An Awkward Encounter

What’s going on?

Ling Yan’s gaze made me feel uneasy. Suddenly, a thought hit me: Ling Yan and Xiao Lu liked Xiao Xi so much that they probably wanted more time alone with her. If I sat next to Xiao Xi, I’d be stealing some of her attention. Ling Yan likely feared I’d get in their way.

“Mm.”

Thinking this, I obediently sat beside Ling Yan. She didn’t speak again, letting go of my hand and picking up a towel to dry her soaking hair.

But after sitting for a while, I noticed Ling Yan wasn’t talking to Xiao Xi, and Xiao Xi remained silent too, sitting upright with her head down, lost in thought.

(This is so awkward. Maybe Ling Yan doesn’t know how to chat with Xiao Xi. If only Xiao Lu were here.)

But why wasn’t Xiao Lu here yet? She should have arrived by now, since Ling Yan and Xiao Xi were both present.

I looked around the pool and spotted Xiao Lu sitting in a corner not far away, hugging her knees and sneaking peeks at us.

When our eyes met, before I could wave her over, she hurriedly turned her head away, pretending to talk to a nearby club member.

Xiao Lu’s reaction baffled me. What was up with her?

I hadn’t seen her on the item distribution route earlier, so she must have been on Xiao Xi’s route.

Was she still hung up about scaring Xiao Xi at noon? There was nothing to fear; she just needed to explain herself to Xiao Xi.

Just as I was about to get up and drag Xiao Lu over, a fair hand suddenly pressed down on mine, stopping me.

“Where are you going?”

Ling Yan’s cold voice sounded in my ear. I turned to see her staring at me intently.

“I, uh, I wanted to call Xiao Lu over.”

I stammered, feeling a chill run down my spine. Ling Yan’s gaze was terrifying.

“…Don’t go.”

Ling Yan was silent for a moment, her tone icy. Her hand pressed harder, as if afraid I’d escape.

“Huh? Why?”

The soft, cool touch on my hand was pleasant, but hearing such words from Ling Yan left me dumbfounded. I stared at her blankly.

(In my memory, Ling Yan had never treated Xiao Lu like this. I thought they just had a small disagreement, but judging by Ling Yan’s attitude, it seemed more serious.)

“I just don’t want Zhou Chen to go.”

Ling Yan shook her head, looking at me.

“Alright.”

Meeting her eyes, I agreed without thinking.

(Fine. Since Ling Yan said so, if I insisted on going, she’d probably hate me. Sorry, Xiao Lu.)

After that, I helped Ling Yan stretch as usual. Xiao Xi watched us with a strange expression.

I knew Ling Yan’s reaction might be misinterpreted, but it wasn’t something I could control.

“Senior, you’re so mean.”

After I finished stretching with Ling Yan and returned to my seat, Xiao Xi leaned in sneakily and whispered to me.

“How am I mean?”

I sighed, wanting to tap her head, but she had already retreated, checking to see if Ling Yan had noticed. She seemed relieved.

(Why does Xiao Xi seem so timid around Ling Yan? That shouldn’t be the case. Xiao Xi and Ling Yan have no conflict, and Ling Yan likes Xiao Xi so much.)

“Xiao Xi, what’s wrong?”

For some reason, I mimicked Xiao Xi’s secretive behavior, afraid of being caught by Ling Yan. It felt like I’d be in trouble if she noticed.

“Nothing. I just think Senior Ling Yan really likes you.”

Xiao Xi sneaked another glance at Ling Yan, leaned in, and whispered again.

Ling Yan liking me? Impossible. Xiao Xi must be mistaken.

“Why do you think that?”

“Of course… I can’t say.”

Xiao Xi stopped mid-sentence, glanced at Ling Yan again, and shook her head.

(This is giving me a headache. Why is everyone being so secretive today? Can’t say this, can’t say that.)

“What are you two doing?”

Just as Xiao Xi and I were whispering, Ling Yan’s voice suddenly rang out.

I turned to see her standing right in front of us, having finished her stretches, with a strange expression on her face.

Only then did I realize how intimate our posture looked. Though there was an empty seat between us, our heads were nearly touching because we were whispering.

I quickly straightened up, and so did Xiao Xi. Ling Yan looked at me, then at Xiao Xi, said nothing, and sat down between us, separating us.

The rest of the training wasn’t worth mentioning. Xiao Xi didn’t speak to me again until it was over.

After training, I checked the storage room, returned the key to the teacher, and rushed to the school gate. Only Xiao Lu, Ling Yan, and Xiao Xi were there.

“Where is everyone?”

I looked around. There were no other club members.

“I let them go home early. Xiao Lu and I have something to do, and Xiao Xi said she wanted to thank Zhou Chen, so I didn’t ask everyone to wait.”

Ling Yan explained.

“Oh, I see.”

(So this is what Ling Yan meant by being busy after training. But Xiao Lu looks really down. Is she okay? And when did Xiao Xi tell Ling Yan about her plan to thank me? That makes it seem like I’m holding a favor over her. Will Ling Yan think less of me?)

“Xiao Lu and I are leaving now. Zhou Chen, accept Xiao Xi’s thanks and head back soon.”

“Mm.”

I watched Ling Yan and Xiao Lu walk away and sighed.

“Senior, where are we going now?”

Xiao Xi, who had been silent, immediately started talking once Ling Yan and Xiao Lu left.

“Anywhere is fine.”

I waved my hand indifferently.

“How can that be? You’re being so perfunctory, Senior! I sincerely want to thank you.”

Xiao Xi puffed out her cheeks and lightly hit me with her schoolbag.

“Alright, you said it. So I can eat whatever I want, right?”

“Of—of course!”

Xiao Xi was clearly startled by my words, but she still puffed out her chest and pretended to be bold.

“Well then~”

I deliberately dragged out my tone to tease her. She swallowed nervously, staring at me adorably.

“How about fried chicken?”

“Huh? That’s it?”

Xiao Xi blinked.

“What else?”

Seeing her cute reaction, I laughed happily.

“You’re so annoying, Senior.”

Xiao Xi pouted, but eventually broke into a smile.

“But I like you best when you’re like this.”