Communicating with a girl about feelings was a first for Shi Hai, making him feel a bit embarrassed.
He rubbed the back of his neck and said, "Uh, it seems like my views on love might be a bit outdated..."
"No! I think they're quite nice!"
If Shi Hai wasn't such a serious man who equated dating with marriage, how could she like him so much?
After hearing Shi Hai's evaluation of Tian Shui, Jian Sichun became curious about what he thought of her now.
She had never heard him talk about these things before. Whenever Jian Sichun asked, "What did you like about me back then?" he would always reply, "I liked everything about you."
But that was just a standard answer given to a "girlfriend."
Now that she wasn't his girlfriend, she could hear his objective evaluation of her.
"So... what do you think of me?"
In the end, Jian Sichun couldn't hold back and asked, her cheeks turning red.
She felt embarrassed too. Asking such a question was practically a confession.
Shi Hai's heart skipped a beat, thinking, 'Here it comes,' as his first reaction.
He had mentally prepared himself, so he wasn't very surprised. However, he was still quite puzzled.
In any case, he had to answer carefully.
After thinking for a moment, Shi Hai replied, "Hmm... actually, you give me the same feeling as Senior Tian Shui. Both of you seem very familiar with me..."
Jian Sichun froze.
Of course, what he cared about most was this!
She didn't act naturally enough. She made a major mistake!
"I think even if someone is naturally sociable, they wouldn't be as familiar as you two are. So you both give me the impression of being 'experienced.'"
Disaster! What a terrible evaluation!
It must be explained immediately. If he thought she was a promiscuous woman, it would be over!
Jian Sichun blurted out, "This is my first time going to a boy's house too!"
"Uh..."
Her loud voice attracted everyone's attention in the subway car.
At this time, not many people played with their phones on the subway, unlike in the future when everyone would be looking at their phones with headphones on, oblivious to their surroundings.
Now, many people are looking at her.
This led to Jian Sichun dying of embarrassment on the spot.
She quickly lowered her head, pressed her knees together, clenched her hands, palms sweating, and her cheeks reddening even more. She cried out in her heart, 'Ah, so embarrassing!'
This was even more embarrassing than when she tried to seduce Shi Hai in a cat-ear maid swimsuit before!
Shi Hai's embarrassment threshold was much higher.
He nodded apologetically to the onlookers, indicating that they were too loud.
Most people turned their heads back, no longer looking at Shi Hai, but a few still watched with curiosity.
This wasn't the right atmosphere to continue the previous topic.
Shi Hai folded his arms and closed his mouth. Jian Sichun kept her head down, the redness on her face slowly fading.
They remained silent until the subway reached their stop, and they got off.
Jian Sichun followed behind Shi Hai, like a guilty student waiting for a scolding.
Seeing her like this, Shi Hai couldn't help but laugh. "Haha, amazing! You actually shouted that out loud..."
"Don't laugh! I was just afraid you'd misunderstand!"
"Afraid I'd think you're an easy girl?"
"Yes! I'm not naive; I know what it means when a girl suggests going to a boy's house!"
"Then, do you really like me?"
Jian Sichun couldn't deny her feelings anymore. "Yes, I do!"
Was it a desperate confession? Not really. Jian Sichun knew he wouldn't easily accept a confession now. So she admitted it straightforwardly. "But you won't just start dating me easily, right?"
"Right, I would refuse."
Even though she expected it, hearing it still hurt. She pouted and said, "I knew it..."
"Do I need to explain the reason again?"
"No need, it's the same reason you don't want to pursue Senior Tian Shui, right?"
"Good, you understand."
"Sigh..."
Jian Sichun sighed, realizing that Shi Hai wasn't her destined love at first sight.
Even someone as perfect as Senior Tian Shui didn't catch his eye directly.
"I really want to know what kind of person would make you fall in love at first sight..."
Jian Sichun knew Shi Hai didn't particularly care about looks, so it might not be a perfect woman, but certainly a "novel heroine" type of person.
"I want to know too."
Shi Hai thought his rationality was much stronger than his instincts, making it hard to feel emotional impulses.
As his mother said, he was likely to stay single.
Even someone as lovely as Jian Sichun approached him almost willingly, and he still refused.
This might be one of the few romantic opportunities in his life, and he didn't regret it at all.
He wasn't a romantic at heart, nor did he think finding a partner was a life necessity.
Moreover, his family never pressured him to marry or find a girlfriend, so he didn't need to think much about it.
Going with the flow, being content, staying true to himself without forcing anything. Shi Hai was what people in the future would call "Buddhist."
Jian Sichun felt at ease too, realizing that past Shi Hai and the Shi Hai she knew were essentially the same. He only opened his heart to those who were completely open with him.
Besides, she felt a bit happy.
Although Shi Hai didn't fall in love with her at first sight, it meant he didn't date her casually back then. After knowing her well, he fully accepted her!
Realizing this filled Jian Sichun's heart with sweetness.
Sadly, this sweetness wouldn't last...
Jian Sichun didn't get carried away. She took the opportunity to ask, "Even if I can't be your girlfriend, can we at least be friends?"
"We're already friends, right?"
If they weren't friends, Shi Hai wouldn't know how to explain bringing Jian Sichun home to his mom.
"Yes! We're already friends!"
Jian Sichun's face lit up with a big smile. The phrase "smiling like a flower" popped into Shi Hai's head. Her smile was radiant, like a lucky star shining above him.
Was it necessary to be so happy? They were just friends...
Shi Hai didn't understand. Jian Sichun, however, thought...
I secured the friend position!
<+>
If you want to see more of this story and don't mind paying $5 each month, please go to my Patreon, the story is on chapter 48 as of right now. (8/21/2024)
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HannibalNotBarca