You Like The Smart Ones? You Should Have Said So Sooner! - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: The Cabbage Has Been Stolen

Seeing that the other was unmoving, Song Ying gave a light laugh. “Why are you dazed? Are you hungry?”

Only two hours ago, Song Ying had been feeling dejected over Qin Mian’s reaction to a question. However, thinking back on the possibility of Qin Mian not speaking to him at all, he suddenly felt that none of it was that important anymore.

Besides, it was Senior Year; matters of the heart didn’t need to be rushed. Even if Qin Mian really did harbor some feelings for Jiang Mengqian that went beyond being classmates, a player like Qin Mian was level-headed enough not to make any moves during this year.

That meant he still had a chance.

Furthermore, Qin Mian had never said he was strictly into girls. He could keep working hard; he still had an opportunity.

In the two hours that Qin Mian had spent chatting with Ding Zi in the office, Song Ying had successfully managed to talk himself down and brainwash his own anxieties away.

“Yeah.”

Qin Mian snapped out of it and gave a low response. He tossed his backpack down, washed his hands, and sat at the table. Throughout this series of movements, Qin Mian’s peripheral vision never once left Song Ying.

However, the other boy was perfectly composed, appearing no different from usual—if one had to point out a difference, it was perhaps that he seemed even more attentive. There was no trace of the emotional turmoil from two hours prior.

Seeing this, Qin Mian didn’t plan to bring up the previous topic either. He felt that his current friend-like relationship with Song Ying was quite good, and he didn’t want to—nor would he—cross that line.

Just as Ding Zi had said. Qin Mian lacked experience in handling romance, so once he cooled down, he took Ding Zi’s words as his guiding principle.

Song Ying broke the silence: “Try this pineapple pork ribs. I followed a recipe online; the taste should be alright.”

Qin Mian focused and picked up a rib to taste. Under Song Ying’s expectant gaze, he raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with appreciation. “Mhm, the taste is really good. Your cooking has improved again.”

At those words, Song Ying’s eyes curved into smiles, reflecting the fragmented sunlight streaming through the window like water filled with the Milky Way. “I am deeply honored to receive the recognition of Great Handsome Qin.”

Taking in Song Ying’s beauty, Qin Mian’s heart—completely lacking in willpower—skipped a beat.

A stark contrast to the harmonious atmosphere in Room 201 was Chen Miao. He was dragging a suitcase, carrying two large bags of clothes and bedding over his shoulders, soaked in sweat with his hair stuck ungracefully to his scalp.

When he saw the sign for his family’s breakfast shop in the distance, he let out a long sigh of relief. He had finally made it; if he had walked any further, he would have passed out. If that happened, he wouldn’t be giving Qin Mian a surprise—he’d be scaring his mother to death.

“Mom!—” Chen Miao called out weakly for maternal love.

Cai Hongxia looked over at the sound, only to see a “vagrant” staggering toward her. After identifying him closely, she was startled to realize it was her son. His once fair skin had turned a deep wheaten tan, and he looked exhausted and drenched in sweat; for a moment, she didn’t even dare recognize him.

“……Chen Miao?”

“Mom, it’s me,” Chen Miao said, sounding like life wasn’t worth living. “Can you please not look at your son like he’s a monkey? It’s from the military training sun; I couldn’t help it.”

Cai Hongxia hurried forward to help with the luggage, asking, “Why did you bring back so much stuff?”

“It’s nothing, just some clothes, blankets, and local specialties from over there,” Chen Miao began his chatterbox mode.

“Mom, you have no idea, my eyes have been opened to the diversity of species. The school dorm doesn’t have washing machines, only a public laundry room. Some people actually throw their underwear, socks, and even shoes in there! I don’t dare use the school machines. I have to complain about this to Qin Mian later.”

“And our instructor too—if there’s shade, he won’t let us stand in it; he insists we bake in the sun. Pure masochism. I couldn’t even protect my sunscreen from my roommates. Qin Mian is definitely going to laugh at me later.”

“They promised a four-person dorm, but they ended up cramming six of us in there. It’s tight as hell. I’d rather squeeze in and sleep with Qin Mian like in high school.”

Chen Miao complained the whole way home while packing. After finishing his rant, his tone shifted. “Oh right, I brought back some specialties from Province C for you guys. I’ll take some over to Qin Mian in a bit.”

Cai Hongxia laughed and scolded him: “Alright, alright, I know you’re thinking of Mianmian. Go get cleaned up first, or even Mianmian will be disgusted by you.”

Chen Miao was purely focused on giving his best friend a surprise, so when the door to 201 opened and he saw a strange face, he was utterly stunned. The “Surprise!” he had halfway uttered got stuck in his throat, nearly choking him to death.

Chen Miao was shocked. He backed up and looked up at the door.

That’s right, it’s 201. He had only left Dong’an for two months; there was no way he could have taken a wrong turn on a road he’d walked eight hundred times.

“And you are?”

Song Ying was also wondering who was at the door; he had assumed it was Li Zhixun knocking. Seeing the stranger’s reaction, he figured this must be someone Qin Mian knew, so he stepped aside slightly.

Because of this, Chen Miao saw Qin Mian sitting at the dining table, fully immersed in his meal.

Chen Miao: ???

His confused gaze alternated between Qin Mian and Song Ying, looking like a glitched machine.

What’s the situation? My home has been stolen? I’ve only been gone for two months and Qin Mian has a new favorite?? Is my status as the ‘Main Spouse’ being threatened?!

He was shocked, heartbroken, and accusing.

“Chen Miao?”

Qin Mian froze when he saw Chen Miao at the door. The person addressed stared at Qin Mian with burning eyes, waiting to see how Qin Mian would react to the current scene.

Instead, Qin Mian just said: “How did you turn into a piece of charcoal?”

Song Ying couldn’t help it; he let out a soft chuckle.

With an “Awoo!” of a howl, Chen Miao rushed into the room and gave Qin Mian a massive bear hug. Ignoring the comment about his skin tone, he cried out:

“How could you, Qin Mian! I’ve only been gone for a few days and you’ve already found someone to replace me?! My heart is so broken! Aaaaaah!!!”

Qin Mian was hit so hard he almost tumbled off his chair. “Tch… let go. You almost knocked over the food.” His tone was full of familiarity and feigned annoyance.

Chen Miao: “Hmph, in the end, the old love leaves and the new love arrives.”

Song Ying softly closed the door, watching the “charcoal” being pushed away by Qin Mian, a look of appraisal flashing in his eyes. Seeing the interaction between the two, Song Ying understood. They were familiar yet respected boundaries; the care and affection were genuine. This was likely Qin Mian’s childhood friend.

However, Qin Mian had never mentioned him.

Song Ying walked quietly to the kitchen, grabbed an empty bowl, scooped an extra serving of rice, and placed it on the table.

The light “clack” of the porcelain hitting the table drew the attention of the two who were chatting away. Chen Miao looked over, his gaze landing on Song Ying. His eyes held the exact same look of appraisal Song Ying had just shown.

Qin Mian was naturally happy to see his childhood friend, so he had forgotten to introduce them. “This is my childhood friend, Chen Miao. He must be back for the National Day holiday.”

As he spoke, he scanned the man who was much darker yet also more spirited than before he left.

A polite smile appeared on Chen Miao’s face as he proactively reached out. “Hello, I’m Chen Miao.”

His manner was upright, fitting the social distance and tone of a first meeting. It was clear that the previous playfulness and wailing were reserved only for Qin Mian. Song Ying could sense these shifts—he could even feel the subtle scrutiny and calculation coming from the other.