Chapter 23: Chapter 23: I'm Serious, I Really Like Her

The elderly lady watched the two of them playfully fighting, a smile on her face, "Xiao Xiao hasn't been here for a while, seems like it's been since he started his sophomore year of high school. I thought Lin Yu must have made you angry."

Xie Xiao looked at the elderly lady, feeling a bit upset, knowing that his infrequent visits were because of Zhou Mianmian...

He sighed, because of Zhou Mianmian, he really had missed out on a lot.

Thankfully, the elderly lady quickly changed the subject, "You little rascal, did you transfer that money to your classmate? You can't just keep others' money."

"I'll transfer it once I get back, haven't had the time," Lin Yu sighed, "I didn't expect her to transfer money either."

"These two young ladies tonight, they are good girls, very lovely, their eyes so pure," the elderly lady remarked as she looked towards Xie Xiao pushing the cart at the back, "just like Xiao Xiao, pure."

After a pause, she continued, "That young girl who used to come here with you for breakfast, do you still hang out with her?"

The elderly lady was referring to Zhou Mianmian, whom Xie Xiao had once brought to Lin Yu's family breakfast shop.

But later, Zhou Mianmian told him that she didn't like the food there, so Xie Xiao never brought her there again.

"No, we don't hang out anymore, it just didn't work out," Xie Xiao gently shook his head.

The elderly lady nodded too, "Definitely not suitable, Xiao Xiao, in the future you should find a girl with eyes as pure as yours, tonight these two wouldn't be bad..."

"No, are you encouraging puppy love?" Lin Yu's voice carried an incredulous tone.

"When have I ever encouraged puppy love! I'm talking about the future, you little rascal, no wonder you're not good at school, how can you misinterpret a simple sentence like that? Huh?" the elderly lady said and even slapped Lin Yu on the back.

"Why are you still hitting people!"

Xie Xiao's gaze was somewhat dazed. Did the elderly lady and Lin Yu realize long ago that Zhou Mianmian wasn't suitable for him?

He sighed, indeed it was only him who was as blind as a bat.

When they arrived at Lin Yu's old house, after helping to unload things, Lin Yu hurriedly sent the elderly lady to bathe and sleep while he walked Xie Xiao out.

The elderly lady also reminded Xie Xiao to visit often, even if he had a falling out with Lin Yu, it didn't matter, he should come to see Grandma.

Xie Xiao agreed to all of it. S~eaʀᴄh the NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

As Lin Yu walked out with him, he was still muttering about the elderly lady being biased.

Xie Xiao stretched lazily; having rushed out, he was wearing just a casual jacket on top and still in his school trousers below. Lin Yu stopped muttering and looked him up and down with a strange expression.

Xie Xiao, feeling a bit creeped out by the stare, clicked his tongue, "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing, you just seem off today, Xiao Xiao," Lin Yu clicked his tongue twice, "Aren't you reluctant to come out? Huh?"

The last 'huh' was clearly accusatory.

Xie Xiao felt a bit guilty, touched his nose, and coughed, "Too hungry, didn't know what to order for delivery..."

"Oh~ how coincidental, that you just happened to find my stall right?" Lin Yu grabbed Xie Xiao's neck with his hand, "Spill it! What's going on!"

Xie Xiao groaned under his grip, grabbed his arm, "Don't get physical, man! Let go!"

Lin Yu paid him no heed, "Secrets now, huh? Damn, the last time you had secrets, it was because of Zhou Mianmian! Have you taken a fancy to some school senior now!"

Though he asked, Lin Yu seriously thought about it, and realized something was off ever since this kid asked for Luo Yanran's WeChat!

"You boy! Got a thing for Senior Luo?" Lin Yu asked in a lowered voice, as they had reached the bus station.

Xie Xiao pried off his arms and breathed a sigh of relief, "That's hardly a secret, I've mentioned it before..."

"With that vague, joking tone of yours, who could have known you were serious!" Lin Yu was speechless, then asked somewhat seriously, "Really?"

"Aren't I serious enough? I came out tonight just to walk her home," Xie Xiao said candidly, glancing at his phone, the next bus would arrive in five minutes.

Lin Yu suddenly fell silent, which was unexpected for Xie Xiao; wasn't he supposed to make a big deal out of it?

Xie Xiao looked at Lin Yu only to see his face serious and frowning.

His heart skipped a beat, what's with that look?

Could it be that Lin Yu also liked Luo Yanran?

In his previous life… In his previous life, Lin Yu seemed indeed to have been single all along…

Xie Xiao's face also looked somewhat displeased. It couldn't be this melodramatic, right? Best buddies and the girl one likes?

"Lin Yu, you…"

"Xie Xiao, you…"

Both opened their mouths at the same time, then both glanced at each other.

Finally, Lin Yu, somewhat speechless, said, "I'll speak first!"

"No way! You, this guy!" Xie Xiao was also lost for words, "Then you go ahead!"

"Are you serious?" Lin Yu looked at Xie Xiao, furrowing his brows. "You clearly were madly in love with Zhou Mianmian before, you're not the kind of person who changes affections so easily, how come suddenly…"

Lin Yu didn't understand. Even if it was because Zhou Mianmian had rejected him and Xie Xiao stopped fawning over her, liking another girl so quickly didn't seem like Xie Xiao, but neither did he believe that Xie Xiao was just playing around.

After all, Xie Xiao just wasn't that kind of person!

Xie Xiao had not expected him to be so serious just to say this, and he breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn't like what he had imagined, that melodramatic.

Looking at Lin Yu in front of him, he had to admit that Lin Yu really knew him well.

His own change seemed too obvious to Lin Yu.

He chose his words carefully, "Do you believe in fate?"

Lin Yu: …What the heck?

He glared at Xie Xiao, "If you really don't want to talk about it, you don't have to, but don't make up stories to fool me!"

Xie Xiao: …How should I explain?

He sighed heavily just as the bus arrived.

"Forget it, I'll explain it next time. Anyway, I'm really serious, I really like her," Xie Xiao said earnestly to Lin Yu.

Lin Yu, looking at his expression, finally waved his hand in frustration, "Enough, what's the use telling me here! Hurry up and get on the bus! We'll have to wait again otherwise!"

Xie Xiao laughed, said goodbye, and then boarded the bus.

Lin Yu continued to stand on the platform for a while even after the bus had left, then he turned and walked away.

As Xie Xiao watched his retreating figure disappear, he slowly exhaled.

He felt rather complicated. Just now, he had almost spilled everything to Lin Yu.

But what after telling? Would Lin Yu think he had gone crazy?

Xie Xiao looked out the window, wondering how many people could really accept the concept of rebirth as a real thing?

He hoped Lin Yu wouldn't ask anymore, otherwise Xie Xiao really would need to consider making up a story.

Lost in thought, his phone vibrated.

It was a message from Luo Yanran when Xie Xiao checked it.

He remembered that he had said he would tell her when he got home, and he had been busy helping out and then got somewhat flustered by Lin Yu, indeed forgetting about it.

She was probably a bit worried.

Opening the message from Xie Xiao, there was just a "?"

He couldn't help but smile and replied, "Sorry, I've just been helping Lin Yu close up. I'm on my way home now, just one more stop to go."

Almost instantly, the response came back, "Oh, I didn't mean anything by it, just wondering if you are going to the bookstore tomorrow."

Clearly worried, yet acting nonchalant—she was too adorable!