Chapter 261 A Hug
Ye Fan held back the laughter in his heart and deliberately put on a serious face, saying, "Lan Jie said that eating unclean food makes you prone to an upset stomach. Is that true?"
"…Mhm."
"Then I can't take you to eat hotpot. If you get an upset stomach, Lan Jie will definitely blame me."
Hearing this, Ning Xi's good mood instantly disappeared. She drooped her little head and murmured, "You clearly promised me. You're going back on your word. Liar!"
Ye Fan raised his hand to tidy Ning Xi's hair and said warmly, "Xiao Xi, it's not that I'm going back on my word. I'm just worried about your health. After today, there are only four days left until the college entrance exam. If you affect your condition for the exam just because of a moment of craving, do you think it's worth it?"
"It won't happen."
Ning Xi lifted her head, a hint of stubbornness in her eyes. "Ke Ke recommended a hotpot restaurant to me. It's very hygienic. I… I won't get an upset stomach…"
"So you planned this all along?"
At this point, Ye Fan finally understood everything. He shrugged his shoulders helplessly and asked, "Be honest with me. If we go to the hotpot restaurant this afternoon, will we run into Su Ke and Luo Yumeng?"
Ning Xi bit her lip, nodded shyly, and admitted guiltily, "We already made plans yesterday at school. You didn't ask me in the morning, so… I didn't say anything."
Ye Fan smiled bitterly. "So, I'm just a shield?"
"No, no! Absolutely not!"
Ning Xi quickly waved her small hands and explained, "You misunderstood. I-I really wasn't… Ah, fine, I was wrong, okay? Don't be mad, please?"
In the end, she simply admitted her mistake.
Classic Ning Xi!
Ye Fan crossed his arms and stared expressionlessly at the girl in front of him, saying nothing. He just looked at her quietly.
Being stared at like that, Ning Xi felt a little embarrassed. A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes, and suddenly, she threw her arms around Ye Fan's neck, her face turning red as she acted coquettishly. "Gege, just take me there, okay? Pretty please?"
Ye Fan instantly broke.
Faced with Ning Xi's expression, how could he possibly resist?
Deep breath, biting his tongue…
Still couldn't resist!
"Ahem—"
"Xiao Xi, do you think this is appropriate?"
"It is, very appropriate."
Ning Xi ignored the shyness in her heart. The only thing in her mind was getting Ye Fan to take her to eat hotpot.
Ye Fan was at a loss for words. Then, a mischievous smile appeared on his face. He wrapped his arms around Ning Xi's slender waist and leaned in close to her face. They were so close that the tips of their noses almost touched.
Ning Xi swallowed nervously, her soft voice carrying a hint of fear. "You… What are you trying to do?"
"Kiss me, and I'll take you."
"You…"
Ning Xi didn't know what to do. She was both embarrassed and annoyed. "You're just… You're just taking advantage of the situation!"
Ye Fan nodded naturally and said, "That's right. I'm taking advantage of the situation. Whether you go or not is up to you. I'm not forcing you."
"…"
Ning Xi withdrew her hands, stood up, and moved to the other side of the desk, putting distance between them. She huffed, "Fine, I won't go! How can you make such an unreasonable demand?"
Ye Fan couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.
"You're still laughing?"
Seeing this, Ning Xi became even more frustrated. She stomped her foot and pointed at her clothes, complaining, "I already changed! Now you're telling me we're not going? You can't just play with me like this!"
Thinking about her agreement with her friends, she felt completely helpless.
Now she had to break her promise!
The smile on Ye Fan's lips grew even wider. He stood up, walked over to Ning Xi, and spread his arms. "Xiao Xi, I'll give you another chance. If you hug me, I'll take you to eat hotpot. But let me say this first—if the restaurant isn't as clean as you say, even if we go, you can't eat."
"That's not too much to ask, is it?"
Actually, Ye Fan wasn't deliberately trying to take advantage of her. He just wanted to take another step forward in his relationship with Ning Xi.
The first time is always the hardest!
Whether it's holding hands or hugging.
But once they take that step, their relationship will progress further.
Ning Xi stared blankly at Ye Fan. The light blush on her cheeks deepened into a rich red. As if controlled by some unseen force, she burrowed into his embrace, wrapping her delicate arms around his waist. Her pretty face pressed against his chest, listening to the strong, rhythmic beating of his heart, making her mind a mess.
She was only doing this for hotpot. Yes, that's all! It wasn't like she wanted to do it herself!
But as she felt the warmth and security of his embrace, Ning Xi showed no sign of letting go. In fact, her arms around Ye Fan's waist tightened even more.
Ye Fan buried his face in her hair, breathing in the fragrance of her locks and the soft scent of the girl in his arms. He slowly closed his eyes, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
Happiness is simple.
A hug is enough.
The love he owed in his past life—this time, he would make up for it, starting with this embrace.
Time passed, second by second, minute by minute. Neither of them had any intention of letting go, as if this moment could last forever.
After a long while.
In the quiet room, a barely audible voice finally spoke.
"…Gege, you should let go now."
"Okay."
Ye Fan released the girl in his arms, placing his hands on her soft shoulders. He looked at the face before him, only to be surprised that she wasn't blushing. The corners of his lips curled up. "Xiao Xi, from now on, I'm yours."
"Huh?"
Ning Xi was briefly stunned, then quickly dodged to the side and protested, "You're not mine! You just say nonsense all the time!"
As she spoke, the familiar blush returned.
Ye Fan smiled without saying a word. He didn't continue teasing her. Instead, he naturally took her small hand and led her outside.
"Wait, I…"
Ning Xi pulled her hand away and pointed at her bare feet. "I haven't put on… my shoes yet."
Ye Fan looked down and chuckled. He walked over to the shoe cabinet beside the wardrobe, picked out a pair of white flats, and noticed a pair of sheer silk stockings at the end of the bed. He picked those up as well and brought a chair over.
"Sit down. I'll help you put them on."
"Well…"
Ning Xi bit her lip lightly, her soft voice filled with a shy sweetness. "I actually chose another pair of high heels. Can I wear—"
"No."
Ye Fan firmly pressed her onto the chair, held her small, delicate foot in his hand, and put on her stockings and shoes. "Don't wear high heels when you go out to have fun. It's too tiring, understand?"
"But my height…"
"Remember, you're the most perfect girl. Every part of you is perfect."
Ning Xi looked at Ye Fan, who was kneeling before her, helping her put on shoes, and suddenly felt a wave of sweetness in her heart. She murmured softly, "Am I really that good?"
Ye Fan continued what he was doing, his deep voice filled with sincerity. He spoke each word carefully:
"Mr. Yu Guangzhong once wrote, 'Between moonlight and snow, you are the third kind of beauty.'
To me, between the sun, moon, and stars, you are the fourth kind of rarity."
He slowly raised his head. In his dark eyes, there was seven parts sincerity, three parts deep affection.
"Xiao Xi, you are the one and only in this world. When I look at you, all other colors fade. Only your beauty remains."
"Never doubt my feelings for you. When I say I like you, I mean I only like you!"
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