"You... you came."

"Ah... you noticed even the slightest footsteps."

In front of me stood Xi, with her back facing me. She was still wearing a bikini under the moonlight. She looked up at the stars and somehow sensed my presence.

"To be honest, I didn't want to come. It's already 1 am, and I'm so tired."

After a day of running around, I really wanted to rest early, but for some reason, I ended up here. I clenched the piece of paper in my hand. It was something Xi gave me, with a few short words written on it: "We need to talk."

"I'm really sorry, You. Making you come to this place so late..."

Xi apologized sincerely.

"Just don't call me out this late next time. It's not great to wake up with panda eyes in the morning, you know."

I said this, and Xi giggled.

"I meant it seriously."

"I'd rather see You with panda eyes."

"Don't joke around. If you're going to be so boring, I'll just go back."

I didn't have the energy to play these silly games anymore.

"You, wait a moment."

I urged her, "Just say it quickly."

"I... like you."

Those two words flew past my ears so quickly.

"???" I naturally had a confused expression.

"I like you!!"

"What?"

"Do I need to say it again? Xi already..."

Xi blushed and couldn't continue.

"Did I mishear earlier? What I heard was... 'like' ~ 'you'," I asked uncertainly.

"Xi likes You..."

Xi said it directly without any hesitation.

"Oh, so you like me. It'd be better if I were more outstanding," I pretended to play dumb.

"What Xi said wasn't 'outstanding'... It's 'You', 'You.' Did You lose your mind?"

Xi said loudly.

My mind certainly hadn't lost it. Actually, when she said those two words, I had a faint sense that this was not a simple matter.

I cleared my throat, "Ahem, I understand now."

"You finally get it, You? Xi thought your brain really had gone blank." Xi seemed relieved.

Please stop talking about 'going blank' anymore.

"Xi likes You. Though it's only been a few days, Xi's feelings are genuine."

It was an indisputable confession. If I were a single dog, I would have accepted without hesitation.

But I felt a level of distress like never before. A girl I had only known for a few days, with an unclear motive, suddenly liked me.

How could such a melodramatic plot happen? It must be a dream, or she must have some ulterior motive.

"I'm glad you like me, but when it comes to feelings, it's all about fate. Plus, when one already has a designated person, there won't be a second romance."

"Xi and You have a strong connection. Besides, about the second romance, do You have someone you like?"

Xi wouldn't easily give up, it seemed.

"I do..."

"Who is it!?"

"You don't need to ask about that."

"Why can't Xi ask?"

Xi started to throw a tantrum.

"...Well, it doesn't really matter if I say it. Anyway..."

"In any case, You won't choose Xi, right?"

Xi's eyes became moist. Were they real or fake tears?

"Well... about that," I had no choice but to brush it off.

Xi cried and said, "But Xi really likes You."

This sentence always feels familiar, but if we rule out the possibility that Xi is acting and deceiving me, even if it is true, I can't accept Xi's feelings. So -

"I'm not a good person. Xi shouldn't waste energy on me,"

I should say that,

"I thought I would succeed... but Xi is too naive."

Xi wiped away the tears that wouldn't stop falling,

"Ah, I'm sorry, it's late... I think I should rest early,"

It really feels guilty to make a girl cry, but I can't go against my own will,

It's a pity that I can't comfort her and I don't have a tissue to wipe away her tears,

Just when I was troubled by this and trying to think of a solution, a few people appeared in my sight,

A few big men in black suits were not a big deal, but a girl with blonde hair caught my attention. At first, I thought it was Su Yuqian bringing someone to "X" me,

But upon closer inspection, it wasn't Su Yuqian, just a petite girl with beautiful blonde hair,

"You scumbag, making Xi cry!"

This blonde girl pointed at me and started cursing,

"I... didn't do anything"

"Don't argue. I'm going to make you regret today."

This dialect is a bit hard for me to understand,

"I don't think I really did anything wrong,"

"Give him a good lesson for me,"

Well, several big men started walking towards me upon hearing the order,

I had to assume a defensive posture, I was at a disadvantage no matter the size or height, and the opponent had the numerical advantage,

I tried not to get beaten so badly that even my parents wouldn't recognize me, that's what I thought, and the opponents were indeed getting closer and closer. I almost didn't dare to open my eyes and watch the fist about to swing at me,

"Lily, stop!!"

Suddenly, Xi shouted, I saw that I was about to be strangled by a thick arm,

"Xi, this guy deserves to be taught a lesson"

The blonde girl said angrily,

"Xi doesn't allow Lily to do this,"

"But... how can I just let this..."

"If Lily does this, don't blame Xi for turning against you,"

"Ah... okay,"

The blonde girl looked very troubled, then ordered the big men surrounding me to step back. Seeing the crisis being resolved, I breathed a sigh of relief,

"Xi, what are you going to do? This guy doesn't intend to accept your kindness,"

The blonde girl looked at me with a look of disgust and said to Xi,

"Xi..." Xi looked very worried,

"It's nothing to worry about, leave it to me,"

"But..."

"There's no buts, everything is for that purpose, right?"

The blonde girl smiled with a hidden meaning,

"..." Xi fell silent, but it seemed like she agreed, then Xi seemed to look at me with an apologetic gaze. Just as I was feeling confused, someone directly hit me from behind,

It hurt a lot and I felt a bit dizzy,

Then I fell to the ground and gradually lost consciousness.