10 – Chapter 10
What does Xie Zhi taste like?
Before the finals began, the two walked to the center and high-fived as a friendly gesture. When letting go, Si Nian deliberately hooked her index finger, catching the back of Xie Zhi’s hand near his thumb. In his momentary daze, her fingertip brushed across his palm and grazed the pulse on his wrist…
“Whether you win or I win, it seems the same either way,” Si Nian tilted her head, resting her chin lightly on the net as she smiled at Xie Zhi.
Due to the previous matches, the hair at her forehead was damp with sweat, glistening under the sunlight.
Xie Zhi: “Hmm?”
Si Nian: “Anyway, you’ll get to eat meat, so I’m at ease.”
After withdrawing his hand, Xie Zhi’s movements grew somewhat stiff and unnatural. He avoided the topic, saying, “The congee this morning was delicious, thank you.”
“Mm, so will you go easy on me?” Si Nian asked.
“You’re very skilled; you don’t need me to go easy on you.”
As Xie Zhi prepared to leave, Si Nian asked again, “If you win, will you invite me to eat together?”
Xie Zhi smiled without answering, but the live chat was quick to respond on his behalf.
【Of course not, lol. Xie Zhi will definitely invite the campus belle instead—they’re the perfect match!】
【Seriously, Si Nian, why are you chasing so desperately? Haven’t you heard the saying: simps end up with nothing, amen.】
【I think it’s a bit uncertain too… When one side chases too intensely, it can feel suffocating. I think Lin Yulan has the upper hand now.】
【Lin Yulan has chemistry with everyone. Honestly, I think she’s way better than that flirt Si Nian!】
【But I feel like Xie Zhi is struggling to handle Si Nian’s advances—he’s almost surrendering! Can you guys really resist such a seductive older sister? Remember, the film emperor is only 22, right in his prime!】
【Get out of here with your wild imagination!】
The match officially began. The two went back and forth, seemingly evenly matched, but Si Nian knew she couldn’t hold on much longer. Though she worked out regularly, her stamina was no match for his…
Two seconds later, in everyone’s eyes, Si Nian appeared to trip over a mound of sand, stumbling sideways and falling halfway into the seawater.
The volleyball landed in the sand nearby. Xie Zhi quickly reacted and strode over to Si Nian.
By the time Xie Zhi grabbed her arm and lifted her from the water, Si Nian’s hair was completely soaked, water streaming down in rivulets. Sand clung to her face and hair, making her look utterly pitiful.
Like a drenched little kitten—that was Xie Zhi’s first thought. Though he knew he shouldn’t laugh, the corner of his mouth twitched upward for a moment.
“Are you okay?” Xie Zhi asked.
Si Nian’s lips drooped, on the verge of tears.
Her plan had backfired. She’d only meant to take a small fall to stir his protective instincts but misjudged the force and ended up in the sea, looking like a drowned rat.
“Uh…” Finally, she raised her right hand to wipe her wet face, but since her hand was covered in sand, she only smeared it more.
Just as she thought she’d completely ruined it, a towel was draped over her head.
“Wipe your face; it’s a mess,” Xie Zhi said, helping her up. “Can you walk?”
The towel carried a faint scent of soap—it was Xie Zhi’s scent.
Since things had come to this, even if she could walk, she had to say she couldn’t. Si Nian shook her head. “My ankle’s a bit twisted.”Soon, a large hand steadied her waist, guiding her indoors.
[If I’m not mistaken, that towel was just tied around Xie Zhi’s neck—he used it to wipe his sweat.]
[I want to know what Xie Zhi smells like.]
[Sharing a towel between two people—is there anything more intimate than this? Isn’t this another form of intimate blending? I’m dead!!]
[Right now, my soul has possessed Si Nian!!]
[Did no one notice Si Nian’s waist? It looks even slimmer under Xie Zhi’s palm.]
[Isn’t this the exact pairing I love—the charming beauty and the younger little wolf dog? I’m sold on this CP!]
[That slut Si Nian is shameless! Using cheap tricks to seduce my idol, get lost already!]
Although there was an unexpected incident during the match, the program team remained fair—the final winner of the volleyball game was Xie Zhi.
To their credit, the program team delivered on their promise—the luxurious double set meal was indeed extravagant. It included two aromatic steaks, two servings of creamy mushroom pasta, along with side dishes like escargots, and even desserts and wine were prepared.
While these dishes weren’t particularly extraordinary for the young masters and ladies, having only had some seafood porridge in the morning and makeshift dry rations for lunch, with only potato stewed chicken awaiting them for dinner, who wouldn’t drool at the sight of such steak?
As Xie Zhi stood before the table laden with delicacies, the live comments section buzzed with speculation about whom he would invite to dinner.
Meanwhile, the female guests had gathered in the dormitory, anxiously awaiting the outcome.
Lin Yulan felt somewhat nervous, occasionally biting her lip as her eyes darted toward the large speaker in the room.
Would Xie Zhi still choose her? Or had he changed his mind and decided to invite Si Nian instead?
After all, Si Nian had stolen the spotlight entirely today—from the morning porridge to the evening match…
While she seemed to have been sidelined, leaving her with the nagging feeling that things shouldn’t have unfolded this way.