For a moment, Sang Zhi didn’t react, and the answer in her mouth almost slipped out along with his words. Her breath hitched. She lifted her gaze and silently stared at him.
Based on her understanding, this sentence seemed to have two possible meanings.
Either it was, “Am I the person you’re talking about?”
Or it could be, “Can I become the person you’re talking about?”
Regardless of which interpretation, if she admitted it, wouldn’t that mean she was revealing her feelings first, right?
A battle raged within Sang Zhi’s heart.
Duan Jiaxu also patiently waited for her answer, not rushing her in the least.
After a while, Sang Zhi made up her mind and decisively uttered two words: “Not alike.”
Duan Jiaxu sighed softly, drawing out the tone, as if somewhat disappointed.
Before he could say anything, Sang Zhi lowered her eyes and earnestly added, “Don’t mention that term anymore. I’m not fond of that person anymore.”
A hint of amusement played at the corners of Duan Jiaxu’s lips: “I see.”
Sang Zhi nodded calmly. Afraid he wouldn’t believe her, she thought for a moment, then mustered up the courage to tell a lie, “Didn’t you call him a scumbag? I haven’t been in touch with him since.”
”… ” Duan Jiaxu’s smile became more restrained.
Sang Zhi made a clear gesture, serious as she said, “I don’t have anyone I like now.”
Duan Jiaxu was silent for three seconds, the emotions in his eyes becoming somewhat indescribable, as if he had dug a hole and fallen into it himself. He averted his gaze and casually asked,, “This person, the ladies’ man?”
Sang Zhi hesitated, “Kind of.”
Only now did she recall that she had used that term back then. Duan Jiaxu felt both amused and exasperated, as he said each word deliberately, “Do you know what that term means?”
Hearing this, Sang Zhi looked at him in puzzlement. “You don’t know?”
”…”
”How come you don’t know anything? Don’t you go online?” Sang Zhi explained to him without a hint of disdain, “Ladies’ man refers to a guy who has many female friends, treats all girls well, but still doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
Duan Jiaxu lowered his gaze, glanced her way, and uttered a faint hum, “So, if someone matches even one out of these three points, they’re considered ‘ladies’ man’?”
”… ” Sang Zhi responded matter-of-factly, “Of course, all three points need to match.”
The conversation ended there.
Side by side, they walked toward the school gate.
As they passed a group of rowdy college students, Sang Zhi faintly heard Duan Jiaxu say something, his tone indescribable, carrying a hint of coolness.
”You’re quite proficient at accusing people.”
The movie “Big Hero 6” that Sang Zhi wanted to watch earlier was mostly off the screens in most theaters, except for one that had the last showing left.
It was located in a commercial district in the city center.
Duan Jiaxu had booked the tickets in advance.
They took the subway. Since it was the weekend, there were a lot of people. Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu happened to get squeezed into a spot near the door.
Afraid that she might get jostled by others, Duan Jiaxu pulled her in front of him.
Surrounded by people and unable to find something for her to hold onto, Sang Zhi couldn’t help but say, “If I stand like this, I have nothing to hold onto.”
Duan Jiaxu lowered his gaze, released his hand, and pointed to the hanging strap he had been holding onto, “Then hold onto this.”
Sang Zhi reached out and obediently grabbed onto it, then turned to look at him. “And what about you?”
Duan Jiaxu casually grabbed onto the overhead bar. After a few seconds, as if he noticed something, he suddenly chuckled lazily, “It’s a bit high, holding onto it is a bit of a hassle.”
”… ” Sang Zhi was about to say something.
The next moment, his hand moved downward, and he held onto her wrist. “It’s easier here.”
Sang Zhi maintained her original posture. Her eyes widened a bit, and she stared at him intently, apparently finding his behavior particularly audacious. “What’s so hard about holding onto the upper part?”
”It’s really a hassle,” Duan Jiaxu’s smile remained unchanged as he said leisurely, “Or you can try holding it for a moment?”
”… ” Sang Zhi felt a bit uncomfortable. She extended her other hand and grabbed onto the overhead bar, but she released it soon after, muttering, “Are you really comparing your height to mine?”
But she didn’t pull his hand away either.
Her gaze couldn’t help but glance upwards.
Sang Zhi looked at his slender fingers, clasping her wrist. With a warm touch, extremely real, impossible to ignore.
In fact, Duan Jiaxu rarely had physical contact with her.
Even when she was younger, he at most would ruffle her hair or pinch her cheek, seemingly affectionate, yet maintaining a certain distance.
She lowered her head and started touching the corner of her mouth again.
Duan Jiaxu’s gaze shifted forward, staring at her reflection in the window. He lowered his eyes, slightly turned his head, and quietly observed her current appearance.
Both of them were engrossed in their own actions.
One was pretending to be nonchalant, while the other was silently watching her. Occasionally, his lips curved into a subtle smile.
Then, he inexplicably started to smile too.
When they arrived at the shopping mall, there was still half an hour before the movie started.
They weren’t in a rush to get their tickets. Sang Zhi glanced around and couldn’t help but point to a nearby bubble tea shop. “I want to get a drink. Do you want one?”
Duan Jiaxu: “No.”
Sang Zhi: “Then won’t you be thirsty during the movie later?”
Duan Jiaxu: “I’ll go buy…”
Before he could finish, he suddenly felt like history was repeating itself with this conversation. His brow furrowed, and he corrected himself, “Before you drink this time, you should first check if they actually made what you ordered.”
”Oh.” There was no one else in line at the bubble tea shop. Sang Zhi walked up to the counter, glanced at the menu, and after a brief moment of consideration, she placed her order, “Iced lemon water with pearls.”
”… ” Duan Jiaxu had never heard of this combination before. “Can you drink it like that?”
Sang Zhi gave him a glance: “Of course you can.”
Duan Jiaxu frowned: “And how many degrees is it today? And you’re still having something cold.”
Sang Zhi: “It’s not cold indoors.”
Duan Jiaxu: “Don’t drink too much.”
Sang Zhi seemed a bit disgruntled. She muttered, “Why are you always nagging me?”
At her words, Duan Jiaxu turned his head to look at her, studying her somewhat frustrated expression. His brows and eyes relaxed, his tone slightly teasing, “Do you find me annoying?”
Coincidentally, the cashier handed over her drink.
Sang Zhi took it, inserted a straw, and took a sip. Not wanting to be too direct, she replied ambiguously, “I didn’t say that.”
Duan Jiaxu chuckled, “That’s exactly what you meant.”
Sang Zhi acted as if she hadn’t heard, chewing on the pearls absentmindedly.
Peek-Aboo 
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