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Chapter 115
Zhou Sisi, as a mother, only gradually came to understand her son's true nature over time.
From a young age, due to illness, he had been spoiled and allowed to do as he pleased. If someone said something he didn't like, he would turn away as if he hadn't heard. But because his face was fair and delicate, and he was just a child, adults couldn't detect anything amiss. They simply thought he was introverted and didn't like to talk.
Later on, when Song Li'an developed a liking for soft drinks and Zhou Sisi tried to forcibly stop him, he exhibited the same behavior - eyes downcast, not uttering a word.
That night, Zhou Sisi regretted speaking harshly to her child. She worried that after he had finally come out of his shell, her scolding might leave an indelible shadow on him.
She tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. She tiptoed to Song Li'an's room to check on him, intending to express her apologies to her sleeping son.
But as soon as she opened the door, the room was brightly lit. Song Li'an was sitting on the bed, gulping down a large bottle of cola...
Zhou Sisi was stunned.
She could still hear Song Li'an's pitiful words from earlier that day, claiming his father had taken away his cola. She had even pinched Song Dad a few times in her sleep to punish him for being too harsh in disciplining their child...
The outwardly docile and harmless child didn't panic at all when discovered. He just glanced at his mother with his eyes, taking an even bigger gulp, as if savoring his final enjoyment before facing severe consequences.
Zhou Sisi experienced an unprecedented shock.
People tend to think in habitual patterns. When a fixed condition changes, all the events deduced from it need to be broken down and reorganized. Past doubts suddenly surfaced.
As Zhou Sisi pondered one incident after another, she realized that her son seemed to be at the root of every problem. These little tricks seemed to come naturally to him.
...
During the last holiday before the college entrance exam.
Song Li'an was at Jiang Yan's house, and they were studying together in the small study. Song Li'an was memorizing English essays while Jiang Yan was checking answers to math problems.
Lu Yuliang had stopped nagging and was quietly coming in and out to bring them fruits and drinks.
On the desk was a glass vase with two lotus buds. The buds were soft pink, with layers of petals tightly wrapped. Lu Yuliang had bought them from a roadside vendor a few days ago and had been nurturing them at home, checking on them daily, but the buds showed no signs of opening.
Finally, when she called them for lunch, Lu Yuliang was delighted to discover that the buds had opened a little, appearing slightly larger than before.
She excitedly shared her joy with the two youngsters: "Look, look! This is what we call 'persistence is victory.' I spent time and effort caring for this flower, and it will bloom, rewarding my dedication..."
Song Li'an held a page steady, seemingly taking in what she said.
Jiang Yan moved her lips, but couldn't help revealing the truth: "I pinched it open..."
Smiles can be contagious, but so can their disappearance.
Jiang Yan witnessed Lu Yuliang's smile instantly vanish. After a long silence, she finally said, "It's alright, it's just a flower. Let's eat first..."
Meanwhile, Song Li'an, who had been motionless, suddenly burst into laughter, nearly falling back in his chair.
Trying to be considerate of Lu Yuliang's feelings, he stuffed the collar of his shirt into his mouth to bite on, but his youthful laughter still kept spilling out. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Of course, as soon as the college entrance exam was over, both of them were promptly dealt with by the quietly seething Lu Yuliang.
However, on that day, Song Li'an's laughter didn't last long either.
After lunch, they resumed their studies. Song Li'an was explaining math problems to Jiang Yan as usual. He knew her foundation well and would list out every formula for her.
But that particular problem was too complex, and Jiang Yan didn't understand. She sullenly said she didn't want to continue.
Song Li'an was displeased. He moved his chair next to her, one hand propping up his forehead, the other holding a pen. They were almost touching. Occasionally, when they moved, their arms would brush against each other, creating a ticklish sensation.
Song Li'an's handwriting suddenly became messy, his tone gradually tensing, as if his whole being was about to evaporate. Fortunately, Jiang Yan said she was thirsty and went out to get a drink.
Jiang's Dad and Lu Yuliang had already gone to rest, leaving only silence in the room.
Song Li'an hadn't dared to breathe earlier, but now that she was gone, he suddenly felt very empty.
Jiang Yan's thin jacket was hanging on the chair beside him.
Song Li'an leaned back in his chair, staring at it for a while. His fingers couldn't help but curl. He was just... curious about how it smelled, that's all...
The voice of his inner struggle was so loud that it drowned out the light footsteps. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Song Li'an leaned over and took a gentle sniff. Before he could discern any scent, his inadvertently extended gaze caught sight of a pair of shoes.
Looking up, he saw the girl holding a glass of milk, watching him with curiosity.
Song Li'an lost control and nearly knocked over the chair. He awkwardly steadied himself and stammered, "I wasn't trying to do anything..."
No matter how many times he had rehearsed proposing in his mind, at the moment when things were exposed, he still panicked completely.
This also led to Jiang Yan, who originally hadn't understood, being forced to comprehend.
She stood motionless at the door, watching him warily.
Song Li'an was nearly dying of anxiety due to her reaction. He unconsciously started to become defensive: "Come in, I really wasn't trying to do anything. I was just smelling the laundry detergent on your clothes, it smells nice. I don't have a crush on you..."
He spoke with utmost sincerity. Jiang Yan, afraid of waking the adults, closed the door and said slowly, "I don't date in high school."
Song Li'an, who had been full of righteous reasons just a moment ago, came to an abrupt halt.