Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts

"Hey, I'm asking you a question. Do you think we're in a relationship?" Seeing Xia Xiaoxiao avoid the topic, Xu Qingfan patted her.

"Wh-what relationship!"

"Only a ghost would be in a relationship with you!"

Xia Xiaoxiao snapped back to reality, immediately pulled her hand away, and jumped back three meters away from Xu Qingfan.

She held her hands up in front of her and tried to stay calm as she emphasized, "Xu Qingfan, don't even think about it!"

Xu Qingfan watched Xia Xiaoxiao's performance and, even though he had expected it, he still let out a slow breath of relief.

Knowing her as well as he did, Xu Qingfan realized the more he hinted at such things, the more Xia Xiaoxiao would deny them.

Just like the first time they kissed on the rooftop. How did Xia Xiaoxiao explain it? "I kissed you to thank you for your birthday gift. Don't think too much!"

Of course, despite being 99% sure, there was still that 1% worry that Xia Xiaoxiao would do something unexpected.

"Really? Do you feel that way too, Xu Qingfan? That's great! Let's go home and tell Uncle and Auntie right now!" If Xia Xiaoxiao had responded like that, Xu Qingfan would have been completely doomed.

But fortunately, everything that had happened so far was well within the dog man's control.

Xu Qingfan took a big step forward, and Xia Xiaoxiao stepped back just as far.

"If you keep backing up, you're going to hit the utility pole!" He quickly stepped up and grabbed Xia Xiaoxiao's arm, not giving her a chance to back away any further.

Seeing Xia Xiaoxiao still trying to act, he interrupted, "What are you so worked up about? If we're not a couple, we're not a couple. Why are you so worked up?"

"I... I'm not worked up." Xia Xiaoxiao turned her head to the side, refusing to admit it.

"No, weren't you the one who asked what our relationship was if we were holding hands? I asked if we were a couple. If you don't think we are, then we're not. Why are you so flustered?" Xu Qingfan tapped her head.

"I... I... I.... Humph." Xia Xiaoxiao stammered, wanting to argue, but couldn't find a good reason.

"When was I flustered!" Unable to argue the previous points, the proud Xia Xiaoxiao chose to refute Xu Qingfan's last remark.

"Not at all, it was me being flustered. It's all my fault, okay? It's my fault for mistaking a father-daughter relationship for a couple." Xu Qingfan shook his head, pulling her along.

"Exactly."

"Xu Qingfan!"

"I'm going to bite you!"

Xia Xiaoxiao had initially been puzzled as to why this stinky dog suddenly became so agreeable, only to realize he had something bigger in mind.

She grabbed Xu Qingfan's arm and took a huge bite. It looked quite painful, but actually left only a shallow tooth mark on the stinky dog's arm.

"Could you please mind your image? We're on the street, big sister." Seeing more and more people stop to watch them, Xu Qingfan quietly reminded her.

"Who's your big sister? I'm your mommy!" Xia Xiaoxiao glared at him first and then noticed that quite a few people were indeed watching them. Her face flushed red.

"Then let's go quickly!" She grabbed the stinky dog's hand and pulled him away from the area.

After running a few hundred meters away, they finally slowed down.

Xia Xiaoxiao was barely out of breath. Letting go of his hand, she said, "In the future, please don't hold my hand in public unless you acknowledge me as your mom!"

Seeing Xia Xiaoxiao's proud expression, Xu Qingfan wanted to laugh but held it back, giving the girl some dignity.

After all, Xia Xiaoxiao had already said it: no holding hands in public, which meant it was okay in private.

Xu Qingfan thought, Xia Xiaoxiao trying so hard to maintain her dignity.

"Why are you taking this so seriously? We grew up together. Holding hands isn't a big deal. Wanning and the others didn't say anything." He pretended to counter-argue.

Xia Xiaoxiao really wanted to say, "They're not allowed either," but feared Xu Qingfan's retort, "How can you control me?" That would put her in an awkward situation.

"It was okay when we were kids, but now, we're grown up. It's not, appropriate!" Xia Xiaoxiao emphasized each word.

"Hey, I'll hold your hand if I want to!" The dog man suddenly grabbed Xia Xiaoxiao's hand and pulled her along, not giving her a chance to speak.

Xia Xiaoxiao glared at the back of the stinky dog's head, a faint smile forming on her face.

...

From the elevator to home, Xu Qingfan was pinched more than ten times by Xia Xiaoxiao, but the dog man never once said it hurt, and he never let go of her hand.

"If you dare, keep holding my hand." Seeing that they were already at their front door, Xia Xiaoxiao wasn't in a rush anymore.

But what kind of thick-skinned person could the dog man be? Such trivial matters wouldn't faze him.

"Ah, didn't bring your key? I'll open the door then." Saying so, he naturally let go of Xia Xiaoxiao's hand, fetched the key from his pocket, and opened the door in one smooth motion.

"Mom, we're back!" After opening the door, Xu Qingfan habitually shouted inside.

Xia Xiaoxiao gave him a glare and followed him into the house.

"Huh? Why are you back so early today? Did Xiao Yu already leave?"

Yao Jiping came out from the kitchen, thinking she had lost track of time, glanced at the wall clock, and confirmed that it was not even 5:30 yet.

"Auntie!"

"Xiao Yu has already gone home. We didn't go out this weekend, so we came back early."

After changing her shoes, Xia Xiaoxiao ran toward Yao Jiping and peeked into the kitchen, not seeing her own mom there.

"I see, Jingjing invited Yue Min to get their hair done. I dyed mine last week, so I didn't go." As she helped Xia Xiaoxiao with her backpack, she explained.

"Oh, then Auntie, I'll help you with dinner today!" Xia Xiaoxiao nodded sweetly.

Among the moms, Zhang Chunxue and Wen Wanqing were busy with work, Li Meijuan rarely stayed in Hong Kong, and Yao Jiping also had a husband to accompany. So, Lin Jing and Zhao YueMin had become good friends.

First, Lin Jing and Zhao YueMin lived close to each other. Second, they had more free time. Third, their situations were quite similar, not to mention that Xia Xiaoxiao and Xiao Ruawen were best friends. Naturally, the two moms hanging out together was to be expected.

"Who's going to the parent-teacher meeting on Sunday, you or Dad?" Xu Qingfan caught the backpack Yao Jiping tossed one-handed and asked.

"Parent-teacher meeting?"

"Is it in the morning or the afternoon?" Yao Jiping paused, then asked.

"Auntie, it's in the afternoon. It starts at four and ends at six, just before school finishes." Xia Xiaoxiao answered from the side.

"What, Mom, you want another get-together?" Xu Qingfan saw through his mom's intention immediately. Getting together essentially meant finding people to chat, play mahjong, and exchange parenting tips.

"What do you mean 'another'? The last one was ages ago!" Yao Jiping rolled her eyes at him.

Xu Qingfan thought back. The last time they all gathered was during their move in the summer of junior high school. That was in July.

"Yeah, it has been a while. Are we eating at home, or should I book a table at Licheng Hotel?" He nodded and asked.

"Who wants those expensive, unhygienic, and tasteless outside dishes? Of course, we'll cook at home!" Yao Jiping clapped her hands, seemingly having made a decision.

Removing her apron, she placed it on Xia Xiaoxiao. "Xiaoxiao, watch the ribs in the pot for me. I'm going to get my phone and let everyone know in advance."

Xu Qingfan and Xia Xiaoxiao exchanged a look. He shrugged helplessly, and Xia Xiaoxiao wrinkled her nose, glared at him, and turned to the kitchen.

Xu Qingfan threw Xia Xiaoxiao's backpack onto the couch and followed her into the kitchen to help.

"What do you think of my mom's new hair color?" He put on an apron and casually started talking.

"Auntie looks great!" Xia Xiaoxiao said, puzzled at the stinky dog's question.

Her suspicion grew, and she glanced toward the door to ensure Yao Jiping hadn't returned unexpectedly before asking, "Why do you ask?"

"Do you want to dye your hair? Maybe red would look good on you." Xu Qingfan stepped behind Xia Xiaoxiao and gathered her hair with his hand.

Xia Xiaoxiao was startled by his sudden move, fearing Xu Qingfan might do something reckless in the kitchen. She even felt a bit excited. What was going on?

"God! We're still in school. Why would I dye my hair?"

She reached back and swatted away his hand.

Xu Qingfan inhaled the scent of the girl and knew he should not go any further. Kun'er was already showing signs of excitement.

He stepped aside, restraining the urge to hug Xia Xiaoxiao from behind.

"I was just saying. I think you'd look great with red hair."

"White and pink would look good too," he added.

"I won't dye it. I don't care what you think. I like black hair!" Seeing the stinky dog step back, Xia Xiaoxiao felt both relieved and a bit disappointed.

"Suit yourself." Xu Qingfan ended the conversation.

Before Xia Xiaoxiao could think of a new topic, Xu Qingfan asked out of the blue, "Xia Xiaoxiao, are you not planning to date in high school and college?"

"Huh?"

"Of... of course!"

Xia Xiaoxiao was taken aback, her response almost automatic.

"Okay, got it." Xu Qingfan nodded. This time, he was truly silent.

Xia Xiaoxiao: ???

[What do you mean you got it?]

[What do you mean, Xu Qingfan, are you a pig!?]

[Ahh, I'm going to die of anger because of this dead stinky dog!]

On the outside, Xia Xiaoxiao maintained her usual calm, but inside, a storm was brewing.

[Why couldn't he ask separately? Ask if I won't date in high school, I answer no. Then ask about college, and I say I'll consider it. Isn't that how it should go?!]

[We were just talking about dyeing hair, and now suddenly, he asks about dating in high school and college. Who asks questions like that?!]

Xia Xiaoxiao was truly speechless, angered by Xu Qingfan.

She wasn't planning to date in high school, but who said she wouldn't consider it in college!

Xu Qingfan: You said it! (plays recording)

Xia Xiaoxiao: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (hearing the sound of a mental breakdown)