Chapter 19: A Most Persistent Suitor

In our family, none of our generation has earned a particularly high degree yet. Second Brother plans to take the graduate entrance exam and pursue a doctorate later on, too. That’s his own decision.

As for personality, Second Brother is the gentlest.

As long as his bottom line isn’t crossed, he is always happy to yield to others.

Of course, he isn’t stupid. He never lets people with malicious intentions take advantage of him.

Through Shen Anyue’s narration, Cheng Yiyi gained a solid understanding of her three older brothers’ personalities.

No wonder the Shen family was a great clan?

The children they raised all had fine morals and sound values.

Unlike some stories, where children of great families are nothing but arrogant and tyrannical, bullying people all day on the strength of their family’s power.

That isn’t a great family at all. That’s pure nouveau riche, venting their boredom on poor folks just like the ones they used to be.

Those people’s only difference from stray dogs on the road is that their character is even lower than a stray dog’s.

“Hey, have any of your brothers ever been in a relationship?”

Cheng Yiyi was, after all, a girl. Now that she suddenly had brothers, a natural curiosity sprouted within her.

Nothing deep. She was simply curious.

Love and hate in the young men of a great family…

Just thinking about it was exciting!

“About that… I think they haven’t.”

“Eldest Brother found those girls too talkative and annoying a long time ago. He beat up a few to make an example, and after that, nobody dared to chase after him.”

“Even the elders stopped sending marriage contracts so easily. They said something like…”

“Afraid of domestic violence?”

Cheng Yiyi: “…”

That was violent to an extreme. Not condoned.

“Second Brother seems to be sapiosexual, but he always finds others too stupid, so he ends up looking down on every girl.”

Cheng Yiyi: “…”

Here comes the intelligent species looking down on the lower ones.

‘[Inferior Species] (Secret Diagram)’

“As for Third Brother, he’s free-spirited and loves his liberty most of all. He says that a partner is trouble, that it would get in the way of his life.”

Cheng Yiyi: “…”

So free. Has he ever pointed at the other side of the sea with his finger?

“Anyway, none of my brothers have been in a relationship.”

“Also…”

Shen Anyue suddenly blushed. One hand pressed against her slightly warm cheek, and her tone carried a hint of bashfulness.

“Sister, I… I actually…”

“I’ve never been in a relationship either…”

“Then start one with me!” A gentle, magnetic male voice came from beside the two girls. “Xiaoyue!”

“If you’re in a hurry, you can try me out!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll treat you well for my entire life!”

“I sent the marriage contract to your family ten years ago. I’m just waiting for your consent!”

Cheng Yiyi turned to look and saw an extremely handsome man, neatly dressed, with a smile as radiant as the morning sun on his face.

Zhao Qingyu’s gaze had been fixed entirely on Shen Anyue at first, but when he got a clear look at Cheng Yiyi’s face, he was obviously stunned for a moment.

“Whoa! Who is this? She’s gorgeous?!”

His gaze instantly jumped to their interlocked hands, and his heart suddenly calmed.

“No wonder she’s Shen Anyue’s best friend. Top-tier in both temperament and looks!”

“What a pity… this young master has long since given his heart to another.”

“Who is he?” Cheng Yiyi asked Shen Anyue curiously.

“Zhao Qingyu. He’s the eldest son of the Zhao family, and the future heir to the Zhao estate.”

The Zhao family was a notable name in the capital. Though they didn’t match the Shen family in raw power, they were no pushovers either.

“Oh…” Cheng Yiyi suddenly understood, then added, “He seems to like you.”

Zhao Qingyu: “…”

Beautiful lady, I admit your looks are flawless.

But can your brain move a little faster?

Do I even need to prove that I like Shen Anyue?!

“Hmm…” Shen Anyue answered awkwardly. “He does like me. So much that he started pestering me when I was very young.”

“I’ve rejected him over and over again, but it never works.”

“He also forces gifts on me all the time, but every time I just transfer the money he spent back to his parents.”

Cheng Yiyi: “What a complicated relationship. So he’s your childhood sweetheart?”

“Not that close!” Shen Anyue quickly waved her hands, afraid her sister might misunderstand. “I don’t like him! I’ve made it clear. I’m not the kind of girl who strings people along!”

“So he’s just a simp, huh.” Cheng Yiyi was quite polite by nature, so she said it softly.

Shen Anyue nodded in confirmation.

“Hey, gorgeous, don’t gossip behind my back.” Zhao Qingyu’s dog ears were sharp, and he didn’t seem to mind Cheng Yiyi’s choice of words at all.

“It’s true that I’ve been pursuing Xiaoyue for a very long time. Even after all these years, my feelings have never changed!”

“If loving someone steadfastly makes me a simp, then I really am an incurably hopeless simp…”

Zhao Qingyu pressed one hand to his forehead, the other on his hip.

He half-closed his eyes and gently shook his head, striking a pose he imagined was both soulful and handsome.

This guy was showing off his pose.

Though with his looks and bearing, it did look quite polished. Still, it held no appeal for Cheng Yiyi or Shen Anyue.

Cheng Yiyi only felt the hand holding hers tighten, and Shen Anyue led her on toward the school.

“Aren’t we being a little rude?”

Cheng Yiyi couldn’t help but look back, only to find Zhao Qingyu still standing there.

“How about we remind him? He’s standing there, and I feel awkward just watching…”

“He has social confidence syndrome. You don’t need to worry about him.” Shen Anyue shook her head. “Whatever you do, don’t go bother him. Otherwise, we’ll be the ones feeling awkward.”

“He’ll catch up soon anyway.”

As Shen Anyue said this, her face was full of helplessness, and even a hint of…

Submission?

“I really don’t understand what he sees in me.” Shen Anyue leaned tightly against Cheng Yiyi, their fingers intertwining more and more tightly, pressing in closer.

Cheng Yiyi couldn’t help but warn, “Stop squeezing. I’m about to fall into the greenery!”

“Ah… sorry, I spaced out.”

No sooner had she spoken than Zhao Qingyu caught up with them.

He was still fairly courteous. He didn’t block their path, instead trailing a step behind the pair, on Shen Anyue’s side.

“Xiaoyue, where are you two headed?”

Shen Anyue: “I’m not obligated to tell you!”

“No matter, I’ll just follow you.” Zhao Qingyu kept his smile and shamelessly tagged along. “You can’t go to places like hotels, alright? There aren’t decent people like me there.”

“I know it’s a stereotype, but you have to understand that the wise avoid danger, and the virtuous do too. Going to a bar is basically dancing on top of the wall…”

Zhao Qingyu was long-winded. Even though Shen Anyue ignored him completely, he could go on and on.

“I know, I know…” Some of the energy seemed to drain out of Shen Anyue, and she wilted a little. “I’ve never set foot in those places since I was little. You don’t have to keep emphasizing it. I’ve never even been to an internet café…”

“Important things deserve emphasis. I don’t want you to be led astray. Who would I chase then?”

“By the way, there’s an ice cream shop ahead. Want some?”

“They’ve got a new strawberry sundae lately. If you want it, I’ll buy you both one.”

Shen Anyue replied, “No thanks. Sister and I are going to tour the campus. I don’t want to waste time in a shop.”

“Sister?!” Zhao Qingyu looked as if he’d heard something unbelievable. “You called her sister?”

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