Ch. 22 - The Unexpected Chen Yu

Old streets. Moss-covered walls. Banyan trees. Lazy cats. Stone-paved sidewalks cooled by the sea breeze.

The old district was like an aging general, steadily pushed back by the march of development, retreating to the last weather-beaten stretch of land south of the Coastal Boulevard.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Tang Xin and Chen Yu walked ahead at a leisurely pace.

Tang Xin clasped her hands behind her back, stopping every now and then as her gaze wandered across the scenery around her. Chen Yu's attention was naturally drawn to the old buildings as well. From time to time, he would say something to Tang Xin about how things used to be, reminiscing about the past.

As for me, I followed behind them.

When they walked, I walked.

When they stopped, I stopped.

I did my best to minimize my presence.

Being the foil to a handsome guy really sucked.

Looking at Chen Yu's figure half a head taller than mine, I felt like a beginner hero who had just left the starting village and somehow found himself facing the final boss.

Still, Tang Xin and Chen Yu looked like the perfect match.

Standing together, they fit as naturally as two pieces of a puzzle.

And thankfully, Tang Xin seemed genuinely interested in the surroundings rather than scheming.

That alone was a relief.

The last few times, she'd held my hand and walked ahead with me, leaving the other guy trailing awkwardly behind.

Maybe it was because we were in the old district.

Tang Xin seemed to genuinely love these old streets.

In fact, before we'd even become acquainted, the first time I'd ever seen her was around here.

***

"May I ask what family Bai Qiao comes from?"

As we neared the end of the old district and approached the Coastal Boulevard, Chen Yu lowered his voice and asked Tang Xin.

Though he spoke quietly, I still heard him.

Honestly, the fact that he'd waited until now to ask was impressive.

I pricked up my ears, curious about Tang Xin's answer.

I wondered which identity she'd assigned me this time.

The son of an oil tycoon?

A real estate magnate?

"Ah Qiao's parents are university professors."

Tang Xin answered with a smile.

Then she slowed down and moved beside me.

Reaching into her handbag, she pulled out a small floral folding fan and gently began fanning me with fragrant breezes.

"Thank you for accompanying me on your weekend."

You fox-like woman.

There wasn't even the slightest trace of sincerity in that apology!

And why did it suddenly feel like I was the protagonist now?!

Still, I was surprised she'd answered honestly.

Judging by his expression, Chen Yu seemed surprised too.

However, his face noticeably relaxed, as though some concern had been put to rest.

"Jealous?"

Using the fan to shield her expression from Chen Yu's view, Tang Xin leaned close to my ear.

Her seductive eyes sparkled mischievously.

Only I could hear her teasing whisper.

Jealous?

Because she'd been walking ahead with Chen Yu and hadn't paid attention to me?

No, no, no.

I thought things were perfect this way.

A trouble-free stroll through town, followed by a copy of Firebearer IV from her handbag.

What could be better?

Just as I leaned away, ready to deny it, Tang Xin immediately increased the distance between us again, never giving me a chance to respond.

The entire combo left me feeling like I'd swallowed a silent loss.

Very uncomfortable.

And that little whispering act was obviously visible to Chen Yu.

Which meant—

Tang Xin's tricks had officially begun again.

***

"Bai Qiao, do you live around here?"

Chen Yu slowed his pace and waited for us to catch up before smiling at me.

The formation had now become:

Chen Yu.

Me.

Tang Xin.

The three of us walking side by side.

As the person stuck in the middle, I felt as awkward as humanly possible.

"No. But I don't live very far away."

I shook my head and returned an embarrassed smile.

Sweat was already forming on my forehead.

After all, Tang Xin was still standing on my right side, diligently fanning me.

Who knew when this handsome guy would finally lose his temper?

"Ah Qiao, why are you sweating so much?"

Seeing the perspiration on my forehead, Tang Xin's tone became reproachful.

She took out a handkerchief and gently wiped my forehead.

I froze like a rusted machine.

Not daring to move an inch.

And thanks to her actions, I started sweating even more.

"It's a little hot today."

Chen Yu watched the scene unfold and simply smiled.

Then, as though something had just occurred to him, he turned to me apologetically.

"Sorry for dragging you out here on your weekend."

"It's no trouble."

I scratched my head.

"It's not like I had anything important planned anyway."

Honestly, I was shocked.

Tang Xin's behavior practically screamed intimacy while excluding a third person.

Yet Chen Yu showed absolutely no reaction.

Could it be...

He didn't actually like Tang Xin?

Did he simply not care about the relationship between us?

Meanwhile, Tang Xin continued walking close beside me, carefully wiping away my sweat.

Her expression remained calm and unreadable.

She said nothing.

***

"I went to school around here when I was a child."

Chen Yu gazed ahead.

"The school has since been demolished, so I can't visit it anymore. I was only here for a year or two, but I've always missed this place."

He seemed completely oblivious to all the intimate gestures between Tang Xin and me.

His expression was peaceful.

More nostalgic than anything else.

Even his tone was calm and steady.

This was easily the most refined person I'd encountered during my entire career as Tang Xin's human shield.

The previous candidates usually reacted to her antics in one of two ways:

Either they awkwardly found an excuse to leave.

Or they became visibly irritated.

But Chen Yu was different.

***

"So what do you usually do on weekends, Bai Qiao?"

Chen Yu looked at me and naturally steered the conversation my way.

"I play games, read books... that sort of thing."

Actually, gaming was my only real hobby.

Reading was just something I did on the side.

The moment he heard that, Chen Yu lit up as though he'd found a kindred spirit.

"I like games too."

His smile became noticeably brighter.

"Especially Japanese RPGs."

Wait.

Handsome, successful guys played games too?

I stared at him in surprise.

"What a coincidence. I love Japanese RPGs too."

Seeing how happy he looked, my own mood improved as well.

After all, Japanese RPGs were gradually declining while blockbuster Western titles kept dominating the market.

Meeting another fan wasn't easy these days.

If the circumstances weren't so awkward today, we might actually have become good friends.

Meanwhile, Tang Xin continued standing beside me, fanning me gently.

She simply smiled and watched the two of us chat.

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