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

Chapter 291 I'm looking forward to being startled by you

As the bright red number on the banner jumped from "15" to "12", the evening breeze carried an even stronger summer atmosphere.

After dinner, a lingering trace of summer heat and the aroma of food from the cafeteria remained in the corridor of the teaching building.

There were more people than usual under the bright red banner with the college entrance examination oath printed on it.

Shen Yuan skillfully held up his phone, the camera precisely aimed at the banner, ensuring that only the red background with yellow lettering symbolizing their shared goal was framed.

Standing beside him was Li Zhi, the pink bottle of Vitamin C in her hand gleaming faintly in the twilight.

Next to her were He Zhiyu and Zhuo Peipei, each holding their own drink.

He Zhiyu is a bright orange Fanta, while Zhuo Peipei is holding a carton of milk with a straw.

Zhou Shaojie was still bursting with excitement, shaking a Coke bottle so the liquid inside was hissing. Standing next to him was the composed Yang Ze, who had a bottle of green tea in his hand.

No one needed to direct their positions; a silent understanding had already been formed.

The six people naturally staggered their positions and stood around the small camera space, their arms subtly raised, the beverage bottles in their hands reflecting blurry spots of light in the afterglow of the sunset.

"Begin." Shen Yuan's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly conveyed the instruction.

All the arms moved together toward the center of the camera, the movements fluid and powerful.

The edges of the beverage bottles gently brushed against each other in the twilight.

The containers of various materials collided, producing a sound that was not crisp but exceptionally solid.

It has a reverb with a youthful ease.

Immediately afterwards, voices of different timbres, but all filled with the same firm enthusiasm, burst forth one after another.

The sounds converged into a vibrant, upward force, shattering the tranquility of the night.

"come on--!"

His voice carried laughter, expectation, and the composure of twelve days before reaching the finish line.

As the last note faded, Shen Yuan reached out and pressed the stop button on his phone.

The six arms then withdrew, and the clinking of beverage cups became an echo of the evening.

That shared vow and energy were imprinted on the red banner against the backdrop of the number "12" in the camera lens.

Zhou Shaojie scratched his head, leaned closer to Shen Yuan to look at the footage that had just been shot, his face completely devoid of its usual carefree expression, instead filled with anticipation and excitement, his eyes shining as he stared at the screen.

"Tsk," he rubbed his hands together, as if he could already see the final cut, his tone filled with barely suppressed anticipation.

"Just looking at us standing together now is awesome! Just imagining wearing my suit and doing a costume change for my coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow... it's definitely going to be the coolest part of our graduation yearbook!"

"So handsome it's breathtaking, so beautiful it's stunning! I can't wait to see that 'whoosh' effect that dazzles everyone!"

Shen Yuan put his phone away and looked at A-Jie's impatient expression, as if he wished time could fast forward to tomorrow. He couldn't help but smile.

The boy's chest also throbbed with anticipation for that symbolic promise of adulthood.

The anticipation, honed together by the team, grew silently amidst the anxiety of the countdown.

"Alright." Shen Yuan smiled and patted his back.

"The effect will be absolutely amazing. Don't get too excited now. Quickly take the time to memorize those English model essays again. If you want to look even more confident and righteous tomorrow, you need to secure the points on the test first."

As soon as the words fell——

"Awooo—!" A mournful howl instantly pierced the slightly hazy evening air of the corridor.

Zhou Shaojie suddenly collapsed from his previous high spirits, as if all his bones had been removed.

The look of "handsome to the heavens" on his face was replaced by a mask of pain; his shoulders slumped dramatically, and one hand was clutching his chest.

"Damn it! Yuan—!" He dragged out the words, his voice filled with the bitter indignation of being "beaten by reality," as if he had been doused with a bucket of ice water.

"You! You...you deliberately bring up studying at times like this, don't you?! The atmosphere! My perfect atmosphere is completely ruined!"

He swayed, staring intently at Shen Yuan with accusatory eyes, as if the other party were some kind of heartless, unfeeling scoring machine.

"I, Zhou Shaojie, am handsome, dashing, and debonair... do I really have to get entangled with those damned ABCDs?! It's the eve of my coming-of-age ceremony, brother! Can't you let me keep this heart that's about to shine throughout the city?! You have to bring up Fan Wen... you're trying to kill me!! Ouch..."

He wailed and beat his chest, almost pretending to faint on the spot, which made He Zhiyu and Zhuo Peipei burst out laughing.

Shen Yuan looked at his exaggerated, hysterical expression and his lips twitched: "Shut up! If you keep howling, I'll make you go to the office for a dictation test!"

As the "teaching assistant" of the older cousin and a part-time English teacher in Class 15, Shen Yuan's words really had some effect.

The threat was highly effective; A-Jie's voice instantly weakened, turning into a low, mournful murmur.

Evening self-study time passed quickly, and Li Zhi and Shen Yuan walked home as usual.

The dim light from the streetlights pierced through the early summer leaves, casting dappled shadows on the asphalt road.

The two walked side by side, their footsteps treading in perfect unison on the fragments of light and shadow, the evening breeze carrying a warm breath as it brushed against their cheeks.

The bustling campus was left behind, and the background noise of the city seemed to be filtered through the night, becoming low and indistinct.

This peaceful journey home made the anticipation for tomorrow's coming-of-age ceremony in my heart become clearer and more tangible, like bubbles slowly rising in water.

Shen Yuan turned his head and looked down at the girl beside him, whose profile was softly outlined by the streetlight.

She was completely immersed in a subtle silence.

“Li Bao,” Shen Yuan’s deep voice blended into the night, carrying a gentle smile.

"Tomorrow... is your coming-of-age ceremony... are you looking forward to it?"

Li Zhi's steps seemed to pause slightly, as if her thoughts had been suddenly interrupted.

She subconsciously raised her eyelids to look at him. The beautiful girl's eyes, which always carried a hint of arrogance, surprisingly did not immediately look away from him in the dim light.

The girl's delicate nose looked exceptionally refined in the light, and her cheeks seemed to have a thin blush on them.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Meeting his warm gaze, Li Zhi felt her heart gently swelling as if it were soaking in soft honey.

The shyness born of formal dresses and high heels has long since faded, replaced by a purer and brighter anticipation, like a plump, ripe fruit on a branch.

The warm light from the streetlights rippled in her eyes, like shattered starlight.

"Of course."

The girl's voice was softer than usual, clearly reaching Shen Yuan's ears, carrying a light and genuine joy.

The girl's voice was softer than usual, yet it clearly reached Shen Yuan's ears, carrying a genuine joy that was different from her usual light and gentle tone.

Suddenly, a sly smile appeared on her lips. She tiptoed closer, took a half-step, and playfully poked his waist with her fingertip.

"but……"

Li Zhi's voice was very low, and her watery eyes were fixed on Shen Yuan's face, as if trying to capture every subtle change in him.

"...I'm not just looking forward to my coming-of-age ceremony."

The girl's cheeks were flushed, but the starlight in her eyes shone brightly, filled with unwavering anticipation.

"I'm even more looking forward to..."

Her gaze moved down from his handsome brows and eyes, as if piercing through his thin summer school uniform, sketching his dashing figure tomorrow in his new attire.

"—I'm looking forward to seeing how startled you are tomorrow." Shen Yuan felt as if he had been electrocuted where she had poked him with her fingertips, and his heart skipped a beat.

Looking at her face so close to his, in the dappled light and shadow, a clear look of surprise and excitement flashed across the boy's eyes, as if his secret thoughts had been exposed.

In that enchanting moment, Li Zhi's gaze swept across his face like a cunning little fox, then suddenly brightened.

"Shen Yuan."

She slightly raised her delicate chin, her tone carrying her usual pride, yet soft and gentle as if giving a command.

Shen Yuan was slightly taken aback by her sudden change of tone: "Hmm?"

"Tomorrow... remember to dress up nicely."

Her voice was carried somewhat erratically by the night wind, but every word landed clearly in Shen Yuan's heart.

"Don't let me down."

The beautiful girl seemed to have finally said the most important thing, and she released her grip on his clothes with satisfaction.

While Shen Yuan was still immersed in that series of domineering yet gentle commands, she had already nimbly turned around and taken light steps.

Their slender figures were elongated by the streetlights, blending into the gentle evening breeze of early summer. Without looking back, they jogged quickly toward the familiar entrance to their residential compound.

Only the lingering echo of his voice and the faint breeze he created while running remained, swirling and dissipating around Shen Yuan.

……

The gray-blue light of 6:30 a.m. peeked through the gap in the curtains, and the soft buzzing of the alarm clock sounded particularly clear in Li Zhi's quiet room.

The bathroom door slid open, and Li Zhi, enveloped in the morning mist, stepped out.

The girl was wearing pajamas, her long, damp hair cascading over her shoulders, a few drops of water sliding silently down her hair and spreading dark water stains on her neckline.

The cheeks, flushed naturally by the warm steam, resembled freshly peeled pink peach petals.

Li Zhigang was caught by his mother as soon as he stepped out of the bedroom.

"Come on, come on, oh my, you've been washing for so long."

Xu Chan's words were undisguisedly teasing, which made the beautiful girl blush even more.

Xu Chan led her daughter to her room, while Lao Li had already been sent out to make breakfast.

The light from the small mirror shone on the smooth tabletop, where various bottles and jars of skincare products and jewelry boxes were neatly arranged, as if preparations for an important ceremony were already complete.

Xu Chan pulled out the chair in front of the dressing table and gently pressed her daughter down to sit.

She picked up the hairdryer, and a warm, powerful breeze accompanied by a deep hum instantly enveloped the girl's slightly cool head and neck.

The mother's fingers ran through Li Zhi's thick, damp hair, her movements gentle and practiced.

The hot air brushed past her ears, causing a slight itch. Li Zhi couldn't help but squint, feeling the delicate touch of her mother's fingertips running through her hair.

It's not just simple drying; it's more like a carefully prepared beginning.

Guided by Xu Chan's skillful gestures, a gentle breeze of moderate temperature swept from the roots of her hair to the ends.

She would occasionally lift a strand of hair to let the wind dry the inner layers more thoroughly, while her other hand acted as a comb, carefully untangling and smoothing out the knots little by little.

The water droplets evaporated quickly, and the damp, heavy feeling gradually disappeared, replaced by a warm, fluffy sensation.

"Look how beautiful your hair is, so thick and smooth." Xu Chan's voice was filled with undisguised pride, and the sound of the hairdryer clearly reached Li Zhi's ears.

"As I see fit."

The hair is completely dry, revealing a smooth, shiny texture.

Xu Chan put down the hair dryer and picked up the exquisite makeup bag from the dressing table.

The lid is opened, revealing a neat array of brushes, sponges, and various makeup products inside.

The focused expression that belonged to Li Zhi's personal stylist was once again evident on her face.

"Close your eyes obediently."

As Xu Chan spoke, the soft sponge was gently applied to Li Zhi's cheeks and forehead, and the cool foundation was spread very evenly.

The movements were gentle and fluid, as if handling a precious work of art.

Next, a gentle eyebrow pencil is used to outline a natural and delicate eyebrow shape, and a brush is used to sweep over fine loose powder to set the makeup.

Li Zhi closed her eyes, her breath filled with the unique, light fragrance of skincare and cosmetic products.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere was completely different in the house just a wall away.

Shen Yuan was suddenly pressed down by Ms. Zhang Yuyan onto the slightly sturdy rattan chair in the living room.

"Sit still! Don't move!" Zhang Yuyan's loud voice broke the morning's tranquility.

She held a spray bottle in one hand and a comb in the other, running her hands over her son's thick, black hair.

Shen Yuan's tall and straight figure appeared somewhat stiff in the chair.

He was wearing a brand new pure white shirt, the neatly pressed fabric outlining his broad shoulders, the collar unbuttoned, revealing a small section of his neck.

A high-quality dark gray tie with subtle patterns was casually draped over the back of the chair.

"Mom, it'll be fine if you just do it simple."

"Just a quick fix?"

Ms. Zhang Yuyan's voice suddenly rose eight octaves as she poked at the stubborn tuft of hair sticking up on the back of her son's head.

"Look at your messy hair! Going to your coming-of-age ceremony looking like that, are you trying to make our Zhizhi's carefully made-up face look even more like a fairy descended from heaven?"

As she spoke, she sprayed the unruly tuft of hair with a spray bottle and roughly combed it, her movements not exactly gentle.

She sighed heavily, but her hands didn't stop moving as she continued to struggle with her son's thick but haphazard black hair, while she began to mutter about more distant problems.

"Shen Yuan, Shen Yuan, if you're going to be this pathetic, how will you ever be worthy of my daughter-in-law?"

"You... sigh, you're really driving me crazy! No way, you have to set a good example for me today! Otherwise, I don't even want to go to your coming-of-age ceremony, to avoid embarrassing me!"

Shen Yuan: "..."

The boy's hair was still damp, slightly messy from being rubbed by his mother, and his handsome brows showed a suppressed yet helpless expression of utter despair... a sense of hopelessness.

He silently swallowed back the retort he almost made, "It's not like we're getting married." Under Ms. Zhang Yuyan's "pressure," he resignedly straightened his back and let the comb, which carried the sense of "not being good enough for a daughter-in-law," continue to exert its authority on his head.

"Okay, okay, okay,"

The boy's voice carried a hint of resignation after being nagged at until he was helpless, but the corners of his mouth curled into an extremely irritating smile.

"Then you'd better show off your skills and make sure to make your son even more handsome, the kind that shines brightly."

He paused, lightly touched the roof of his mouth with the tip of his tongue, and spoke solemnly.

"He has to be so handsome that he can make your daughter-in-law lose her mind."

Zhang Yuyan paused, her hand holding the comb still: "You little rascal! All you do is talk nonsense, huh!"

Shen Yuan looked up at his mother's expression, a muffled laugh escaped his throat, and he obediently sat up straight, letting her do whatever she wanted.

(End of this chapter)