Three

From a young age, I have always enjoyed eating watermelon in the summer, sitting under the veranda, holding a large half of a watermelon, scooping and eating it spoon by spoon. Then, I would spit out the watermelon seeds like a machine gun in one breath. This habit became natural to me. I would then find a glass and spit the seeds into it with pursed lips. Unexpectedly, this amused Baokangqi, who laughed heartily while holding his stomach on the side.

Playing around, suddenly I felt a gaze lingering on me for a long time. I looked up and saw Baokang Qi staring at me with a silly smile on his face.

His narrow eyes and eyebrows revealed a cunning look, and his nonchalant attitude made me feel extremely annoyed: "This place is already like a bathroom, after all, there is still a door in the toilet. I came to check it out because I haven't seen Momo come out for so long."

However, unexpectedly Zhuang Yijiu spoke up and said, "I'm sorry, Xiaodi."

As the four of them walked towards the private room, Su Mo and I followed behind. She quietly told me that Zhuang Yi and Bao Kangqi were good friends, both of whom were children of Su's family's lifelong friends, and they had a lot of business dealings. I only then realized that these two were the financial gods of Su's family, so they were not to be trifled with, whether it was for Su Mo or Su Yunjin.

Did something happen on my face? I asked him.

But just as the conversation was halfway through, the door of the private room was kicked open with a loud "bang," startling everyone.

"Xiao Di, let me take you home." I looked up, and it was Bao Kangqi again.

I knew in my heart that he didn't believe it. I sighed heavily, feeling that I had encountered an unworthy person. I didn't bother to explain anything, as there was no benefit in deceiving him anyway. So, I put on a "believe it or not" attitude and turned to talk to Su Yunjin.

I don't know if it was intentional or not, but I clearly felt that Zhuang Yi was trying to ignore me, while Bao Kangqi was completely unaware and happily chatting with his childhood sweetheart. After a while, I felt superfluous and bored, so I stepped aside and started drinking my beverage.

I have always maintained a detached attitude towards my friends' emotions, and it is not appropriate to intervene. However, this time I couldn't help but speak up and advise her, "Don't like him, I always feel that he doesn't seem like a good person."

At this time, Zhuang Yi and Su Mo were encouraged by the crowd to go on stage and start singing. When I heard the prelude, it turned out to be a duet love song. What I'm even more curious about is how Su Yunjin could allow her sister to sing this kind of song with another boy...

Well, my name is Bao Kangqi. He was not discouraged and reached out his hand, as if he wanted to formally get to know me.

I rolled my eyes and reported the elementary school name I used to attend.

Don't you leave? I asked Bao Kangqi like this, and I believe that my disapproval must have been written all over my face.

He doesn't mind, explaining that he can play for a while and then go home directly, anyway, his parents know. I was curious about the girl just now, but I couldn't bring myself to ask directly because of my pride. After hesitating for a long time, I still didn't voice my doubts.

After a while, Su Mo got up and went to the bathroom, and I followed her.

Baokang Qi was taken aback, as if he had something to say. But seeing that I knew nothing, he finally swallowed his words. I hate people who have something to say but don't speak up the most. I couldn't be bothered to deal with him, so I turned around and went to find Su Mo.

So I made up my mind to ask Bao Kangqi about him and Zhuang Yi. He had a big smile on his face and told me about how they used to steal peaches and pluck pears together when they were kids. As he spoke, I felt that these were things that ordinary boys would do, and Zhuang Yi couldn't be considered a bad person. But seeing him like that, I always felt something was off.

Along the way, I was feeling uneasy in my heart, but also somewhat looking forward to it, imagining how I would meet Su Yunjin later and my heart was pounding.

I can't describe the sourness in my heart. It's not jealousy towards Su Mo's vinegar, nor anger towards Su Yunjin's life. It's just a feeling of something stuck in my chest, unable to rise or fall, causing great discomfort. I don't blame him for not thinking of me, it's just a sense of loss.

Do you like Zhuang Yi? Indeed, Su Mo's thoughts were exposed by me, her face turned red, and she mumbled for a long time without being able to say anything coherent.

Can watch for a long time. Su Yunjin just sat quietly in the corner drinking her beverage, without much meaning. So, I turned my head and started chatting seriously with the person next to me.

Bao Kangqi encountered a setback, but he didn't really mind it. He continued to smile carefree with a wide grin.

I reminded him speechlessly, "This is the women's restroom."

Ah? I was startled. In my impression, it's not a good thing to be praised as cute by a guy I just met. But suddenly, I remembered something and asked him, "Did you have anything to say to me at the subway station that day?"

She also remained silent, took a look around, and her gaze swept over everyone. When she saw Zhuang Yi, her eyes visibly lit up. Then she spoke, but with a strong and forceful tone, she launched into a furious tirade against him. The girl's sharp voice was like a knife, piercing the eardrums and causing pain. It was even more tormenting than the noise in the private room. I furrowed my brows, crossed my arms, and leaned against the sofa, wanting to see what kind of drama was about to unfold.

Little Di, where did you go to elementary school?

Is it very funny? I asked him with a hint of anger.

On Saturday night, I was still feeling down because of the incident with Su Yunjin last time, feeling that I had been rude in many ways, feeling regretful and thinking about how to make amends next time.

I intended to answer immediately, but then I glanced at Su Yunjin by chance and found him sitting calmly in the corner, drinking his beverage without even looking at me. I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, so I nodded and didn't pay much attention to the young man opposite me who was smiling with his white teeth.

Uh, yes. I grabbed a big watermelon casually and started gnawing on it without any grace, mumbling in my mouth.

Unexpectedly, this time Bao Kangqi was very clever and spoke up early, with a "gossip heart", he began to tell me about the girl just now: "Her name is Lin Luofei, her family and Zhuang Yi's family are also old friends, and they have a lot of business dealings. The relationship between the two families is good. When Zhuang Yi saw Lin Luofei, he liked her and she didn't have any dislike for him, so they got engaged early."

Do you and Momo go to the same school? He was at a loss for words, but obviously not as likable as Su Yunjin.

At this time, the waiter came forward to remind us that the private room requested by Su Yunjin and the others was available. I didn't realize that we were going to sing again. So, all of us went into the private room in a grand manner. I never liked staying in such a noisy place. I wanted to talk to Su Yunjin, but I was afraid that he would mind what happened that day, so I could only play with my phone alone on the side.

"Hmm?" She splashed water on her face, and her cheeks were flushed with the red of a young girl.

When I arrived at the bar that Su Mo mentioned, I realized that there was a group of people here to have fun. In addition to Su Mo and her siblings, there were several men and women whom I didn't know. Su Mo introduced them to me one by one, and suddenly, I saw a familiar face - the guy who almost got robbed at the subway station last time.

Turning around, it was unexpectedly Zhuang Yi.

It just feels like something is not quite right with him, and his laughter is quite unsettling. Speaking ill of others behind their backs is not good, I know, but this time I am certain that my intuition must be accurate.

Quickly come over, there's a surprise. On her end, it's noisy and chaotic. The background music in the bar is very loud, and I can't hear very clearly. There's no other way, I can only agree and tell my parents a lie before leaving.

The girl finally calmed down. However, her expression changed quickly and she immediately showed a sweet smile, calling Zhuang Yi "Little Yi Ge". In no time, she coquettishly mentioned that there was a group of people having a fireworks party in another place in the south of the city tonight, which must be beautiful, and insisted on taking Zhuang Yi there. Zhuang Yi had no choice but to decline and bid farewell to everyone, and followed the girl.

I cannot not give her face, so I reluctantly smiled at that sarcastic face, regardless of his reaction, and sat in the corner by myself.

Later, sometimes when I think about it, it's like this: between people, even if they are close to each other, their hearts may not be together. But sometimes, the people who want to get close to you are not the ones you want to approach.

And Zhuang Yi refused to give in, raising an eyebrow to reveal a meaningful expression, and said in a sarcastic tone, "Well, that's quite a coincidence."

Did you know each other before?

No. He explained slowly for a few sentences, but left plenty of time for me to wander in my thoughts.

No. He denied, "I just think you are cute."

I took a sip of my drink and vaguely responded, cursing Bao Kangqi in my heart for being such a big mouth, always telling others everything, and finally just nodding.

So chatting with an idiot is really mentally and emotionally taxing. Is he trying to check my background?

After chatting with Bao Kangqi for a while, neither too salty nor too bland, I sang a few more songs. When I came to my senses, it was already late at night, so Su Yunjin suggested that we should go home separately. I nodded and turned to look at Su Mo. She sat on the side with her head down, looking disappointed.

So when I returned to the private room, I behaved myself. Baokangqi came to chat with me, and I responded absentmindedly while keeping an eye on the situation on the side of Su Yunjin.

No, no. He still smiled.

I stared at Zhuang Yi's smiling face, and the more I looked, the stranger it seemed.

But another boy I didn't know next to him spoke first: "Hey, what kind of goddess is so aloof? When someone reaches out their hand, shouldn't you acknowledge it?"

I stick out my tongue, complain in my heart, it turns out that what is written in novels is true. In this day and age, people still emphasize the importance of "matching doors and households" and even have to have a commercial marriage. I really can't understand it.

At this time, Zhuang Yi and Su Mo had finished singing several songs. He walked over and started chatting with Bao Kangqi.

Slowly, I learned from the girl's words that she was actually blaming Zhuang Yi for not coming to see her for several days, as if he was trying to avoid her. At this moment, my ears suddenly caught words like "fiancée" and "engagement", and I felt that something was wrong. But in my heart, I couldn't help but laugh. How young we are, and yet already engaged.

As we chatted, I also began to share some stories from my childhood, immersing myself in memories of playing with Su Mo and Su Yunjin in the past.

I laughed in my heart, clearly a big idiot at first sight, still speculating on the girl's mind here, not to mention expecting an apology from this good friend.

Hey, it's you. He stared at me with bright eyes, as if afraid that others wouldn't know he knew me, which made me feel quite embarrassed.

I have known Su Mo for so many years, so it is natural to ask such a question. On the contrary, she has always been quiet and well-educated since childhood. Suddenly, she went to a place that we used to consider chaotic and polluted, which made me unable to accept it for a while and raised doubts in my mind.

Bao Kangqi laughed and chatted aimlessly, but didn't notice that Zhuang Yiyi had a cold expression on his face. I couldn't explain myself if he caught me badmouthing him, so Bao Kangqi stepped in to smooth things over: "Xiao Yi, you made fun of Xiao Di just now. You should apologize quickly. Girls tend to hold grudges, you know!"

I listened to these words with a strange tone, and I didn't want to respond. I took a look at that boy, with a sharp face and long eyes, truly a mean-looking face. However, Su Mo timely came forward to defuse the situation and introduced to me, "Zhuang Yi."

I'm silently complaining in my heart about how quickly this girl changes her face. Sometimes she's like thunder and lightning, and other times she's gentle and affectionate like water. However, I also remember that it's already so late, and the two of them are going to the south of the city alone, which makes Su Mo feel a little uncomfortable. Before leaving, Zhuang Yi put on his coat and gave me and Bao Kangqi a meaningful look, which gave me goosebumps.

At this time, a boy named Zhuang Yi was singing. To be honest, he sang quite well, although not as good as Su Yunjin, but better than the average person. After the song, I saw Su Mo staring at him intently, clapping vigorously, completely unlike her usual quiet self. I knew something was wrong in my heart, and looking at Su Mo's gentle eyes that could squeeze out water, I guessed most of it.

Ah? Why? Su Mo, who is immersed in the atmosphere of love, is blinded and obviously cannot see anything else.

Do you doubt me?" I blurted out, unsure of what thoughts this young master was harboring as he speculated about me.

However, the girl is tall and full of gangsterism, with purple dyed hair. She is completely unlike an ordinary young girl and gives the impression of a "big sister" often seen in TV dramas. It's a pity that her face betrays her, with a childish appearance but trying to force a serious expression, which is quite laughable.

The person who came in turned out to be an angry girl.

As soon as I finished speaking, a male voice suddenly sounded behind me, questioning me, "Is that so?"

However, his eyes were bright and sincere, completely unlike polite words. I simply nodded and went out with him.

However, Zhuang Yi seems to be quite taken with this girl, standing aside and pressing his temples, looking helpless. After waiting for a long time, when the girl finally stopped, he quickly handed her a drink to quench her thirst first.

安小笛。I didn't reach out my hand, just nodded and reported my name lightly.

I am speechless, and it's hard to say anything. So I randomly grabbed the fruit plate given on the coffee table and started eating. Baokangqi looked at me holding the fruit plate and couldn't help but come closer, using the excuse of eating fruit.

Su Mo, who lacks backbone, couldn't say a word when she heard this, and just stood silently behind me. At this moment, another boy rushed out and said, "Yeah, yeah, we came over to eavesdrop on your secret conversation, but it turns out you were badmouthing Xiao Yi, haha."

Su Yunjin is still the same as before, gentle as the spring breeze in March. When talking to me, he looks at me solemnly and replies to me with great seriousness. This is the difference between him and boys of the same age, gentle and steady, completely devoid of the frivolous feeling of Zhuang Yi and Bao Kangqi, giving girls a sense of security as if they were older.

Ah, it's nothing... I didn't expect him to apologize for real. I feel a bit awkward and fall into silence.

It's like this, his smiling face and Su Yunjin's warm and jade-like feeling when she smiles are completely different. His smile is like a mist that can't be seen through, mysterious and unfathomable, making people unable to figure it out, even appearing eerie.

Mo Mo... When she came out to wash her hands, I didn't know how to speak.

Little Di, I heard that you previously reminded Kang Qi at the subway station, and he wasn't stolen, right? Zhuang Yi suddenly turned his face and asked me like this, still wearing that smile that made me inexplicably disgusted.

At that moment, I was actually looking forward to Su Yunjin offering to take me home, because it's not entirely safe for a girl to go back alone in the middle of the night. With Su Yunjin's considerate personality, he would definitely take it into account. But my heart was pounding for a while, and in the end, he seemed completely oblivious, politely bid farewell to me and everyone else, and left with Su Mo.

Take another look at Su Mo, she is standing shyly in the middle of the box, occasionally glancing at Zhuang Yi, singing softly like a gentle little lamb. While Zhuang Yi stands aside, with a smile on his face.

What about junior high school?

Su Mo suddenly called me and invited me to go out and play. I guessed that Su Yunjin was also there, so I asked where she was. However, the location she reported to me was a bit strange. It turned out to be the famous bar street in this city.

However, at this moment, she seemed too lazy to explain so much, and just kept urging me to come over.

I couldn't help but ask, "Why did you suddenly go to that kind of place?"