Chapter 212 - 212 The Blushing Shen Xi
212 The Blushing Shen Xi
From the side, Zhao Yuan saw Shen Xi’s face burn bright red, and she squealed as if she had discovered a new continent, “Shen Xi, you’re blushing! So you two really are in a relationship. Is this love?”
Zhao Yuan’s exclamation utterly mortified Shen Xi, and she hurriedly pushed Guan Lei away. “Zhao Yuan, don’t spout nonsense. Nothing is going on between Guan Lei and me! I-it’s hot. The sun is up; that’s why I’m all red.”
Shen Xi was so embarrassed that she dared not look at Guan Lei. Naturally, her feeble excuse was not enough to convince the crowd otherwise. They began teasing her, and even Guan Lei lit up with one of his rare smiles at the sight of Shen Xi’s tomato-like complexion.
Guan Lei’s roommates added fuel to the fire when they saw this scene. They gathered in a row and bowed in unison, shouting, “Greetings to our sister-in-law!”
Shen Xi did not feel well. If she stayed any longer, she was liable to combust spontaneously.
Hence, she quickly dragged Zhao Yuan by her arm, hoping to beat a hasty retreat. Her friend was grinning from ear to ear as she did so, and it only made her feel worse.
Guan Lei’s mood improved tremendously as he watched Shen Xi flee from the scene. Shen Xi’s dazed look and blushing face were good indicators that she was, at least, a little interested in him.
Arriving at that conclusion, Guan Lei steepled his fingers, allowing them to trace his bear palms. He could still feel the phantom sensation of Shen Xi’s slender waist against his skin.
The next moment, however, Guan Lei realized he might have made a mistake. In his panic, he caught Shen Xi using both hands, momentarily forgetting the ruse he had perpetuated by saying he had injured his right hand.
Would Shen Xi remember this small detail?
Guan Lei’s joy turned into distress. He was afraid that Shen Xi would ignore him after discovering that he had lied to her.
Guan Lei felt like he had just fallen in love and was now forced into a breakup.
Li Jin, who everyone had forgotten, slowly got up from the ground. She stared at Guan Lei and then back at her palm. She had sustained a scratch in Guan Lei’s hurry to catch Shen Xi.
The slightly bloody flesh wound appeared particularly glaring under the harsh sun, making Li Jin feel like needles were prickling her heart.
Soon, the crowd dispersed. Guan Lei was preoccupied with a dozen ‘what if’ scenarios should Shen Xi find out he had lied to her, faking his injury. Knowing her, she was unlikely to let the matter rest so easily.
Li Jin tried to force a smile. While it was still sweet, it could not conceal the strain lurking beneath or hide her clenched fists. Her nails dug into her bruised palm, and she stood there unmoving for a long time.
“Ara? Do you have feelings for Guan Lei?” A voice sounded in Li Jin’s ear, startling her from her reverie.
She spun around, looking for whoever had snuck up on her. It was Jiang Xue, who had just completed her ten penalty laps around the field.
Li Jin, whose thoughts had been seen through, immediately denied, “I don’t. Don’t talk nonsense.”
Jiang Xue brushed a stray lock of hair aside and continued, “Oh? I suppose that’s true. Someone of his standing has no societal value.”
Hearing Jiang Xue belittling Guan Lei, Li Jin’s gaze towards Jiang Xue became displeased.
Jiang Xue eyed Li Jin and smiled. “You said you don’t like Guan Lei. Yet, as soon as I disparaged him, you started giving me the evil eye.”
Li Jin frowned, treading lightly, “Jiang Xue, what do you want?”
Jiang Xue’s smile turned vicious. “Shen Xi is your love rival and my enemy. Our goals align, so how about we work together?”
Li Jin’s sweet smile returned. “Thank you, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Well then, please excuse me. I’ll head back first.”
Li Jin nodded at Jiang Xue politely and walked towards the changing room.
Jiang Xue glared at Li Jin’s back and hissed, “An idiot. A weak, sniveling coward!”
When Liu Cheng and Jiang Xue returned to the changing room, they ran into Shen Xi and Zhao Yuan, who had just changed their clothes.
“Shen Xi,” Liu Cheng began, sarcasm dripping in her words, “How does it feel to hug a guy in broad daylight? ”
Shen Xi could not be bothered with Liu Cheng. She gave her a sidelong glance, preparing to leave without engaging with Liu Cheng.
“Shen Xi, how dare you glare at me!” Liu Cheng growled, grabbing hold of Shen Xi’s arm as she attempted to walk past them, “Utterly shameless, you are! What? Are you afraid of what they’re saying about you? You fed a boy water from your bottle before throwing yourself in his arms, acting like the damsel in distress. You did all that to please a man. I don’t know what upbringing you’ve received for your parents to have brought up such a shameless girl as you! You’ve dragged all our faces through the mud with your stunt.”
With a “PA” sound, Liu Cheng, who had been making a scene, ended up on the ground clutching her rapidly swelling face. Shen Xi had slapped her.
Shen Xi’s eyes narrowed as she spoke threateningly, “If you continue to spout nonsense and drag my parents into the picture, the next thing you’ll get won’t be as light as a slap to the face.”