Chapter 45

When Xu Qi said he had something to discuss and arranged to meet after school, Shen Yu had actually felt a bit nervous, afraid he might suddenly say something strange.
Although she felt that being 20 wasn’t too young, she currently had no plans to get involved in a relationship, at least not before successfully changing Shen Xiao’s fate.
Dealing with a brother who could have an outburst at any moment was already draining all her energy; how could she possibly have the mind to consider her own love life?
Fortunately, Xu Qi didn’t say anything odd.
"This newly rehearsed play features a dancer who grows through adversity. After thinking it over, I believe you’d be perfect for the role. You’re in the performing arts department, and you dance so well, you’re truly ideal. All of us main creators hope to invite you to join."
Shen Yu frowned. "But I don’t have much experience with stage plays. I’ve only performed in exams before, and this semester my course load is heavy. I’m not sure if I can manage the time."
"Don’t worry, if you agree to take the role, everything else can be arranged. The main thing is, this play is for a national competition, so we want to find the most suitable actor for each role."
Shen Yu felt conflicted. She was actually quite interested in what Xu Qi had described, it would be a chance to hone her acting skills. But she was still worried about potential scheduling conflicts.
"Could you give me a couple of days to think it over?" she asked.
Xu Qi’s eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly. "Of course, of course! We sincerely hope you’ll join us!"
Shen Yu said, "I’ll consider it carefully."
As they spoke, they had just stepped out of the teaching building. Shen Yu was about to say goodbye and head to the bus stop on her own, but Xu Qi enthusiastically offered to walk her there, saying they could discuss the plot along the way.
Unable to refuse his earnest offer, Shen Yu had no choice but to nod in agreement.
She was seriously doubting Li Yiyi’s words right now. Li Yiyi had told her that Senior Xu Qi was aloof and didn’t like to interact much with others, but the boy before her was clearly so enthusiastic it was almost startling. Could it be that he had been body-snatched too?
However, the stage play plot Xu Qi described was genuinely captivating. She easily got absorbed in it, and the role was quite challenging, she was really willing to give it a try.
At that moment, the setting sun cast a warm, orange glow on the cement path beneath their feet. Facing the sunlight, Shen Yu’s vision was filled with dazzling brightness. She raised a hand to shield her eyes and then spotted a sapphire-blue sports car parked at the intersection ahead. It looked very familiar, and the figure beside the car was even more so.
Without thinking, she left Xu Qi behind and quickened her pace toward the car. Xu Qi, who had been left behind, was momentarily stunned before hurriedly catching up.
Shen Xiao had originally intended to drive into the small playground. He had parked there before when picking up Shen Yu. But by the time he parked, Shen Yu and that boy had already started walking away, so he had to reverse and drive out, stopping at the intersection ahead. Worried that Shen Yu might not notice him, he even got out of the car, lit a cigarette, and stood there smoking while waiting to intercept her.
He wanted to see exactly what kind of wild man dared to mess with his little girl.
When he first saw them, he had almost exploded with anger, but he quickly calmed down. After all, the person his little girl had a crush on was clearly him, how could she be dating someone else? It must be that guy pestering her!
With that thought, Shen Xiao clenched the cigarette between his lips and began rolling up his sleeves. If the other guy tried anything slick, he wouldn’t mind teaching him a lesson first.
Just as he finished rolling up his sleeves, Shen Yu noticed him and jogged over with a delighted expression.
Shen Xiao’s explosive temper miraculously subsided bit by bit at the sight of her smiling face. Still, seeing the guy following behind her made his fists itch to throw a punch.
However, the boy did look somewhat familiar, he must have seen him before.
As Shen Yu approached, she exclaimed happily, "Brother, what brings you here?"
Leaning against the car, cigarette in his mouth, Shen Xiao replied coolly, "Just passing by to pick you up. Who’s he?"
Only then did Shen Yu realize Xu Qi had followed her. Though surprised, she casually introduced them. "This is my brother, Shen Xiao. Brother, this is Xu Qi, a senior from the directing department."
Xu Qi was several years younger than Shen Xiao. Upon hearing the introduction, he quickly stepped forward and said, "Hello, Brother Shen."
Shen Xiao immediately frowned and retorted disdainfully, "Who’s your brother?"
Shen Yu: "…"
Xu Qi: "…"
After his dismissive remark, Shen Xiao gave Xu Qi a cold once-over. Though Xu Qi was tall, his slender build made him look like a scrawny chicken next to Shen Xiao, someone Shen Xiao could easily overpower with one hand.
"Wait, what's your surname? Xu?" he retorted.
Xu Qi nodded.
Then, as if interrogating a suspect, Shen Xiao asked, "What's your relationship with Xu Yongzhou?"
Xu Qi was somewhat surprised and quickly replied, "He's my father."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiao coughed dryly twice with a hint of smugness and said, "I'm of the same generation as your dad. We usually call each other 'brother' when we meet."
Shen Yu looked up at him, puzzled as to why he suddenly brought this up, and asked, "Is that so?"
In an unusually good mood, Shen Xiao explained, "Since I address his father as a brother, Xu Qi should be a generation below me. It wouldn't be out of place for him to call me 'uncle'." He then turned to Xu Qi with a half-smile and said, "Go on, call me 'uncle'."
Shen Yu: “…”
Xu Qi: "..."
After speaking, Shen Xiao shoved his hands into his pockets and leisurely waited for Xu Qi's response.
Xu Qi hadn't expected Shen Xiao to have this kind of relationship with his father. Unable to say much, he reluctantly replied, "Hello, Uncle Shen."
Shen Xiao nodded in satisfaction, then pulled Shen Yu closer and said, "If you call me 'uncle,' what should you call my sister?"
Xu Qi felt a wave of exasperation and was reluctant to speak, but Shen Xiao's gaze was so intense it was hard to meet. With a questioning tone, he ventured, "Auntie?"
Shen Yu couldn't hold back a laugh and protested to Shen Xiao, "Isn't that a bit much? You're making me sound old!"
Xu Qi suddenly felt a bit wronged. Not only were these two treating him like a junior, but they were also completely ignoring him!
Feeling somewhat dejected, he said, "I have some matters to attend to, so I'll head back now. Shen Yu, don't forget to think it over carefully."
Shen Yu quickly nodded.
After saying this, Xu Qi made a hasty exit, afraid that if he stayed any longer, Shen Xiao would chew him up and spit him out.
But Shen Xiao called him back again and said, "Next time you see my sister, remember to call her 'auntie'!"
Xu Qi: "..."
Only after sending the irrelevant person away did the knot of frustration in Shen Xiao's chest slowly ease. He then motioned for Shen Yu to get in the car.
Once inside, he didn't start the car immediately but instead began questioning her, "Why are you so close to someone from the Xu family? What did he ask you to consider?"
Shen Yu frowned and said, "I've only met him at a banquet. Today, he just wanted to discuss me acting in a play, so he came to talk to me."
Shen Xiao rested his hands on the steering wheel, looking up at her. "Really?"
Shen Yu nodded. "Absolutely true."
Only then did Shen Xiao sit up straight, start the car, and drive out of the campus. Once they were on the main road, he spoke again, "I told you you're still a kid, and you didn't believe me."
Shen Yu pouted, looking baffled. "What do you mean?"
Shen Xiao, unusually serious, said, "You're still young and not very committed in relationships, but you need to learn to overcome that. You have to be loyal in your feelings, whether it's an open crush or a secret one. You need to see it through, understand?"
Shen Yu: “…”
To be honest, she didn't understand a single word of what he said!
What open crushes or secret crushes? What did any of that have to do with her?
Shen Xiao glanced at her while waiting at a red light and thought disdainfully, "My little sister actually has playboy tendencies. If she has a secret crush on me, she should stick to it properly instead of being so fickle!"
So annoying!