Returning to Parents' Seventeen
Chapter 45 How are you here?

Chapter 45: Chapter 45 How are you here?

I have to admit, Pei Shao is very blunt.

Right, in their perspective, there’s no blood relation between Shen Sinian and Xu Chuning, so it’s not impossible for something to develop. He surely can’t not act just because Shen Yubai has feelings for Xu Chuning?

That’s not the style of the Shen Family.

Ban Shu: [Oh right, but Brother Yu, it seems like our cousin has been on good terms with Xu Chuning since the first day he transferred to the school. Did they know each other before?]

Shen Yubai: [Hmm.]

Pei Shao: [How did they meet? Like you and Xu Zhiyan?]

Shen Yubai frowning: [Me and who?]

Ban Shu: [Miss Xu, childhood friends.]

Shen Yubai with a stern face typing: [Since when were Xu Zhiyan and I childhood friends?]

Indeed, the two of them have known each other since childhood, but they didn’t see each other often, and spoke even less.

Pei Shao isn’t as afraid of him as Ban Shu and said with raised eyebrows, assertively: [To a certain extent, you two could also be considered childhood friends.]

Shen Yubai: [Heh.]

Ban Shu: [...Okay, let’s say you’re not, but I’m still surprised that Shen Sinian is your cousin.]

Before Shen Yubai had a chance to respond, Ban Shu added: [No wonder when I first saw him, I thought he looked a lot like you, Brother Yu. And you just ignored me.]

Shen Yubai: [I didn’t know how to explain it.]

Ban Shu: [I’ll forgive you, barely.]

Ban Shu and Pei Shao were aware of Shen Sinian’s identity, but both weren’t the gossipy type, and they knew it was a secret of the Shen Family, so they were unlikely to talk much about it.

While the three of them chatted in the game, none of them felt like playing anymore.

Shen Yubai saw Ban Shu and Pei Shao chit-chatting, picked up his phone casually, and clicked on QQ. After Shen Sinian sent that photo and message, he hadn’t sent any new ones.

Glancing at the time, Shen Yubai then looked outside at the weather before deciding to reply to Shen Sinian with a message: [What time will you be done?]

Shen Sinian was probably gaming and didn’t reply immediately.

Shen Yubai, a bit annoyed, curled his lip and messaged Ban Shu on QQ: [Wanna go to the arcade?]

Ban Shu: [?]

Ban Shu: [Sure, let’s inform Mr. Pei.]

Shen Yubai: [Hmm.]

The two logged off the game and headed out to the arcade.

*

Shen Sinian saw Shen Yubai’s message an hour later.

They had gathered in the park with a group of people, setting up everything they brought, and then some girls suggested taking photos. Although mobile phone camera technology was average, it wasn’t too bad.

Deng Xitong brought a camera, and since Shen Sinian was quite good at photography, he naturally took on the role of photographer.

After about an hour of photography, everyone was tired and decided to take a break and have some snacks.

Holding the camera, Shen Sinian turned to look at Xu Chuning, who was still discussing a problem with Gu Jiayi, and silently mourned for his father for three seconds, then called Xu Chuning, "Ningning."

Xu Chuning looked up, "What?"

Shen Sinian: "Want to take a photo?"

Xu Chuning: "No."

Shen Sinian: "..."

He cleared his throat slightly and, regardless of the distance to Xu Chuning, strode closer, "Ningning, let’s take a few shots. I want to take your picture."

Confronted with Shen Sinian’s clear, peach-blossom eyes, Xu Chuning was slightly at a loss for words, finding it difficult to refuse.

After a three-second standoff, Xu Chuning conceded: "Just one shot."

"Several more," Shen Sinian bargained with her, "How about we get the photos developed later?"

Xu Chuning: "You want them?"

Shen Sinian nodded: "Really want them."

Xu Chuning: "Alright then."

Shen Sinian wouldn’t mind taking a few more shots if she wanted.

Gu Jiayi, listening to their conversation, felt a strange and subtly emotional stir within him.

He had heard from Deng Xitong before that a handsome boy had transferred to their class, and they had run into him a few times at school. However, when they met at school, Xu Chuning and Shen Sinian didn’t seem as close as they did now.

As for Xu Chuning, Gu Jiayi had known her for over a year and this was the first time he saw her show such a special attitude towards a boy.

Oblivious to Gu Jiayi’s change in expression, Xu Chuning and Shen Sinian moved elsewhere to take photos.

Shen Sinian was a patient person, whether it was taking photos for other girls or for Xu Chuning, he would patiently find the right angle, adjusting the poses according to different lights and shadows.

Xu Chuning was without makeup, but she was beautiful.

Taking her photo was effortless for Shen Sinian.

After a while, the photos were done.

Shen Sinian returned the camera to Deng Xitong and discussed, "After transferring the photos to the computer, could you send me Ningning’s?"

Deng Xitong replied, "No problem, I will sort it out and send it to you tonight."

Shen Sinian: "Thank you."

After the photo session, everyone began to eat and chat while lying exhaustedly.

The mid-month sunshine was still a bit strong. After eating something on the lawn, they decided to move and discussed finding another place to have fun.

Chen Mengyao went through her options and asked them, "How about going to the arcade? It’s been a while, and after the exams, I want to relax."

Deng Xitong said, "I’m good with that, what about you guys?"

The others had no objections.

Xu Chuning wasn’t good at games, but she could watch them play. She could tell Shen Sinian really wanted to go.

The group headed for the arcade.

Xu Chuning seldom visited such places, firstly because she lacked the time, and also she didn’t have spare money to spend there at the moment.

After entering, Deng Xitong and Chen Mengyao went off to play racing games, and Shen Sinian was taken away by them.

In an instant, only Xu Chuning and Gu Jiayi were left undecided on what to play.

Standing together, Gu Jiayi turned his head to ask her, "Is there anything you want to play?"

Xu Chuning replied, "Not for me, what about you?"

Gu Jiayi looked around and suggested, "How about we play the basketball game machine?"

He adjusted his glasses and said with a smile, "Just a simple workout."

Xu Chuning considered and agreed, "That’s fine too."

Since they were here, it wouldn’t be right not to play anything.

They headed towards the basketball game machines, but due to the crowd, only one machine was available.

Xu Chuning let Gu Jiayi play first while she watched from the side.

Gu Jiayi didn’t stand on ceremony with her. He might look refined and not the exercising type, but his shots were pretty accurate.

Xu Chuning watched the scores change, a bit surprised.

She was engrossed in watching, not realizing someone had noticed her presence early on.

Shen Yubai, diagonally across from her, showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes when he saw her. Following her gaze, he then saw the boy beside her.

It was the one from the photo.

Shen Yubai moved a few steps closer to look, thinking he looked average.

"Where’s Shen Sinian?" Just as Xu Chuning was engrossed, a distantly cold and clear male voice interrupted, causing her to startle and lock eyes with Shen Yubai.

"..."

Silence hung for a few seconds, Xu Chuning was startled, "What are you doing here?"

Shen Yubai’s hand still held game tokens, he flicked his eyelid, slightly lifted his chin, and spoke with a bit of irritation and displeasure, "If you can be here, why can’t I?"

Xu Chuning’s lips moved slightly, "That’s not what I meant."

She hadn’t intended that at all.

Shen Yubai gave her a sidelong glance, his tone unintentionally sour, "Or is it that I’m interrupting your date?"

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