I Might Have Fallen in Love With My Childhood Sweetheart
Chapter 44 - 41: I’m Not in an Early Relationship

Chapter 44: Chapter 41: I’m Not in an Early Relationship

Xie Ying’an’s hair was in disarray from the wind, showing his rush to arrive.

As soon as the door closed behind him, he slipped inside.

Just as Ji Yanchen was getting used to the atmosphere in the room, he saw another person come in, and he clearly felt uncomfortable, his fingers touching the brim of his hat.

Ji He knew Xie Ying’an, but they weren’t close. His gaze shifted between Qingran and Xie Ying’an, then he grinned and said: "And here I was wondering who it is—it’s Xie Xiaocao, the heartthrob of countless girls."

He deliberately emphasized the phrase ’heartthrob of countless girls,’ clearly intending to provoke.

Ruan Ruan gasped in shock.

Xie Ying’an, striding over with long legs, stood by Qingran and simply laughed without much emotion in response, "I can’t compare to Senior Ji He."

This statement was somewhat loaded. Both Qingran and Ruan Ruan turned to look at Ji He, their eyes expressing something indiscernible.

They still remembered the phone call Ji He, as Senior, had made on the bass speaker not long ago, although it backfired.

"Listen to him talking nonsense." Ji He twitched the corner of his mouth and hurried to explain to the two girls, his face somewhat tense, "What do you mean by that, Xie Ying’an?"

Xie Ying’an nonchalantly pulled out a chair and sat down, replying: "Just the literal meaning."

The atmosphere between the two men became tense as if swords were drawn.

Ruan Ruan tugged at Qingran’s sleeve, and Qingran leaned in to listen.

Speaking in a breathy voice, Ruan Ruan said, "Brother An and Senior Ji He won’t start fighting, will they?"

Qingran replied in the same manner, "Don’t worry, they won’t."

Xie Ying’an was talking to Ji Yanchen; growing up together since childhood, even though Ji Yanchen never joined in their frolic, they were all acquaintances.

During the whispered exchange between Qingran and Ruan Ruan, the two men had already raised their glasses, clinked them in the air, and drank their contents in one gulp.

Qingran didn’t even notice fast enough that Xie Ying’an had taken her glass.

Ji Yanchen put his glass down, looking at Xie Ying’an.

He rarely took the initiative to look at someone, at least for tonight, apart from a few glances at Qingran, it was the first time he lifted his eyes to look at Xie Ying’an.

Underage, they shouldn’t drink alcohol, the sweet and sour taste of the juice made both young men frown.

Xie Ying’an turned to Qingran, "Have you eaten enough?"

Qingran nodded, her gaze falling on the tear mole below his eyelid, quickly looking away after a brief glance.

Xie Ying’an also turned his head back and stood up to bid Ji Yanchen and Ji He farewell, "Senior brothers, it’s getting late, we’ll be heading back now."

Ji He’s face darkened, glancing at his watch, he scoffed: "Late? It’s only seven o’clock."

Xie Ying’an: "We need to study when we get back, can’t compare to the naturally clever Senior God Ji."

Ji He: "..."

Ji He’s achievements are nothing compared to God Ji; ten Ji Hes wouldn’t be enough.

Ji He cursed inwardly: Damn it! I suspect this brat is insinuating something about me.

This time, Ji Yanchen reacted much faster, standing up, his eyes glanced past Xie Ying’an towards Qingran, "Together?"

"Yes," Qingran responded, and she gently patted Ruan Ruan below the table.

Ruan Ruan, understanding, said, "Ah, I should be heading back too, let’s go together."

Four out of five people were ready to leave, with only Ji He remaining seated, as calm as ever, showing no sign of leaving.

Xie Ying’an walked behind Qingran and on his way out, he didn’t forget to turn back and remind Ji He, "Take your time, Senior Ji He, I’ve already paid for the meal when I came in, it’s on me!"

"Ptui!" Ji He, embarrassed and angry, threw a glass, "Who the hell needs your treat?"

Bang! The glass hit the closed wooden door and shattered on the floor.

A sharp pain in his pride, Ji He ground his teeth: "That damn kid!"

Moonlight overhead.

The four walked down the street in the glow of the moonlight, with Qingran and Ruan Ruan in front, Xie Ying’an and Ji Yanchen trailing behind.

Ruan Ruan, holding Qingran’s arm, without moving her lips, whispered, "It’s over, it’s over, Ranran, being watched by two male gods, I feel like I can’t walk properly."

Good thing she didn’t move her arms, or she would have been even more clumsy.

Qingran also whispered back to her, "I also feel super awkward."

Behind them, two boys of nearly the same height walked shoulder to shoulder.

The street lamps and moonlight cast a hazy glow upon them, Ji Yanchen had long adjusted his cap properly, his face buried in shadows, his expression unclear.

Xie Ying’an remained wooden-faced, showing no emotion.

Ruan Ruan’s home was in another direction, and at this time there were still many people on the streets, so she insisted that Qingran didn’t need to walk her home.

"Ranran, take pity on me," Ruan Ruan said, her voice lowered as she pointed to her legs. "It feels great walking with a male god, but my legs just can’t keep up. Look, look—"

Directed by Ruan Ruan, Qingran looked down to see Ruan Ruan’s slender legs trembling slightly under the streetlight.

Qingran was incredulous: "Surely it’s not that bad."

Ruan Ruan sighed, "I was too excited, now my legs are a little disobedient. Seems like I’m not destined to keep four or five pretty boys all at once in my lifetime..."

As Ruan Ruan’s words grew more and more outrageous, Qingran had no choice but to let her go.

She suggested: "Why don’t you take a cab?"

Ruan Ruan rolled her eyes, "It’s a ten-minute walk, you want me to take a cab? The car probably won’t even have started before I’d arrive."

Ruan Ruan departed at another fork in the road, waving goodbye to Xie Ying’an and Ji Yanchen, "See you tomorrow, Brother An, God Ji."

I love you guys!

Xie Ying’an gave her a faint nod in response.

Tonight, for the first time, Ji Yanchen finally raised his eyes to look at Ruan Ruan.

Once Ruan Ruan had walked far away, the three of them began to move forward.

Qingran led the way, finally sharing Ruan Ruan’s sentiment that the distance they often walked somehow felt so much longer than usual.

Xie Ying’an broke the silence from behind her first, "Senior Brother Ji, have you moved?"

Ji Yanchen paused for a moment before realizing that Xie Ying’an was talking to him.

"Yeah," he responded with a very light tone.

Xie Ying’an got the answer he wanted and didn’t speak again, but his expression became even more unpleasant.

Even the longest roads have an end; Qingran smiled and said goodbye to Ji Yanchen at the intersection.

Ji Yanchen lifted his gaze to stare at her for a moment, his lips pursed as he moved towards the right fork in the road, his tall and slim silhouette gradually merging with the darkness of the night.

Only when Ji Yanchen’s figure had completely disappeared did Xie Ying’an say, "Let’s go."

This time Xie Ying’an quickened his pace, walking side by side with Qingran.

The streetlights stretched their shadows long, and Qingran glanced at him, "Thanks for last time."

There was no need to specify what; both knew clearly what she referred to.

Xie Ying’an’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and having arrived at Qingran’s home, he didn’t answer, only saying flatly, "Go back in."

His own home was still a fair distance away; he had nearly half an hour’s walk to go.

Qingran took out her keys to unlock the door, and while doing so, said, "My brother bought a mountain bike a while ago to keep up with the trend, but I hardly saw him use it. You can ride it back home today."

Xie Ying’an didn’t refuse.

At this time, Li Qing Mo hadn’t returned yet, and who knows where he had gone to.

Xie Ying’an got on the bicycle, and then he heard Qingran asking him from behind, "Xie Ying’an, do you remember what you said last time?"

Xie Ying’an looked back at her, for a moment not recalling what he had said.

He saw only the girl smiling, her almond-shaped eyes slightly curved, her red lips and white teeth warm and gentle.

At the same time, his heart uncontrollably thumped wildly.

She said: "I won’t date early."

Her voice was clear, the tail end of her sentences lilting melodiously.

No matter who it is, I won’t date early!

In the darkness, the brightness suddenly shone in the boy’s deep dark eyes, his lips curling up to reveal his very first genuine smile of the day.