You Don't Believe Me Again

"What are you standing there for? Come on, I'll treat you to milk tea." Yu Fuli didn't stop, heading straight for a refreshingly decorated beverage shop on the other side of the mall. "I heard this place is pretty good. I remember you like sweet things, hmm..."

He stood in front of the counter, looking up at the menu, tapping a few times with his fingertips, and said in a light and quick voice, "Give me the milk tea grand slam, extra sweet, and add pudding, pearls, red beans... all those toppings."

He was engrossed in studying the ingredient list when he suddenly felt his clothes being gently tugged at.

Yu Fuli turned around; it was Lin Xun.

The boy stood half a step away from him, tilting his head slightly and looking straight at him. His usually gentle and moist eyes now clearly reflected a hint of surprise.

His voice carried just the right amount of curiosity and confusion:

"Teacher, how did you know I like sweets?"

This question made Yu Fuli pause for a moment.

He couldn't very well say that he saw it in the background information details about the protagonist Lin Xun issued by the Quick Transmigration Bureau, could he?

The stack of documents was incredibly detailed, including personality traits, habits and preferences, and even detailed analysis of an unusual dependence on and craving for sweets, suggesting possible childhood compensatory psychology.

A seemingly gentle yet resilient girl who has tasted all the bitterness of life is actually a little-known person with a severe sweet tooth. This contrast is indeed quite unexpected.

In a flash, the momentary pause on Yu Fuli's face transformed into a helpless yet knowing smile. He raised his hand and gently tapped Lin Xun's forehead with his knuckles, a gesture that was both intimate and natural.

"The teacher is amazing, she knows everything," Yu Fuli replied with a smile, her tone light and even a little smug, as if it were just a natural conclusion drawn from careful observation.

However, only he knew that he was not as relaxed as he appeared on the surface.

I was absolutely panicking.

Fortunately, Lin Xun just blinked, and the surprise on his face gradually faded into a slightly shy smile as if his thoughts had been exposed. He gave a soft "hmm" and stopped asking questions, as if he had fully accepted his reason for his keen observation.

Yu Fuli felt a slight sense of relief, secretly glad that he had gotten through this hurdle relatively smoothly. Just then, the shop assistant announced that the milk tea was ready, and he immediately turned around to get it, his attention briefly diverted.

Therefore, he completely missed the moment when Lin Xun turned around. The shy smile on Lin Xun's face had not yet faded, but a clear understanding that had nothing to do with shyness flashed quickly in his eyes.

His lips curled slightly upward, revealing a knowing and intriguing smile.

The boy moved his lips, silently tracing the shape of a few words against Yu Fuli's oblivious back:

Teacher, you've given yourself away again.

However, the moment Yu Fuli turned around, Lin Xun's expression returned to its usual shyness.

He took the milk tea from Yu Fuli. Because he had added too many toppings, the staff changed it to an extra-large cup, which was so heavy that he had to hold it carefully with both hands.

The paper cup felt warm to the touch; without even tasting it, one knew this milk tea must be sickeningly sweet.

When he was most short of money, he worked a whole summer at a bubble tea shop on a street corner, so he knew the ins and outs of the business.

Generally, the more toppings a milk tea has, the sweeter it becomes. Even fruit teas that claim to be refreshing are no exception; apart from sliced ​​oranges and lemons, most of the fruit chunks have already been marinated in syrup.

As for the seemingly simple ingredients such as red beans, pearls, and pudding, they are soaked in an incredibly concentrated sugar syrup from the moment they leave the factory, and each one is fully saturated with sweetness.

But he really liked the cloyingly sweet taste.

Lin Xun lowered his head and took a deep sip of milk tea, the sweet liquid mixed with the soft, chewy toppings filling his mouth. He chewed, his voice slightly muffled by the sweet aroma, yet exceptionally clear:

"Teacher, are you truly sincere in being so kind to me?"

He has asked this question to many people.

Without exception, the answers were all resolute and heartfelt.

But he never believed it.

He figured Yu Fuli's answer would probably be no different.

However, Yu Fuli merely turned her head slightly and glanced at him.

His gaze was calm, even somewhat matter-of-fact.

"No," Yu Fuli said, her tone light and almost casual. "No one is kind to another person without reason or reservation. Even if they are, such kindness is hard to last."

He paused, met Lin Xun's suddenly raised, dazed eyes, and smiled gently at him, "Teachers are the same."

Lin Xun clutched the milk tea in her hand.

Yu Fuli assumed he was asking because he was suddenly being kind, so she patted his shoulder and adopted a half-serious, half-serious tone: "Tell me honestly, of course the teacher has a reason for being nice to you! Our F class's precarious average score is counting on you to turn the tide! The teacher's year-end bonus, performance evaluation, and promotion all depend on you! This is a major investment, understand?"

Lin Xun lowered his head and sipped his milk tea, the sweet liquid sliding down his throat, but the completely different answer he had just received lingered in his mind.

That's quite a different answer.

He thought silently, a pearl grinding between his teeth.

There were no false promises, no boastful vows, and he even frankly admitted his purpose. This was unlike any answer he had ever heard before.

But so what?

He still didn't believe it.

I don't believe there is anything in this world that is good without reason and never fades.

Yu Fuli's frankness may be unusual, but the underlying purpose remains.

However, this purpose is wrapped in seemingly harmless jokes such as bonuses and awards, which makes it even more puzzling.

Before he could think it through, Yu Fuli had already easily changed the subject, as if the brief, insightful conversation was just a casual chat over tea.

He reached out and put his arm around Lin Xun's shoulder, his tone rising, easily dispelling the subtle tension from just moments before:

"Alright! Why think so much? Let's go eat!"

……

The atmosphere inside Xiao Chi's villa was somewhat somber.

In the living room, several clear claw marks remain on the expensive sofa, untouched.

Three people were sitting on the sofa.

Left Xiao Chi, right Jiang Yu, and sandwiched in the middle was Wen Qiaoan.

None of the three were in good condition.

Xiao Chi's right arm was in a cast and secured with bandages, his expression even more stern than usual. Jiang Yu's left leg was stretched out unnaturally, with a thick medical brace wrapped around his knee. His usual bright smile had vanished, leaving only a gloomy and oppressive look.

Wen Qiaoan was caught in the middle of the two.

He sat upright, his ever-present silver medical kit resting on his lap. His expression remained as calm and composed as ever, seemingly oblivious to the palpable tension and tension emanating from the two people beside him. Only the slight pursing of his lips betrayed a barely perceptible hint of helplessness.

A broken hand against a lame leg.