In Song Duanli's surprised gaze, she suddenly covered her stomach, laughing until tears streamed down her face.
"Do you really want to hear me say that?"
"Song Duanli, I really want to know who gave you the courage to ask that question?"
Song Duanli's gaze shifted from surprise to bewilderment, finally settling into bitterness.
He had thought their relationship had improved somewhat during this period, which was why he had asked this question today.
He hadn't expected that she still hated him so much. Was the softening of her emotions during this time all his illusion?!
"Do you really, not like me at all, not even a little bit?" He could no longer find his voice, closing his eyes and clinging to the last shred of hope, he asked this question.
"Sigh—" She stopped laughing and suddenly sighed.
Then Song Duanli felt his face being cupped by two small hands. He instinctively opened his eyes.
They were so close that he could clearly see her long, thick eyelashes.
"Actually..."
"I don't hate you anymore..."
Her expression was focused and serious, making people instinctively want to believe her. Song Duanli was no exception.
"Then you..." A sliver of hope rose in his heart. Perhaps everything she said before was just a joke?
"Let's go, it's time to go back." Shen Jianxi turned her head away, unwilling to say the rest. However, from Song Duanli's perspective, he could see her blushing earlobes.
This discovery sent him into a state of ecstatic joy.
77: "Beep! Favorability +5, current Song Duanli favorability is 78."
Shen Jianxi pondered. With only 2 points left, Song Duanli's favorability would be completed. Then, only Fu Yi would remain.
Thinking of the unusual dynamic between Fu Yi and Xie Shu today, a glint flashed in her lowered eyes. She hoped these two wouldn't disappoint her...
...
"Zai Zai?! Why are you back?"
Upon returning home and seeing Song Qi's surprised expression, Shen Jianxi realized that Song Qi had no idea Song Duanli had come to Haishi to pick her up.
It made sense. If Song Qi had known, he would have insisted on coming along, essentially bringing a third wheel. Song Duanli wouldn't be that foolish.
"Big Brother came to pick me up, so I just came back early."
Her favorite strawberries were on the table, each one large and plump. Shen Jianxi sat down and picked one up, putting it in her mouth.
The fragrance of the strawberries exploded in her mouth, and the juice was so abundant that it was about to drip down her fingertips. Song Qi quickly handed her a tissue.
"Slow down. By the way, how did you do on your exam this time?"
Perhaps it was parental instinct, but after finishing the exam, the first reaction was to ask about the results.
Shen Jianxi gave him a helpless look. Fortunately, her grades were good. If she hadn't done well, this question would have instantly ruined her appetite.
"First place."
Upon hearing this, Song Qi reached out and ruffled her hair vigorously, smiling indulgently, "I knew Zai Zai could do it! You're amazing!"
Just then, Song Duanli emerged after putting her things away. Seeing their affectionate interaction, his eyes darkened. He walked over, subtly separating them, and said to both of them, "Let's go out for dinner tonight to celebrate."
From Haishi to Jiangshi, even with Song Duanli driving, it was a bit faster than taking the school bus, and it was already nearing dark.
Shen Jianxi stretched. Sitting in a car for several hours was truly uncomfortable, and she felt an indescribable weariness. However, today was indeed worth celebrating. She thought for a moment and said, "Let's go for hot pot!"
Eating hot pot together around a table was so satisfying.
Song Duanli and Song Qi had no objections. After all, it was to celebrate her, so she got to decide what to eat.
Seeing that neither of them had any objections, Shen Jianxi got up, "Alright then, I'll take a shower and we can go."
Even though she would smell of hot pot and need to wash again, she couldn't stand it any longer. After sitting in a car all day, she couldn't imagine moving a step without a shower to relieve her fatigue.
After a quick wash upstairs, Shen Jianxi felt significantly more relaxed. Thinking about going out for dinner, she applied a simple skincare routine before heading downstairs.
Downstairs, the two men sat on separate sofas, engrossed in their phones, ignoring each other.
The relationship between these two brothers was already strained, and now that they were rivals in love, they couldn't stand to look at each other.
"Let's go!" Her voice broke the silence.
The two men downstairs rose simultaneously and walked to the foot of the stairs, extending their hands, waiting for her to descend.
Shen Jianxi: ...It's not necessary, I can walk myself.
But looking at the two men blocking the staircase, Shen Jianxi felt that walking down by herself was impossible today. So...
She took Song Qi's left hand, and as Song Qi shot a triumphant glance at Song Duanli, she took Song Duanli's right hand. Before Song Qi could react, she quickly said, "Let's go, I'm so hungry!"
Hearing her say she was hungry, Song Qi forgot about their rivalry. The two of them, one on her left and one on her right, led her out. The car that had just been parked was now put to use again.
Shen Jianxi thought the difficulty of the previous situation had passed, but she never expected that even a car ride would present a new challenge.
Seeing Song Duanli open the passenger door and Song Qi open the rear door, she sighed. She walked forward, pushed Song Qi into the passenger seat, then squeezed into the back seat and quickly locked the door, thwarting Song Qi's intention to sit in the back.
Helplessly, he had to sit in the passenger seat. Song Duanli snorted disdainfully at him before getting into the driver's seat and driving away.