Stop Chasing the School Belle, My Shy Deskmate is Sweet and Soft - Chapter 92

“N-no, that’s not my room!”

“Huh? But there are no other rooms. Do you sleep on the couch?”

“I…”

Ye Ningyu’s face flushed red, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to explain.

The more she thought about it, the more embarrassed she felt.

If Xia Tian went into her room, she would die of embarrassment…

Seeing her flustered state, Xia Tian realized something and grinned mischievously.

“Alright, don’t be so nervous. If you don’t want me to go, I won’t force it. I was just asking casually.”

“It’s not that… You can go in, but my room is a bit messy. Can I clean it up first?”

Xia Tian’s eyes lit up.

Oh?

There’s actually a chance to see Little Ye’s room?

“Ahem, but remember, you’re inviting me in. I’m not insisting on going.”

“Mm…”

Little Ye nodded lightly, then turned back to washing the apples.

Xia Tian leaned against the kitchen door, watching her quietly.

After washing the fruits, Little Ye skillfully cut them into pieces.

Xia Tian had initially worried she might hurt herself, but seeing how adept she was at cutting fruit, he quickly dismissed his concerns.

It made sense. With her mother in poor health, Little Ye likely did most of the cooking.

“Xia Tian, the fruits are ready. Here are some toothpicks to pick them with.”

“Will you feed me one?”

Xia Tian grinned, showing no intention of picking it himself.

His request flustered Little Ye. “Ah… My mom is here. Xia Tian, can’t you eat by yourself?”

“What are you so scared of? I only asked you to feed me a piece of fruit, not kiss me.”

“K-kiss?”

Little Ye felt her face heating up even more.

She stood there, holding the plate, completely dazed.

“Tsk, silly girl, you get shy so easily… Fine, I’ll eat it myself.”

Xia Tian shrugged, taking a piece of fruit from the plate.

Then he asked Little Ye to bring the fruit to Chen Lan.

Relieved, Little Ye hurried to her mom’s room with the plate.

Then she rushed to her own room to tidy up, worried that Xia Tian might suddenly come in and see her clothes lying around.

—

“So this is a girl’s room?”

Entering Little Ye’s room, Xia Tian was greeted by a faint, pleasant fragrance.

It was the same scent he had noticed on her school uniform before.

Curious, Xia Tian glanced around.

Little Ye’s bedspread was sky blue, not the cute pink he had imagined.

Her desk was covered with completed exam papers and an old lamp.

In addition, there was the music box Xia Tian had given her for her birthday.

“Hmm? It looks broken.”

Xia Tian leaned in and saw a crack on the music box.

Little Ye, worried, quickly explained.

“I-I’m sorry, Xia Tian. I didn’t mean to break your gift. The class monitor accidentally bumped into me, and I dropped it…”

“But I fixed it with glue the next day. I’ll take better care of it from now on. Please don’t be mad.”

The class monitor bumped into her that night?

Xia Tian pieced it together, realizing it must have been the night Xu Yuan confronted Little Ye.

That evening, after he left, the rain had started pouring down heavily.

Little Ye had been threatened by Xu Yuan, then bumped and dropped the music box. She must have picked it up, crying in the rain.

When she got home, she painstakingly glued it back together.

Thinking about this made Xia Tian’s heart ache.

Seeing Little Ye’s worried face, he couldn’t help but ruffle her hair gently and speak softly.

“It’s not your fault. Why would I be mad? It’s just an object. If it’s broken, I’ll get you a new one.

What matters is that you’re okay. Sometimes, people can be cruel, and being too soft can make you an easy target, even if you’ve done nothing wrong… So, when I’m not around, you have to protect yourself until I’m there.”

Little Ye looked up at him, her vision blurring.

Tears were threatening to fall.

Knowing her mom was in the next room, she held them back, nodding firmly at Xia Tian.

—

“Xia Zhengguo, why are you smoking so much? I saw smoke coming off the balcony earlier. Anyone would think the house is on fire. Do you want to die?”

Chen Meijuan stormed onto the balcony as soon as she got home, having changed into her slippers.

She found her husband leaning against the balcony wall, looking dejected, with more than ten cigarette butts scattered around.

Though he smoked, Xia Zhengguo usually limited himself to a couple of cigarettes a day.

Today was different…

Chen Meijuan’s expression changed, and she softened her tone.

“What’s wrong, Old Xia?”

Xia Zhengguo turned to look at her, his eyes weary.

“The layoff list from the factory came out. I heard… I’m on it.”

“What?”

Chen Meijuan was stunned.

It took her a moment to process, realizing why her husband had smoked so much.

She forced a smile.

“Don’t be so pessimistic. It’s just a rumor. Maybe you’re not on the list. No one knows for sure until it’s official. Besides, layoffs usually happen in batches. As a long-time employee, you’d likely be in the second batch.

That gives us at least six more months. Maybe the factory will get more orders by then and stop laying off people. They might just transfer you to another department.”

“That’s unlikely, Meijuan. You know that. Xia Tian’s about to start university. If I get laid off, it’s going to be tough. Our family might struggle again.”

“What are you talking about? I’m not some delicate flower. I can get another job to support you and our son.”

Chen Meijuan’s bold words brought tears to Xia Zhengguo’s eyes.

Just then, the door opened.

Xia Zhengguo quickly composed himself, and Chen Meijuan tidied up a bit.

Xia Tian poked his head in, relieved to see everything was fine.

Seeing his parents looking somewhat intimate, he teased.

“Mom, Dad, what are you doing on the balcony? I saw a lot of smoke when I got downstairs and thought the house was on fire…

Turns out… it was the sparks of your love, hahaha!”