I couldn't see the person, but from behind the banyan tree, which obscured my view, came a voice, "So, she already has someone she likes. Ahaha...sorry for troubling you."

Following this, a dejected boy slowly walked out from behind the tree, holding a rejected love letter in his hand. His head hung low, and while bathed in the setting sun's light, he looked like a dispirited middle-aged man.

He must have confessed his feelings to the person he liked and was then rejected. Heartbreak makes a boy grow up; it is just a part of youth, and time will eventually wash it away.

The boy noticed Wu Yaoyao and me, and his face showed a hint of panic, as if he didn't know what to do. After glancing at the envelope in my hand, his expression was replaced by understanding and sympathy. He nodded at us and then walked away, his mood seeming to lighten.

Hey, don't assume that I was rejected too, okay? Do you think someone accompanying you in your misery makes it feel better? It's so mean, no wonder you got rejected!

Witnessing this scene, Wu Yaoyao's angry, bite-worthy expression softened. She must have understood that the previous remark, having someone she liked, was not intentional, but rather used to reject the boy.

Looking behind the banyan tree, there was no one there.

"Well, who is it you like? Let me see who's so great that they got your affection!" Wu Yaoyao snorted and stared at me coldly. "If you don't tell me, I'll confess to you every day – in your house, in your classroom, in the Student Union office!"

"Yes, yes..."

"Who?!"

This situation is completely different from those of others! Wasn't she supposed to give up like that boy after hearing my words? How come she has the audacity to threaten me instead? If she confesses to me every day like this, my high school life will be ruined.

Moreover, it was just an excuse I made up. The 'person I like' doesn't even exist, and I wouldn't know where to find anyone at Peony High School who could compare to Wu Yaoyao.

Wait, there are two people. A thought struck me.

Tang Xin and senior Ning Yi.

Tang Xin would be absolutely impossible. Although she is very beautiful and does well academically, plus I see her every day, claiming I liked her would be reasonable. However, I must have previously badmouthed Tang Xin to Wu Yaoyao, so that's not an option

That leaves only senior Ning Yi.

There's no doubt about senior Ning Yi's appearance. She has already been admitted to one of the top universities in the city, guaranteed. She is tall, with a cold demeanor that keeps others at a distance, and people know her only for her aloofness, beauty, and academic excellence. A girl like her is a killer for male high school students at this stage.

Such thoughts were racing through my mind. The perfect shield.

"The person I like is..."

"Who?"

"Senior Ning Yi."

I'm sorry, senior Ning Yi, for making you my temporary crush. I silently apologized in my heart, hoping only that Wu Yaoyao wouldn’t go after Ning Yi with a bow and arrow.

. "I knew it was senior Ning Yi." Wu Yaoyao looked as if she had suspected it all along.

Although that was the case, to my surprise, there wasn't much disappointment in Wu Yaoyao's contemplative face. Instead, she seemed a bit relieved.

Could it be that even Ning Yi couldn't make her back off? No way, right?

I felt a little nervous, staring at her face, and observing her reaction.

"Well, so, I can't date you. I'm sorry."

I quickly repeated my rejection, so as not to complicate the matter.

"So you think I will just give up?"

Wu Yaoyao appeared to be in deep thought for a moment. Then her twin ponytails swayed and the corner of her mouth slowly curved upward. She looked at me playfully.

Was there no way to deter her? And what was the deal with the expression that suggested she already had the perfect countermeasure?..

"But, but— "I became a bit flustered.

"First of all, you like senior Ning Yi, and she doesn't even know you; secondly, as far as I know, you two have no connection and have no chance of being together; finally, senior Ning Yi is in her third year, and she will be a college student by this time next year."Wu Yaoyao tilted her head, and as usual, a warm smile reappeared on her face. After softly speaking the following sentence, she placed her hands behind her back, took two steps closer to me, and tiptoed. Her hair slightly brushed against my ear, and the unique warmth of a young girl passed on. The enticing scent surrounded my nose tip.

"Even if you don't like me now, you'll gradually like me after you know my charm in the future."

My face felt a hint of soft touch.

The girl's fragrance from a short distance away made me freeze on the spot, covering the warmth that was just there, and I dare not move at all.

"I have something to do later, hehe, see you tomorrow."

As if completing a perfect task, Wu Yaoyao, with a red face, waved to me and bounced towards the tennis court.

By the time I came to my senses, Wu Yaoyao had already disappeared from my sight.

As my heart rate slowly dropped and my mind resumed thinking, I realized that this issue had not been resolved at all! My intuition told me that more trouble would follow.

But now it is apparent that I am helpless.

I feel powerless.

I checked my phone and realized that I was already half an hour late to pick up my sister.

............

The sky was getting dark.

"BaiLu, are you still waiting?"

A girl coming out of the theater walked up to another girl standing quietly and asked with concern.

"Yes."

The girl smiled and nodded.

"Will your brother really come?" That girl frowned, exuding her dissatisfaction, as if condemning her irresponsible brother in her heart.

"He definitely will." There was not a trace of doubt in BaiLu's clear eyes.

"Is that so..." Seeing BaiLu's firm attitude, that girl gave up persuading her to go home and stood by her side chatting with her instead, "Hey, BaiLu, I've never met your brother. What kind of person is he?"

Hearing this sentence, BaiLu looked at the girl like an alert little cat.

"Hey, don't worry, I won't like your brother," the girl covered her mouth and chuckled.

Hearing this, BaiLu paused for a moment, her face blushing, and the corners of her mouth slightly curved up.

"My brother... is a big fool."