Chapter 73: Even Their Names Suit Each Other So Well

Both his voice and his looks were exceptional—this was it, the very culprit destined to make Xu cast me aside. Yet, faced with such beauty, how could I possibly bring myself to hate him? What should I do? I need answers, and quickly.

His eyes turned as he asked, “So, is there anything else between you two?”

Lu Yiqi replied, “What else could there be?”

“Uh…” He Shi rephrased, “I mean, is there a chance you and Xu might develop into something more in the future?”

The meaning behind his words was clear to anyone listening. Lu Yiqi certainly caught on, but before she could decide how to answer, Xie Xu cut in sharply, “No!”

He Shi was speechless.

He was asking the girl, so why did Xu have to interrupt? Always making things more complicated.

Since Xie Xu answered first, Lu Yiqi felt a weight lift from her chest. With that reaction, he probably had no idea Xie Xu liked her. Then again, with how agitated Xie Xu had just been, perhaps even he didn’t realize his own feelings?

In that case, she didn’t need to worry about how to gently turn him down. Relief washed over her.

From now on, she would simply pretend not to know he liked her.

With the topic of relationships behind them, He Shi extended a hand. “Xu’s neighbor and desk-mate, it’s a pleasure to meet you! Xu’s friends are my friends. By the way, my name is He Shi.”

He Shi? Sensing Lu Yiqi’s puzzlement, he clarified, “Not the ‘suitable’ you’re thinking of. It’s the ‘He’ with the single person radical, and the ‘Shi’ meaning appropriate.”

“Oh,” she replied.

Appropriate? For some reason, Lu Yiqi thought of Chen Ziyi. She glanced at He Shi. Even his name seemed a perfect match. He was just the type Chen Ziyi liked—a sunny, cheerful boy.

“So, what’s your name?” he asked.

“Lu Yiqi.” As she spoke, she reached out her hand, but before she could touch He Shi’s, Xie Xu abruptly slapped his hand away.

Her hand met empty air, and she instinctively glanced at Xie Xu.

His expression didn’t change. “His hands aren’t clean.”

Lu Yiqi and He Shi: “???”

And how would you know?

Without missing a beat, Xie Xu continued, “He’s always biting his nails when he’s bored, and I’m sure he didn’t wash his hands just now. So his hands are dirty—you shouldn’t touch them.”

Lu Yiqi and He Shi were both at a loss for words.

They were both unsure how to respond to Xie Xu.

He Shi rubbed the back of his head, trying hard to break the awkward silence. After a long pause, he finally managed a new topic, “By the way, Xu, I officially came back to the country today! Tomorrow I’m transferring to your school—how about we be desk-mates?”

No sooner had the words left his lips than He Shi remembered Xie Xu’s official desk-mate, Lu Yiqi, was right there.

And before he could say another word, Xu promptly barked, “Get lost.”

“…Alright then, I get it. Sorry for intruding!”

He tried again, “If I can’t be your desk-mate, sitting in front or behind you works too, Xu!”

This time, before Xu could tell him to get lost again, Lu Yiqi explained, “Actually, the seats in front of him are already taken. As for behind him, we’re in the last row.”

“…”

He Shi forced a smile. “No worries, Xu, I’m not picky. As long as I’m near you.”

Xu was quick to show his disdain. “Scram! Can’t you talk like a normal person? You make it sound like there’s something going on between us!”

He Shi protested, “We’ve known each other for over a decade; of course there’s something going on! Besides, isn’t brotherhood between guys supposed to be passionate and full of bromance?”

Lu Yiqi couldn’t help but laugh.

Xie Xu shot back, “Who wants passionate bromance with you? Don’t drag me into this!”