Chapter 54: You’re Already Growing Tired of Me Before Anything Has Even Happened

Although she was giving a proper explanation, Tang Yu’s fingers had turned white from clutching so tightly, and she still felt a little unnatural. She exhaled softly, forcing herself to appear calm. “I didn’t—I didn’t overthink!” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

She was simply… frightened.

Bian Yang looked at her with lazy, gentle eyes. “You really didn’t overthink? If you didn’t, why are you hiding, drooping your head, tucking it all the way into your neck? Not overthinking… Are you a turtle? Stick your head out for me!”

The last words carried a hint of command.

Tang Yu stood up straight on reflex. Her back was as stiff as a drawn bow, almost like a soldier at attention, head held high and chest out as she looked at him. Yet the tips of her ears, hidden beneath her hair, were still pink.

Bian Yang suppressed the urge to smile, clearing his throat twice. “As long as you understand.”

She stole a glance at him, and the boy on the sofa immediately withdrew his gaze, moving slightly but showing no intention of getting up, lazily yawning.

His voice was loose and languid as he changed the subject, “Where did you fall just now? Does it hurt?”

His lowered gaze rested on her ankle.

Though it wasn’t serious, that spot was clearly more bruised than the surrounding pale skin.

It hadn’t fully healed yet, and now she’d fallen again—she really was something.

“It doesn’t hurt,” Tang Yu shook her head repeatedly. “Not at all.”

The floor was covered with a plush rug, and when she landed, she’d braced herself with her wrist; it hadn’t hurt at all.

“Do you think you’re Iron Man?” He propped his arm on the sofa, studying her. “So, you came to cover me with a blanket?”

Tang Yu nodded. “It’s cloudy today, and a bit chilly outside. I saw your blanket had slipped to the floor and didn’t want you to catch a cold.”

Bian Yang finally looked a bit satisfied. “At least you have a conscience.”

Tang Yu suddenly remembered something from the class group chat. “Oh, the homeroom teacher said in the group that there’s severe flooding outside and at the school, so we don’t have to go to class today. Students in the dorms should stay put, and those who commute should wait at home for further notice.”

So, she nervously pressed her fingers together and asked cautiously, “What I mean is… can I stay here one more day?”

Bian Yang lifted his lashes, and Tang Yu quickly promised, “Don’t worry, as soon as we’re allowed back to the dorms, I’ll go immediately!”

“Did I say you’re a bother?” Bian Yang pressed his tongue against his palate. “Stay as long as you want; it’s not like this place can’t accommodate you.”

Tang Yu’s eyes brightened, and she immediately said gratefully, “I promise I won’t cause you any trouble!”

She added, trying to be helpful, “You must be hungry, right? I remember there’s milk and bread in the fridge. I’ll make breakfast. How about you go wash up?”

Bian Yang lazily lifted his chin. “You think I don’t have hands?”

He pushed himself up with a cold, pale wrist, the bones slightly prominent, got off the sofa, and sauntered slowly toward the kitchen.

Tang Yu followed behind like a little tail, explaining as she went, afraid he’d misunderstand. “I mean, it’s just my job, not that I think you can’t cook.”

Bian Yang suddenly halted, and Tang Yu, caught off guard, bumped into his back. She stepped back and looked up at him.

His expression darkened noticeably, and even his voice carried a hint of displeasure. “Tang Xiaoyu, you’re saying you don’t think I can cook.”

“I’m not!” She protested.

Bian Yang looked at her. “You are. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have said it.”

Tang Yu, for the first time, thought boys could be even more unreasonable than girls.

“Fine, fine, we haven’t even started and you’re already saying I’m not good enough,” Bian Yang crossed his arms, his tone mocking.

Tang Yu shook her head like a rattle drum. How could she even think such a thing? “No, really, not at all!”

The boy glanced at her sideways. “Really?”

“Really!” Tang Yu was very earnest.

“I still don’t believe you, unless you praise me and list ten or twenty of my good qualities.”

Tang Yu stared at him, her eyes wide in confusion.

Seeing her hesitation, Bian Yang snorted, lowering his gaze, looking as if he’d seen right through her. “See? You’re just full of flattery. Tang Xiaoyu, you’ve learned to lie, you’ve even learned to coax boys. If you keep this up when you grow up, you’ll probably climb right onto your big brother’s shoulders!”

Tang Yu’s mind was a mess. What on earth gave him that impression?

Bian Yang’s expression was deadly calm—plainly sulking.

He gave her his cold, proud back, expecting her to reflect on her behavior.

Within seconds, she felt a gentle tug at his sleeve.

Bian Yang lazily lowered his gaze, staring at the hand clutching his sleeve.

Her fingers were slender and pale, the tips round and pink.

He raised his brows slightly, his gaze following the delicate hand to the girl holding his sleeve.

She was looking at him, cheeks slightly puffed and fair. “I’m telling the truth. I didn’t lie.”

She spoke clearly, “You have lots of good qualities. I was just organizing them in my head.”

Bian Yang glanced at her. “Oh? Done organizing now?”

Tang Yu nodded vigorously. “Yes!”

He curved his lips slightly, then turned his face, knuckles pressed against his lips, hiding the smile that tugged at his mouth.

She really was too easy to tease.

Utterly adorable.

Bian Yang cleared his throat. “Alright, let’s hear what you’ve come up with.”

Tang Yu waved her little pink fist, solemnly declaring, “You’re upright—you chased away those bad guys for me.”

Bian Yang agreed, laughing as he spoke, “Of course. As a good youth raised under the red flag, that’s just a routine act.”

Tang Yu continued, “You’re very kind, too. You gave me ointment, let me call you ‘boss,’ and took me in during the heavy rain. You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met.”

Bian Yang ran his long, well-proportioned fingers through his hair, seeing her admiring gaze, his smile deepening as he said, “Helping others is in my nature. You spotted that—good eye.”

Tang Yu added, “You’re also amazing—not just at fighting, but at English!”

She pointed at the row of fitness equipment by the window, her eyes dark and bright, full of admiration. “Those things are really heavy—the heaviest is a hundred pounds—and you can lift them easily, even swing them up and down. You’re even better than the PE teacher!”

The girl knew how to praise.

He had to admit, her compliments fit him perfectly.

Bian Yang raised the corners of his lips, correcting her calmly, “The PE teacher’s nothing compared to me. His figure—tsk, tsk—unbearable to look at. He doesn’t have muscle lines as good as mine.”

Hearing this, an image flashed through her mind—him stepping out of the bathroom after a shower last night.

Every inch of skin was slender and finely textured, his arms smoothly contoured, water droplets rolling from his hair down his cool white collarbone, tracing along the defined grooves of his abs, finally slipping into his narrow waist…

It was indeed, very good-looking.

Tang Yu’s cheeks grew warm, and she swallowed heavily.

What on earth was she imagining…

“Is that all?”

She didn’t reply for a while, and Bian Yang glanced at her lazily. “That’s only three traits.”

She fluttered her lashes, adjusting her breath, voice soft and timid. “You also…”

Oh no, her train of thought had been derailed by her daydream—it wouldn’t reconnect.

“What else?”

He prompted quietly.

“You also…”

She stuttered, unable to finish.

What else? She’d rehearsed this in her head!

Bian Yang smirked coolly. “Just three and you’re already stumbling. Clearly, you’re still lying…”

“Very handsome!” The words burst out.

Tang Yu blurted, “You’re very handsome—first place on the school’s ‘most attractive’ list!”

Bian Yang’s refined brows and eyes fixed on her for a moment, then he suddenly lowered his head and laughed, the amusement in his eyes obvious.

“Oh,” he deliberately drew out the word.

The more he saw her blushing cheeks, the more he wanted to laugh—there was a mischievous edge to his smile. “So, how handsome?”

Tang Yu uttered an “ah,” her almond eyes gazing at him in confusion.

She recalled Wang Qing’s description: handsome enough to make people think he’s got a foot in a dozen boats at once.

But that hardly sounded like a compliment—she shouldn’t say that…

So Tang Yu said, “Just the most handsome—the whole school’s best. Anyone who sees you would like you!”

Bian Yang’s smile hadn’t faded. “Oh, and what about you?”

Tang Yu was stunned.

The boy leaned in, hands on his knees, his gaze level with hers, those beautiful, liquid eyes staring straight at her.

“Anyone who sees me would like me—do you?”