Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts

Xiao Ruawen was driven into a corner, but the luring whispers of Xu Qingfan continued.

"Ruan Wen..."

"Why do you always have to mention Xiao Xiao? Is it because you feel guilty?"

"Why did you take me to Love Avenue last time? Could it be because deep down, you actually like me?"

The scumbag spoke and his right hand gradually gripped the girl's palm, pressing it against the wall.

Last time it was his left cheek that received a hard slap from Xiao Ruawen, so this time Xu Qingfan smartened up, controlling her right hand first.

As for the girl's other hand, just to be safe, he took control of that one as well.

"You... I... I'm not, I don't feel guilty at all!"

"Let me go this instant!"

Xiao Ruawen's mind was in chaos, she couldn't articulate herself clearly; she was uncertain whether she felt guilty because Brother Chou Fan was right or not.

Naturally, Xu Qingfan had no intention of letting her go. He held the girl's left hand and gently caressed it, eventually stopping at her heart.

He said, "Listen to yourself. If it's not guilt, Ruan Wen, then why is your heart beating so fast?"

"I... It's because the weather is hot!" Xiao Ruawen's mind was in turmoil. She turned her head away, refusing to meet his gaze.

Xu Qingfan drew in his stomach and slowly moved his hand to his own heart.

"Don't you know? Every time you mention Xiao Xiao in front of me, it truly breaks my heart."

"Last time you asked me, whether I like Yu, whether I like Wanning, whether I like Yiyi... and you."

"I admitted it. I do like all of you. But... why don't you ask me who I like the most? Could it be you?"

The scumbag's face was filled with sorrow, his grip on Xiao Ruawen's hand grew so tight that the knuckles turned white, as if he wanted to meld her into his own body.

Xiao Ruawen turned her head again, a mix of confusion, shock, astonishment, and pride crossed her face. She just stared blankly into Xu Qingfan's eyes.

Xu Qingfan resisted the impulse to plant a forceful kiss, and kept on coaxing, "I'm not saying this to coerce you into anything, nor am I looking for a response from you."

"I just hope that you can understand my feelings."

"Do you understand, Ruan Wen?"

Xiao Ruawen felt as if her mind was buzzing with countless bees - aside from the buzzing noise, she felt like a computer that had crashed.

[Brother Fan likes me the most... He likes me the most...]

Xu Qingfan drew closer, their noses soon touched intimately, and their lips were only less than a fingernail's distance apart.

Xiao Ruawen gradually came to her senses but, possibly worrying that Brother Fan would kiss her abruptly, she tensed up as if bracing for an attack.

"No matter whether you like me or not, and no matter whether I end up with Xiao Xiao in the future, I just hope... "

"...I just hope that when it's just the two of us, you won't talk about helping Xiao Xiao anymore... okay?"

Xu Qingfan replayed the scene of chasing taxis in his previous life in his mind, portraying the lowliness within love so penetratingly, it was a waste he wasn't making a name for himself in movies.

"I...." Several times Xiao Ruawen tried to speak, but each time, unsure what to say, she fell silent again.

Xu Qingfan had always been high-spirited in her eyes; she had never seen him look as lowly as he did now, as though he was groveling in the dust.

[Fan... Brother Fan says I'm the one he likes most, but he's already been to the rooftop with Xiao Xiao!]

[What should I do...]

Even she had to admit, the moment she found out that Xu Qingfan liked her the most, Xiao Ruawen was delighted. No, ecstatic would be more accurate.

But then.

What good would that do?

Xia Xiaoxiao had beaten her to the rooftop with Brother Fan years ago. Even if she also liked Brother Fan very much, that just meant they were destined but not fated.

[No matter what, I could never do anything to betray Xiao Xiao, so it's impossible for me to be with Brother Fan!]

Before Xiao Ruawen could say a word, the scumbag spoke again.

"I understand..."

"I won't make things difficult for you anymore. My feelings for Ruan Wen, I'll keep buried in my heart forever."

"Rest assured, Ruan Wen, I definitely won't put any psychological pressure on you."

Saying this, Xu Qingfan almost laughed tragically, a laugh more hideous than crying.

"I...." Xiao Ruawen felt as though her heart had been ruthlessly pierced with several holes. She wanted to tell Brother Fan the truth, to tell him she liked him too.

But as soon as she thought of Xia Xiaoxiao, her myriad thoughts couldn't make it past her lips.

"Alright, I know all that. You don't need to say anything, Ruan Wen." Xu Qingfan gently covered the girl's mouth with his hand; having said all this, the scumbag wasn't worried about receiving a big slap from Xiao Ruawen anymore.

The spring-breeze-like smile on Brother Fan's face made Xiao Ruawen's heart tremble; she felt she would never forget this evening's smile for the rest of her life.

She raised the left hand that Xu Qingfan had just released and unconsciously placed it on Brother Fan's face.

But realizing what she was doing, she quickly withdrew her hand.

"I... I understand. I just won't talk about Xiao Xiao in front of you anymore." She felt guilty and lowered her head, not daring to look at Brother Chou Fan.

Xu Qingfan knew that this was enough for today. Instilling a sense of guilt in Xiao Ruawen was the first step; sinking further would be a matter for later.

He loosened the tight grip of his hands and allowed the girl's hand to drop back down.

Having held up for so long, his arms were starting to tingle.