“What do you like about me?”
This was the first time Lin Ran had asked Sheng Qingxi so directly. The last time, at the bus stop, he had only asked if her transferring to No. 1 High School for him was true or not. He had instinctively avoided this question.
It was a sensitive and ambiguous question.
In the darkness, they couldn’t see each other’s expressions, only relying on their instincts to feel the other’s presence.
Sheng Qingxi didn’t know how to answer Lin Ran. She had never seriously considered this question. The emotions from her previous life had already faded. From a crush to an obsession, Lin Ran had occupied her life for ten years, until the moment she died.
So, Sheng Qingxi didn’t answer his question. She just cautiously tugged at the hem of Lin Ran’s shirt.
Just like she always did when they went downstairs together.
Sheng Qingxi was different from others in Lin Ran’s eyes. Her affection was usually silent, like a vast ocean, with the depths of her love hidden beneath the surface.
Unlike everyone else who had liked him before, Lin Ran wasn’t oblivious; he could sense it.
But he still couldn’t understand where this kind of affection had come from. He had, however, grown accustomed to her fondness and indulgence, acting with impunity in front of her.
Lin Ran sighed softly. If this continued, she would really spoil him.
Today, Lin Ran didn’t take Sheng Qingxi straight home. After entering the west side of the city, he made a detour to the food street. She had gone to find Song Shiman right after class in the afternoon, and she had hardly eaten anything.
When he and He Mo passed by their table in the cafeteria, he had glanced over. Her plate had only a few lettuce leaves, some slices of radish, and a bowl of clear soup.
Even Lin Yanyan ate more than that.
The food street in the west of the city was considered the liveliest spot in the area, hidden amidst old residential buildings, filled with the city’s best flavors. Most of the shops had been open for over ten years. The people who lived in this area had developed a bond with the place, and few ever left.
At this time of day, the street was slightly less crowded, mostly occupied by people in their pajamas coming out for a late-night snack. There were couples, friends, and small groups chatting together.
Lin Ran parked the motorcycle domineeringly at the entrance, almost blocking the path.
The sound of the heavy motorcycle didn’t disturb the people on the street. They continued laughing and talking, fully immersed in their own world.
Lin Ran hung his helmet on the handlebars, reached out to help Sheng Qingxi off the bike, and then leaned down to undo her helmet before casually smoothing her black hair. He asked, “What do you feel like eating?”
Back when Sheng Qingxi was still in school, she hardly ever came here, but in her previous life, after she started working, she often did. She liked coming here after work for a warm, hearty meal and a drink. It was one of the few times she felt truly free.
Sheng Qingxi glanced at the bright street and then tilted her face up to look at Lin Ran. “I want to eat barbecue.”
The dazzling streetlights reflected in her beautiful eyes, and for once, Lin Ran caught a rare glimpse of excitement in them. She was rarely this happy. He took her hand and led her inside.
“Alright, let’s have some barbecue.”
Lin Ran found a barbecue stand he had visited before with He Mo and the others. Sheng Qingxi sat at the table while he went to the front to order a variety of skewers, drawing a curious glance from the vendor.
The vendor glanced at the young girl standing behind him. Her gaze was glued to the young man, and anyone could tell they were together.
The vendor, a chubby middle-aged man, suggested with a smile, “Young man, you and the young lady can’t possibly eat that much. Our portions are quite generous.”
Lin Ran smiled helplessly. “She’s picky with food. I never asked before, but today I want to see what she really doesn’t like.”
The vendor chuckled and nodded. “Attentive young man.”
After placing the order, Lin Ran returned to sit beside Sheng Qingxi. She was resting her chin in her hand, her gaze taking in the street, with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. This street, like her, was still young and full of life.
Lin Ran didn’t interrupt her thoughts.
He pulled out his phone and opened the group chat.
Share the Joy, Drop the Pain
[Firegun: Why do you think someone wouldn’t eat meat? They rarely eat fish either, though eggs and milk seem fine.]
[Sea of No One: Well, first we can rule out vegetarianism.]
[Pandadada: That means they’re missing out on most of life’s joys.]
[Sea of No One: No meat at all?]
[Firegun: Seems like it.]
[Sea of No One: Then it’s probably not due to any belief. It could be trauma or just personal taste, hard to say.]
[Sea of No One: Maybe allergies. Other than that, I can’t think of anything.]
[Firegun: Got it.]
After typing his last message, Lin Ran put his phone down and said in a deep voice, “Sheng Qingxi.”
Sheng Qingxi looked at him, “Hmm?”
Lin Ran didn’t want to keep guessing, so he asked directly, “Why don’t you eat meat? Do you not like it?”
Sheng Qingxi froze, not expecting Lin Ran to ask her this question. She hesitated for a moment before responding, “I just got used to not eating it, so now I rarely do. When I eat, I instinctively avoid it.”
Lin Ran frowned. “What do you mean, ‘got used to not eating it’? Was there no meat at home before?”
Sheng Qingxi shook her head. “No, it’s just my own habit.”
As they were speaking, the vendor brought over their barbecue. A large platter was placed in the middle of the table, full of vegetables, meat, seafood—everything you’d expect. The lively atmosphere of the night instantly became more palpable.
For many in this city, the night had only just begun.
Sheng Qingxi instinctively reached out to grab a skewer of corn, but midway through the motion, she paused. She set down the corn and picked up a piece of grilled meat instead.
Lin Ran’s gaze froze.
“Sheng Qingxi, put it down.”
Lin Ran’s tone grew unintentionally stern.
But Sheng Qingxi didn’t listen to him.
She took a small bite of the grilled meat, and before she could take another, Lin Ran snatched the skewer from her hand.
He frowned as he stared at her, a hint of barely noticeable anxiety flickering in his dark eyes, worried she might feel unwell.
The meat melted in her mouth, the cumin and chili powder perfectly balanced, and the rich flavors filled her entire mouth.
It had been so long since Sheng Qingxi had tasted something like this. The nausea she used to feel when eating meat didn’t come this time, as if she had returned to her original self.
She smiled at the slightly sullen-faced Lin Ran across from her. “Lin Ran, it’s delicious.”
Despite Sheng Qingxi saying this, Lin Ran wouldn’t let her eat any more. He carefully picked out all the meat and seafood and set them aside.
For the next half an hour, Lin Ran remained silent, his expression clouded.
Never before had he been so acutely aware that the meaning Sheng Qingxi gave him far exceeded his own self-worth. This was no longer just about affection, and Lin Ran couldn’t bring himself to think any further.
The motorcycle stopped at the entrance of the welfare home, and as usual, Lin Ran carried Sheng Qingxi off the bike.
Normally, what would follow was Lin Ran watching Sheng Qingxi enter the building before driving away.
But today was different. Lin Ran called out to her, his voice low and subdued—
“Sheng Qingxi, you don’t need to come watch me play basketball during gym class tomorrow. Go do something you enjoy instead. Also, in the days ahead, I might not have time. I’ll ask someone else to pick you up and drop you off. I won’t have time to go to the study room either.”
It took an immense amount of restraint for Lin Ran to say these words.
In the silence that followed, his throat felt dry. “Did you hear me?”
“Okay.”
Her voice was still soft and gentle, her tone just as tender as before.
Her hand, hanging at her side, clenched into a fist, and Lin Ran felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if it had been stabbed.
Lin Ran couldn’t stay any longer. He couldn’t even wait to watch her enter the building before getting back on his motorcycle and speeding away.
Sheng Qingxi quietly watched as the motorcycle roared into the distance. For her, these days of being able to spend so much time with Lin Ran were already a blessing. There was always a vast chasm between them, like the distance between heaven and earth.
But this—this was normal.
Sheng Qingxi turned and slowly walked inside. She let out a soft sigh. Perhaps it was for the best.
—
The bell marking the end of Wednesday’s lunch break rang, and the boys in Class 1 were buzzing with excitement. It was time for their much-anticipated gym class.
Xie Zhen stood up, holding a basketball, and spun it steadily on his fingertips for a few moments before urging He Mo, “Come on, Mozi, hurry up and change your shoes.”
He Mo was swapping his shoes while glancing over at Lin Ran, who had been slumped over his desk since the morning, unmoving, as if he had been asleep all day. The class had been unusually quiet today because of it.
No one wanted to wake up the boss.
He Mo lowered his voice and asked Xie Zhen, “Should we wake up Brother Ran?”
Xie Zhen scratched his head in frustration. “I’m not sure either.”
The two hesitated, pushing the responsibility back and forth between them, until they decided to settle the matter with rock-paper-scissors. The winner would be responsible for waking up Lin Ran, because the loser didn’t deserve the task.
Three seconds later.
Xie Zhen’s eyes widened as he stared at his chubby fist. Across from him, He Mo was gleefully flashing a pair of scissors, his smile radiant with triumph.
He Mo grinned, “Brother, you’ve won fair and square. Time to face the music.”
Reluctantly, Xie Zhen dragged his feet over to Lin Ran, his chubby figure moving cautiously. But before he could say anything, Lin Ran’s cold voice cut through the air: “You guys go.”
“Got it!”
Xie Zhen, feeling relieved, quickly turned and bolted.
On the field.
Perhaps due to the overcast weather, most of the students seemed sluggish, their spirits low, except for the basketball court, which remained lively.
Sheng Qingxi glanced at the basketball court from afar—Lin Ran wasn’t there.
She withdrew her gaze, blending into the crowd, and began her long-distance run for the day.
That morning, a driver had come to pick her up in a brand-new Audi. Sheng Qingxi refused to get into the car and asked him to relay a message to Lin Ran, telling him that there was no need to pick her up anymore. The driver, though hesitant, couldn’t force her to get in.
Sheng Qingxi knew the driver wouldn’t come again.
Lin Ran didn’t show up for gym class on Wednesday, nor did he come for evening self-study.
Gu Mingji, sitting at their desk with only Sheng Qingxi beside him, couldn’t quite get used to it. Both Lin Ran and Song Shiman were usually very present, and their simultaneous absence felt strange.