Chapter 21 The Double-Standard Hypocrite Tells Her to Study Hard
The Ferris wheel rose to its highest point. Lin Shu stood up and ruffled Xie Buchen’s hair.
Xie Buchen didn’t dodge; he just looked at her with a strange expression.
Lin Shu sulkily withdrew her hand.
She had completely forgotten that she was just a kid herself, yet she had been comforting Xie Buchen as if he were the child.
Sitting upright, Lin Shu asked him about his future plans.
Xie Buchen said he only wanted to get his high school diploma. He wasn’t interested in studying; before, it had been for his mother, but from now on, he wanted to live for himself.
Lin Shu snapped, “Double standards! Then why do you tell me to study hard?”
Xie Buchen glanced at her.
Didn’t she understand what was really on his mind?
Lin Shu told him to stop beating around the bush and just say what he meant.
“You won’t study properly, so you’ll end up married early with kids too soon,” he said seriously.
...
...
...
That was the most venomous thing Lin Shu had ever heard in her two lives.
“Am I just an incurable love-struck fool in your eyes?”
She had barely finished asking before, seeing Xie Buchen’s expression, she immediately raised her hand again. “Alright, no need to say more. Your eyes have already said it all.”
Damn it, truly damn it.
She had been lectured by a slacker.
Lin Shu sincerely asked, “Is there anything I can do to help you? My parents set up a scholarship fund to support those in financial difficulty or with special talents.”
Xie Buchen smiled, “No wonder you’re so interested in my past — turns out it’s community outreach.”
Really.
Even after being honest, he was still as impenetrable as a fortress.
Lin Shu asked why he had bought guitar sheet music before.
Xie Buchen said he was teaching himself composition.
Lin Shu said art students could apply for scholarships too.
Xie Buchen thought for a moment, a trace of warmth appearing in his eyes. “I know your family is wealthy, but shouldn’t scholarships go to those in greater need? I have no family, but my tuition and living expenses are covered. Music is an expensive hobby; the rich have their way, and the poor have theirs.”
Suddenly, Lin Shu understood what true dignity looked like.
Xie Buchen didn’t think the rich’s money was something to take lightly.
He wouldn’t accept aid begrudgingly, only to hate those who helped him later.
He respected others and himself.
Truly a good kid.
Just as Lin Shu reached out, Xie Buchen, as expected, blocked her.
“Lin Shu, what’s wrong with you, stroking your son?”
She had originally thought he fancied her.
But in reality, she treated him like her son.
It was one thing to bring him breakfast, but now giving him money and patting his head — Xie Buchen half-imagined her as his little auntie.
Lin Shu sulkily withdrew her hand.
The Ferris wheel safely descended.
Night had fully fallen, and the surroundings were festively decorated with lights. The parade floats were lit up with ornamental lights, and the amusement park’s NPCs were dressed extravagantly, ready for business.
---
What a chaotic spectacle, a parade of demons and ghosts.
Lin Shu kept slapping herself.
Smack, smack, smack.
Xie Buchen took off his mosquito repellent bracelet and put it on her wrist.
Lin Shu crushed a mosquito carcass in her palm. “Thanks, but what about you?”
“If you keep hitting yourself, more of our people will come.”
Hmm?
That seemed right.
People around them were watching, probably thinking Xie Buchen had wronged her, which was why she was slapping herself like she’d lost her mind.
⚆ɞ⚆
“Looks like being a handsome guy isn’t easy,” Lin Shu sighed.
Xie Buchen chuckled twice, then walked to the side near the parade floats, shielding Lin Shu from any potential danger.
They did nothing but stroll leisurely, stopping briefly if there was a performance.
When it was time to leave, they passed through a souvenir shop. Xie Buchen bought her a woven bracelet with a small wooden tag engraved “Bright Future.”
Lin Shu bought him a fridge magnet with the words “Drink More Warm Water.”
Lin Shu said, “Xie Buchen, you should go to college, or else you’ll just end up a rapper.”
Xie Buchen instantly got the joke and laughed exaggeratedly, like a silly dog.
“Hey, Lin Shu, don’t bring me breakfast anymore, and don’t contact me. Just focus on your studies.”
Again?
Lin Shu said she really didn’t have any other intentions toward him. How could a guy be so afraid of being taken advantage of?
Xie Buchen said, “If you hang out with me, your family will worry.”
“Did my brother ask about you?”
Xie Buchen didn’t answer.
Lin Shu said, “You want to cut ties with me because of my brother? How much money did he give you? I’ll pay double!”
Don’t be ridiculous.
These siblings.
Xie Buchen put his hands in his pockets and nodded slightly. “Your brother is looking out for you.”
“I know, but he’s only my brother, not my father. My dad doesn’t even care about me. Besides, compared to him, I’m way more well-behaved. Who does he think he is, bossing me around about my friends?”
Lin Shu was furious. “Rules for the rulers, none for the commoners! Tyrant brother!”
Before Xie Buchen could say a word, Lin Shu suddenly faced him, her bright eyes blazing like two flames. “If you cut ties with me because of my brother, I’ll look down on you!”
Xie Buchen said “Oh.”
Lin Shu glared at him.
Xie Buchen fell silent.
Lin Shu’s expression turned playful. “Hmm, you’re so quick to distance yourself, could it be that you like me? Huh?”
Xie Buchen flicked her forehead.
Lin Shu yelped and kicked his butt.
He glared at her.
She glared back.
He put his hands in his pockets and laughed, the shiny black earring on his ear sparkling.
Lin Shu pursed her lips.
---
Xie Buchen said, “Alright, alright. Since it’s pure friendship, why care what others think? Even if Lin Zhou came at me with a knife, I wouldn’t give in.”
Love and loyalty are worth their weight in gold~
“...Besides, you know about my family now. I’m really afraid if I offend you, you’ll spread it all over the world.”
Lin Shu crossed her arms confidently and smiled slyly, “It’s enough that you know.”
The bus was gone.
Xie Buchen rented a shared electric scooter and took Lin Shu to the subway station.
Space on the scooter was limited, so she inevitably pressed close to him. There was no perfume, only a faint jasmine scent from her collar — probably from the detergent.
Lin Shu took a couple of sniffs and smiled as if she had gained the greatest fortune.
Xie Buchen drove slowly and steadily.
She was still smiling.
He said, “Lin Shu, how come you’re so happy just riding a scooter? You’re way too easily satisfied.”
Lin Shu said she never had many material desires — some ideals, but nothing lofty like becoming a scientist or liberating humanity. It was even a bit embarrassing to say.
She paused, then said that as long as living made her happy, nothing else mattered.
Xie Buchen said, “You really are a silly dog.”
Lin Shu fired back, “Who are you calling a silly dog?”
The evening breeze was cool, but the residual heat from the day’s sun lingered. Lin Shu swung her hat like a cowboy from the West, while Xie Buchen looked like the steer cowboy was about to rope.
He told her to sit properly and not move around.
She said sitting so well meant she was right against him.
Xie Buchen said, “So what? It won’t take a piece of meat away.”
Lin Shu sat firmly, her armpits pinching the hat, hands bracing the edges of the scooter.
Her hair was tousled by the wind, tangling around his arm.
Slightly ticklish.
The wind carried her scent.
How to describe it?
Like cotton warmed by the sun — soft, fluffy, comforting.
Xie Buchen smiled the whole way.
...
Hmm?
Hmm? Hmm? Hmm?
Lin Zhou stood outside his sister’s room, making strange noises like a cow mooing.
Tonight the teacher announced that the deadline for the essay submission was near. To earn credits, Lin Zhou hurried home to write (or rather copy) the report, only to find that his sister wasn’t home.
It was already eleven at night!
She was so young and dared to play out so late!
Lin Zhou called her, and she answered immediately.
“Hey, brother.”
“Where are you? Lin Shu!”
“I’m at the entrance changing my shoes.”
Lin Zhou rushed out of his room and indeed saw his sister changing shoes.
...