Don't underestimate the poor and elderly; I was thrilled to refuse the class beauty's adva

In the upscale Western restaurants near Qingdao University.

Shen Zhiyi and Tang Xiaonuan sat facing each other at the dining table by the window.

The Western food on the table had just been served.

Exquisite plates, neatly arranged food, and a quiet and elegant environment.

But this refined tranquility was completely out of sync with Tang Xiaonuan's mood at the moment.

She gripped the knife and fork with unusual force.

Slicing the steak on the plate again and again, mechanically and irritably.

Each cut was delivered with extreme force, imbued with intense resentment.

It was less about cutting a steak and more about venting anger from afar.

In her eyes, this steak was Zongwen himself at that moment.

Shen Zhiyi sat opposite her, quietly watching her childish yet adorable actions.

I didn't interrupt her, and just waited silently for her to calm down.

The stalemate didn't last long before Tang Xiaonuan couldn't hold back any longer and started a crazy rant.

"Yiyi, do you know what! Zongwen is really outrageously unreasonable!"

A few days ago, the two of us went out to eat alone.

He was distracted the whole time, his eyes were wandering, and he seemed very out of sorts.

I sensed something was wrong with him, so I kindly asked him if he was in trouble.

Guess what he did next?

Tang Xiaonuan stopped eating, her tone full of frustration and speechlessness.

He told me directly that he wanted to break off all ties with me!

He even said in a serious tone that being friends with me put a lot of pressure on him.

I was completely dumbfounded; it was totally inexplicable!

"We were good friends, getting along normally just a few days ago, and suddenly they turned on each other and broke off all ties."

This matter had been weighing on Tang Xiaonuan's mind for several days.

From the time the incident occurred until now, she has been completely confused.

I was filled with frustration and couldn't figure out where the problem lay.

After listening, Shen Zhiyi remained calm and did not immediately agree with or criticize.

She knew Zongwen's character and personality all too well.

This kid can be a bit simple-minded and single-minded at times.

But he is definitely not the kind of person who turns on or betrays his friends without reason.

Breaking off relations without any reason doesn't fit his logic.

"Logically speaking, Zongwen isn't that kind of person. There's probably some kind of misunderstanding here."

Shen Zhiyi spoke softly, rationally predicting the course of the whole matter.

But this remark, which leaned towards reconciliation, directly ignited Tang Xiaonuan's anger.

She was already feeling wronged, and now she was even more furious.

"Misunderstanding? I thought it was a misunderstanding at first too!"

I even took the initiative to go see him, thinking that if there was a misunderstanding, we could clear it up face to face.

We've known each other for so long, there's no need to fall out for no reason.

"And the result?"

Tang Xiaonuan's chest heaved, her eyes filled with disappointment.

"He stammered for ages, then came up with a ridiculously absurd excuse!"

Shen Zhiyi immediately became interested and pressed for more information.

"What did he say?"

Tang Xiaonuan took a deep breath.

"He said that Li Xuyang was pursuing me, and it wasn't appropriate for him to get too close to me."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhiyi was stunned.

My mind was instantly filled with question marks; I couldn't match the information about the person at all.

"Wait a minute, who is Li Xuyang?"

Tang Xiaonuan patiently explained.

Do you remember the driving school we used to attend, Quantong Driving School?

Shen Zhiyi nodded.

"I remember, what's wrong?"

"Li Xuyang is the son of Li Mingyuan, the owner of the driving school."

He is currently a sophomore at Qinglan University, making him a senior in his department.

I saw him once at my college entrance celebration banquet; it was just a brief encounter.

My dad and his dad were acquaintances at the time, and they exchanged a few polite words.

Asking him to look after me at school is just polite adult talk.

At this point, Tang Xiaonuan's temper flared up again.

"Who knew that after school started, he would be so attentive to me."

He frequently chatted with me and even confessed his feelings to me in public once.

I clearly refused throughout, without the slightest hint of ambiguity.

Zongwen knew about this; I had complained to him about it before!

It turns out he knew perfectly well that I didn't like that person.

Using this ridiculous reason, they broke off our friendship and deliberately distanced themselves from me!

Isn't that outrageous? Is this something a human being would do?

Tang Xiaonuan became more and more aggrieved as she spoke, her tone filled with heartbreak.

Friends who were once good friends were suddenly pushed away without warning.

The reason given was so absurd that it was unacceptable.

Shen Zhiyi listened quietly to the whole story.

My brain quickly processed all the clues and instantly saw through the essence of the matter.

Even ordinary friends might have some minor disagreements.

It's not enough to get this angry, let alone hold a grudge for days.

Tang Xiaonuan felt angry, aggrieved, and unwilling at this moment.

They had long since crossed the line of ordinary friends.

The only answer is obvious.

A faint, ambiguous smile appeared on Shen Zhiyi's lips.

His gaze was direct, and he asked the question bluntly.

"Xiaonuan, do you like Zongwen?"

The sudden, direct question caught Tang Xiaonuan off guard.

She froze instantly, her cheeks turning bright red at a visible speed.

My ears burned instantly, and my heartbeat went completely off track.

"???"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Tang Xiaonuan immediately raised her voice and stubbornly retorted.

How could I possibly like that idiot!

A simple-minded, inexplicable, and temperamental idiot!

I have absolutely no liking for him! Don't make wild guesses!

This rebuttal was rushed and contrived, and completely unconvincing.

Her flushed, haughty expression completely betrayed her true feelings.

Shen Zhiyi saw through it all, but didn't expose her.

She went along with Tang Xiaonuan's words.

"Okay, okay, I understand. I was wrong to think you didn't like Zongwen."

This gave Tang Xiaonuan a way out.

But the next second, she steered the conversation back on track.

"But to be honest, there's definitely more to this story than meets the eye. Zongwen isn't the kind of person who would hurt someone for no reason."

Tang Xiaonuan remained stubborn, pouting and making muffled noises.

"What misunderstanding could there be? He's a complete jerk."

Seeing her insincere expression, Shen Zhiyi smiled helplessly.

He then dropped a bombshell, breaking the deadlock.

"Don't rush to conclusions."

Did you know? Zongwen specifically asked Yifan to borrow money today.

Tang Xiaonuan casually raised her eyes and asked a question offhand.

"Borrow money? How much?"

"One hundred thousand."

Two simple words caused Tang Xiaonuan's pupils to dilate in shock.

"One hundred thousand???"

"Why would a freshman like him need so much money?"

This number is astronomical for the average college student.

Daily expenses and social entertainment don't require that much money at all.

Shen Zhiyi shrugged slightly and spoke truthfully.

"We don't know what Zongwen needs the money for, which is why Yifan and I came to Qinglan specifically."

This statement completely overturned Tang Xiaonuan's understanding.

The resentment that had filled him was instantly replaced by immense confusion.

She remained silent for several seconds, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She muttered softly, her head bowed, her voice filled with grievance and awkwardness.

"One hundred thousand yuan..."

Why didn't he borrow it from me?

It's not like I can't afford it; I don't care about this little bit of money at all.

Damn it, he doesn't treat me like one of his own at all.

Despite feeling so conflicted, she preferred to borrow money from Zhang Yifan to ease the pressure.

They wouldn't say a word to me, treating me like an outsider.

At this moment, Tang Xiaonuan's mindset completely changed.

My anger stemmed from feeling betrayed and let down for no reason.

The current feeling of grievance is that I feel sorry for him bearing it all alone, and I am also angry that he deliberately distances himself.

A complex mix of emotions overwhelmed his anger.

A brief silence fell over the dining table.

But this silence did not last long.

Tang Xiaonuan's concern ultimately outweighed her pride and sense of face.

She suddenly stood up.

"No, I can't just let this go!"

"I must go find Zongwen and get to the bottom of this!"

Shen Zhiyi looked up at her, a knowing, ambiguous smile in her eyes.

His eyes were exceptionally clear, as if he could see through all her hypocritical thoughts.

Tang Xiaonuan's cheeks instantly flushed when Shen Zhiyi stared at her like that.

I felt extremely embarrassed that my little secret had been seen through.

She immediately switched to stubborn mode, desperately trying to find excuses and justifications.

"I...I don't care about him!"

"It really isn't!"

"I just can't stand it!"

"In all my years, from childhood to adulthood, no one has ever broken off relations with me on my own initiative."

"I can't take the blame without knowing why; I have to find out the truth!"

"Why should I bear all the grievances without him saying a word!"