Stop Chasing the School Belle, My Shy Deskmate is Sweet and Soft - Chapter 25

And so, Qiao Shaoxuan obediently waited in line at the back of the crowd.

Meanwhile, Xu Yuan and Chen Jiayi stood aside, watching as Xia Tian confidently played dice with various customers.

Both of them had mixed feelings about what they were seeing.

Even though Xia Tian was earning money from these people, no one seemed upset. In fact, the smiles on the customers’ faces were impossible to hide.

That was because Xia Tian’s charm was too irresistible.

“Hey, grandpa, even though you lost, this fruit platter is only five yuan. You didn’t lose out, right?”

“Congrats, young lady, you won! Eat this fruit platter, and you’ll definitely become as beautiful as a flower. Your skin will be so smooth, your friends will all ask you what high-end skincare you’re using!”

“What? You’re already 35? Oh, I thought you had just graduated from college!”

Xia Tian didn’t just play dice, he engaged with everyone. Even when they lost, he would compliment them, easing the sting of defeat.

Seeing this young man, so sweet-talking and handsome, the customers couldn’t help but laugh.

“Kid, your mouth is something else! You’re better at flattery than my old man! You’re handsome and charming. Do you have a girlfriend yet? My daughter just started her second year of university—how about I introduce her to you?”

Xia Tian chuckled and replied, “Auntie, you’re too kind! I already have someone I like. I’m working hard here because I want to earn enough to impress her!”

“Oh, so you’ve already got someone you like, huh? What a shame. So, is this girl here today? Let us all have a look!”

The auntie’s teasing quickly stirred up the crowd’s excitement, and soon everyone was egging Xia Tian on, encouraging him to reveal the girl he liked.

No one suspected it was the girl collecting money, Ye Ningyu.

Xia Tian, however, waved it off.

“Yes, the girl I like is here today, but I’m not going to introduce her to everyone. She doesn’t like being in the spotlight.”

“Ooh, the boy’s getting shy now!”

The crowd roared with laughter.

But at no point did anyone suspect Ye Ningyu, standing quietly by the side, as the girl he was talking about.

After all, Xia Tian had said she was present but didn’t want attention, so it couldn’t be the girl who was front and center collecting money.

Hearing this, Little Ye instinctively lowered her head, her eyes dimming.

“Xia Tian… must be talking about the class monitor, right?”

For just a moment, Ye Ningyu had allowed herself to believe that Xia Tian was talking about her, not Xu Yuan.

At the same time, Xu Yuan, standing amidst the crowd, also heard Xia Tian’s words.

Unlike Ye Ningyu, Xu Yuan’s previously gloomy mood instantly lifted.

The girl he liked was here? And she didn’t like being in the spotlight?

Wasn’t that describing her perfectly?

Xu Yuan’s heart swelled with joy, and she nearly squealed in delight.

“Jiayi! Did you hear that? Xia Tian said the girl he likes is here—he’s talking about me!”

“I knew it! There’s no way Xia Tian stopped liking me!”

The heavy weight that had been dragging on Xu Yuan’s heart all day suddenly vanished, replaced by pure happiness.

Chen Jiayi shared in her excitement, smiling brightly. “Yes, I heard him! He must have thought you’d already left and wouldn’t hear it, but we’re still here!”

“Exactly! He was too shy to admit it in front of me, but as long as I’m not around, he can’t help but reveal his feelings.”

Xu Yuan was almost moved to tears!

It turned out that the boy who had loved her for three whole years hadn’t given up after all.

He simply had found a different way to express his feelings.

And now, he was working so hard to make money—all so he could buy her gifts and win her heart!

At that moment, Xu Yuan felt a surge of warmth in her chest and finally realized the truth.

She had been rejecting Xia Tian and treating him coldly for so long that she must have hurt his pride.

That must have been why he’d decided to hide his feelings, pretending not to like her anymore.

He could let the whole world know that he loved her, but she was the only one he didn’t want to find out.

“Little Yuan, you’ve been upset all day, but now you can rest easy, right?” Chen Jiayi asked.

“Yes! I knew it! A boy who loves me wouldn’t just change his heart on a whim!” Xu Yuan beamed, her dimples showing as she smiled sweetly.

Seeing her best friend in such a good mood, Chen Jiayi happily linked arms with her.

“Little Yuan, do you still want Qiao Shaoxuan to teach Xia Tian a lesson?”

“It’s fine, let him go ahead. When Qiao Shaoxuan wins, I’ll step in and chastise him. That way, I’ll appear when Xia Tian is at his most vulnerable, and he’ll be grateful to me.”

“Xia Tian’s been so cold to me—I don’t like it. I hope this will help him stop hiding his feelings. I much prefer it when he expresses his love openly.”

Xu Yuan believed in one thing:

Open and public displays of affection were far better than a love that was kept hidden deep inside.