My Years as the Pure Love Interest at the Noble Academy

Shen Yujing sat alone in the lounge, feeling a bit down, but when he opened the door, he froze in place.

Quan Le stood in the middle holding a cake and said with a smile, "We only found out you won first place, and there wasn't much time to prepare anything, so we quickly bought a cake from the school. It'll have to do."

Jiang Yiheng chuckled, "That's called 'making do'? At least it's better than a bun and a candle."

Everyone except Hang Feng: "……"

Guilty.jpg.

Seeing that it was a day to celebrate Shen Yujing, Jiang Yiheng said, "But still, congratulations. Not bad."

"Yeah," Song Yi nodded and smiled, "First place? Good job. You didn't embarrass us."

Murong Huan chimed in excitedly, "Alright, enough chit-chat. Hurry up and light the candles and blow them out. It's an ice cream cake, and it'll melt if we leave it too long."

Hang Feng took out a lighter from his pocket and lit the candles.

Shen Yujing, who had been completely bewildered the entire time, closed his eyes and blew out the candles under everyone's urging.

Finally, Shen Yujing figured it out and asked, "So you guys believe me, right?"

Jiang Yiheng said, "Because you don't have the intelligence to lie."

Shen Yujing: "？"

Song Yi explained for Jiang Yiheng, "He means that with your personality, if you knew you did really well, you wouldn't be able to resist bragging until now."

"Exactly," Murong Huan agreed, "And you have no reason to lie to us."

Hang Feng commented, "Looks like someone really got lucky this time."

"At first glance, all your words seem fine," Shen Yujing frowned, "But when you think about it, why does everyone sound so awkward?"

It seemed like no one was actually praising him?

"Don't overthink it," Quan Le put his hand on Shen Yujing's shoulder, "Come on! Let's go to the cafeteria! Shen Yujing's celebration dinner, and he's paying!"

Shen Yujing: "Okay... wait, why am I paying?"

*

Shen Yujing's first place in the art exam had caused quite a stir online, and in Saint Slee, it was practically common knowledge.

However, within less than a day, all the trending topics were taken down, and the marketing accounts with tens of thousands of retweets of Shen Yujing's photos had all deleted their posts. This was because Shen Yujing didn't want to be overly exposed online so early, and his father agreed with his decision.

Even so, Shen's Father, who usually had a stern face, couldn't hide his smile, and even poured himself a drink at the dinner table, which was rare.

Shen's Mother wasn't at the dinner yet because she was busy cooking dinner for Shen Yujing's golden retriever, calling it "good boy" repeatedly, clearly very fond of it.

At the dinner table with only Shen Yujing and his father, Shen's Father began to plan his son's future.

"Son, I asked your art exam teacher, and he said your score was exceptionally high. It's like Imperial Capital University has already made it clear they'll admit you. Your academic scores are fine too. How about I send you abroad for some acting training instead of going to school?"

Shen Yujing refused without hesitation, "I'm not going. I want to go to school."

"Huh?" Shen's Father frowned in confusion, "I thought you hated school the most. You used to fake being sick all the time just to skip classes, and I always caught you."

Shen Yujing: "……"

Shen Yujing: "That was ages ago."

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Shen's Father asked, "So, you mean you've fallen in love with studying now?"

"Not exactly," Shen Yujing thought for a moment, "I just feel that no matter which path I choose in the future, having more knowledge is never a bad thing. Even if I become a celebrity, I can't be illiterate. Having a good college entrance exam score is always a plus."

"You're right," Shen's Father nodded in agreement and didn't mention the acting training again, "Then study hard. Remember, no matter which path you choose, your mother and I will always support you. We'll be your most reliable..."

Shen's Mother's scream interrupted, "Tom! What are you doing, Tom? Why did you knock over the bowl? Is my cooking not good? Answer me!"

"Woof! Yip! Woof woof woof!"

Shen Yujing: "……"

This was hardly comforting.

*

Meanwhile, at the Song household.

Song Yi was sorting out clothes to put in the washing machine when she habitually reached into her pocket to check for tissues and instead pulled out a hairclip.

The corners of her lips curved in a slight smile; she was used to this by now.

Back in her room, there was a box on her desk filled with hairclips, some opened but most still in their packaging.

Song Yi couldn't figure out what had gotten into Shen Yujing. Ever since he returned from the Imperial Capital University art exam, every time they met, she would find a hairclip in her pocket or bag when she got home.

At first, she found it a bit annoying, but over time, she got used to it, and sometimes she even wondered what kind of hairclip she would find today.

Song Yi picked up the hairclip she had just found; it was a cute little strawberry shape.

At that moment, her phone vibrated.

Song Yi picked it up and was a bit surprised to see a message from Shen Yujing.

[Only a month left until the college entrance exam, and I'm a bit nervous.]

Song Yi: "？"

[Song You Leave]: What are you nervous about? You're practically already in Imperial Capital University.

[Lonely Wolf]: I'm worried you and Quan Le won't get in, and then we won't be college classmates.

[Song You Leave]: ……

I've seen shameless people, but never this shameless.

[Lonely Wolf]: I'm joking. I actually want to ask you something.

[Song You Leave]: Go ahead.

[Lonely Wolf]: Are you free tomorrow? My mom's birthday is next week, and I want to pick out a birthday gift for her. Can you come with me to choose one?

*

The next morning.

Song Yi arrived at the agreed mall entrance but didn't see Shen Yujing.

She called him and asked directly, "Where are you?"

"On my way, on my way!" came the hurried reply before the call was abruptly ended.

Song Yi: "？"

Shen Yujing had invited her out, and not only was he late, but he also hung up on her? He'd better have a reasonable explanation.

Song Yi sat on a bench by the mall entrance, waiting for Shen Yujing. Her gaze fell on a large mascot interacting with some kids nearby.

The weather was nice that day, not too cold, and the sunlight felt comfortable and relaxing.

Song Yi squinted slightly, then saw a fat cat lying on the ground beside her, also enjoying the sun. Suddenly, she felt her mood improve.

Indeed, this semester had been too hectic, and she hadn't had much time to relax like this in a long time.

For the sake of the sunshine, she wouldn't hold it against Shen Yujing.

Just as Song Yi was about to close her eyes, a cup of milk tea was suddenly handed to her. Shen Yujing arrived out of breath and sat down beside her, taking a big gulp from his own cup.

Song Yi took the milk tea but still felt a bit puzzled and asked, "Did you go buy this and that's why you were late? I thought you didn't like sweet things?"

"I passed by and saw this new store with a long line. So I googled it; it seems to be a unique brand from An City, the first time it's opened in our Imperial Capital," Shen Yujing explained, then took another sip and complained, "The taste is just average."

Song Yi inserted a straw and took a sip, saying, "I think it's pretty good. Not too sweet, and the tea base is refreshing."

"Is that so?" Shen Yujing frowned and took a small sip, savoring it carefully.

It was strange. Why did it suddenly taste better after she said it was good?

Oh well, that wasn't important.

After resting for two minutes, Shen Yujing stood up and said, "Come on, let's go pick out a gift for my mom."

Shen Yujing took Song Yi to the jewelry counter on the seventh floor, saying he wanted to choose a necklace for his mother.

The shop assistant brought out all the latest styles for them to choose from and gave detailed explanations for each.

Song Yi eventually picked one and said, "This one looks elegant and suits your mom well."

Shen Yujing said, "You should know my mom. Her taste tends to lean more towards the younger side. Don't think about what suits her; just pick one based on your own taste."

Song Yi nodded to show she understood, then selected the most beautiful necklace she could find among the options.

Shen Yujing was quite pleased, so he directly told the shop assistant, "Wrap both, I'll pay by card."

The matter of gifts was resolved rather easily, and it was already past eleven o'clock.

So Shen Yujing said, "It's lunchtime now, I'll treat you to lunch as a thank you for helping me pick out a gift for my mom."

Song Yi naturally didn't stand on ceremony with him and simply said, "Sure."

Shen Yujing then asked her, "I saw on Weibo the other day that a new barbecue place opened here, it's a trendy restaurant with a beautiful environment and good reviews. Want to try it?"

"Whatever," Song Yi was indifferent. What was there to be picky about when someone else was paying?

Ten minutes later, at the entrance of the barbecue restaurant.

The two of them stood there, both lost in thought.

Shen Yujing raised his phone and compared the photo on it with the restaurant in front of them.

Song Yi said, "Stop looking, it's the same place. Just add ten filters and it'll look about right."

"Is this the same place? Isn't this just misleading people?" Shen Yujing was very puzzled by the plain-looking barbecue restaurant in front of him and the incredibly romantic, pink-bubble-filled "date paradise" on his phone.

Seeing Shen Yujing's incredulous expression, Song Yi asked him, "So, are we eating here or going somewhere else?"

"Let's go..."

Before Shen Yujing could finish his sentence, he saw a waiter in uniform carrying a large bouquet of roses walking into the restaurant, with another waiter following behind him and reminding, "Be careful, there's a ring hidden in those flowers! The guest is proposing today!"

Proposing?

Shen Yujing and Song Yi exchanged a glance.

Shen Yujing said, "I want to watch the show."

Song Yi: "To be honest, me too."

Thus, the two reached a consensus and walked into the barbecue restaurant together.

The interior of the restaurant had nothing to do with what Shen Yujing had imagined. Every table was adorned with a fake rose, looking ugly and old-fashioned.

The internet photos were misleading.

However, although the place looked plain and disappointing, its strong point was that as a restaurant, the food was genuinely delicious.

Song Yi scooped up several pieces of crispy pork belly and sincerely praised, "This is the best barbecue I've had in the Imperial Capital."

"I agree," Shen Yujing fully supported Song Yi's opinion. If this place focused on its food quality rather than its environment in its online promotions, its business would probably be even better.

"But..."

Song Yi put down her chopsticks and looked around at the other customers with some curiosity, saying, "Why are all the customers here couples?"

Shen Yujing rubbed his nose, suddenly feeling a bit guilty, but still said, "I don't know."

Obviously, Song Yi didn't pay much attention to it, just asking casually.

After all, the gap between this place and the internet photos was so big that no one would think it had the audacity to promote itself as a date paradise online.

Halfway through their meal, Song Yi noticed in the corner of her eye that the bouquet of roses was being taken out again.

Song Yi: "!!!"

Song Yi immediately put down her chopsticks and shared the latest gossip with Shen Yujing, saying, "They're taking out the flowers, the proposal is about to happen."

"What?" Shen Yujing also stopped eating barbecue, wiped his mouth, and turned back to look.

The waiters found a small cart, pushed the bouquet of roses out, and finally stopped at a table two seats away from Song Yi and Shen Yujing.

This distance was perfect, not too close, not too far, allowing them to clearly see the expressions and reactions of the protagonists, an ideal spot for watching the drama unfold.

At that table sat a couple, the man in a sharp suit and the woman in a graceful long dress, looking extremely compatible.

Song Yi took a bite of the watermelon on the side and praised, "Handsome man, beautiful woman."

Shen Yujing took a bite of the honeydew melon and said, "Perfect match, perfect match."

Next, as they had imagined, the scene unfolded: the man picked up the roses and held them in the air, not sure what he said, as the distance was too far to hear.

The woman's eyes reddened, presumably moved to tears.

Shen Yujing looked at the fresh roses in the man's hand, then disdainfully picked up the fake flower on their table, the contrast stark.

Song Yi asked Shen Yujing, "Do you like flowers?"

Shen Yujing was caught off guard by Song Yi's question.

What did she mean? If he said he liked them, would she give him flowers?

That didn't seem right, he was a man, if anyone should buy them, it should be him...

Song Yi's next words shattered Shen Yujing's fantasy, as she said, "Don't be envious, our graves will grow them on their own someday."

Shen Yujing: "……"

He didn't like them that much anymore.