Chapter 5: Youth Campus Romance (IV)

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Chapter 5: Youth Campus Romance (IV)

Lin Moxi carried Miao Lichen’s bag and walked ahead, while Miao Lichen leisurely strolled behind with his hands in his pockets. Lin Moxi, who was like a ray of sunshine, and the gloomy, silent Miao Lichen seemed like an impossible pairing to the other students. Although Lin Moxi was outwardly gentle, he truly cared about very few people.

If he was simply carrying Miao Lichen’s bag, the others could deceive themselves into thinking that Young Master Lin was just being extremely kind. But the smile on his face couldn’t be fake; that sunny smile was very different from his polite one.

Miao Lichen looked at the people ahead who would occasionally turn back to look, thinking this capture target was quite easy. No matter how mature he acted, he was still a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy. But what was he doing at that age? Miao Lichen set aside the contempt in his heart. Even teenage boys shouldn’t be underestimated.

Lin Moxi stopped walking and waited for Miao Lichen to catch up. He observed how the sunset shone on him, highlighting his long lashes that ended in a droop, shadowing his eyes. Miao Lichen looked especially at peace, calming onlookers’ hearts. However, what concerned him most were those dark circles under his eyes. It looked like his sleep quality wasn’t too good; he wondered how his family took care of him.

“Don’t always be a loner. You’re just a teenager. Pretending to be mature isn’t that cute.” The elderly tone Lin Moxi used while lecturing Miao Lichen was hopeless.

Miao Lichen looked at the youngster Lin Moxi and retorted, “The way you’re talking to me, trying to educate me like an elder, isn’t very cute either.” Although he still had a blank face, that slight sassy retort gave him a bit more energy. The gloomy aura around him dissipated slightly, giving him a more lively look.

“I am two years older than you, so I can still be considered an elder.” Lin Moxi finally achieved his wish and was able to rub Miao Lichen’s head. His hair was not as soft as he had imagined, much like his personality. He was like a small hedgehog, always guarding himself against anything that came near. Since he allowed him to pat his head, did it mean he had his approval?

∇ Capture Target Lin Moxi Favorability: 55.

“Ah.” Miao Lichen stopped and looked at the out-of-place bike among all the cars in the parking lot. Song Qingxin was pushing her bike towards the school entrance, her face slightly flushed with sweat. She easily attracted people with the vibrant energy unique to girls her age, especially those who had lived in darkness for a long time.

When the girl raised her head, she saw Lin Moxi and surprise flitted across her face, followed by shyness. The fierce, hot-tempered girl became unusually quiet whenever she was around Lin Moxi. Because she didn’t expect to run into him here, her voice was clearly nervous, “Senior Moxi…”

“Qingxin.” Lin Moxi followed Miao Lichen’s gaze and found Song Qingxin. He waved and called her name, which could be considered a greeting. He did not mind being kind to this girl he considered a sister. But after doing so out of habit, he subconsciously turned back to look at Miao Lichen.

His face, which had just relaxed, stiffened even more. Perhaps he hadn’t realized he had subconsciously tightened his grip.

Song Qingxin pushed her bike towards them and stopped a step away. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Senior Moxi.” Her eyes lingered on Miao Lichen for a moment as she thought of those roses. She wondered if he had thrown them away.

Dongfang Yi did not lack roses. Even if she hadn’t given them to Miao Lichen, she would have thrown them away. She refused to accept gifts from that guy for no reason at all. ‘Especially roses that symbolized love,’ she thought angrily, her face twisting slightly.

“Are you heading home? Do you want to go together?” The moment Lin Moxi said that, he froze and wanted to smack himself. He had already said he was going to escort Miao Lichen home. If Song Qingxin joined, wouldn’t he be creating opportunities for them? He didn’t believe Miao Lichen could win against Dongfang Yi. He knew his friend very well. As long as he wanted, he would get it. There was never anything he couldn’t get.

And… when he thought of Song Qingxin being together with Miao Lichen, he felt a bit uncomfortable. Probably because they were too different. They simply didn’t seem compatible. How could two people like this become lovers? His junior should find a gentle and soft girl, someone who could bring him warmth.

“Is that okay?! Would I be causing you trouble?” Joy was clear in Song Qingxin’s voice. Despite being in the same school as Lin Moxi, she was in Class G and an unremarkable student, while he was a talent in Class A and the Student President. Their interactions were very limited. Song Qingxin tried to find ways to interact with him, but was unsuccessful. Instead, she encountered trouble with the other school hunk, Dongfang Yi.

When she thought of Dongfang Yi’s tyrannical and non-negotiable ways and compared them to Lin Moxi’s gentle and thoughtful demeanor, it was easy to decide who was better. She gazed almost greedily at Lin Moxi. Though he was more reserved than he had been in their childhood, he was even more mesmerizing now. He still made her heart beat. How could the bossy Dongfang Yi compare to Lin Moxi?

“Of course it’s okay.” Miao Lichen answered for Lin Moxi and tried to grab his bag back. “Senior, you can leave me here. My car isn’t far. Miss Song Qingxin clearly needs more help than me.” He tilted his head at the bike’s flat rear tire.

Lin Moxi grabbed his arm as he turned to leave. “I said I would send you back, and I will not go back on my word. It’s not like my car can’t seat three people. As a gentleman, I’m sure you don’t mind if I send her back first, right?”

“That would be too much trouble for you. My chauffeur is waiting for me outside. You’re not expecting me to get into a car accident on the way home, are you? Although the girls at this school are a bit valiant, they won’t cause that kind of trouble.” Miao Lichen’s tight grip relaxed a bit, and he smiled slightly. Despite his words, he never took his eyes off Song Qingxin, as if he only had her in his sights.

“I am actually quite worried, so we’re going with my plan.” Lin Moxi insisted. Not waiting for Miao Lichen’s reply, he picked up Song Qingxin’s bike. Despite his arms not appearing very strong, they were surprisingly powerful.

Acting like a gentleman, Miao Lichen took the books Song Qingxin was carrying and silently followed behind.

Song Qingxin was clearly a little confused about what was going on, but just getting to interact with Lin Moxi was a good thing. Although there was a third wheel between the two of them, Miao Lichen did not give anyone a negative feeling. She felt rather close to him instead, and thought he was a friend worth making. A smile appeared on Song Qingxin’s delicate face, making her otherwise plain appearance more attractive.

“Keep up.”

Miao Lichen paused and looked back just in time to catch that smile. His originally relaxed expression seemed to have been interrupted by a thought, and he returned to his gloomy look.

Song Qingxin jogged a little to catch up to them, although it was more accurate to say she was catching up to Lin Moxi. Once she caught up, she turned and cheerfully spoke to Miao Lichen. “Student Miao, you’re honestly quite kind. Why do you always pretend to be so cold? You should smile more. If you smile more often, you might attract more people than Brother Moxi.”

“Oh.” Miao Lichen did not particularly care for these overly enthusiastic girls, but for his future plans, “Miao Lichen” had to like Song Qingxin.

“A’chen should smile some more,” Lin Moxi said as he packed the bike into the trunk of the car. He then turned and noticed Miao Lichen’s somewhat doting eyes. He suddenly felt his smile stiffen. Might he be the one who pushed him into the abyss, by trying to help his junior? He glanced at the oblivious Song Qingxin and mentally sighed.

“Mhm.” Miao Lichen’s lips curved slightly, forming an expression that could be counted as a smile. But because it was deliberate, it did not look as natural as the previous smile. The boy’s face flushed slightly out of shyness, and his innocent, boyish look caused both of their hearts to beat faster.

Lin Moxi placed a hand on Miao Lichen’s shoulder and squeezed it. He was the one who wanted Miao Lichen to smile, but when he did, he felt his own mood decline.

∇ Capture Target Lin Moxi Favorability: 60.

Song Qingxin didn’t feel very good either. Especially when she noticed the jealousy in Lin Moxi’s eyes and the protective hand on Miao Lichen’s shoulder. She faintly sensed the strange atmosphere between the two of them, leaving her no room to interfere.

When faced with Miao Lichen’s clear eyes that seemed to only hold her, the love in them made one feel sweet. Was it her misconception? Why did it feel like they were rejecting her? Both Lin Moxi and Miao Lichen were very kind people.

“Get in,” Lin Moxi said, breaking the somewhat complicated atmosphere as he pulled Miao Lichen into the back seat. Song Qingxin had wanted to sit closer to Lin Moxi, but now had no choice but to sit in the front passenger seat. The girl got into the car feeling somewhat glum, but the two people in the back did not care.

Miao Lichen tilted his head to look at Lin Moxi, then squinted his eyes and leaned against the seat.

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