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

Chapter 275 Shen Yuan's Birthday Gift

The crisp sound of the glasses clinking together echoed in the tranquility of the evening.

Li Zhi lowered his head and scooped up a spoonful of ice cream. The cool sweetness slid down his throat, but suddenly brought a sense of abrupt clarity.

52 days...

Her gaze fell on the scarlet numbers on the banner, but a hidden string in her mind seemed to be plucked, clearly bringing to mind a day that had long been marked on her heart.

Shen Yuan's birthday... seems to be coming soon.

The pressure of the college entrance examination hangs like layers of dark clouds overhead, with each day relentlessly counting down.

But at this moment, the warm golden rays of the setting sun fell gently on the slightly lowered eyelashes of the boy beside him, reflecting the focused profile of his face.

A thought suddenly and clearly entered the girl's mind.

How about giving a really special gift for my birthday this year?
Almost instinctively, her thoughts drifted to that most common and safest area.

Workbook? A set of practice tests? After all, he's been working really hard lately, and his grades have consistently been above 670...

A high-quality, meticulously compiled set of practice questions seems both practical and timely, like a common, unspoken gift among top students.

The thought had barely crossed my mind when my gaze involuntarily drifted toward Shen Yuan beside me.

He happened to turn his head to look at her, and the setting sun shattered a gentle, warm gold in his deep eyes, while a familiar, doting smile played on his lips.

The moment their eyes met, Li Zhi's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

"Workbook..."

This seemingly perfect answer only rolled around on the tip of her tongue before being quickly washed away by an even more surging heat.

Too ordinary!

Like a glass of lukewarm water!
Just as this idea was rejected, a bold thought, like a lurking undercurrent, unexpectedly crashed into her chaotic thoughts.

Fragmented yet intensely vivid images flashed uncontrollably through my mind.

Those hidden things that made him lose control and made her blood boil were flashing through her mind like a revolving lantern.

Li Zhi's fingertips, which were gripping the ice cream cup, were trembling slightly.

No! No way!!
She felt as if she had been burned by her own thoughts, and she abruptly looked away, wishing she could tear those images and that terrible thought out of her mind!

How could she possibly... offer herself up as a 'gift'?!

Just thinking about this possibility brought an overwhelming sense of shame that nearly suffocated her.

Her ear tips were so red they looked like they were about to bleed, as if the memories she had just recalled were laid bare under the setting sun.

She desperately suppressed this absurd association, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would leap out of her chest.

The warm, golden rays of the setting sun still gently enveloped the banner, and also shone on her lowered, burning cheeks.

It was as if nothing had happened; only the silent storm raged within her heart, only to be forcibly suppressed.

That's an outrageous idea!
That's...that's so shameless!

How could she suddenly think of something on that level?!
The beautiful girl took a deep breath, forcing herself to ignore the sudden surge in temperature.

Hmm... she needs to think about it seriously.

I really need to think about this seriously...

Just then, Shen Yuan's voice broke the tranquility under the setting sun.

"Li Bao?" His voice held a hint of probing, and he gently touched her fingertips. "What are you thinking about? The ice cream is about to melt."

Li Zhi trembled slightly as if startled awake, and tightened his grip on the ice cream cup.

Suddenly, she met Shen Yuan's probing gaze, a gaze that was clear and slightly amused, as if it could see through the turbulent waves churning in her heart.

She sensed that the heat that had just subsided was about to rebound.

"No, I wasn't thinking about anything!" she quickly denied, her voice rising slightly as if trying to cover something up.

"Oh?" Shen Yuan's voice trailed off with a hint of disbelief. "Your face is so red, and you're staring blankly at the banner... You're not secretly doing math problems, are you, Teacher Li?"

"No way!" Li Zhi was a little embarrassed and annoyed by his teasing, and subconsciously retorted, blurting out in her haste.

"I...I was thinking...your birthday is coming up soon...what gift should I get you..."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Li Zhi's heart skipped a beat.

She quickly lowered her head, pretending to be focused, and scooped another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. The icy feeling couldn't suppress the irritation on her face.

"A gift?" Shen Yuan's eyes lit up instantly, like small flames being ignited.

He unconsciously moved a little closer to Li Zhiqing, his eyes brimming with layers of smiles and undisguised anticipation, his voice rising slightly.

"Oh? Li Bao is going to give me a birthday present? That's great! What do you want to give me?"

The eager, imaginative look on his face clearly said, "I'm excited for anything."

Li Zhi's heart skipped a beat at his pure and expectant look. The "bold plan" that had been burning with shame in her mind resurfaced, making her ears burn.

No no no!

This is absolutely not possible!

Almost instinctively, in order to immediately extinguish the chaotic thoughts in his mind, and also to block the direction that Shen Yuan's overly expectant gaze might lead him to.

Li Zhi raised his eyes, pretending to be calm after thinking it over, and said in as calm a tone as possible.

"Hmm... I've made up my mind. I'll send you a set of carefully compiled exercise books. You'll definitely find them useful, perfect for filling in any gaps in your knowledge during this final sprint."

As she spoke, she even slightly raised her chin, trying to convey that this was a very pragmatic and perfect choice.

In an instant, the expectant expression on Shen Yuan's face, as bright as a sunflower, froze.

It was as if a cold wind blew by, extinguishing the small flame in his eyes.

He stared blankly at Li Zhi's serious face, then glanced down at the half-empty bottle of iced tea in his hand, and then at the countdown time on the banner.

The boy's lips twitched, and in the end, he could only manage a muttered remark laced with sarcasm.

"This...this is way too much like the college entrance exam..."

The voice was light and airy, carrying a hint of disbelief and a deep sense of powerlessness.

Shen Yuan looked at Li Zhiqiang's profile, which was trying to appear calm, and his eyelashes, which were edged with gold by the sunset, and suddenly chuckled.

The boy shook the half-empty iced tea bottle in his hand, the amber liquid making a soft rustling sound as it hit the bottle.

He leaned closer, his shoulder barely touching Li Zhi's slightly tense arm, and a suppressed laugh escaped his throat: "An exercise book... that'll do too."

He abruptly changed the subject, his fingertips subtly hooking her curled little finger.

"But Teacher Li—"

The setting sun melted into his suddenly bright eyes, making Li Zhi's heart skip a beat.

I've already decided what to give you for your birthday.

Li Zhi turned to look at him, her watery eyes meeting Shen Yuan's upturned lips, and she immediately knew that this guy had no good intentions.

"If you dare say you'd give yourself to me, I'll kill you right now!"

Shen Yuan immediately feigned being frightened, raising his hands exaggeratedly, but his eyes were brimming with undisguised laughter: "No, no! Teacher Li, please spare me, how could I dare to say such a thing?"

Her voice deliberately carried a hint of pleading, and she even shrank her shoulders in response.

Li Zhi's originally tense face couldn't hold back anymore, and she burst out laughing with a "pfft".

The golden glow of the setting sun enveloped the slightly reddened tips of her ears, and her shyness and annoyance melted away.

"What are you pretending for... you idiot."

"I wasn't pretending!" Shen Yuan chuckled as he lowered his hand, then took her wrist and gently stroked her delicate skin with his fingertips.

"Would I give such an unoriginal gift for a birthday? Hmm?"

He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, with a playful provocation, which earned him a weak glare from Li Zhiyi.

The two gazed at each other in the tranquil twilight, the earlier playful tension completely dissipated, replaced by a warm and tacit understanding.

The evening breeze swept by, ruffling the stray hairs at Li Zhi's temples and dispelling the last trace of dryness from her cheeks.

She gave Shen Yuan's shin a light kick with her toe, saying irritably, "I'm leaving, going to read."

Shen Yuan hummed in agreement and habitually intertwined his fingers with hers.

The warmth of their fingertips soothed each other, and the noisy heartbeats gradually returned to the steady rhythm of studying.

……

The hallway ceiling light cast a soft glow. Li Zhi bent down, turned the key, and opened the door, letting out the soft light from the living room and the sound of the television.

"I'm home?"

Xu Chan was nestled on the sofa with a blanket draped over her legs and a book in her hands. She looked up at the sound, her gaze falling on her daughter's still slightly flushed face, a knowing smile on her face.

"It's not too late today."

"Ah."

Li Zhi gave a vague reply, changed into slippers, paused for a moment, and instead of going back to her room immediately, sat down on the sofa.

The tranquility of the living room and her mother's company eased her anxiety about the gift a little.

She looked up and asked casually, "Mom... what kind of birthday presents did you used to give Dad?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Li Zhi himself held his breath slightly.

She could even feel her ears burning slightly, as if asking the question itself was an exposure of some kind of guilt.

Xu Chan's fingers, which were gripping the book pages, paused almost imperceptibly.

She looked up, her gaze passing over the top of the book pages and landing on her daughter's seemingly calm face.

The next second, a gentle yet all-knowing smile spread across Xu Chan's lips.

She did not directly answer Li Zhi's question about giving Lao Li a gift.

Instead, Xu Chan tilted her head slightly, put down the book in her hand, and gently swept her gaze over her daughter's slightly tense face, her tone filled with a teasing and doting tone as if she had just realized something.

"Oh~ So our Zhizhi... was worried about Xiao Shen's birthday present?"

This gentle strike was incredibly precise.

"!"

Li Zhi froze, as if the entire body had been paused.

The girl felt that familiar heat starting from her neck and spreading rapidly up to her face.

My mother's knowing yet smiling eyes seemed to peel away all her clumsy pretense.

"..."

Li Zhi opened his mouth, but all the words of explanation or cover-up were stuck in his throat, and in the end only a faint breath came out.

Xu Chan couldn't help but laugh as she looked at her daughter's adorable expression, which was so embarrassed by having her thoughts exposed that she almost evaporated on the spot.

She closed the book and set it aside, leaning back comfortably on the sofa. Her gaze fell on the warm light in the living room, as if she were reminiscing or offering the most reassuring advice.

"Your dad... well, anything is fine. Give him his favorite tea, he can drink it for a long time. Give him a tie or cufflinks, he'll wear them a few times even if he doesn't say anything. If all else fails, make him a bowl of his favorite noodles, and he'll be happy for a long time."

"What if... we send exercise books?"

Li Zhi's voice was very soft, as if she was afraid of being burned by the idea itself, but she couldn't help but want to see her mother's reaction: "Wouldn't that... seem too perfunctory?"

As she spoke, she unconsciously fiddled with the sofa armrest.

As soon as the words fell——

"Pfft...hahaha..."

Xu Chan couldn't help herself, and her laughter suddenly grew louder, breaking the tranquility of the living room.

She seemed to have heard something extremely interesting; fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes as she smiled, covered her mouth, and her shoulders trembled slightly.

"Oh my goodness... my silly daughter!"

Xu Chan finally managed to stop laughing, her eyes still glistening with tears. She looked at Li Zhi with a mixture of amusement and helplessness, her voice filled with doting affection.

"Haha... This is a really creative gift to give you a birthday present!"

She deliberately emphasized "very insightful," her laughter making her breath catch in her throat, and then she winked mischievously.

"Xiao Shen will definitely remember this thoughtful gift from you!"

My mother's sudden burst of laughter and blunt teasing was like the last straw.

The slight loss of color in Li Zhi's face instantly exploded back to its original hue, becoming even redder than a fully cooked shrimp, with even her delicate earlobes turning bright red.

"Oh dear, Mom! I'm being serious!"

"Sending workbooks is not a good idea... I'm afraid..."

She grabbed a nearby cushion and buried her face in it.

The girl rubbed against the pillow for a while before finally revealing her pair of glistening, watery eyes.

Xu Chan suppressed her smile, her face full of the gentle understanding of someone who had been through it all. She reached out and gently brushed away the stray strands of hair that had been brushing against her daughter's cheek.

"Afraid it's too ordinary? Or afraid it's... too boring?"

Her voice was soft, with a gentle, persuasive quality.

Li Zhi hugged the pillow, nodded slightly, her cheeks still burning, her eyes filled with a hint of confusion and embarrassment at being seen through.

The girl's voice was muffled, with a hint of despair: "I just wanted to give you something... special."

Xu Chan looked at her daughter's adorable, distracted expression, her warm smile unchanged, her gaze gentle as she looked at her. "Gifts... sometimes practicality, thoughtfulness, or just because it's from you... is enough."

Xu Chan looked at her daughter with gentle eyes: "Actually, no matter what you give, Shen Yuan will be overjoyed to receive it."

"However, if you really want to pick a meaningful little gift," Xu Chan paused, leaned forward slightly, and lowered her voice, as if sharing a little secret.

"Mom has a simple idea. For example, send some small trinkets, like a red string would be nice."

Her gaze swept over Li Zhi's slightly tense fingertips, and she gently added, "Firstly, this thing is small and lightweight, so it can be brought into the examination room during the college entrance examination without being stopped as a contraband."

"Secondly, red string has been a symbol of good luck since ancient times. Wrapping it around the wrist as a 'talisman' brings good fortune and also helps to relieve the pressure before the college entrance examination."

"As for the third one—" Xu Chan's tone suddenly became playful as she looked at her daughter's ears, which were turning red again, and laughed.

"Buy one for yourself too, so the two of you can wear a pair. It'll be like looking out for each other during the exam, and it'll make you feel more at ease."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi's heart skipped a beat.

The feeling of shyness hadn't faded, but it seemed to have been blown away by a gentle breeze.

Red rope?

Her eyelashes trembled, and she finally couldn't help but raise her eyes, her voice muffled: "Hmm...it seems...this one is pretty good."

Her fingertips unconsciously traced patterns on the sofa, and the anxiety that had been building up inside her for so long actually eased a little.

Perhaps, this is the decision?

Xu Chan gazed at the shyness and expectation mixed with girlish thoughts in her daughter's eyes, and her fingertips paused gently for a moment.

She leaned forward slightly, getting closer to her daughter, the light casting a soft glow in her eyes.

A meaningful smile suddenly appeared on her lips.

When Li Zhi saw this scene, his heart skipped a beat.

Based on her understanding of her mother—

Oh no... Mom's going to say something scary again...

The thought had barely formed when Xu Chan lowered her voice, spoke softly and gently with a smile, as if she knew everything.

"If you really want to give me something special... Mom has the easiest and most thoughtful suggestion for you."

Xu Chan paused, looking at her daughter's nervous little face, and her smile deepened.

She leaned closer, almost touching Li Zhi's ear, and spoke in a teasing tone, in words only the two of them could hear:

"—You... wrap yourself in a bow and give yourself to him, that's better than any gift, he'll be so happy he'll forget everything else."

boom--! ! !
The immense sense of shame, both expected and far exceeding what was anticipated, surged forth like magma, instantly overwhelming Li Zhi's reason.

"mom--!!!"

The girl screamed, her entire face turning as if it had been boiled in water, her forehead, cheeks, ears, neck, and even her collarbone all covered in a thick, indistinguishable layer of rouge.

The scorching heat made her feel like she could evaporate on the spot in the next second!

I only blushed when my mother pointed out my thoughts earlier, but now it's beyond just blushing!

"You...you're talking nonsense again! I'm ignoring you!!"

The girl dropped this weak and embarrassed accusation, grabbed her schoolbag that had fallen on the sofa, rushed back to her room without looking back, and slammed the door shut.

Xu Chan laughed so hard in the living room that she almost fell over, and tears welled up in her eyes.

The door blocked out the warm light from the living room and the laughter that seemed to be continuing, but it couldn't stop the almost explosive heat on Li Zhi's face.

She could even feel a buzzing sound in the tips of her ears and the skin on the back of her neck.

"Woo..."

A small, broken sob escaped from between her tightly clenched lips.

She slid down against the cold door, her schoolbag carelessly tossed at her feet, too exhausted to even pick it up.

My heart was pounding painfully in my chest, and the sound of my blood rushing around was like the surging waves of the ocean pounding against my eardrums.

Li Zhi covered her burning cheeks in shame and anger, but the words and the images that came to mind seemed to come alive, swirling wildly in her mind.

"You... wrap yourself in a ribbon and give it to him."

Wrap it in a bow... How is that possible?!
The idea itself was so absurd that she wanted to crawl into a hole in the ground!
but……

That bastard... what kind of expression would he have if he actually saw it?
Li Zhi couldn't help but wonder, if he really did that, what would Shen Yuan do?
The girl's thoughts involuntarily drifted to more specific images.

She stood before Shen Yuan, dressed in an adorable dress and pure white lace-trimmed stockings, like a delicate gift.

She was certain that Shen Yuan would turn into a pervert.

He would pull her into his arms, and then...

Thinking of those images, Li Zhi's cheeks burned as if they were on fire, her body involuntarily curled up, and her heart pounded.

Suddenly, she shook her head violently, buried her face even deeper in the blankets, and her heart pounded as she denied this absurd idea.

"No way! If I give it to him like that... by my birthday, that shameless Shen Yuan will definitely say he's giving himself to me too!"

This association made her so ashamed that her toes curled up, instantly extinguishing all her fantasies.

A moment later, Li Zhi let out a long breath.

She slowly removed her hands from her face and took out her phone.

The city lights outside the window shimmered gently in the night.

The lingering doubts in my heart about a special gift seemed to dissipate like mist in the evening breeze, pointing to an answer that was neither too ordinary nor too embarrassing, yet filled with blessings and a private promise.

"Hmm...this is it."

Li Zhi muttered to himself, his fingertips twitching slightly as he swiped open his phone screen.

The soft light illuminated her cheeks, which still had a faint blush, but in her clear eyes, the previous confusion and embarrassment were gone, leaving only the ease of making a decision, and a trace of... barely perceptible expectation.

She decided.

I'll give you a red string.

And I should also buy one for myself.

The hands of time never stop, and day and night quietly alternate amidst the sound of turning pages and the scratching of pens.

The scarlet numbers on the banner shrank day by day, from "52" to "50", and then slid down to "48".

The air was thick with increasing tension, and even the occasional relaxed breaks between classes were filled with the lingering atmosphere of exam preparation.

Finally, the number reached "45".

The wind in late April carried the coolness of late spring.

Shen Yuan seemed to be in an exceptionally high mood today, with an irrepressible smile constantly playing on his lips, and he even seemed to walk more lightly than usual.

He turned his head to look at Li Zhi several times, his eyes shining brightly, filled with pure and fervent anticipation.

Li Zhi felt her ears burning from his gaze, and the fingers gripping the backpack strap unconsciously tightened and loosened.

She could clearly hear her heart pounding like a drum in her chest, each beat striking her thin chest.

She was wearing a dress with deep pockets today, and her right hand was tightly tucked into it, her fingertips caressing the two carefully chosen, intertwined, soft red ropes.

The cool, silky touch strangely failed to soothe the nervousness mixed with shyness and excitement.

The morning breeze on campus carries the freshness of late spring, brushing against the figures of young men and women walking side by side.

The number "45" on the banner silently proclaimed the approaching college entrance examination, but in Shen Yuan's brisk pace at this moment, it was somehow imbued with a sense of lightness.

Li Zhi's steps were noticeably slower than usual, as if he were walking on clouds, carrying a subtle, heavy heart.

Just as the two reached the banner, Li Zhi suddenly stopped. She clutched the pair of red strings tightly in her pocket, the soft silk threads leaving fine lines on her fingertips.

Shen Yuan stopped and turned to look at her with some surprise.

"What's wrong, Li Bao?" Shen Yuan was about to reach out and rub her hair when the girl suddenly looked up.

Those eyes, which always held a clear, luminous light, were now shimmering, like spring water ruffled by the wind.

"...Let's film now."

"Ok?"

Shen Yuan didn't react.

They are used to shooting videos in the twilight after dinner; the swaying light spots in the morning and the flow of people rushing to early classes are never the background.

Li Zhi stood directly in front of the scarlet countdown numbers.

The morning breeze swept through the loose strands of her ponytail and brushed against her reddened ears.

Seeing that Shen Yuan was still stunned, she squeezed out a urging voice: "Idiot! Hurry up..."

Shen Yuan then snapped out of his daze, smiling as he held up his phone: "Teacher Li is so enthusiastic today?"

"Don't take pictures yet."

Li Zhi suddenly spoke up to stop him again, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tension.

Shen Yuangang's phone, which he had just raised, froze in mid-air.

"?"

He cast an inquiring glance at me.

Li Zhi took a deep breath, lowered his voice, and almost held it in his mouth: "Shen Yuan, you... close your eyes."

Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow, his confusion deepening, but when he saw Li Zhi's ears burning, he suddenly seemed to catch a very familiar yet secret signal.

His smile slowly widened, carrying a hint of indulgence and understanding.

"it is good."

He didn't ask any further questions and simply closed his eyes.

Long eyelashes droop down, casting a small, gentle shadow beneath the eyelids.

The morning light outlined the profile of his focused, waiting face.

The surroundings instantly became quiet, with only a gentle breeze and the faint distant noise remaining.

Li Zhifei quickly pulled out the two soft red ropes intertwined deep in her pocket; the soft silk threads carried the warmth of her palm.

She reached out and gently cupped his warm wrist in her palm.

The distinct sensation made Shen Yuan's Adam's apple bob slightly, but he kept his eyes closed quietly, though the corners of his mouth curved up even more.

Li Zhi could feel her fingertips trembling, but she didn't move slowly.

She skillfully wrapped one of the red ropes around his wrist, her fingertips deftly threading through the knot, gently tightening it to a tightness that fit him perfectly without constricting him.

That bright red stood out starkly against his tanned forearm, like a vibrant blessing.

Having completed this action, Li Zhicai seemed to have accomplished a major ritual, and let out a long sigh of relief.

She barely paused before quickly looping another red string around her slender wrist.

The moment the knot is tied, it's as if a tight connection has been formed between them.

"All right."

The sound wasn't loud, but Shen Yuan opened his eyes almost immediately.

His deep eyes instantly and precisely locked onto the bright red mark on his left wrist.

The red color danced in his eyes, more intense than the morning light.

His eyes immediately began to search eagerly.

When he saw that Li Zhi's equally fair wrist was also wrapped with a thin red string, the light in his eyes suddenly became incredibly bright, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in an incredibly radiant smile.

His smile was brimming with the most direct joy and satisfaction of a young person.

Shen Yuan didn't look at the banner or Li Zhi's face. His gaze was fixed on the two contrasting red ropes, as if drawn by a magnet.

“Li Bao…”

Shen Yuan's Adam's apple bobbed, and his fingertips tentatively tried to hook her wrist, which was also adorned with a red string.

Li Zhi abruptly withdrew her hand as if burned, hiding it behind her back. Her cheeks flushed red as she glared at him, trying to hide her racing heartbeat with a fierce tone.

"Idiot! Now! Record a video!!"

"Yes, sir! As you wish, Teacher Li!"

Shen Yuan grinned so wide his eyes disappeared. He quickly raised his phone, adjusting the camera settings while glancing down at his wrist.

Shen Yuan pointed the camera at the number "45" on the banner, cleared his throat as usual, and prepared to shout "Go for it!" as usual.

However, as soon as he opened his mouth, before he could even utter the first syllable, he saw a fair and slender hand reach out to the camera.

Li Zhi's fingers curled slightly as she quickly and precisely drew half a heart in front of the camera.

The gesture suddenly burst into the frame, like a nimble little fish leaping into a calm lake, disrupting all his preparations.

Shen Yuan's cheer, which was about to come out, was abruptly cut off.

Before he could even look at Li Zhi, the girl's voice reached his ears.

"Shen Yuan..."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it clearly pierced through the cool morning air.

"Happy birthday!"

(End of this chapter)