Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Can You Not Be So Petty.

From the little things, like what she ate and drank, to the big ones, like where she went the moment she was out of his sight—he wanted to know every single detail.

He was also incredibly clingy. Except for the few hours at night when Xu Su had to go back to her dorm to sleep, he wanted to be by her side every second of the day.

He also needed hugs from time to time. Xi Zirong truly loved to hold her, the kind of hug where he hated to let go.

At first, Xu Su didn’t think much of it, but over time, it started to feel a bit suffocating. ’Maybe this is what people call a sweet burden?’

Xu Su’s clearly impatient reply made Xi Zirong’s expression falter. He tightened his grip on her hand and leaned closer. “I’m sorry, it’s just… it bothers me. Susu, people were saying a guy from off-campus came to the school gate looking for you. They also said he’s really good-looking.”

The more he spoke, the more aggrieved he sounded. Xi Zirong couldn’t help but ask, “Is it him? The man who’s always pestering you?”

Zhou Mochen had always been a thorn in his side, so it was understandable that Xi Zirong would mistakenly assume he was the one who had just called for Xu Su.

Evening self-study had already begun. The students had formed their own study groups and were busy discussing problems, so no one was paying attention to the two of them.

Still, Xu Su felt a flicker of annoyance. But her rational side told her that Xi Zirong wasn’t in the wrong. His jealousy was normal.

After a moment of silence, Xu Su patiently explained, “It’s not him. I told you, it’s just a regular friend. Xi Zirong, it’s class time. Can we please not talk about this right now? I want to work on my practice tests.”

April was already halfway over. Their second year of high school was ending soon, and their third year was just around the corner. While Xu Su’s grades were currently good, she was a hard-working genius, not a naturally gifted one like Xi Zirong, who seemed to have effortlessly mastered the entire high school curriculum.

She had to pour all her energy into her studies just to maintain her current rank. Lately, even Zhou Mochen didn’t dare to bother her. When she didn’t reply to his messages for days, he simply let it be, afraid of upsetting her.

Sensing Xu Su trying to pull away, Xi Zirong slowly loosened his grip. He forced a smile. “Okay, we won’t talk about it.”

His cautious expression made her heart soften, and she couldn’t help but take his hand again.

She was genuinely confused. “Xi Zirong, I’m with you every single day. Why are you always so insecure? Our main priority right now is to study. Everything else is secondary.”

When she took his hand and offered something akin to an explanation, Xi Zirong felt his sunken spirits lift almost immediately.

His thumb slowly caressed the back of her hand as he softly confessed, “Susu, I just like you so much. Really. It’s because I like you so much that I’m so insecure.”

The boy’s eyes were filled with vulnerability. His gaze made Xu Su wonder if she had somehow hurt him deeply in a way she couldn’t remember, causing him to be like this.

“…” Xu Su hesitated, unsure of what to say.

’Is Xi Zirong’s love too heavy? Can I really bear it?’

How could a young man’s feelings run so deep? Xu Su had no doubt that Xi Zirong would do anything for her.

But more than happiness, Xu Su felt pressure.

Xi Zirong saw her discomfort. The girl he liked only felt awkward after he had poured his heart out.

That realization made his chest tighten, and he couldn’t stop himself from frowning.

But in the end, it was he who thoughtfully broke the silence. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have said all that. You haven’t done anything wrong. This insecurity is my own issue.”

He gestured toward the study materials on Xu Su’s desk, his smile as gentle as ever. “Let’s study.”

Xu Su: “…”

’Now I feel even guiltier…’

Xu Su reflected on herself once more. ’If I can’t return the same depth of love to Xi Zirong, was it irresponsible of me to agree so easily to be with him?’

She was sure that she liked him, but for someone like Xi Zirong, was that little bit of affection not enough?

That must be why he was so insecure.

Xu Su stared blankly at her test paper for a while. In the end, her desire to bury her head in the sand won out. ’I should just finish this physics test for now.’

Time always flew by when she was focused on her studies. The three evening self-study sessions ended, and at nine-thirty, the day students began to leave in trickles.

In truth, there were fewer and fewer day students by the second year. Unless they lived right next to the school, even students whose families were in the city chose to live in the dorms.

After all, time was growing increasingly precious.

Xu Su was so engrossed in her physics test that she didn’t even notice her phone vibrating. It was Xi Zirong who knocked on her desk to get her attention. “Susu, your phone is ringing.”

Xu Su looked at the caller ID and finally remembered what Shen Chen had said when he left that afternoon.

Her brow furrowed. She really didn’t want to go, but then she thought of Shen Chen’s reckless personality.

He had already made two trips. If he couldn’t get the item to her, he was the type who would probably barge right into the classroom to find her.

With a budding headache, Xu Su got up, walked out of the classroom, and answered the phone.

Most of the day students had already gone home. Only a few stragglers were hurrying toward the school gate. The academic building was quiet now.

Shen Chen’s voice boomed from the other end of the line. “Xu, is class over? I’ve seen a lot of students leaving. Can you come out for a minute? I’ve been waiting for almost half an hour.”

He wasn’t exactly a low-key person and never paid attention to his volume when on the phone, so his voice came through especially loudly.

At the very least, Xi Zirong, who was standing right next to her, heard every word loud and clear.

Xu Su first gave Xi Zirong a reassuring glance, then took his hand with her free one before speaking into the phone. “Wait a minute.”

She didn’t say anything more to Shen Chen and hung up.

The next second, Xi Zirong pulled her into his arms. The boy’s muffled voice sounded by her ear, “What does he want you for now? Xu Su, who is this guy?”

They were in a corner of the academic building. Students were still passing by occasionally, and anyone who glanced back would see them embracing.

Xu Su tried to push him away. “He really is just a friend. He heard my birthday is next month and wanted to give me a gift early. Xi Zirong, let go. I have to go off-campus to get it.”

The biggest difference between Xi Zirong and Zhou Mochen was that Xi Zirong would always listen to whatever Xu Su said.

If Zhou Mochen grabbed her hand, she wouldn’t be able to break free. But with Xi Zirong, he would never insist as long as she told him to stop.

So this time, when Xu Su told Xi Zirong to let her go and he not only refused but held her even tighter, she found it hard to accept.

She patted the boy’s back, urging, “Let go of me, Xi Zirong. Don’t be so petty, okay?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep