You're my wife, don't doubt it!

Zhao Xiaomei asked Xiao Yao about the specific time to go to Zhouzhuang, and then immediately said that she also wanted to sign up with Teacher Yuan to participate.

The literary society is usually sparsely attended, but when there's a publicly funded trip, the whole family gathers immediately, Xiao Yao thought with a hint of sarcasm.

“I saw the poem you published in the school newspaper, about loneliness and all that…” Zhao Xiaomei said, “I really like it.”

““To the Lonely,” Xiao Yao perked up, it was always good to find a kindred spirit: “You like it?”

“Yes, yes, I’ve read it many times!” Zhao Xiaomei nodded repeatedly with an air of seriousness: “I think I can completely understand the thoughts and feelings that Xiao Yao expressed in his poem. It really touches my heart and touches my inner loneliness.”

"Does Zhao also feel lonely?" Xiao Yao unconsciously adopted Zhao Xiaomei's strange way of addressing him.

"Of course, actually, despite my appearance, everyone is an island..."

The atmosphere became lively once poetry and literature were discussed, especially when the other person expressed appreciation for them.

"Teacher Yuan told me that the poem was selected by the Literature Hundred Schools Network and will be submitted for an award," Xiao Yao told Zhao Xiaomei with a hint of pride.

Zhao Xiaomei put down her spoon and clapped her hands gently: "As expected of Xiao Yao, he will definitely win an award."

"Hey, I'll take your good wishes with me," Xiao Yao said with a smile.

"By the way, I heard that Xiao Yao often publishes novels in reputable newspapers and magazines?" Zhao Xiaomei rested her chin on the back of her hands, revealing an admiring expression. "Could you show them to me next time?"

"Of course, you can..." Xiao Yao thought for a moment and said, "But they are all game newspapers and magazines, which publish player stories, fan fiction, and other such things. Oh, and industry commentary. I have also submitted articles to serious literary publications and Sci-Fi Emperor, but none of them have been accepted."

"That's still amazing." Zhao Xiaomei gave a thumbs up: "Don't give up, keep persevering, you will definitely succeed!"

"Yes." Xiao Yao nodded and said, "I will definitely persevere."

Zhao Xiaomei earnestly instructed Xiao Yao again to make sure he brought her those newspapers and magazines to read, and even wanted to see the manuscripts that had been rejected by other publications.

"I didn't expect you to live around here!" Zhao Xiaomei said, her tone a little exaggerated. "So, we're practically neighbors!"

"Haha, really..." Xiao Yao chuckled dryly.

"Xiao Yao, Xiao Mei has something to ask you, but don't get angry, okay?" Zhao Xiao Mei suddenly changed the subject and said mysteriously.

"It's okay, ask away." Xiao Yao swallowed the last big wonton in his mouth, and instead of using the back of his hand as usual, he elegantly took out two tissues and wiped his mouth.

Then, he handed two more bills to Zhao Xiaomei.

"Thank you, Xiao Yao!" Zhao Xiaomei thanked Xiao Yao. "Xiaomei heard from people at school that Xiao Yao is dating two girlfriends now, and they know each other and have a good relationship. Is that true or not?"

"Who told you that?" Xiao Yao chuckled, then became curious again: "Who exactly is spreading rumors?"

“Everyone says so!” Zhao Xiaomei said matter-of-factly, “One is the class beauty of your class, and also the beauty of our literary society, and the other is the school beauty of No. 6 Middle School…”

"It's No. 7 Middle School," Xiao Yao corrected instinctively.

Zhao Xiaomei clasped her hands together: "So, it's true?"

"Am I being tricked into saying something?" Xiao Yao wondered.

"No, my current girlfriend is indeed from No. 7 Middle School. Whether she's the school beauty or not, well, it's just a matter of opinion." Xiao Yao explained seriously, "As for Yu Luying, she's just a good friend to me. How could I possibly be two-timing someone? —You still haven't told me who's been talking about this?"

"Oh, I see..." Zhao Xiaomei's face showed a hint of sadness, and she lowered her head slightly: "So Xiao Yao really has a girlfriend."

"Huh?" Xiao Yao was taken aback.

Zhao Xiaomei raised her head and gave a bright smile: "But it's only natural, isn't it? Xiao Yao is so outstanding, he writes well, plays basketball well, is gentle, and is handsome. It's only natural that so many girls would like him, right?"

"Handsome?" Xiao Yao touched his cheek. "So many girls like him? Haha."

“Of course! How could Xiao Yao not know?” Zhao Xiaomei blushed, as if she were arguing her point: “Especially in the last month or two, Xiao Yao has been the focus of discussion and attention among the girls in the school.”

"What are they talking about?" Xiao Yao asked skeptically, thinking it was a bit too exaggerated.

As they were talking, they both finished their wontons. Zhao Xiaomei insisted on paying the bill, and Xiao Yao couldn't win the argument.

Zhao Xiaomei packed her schoolbag and walked out of the wonton shop side by side with Xiao Yao, which allowed him to observe the girl's entire body.

She was neither tall nor short, and in terms of appearance, she could be considered a beauty. However, compared to Shen Jie and Yu Luying, she seemed somewhat out of place.

Zhao Xiaomei was barefoot, wearing a pair of mid-heeled sandals, and it appeared she had nail polish on. Xiao Yao didn't really like any of that—after all, he preferred girls with a student-like appearance.

"Well, I have to go to the hospital, let's talk next time." Xiao Yao looked down at the time on his phone.

"Xiao Yao, aren't you going to give me your phone number?" Zhao Xiaomei pouted. "You said you'd let me read your novel, didn't you?"

"Ah, okay." Now that things had come to this, Xiao Yao had no reason to refuse: "13XXXXXXXXX".

Zhao Xiaomei pulled a thick pen from her schoolbag and wrote down the string of numbers on her palm: "Great! Today is such a lucky day for me! Is it really possible to become friends with Xiao Yao?"

"It's not that exaggerated..." Xiao Yao said awkwardly, "You said you live around here too, right? If you want to read my novel, you can come and get it next time you have the chance."

"Really? Is it really possible?" Zhao Xiaomei's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's wonderful!"

"What's the big deal..." Xiao Yao scratched his head.

After saying goodbye to Zhao Xiaomei, Xiao Yao rushed to the hospital.

He was in a good mood. Firstly, Shen Jie's condition was improving, which made him feel much more relaxed. Secondly, since starting junior high school—no, since elementary school—no, damn it… since kindergarten, this was the first time a girl had ever talked to him!

Although Zhao Xiaomei's height was a bit strange, he was still approached by her.

Don't get me wrong, Xiao Yao didn't have any particular feelings for Zhao Xiaomei. First, he was already taken; second, she wasn't his type; and third, he was used to girls of "quality" like Shen Jie and Yu Luying, so Zhao Xiaomei's level was just a little lacking.

However, Xiao Yao believes that you can never have too many friends. Besides, having someone strike up a conversation with you is a way of affirming your charm, so it's not a bad thing.

Xiao Yao bought a rose at the entrance of the First People's Hospital, and imitating Li Xiaoyao's pose in "Chinese Paladin Inn", he held the flower stem in his mouth and leisurely floated into Shen Jie's ward.

Shen Jie didn't complain about him; instead, she sincerely expressed her gratitude and accepted the bouquet of roses.

"What's wrong?" Shen Jie held the petal to her nose and smelled it. "You're smiling like this flower."

"It's nothing," Xiao Yao replied with a smile, "I was just thinking about something happy."

"What's wrong?" Shen Jie asked curiously.

"Uh, summer vacation has started." Xiao Yao said casually.

"What is this..." Shen Jie said with dissatisfaction.

In the past, Xiao Yao would probably have been happy to share his "adventure" with Shen Jie. However, recently, through a lot of practical experience and the tireless teachings of Daiyu, Zhang Jialong, and Chen Lu, Xiao Yao has decided that it is not appropriate to tell Shen Jie about this now, or at least not as a "reason to make me feel good".

Perhaps this is what is called "emotional intelligence"?

"How are you feeling? Are you feeling any better?" Xiao Yao asked her.

"I feel much better, I'd like to be discharged," Shen Jie replied easily.

"Is it really possible?" Xiao Yao asked, a little uneasy. "Can pneumonia really heal this quickly?"

"That's what the doctor said too, so he suggested I stay for a couple more days to observe and consolidate the results," Shen Jie said.

"The doctor is right, we should listen to the doctor." Xiao Yao nodded in agreement.

“Hey, Gouzi, I was thinking,” Shen Jie stretched out her arms and gently held Xiao Yao’s arms, “Your birthday is just around the corner, we need to start making preparations, and we should hurry up and invite the people we need to invite.”

"Okay, sure." Xiao Yao nodded.

"I'm planning to make you a three-tiered cake myself to entertain our guests," Shen Jie said happily.

"You can bake cakes?" Xiao Yao was surprised. "You're the kind of person who can only cook instant noodles—"

“Cooking is cooking,” Shen Jie interrupted him, “Baking is also a compulsory course in our girls’ high school’s quality education.”

Seriously? What exactly do you girls learn every day at school?

"That would be great," Xiao Yao nodded. "Alas, it's a pity your birthday won't be until next year. I really want to celebrate your birthday with you."

"Want some oranges?" Shen Jie lay back down on the hospital bed and reached for the large plastic bag on the bedside table. "Your Yu Luying brought a lot over yesterday. Help me eat some, or they'll all go bad."

"Isn't there a refrigerator..."

Like Xiao Yao, Shen Jie couldn't peel an apple, but she could at least peel an orange. She quickly peeled a large orange, tore off half of it, and handed it to Xiao Yao. However, Xiao Yao kept his hands on the edge of the bed and didn't move, only bringing his face closer.

The girl glanced at him—since she had already accepted his feeding, she wouldn't have much of a psychological barrier to feeding him.

Shen Jie peeled off two orange segments and put them into Xiao Yao's mouth.

Even so, when Xiao Yao accidentally licked the girl's salty fingers, a blush still flashed across her face.

When the girl fed him orange segments again, her actions were more like "throwing" him the food.

Xiao Yao took the other half of the orange from Shen Jie's hand, tore off a segment, and put it into the girl's mouth as well.

The two fed each other oranges, occasionally whispering a few words and bursting into laughter.

"Hey, you missed watching that Ultraman episode when you were little because you filled the refrigerator with water. You can look it up online, and I'll watch it with you," Shen Jie suggested.

"Great!" Xiao Yao said happily, "I just can't remember which episode it was..."

“Let’s search episode by episode,” Shen Jie said, “to Canhua…”

"Ah, if only we had a phone like Tianyun's, we could watch it here."

With only two segments of orange left, Xiao Yao mustered his courage and placed them between Shen Jie's upper and lower lips—one-third inside the girl's mouth and two-thirds outside: "Don't move yet."

"?" The girl didn't react in time and obediently did as she was told.

Then, with lightning speed, Xiao Yao turned his head and tried to snatch the orange from the girl's mouth.

failure.

Shen Jie was still 100ms faster than him.

She instinctively covered her lips with both hands, ate the two segments of orange, and stared blankly at Xiao Yao, who looked regretful, for three seconds.