Chapter 154
Ever since seeing Shen Yiqing as a child, Xie Mi had developed a subtle sense of care for him.
The young Shen Yiqing and the present Shen Yiqing looked so alike that whenever she saw his beautiful eyes, she was reminded of little Shen Yiqing’s pitiful, puppy-like gaze.
At this moment, she immediately pulled out a bandage from her pocket, sincerely intending to stick it on Shen Yiqing’s ear.
This made Shen Yiqing laugh in exasperation, grabbing her wrist to stop her. His seemingly smiling eyes held a hint of “I can’t believe you’re so stubborn.”
“Teacher Xie, I hate that you’re such a blockhead.”
[Shipping pause, I’m off to chop wood.]
[Hey! Beautiful! I knew Old Xie would never disappoint.]
[You’re licking his collarbone! Licking his Adam’s apple! And you’re using a bandage?! Aiyo!]
[Old Shen: My first love is a blockhead.]
[Responsible CP fans are already making content themselves. That embrace earlier? Fans are already making suggestive art.]
[Xie Yue killing it is the ultimate tease! (As long as you shut Old Xie’s mouth.)]
“All right! I think that’s enough rest!”
Xie Mi dusted off her clothes and stood up, giving Shen Yiqing a teasing look. “Ready for a duel between the brave?”
“The brave?”
Shen Yiqing glanced behind her. “Where?”
“Don’t worry about the details.”
Xie Mi pulled him to his feet. “Time’s almost up. You’re still clean, meaning you haven’t experienced the real CS beatings. To give you a taste of the game, let’s bet on a shot.”
“How’s the bet?”
He crossed his arms lazily, watching her with amusement.
“On that empty field, we’ll stand back-to-back, each take ten steps forward, then turn and fire simultaneously. Whoever hits first wins.”
Xie Mi walked to the empty field, calling to him from a distance, “To make the game more interesting, let’s add a wager. The winner can ask the loser one question, and the loser must answer truthfully.”
Shen Yiqing, aiming his gun while smiling faintly and looking down, paused slightly at this.
A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes, one others couldn’t guess.
After a few seconds, he looked up, still smiling.
“Fine.”
Xie Mi subtly raised an eyebrow.
Finally, she had her chance.
After experiencing a “time-travel” moment last night, she had many questions for Shen Yiqing. But in previous encounters, she knew he wouldn’t easily answer truthfully.
She would have to approach it indirectly.
But she couldn’t celebrate too soon—Shen Yiqing was clever, and he surely guessed what she wanted to ask. If he intended to keep secrets, he wouldn’t let her win easily.
…
The two stood back-to-back in the field.
“For fairness, let’s count down together,” Xie Mi said.
“No need.”
Shen Yiqing refused this harmless suggestion, his voice pleasant. “Let Teacher Xie count.”
“That might be unfair if you’re not paying attention—”
“I want to follow your rhythm.”
He said.
“I want to match your rhythm,” he added.
Xie Mi paused, inexplicably feeling the statement carried the imagery of someone chasing behind, yearning to match the pace of the one ahead.
She didn’t dwell on it and focused on the game.
“All right, I’ll start.”
“10.”
With the countdown, they each took steps forward.
“9.”
“8.”
…
[Why am I nervous too?]
[Don’t know why the CP I ship suddenly started a gun duel, but this scene feels so fated.]
[The height difference and body difference, I’m dead.]
[Xie Yue killing it, absolutely!]
“2.”
With the last step, Xie Mi gripped her gun tightly, fully ready.
“1!”
She spun around, aiming her gun at Shen Yiqing, who had his black gun pointed at her as well.
Bang!
Pulling the trigger, the paintball shot out.
Smack.
Red paint splattered across the camouflage on the left side of his chest.
Shen Yiqing’s eyes curved, glimmering like autumn water.
“Teacher Xie wins.”
Xie Mi lowered her gun, but didn’t immediately show joy. Instead, she looked puzzled. “You didn’t shoot?”
The game was a test of reaction speed down to the millisecond. Normally, both would fire the instant they turned, and the winner would be determined by who hit first.
But Shen Yiqing hadn’t fired at all—he lost directly to her.
“I knew I would lose to you, so there was no need to shoot.”
Hearing this, Xie Mi felt frustrated at his obstinacy.
She stepped forward, pressing firmly on his shoulders.
“Kid, the worst thing in a game is to admit defeat before even competing. You haven’t even tried! Sure, I’m strong, but you could’ve tried!”
Xie Mi didn’t deny that she was confident in winning. She had absolute confidence in her gaming skills.
Seeing Shen Yiqing so cautious about her strength, however, made her a little sad.
Yet Shen Yiqing smiled, the curve of his lips calm and gentle.
“You didn’t understand my meaning.”
“What do you mean?”
“I will always lose to you, Teacher Xie. This is an absolute statement under any circumstance.”
Xie Mi stared at him seriously.
After a moment, she spoke gravely.
“That’s a bit deep, Iron.”
“I didn’t expect you to get it.”
Shen Yiqing brushed away a stray lock of hair from her forehead, smiling. “The game’s over. Do you want to ask your questions in front of the camera, or off-camera?”
“Off-camera!”
Shen Yiqing clearly understood her well. Xie Mi said excitedly, “Remember, I can ask anything, and you have to tell the truth. The truth, got it?”
“All right, all right~”
The match was nearing its end. They chatted while walking toward the camp’s exit, completely ignoring the comments flooding the livestream.
[You two are having fun, and CP fans be damned!!]
[What question is off-limits for us Supreme VIPs? Huh?!]
[That ‘off-camera’ comment ruined so much tenderness for me.]
[Ahhh, this hurts worse than death.]
[I’m torn up but it’s so sweet, whatever, shipping it first!]
…
At the camp exit, the production team had already set up equipment.
As the broadcast signaled time, the guests began emerging from the camp one by one.
The only two who could clearly see faces were Liu Woxing and Lai Bingxuan.
As for the others…
Xu Shuangrong and Yu Jinzhe: covered in red.
Xiao Jingxi: red.
Qiu Chengye: half red, half blue.
With everyone smothered in paint, they could barely be identified except by height and build.
Even the camp coach, with twenty years of experience, was shocked.
“This is…”
“All dyed?”
