Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts

Xu Qingfan covered her mouth and nodded apologetically towards Wang Xuan, "Don't mind her, she's always like this."

"It's... it's okay." Wang Xuan felt like she suddenly forgot how to breathe, her heartbeat unconsciously speeding up.

Unfortunately, Xu Qingfan simply said this one sentence and then turned back to chat with Yu again.

"Yu is not very good at refusing others. If someone bullies her in class, remember to secretly come to me and tattle. I'll treat you to an iced cola," he transformed into an old father figure, earnestly pleading with Xie Rui.

"Humph~ Don't worry about it, no one dares to bully Yu with me around!" Xie Rui patted her chest and even flexed her biceps.

"Brother Fan!" Wu Lingyu was moved, but there was also a hint of displeasure at being underestimated by Brother Fan, and she pouted.

She knew that Xu Qingfan specially admonished her because of something that happened in elementary school. Yu understood everything, and in her heart, she was only happy.

Xie Rui's height seemed to be on par with Xia Xiaoxiao, and due to frequent training, her skin was almost like that of an old acquaintance from Guangzhou. Thankfully, she still had a delicate look, so she didn't appear too wild.

Even though she seemed like a maid beside the fairylike Wu Lingyu, a dark-skinned athlete was still in high demand among those who liked that type.

Maybe because Xie Rui really was too dark, neither Xiao Ruawen nor Wu Lingyu had any guard up against her, allowing the two to chat away about everything and nothing.

Of course, Xu Qingfan wasn't into the dark-skinned type. Besides finding her genuinely interesting, his primary motivation for knowing her was for Yu's sake.

...

Time flew by quickly, and the last four classes performed in no time. With Xu Qingfan's outstanding performance earlier, nobody cared what was presented after.

Fortunately, his class was the sixteenth to perform. Had Xu Qingfan been the first to go on stage, they might as well have renamed the freshmen's party to "Xu Qingfan's Party" outright.

But regardless, he was the star of the evening.

In a few days, when the recorded videos started circulating in small circles and eventually made it onto the internet, Xu Qingfan was probably going to become famous once again.

Just like how the 'Milk Tea Sister' was voted as the most beautiful school flower online, Xu Qingfan wondered if he might also be recognized as the handsomest high school student in the country by discerning netizens.

"Let's go, to the first dining hall for supper. I'm treating tonight, and if you don't max out the meal card, it means you're looking down on me!" As soon as the host announced it was their class's turn to leave, Xu Qingfan cheerfully patted Xie Rui's shoulder.

"Psh, who are you looking down on? Believe it or not, I'll buy six chicken drumsticks to treat my roommates!"

Xie Rui got up nonchalantly, and Xu Qingfan glanced casually and noticed the glue coming off her shoes.

Knowing she was still wearing a middle school uniform tonight, he could guess that her family's financial situation wasn't great.

However, it wouldn't be appropriate to say too much on superficial acquaintance. Xu Qingfan thought, [I'll wait for a chance in the future to have Yu help her out.]

As their group was leaving, female students occasionally cast glances at Xu Qingfan, obviously wishing to come up and ask for his QQ. But these unripe high school girls were even too shy to speak to their crushes, let alone have the courage to approach him.

"Brother Qing Fan, we're here, over here!"

After leaving the auditorium, Lin Wanning, Zhang Yiyi, and Xia Xiaoxiao, who were waiting at the entrance, immediately waved at them.

Just as Xu Qingfan was about to walk over, a voice called out to him from behind.

"Classmate Xu Qingfan, can I add your QQ?"

The voice was like bait thrown into a crowded fish pond, causing the already restless girls to halt and uniformly turn to look in Xu Qingfan's direction.

Soon, the girl who had spoken jogged up to him, wearing denim shorts, fishnet stockings, and the slanted bangs so popular in that era.

[What an alternative fashion!]

Xu Qingfan instantly lost interest, as a pretty girl had just reduced herself to less than zero with her outfit.

"It's like this, I also play an instrument, can I add your QQ? I want the sheet music for the song you just played." As if fearing Xu Qingfan would misunderstand, she waved her hands repeatedly, "Don't worry, I'm not asking for it for free, I'll treat you to a meal or get you a milk tea!"

Many girls who were timid but interested suddenly brightened: that's right, I don't want to add the guy's QQ, I just want the sheet music!

"Classmate Xu Qingfan, can I add your QQ? I'm Liang Ziqi from class eight!"

"Qingfan, I'm thinking of forming a band, would you be interested?"

"Brother Fan, Brother Fan, I'm also from the middle school division, can I add your QQ?"

Many self-assured girls squeezed forward, one by one batting their eyelashes at Xu Qingfan.

Just as they tried to move in closer, five girls suddenly stood protectively in front of him, like transformed Sailor Scouts, shielding Xu Qingfan behind them.

"Why are you all crowding the doorway? Once school's out, hurry home and don't block the entrance!"

A teacher noticed the commotion and used a megaphone to disperse the crowd. The girls, who were already feeling inferior, heard the announcement as if it were a lifeline, and quickly scattered away.

Watching the radiant group of five girls, Wang Xuan lost the courage to follow them and quietly slipped away without saying goodbye.

The five exchanged glances and all read the same message in each other's eyes.

[As if they could steal our Brother Fan away!]

"Hehe~ off to the night snack!"

"The piano music was lovely; we'll listen to it again when we get back!"

Lin Wanning and Zhang Yiyi each took one of Xu Qingfan's arms, Xiao Ruawen pushed him from behind, while Xia Xiaoxiao and Wu Lingyu stood to either side.

The six of them left, amidst the astonished or curious stares of everyone, acting as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.

"Damn it, so what if you're handsome!"

It wasn't until Xu Qingfan was far gone that a boy could not help but exclaim indignantly to the skies.

...