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n148 Guan Lei’s Awkward Position

n“If anything bad happens to you in the future, come to me. Don’t try and handle matters yourself. What if you get hurt?” Guan Lei met Shen Xi’s eyes as he spoke, completely serious.

nShen Xi did not understand. She was just teaching Liu Cheng a lesson; it was not a big deal. There was no need for her to seek help, was there? Besides, she and Guan Lei were just friends. How could she foist her troubles on him and demand his assistance?

nShen Xi waved her hand indifferently and said, “No, it’s alright. I know what I’m doing. I won’t hurt myself. Besides, I can’t trouble you for everything, can I?”

n“No trouble! It’s no trouble at all!” Guan Lei answered in a deadpan.

nShen Xi regarded the football field impassively, “How can it not be troublesome? You have things to do, and so do I…”

nBefore Shen Xi could finish, Guan Lei interjected, his eyes resting over her, “As I’ve said: No problem of yours is too great for me. Even if you insist that you are full of problems, they’ll always be ones I’d happily resolve. I just want to help you,” he finished quietly.

nShen Xi was stunned. After a long while, she probed in disbelief, “Guan Lei, don’t tell me you like me? Last time, you said you wanted to be in a relationship with me.”

nShen Xi did not beat about the bush, being as blunt as she could. Her question caused Guan Lei, a novice in love, to blush up to his ears. There had to be something wrong with him. “No, no. I want you to like me. That way, it’ll prove how awesome I am!” With his temperament, Guan Lei was not about to admit his love for Shen Xi so easily.

nBy the end of his proud declaration, Guan Lei consciously avoided Shen Xi’s probing gaze, staring resolutely out at the open field. “Since you’re the girl who will like me in the future, you’re under my wing. It’s only right for me to help you.”

nShen Xi stared at Guan Lei, bemused. Guan Lei looked like a child, awkward and out of his depth. Shen Xi could not help but laugh.

n“What are you laughing at?” Guan Lei turned to look at the smiling Shen Xi with slight annoyance.

nShen Xi shrugged, replying, “Nothing. I think you’re cute and handsome, that’s all. I’m happy when I think of someone like you helping me. Don’t people laugh when they’re happy?”

nGuan Lei puffed up at the praise lavished on him. Shen Xi certainly had good taste.

n“I think you’d look much more handsome without those dark circles under your eyes, though.” Shen Xi gave Guan Lei a once over, offering her sincere opinion to the peacock, preening at the praise.

nShen Xi spoke from a place of concern, one that was the truth.

nA person with insomnia would always look tired, and dark circles under their eyes were only one of many conditions affecting them.

nGuan Lei’s eyebrows shot up, and his expression became dissatisfied. “Are you complaining that I’m not good-looking anymore?”

nShen Xi rolled her eyes. “Can’t you tell that I’m concerned about you?”

nGuan Lei’s mood did an about turn, brightening again. His goofy smile refused to become a frown, no matter how hard he tried.

n“How long has this been going on? Have you seen a doctor?” Shen Xi asked.

n“It’s been a little over two months since it started. I don’t know what’s causing it. I remember waking up in the middle of the night. At first, I didn’t think much of it, so I didn’t see a doctor. Now… it’s the way it is,” Guan Lei sighed.

n“Why don’t you see a doctor? You can’t go on like this,” Shen Xi said worriedly.

nGuan Lei did not refute Shen Xi because he knew it was the truth. Shen Xi’s concern for him was the final push he needed. What if Shen Xi came to despise him because of the dark circles under his eyes? The mere thought was too much to bear.

nHis thoughts were interrupted by an incoming call. When Guan Lei noted it was from Guan Yan, his father, he hung up in frustration.

nSeriously, why couldn’t he have picked a better time to phone? He was in the middle of something important with Shen Xi!

nGuan Yan was so angry that his son had rejected his call that his face contorted into a vicious mask. That unruly son was only getting worse!

nWith perhaps a little more force than necessary, Guan Yan dialled his son’s number again.

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