Just as Nangong Shiyu was agonizing over whether to go on the date, Xia Zixin walked into the room and sat beside him.

"No need to worry so much," she said.

"It's all your fault," Nangong Shiyu replied.

He lifted his forearm slightly, shielding his eyes from the light.

"This afternoon, I'll accompany you to the date in my physical form," Xia Zixin said. "That way, it might deter that girl's obsession with you, don't you think?"

Hearing this, Nangong Shiyu's lips curled into a faint smile.

"You planned this from the start, didn't you?"

Xia Zixin nodded. "Mm-hmm, I did."

"You're really ruthless."

"If I weren't ruthless, how could I have you all to myself? I have no intention of sharing you."

"Get lost, don't say such cheesy things," he almost retorted, but swallowed the words.

Ah, forget it.

Fine.

Accepting the date wasn't so bad. It would give him a chance to talk things through with Shen Yining, just as Luo Qitian had suggested.

"Alright then," Nangong Shiyu sighed. "This afternoon, we'll go together."

With that, he got up from the bed, walked to his desk, and started copying the homework Shen Yining had brought.

◆

When Nangong Shiyu and Xia Zixin arrived at the bus stop near the east gate of Lingyang Lake Park, it was already past 2:40 PM. They'd been stuck in traffic for at least twenty minutes.

But Sunday traffic jams were common in Tianmu City, so Nangong Shiyu was used to it.

After getting off the bus, he scanned the area for Shen Yining. He finally spotted her on a bench outside the east gate, her chestnut-brown hair unmistakable.

Soon after Nangong Shiyu saw her, Shen Yining turned and spotted him too. She started to wave, but her hand froze halfway, her expression darkening.

This was the expected reaction.

If it was supposed to be a boy-girl date, what was Xia Zixin doing here?

Thinking this, Nangong Shiyu couldn't help but feel he was being cruel.

He had betrayed her on what was meant to be their date.

"Hey, Xia Zixin, good afternoon," Nangong Shiyu forced a smile. "Sorry we're late; the bus got stuck in traffic."

Shen Yining's expression was stiff at first, but in a blink, she seemed to perk up. "Yeah, good afternoon. I just got here too, haven't been waiting long."

Both were putting on brave faces, the atmosphere slightly awkward.

What should he say next...

"Good afternoon, little Yining," Xia Zixin chimed in before Nangong Shiyu could figure it out.

"Good afternoon," Shen Yining replied, her smile still stiff, her gaze darting around.

This was truly cruel to her.

It was too much.

Even Nangong Shiyu felt that way.

Inside, Shen Yining must be in agony...

He had wanted to face her alone and clear things up. But according to Xia Zixin, being too gentle would only give her hope, making it harder for her to let go.

Since he'd gone this far, he had to see it through.

"What are your plans for this afternoon's date?" Xia Zixin pressed on, breaking the silence.

"Well, I just wanted to be with Shiyu alone..." Shen Yining's words trailed off, and the awkward silence returned.

Nangong Shiyu began to doubt: was bringing Xia Zixin really the right choice?

...

No.

This wasn't what he wanted.

This awkward, painful scene wasn't what he had in mind.

It was a bad idea from the start...

"Shen Yining, don't worry. Xia Zixin is just—"

Nangong Shiyu started to say she was just passing by, but Xia Zixin cut him off again.

"How about a three-way date this afternoon?" Xia Zixin grinned, patting Shen Yining's shoulder. "After all, one of us will be Shiyu's husband, the other his wife. Let's use this chance to bond!"

What nonsense was she spouting!?

Nangong Shiyu couldn't hold back anymore. "Xia Zixin... can you let me finish my sentence?"

Why did she always interrupt? Why couldn't she let him speak properly? Why mess with the rhythm?

At home, her little jokes didn't matter; he didn't mind. But this was different.

He just wanted Shen Yining to let go of him peacefully. He wanted to talk to her properly. Why use such methods?

"No," Xia Zixin frowned. "You can't say it, little sister Shiyu. You're terrible with girls."

Nangong Shiyu had no clue how to deal with girls. He didn't understand, not at all.

In Xia Zixin's eyes, he was that clueless.

But he didn't feel that way.

Even if he wasn't good with girls, this was his matter. He wanted to handle Shen Yining's feelings his own way, not have someone else do it for him.

"Stop treating me like a kid... okay..." he wanted to say. —I'm not a child.

"Hmm, you might be right," Shen Yining perked up after Xia Zixin's nonsense. "Then let's start Shiyu's harem date this afternoon!"

Seeing Shen Yining's complete attitude shift, Nangong Shiyu was dumbfounded.

What was going on?

"Let's go, Shiyu!" Shen Yining stood to Nangong Shiyu's left, hooked her arm through his, and started pulling him forward. At the same time, Xia Zixin hooked her arm through his right, following Shen Yining's lead.

And so, sandwiched between Shen Yining and Xia Zixin, Nangong Shiyu was dragged through the east gate of Lingyang Lake Park.

By now, Nangong Shiyu had no idea what was happening and could only let them lead him deeper into the park.