Crushing her hopes

Shen's Farmhouse

Shen XiaoLi and Chen Lisheng purchased the necessities for making their collage and agreed that it would be a bad idea to return to the Chen Mansion. XiaoLi remembered that her father had a farm house in the outskirts of the city so both of them decided to head towards it. XiaoLi was having a nervous breakdown right now. It was a thing to spend her day with her long time crush but inviting him to her house was on another level. Shen XiaoLi peeked at Lisheng to see his reaction but his blank face was masking his emotions well.

'Am I overreacting? Would he think I'm weird if I act uncomfortable? Arrgghhhh! Where are you Xixi?!'

Chen Lisheng was observing his companion and he was having a hard time controlling his laughter. He was feeling awkward as well but the changing emotions on XiaoLi's face was so interesting to watch that it eased his nerves.

'She just shows that she's tough, but she actually wears her heart on her sleeves. So cute.' Chen Lisheng froze at this thought. He knew he was behaving different from his usual self and this thought was a clear red flag. It's not that Shen XiaoLi was a bad choice but he can't engage in a romantic relationship with someone so close to his family if he's not ready to be together for life. Lisheng can't have a fling with his younger sister's best friend. That can ruin lifetime relationships. And he was still confused about his feelings. 'I need to crush her false hopes for good.'

Chen Lisheng coughed a couple of times to gain a dazed XiaoLi's attention. "Ummm.... Your house is really cool. I like it's style. Did you enjoyed your time with me?"

Although the lines uttered by Lisheng were sweet, his tone was a little off. But XiaoLi decided to ignore it and concentrate on the good thing.

"I loved it Lisheng gege! I didn't knew stationary shopping can be so fun! Thank you soooo much!!!"

XiaoLi was beaming with excitement. 'She looks lovely when she's happy' Chen Lisheng was smiling sweetly too, infected by XiaoLi's excitement, but this thought brought him back to reality. 'I really need sought out myself.'

"I'm glad that you liked my company. But Shen XiaoLi I need to clarify---"

*Ding dong*

Chen Lisheng was interrupted by the ring of the call bell.

"I'll go and answer the door. I think XiaoXi and Xiaofeng have arrived."

XiaoLi dashed towards the door, excited about their collage making activity. Chen Lisheng slumped his shoulders in defeat. He summoned that much courage to break her heart. It was not that easy to do that again. He was frustrated now. Lisheng felt he really needed to sought his thoughts and clear his mind otherwise he'll create a mess he can't afford.

Shen XiaoLi was greeted by the younger Chen siblings who both seemed in a very bad mood. 'Were they involved in a fight between them?'

"XiaoXi what happened? Why are you both so down right now?"

"Don't even ask XiaoLi. I was so unfortunate to meet an ungrateful brat this early in the morning. I would've beaten him if today wasn't an important day for me. He met some ungrateful girl too. But we decided to leave all these outside this door."

Xixi paused for a moment and she now had a meaningful look on her face. "You tell me about your day"

Chen Xixi was back in teasing mode. XiaoLi blushed but quickly denied any assumption going on her naughty friend's mind.

"It was nothing special. We just bought stationary. What's so exciting about it."

XiaoLi was betrayed by her excited and happy face though.

"Come on. You can't lie to me. Tell me the juicy gossip you got. Let's go to your room."

Chen Xixi dragged a blushing XiaoLi towards her room.

"Ya! JieJies! How can you both forget my very existence and pretend that I'm not even here?! Ladies are so mean!"

Chen fengju clutched his heart to exaggerate the heartbreak he experienced by getting ignored.

Chen Xixi excitedly dragged Shen XiaoLi to her bedroom, long forgotten was her damp mood from earlier.

"Now lady, spill"

Chen Xixi demanded in a firm voice. She won't let this golden opportunity to matchmake her friend and gege. Shen XiaoLi was as bright as a tomato when she remembered how sweet Chen LiSheng was today.

"Aaaaaaaaaaa"

XiaoLi buried her face in the pillow and screamed her throat away. She was so embarrassed to share her little 'date' with anyone.

"Stop wasting my time. We have to make that collage too. Tell me quickly."

Xixi was getting really impatient. She wanted to know what her brother really feels. Otherwise she'll have to stop Shen XiaoLi from getting too attached.

"Okay okay. Let me calm down. I'll tell you on one condition. Do you agree?"

"First tell me what do you want?"

Chen Xixi smelled something fishy. And XiaoLi's expressions were somehow making her believe her gut feeling.

"You have to tell me what happened to you AND Xiaofeng."

Shen XiaoLi had a mischievous smile on her face.

"Just that? Okay. No biggie" Xixi shrugged her shoulders with a nonchalant face.

"So easily? I thought it was something juicy. I got tricked! Hump!"

"Hahahaha. It's not my fault that you're a fool."

A loud knock on the door interrupted their conversation and the door opened to reveal the Chen brothers.

"I'm sorry to disturb you guys, but we're getting late. We should start working if we want to finish this on time."

Chen LiSheng words were colder than usual which made the other three wonder if something went wrong to trigger this demon. The besties started working seriously on the project at hand and made a mental note to talk about this later.

*flashback*

Chen LiSheng was exiting the bathroom when he saw his sister dragging Shen XiaoLi entering her room. He went to ask them to start working when he heard Shen XiaoLi scream. Chen LiSheng was about to open the door when he heard the conversation. The excitement in their voices made him steel himself once again.

'I need to stop this as soon as possible.'

Therefore he decided to end their conversation and take this chance to come clean in front of Shen XiaoLi.