Chapter 77

Chapter 77 – She Just Doesn’t Want to Share You with Others

The process of introducing a new friend among boys is quite easy and straightforward.

Playing a game together, if friend A introduces his friend B to join in, that’s even better. Let’s all get online!

As for whether they can play together for a long time, it basically depends on friend B’s gaming skills.

If B is a top-tier player, he’ll naturally be treated well, possibly even replacing A’s position in the team;

If B’s skill level is similar but he’s easier to communicate with, and often plays online together, it’s still acceptable.

But if B is both incompetent and annoying, next time if this B still comes along, even A would be looked down upon.

Friendship among boys is mostly simple and direct; having common interests in games can make them friends, and they usually split costs equally when hanging out, so no one gets special treatment.

As for girls…

It’s said, it’s said by Mei Fang hearing from others.

It’s said that girls have a strong obsession with who is closer to whom, and four people can form five different combinations of small groups or large groups.

For Lin You Xi, she didn’t have particularly close friends in elementary school, or perhaps she had none at all, so she values Xia Yuan deeply.

Xia Yuan also values Lin You Xi deeply. However, there’s a slight difference.

Hmm…

“Alright, this is the shop I was talking about.”

Peng Xue brought Mei Fang and two others to the shop she recommended, a boutique across from White Plum No.1 High School, selling items like girls’ accessories, bracelets, diary books, and daily necessities. Many high school students could be seen entering and exiting.

“Come in, come in, let’s pick something out.”

“You Xi, come on, why did you fall behind? Were you whispering to Fang?”

Xia Yuan waved at Lin You Xi, who immediately walked up and held Xia Yuan’s hand.

Rarely did she take the initiative to wrap her arm around Xia Yuan.

Oh… Why suddenly like this…

Usually, Xia Yuan was the one who initiated closeness with Lin You Xi. Suddenly being held by Lin You Xi felt somewhat unfamiliar.

“Let’s go see the hand warmers!”

“Mm-hm, let’s go!”

Mei Fang thought more and more that this scene seemed off.

I’m You Xi’s childhood friend, Peng Xue is Xia Yuan’s unexpected encounter…

Xia Yuan has so many wings…

The three girls found the shelf with hand warmers. Since the store wasn’t very big, Mei Fang didn’t want to squeeze inside and stood outside at the entrance.

From time to time, some high school girls from White Plum No.1 High School entered. They wore plain school uniforms, with well-developed figures, chatting and laughing as they entered the boutique.

“Look, there’s a cute little boy over there. Look! He’s so adorable.”

“?”

Mei Fang frowned at the high school girl beside him.

Little girl, don’t be so disrespectful.

“He looks angry, hahaha.”

“Hehe, I want to pinch his cheeks.”

“Don’t do silly things, maybe his parents are nearby.”

The high school girls chatted and laughed as they entered the boutique. Mei Fang rubbed his hands outside, and at this moment, Peng Xue came out of the store and met him.

“Mei Fang, why didn’t you choose anything? Don’t you like the hand warmers I recommended?”

“Not exactly,” Mei Fang shook his head. “I don’t really care about the appearance. Anyway, this thing is only used in the morning, and there’s no place to charge it at school.”

“That’s true, boys aren’t too concerned about these things. You girls focus more on practicality.”

Peng Xue smiled. “But I admire you for willing to accompany girls shopping. Among the boys I know, none are as gentle and thoughtful as you. Although you look like a cute boy, you actually seem much more mature.”

Although Peng Xue was only in the first year of junior high, her words were quite flirtatious.

If Mei Fang weren’t a mature man, a young boy would probably be easily taken in by her praise and manipulation.

“I just waited outside for a bit, went out for a walk, and didn’t say much on the way. How did you know I was gentle and thoughtful?”

“Haha, of course, it’s not just because of today.”

Peng Xue explained, “I… I’m Xia Yuan’s deskmate, and she always tells me about you. I envy her so much.”

Ah!

This Xia Yuan, she shares too much!

Next time I need to remind Xia Yuan.

Mei Fang’s expression turned serious. “Since Xia Yuan has told you a lot, you should also understand how close our three relationships are… So, I cherish our friendship very much and will never allow anyone to harm it.”

Perhaps not expecting Mei Fang to suddenly say such words, Peng Xue was stunned for a moment before covering her mouth and laughing like a silver bell.

“I didn’t expect you to have such a middle school delinquent side! Haha.”

What middle school delinquent… Is it embarrassing?

Mei Fang fell into self-doubt.

Could it be because I spoke too far-sighted, making it seem strange?

Peng Xue wiped away her tears of laughter. “So I really envy your relationship. It’s already very happy just watching from the sidelines. Unlike me back then—”

She paused mid-sentence as Xia Yuan and Lin You Xi came out of the shop.

“Fang, we’ve picked out the hand warmers for You Xi and me. Do you want to take a look?”

“You guys choose for me, whatever you pick I like.”

Xia Yuan happily took out a pig-shaped hand warmer and handed it to Mei Fang.

“I knew you’d say that. Look, the hand warmer can be taken apart and used as a small blanket—”

“So that’s how it works…”

After buying the hand warmers, Peng Xue left halfway and bid farewell to Mei Fang and the others.

Xia Yuan seemed unaware of Lin You Xi’s subtle mood, continuously chatting happily with Lin You Xi, who appeared somewhat distracted. Finally, during a pause in Xia Yuan’s conversation, she couldn’t help but interrupt.

“Yuan, after evening study sessions… do we always have to go home with Peng Xue?”

“Huh? What… what do you mean?”

Xia Yuan clearly didn’t immediately understand Lin You Xi’s meaning. She seemed puzzled:

“Do you not like Xiao Xue? She’s quite enthusiastic towards you, and her personality is great!”

Lin You Xi shook her head. “No… it’s not about her… it’s just… it’s just…”

This girl named Lin You Xi always behaves this way.

Since kindergarten, she’s always behaved this way.

When she lacks the courage to continue doing something, she looks to her childhood friend.

Her hero.

Prepared Mei Fang patted Lin You Xi’s shoulder gently and said, “It’s okay, You Xi. We’ve been friends for so long. If you have any feelings, tell Yuan. Don’t keep it bottled up; it’s not good for any of us.”

“Right! You… you have to tell me, You Xi. Otherwise, I won’t know what you’re thinking.”

With encouragement from Mei Fang and Xia Yuan, Lin You Xi finally lifted her head and loudly shared her thoughts with Xia Yuan:

“I really love the time we spend going home together after evening study sessions. Our relationship is special, and I hope we can always stay like this. But, just the three of us, no less, no more.”

“I… I… I definitely support you and Fang!”

Xia Yuan twirled a strand of hair behind her ear. “If you and Fang think it’s inappropriate to walk together, I can talk to Xiao Xue. She didn’t say she wants to go home with us every night anyway. Also, I want to ask, do you two… not like Xiao Xue?”

Having introduced a friend who isn’t favored by the childhood friend, Xia Yuan felt very uncomfortable. “Well… I still hope you can get to know her better. She’s really a nice girl.”

Mei Fang and Lin You Xi both shook their heads, indicating they didn’t dislike Peng Xue. Lin You Xi held Xia Yuan’s hand:

“Just… when you two are close, I’m fine. Occasionally going out together doesn’t bother me either. It’s just… during the time we go home after evening study sessions, I want it to be just the three of us.”

Mei Fang added on the side, with interest:

“Yuan, you should understand… You Xi isn’t saying this because she dislikes Peng Xue. She just doesn’t want to share you with others.”

“Aaah! Fang, what are you saying! Disgusting, I’m so embarrassed!”

Blushing, Xia Yuan chased after Mei Fang, hitting him repeatedly. Lin You Xi, who had endured a whole night, finally showed a rare smile.

—

I wonder if everyone feels the same. I actually dislike it when my best friend brings his friends into our circle. If they get along, it’s fine, but if they don’t, it’s really torturous. But due to face, I usually don’t tell my good friend, and sometimes friends don’t understand boundaries, which is very heartbreaking.

—

(End of Chapter)