You old pervert, your grin is reaching the sky.

Meeting Chi An's gaze, Fu Yanci felt inexplicably guilty. His eyes darted away, and finally he hitched up the basket on his back. "I'll deliver this first. You head back. I'll help you carry the second basket in a bit."

[...Why did the mood suddenly change?]

[Based on what we know now, these two definitely dated!]

[I also say "give me a chance" when I beg the other team not to destroy my nexus, so your theory isn't very credible.]

[Could they have been gaming buddies back in school, but Fu Yanci kept dragging Chi An down, so they stopped being friends?]

[That sounds a little more credible. Can anyone find out where these two went to college?]

[They're not celebrities. Let's not dig into that.]

After watching Fu Yanci leave, Chi An stood there for another two seconds before turning and heading back the way he had come.

He admitted he had a bit of a scumbag streak, but people liked being little shits now and then. He had only dated him back then to make college life more interesting and save himself some trouble along the way.

He never had to plan his own trips or worry about starving at home. Who wouldn't be tempted by a life where everything was handed to them? Why would he turn down someone who took care of him even more thoroughly than a nanny?

If Fu Yanci hadn't been so clingy, and if he hadn't happened to need to return home, he probably would have kept living like an "invalid." At most, he had to put in a little effort at night. What was the big deal? There was always a price to pay. He was only after the food.

Men who cooked well were hard to find. When one delivered himself to his door and looked quite satisfactory too, turning him down would be doing his eyes and mouth a disservice.

When Fu Yanci returned after dropping off the cherries, that figure was nowhere to be seen, just as expected. Unable to hold back, he turned to the staff member beside him. "You don't livestream after we go to bed, right?"

"No. We get off work at eight in the evening and don't start again until eight the next morning."

"Okay, got it."

[What can't you let us see? Hmm? Tell me what you're planning to do tonight.]

[Bro (holding a rose between my teeth) (gazing deeply) (giving you bedroom eyes), this rose is for you. Go butter Chi An up. Please~ Stream tonight.]

[Bro, stream tonight. And give me a hundred thousand while you're at it. I'll guard your livestream. If anyone dares insult you, I'll crawl through the internet, smear shit all over their face, and tell them you taught me to do it.]

[This is how our bro's reputation gets dragged through the mud. Even you lot won't spare him.]

[Where's Chi An? Where is he? My bro's about to fall apart. Could you come soothe him first? Sure, this guy's only a little handsome and has a little money, but it's not like I can't accept his flaws. Can I stand between you two and listen to your story?]

[Drag this one out. They've stolen my identity.]

After a hectic hour, they finally finished picking all five baskets of apples. Chi An took on delivery duty again, while Song Wenjing's side still had one basket of cherries left.

"I'll help them deliver that basket too. You stay here and pick."

Casually plucking a handful of cherries from the tree and stuffing them into his pocket, Fu Yanci picked up the apples beside Chi Shuran and hurried after Chi An.

"You haven't even finished your own task yet!" With cherries clutched in both hands, Song Wenjing roared helplessly at Fu Yanci's retreating back. Getting no response whatsoever, he could only turn to Chi Shuran, who was still watching the show nearby. "You, come help me pick cherries."

"Why should I?" Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, Chi Shuran folded her arms and looked at him disdainfully.

"Why should you?" Crouching on the ground, Song Wenjing looked up at the person standing before him and pointed at the cameraman nearby. "Hey, going to the same high school as you was pretty nice. At least I know plenty of things, right?"

"Besides, my bro went to help your brother deliver apples. One good turn deserves another. You should help me pick cherries too."

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and Chi Shuran pointed at him furiously. "Are you threatening me?"

"If you say so." Song Wenjing shrugged, looking utterly unconcerned, as though he had her right where he wanted her.

"Fine. You win." Gritting her teeth, Chi Shuran wished she could string Song Wenjing up in a tree and whip him, but she reluctantly went over to help anyway. She tossed cherries into the basket with one hand and stuffed them into her mouth with the other, not forgetting Chi An's share as she filled her pockets until they bulged.

"That's more like it." Smiling smugly, Song Wenjing lowered his head and went back to picking cherries in earnest, paying no mind to Chi Shuran's little antics.

"Have you finished your own task?"

"Song Wenjing's there."

His brows knitting slightly, Chi An looked at the extra person beside him and said unhappily, "You just left Song Wenjing to do it alone?"

"Your sister's there too."

He spoke with complete confidence, seeing nothing wrong with what he had said.

[Do you even remember whose sister she is?]

[What can I say? Is Fu Yanci really that confident Song Wenjing can handle Chi Shuran?]

[Chi An's still reasonable. At least he'll tell Fu Yanci off a little. He knows those two are the ones on the same team.]

[Those two are making good time, but the other two teams don't seem slow either. Ren Anwen's side is almost finished too.]

[Ha, Lu Wanqing and Li Nanyi are still screaming. Someone over there is even recording it, saying they're saving their idols' beautiful voices to use as a morning alarm. I'm dying! Hahaha! Screaming chickens! Hahaha!]

[What a sight. Someone like me had better stay away. They probably wouldn't like what I have to say.]

After delivering the final basket of apples, Chi An received a bag of apples from the elderly woman as well. He said goodbye to her and prepared to draw another task card.

He had just turned when someone caught his wrist from behind and pressed something round into his hand. Looking down, he saw a large cherry.

"For you."

"I brought you lots. Let's go together. You have to go back to get your sister later anyway."

Fu Yanci took the lead, secretly turning his head aside to keep Chi An from seeing his expression. When he realized the person behind him hadn't followed, he even went back to tug on his sleeve and lead him forward.

"If that's not enough, there's more. I picked lots for you."

Taking the opportunity to hold Chi An's hand and tuck it into his trouser pocket so he could feel how many cherries he had saved, he secretly rejoiced.

I finally got to touch his hand again.

[...Does Fu Yanci think he's being romantic right now?]

[Does Fu Yanci think he's hiding it well?! You old pervert, your grin is reaching the sky.]

[Going by how my boyfriend usually thinks, he probably thinks he looks insanely hot right now and is being incredibly romantic.]

[Aren't you using the wrong word? Romantic? Aren't they classmates?]

[Something seems a little off. Not sure. I'll keep watching.]

[Young man, isn't that a little forward? You're guiding his hand into your trouser pocket?!]

[Doesn't your jacket have pockets too? You just went right into the trouser pocket like that?!]

[Judging by Chi An's expression, this guy's probably about to get told off again.]