I’m small, I take up less space

“What kind of person is that…”

Watching Yuan Yuan leave the classroom, Liu Qianxia pursed her lips in clear dissatisfaction.

“Don’t.

That guy, Yuan Yuan, isn’t as simple as he looks.

Honestly, even if my dad stepped in, the only ones who’d suffer would be my family.”

Shaking her head, Li Mengying didn’t want to admit it, but she had no choice but to face the truth.

“Huh? That…”

In Liu Qianxia’s eyes, even though that guy Yuan Yuan was popular, he couldn’t possibly be that influential, right?

This was straight out of a drama.

“Anyway, I’ve never seen him actually do anything, so don’t worry about it.

Besides, he’s scared of Ye Hao, though I don’t know why.”

At first, Li Mengying didn’t know what kind of relationship existed between Yuan Yuan and Ye Hao.

But after today, her understanding had completely fallen apart.

Yuan Yuan was afraid of Ye Hao.

But how could someone from such a powerful, wealthy family be afraid of a guy like Ye Hao, who basically had nothing?

And they’d known each other since middle school…

Suspicious.

Very suspicious.

On top of that, Ye Hao seemed to agree with whatever Yuan Yuan said, and Yuan Yuan also listened to Ye Hao’s opinions.

Clearly, their relationship wasn’t just ordinary friendship.

Did they share food too?

Would Ye Hao actually go hungry and fight for a meal with him?

The more she thought about it, the more her head hurt.

What exactly did Ye Hao’s family do?

All she knew was that Ye Hao’s father had died in a car accident when he just entered high school.

After that, it had only been him and his mother.

And then last year, his mother also passed away.

Aside from that, there was no information at all.

Not even about what his parents used to do.

Both his father and mother were government officials—that was public information.

But after Ye Hao’s father died, his mother left politics and took up an ordinary job at home.

Now, it was only Ye Hao left.

And now he said he had an older sister who came back from abroad…

Li Mengying suddenly felt like her brain wasn’t big enough to process all of this.

“By the way, Liu Qianxia, when did you first meet Ye Hao?”

“Me?”

Hearing that, Liu Qianxia pointed to herself.

How did she meet Ye Hao…

That… that wasn’t something easy to explain.

It just… happened.

She didn’t even know how or when she fell for him.

It was just that whenever Ye Hao got serious, he looked so handsome~ (heart emoji)

Seeing her all flustered and shy, Li Mengying sighed and shook her head.

Clearly, asking her was pointless.

“Never mind, I’ll change the question.

Before all this, did you know what Ye Hao’s family did?”

“No… no idea…”

It was embarrassing to admit.

When she truly started to know and like Ye Hao, his family had already dwindled down to just him.

She had no clue what his family’s background was.

“Ha.

I thought you knew him well.

Guess not.”

Li Mengying looked at her with faint contempt.

So this girl had never even been to Ye Hao’s house.

Well, Li Mengying hadn’t either—but at least she’d seen his house from the outside!

Even though she hadn’t gone in…

“Hey hey hey!

What’s that supposed to mean?!

Don’t think you can intimidate me that easily, you jerk!”

“Heh…”

With a cold smirk, Li Mengying looked at Liu Qianxia like she wasn’t even worth acknowledging.

Liu Qianxia was furious, but…

She couldn’t deny it.

Just like Yuan Yuan said—she really wasn’t worthy.

Aside from tutoring sessions, Ye Hao had only ever come to her house once.

Other than that, they only ever met in class.

She hadn’t even taken one step inside Ye Hao’s home.

“Then… then have you ever been to his house?”

Liu Qianxia’s voice faltered, tinged with insecurity.

“No.”

“Tch, I thought you had.”

Since neither of them had an advantage, then neither had the right to mock the other!

That afternoon, Ye Hao walked home from school, backpack slung over one shoulder.

From left to right, Yuan Yuan darted around him, circling behind and then to the other side again.

Ye Hao could feel the stares from everyone on the street.

“Yuan Yuan, can you behave yourself for once?”

Seriously, could this guy ever stop causing trouble?

“Oh…”

Seeing Ye Hao’s impatient face, Yuan Yuan had no choice but to behave, following behind with a pitiful expression.

“Yo! Isn’t that little Hao?

And who’s that cute girl behind you?”

As they passed a dessert shop, an uncle inside spotted them, wiped his hands, and hurried over holding a cake.

“Hey hey hey, Uncle, when did you get so nosy?

That’s Yuan Yuan—you don’t recognize him?

The one who always eats for free and makes me pay for it?”

Grabbing Yuan Yuan by the shoulders, Ye Hao yanked the startled boy forward.

“Eh… it’s Yuan, the little brat!

Still looks the same as ever…

Tsk, I thought you’d finally matured by now.

Forget it.

Here, take this cake.

When you finally get yourself a girlfriend, bring her to my shop for desserts—I’ll give you a discount, maybe even free!”

Listening to the cheerful uncle in his white pastry chef’s uniform, Ye Hao awkwardly wiped his sweat.

“Yes yes, sure thing…”

“Alright, I’ll head back to the shop.

Good luck, kid.”

After patting Ye Hao on the shoulder, the uncle turned and left.

“Hmph!

That uncle actually thought I was a girl, unbelievable…”

“Then cut your hair already, idiot!”

Holding the cake in one hand, Ye Hao used the other to smack Yuan Yuan on the head.

“Ow!

Haotzu, you’re bullying me again!”

“What?

Haven’t I bullied you enough already?

Quit whining and move.”

“Oh…”

Outwardly, Yuan Yuan didn’t show much reaction.

But inside, his emotions were in chaos.

That uncle actually said he looked like Ye Hao’s girlfriend…

No way.

No way, absolutely not!

Haotzu could never like someone like him!

Impossible!

The whole way home, Ye Hao finally enjoyed some rare peace and quiet.

When they reached his house, Ye Hao handed Yuan Yuan the cake.

“Here.

Hold onto this.

We’ll go in together in a minute, got it?”

“Huh?

Oh! Got it!”

Catching Ye Hao’s subtle glance, Yuan Yuan instantly understood.

So they were going to pretend the free cake was a gift—got it.

Seeing that Yuan Yuan caught on, Ye Hao slid the key (censored) into the lock.

“Yaoyao-jie, I’m home~”

The moment he opened the door, Ye Hao froze.

What… what the hell was this again?!

Just like yesterday, Luo Yao was kneeling formally in the entryway.

Ye Hao nearly lost his mind.

Sis!

Stop messing with me!

Someone’s here this time!

What are people going to think of me?!

That I’m some perverted guy with a sister complex?!

If Yuan Yuan saw this, he’d definitely lose it—and who could guarantee that loudmouth wouldn’t spread it around?!

“Yuan Yuan!

Wait outside for a second!”

Ye Hao quickly shut the door behind him, glanced back at Yuan Yuan’s confused face, and stepped inside.

Click! (Door closes.)

Yuan Yuan: ???

On the other side of the door—

“Wow! Sis, you nearly killed me just now!”

Luo Yao: ?

“What’s wrong, Haohao?

Don’t you like it?

I thought boys liked this kind of thing…”

Finally, Luo Yao said what she’d been meaning to say.

“It’s not that I don’t like it—it’s just, there’s someone outside, Sis!”

His face flushed bright red.

So embarrassing!

Sure, as a guy, he liked it, of course he did—but still, this wasn’t okay!

“Someone outside?

Who?

A boy or a girl?”

At the word “someone,” Luo Yao suddenly stood up, her face dark and threatening.

“A… a boy…”

Seeing her sudden shift in aura, Ye Hao swallowed hard.

No way… no way…

Was Yaoyao-jie really going to throw Yuan Yuan out the door?!

“Phew… I thought you brought a girl home.

Go on then, invite your classmate in.

It’s rude to make him wait outside.

I’ll go prepare some fruit and water.”

As Luo Yao turned to leave, Ye Hao clutched his chest.

Holy crap… that aura just now—terrifying!

“Yuan Yuan?”

“What’s wrong, Haotzu?

Something happen?”

Seeing Ye Hao peek his head out, Yuan Yuan hurried up to him.

“Nothing.

Come in.”

“Hehe~”

And just like that, Ye Hao brought Yuan Yuan into the living room.

At that moment, Luo Yao came out of the kitchen carrying a tray of fruit and water—

Only to see Ye Hao walk in with a small, delicate-looking girl.

She froze on the spot, thunderstruck.

“Sis, this is Yuan Yuan.

Don’t let his appearance fool you—he’s actually a guy.”

“A… guy?”

Looking at the petite, cute “girl,” Luo Yao felt like her eyes were deceiving her.

This was a boy?

No way.

“Hello, Sister.

My name’s Yuan Yuan.

I’m Ye Hao’s good friend.

I came over to hang out today.”

Smiling brightly, Yuan Yuan flashed his little tiger teeth proudly.

“Wel… welcome…”

Looking at this strangely adorable “boy,” Luo Yao finally understood—

So this was why Ye Hao had zero interest in girls!

Everything was this guy’s fault!

A boy with hair that long—what’s wrong with you?!

She used to believe Ye Hao wasn’t gay (meow~), but now…

No way!

Had her dear Haohao actually gone astray?!

Boys shouldn’t like boys!

This wasn’t okay!

Uncle and Aunt Ye trusted her with their son—how was she supposed to face them now?!

Because she wasn’t around, their precious son had fallen for a trap!

How could she ever explain that?!

Ye Hao: ???

Why did his sister seem so weird today…

He didn’t get it.

He really didn’t.

“So… Yuan Yuan’s staying over tonight?

Do your parents know?”

After talking for a while, Luo Yao felt like her entire worldview was collapsing.

“They know.

I’ve been sleeping over with Haotzu since middle school.

It’s fine.”

After dinner, Yuan Yuan sat down beside Ye Hao, leaning against him.

He was so nervous.

Uncle and Aunt Ye wouldn’t blame him for this, right?

I’m sorry, Uncle Ye, Aunt Ye!

I turned your son gay—this is all my fault!

“Alright, Yuan Yuan.

There’s still an empty room on the second floor.

You can sleep there tonight.”

Seeing Yuan Yuan glued to his side, Ye Hao pressed a hand on his head.

“No.

I can’t sleep alone.”

“Hey, don’t go too far.

It used to be fine, but now my bed’s too small.

Go sleep by yourself.”

“Nooo~ I’m small, I don’t take up much space.

I’ll curl up in the blanket, it’s fine.”

Tsk…

Looking at Yuan Yuan’s shameless persistence, Ye Hao had the sudden urge to pin him to the floor and beat him up.

“Whatever.

You sleep inside—I don’t want you falling off.”

Helpless, Ye Hao could only give in.

Meanwhile, Luo Yao, who had been listening nearby, was completely shattered inside.

It was as if… her entire world had turned gray.