Chapter 382
“Oh,” Tamika’s gaze shifted between them, her eyes turning distinctly suggestive. “No rush at all. Stay and chat longer! I’ll head back to my room so I won’t disturb you. Neighbor, make yourself at home.”
Shi Yao nodded without hesitation.
Alarieka: ?
Before returning to her room, Tamika circled back, pulling Alarieka aside to whisper: “You finally lured this handsome guy in. Don’t waste the chance.”
“What–chance–”
Alarieka barely spoke when Tamika cut in: “But remember, you’re still in high school. Keep it appropriate. Romance is fine, but no bedroom business. Understood?”
Alarieka said: “I–”
“And no late nights,” Tamika warned. “Your National College Entrance Examination is the day after tomorrow. You need rest.”
Alarieka:
She sighed weakly: “…Mom, it’s tomorrow.”
Tamika raised an eyebrow: “Really? Can’t remember clearly. Fine, just don’t forget yourself.”
Alarieka grabbed Tamika’s arm, gritting her teeth: “Also, I didn’t invite him for romance. Stop making things up.”
Chapter 282
Tamika patted her hands placatingly: “Alright, alright. But remember—no matter how much you like him, keep boundaries.”
Alarieka:
“Are you done yet?”
She waved exhaustedly: “Go to sleep. Just go.”
Tamika shot her a glare before turning to Shi Yao with a beaming smile: “I’ll head to bed now. You two chat!”
Shi Yao instantly turned docile: “Good night, Auntie. Rest early.”
Hearing this, Tamika turned back, waving cheerfully: “My daughter’s not great with words—don’t mind her. She’s very well-behaved. Please look after Alarieka.”
Shi Yao’s smile deepened. He glanced sideways at Alarieka, eyes gleaming meaningfully: “I know. Alarieka is very well-behaved.”
Very well-behaved? Alarieka wanted to dig a hole with her toes from sheer embarrassment.
Once Tamika disappeared behind the door, Alarieka marched over and spun Shi Yao around, shoving his back with both hands: “Leave. Now. I need sleep too.”
Shi Yao stumbled forward a few steps before stopping with a tsk: “Why push? Auntie said we should keep boundaries. Ignoring her already?”
Alarieka stared wide-eyed at his profile: “…You heard?”
Shi Yao arched a brow: “Heard what?”
“Stop pretending.” She smacked his shoulder. “How much did you hear?”
Chapter 382
Shi Yao paused thoughtfully before turning. His deep, beautiful eyes smiled at her: “Pretty much everything…”
Alarieka stared intently.
Shi Yao rubbed the tip of his nose, deliberately pausing before speaking, and said slowly: “Auntie didn’t consider the distance between us when she spoke, so I pretty much heard everything from the start. Heard about how you tricked me into coming, about romance, about keeping boundaries, and about having a proper chat.”
Alarieka slowly widened her eyes. A wave of shame crept up from her heels, spread along her spine, and gathered at her scalp. Almost instantly, she felt goosebumps rise all over her body.
She was so embarrassed she wanted to prostrate herself and dig out a castle to crawl into.
Shi Yao watched her with amusement, slowly lowering his head, his deep eyes fixed on her, every corner of his face radiating joy: “Alarieka, do you really like me this much? Enough to trick me with tangyuan into coming here, then insist on having a proper chat?”
Alarieka took a deep breath. Under Shi Yao’s close gaze, she immediately felt her cheeks warming up.
She forced out a few words: “…None of it’s true. You misheard.”
Shi Yao chuckled, his smile spreading: “Alarieka, you’re blushing?”
Alarieka gritted her teeth: “Shut up, I said it’s not like that.”
Shi Yao admired her flustered expression up close: “No need to blush. I don’t dislike you, and it’s not like I just found out you have feelings for me.”
Chapter 182
Alarieka couldn’t take it anymore and shoved Shi Yao hard: “I told you, it’s all a misunderstanding! I don’t! If you don’t believe me, get out right now! Go! Go!”