Getting He Li'an

Yu An leaned slightly toward He Li'an and met his gaze directly. "Maybe it wasn't a misunderstanding?"

His eyes were so clear, bright as stars.

He Li'an was briefly distracted, a trace of irritation entering his voice. "I don't drink water."

A few days ago, Yu An had insisted on settling their accounts clearly. Now he was deliberately saying things that invited speculation.

He wasn't about to fall for a bad kid's tricks.

"There are drinks at my place too." Yu An ignored his refusal and moved a little closer.

He Li'an quietly leaned back, keeping his distance. "Who bought them?"

Song Yuechi had bought them.

Yu An drank beverages with Song Yuechi now too, but he normally didn't go out of his way to buy them.

But since He Li'an had asked, Yu An felt that he might care about it. He looked around, then pointed at the vending machine not far away. "I'll go buy you one."

"Yu An..."

After saying that, Yu An opened the car door and got out. He Li'an didn't even have time to stop him, so he could only pick up Yu An's backpack and follow.

Yu An stood in front of the vending machine and watched He Li'an approach. "What kind of drink do you want?"

He Li'an said, "Anything."

It had only been an excuse to refuse. He didn't want a drink at all.

"Oh," Yu An said.

Since he had no preferred flavor, health should come first.

Thus, He Li'an watched helplessly as Yu An bought a carton of milk.

"Here." Yu An held the milk out to him with both hands, so respectful and earnest that it was almost reverent.

He Li'an pressed his lips together and silently accepted it.

Seeing that He Li'an was carrying his backpack in his other hand, Yu An worried that it would inconvenience him while drinking the milk, so he reached for the bag. "Give it to me."

He Li'an avoided his hand. "I'll carry it upstairs for you."

That meant he was willing to go up with him.

Yu An blinked. "Thank you, Senior."

He was acting cute again.

He Li'an glanced at him with faint amusement and took the lead.

After they entered, Yu An thoughtfully took the milk and backpack from He Li'an, then took out a pair of disposable slippers and neatly placed them before him.

When he stood up, he noticed He Li'an staring at him with an odd expression, so he reminded him, "Change your shoes."

Without a word, He Li'an began changing his shoes.

Yu An had his own slippers at home. After changing into them, he washed his hands, opened the window, poured water, and even unscrewed the milk carton for He Li'an. He was so warm and attentive that he seemed like a completely different person from a few days ago.

He Li'an sat on the sofa, watching him bustle around.

After circling around the room, Yu An poured himself a glass of water too and sat opposite He Li'an across the tiny coffee table. "Do you want me to hang up your coat?"

The living room was too small for extra chairs. He Li'an sat on the sofa, while Yu An sat on the carpet, looking slightly upward. There was little expression on his fair, clean face, yet his enthusiasm was still unmistakable.

Countless people had flattered and tried to please He Li'an, but this was the first time he had received such treatment from Yu An.

Yu An was someone with a strong sense of self and was terrible at pleasing others. There had to be a reason for him to act so unusually today.

And the reason wasn't hard to guess.

"No need." He Li'an lowered his eyes and lifted his glass to drink.

Yu An tilted his head, studying him. "You're unhappy again."

He Li'an paused before speaking in a low voice. "What happened today was something I chose to do. You don't need to take it to heart, and you especially don't need to... please me because of it."

He said the last three words very softly.

Many people became grateful to him because of his help, then tried to please him.

He knew that was only human nature, but he didn't want Yu An to be the same.

Yu An propped his head on his hand and looked at him in confusion. "But when you like someone, it's normal to want to please them and make them happy."

That was what the books said, anyway.

The grave expression on He Li'an's face froze for a moment, and his words came out a little haltingly. "You... I... I mean, those are two different things. You can't lump them together."

"Oh." Yu An continued to look at him, all ears.

He Li'an casually touched his slightly heated ear, slowly regaining his composure. "If something like this happens again, don't handle it in such a reckless way."

"Then how should I handle it?" Thinking of the information he had found last night, Yu An's lips curled in a mocking smile.

Ever since childhood, every formidable opponent Sheng Yilin had encountered had withdrawn from competitions for one reason or another. Some had suddenly fallen ill, some had gotten into car accidents, and some had disappeared...

Everyone understood that someone who constantly crushed others to achieve his own goals would never change. He was beyond saving.

Everyone understood that the most wrong approach was precisely the most effective one.

"There will always be a way." He Li'an watched his expression, his face grave. "But you need to understand that fighting violence with violence isn't justice."

Yu An smiled. "I understand."

But he didn't agree.

Nor would he tell He Li'an what he truly thought.

Trying to change someone else's mind was the stupidest thing in the world. If they kept arguing, neither would convince the other, and they would only part on bad terms in the end.

He Li'an was too good. Yu An had decided to keep liking him. He didn't want to fight for victory or defeat with someone he liked.

He had already thought it through when he bought the milk. The reason liking someone could make a person sad was because they didn't receive a response. That was what the so-called risk was too. So long as he didn't ask He Li'an to like him, he wouldn't be sad.

The original plan had been scrapped and remade. His goal now was to get He Li'an.

Thinking that Yu An had taken his words to heart, He Li'an's tone relaxed considerably. "How's your studying going?"

Yu An answered without the slightest modesty, "Very well."

He Li'an laughed at that. Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang.

"I need to take this." He glanced at Yu An before answering the call.

It was probably about the company. The other person seemed to be reporting something, and He Li'an responded in a low voice a few times, giving off an extremely serious impression.

After hanging up, He Li'an looked at Yu An. "I have something to deal with, so I need to leave first. If anything happens to you again, call me anytime, understand?"

"Understood."

Seeing the satisfied expression on He Li'an's face, Yu An knew he had answered correctly.

He Li'an finished the carton of milk, then the remaining half glass of water. As he got up to leave, he rubbed Yu An's hair. "Thanks for buying me a drink."

Yu An's gaze followed He Li'an to the door.

Only after the door closed did he reach up and touch his own head.

So strange. He felt so happy, light and airy, as if he wanted to sing.

Yu An eagerly took out his phone to share his feelings with his only best friend.

But Song Yuechi didn't reply until three hours later.

[Song Yuechi]: This is what being in love feels like

[Song Yuechi]: So! You and! You-know-who! Got back together again?

[Yu An]: Mm.

[Song Yuechi]: I knew you were a total love-struck idiot!!!

Three exclamation marks.

He looked furious.

Trying to explain at a time like this would only add fuel to the fire.

[Yu An]: [cat poking fingers together.jpg]

[Song Yuechi]: [you're this cute and you don't want to live anymore.jpg]

All of Yu An's reaction images had been saved from his chats with Song Yuechi.

But when Song Yuechi imagined him sending those stickers with that cold, expressionless face of his, he found it ridiculously! Adorably! Cute!