Oh no! My yandere school beauty is so clingy!

Lin Anran knew very well what kind of person Shen Yu was.

Back then, she and Shen Yu were just ordinary classmates, not even close. Yet, he stood up for her in that situation, protected her, brought her home, and led her step by step to where she is today.

And when he was class monitor, he would help his classmates unconditionally, even if they didn't appreciate it.

Shen Yu's classmates and teachers all speak highly of her.

He didn't do those things to gain anything; he just...followed his heart.

Lin Anran's words were brief, without explanation, simply stating a fact that seemed to her to be the simplest of facts.

But those words silenced Zhang Shuyu.

She looked at Lin Anran's calm face, then at Shen Yu.

Shen Yu's expression didn't change much because of Lin Anran's words, but he secretly tightened his grip on Lin Anran's hand under the table.

The private room was completely silent, except for the soft breathing of a sleeping baby.

Shen Yu shifted her gaze from the silent Zhang Shuyu's face to the male waiter who had been sitting next to her, equally silent but with a tense expression on his face.

Shen Yu slightly raised his chin in his direction and asked:

"Your colleague seems to care about you quite a bit. Tell me, buddy, what's your motive for being nice to her?"

Startled by being called out, the male waiter froze, his face turning bright red. He waved his hands frantically, shaking his head like a rattle-drum.

"Huh? No, no! Absolutely not! I just... I just..."

He stammered as he explained, his voice rising slightly in his haste, sounding somewhat out of place in the quiet private room.

As he spoke, Zhang Shuyu, who had been keeping her head down, slowly raised her head and looked at him. There was no particular emotion in her eyes; she just looked at him quietly.

The male waiter met her gaze, becoming even more nervous. He scratched the back of his head, lowered his eyes somewhat embarrassed, and his voice softened, but his words remained clear:

"I just... I just can't stand seeing others have it so hard... My parents always told me to be kind... I heard a little about her situation and I felt that she... had it really tough, so I wanted to help her as much as I could."

He paused, his voice softening slightly, tinged with embarrassment.

"Actually... helping her with something makes me feel better. That's just the kind of person I am..."

As he spoke, he subconsciously touched the white plastic bag that had been sitting on the floor next to his chair.

The plastic bag was bulging, and the shapes of several lunch boxes could be vaguely seen inside.

Shen Yu and Lin Anran both noticed the bag.

Lin Anran recalled what she had seen at the entrance of the small restaurant and roughly understood what was inside.

The waiter noticed their gazes, his face turned even redder, and his voice became so low it was almost a mosquito's hum:

"These are... some leftover vegetables from preparing food in the kitchen... I didn't steal them, anyone in the restaurant can eat them... I... just wanted to pack her a little extra... so she'd have something to eat when she gets hungry tonight..."

His voice grew softer and softer as he spoke, and he lowered his head even further, as if he had been caught doing something wrong.

Zhang Shuyu's gaze fell on the bag, then shifted away. She pursed her lips, said nothing, and simply lowered her head again...

Shen Yu nodded and said:

"Well, then you should... be able to understand my thoughts to some extent, right?"

The male waiter paused for a moment, then nodded somewhat hesitantly, his voice low:

"Hmm...I can understand a little bit."

Shen Yu stopped looking at him and turned her gaze to Zhang Shuyu, who was still keeping her head down and remaining silent.

He paused, then lowered his voice further:

"The child... I've already explained to the orphanage that I want to adopt him..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shuyu abruptly raised her head, her eyes widening instantly as she looked at him. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

Shen Yu met her gaze and continued:

"So, no matter what you think, I now... have this obligation, or rather, this identity and position. Even if you don't need my help, or feel that accepting help would hurt your pride, or something else..."

He paused, his gaze falling on the sleeping baby on the chair beside him. His voice lowered, but carried a heavier weight:

"For the sake of the child, shouldn't we... give up a little of our insistence? I can endure hardship myself, but are we willing to let the child suffer along with me?"

Zhang Shuyu's lips were pressed tightly together, and her face paled even more.

Her hands, which were resting on her knees, clenched tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.

Shen Yu's words were like a precise hammer, striking her most vulnerable and painful nerve.

She can refuse anyone's kindness, she can grit her teeth and endure any suffering, but the child...

Shen Yu looked at her tightly clenched hands and knew that her words had hit the nail on the head.

He paused, then changed the subject, his tone softening somewhat, but still more direct:

"The child...are you planning to take care of him yourself, or...?"

"I'll bring it myself!"

Before Shen Yu could finish speaking, Zhang Shuyu suddenly raised her head and blurted out.

These days, she thinks about her child day and night, her heart aches, and she can't concentrate on her work. She's afraid that her child will be cold, hungry, or crying and no one will take care of her, and she's afraid that something bad will happen to her... Now, her child is right beside her, within her reach. How could she possibly let go again?

No matter how tough or difficult things get, she'll carry on on her own.

Even if... my current job and such are conflicting and inconvenient...

Shen Yu seemed to have expected her to say that, and there was no surprise on his face. He simply nodded calmly.

"Okay, sure," he said, his gaze returning to her face.

"Since you're going to raise the child yourself, then for the sake of the child, don't be so stubborn about some things... it's better for both you and the child..."

Zhang Shuyu's heart sank little by little, yet it felt as if something was desperately trying to surge upwards.

She knew she shouldn't, and couldn't, refuse anymore.

Dignity? Face? What do these things matter compared to a child? They're completely unimportant!

As long as it makes the child feel a little better, even if... even if it means letting her trample on her pitiful self-esteem, what does it matter?

She lowered her head, feeling her cheeks and ears begin to burn, her mind a jumble of thoughts.

What exactly does the other person mean by saying all this? Are they trying to make me...?

She bit her lower lip, as if using all her strength, and squeezed out a word so low it was almost inaudible:

"Okay...brother..."

"elder brother..."

The last two words were soft and gentle, carrying a hint of awkwardness...

As soon as he finished speaking, the private room fell into an eerie silence.

Lin Anran blinked and looked at Shen Yu.

The male waiter stared wide-eyed, completely dumbfounded.

Shen Yu froze, his eyes widening as he stared at Zhang Shuyu's face, which was almost buried in her chest, her expression one of utter astonishment and disbelief.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Shen Yu suddenly snapped out of his daze. He instinctively turned his head to look at Lin Anran, who was also looking at him.

Their eyes met, and they both saw a hint of surprise in each other's eyes, along with... an inexplicable urge to laugh.

Shen Yu couldn't help but chuckle softly, his shoulders even trembling slightly.

This smile made Zhang Shuyu, who was already so embarrassed she wanted to disappear on the spot.

She felt her face burning even more, and her head drooped even lower, almost as if she were hiding under the table.

Shen Yu quickly suppressed his smile, cleared his throat, waved his hand, and spoke somewhat urgently:

"No, no, that's not what I meant... Please don't call me that..."

"I can't accept the title of 'older brother'... Just... call me Shen Yu, by my name..."