SSB – Chapter 3.1

Chapter 3: Secretly

　　If it were her brother, Sang Yan, standing in front of her, there was no way she would tell him about this matter. He probably wouldn’t be able to get even half a word out of her.  Even without telling him, she would still pester him for a long time.

　　But now, the person in front of her was someone she has met for the first time

　　From the very first sentence, Duan Jiaxu was unusually gentle, as if he wouldn’t get angry no matter what she said.  She couldn’t read him, and because of this unfamiliarity, she didn’t dare to be too presumptuous.

　　As soon as his tone changed even slightly, she completely lost the courage to continue hiding anything.

　　After a few seconds of silence, she reluctantly confessed: “I wasn’t paying attention in class.”

　　Duan Jiaxu: “Hmm.”

　　”The teacher called me up to answer a question, and I got it right.” She paused for a moment, carefully organizing her words. “Then he asked me if I wanted to take his place as the class teacher.” “I knew that wouldn’t work, so I refused.”

　　”…”

　　Duan Jiaxu: “?”

　　Sang Zhi cautiously glanced at him, as if trying to gauge his reaction, but quickly averted her eyes.  Standing there obediently, she appeared honest and straightforward. “Then he said he would call my parents.”

　　After saying the last word.

　　Sang Zhi felt like the whole world went silent.

　　Having concealed some details, Sang Zhi was actually feeling quite guilty.  Seeing him remain silent, she couldn’t help but say, “Don’t you believe me?”

　　Finally, Duan Jiaxu spoke, with a smile in his voice: “I do find it a little hard to believe.”

　　He seemed genuinely amused. His shoulders trembled slightly, and his chest rose and fell with faint laughter, mixed with shallow breaths. He was already handsome, but when he smiled, he became even more dazzling, and his lips had a bright and vibrant color. 

　　The distance between the two was close.

　　Sang Zhi could smell the lingering scent of smoke on him, which made her even more uncomfortable.

　　She managed to force out, “I’m telling the truth.”

　　Duan Jiaxu: “Hmm? You’re not lying to me, are you?”

　　Sang Zhi nodded earnestly, looking extremely sincere. “No, really, it’s true. If you don’t believe me, you’ll find out tomorrow. I’m not lying to you, and the teacher will tell you the truth tomorrow.” 

　　”I see…” Duan Jiaxu replied.

　　Just as he finished speaking, the door was opened again.

　　Sang Yan didn’t look at them and walked towards the wardrobe, straightforwardly saying, “Little Devil, get out.”

　　Though Sang Zhi felt a bit guilty for falsely accusing him, she was still reluctant to leave just like that. She whispered, “Can’t I stay here?”

　　Sang Yan turned back, giving a wry smile. “I need to change my clothes.”

　　”In that case, Gege…” At this point, Sang Zhi tugged at the hem of Duan Jiaxu’s clothes, “Gege, you should also go out. I don’t think he wants you to see him changing clothes either.”

　　Sang Yan acted as if he hadn’t heard and said, “Close the door on your way out.”

　　Sang Zhi took his silence as approval and pulled Duan Jiaxu out with her. “Okay, we’ll close it.”

　　”…”

　　Sang Yan stared at the two of them for a moment, then waved his hand, too lazy to bother further.

　　As this topic couldn’t be overheard by a third person…

　　After leaving the room, Sang Zhi immediately pulled Duan Jiaxu back to her own room, cautiously closed the door, and anxiously asked, “Gege, will you come tomorrow?” “I’ve been honest with you…” 

　　Duan Jiaxu lowered his eyelids lazily and said, “Why don’t you ask your brother for help?”

　　”How could I!” Sang Zhi widened her eyes. “I just accused him wrongly… If I tell him, he’ll immediately tell Mom.”

　　Duan Jiaxu was still smiling. “Your brother is not that kind of person.”

　　”…”

　　It was hard to tell if he was serious or joking with that tone.

　　Though Sang Zhi had threatened him earlier, it was just empty words, and now she had no way out.

　　With no other options, she remembered what happened earlier and reminded him with a grudge, “Gege, if you hadn’t said those things to my brother, we wouldn’t have argued.”

　　Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

　　Just at that moment, the door was pushed open.

　　Sang Yan stood outside and looked at Duan Jiaxu. “Let’s go.”

　　As if not hearing clearly what Sang Zhi had just said, Duan Jiaxu nodded. “Kiddo, see you next time.”

　　Sang Zhi couldn’t believe it.

　　How could it be “See you next time” already!

　　They haven’t settled the matter yet!

　　Realizing that Duan Jiaxu was really going to leave, Sang Zhi immediately held onto his arm. “Are you leaving so soon? It’s already late. Let’s have dinner first before you go!” “It’s already late, can we finish dinner before you go,” Sang Zhi pleaded.

　　Duan Jiaxu politely declined, “Next time, maybe.”

　　Sang Zhi stared at him, not showing any intention of letting go.

　　What do you mean by “next time”!

　　Did you forget about the earlier conversation already? Do you have memory problems due to aging!

　　However, she didn’t dare to say these words out loud and could only ask pitifully, “When is the next time?”

　　Duan Jiaxu curled his lips but remained silent.

　　Observing this somewhat awkward interaction between the two, Sang Yan raised an eyebrow and teased, “What are you two doing? You just met, and you’re already staring at each other like this? Duan Jiaxu, be gentle, my sister is only twelve years old.” 

　　Sang Zhi instinctively retorted, “I’m thirteen.”

　　Hearing this number, Duan Jiaxu seemed surprised, and his gaze turned back to Sang Zhi.

　　”Thirteen?”

　　His tone suggested disbelief, as if it were an incredible tale that she was already thirteen years old.

　　This response directly hit a sore spot for Sang Zhi. She instantly forgot about her previous request and said unhappily, “Are you trying to say I’m short and don’t look like a thirteen-year-old at all?”

　　Sang Yan, leaning against the door with his arms crossed, added fuel to the fire, “That’s what he meant.”

　　Duan Jiaxu scratched the skin below his eye, shaking his head, “No.”

　　But his words lacked sincerity.

　　Sang Zhi stared at the two of them for a few seconds, and then got upset, “Forget it, I’m not talking to you.” Unlike the previous argument with Sang Yan, she seemed genuinely hurt and whispered, “Anyway, I’ll still grow.”

　　Seeing this, an unusual feeling of guilt rose in Sang Yan’s heart, and he comforted her, “Isn’t it good to be short? When you’re thirty, someone might even think you’re only eighteen.” 

　　This felt more like poking at her sore spot.

　　Sang Zhi displayed a stern expression. “So, is it because you are tall that others think you’re my dad?”

　　”…”

　　In an instant, Sang Yan’s hint of guilt vanished.