Who Is That Kid?!

With a strange mix of emotions, Cao Qingyi hurried downstairs.

When she saw—under the fading glow of the sunset and the dim yellow of the streetlights—Xia Chen standing there… slightly thin, a bit hunched, squatting by the roadside, smoking a cigarette, holding in his hands… well, not flowers, but a bunch of skewers—

She felt something indescribable stir in her heart.

Cao Qingyi had been beautiful since she was young.

In this society filled with early maturity, she had lost count of how many times she had been pursued—by all kinds of people, using all kinds of methods, some mature, some childish.

But she had never fallen for any of them.

Because she clearly remembered what her mother told her—love in youth always leads to getting hurt, and no man can be trusted to stay the same forever.

So she avoided getting too close to boys, avoiding ambiguous interactions.

Partly because she didn’t want to get involved too early.

Partly because she simply hadn’t met anyone who truly moved her.

Many who thought themselves handsome were nothing more than empty shells.

And someone like Xia Chen—this kind of “outlier”—was something she had never even imagined.

She never expected him to always do such outrageous things to her.

Never expected him to make her cry so often.

And even less did she expect—

That today, he would be squatting there, smoking, holding the skewers he said he’d return to her.

It wasn’t a cool scene.

If anything, it looked a bit ridiculous… even a little pitiful.

And yet, for some reason—her heart felt warm.

“Why are you smoking…”

Dragging her steps slightly, Cao Qingyi carefully walked up to him.

Xia Chen crushed the cigarette under his foot and handed her the skewers.

“Here, take it. Why do you care so much?”

“You…!”

Cao Qingyi was about to get angry again—but the moment she saw the still-warm skewers he handed her, she softened instantly.

“There’s so much… I can’t finish it…” she said softly, a bit pitifully.

Xia Chen glanced at her and frowned. Why was she so troublesome?

“Then eat it with your family.”

“My mom doesn’t eat this stuff—she cares about her skin.”

“Then why do you eat it?”

“Because my skin is better than hers~” Cao Qingyi said with a smile, a hint of playful charm in her voice.

Xia Chen gave her a sideways glance.

“Give it here. We’ll finish it together.”

“Okay~”

That was exactly what Cao Qingyi wanted.

There was no way she could eat all the skewers alone—it would feel embarrassing.

But eating together made it feel natural.

The two of them sat by a flower bed near the elderly fitness equipment in the residential area, eating skewers.

Xia Chen ate quickly, one after another.

Cao Qingyi, on the other hand, took small bites, maintaining the composure expected of a girl.

“Why do you always skip class?”

She asked softly, careful not to get any oil on her lips.

Xia Chen didn’t look at her. His calm eyes watched as the night gradually deepened.

“Because I have things to do.”

“What things?”

“Buying lottery tickets.”

“Huh?” Cao Qingyi blinked, taking a moment to process. “You mean skipping class to buy lottery tickets?! Isn’t studying good? Doesn’t going to class matter?”

Xia Chen glanced at her with a look of disdain.

“The weak study. The strong gamble with fate.”

“Gamble your head! Buying lottery tickets counts?!”

Cao Qingyi couldn’t understand his way of thinking at all.

Xia Chen finished the skewers and placed the sticks by the flower bed.

“Throw these away later. I’ve got something to do—I’m leaving.”

After saying that, he waved casually and started walking off.

Cao Qingyi froze for a moment, then quickly asked—

“Will you come to class tomorrow?”

“Maybe.”

Xia Chen needed to go home and take a shower.

As for this cute girl—she could just stay here and finish her skewers.

Watching him leave, Cao Qingyi suddenly felt that the skewers in her hand didn’t taste as good anymore.

Fortunately, there wasn’t much left. She quickly finished eating and threw the trash into a nearby bin.

For some reason, her mood felt light and cheerful.

She skipped up the stairs happily.

The moment she got home, she saw her mother sitting on the sofa—still wearing that thin, gauzy nightgown. The black lace underneath was faintly visible, her curves fuller and more mature than her own, making Cao Qingyi feel a twinge of envy.

But she comforted herself—

It’s fine. I’m her daughter. People say daughters grow up to be even prettier than their mothers!

Qi Sumei glanced at her.

“Trying to be prettier than your mom? Don’t even think about it. You won’t inherit all my genes.”

Cao Qingyi didn’t expect her thoughts to be seen through instantly. Her face flushed red.

“Mom, what are you talking about!”

“I can tell from your eyes what you’re looking at. With your development, your hips won’t be as nice as mine, and your chest won’t be as full either. There’s no rule saying daughters must be prettier than their mothers, hmph~”

“Ah!!”

Cao Qingyi protested angrily.

At that moment, Qi Sumei’s smile faded as she looked at her seriously.

“By the way—who was that boy downstairs? You were even sitting on the flower bed eating skewers together?”

Cao Qingyi froze, her face turning red.

“Mom, you were spying?!”

“I wasn’t spying,” Qi Sumei said seriously. “I asked Aunt Chen on the first floor to video call me and show me. Now tell me—who is that kid?!”