You Like The Smart Ones? You Should Have Said So Sooner! - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: The Criminal Investigation Squad

“Hello, my name is Song Ying.”

Song Ying acted as though he hadn’t noticed the tension, politely shaking the other’s hand.

Qin Mian didn’t notice the undercurrents flowing between the two. He merely cast a slightly strange glance at Song Ying before adding for Chen Miao’s benefit: “My classmate. He lives right across the hall.”

Chen Miao’s eyes flickered. “…Across the hall?”

“Yes,” Song Ying took over the conversation, smiling. “It’s quite a coincidence. In class, Qin Mian and I also happen to sit right in front of and behind each other.”

“…Front and back seats?”

Chen Miao and Song Ying looked at each other with smiles. After watching the other’s unruffled expression for a moment, Chen Miao retracted his gaze and gave a light laugh. “That certainly is a coincidence. Qin Mian and I used to be front and back seats, too.”

Qin Mian scanned back and forth between the two with a puzzled expression. Strange. These two weren’t acquainted before, were they? Why are they chatting non-stop?

He cleared his throat. Upon receiving the gazes of the two across from him, he offered a sincere suggestion: “How about we eat first before catching up?”

Song Ying smiled. “Alright.”

The three sat down.

Chen Miao looked at Song Ying in silence, then stared at Qin Mian, letting out a silent sigh.

Good grief. Someone’s eyes were so tender they were practically melting into water while looking at the other. What “good classmate” looks at their friend with that kind of gaze?

The key was that Qin Mian was acting like a blind man, without a hint of realization. Chen Miao felt that as Qin Mian’s “old father figure,” he was very worried.

“Qin Mian, try this Mapo Tofu.” “Mhm, not bad.” “Try this baby cabbage.” “It’s pretty good.”

Chen Miao: “……” I shouldn’t be here. I should be under the bed.

The childhood friend finally couldn’t take it anymore and spoke up: “Qin Mian, I remember you don’t like eating tofu?”

Qin Mian’s chopsticks paused. Song Ying was slightly stunned, instinctively looking toward the person currently eating tofu.

Qin Mian knew someone was looking at him, but he didn’t return the gaze. He said calmly, “This one is okay.”

A smile flashed in Song Ying’s eyes, and he silently made a mental note: Handsome Great Qin doesn’t like tofu.

Chen Miao: “……” Fine, fine. He retracted his reckless judgment of Qin Mian. This wasn’t a “blind man”—someone’s heart was as clear as a mirror.

The clown surnamed Chen buried his head in his rice. He tried the “okay” Mapo Tofu. It was indeed okay, but there wasn’t much of a difference in taste from what he’d had before! It turned out the difference wasn’t the flavor, but the person.

Someone was deeply heartbroken.

Qin Mian finally remembered to console his emotionally battered friend: “How many days is your holiday?”

Chen Miao looked up piteously. Good for you, Qin Mian. I’m almost full, and you finally remembered to ask me a question.

“Seven days. But a new department was added at school and there’s a lot to do, so I’m leaving after three days.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Mian nodded without much expression. Song Ying’s eyes moved slightly.

Chen Miao suddenly perked up. He stood up with a “whoosh” and threw an arm around Qin Mian’s shoulder like a good bro, laughing wildly. “Hahahahaha! Qin Mian, I knew you couldn’t bear to let me go! Haven’t seen me in two months—did you miss me?”

Having known Qin Mian for so many years, Chen Miao was all too familiar with his micro-expressions. Sometimes you couldn’t see much on his face, but Chen Miao just knew when someone was unhappy.

Qin Mian looked disgusted but didn’t move: “Give it a rest. Do I look even remotely like I missed you?”

“Hmph, keep being stubborn!” Chen Miao let go and sat back down. Mid-way, he glanced at Song Ying and happened to meet his eyes. Song Ying looked peaceful and even offered him a smile.

Chen Miao: “…Tsk, why no reaction?” His personality is quite calm.

Song Ying watched the interaction between the two quietly, observing the vivid expressions on Qin Mian’s face. Although he was dissatisfied with Chen Miao’s intimate movements, he held his tongue upon seeing that Qin Mian was in a good mood.

However, if Yu Canxing were here, she would definitely be confused and complain: How is it that only he can see what expressions are on Qin Mian’s face? Is everyone at this table a criminal investigation major?

Despite his teasing, Chen Miao could feel that Qin Mian’s mood was better than before. Two months ago, when Chen Miao started university and had to go to Province C, it was his first time leaving Dong’an and the first long separation since becoming friends with Qin Mian.

That day, he could clearly feel that Qin Mian’s mood was terrible, and no matter how much he talked, it didn’t help much. So, in the time following, he’d check Qin Mian’s social media from time to time or harass him on WeChat.

Looking at him now, Chen Miao felt that while Qin Mian’s emotions fluctuated, it wasn’t as obvious. Thinking of this, Chen Miao cast a glance at Song Ying, a trace of hesitation flashing in his eyes.

Perhaps, with Song Ying around, Qin Mian wouldn’t be so lonely anymore.

“Song Ying, let’s add each other on WeChat. I think you’re quite likable,” Chen Miao spoke up of his own accord.

Song Ying raised an eyebrow in surprise. He hadn’t expected Chen Miao’s attitude to change so suddenly. He took out his phone and smiled: “Of course.”

As Chen Miao stopped subtly targeting Song Ying, Song Ying stopped arguing with Chen Miao. The atmosphere among the three harmonized considerably.

With high spirits, Chen Miao’s chatterbox nature was fully exposed. He hugged Qin Mian while tearfully complaining about how hard military training was, then blushingly shared how smart and beautiful a girl he liked was.

A dinner that started at 6:00 PM actually lasted until 9:30 PM. In the middle of it, Chen Miao drank a little alcohol and pulled out all the local specialties he had brought. This included duck necks, sesame candy, cherry blossom cakes…

A woozy Chen Miao held a large bag of food and, as usual, prepared to stuff it into the cabinet in Qin Mian’s house. When he opened it, however, he found it was already filled with fruit and snacks.

Qin Mian couldn’t stop the rambling Chen Miao and explained helplessly from the side: “Song Ying got me a lot of food. I can’t finish all these specialties; leave more for Auntie Cai.”

Song Ying smelled the spicy scent of the duck necks and added: “Qin Mian has a weak stomach; he can’t eat things that are too spicy.”

A little spice is fine, but too much won’t do.

Qin Mian froze, glancing at Song Ying with frustration. Crap. I forgot to remind Song Ying not to mention that in front of Chen Miao.

Song Ying: ?

Sure enough, as Qin Mian expected, Chen Miao’s whole body shuddered. Then, like a zombie, he slowly turned around to stare at Qin Mian.

Qin Mian: “……” Song Ying: ?

“Weak. Stomach?” Chen Miao repeated each word slowly. “Well done, Qin Mian. You’ve been eating instant noodles as real meals again, haven’t you?”

“Believe it or not, I’m telling my mom!”