Secretly Liking Him - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

As soon as the words “High School Number One Male God” were uttered, the boys all started laughing and joking, exchanging looks of shared, silent understanding.

Even though school had just started, Shen Yanzhi already had love letters to his account.

It happened just this morning.

The two of them had been racing to school and hadn’t noticed anything. It wasn’t until the morning classes were halfway through that Shen Yanzhi pulled a pink envelope out of his desk drawer.

With that kind of thing, no one needed to be told to know what it was.

When Gu Xun saw it, he immediately let out a strange cry, causing the crowd to cluster around to get a look.

In the end, Shen Yanzhi just stuffed the pink envelope back into the desk, ignoring the rowdy calls—led by Gu Xun—to open it and have a look.

So, to this day, Gu Xun didn’t know what was written in that love letter, nor did he know who sent it.

Originally, he thought it was quite interesting, feeling that his buddy was indeed popular—getting a love letter on the second day of school—and felt that he shared some of the glory.

But for some reason, this time, when he heard others say Shen Yanzhi “understood a lot,” Gu Xun felt a bit…

A bit sour…

Gu Xun scratched his head. Was he envious, jealous, or hateful that Ah Yan got a love letter before him?

That shouldn’t be it…

Speaking of which, Gu Xun himself had received a few love letters. After all, he was quite good-looking; if it weren’t for his mouth never staying still, his popularity might have been even higher.

Gu Xun pondered to himself: when he received love letters, he didn’t seem to feel particularly happy or proud…

The group continued toward the basketball court. Shen Yanzhi turned to look at Gu Xun and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Gu Xun looked at him too: “Uh…”

He didn’t know how to say it. To say directly that he was feeling sour because Shen Yanzhi “understood” would be too strange…

Shen Yanzhi thought he was still thinking about Song Xinxin, and his brow couldn’t help but furrow slightly: “Are you still thinking about it?”

Was that girl not just a case of unrequited love?

Gu Xun was a bit dazed: “Huh? What?”

Shen Yanzhi was concise: “That girl just now.”

Someone with sharp ears immediately chimed in: “What? Gu Xun, are you interested in Song Xinxin?”

This gave the masses quite a scare, but someone still spoke a word of justice: “Don’t say… Song Xinxin is indeed quite pretty. It wouldn’t be strange for Gu Xun to have some thoughts, right?”

Gu Xun was startled by Shen Yanzhi: “…Why would you have such a terrifying idea?”

Good lord, how would he dare to think about Song Xinxin! Did he think his life was too easy and wanted to add some “adventure” to it?

Seeing his expression, Shen Yanzhi knew he had guessed wrong and asked, “…Then what are you thinking about?”

Gu Xun: “Just… felt like you understand quite a bit…”

Wang Xiaosong couldn’t hold it in and patted Gu Xun on the shoulder: “Hahahaha, Gu Xun, are you feeling the gap?”

Gu Xun gave a perfunctory, fake smile: “Yeah, yeah!”

A buddy called out: “Hey, hey, hurry up, or the court’s gonna be taken!”

They were all half-grown boys. Although topics related to girls were attractive, in the end, the basketball court right in front of them had more charm.

The group went over—some claiming the court, some going to the equipment room to get the ball—and before long, they were playing like crazy.

They were swaggering across the court, and more and more people gathered at the sidelines.

Gu Xun and Shen Yanzhi were on the same team. Gu Xun was already good at playing, and after pairing with Shen Yanzhi, it felt like adding wings to a tiger; the points they scored felt like they were cheating.

Every time he scored, it would trigger small gasps of surprise from the girls off the court.

On a whim, Gu Xun threw back the ball that Shen Yanzhi had passed to him.

Shen Yanzhi was stunned when he got the ball. Gu Xun saw the guys from the other team about to rush up to steal it and immediately yelled: “Ah Yan! Shoot!”

Shen Yanzhi immediately leaped into the air, raised his hand, and sent a three-pointer flying out.

It went in!

And it was a “swish”!

“Ahhh!!”

“So handsome, so handsome!”

“Shen Yanzhi!! You’re so handsome!”

The entire basketball court practically exploded. Amidst the screams of the girls and the hooting of the boys, Gu Xun quietly watched Shen Yanzhi.

Gu Xun felt as if time had momentarily frozen; otherwise, how could he see even the arc of Shen Yanzhi’s swaying hair so clearly?

Until school let out, people were still talking about Shen Yanzhi’s “swish” three-pointer.

If it were usual, Gu Xun would definitely seize the opportunity to brag—that it was all because he provided a good opportunity that such a handsome shot was made.

But this time, Gu Xun just listened quietly. He felt that just hearing others praise Shen Yanzhi made him very happy.

It was hard to tell if Shen Yanzhi was naturally unruffled by favor or humiliation, or if he was just too excellent and used to being in the limelight. In any case, there wasn’t a trace of arrogance on his face.

This point actually won a lot of favor from the boys in the class; they felt Shen Yanzhi had a good temperament, could hang out with them, and wasn’t conceited at all. In short, he was easy to get along with.

Gu Xun was happy for Shen Yanzhi. On the way back, his mouth was stretched so wide it practically reached his ears.

Wang Xiaosong looked at him several times: “Is it necessary for you to smile like this? Or did your face cramp from smiling and you can’t get it back?”

Gu Xun shook his head: “I’m happy, none of your business!”

Wang Xiaosong hissed at him: “Pah, I can’t be bothered to care anyway!”

Then Wang Xiaosong was still puzzled: “I say, they weren’t even praising you. Ah Yan is so calm, yet you’re smiling like you picked up five hundred yuan. What’s the principle behind this?”

Gu Xun caught a point that wasn’t the main point at all: “Can you have a bit more ambition? Just picking up five hundred?”

Wang Xiaosong: “…Fine, like you won five million. Is it necessary?”

Gu Xun’s logic was eccentric: “If you win five million and don’t smile like this, how are you supposed to smile?”

Wang Xiaosong flipped him the bird.

Gu Xun’s humor threshold was low right now. As soon as he saw Wang Xiaosong’s chubby, little-radish-like finger, he couldn’t help but burst into another “hahaha” laugh.

Shen Yanzhi gave him a steadying hand from the side, also somewhat helpless: “Did you take a laughing pill?”

Gu Xun met his gaze, and his heart felt as if it were filled with something soft, making him feel fulfilled.

After a momentary daze, Gu Xun said with a grin: “Isn’t it because I saw you acting cool? I share the honor!”

Shen Yanzhi said: “Mhm, the idiom was used correctly.”

Gu Xun didn’t expect Shen Yanzhi to suddenly pivot to that. He was stunned again. Next to him, Wang Xiaosong laughed: “Right, right, exactly. He’s instantly become cultured! Infected by Ah Yan!”

Gu Xun snapped out of it to mess with Wang Xiaosong: “I’m happy to, so what? This top student—no, wait—this ‘God of Study’s’ divine light, you don’t want to rub some off for yourself?”

Wang Xiaosong stated: “Being a mortal is pretty good!”

Gu Xun immediately poked his weak spot: “Then next time don’t urge me to hurry up so you can copy my homework!”

Wang Xiaosong: “…Brother Xun! I was wrong!”

Gu Xun was instantly proud, looking like he wished he had a tail to wag a few times.

Watching him like that, Shen Yanzhi couldn’t help but laugh along.

As they walked forward, they reached the fork leading to Shen Yanzhi’s small Western-style house.

Gu Xun reflexively went to look at Shen Yanzhi, and as it turned out, Shen Yanzhi was also looking at him: “Wait for me a moment, I’ll go put my backpack back.”

Gu Xun was instantly a bit disappointed because this basically meant Shen Yanzhi wouldn’t be staying at his house tonight!

Gu Xun gave a very reluctant “Oh,” and Shen Yanzhi had already turned to walk into the small path.

Wang Xiaosong was envious on the side: “So nice… I want to go to your house for dinner too…”

Gu Xun didn’t say anything, just stared at the small path where Shen Yanzhi’s figure could no longer be seen.

Shen Yanzhi moved very quickly. Before long, he came back out and brought each of them a bottle of ice-cold mineral water.

The way Wang Xiaosong looked at Shen Yanzhi was immediately like looking at God: “Brother! You really know the way of the world!”

Shen Yanzhi smiled and handed the other bottle to Gu Xun.

Gu Xun took the water and, out of reflex, asked Shen Yanzhi: “Did you drink?”

Shen Yanzhi: “Mhm, just drank.”

Gu Xun couldn’t help but mumble: “Drink less cold stuff…”

Over there, Wang Xiaosong had already guzzled down half a bottle of mineral water. Hearing their dialogue, he almost choked the water into his lungs.

After coughing several times, Wang Xiaosong wiped his mouth: “Why do I feel like the way you two talk is so mushy…”

Shen Yanzhi looked at him strangely: “Mushy?”

Gu Xun was also bewildered: “Huh? How is it mushy?”

Wang Xiaosong: “…Just, maybe it’s a hallucination.”

After walking a bit further, they reached Gu Xun’s house, and Wang Xiaosong reluctantly said goodbye to them.

After Shen Lan came back from work, it was another display of her great skills. The variety of dishes was even richer than at noon.

Gu Xun threw his backpack onto the sofa and whispered into Shen Yanzhi’s ear: “My mom isn’t even this passionate during the New Year.”

Shen Yanzhi only smiled. After glancing toward the adults, he pulled an object out of his pocket and handed it to Gu Xun.

Gu Xun didn’t pay much attention when he took it, but when he looked at it, he realized it was a savings card.

Gu Xun stared at Shen Yanzhi: “What is this?”

Shen Yanzhi signaled Gu Xun to be quiet: “Money for the meals. Give it to Auntie Shen after I leave later. The PIN is 123456.”

Gu Xun didn’t know whether to stuff it back or not; a breath was stuck in his chest: “Why… why don’t you give it to my mom yourself…”

To be honest, earlier Gu Xun thought it was fine for Shen Yanzhi to give a bit of money as a token, but after learning about his family situation, Gu Xun felt there was no way in hell his mom would take this money.

Shen Yanzhi whispered: “If you don’t give it, I’ll be too embarrassed to come over in the future.”

Gu Xun: “…”

This is killing me!

Gu Xun could only angrily shove the card into his pocket.

Seeing that he had tucked the card away, Shen Yanzhi smiled: “Thanks.”

Gu Xun grumbled a few times before asking: “What if my mom won’t take it?”

Shen Yanzhi tilted his head to look at him: “Then just tell her what I just said.”

Gu Xun thought to himself: You’re really something! Why don’t you say it yourself!

Gu Xun felt as if he could already see the scene of himself about to be scolded by his mother, and he wished he could bite Shen Yanzhi.

Over there, Shen Lan urged them: “Quick, go wash your faces. Dinner is served!”

Gu Xun then pushed Shen Yanzhi toward the bathroom, muttering: “Go, go, go. The Queen Mother only lets us eat once she sees our clean and pretty little faces…”

Shen Yanzhi said: “It should be that way.”

Gu Xun glanced at him: “Could it be that you’re the one my mom actually gave birth to?”

Without any psychological burden, Shen Yanzhi chimed in: “Mhm, maybe.”

The two of them started fooling around in the bathroom. It wasn’t until Shen Lan urged them a second time from outside that they finally settled down.