been completely blown away by the cold wind, leaving only the slightly bewildered face before me.

"No, it's nothing."

Shen Yuan took Li Zhi's hand: "Let's go back to the classroom."

After saying that, Shen Yuan pulled Li Zhi towards the classroom.

At that moment, he didn't notice the mischievous smile in the eyes of the girl beside him.

The two walked side by side into the brightly lit corridor of the teaching building, went up the stairs, and arrived at the door of Class 15.

Shen Yuan looked at the closed classroom door, pushed it open, and pulled Li Zhi inside.

Inside the classroom, A-Jie was holding a water cup, ready to fill it with water.

When he saw the two people in the classroom, especially when their gazes fell on Li Zhi, he was as if he had been put on pause, and his eyes widened suddenly.

Ah Jie's gaze was fixed on Li Zhi's playful twin ponytails, and the noise behind him suddenly stopped.

Yang Ze, who was about to go get water with A-Jie, froze in mid-air, still holding the water cup in his hand.

Zhuo Peipei, who was scrolling through her phone with He Zhiyu, silently opened her mouth into an "O" shape.

Chen Mingyu, who was engrossed in his homework, seemed to sense the tense atmosphere and looked up towards the door.

When he saw Li Zhi, the pen in his hand drew a sharp, long, meaningless curve on the draft paper, and then froze.

For a moment, the area in front of Class 15 fell into an eerie silence.

Almost all eyes were focused on the girl standing next to Shen Yuan, her twin ponytails swaying gently with her steps, her expression calm and even carrying a hint of barely perceptible smugness.

That sweet outfit, so different from her usual cool and aloof aura, especially the fact that her signature high ponytail had been transformed into these adorable twin ponytails, was as impactful to the students of Class 15 as suddenly seeing an iceberg bloom.

Ah Jie opened his mouth, finally finding his voice: "Sister Li?...You, you..."

He Zhiyu snapped out of her daze: "My God! Zhizhi! Twin tails! You're so...so cute today!!"

"That hairstyle...it's absolutely stunning!"

"Twin tails are the best!"

Li Zhi felt the storm of gazes coming from all directions, and his usual image of a painful sacrifice was completely broken!

Being stared at like an "alien" by so many people, even Li Zhi felt a sense of embarrassment he had never experienced before.

But when Li Zhi chose this outfit today, he knew it would definitely shock everyone in the class.

Not to mention the students in Class 15, even Lao Li and Xu Chan were startled when Li Zhi came out dressed like this.

So Li Zhi was mentally preparing himself throughout the journey.

All the mental preparation I've put in along the way is finally coming in handy.

Li Zhi quickly recovered from his embarrassment.

As for Shen Yuan, he was actually quite thick-skinned. These stares had no effect on him whatsoever; on the contrary, they made him feel an instant surge of satisfaction.

But Li Zhi truly hurt Shen Yuan.

Little Green Plum is so good at it.

Amidst the frozen gazes and hushed gasps of the entire class, Shen Yuan pulled the seemingly composed Li Zhi through the corridor toward their seats.

Finally settled down, Zhuo Peipei and He Zhiyu at the table in front of them kept turning around, their eyes full of barely suppressed surprise and amusement.

Li Zhi pretended not to see it, stuffed his schoolbag into the desk, but felt his cheeks were still slightly hot.

Shen Yuan put down his schoolbag and then handed the strawberry box to Li Zhi.

"Here, my mom asked me to bring this, she said it's for you to eat."

Li Zhi nodded and took the strawberries. Looking at the plump, red strawberries, a brilliant mischievous idea instantly formed in her mind.

The beautiful girl opened the box, picked up one of the strawberries, naturally brought it to her lips, and gently bit off a small portion with her pearly teeth.

Instantly, the sweet juice filled my mouth, carrying the unique rich aroma of winter strawberries.

The girl narrowed her eyes slightly in satisfaction, and the corners of her mouth curved upwards in a pleasant arc.

"Mmm...so sweet."

The sound wasn't loud, but it clearly reached Shen Yuan's ears.

Immediately afterwards, Li Zhi turned his head to look at Shen Yuan.

She held the half-ripe, still bearing her teeth marks and the scent of her lips, and offered it to Shen Yuan.

"Here, try it, it's really sweet."

Seeing Li Zhi's actions, He Zhiyu and Zhuo Peipei in the front row widened their eyes instantly.

This action was too natural, and too intimate!

How could she do that so naturally?!

No, Shen Yuan, how come you ate it so casually too?!

What did you guys do on New Year's Day?!

Shen Yuan subconsciously leaned forward and, using Li Zhi's hand, put the half-strawberry she handed him into his mouth.

The delicate, soft flesh bursts open between your teeth, and the rich sweetness instantly fills your taste buds, even overpowering the faint sweetness left on the strawberry.

"Well……"

Shen Yuan gave a muffled reply and quickly swallowed the fruit, feeling the sweetness spread from the tip of his tongue all the way to his heart.

Li Zhi watched him eat intently until she withdrew her hand, a little bit of juice still sticking to her fingertips.

The pretty girl tilted her head, her voice tinged with laughter as she asked, "How is it? Is it sweet?"

Shen Yuan nodded vigorously, a smile almost instantly spreading across his lips:

"Sweet! The one Li Bao gave me... is especially sweet."

He Zhiyu and Zhuo Peipei at the table in front of them exchanged a knowing look. A-Jie, who had just taken a sip of water, suddenly choked and let out a loud cough.

But just when they thought the matter was over, they heard Li Zhi's voice ring out again.

"So...brother, is the strawberry sweeter, or am I sweeter?"

　The reason I'm writing this chapter is that my wife said she wanted some sweets today, and then on a whim, I asked her if I was sweet.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)