Chapter 22: Cute

After Friday self – study, Class 1, Senior 2 moved from the playground. Lin Sitian saw Zhou Sheng by the office—talking to a teacher, looking handsome, black – framed glasses adding a gentle vibe.
Caught in her gaze, he turned.
They locked eyes—she waved happily.
He smiled back.
“Love’s sour smell.” Yang Xuelin sneered.
“Jealous—my boyfriend’s amazing.”
“Not my type—I prefer Meng Qiaoyu’s sporty style.” Yang Xuelin said. “But Zhou Sheng’s popular. You two aren’t public—watch out.”
Lin Sitian ignored the warning. “Must be love’s magic…”
“Dogs die—no couple’s innocent.”
Yuan Xiao passed—Lin Sitian stepped back.
“Why?”
“…Fear teacher?”—mentality.
“You called him ‘teacher’ before—no Convergence.”
She waved. “Different.”
“Yuan Xiao looks at you weirdly.”
“Does she?” Lin Sitian watched Yuan Xiao leave, thoughtful.
Saturday—doorbell rang.
She opened—Zhou Sheng stood, tall, holding a cake box.
“Grandma home?” He glanced around.
She teased. “Miss her?”
He hesitated. “Either way.”
She smiled. “Gone—mahjong all day. First visit: gift. Now?”
“Bring gifts when elders are home.”
“Not home?”
“Then to my girlfriend.” He placed the cake. “Low – fat mousse—refrigerate if not eating soon.”
“Grandma doesn’t eat—so me.”
He explained—both could share.
She laughed. “So gullible—dummy.”
This weekend—he came to catch up on studies and check her dance.
She focused—post – Beginning of Summer,wearing a casual cotton dress.
“Short dress.” He reminded.
“So?” She kicked his back. “Last time—secret. Now—flirt.”
Ticklish, he shivered. “Behave—still need to fix your dance.”
She sat up. “No time—start!”
“Prepared Friday’s video?”
She handed him her phone—dance recording.
He didn’t take it. “Send it. Ready to dance?”
“Right—today it arrived!”
“?”
She left mysteriously. “Wait.”
He watched the video—girls lively, but his eyes fixed on her. Smiling, afternoon gloom faded.
“Se – no ~” “Love Cycle” played. He looked up—her with cat ears, bright eyes.
She danced—embarrassed but confident.
ACGN – style dance—cute expressions. Yuan Xiao emphasized them—she mastered many, infecting with enthusiasm.
“Romantic as mountains and seas”—he felt youthful beauty.
Finished, she smiled, waving.
He was stunned—heart racing.
Blushing, he buried his face.
She panicked. “Bad?”
“Too cute—it’s illegal.” He pulled her close. “My heart can’t take it.”
She blushed—unbelievable words, but comforting.
“So I dance well?”
He nodded. “No problems in videos or live.”
“Why criticized?”
“Group practice—Yuan Xiao focused on the whole.”
He thought. “Only one explanation.”
“She targets me.” She suspected—remembering Yang Xuelin’s words, the stairway hug.
“Does Yuan Xiao like you?”
He tilted his head. “So?”
Even if true—she wouldn’t tell. She wanted to be unique in his eyes.
“No need to fix dance if targeted.”
“Wrong—another way.” He said, like facing his dad.
“Do perfectly—she’ll have no say.”
“You said I dance well?”
“Minor flaws exist.”
“…You never danced.”
“Humans use tools.” He opened both phones—her video and his recording.
“When?” She gasped.
“Since you started—compare.” He pointed. “35s: hand not straight. 1:28: missed step. 1:59: slow turn…”
He listed flaws—group vs personal videos.
She was impressed—his attention to detail.
“Fix them—she can’t criticize.” He sat straight. “Practice—watch.”
An hour later—exhausted, cat ears drooping.
He approved. “Good.”
She lay down. “Hungry—cake.”
He went to cut it—she fell asleep.
“Eat.” He placed the cake.
She crawled to the bed—sat up.
“Used all my strength—your turn.” She propped herself, chin up.
He fed her—she chewed. “Not too sweet—no greasy.”
“My mom loves this—said girls like it.”
“Asked your mom?” She panicked. “No questions?”
“Nope—she taught me to bring gifts. Why ask?”
“…Because I’m a girl, dummy!”
Heart racing—worried his mom noticed.