SSB – Chapter 28.1

Chapter 28

　　The graduation ceremony took place inside the gymnasium. However, before the scheduled time, most people were outside taking photos. Duan Jiaxu had an exceptional social circle and a good temper, so many people pulled him in for photos. He didn’t have much time to pay attention to Sang Zhi.

　　Sang Zhi didn’t intend to bother him either; she wanted to go back and find her parents. But because of the crowd, she didn’t know where they had gone.

　　Duan Jiaxu was afraid she might get lost or pushed around by the crowd. In the end, he simply pulled her to his side and instructed her to stay close and not wander off. He didn’t mind that she also ended up in the frame. 

　　Sang Zhi felt like she had become his little tail. A tail that couldn’t resist stealing glances at him, a tail that had grown eyes. 

　　Duan Jiaxu was dressed in the uniform black bachelor’s robe today. The large gown accentuated his slender and tall figure, giving off an air of elegance and indifference. His skin was pale, his features sharp and distinct, and when he smiled, it carried an inexplicable sense of playfulness. He was so handsome that it was hard to look away. 

　　Sang Zhi could feel that many girls were looking at him too.

　　Perhaps feeling uncomfortable, Duan Jiaxu didn’t wear the graduation cap; he just held it casually in his hand. Later on, he noticed that the sun was too intense, so he placed the cap on Sang Zhi’s head. The cap was a bit big and kept slipping down, obstructing her view.

　　Using her peripheral vision, Sang Zhi saw Duan Jiaxu immediately adjust it for her and said with a laugh, “What are you thinking? Adjust it yourself. Do you want me to help you adjust it?” 

　　Sang Zhi acknowledged and readjusted the cap herself. But it still kept slipping down, so she simply took off the cap and handed it back to Duan Jiaxu. “Brother, I won’t wear it.”

　　　　”Alright,” Duan Jiaxu looked down at her and said, “Do you want to have a tan?”

　　”Suntan,” Sang Zhi pointed to her head, her tone a bit frustrated. “But it keeps falling off.”

　　”Stand in front of me.”

　　Sang Zhi obediently did so, hesitatingly asking, “Why?”

　　Duan Jiaxu lifted his hand to secure the cap, chuckled lightly, and said, “I will hold it for you.”

　　”…”

　　”We can’t let our Little Sang Zhi get sunburned.”

　　The two of them, one tall and one small, stood there—one in front of the other—surrounded by people wearing graduation robes of various styles.

　　Duan Jiaxu held the bouquet of flowers Sang Zhi had brought, and the bachelor’s cap that was supposed to be on his head ended up on hers.

　　When someone asked, Duan Jiaxu just smiled and replied, “She’s my little sister.”

　　And so, Sang Zhi appeared in most of Duan Jiaxu’s graduation photos as a “Little Sister.” She hadn’t seen those photos, and she felt too embarrassed to ask him for them.

　　Sang Zhi just suddenly felt fortunate.

　　Luckily, she wore a very nice dress today.

　　After the graduation ceremony, Sang Zhi went home with her parents.

　　Sang Yan and Duan Jiaxu went out to eat with their friends. That night, Sang Yan didn’t return until almost midnight, accompanied by Duan Jiaxu.

　　Strictly speaking, it should be said that Duan Jiaxu brought Sang Yan back.

　　At that time, Sang Zhi was already asleep. She was awakened by the noise and curiously sat up to look.

　　Upon entering the living room, Sang Zhi immediately spotted Sang Yan sitting on the sofa, clearly having had too much to drink. Sang Rong was scolding Sang Yan while chatting with Duan Jiaxu on the side.

　　Li Ping was in the kitchen, cooking sobering soup.

　　Noticing Sang Zhi, Sang Rong looked over and said, “Zhizhi, sorry for waking you up.”

　　Sang Zhi rubbed her eyes and shook her head silently.

　　”Look at your brother, how much did he drink to end up like this?” Sang Rong frowned. “Oh, by the way, Zhizhi, your brother is staying at our place tonight. Could you get him a new towel and a toothbrush?” 

　　Duan Jiaxu immediately declined, “I don’t want to bother you.”

　　”What bother? You’re not a bother at all.” Sang Rong patted his arm. “Go freshen up. You’ve had a long day. Don’t stay outside tonight.”

　　In the next moment, Sang Zhi walked up to Duan Jiaxu and said, “Brother, come with me, I’ll get them for you.”

　　Duan Jiaxu didn’t refuse this time and nodded, “Thank you for that.”

　　Sang Zhi led Duan Jiaxu to Sang Yan’s room, retrieved a set of pajamas for him, and then suddenly stopped. “Brother, I don’t know where the underwear is. Let me ask my mom.”

　　”…”Duan Jiaxu chuckled. “It’s okay, just get me a towel and a toothbrush.”

　　”Okay.” Sang Zhi then took him to the bathroom and pointed to the cabinet above. “There are new ones in that cabinet. You can help yourself.”

　　”Hmm.”

　　”Brother,” Sang Zhi walked out of the bathroom, suddenly turned back and asked, “Did you drink?”

　　Duan Jiaxu: “No.”

　　”You really didn’t drink?” Sang Zhi stared at his face, hesitated, and said, “If you did, I’ll have my mom make you some sobering soup too.”

　　”I really didn’t drink,” Duan Jiaxu smiled. “I don’t drink.”

　　After thinking for a moment, Sang Zhi walked back into the bathroom and pointed at the items on the counter. “Brother, this is shampoo, conditioner, this is body wash, and this is facial cleanser. Also, there’s a razor here, you can use it.”

　　Duan Jiaxu tousled Sang Zhi’s hair, his brows slightly furrowed, and a smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

　　”Alright, Brother got it. Thanks, Little Sang Zhi.” 

　　Sang Zhi nodded and left the bathroom.

　　Seeing that only Sang Yan was left in the living room, while Sang Rong had gone into the kitchen to help Li Ping, Sang Zhi jogged over to Sang Yan’s side and nudged his arm. “Brother.”

　　Sang Yan struggled to open his eyes. “What?”

　　”Go to your room and get a new pair of underwear,” Sang Zhi whispered. “Brother Jiaxu is taking a shower. Go get him one.”

　　”…”