Proud senior schoolgirl was tender and sweet, we fell in love

But she never sent the final message.

To her, their exchanges were all formulaic. Luo Yanran thought that maybe Xie Xiao's gentleness that night was just because he was naturally a gentle person.

Most likely, he wouldn't have refused anyone else, right?

In the end, Luo Yanran gave up; her courage had surged unexpectedly following an argument with her mother that night, but it had long since disappeared.

She just hadn't expected that Xie Xiao still remembered and even brought it up now.

Seeing Xie Xiao, evidently waiting for her response, Luo Yanran suddenly didn't know what to say.

She wasn't even sure if he knew about her feelings for him.

If he knew, did his question mean that he might have feelings for her too?

Then what about Zhou Mianmian?

She felt unsure about Xie Xiao's feelings and intentions, so naturally, she found it difficult to answer his question at this moment.

Seeing her like this, Xie Xiao suddenly sighed, ultimately unwilling to force her.

And perhaps for Luo Yanran now, he was just someone she felt fond of, not as deeply understood as in the past life.

But Xie Xiao was confident; in the past life, even when he was at his worst, Luo Yanran hadn't despised him.

How could he not win the goddess over with his current self?

So he changed the topic proactively, "Did you forget? It's okay if you did."

Luo Yanran hummed softly and then seemed to ask casually, "Why haven't I seen you with Zhou Mianmian from your class lately? Did you have a disagreement?"

Xie Xiao paused; after all, his two-plus years of being kind to Zhou Mianmian were genuine, a fact known not just to him but seen by everyone.

He wondered if Luo Yanran would mind if they actually got together in the future?

Actually, Xie Xiao wasn't being unjust; he really had doted on Zhou Mianmian for a long time, and there was nothing to deny. Even if he wasn't doting on her anymore, the feelings and money invested over those years were real.

When Luo Yanran brought it up, Xie Xiao fell silent for a moment, "We are just ordinary classmates, there's no need to be together all the time, and besides, men and women should keep apart."

His brief silence didn't escape Luo Yanran's notice. She remembered the scene she saw in the cafeteria and the discussion among a few girls.

They confidently said it wouldn't be a day before Xie Xiao and Zhou Mianmian made up, as Xie Xiao liked Zhou Mianmian too much to let her be upset.

Luo Yanran glanced at Xie Xiao, wanting to ask directly, "Aren't you in love with Zhou Mianmian? Then why are you having dinner alone with me?"

But she didn't dare; the one who falls in love first always feels insecure, even someone as outstanding as Luo Yanran.

At that moment, she merely responded with an "oh," concealing her heartache.

After paying with a scan, she said, "Let's go, let's head back."

Xie Xiao watching her suddenly downcast mood, sighed; he seemed to have messed up.

But Zhou Mianmian has such a big presence, flashing his past foolishness; how could he possibly deny it?

It seems he'll just have to treat Luo Yanran even better from now on.

After all, Luo Yanran deserves only the best.

The two of them walked one after the other towards the side gate of the school to buy the cold skin noodles Liu Ou liked.

Then they went in through the side gate, where there were fewer people.

After walking a few steps, Luo Yanran suddenly turned to Xie Xiao, "You go back first?"

Xie Xiao acknowledged, asking, "Do you still have somewhere to go?"

Luo Yanran took out a familiar can of cat food from her backpack, shaking it slightly, "I'm going to feed the cats."

Xie Xiao looked at the familiar brand of cat food, the same one Zhou Mianmian had been holding when he first met her.

He hesitated a bit before asking, "Stray cats?"

"Yes, these cans were gifted by a friend of my mom. We have a cat at home too, but it can't eat this much, and it needs to lose weight, so I decided to feed the stray cats."

Luo Yanran glanced at him, hesitated, and asked, "Do you want to join me?"

Xie Xiao, somewhat taken aback, nodded, "Okay."

Then he watched as Luo Yanran skillfully found the stray cats' hub, taking out a bag of cat food from her backpack, pouring some out, and adding some sausages.

After placing down the can, she turned around, ready to leave.

Xie Xiao called out to her, "Aren't you going to wait for them to come out?"

"No need to wait, they are very wary." Luo Yanran frowned, as if remembering something. "Actually, it wasn't so bad at first. In my second year of senior high, I discovered one of the cats was missing. For a long time after that, they wouldn't touch what I put out. I suspect someone might have tried to abduct them."

As Xie Xiao held the cool, skin bag, his grip tightened slightly. He glanced at the items on the ground; the familiar can of cat food seemed glaring now.

He suddenly remembered bits and pieces—is like the day after he saw Zhou Mianmian feeding cats, wounds had appeared on her hands, and her deskmate had made a fuss, asking what happened...

That was also the first time he had shown concern for her, buying her medicine...

"Is that cat food expensive?" Xie Xiao, who had never owned a cat, wasn't familiar with these things.

When Luo Yanran heard his question, she glanced at him, "Not too bad, but it's definitely not cheap, it's imported."

Xie Xiao suddenly laughed, as if awakening from a dream.

The image of Zhou Mianmian that he had held was shattered.

That expensive cat food—given her family's modest, even strained, financial situation at the time—could not have been affordable for Zhou Mianmian.

Later, she never showed any fondness for small animals either.

The wounds on her hands, her fearful reactions when she saw stray cats unintentionally...

Then there was the missing stray cat...

At that moment, Xie Xiao truly felt like an idiot.

Suddenly, his coat sleeve was tugged, and Luo Yanran spoke in a soft voice, "Look."

Xie Xiao followed the direction she was pointing and saw several stray cats cautiously appearing, followed by several kittens.

Xie Xiao turned to look at the girl beside him. Her eyes were gentle as she watched the stray cats, "There are a few more little babies, huh. I'll bring some goat milk next time."

His voice also became softer in spite of himself, "Did you ever find that missing cat?"

Luo Yanran's expression darkened, "No, Liu Ou and I searched around here, but we didn't find it..."

She paused, "We also saw some bloodstains..."

Xie Xiao closed his eyes, "I'm sorry."

"It has nothing to do with you," Luo Yanran glanced at him, puzzled by his apology.

She took another look at the cats, "Let's go, Liu Ou will be getting hungry soon."

Xie Xiao also looked at the group of cats, then turned and followed Luo Yanran.

"Do you come here every day?" Xie Xiao asked.

"Pretty much, I'm not the only one who feeds them, but I always worry..." Luo Yanran suddenly glanced at Xie Xiao, "It's not that I really worry, I just come along anyway..."

She felt like she was bragging somewhat.

But Xie Xiao, smiling, said, "Then bring me along next time, okay?"