Why are you always thinking about dating me?

"That's because you were teaching me..." Xiao Chacha's voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of uncertainty.

“But I’m right here with you now, aren’t I?” Lin An smiled gently at her.

“You…wouldn’t be nice to me for no reason.” Xiao Chacha quickly seized on the core flaw in Lin An’s logic.

“Because when we played games before, I could benefit from you, so I would think about being good to you. It was a win-win situation for both of us… But now…” Lin An seemed a little troubled.

"It seems you really can't give me anything." As Lin An said this, the hope that had just ignited in Xiao Chacha's eyes dimmed again.

“I can’t tell you that I can be nice to you for no reason, because you wouldn’t believe me. So I thought of a compromise,” Lin An said with a gentle smile.

"How much pocket money do you get each month?" he asked.

Thirty thousand yuan.

"..." Although he had expected it, Lin An's lips still twitched violently.

“Then give me three thousand yuan a month, and I can give you some simple support when you need it.” He said this with a smile, offering a very reasonable suggestion.

“Money…is not a problem, but I don’t think you’re someone who values ​​money that much, Lin An…”

"Because we always need an excuse. I don't like helping others for no reason. I always need to receive some reward to feel at ease. I believe you don't want to accept help for no reason either. It would make you uneasy, afraid that I will suddenly disappear one day."

"At least for this month, I can barely be your support, accompany you through the changes, help you find what you want, and offer you comfort when you're vulnerable, like a hug or something."

"A month?"

"A month is enough, Cha Cha. You know, when you flirted with those girls, you could flirt with so many at once, so socializing shouldn't be a problem for you, right?"

"Since you're thinking of gradually changing and accepting men... while you still don't hate me, spend more time with me."

"Is that the expression you're making right now, trying to comfort me?" Xiao Chacha felt a little uncomfortable looking at Lin An's seemingly gentle and kind demeanor.

Lin An was somewhat surprised by her question, but replied with a wry smile, "So, in front of you and Su Yuejin, I really am a completely selfish person?"

"I am indeed quite selfish. I don't want to give even the slightest bit of kindness to strangers, but I am willing to treat you as my friend. I used to be a very gentle person. My gentleness has never disappeared, and I hope to be gentle to everything around me, as long as I am not a pushover."

Xiao Chacha stared blankly into his eyes, finally believing in his simple and genuine tenderness.

"All your sadness stems from past experiences. We must always look forward; hope is always there, isn't it?"

"Uh-huh……!"

Lin An breathed a slight sigh of relief. It seemed that communicating wasn't so difficult. Xiao Chacha walked over to Lin An and pulled out the chair next to him. "I want to sit next to you."

"it is good."

I want you to hold me.

"it is good."

Lin An gently placed his hand on the girl's slender, soft waist, and held her gently. Xiao Chacha leaned slightly towards him, and the sadness and panic in her eyes seemed to slowly dissolve. She looked at the foam on the beer in front of her and was about to raise her glass when Lin An whispered in her ear.

"You can have another sip."

"Why...?" Xiao Chacha suddenly looked pitiful as she looked into his eyes.

"So you're an alcoholic too... But it's your period today, so don't drink."　

Xiao Chacha gently tugged at his sleeve, but Lin An's expression remained unwavering. "Didn't you say today that if I can't persuade you, I'll just control you?"

"So, does that mean... you also want me to quit smoking?"

"Correct."

"But I really, really want to light one right now, what should I do?"

"Then I won't kiss you later, your breath smells like smoke."

Actually, it's not that serious. Lin An doesn't hate the smell of smoke. He just hopes that the people around him won't smoke. He tries to persuade them if he can, but if he can't, then he'll just let it go.

As Xiao Chacha listened to his words, her heart seemed to suddenly beat faster for a moment.

"you……"

“Me?” Lin An looked at her face.

"But I want it now."

"Then close your eyes obediently." Lin An's hand, which was clinging to her waist, slowly moved up and gently pinched her earlobe, causing Xiao Chacha's eyelashes to tremble slightly.

Chapter Sixty-Seven: I Think I Might Like You

What does it feel like to kiss someone you don't like?

The answer is that he felt no emotional reaction and simply regarded it as an interesting thing. Lin An did not want to be a pushover. He did not need to give Xiao Chacha charity, nor did Xiao Chacha need his charity.

However, in his spare time, if he could help Xiao Chacha, he would quite like to do so. It's just that his actions seem somewhat shameless and opportunistic to outsiders.

But Lin An is a result-oriented person. No matter what the process is like, as long as the result is fine, then there is no problem.

Xiao Chacha still had a few drops of water on the corners of her lips, which she licked clean with her soft, pink tongue. Then Lin An finished the bottle of wine on the table. Xiao Chacha put her arm around Lin An and asked, "Were you a very gentle person before?"

"I guess I could be considered one now, at least that's how I feel."

"Then why have you changed so much?" Xiao Chacha asked him.

"Because of a very immature relationship I had before," Lin An replied helplessly.

"Immature love?"

"Simple care, video calls, staying up late together, secretly chatting during class, kisses, hugs and piggyback rides between two people, no need to think about the future, but it feels sweet and wonderful."

"And then?" Xiao Chacha roughly guessed that Lin An was referring to his relationship with Qin Xueming.

"Then, when it came time to think about the future, things ended badly," Lin An said with a helpless smile.

“Because we were all unable to take responsibility, we didn’t even have a future, so I was abandoned. But I didn’t know how to hold on or how to say nice things. I was depressed for a long time. During that time, my adoptive parents also passed away. I felt that life was bleak and I couldn’t see any hope.”

He was speaking softly, but Xiao Chacha seemed to be able to travel through time and see the dark emotions in the eyes of the boy beside her at that time.

"Luckily, I have an older sister. Luckily, I didn't completely give up and become depressed. So I started to learn a lot of things and try to keep myself busy and fulfilled so that I wouldn't think about that childish and meaningless relationship. And that's how it is. People always have to grow up. When you grow up and look back on your past self, you can only laugh. After all, the greatest growth is when you make peace with yourself."

"So you're no longer going to be a gentle person?"

"It's just that I'm not kind to strangers, otherwise why would I be kind to you?"

"You don't even like me, yet you still kissed me, and you still say that, hmph." Although she was saying this, Xiao Chacha's tone was just a playful joke.

"Then we won't kiss anymore," Lin An continued, going along with her.

Xiao Chacha quickly hugged Lin An tightly, "No way, I want kisses every day for the next month."

"..."

"Don't worry, as long as Su Yuejin doesn't find out, that's fine. I won't make things difficult for you in the future, okay? I definitely won't say anything bad about you in front of Su Yuejin."

"Why have you suddenly become so well-behaved?" Lin An asked casually.

"Because I kissed her, that's how girls are, they'll behave if you coax them a little." Xiao Chacha laughed happily, and her voice became sweet and lovely.

“Let’s talk about something more interesting, Xiao Chacha. Tell me, what’s the right dating strategy between men and women?” Lin An asked. “Simply put, it’s about how to pursue someone.”

"First, establish your own high value to generate attraction, then express affection, but not explicitly... Let the other person try to please you, and then respond with signs of interest? A push-pull cycle, the suspension bridge effect, comfort? Then... resolve the resistance at the last minute to avoid regret later?"

"If you were a man, you'd definitely be a womanizer." Lin An bent his finger and tapped Xiao Chacha's forehead.

Xiao Chacha looked at Lin An with a wronged expression, but argued firmly, "Am I wrong?"

"...That is indeed a very useful tactic, but it's a way to get results quickly because everything you prepare is fake. But do you know what the core of love truly is in the fingertips of boys and girls, Cha Cha?"

Xiao Chacha shook her head again.

"It's just about mutual needs. What men need is someone who understands them, makes them want to protect them, admires them, and can comfort them softly when they are vulnerable."

"What girls need is a strong guy who can solve their problems when they need help and pamper and take care of their little whims in daily life. That's why most guys prefer 'green tea' girls and most girls prefer 'scumbag' guys because they meet their needs. So they don't mind giving their bodies and money in return. It's an equal exchange, and it's not shameful or despicable."

"It's innate. Once you understand this, you'll know where your liking comes from."

"I see." Xiao Chacha seemed to vaguely understand something.

"What if I fall in love with you?" Xiao Chacha looked into his eyes.

"So I'm telling you this to give you some advance warning so you can see things more clearly, and then you probably won't fall for me."

"why?"

"Because I'm telling you right now that I have someone I like. Even though I'm flirting, talking nonsense, and kissing you right now, I'm really a pure and good girl. The person I like is waiting for me, and I'm waiting for her too. It's a wonderful mutual attraction, so I won't love you."

"So...whether you like me or not doesn't really matter to me." Lin An shrugged.

"But just in case, people should always learn to avoid getting hurt. Don't keep banging your head against a wall until you're bleeding."

"Have you ever said something like that to Su Yuejin?"

"I have said that."

“But Su Yuejin is very persistent… Although she used to smoke and drink, she is still a good girl. You can’t bully her too much.”

"You and Su Yuejin seem to be very good friends. She said something similar to me. I know that if possible, the best outcome is for no one to get hurt."

Lin An sighed softly, "Come on, I'll take you somewhere."

"Where?"

"Let's go somewhere more suitable for chatting, or simply to sit and calm down so you can think things through, and then I'll take you home."

"good. "

Xiao Chacha obediently followed Lin An out of the tavern. Lin An was taking her to an abandoned park that hadn't been redeveloped yet. The streetlights there were broken, but it was especially quiet.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" Lin An asked beforehand.

"Not afraid."

Is it bravado or genuine fearlessness?

"I'm really not afraid at all."

So Lin An led her into the park, as if he were very familiar with it. Only a few lights were on in the park, and there were almost no people around. Lin An led her to a square, which was very quiet, but there were no lights left. Only the lights in the distance were shining, and the world became dim. However, Xiao Chacha's heart was inexplicably calm.

It's a kind of inexplicable sense of peace. I can't say where this feeling comes from, but it's very comfortable and not at all unpleasant, even though it's not stimulating at all.

Lin An and she sat down on a bench. Before sitting down, Lin An took out a tissue to wipe the dust off the bench. Xiao Chacha sat obediently next to him and then looked up at the moon in the sky.

The moon is already very full today, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is just a few days away.

Xiao Chacha rested her head on his shoulder. She suddenly felt that the world was so soft. She didn't know what had become of her, but her heart was pounding and she felt warm all over, dispelling the faint chill of the night.