Chapter 70: Tension

Su Mi was still trapped in that indecisive tangle when Shen Han interrupted her thoughts.

Her fingertips lightly tapped on the steering wheel as Shen Han turned her head to look at her. “Did you check out the introduction for today’s concert?”

Su Mi said, “I couldn’t find it online.”

Shen Han was very considerate. “I’ll share it with you.”

She sent the webpage introduction to Su Mi. It was an internal link.

After the loading animation, an image of a beautiful woman as radiant as a bright moon appeared, accompanied by the concert title: Shi Shuyue Cello Solo Concert.

What a pretty girl.

Su Mi took a couple extra glances before scrolling down. First came an introduction linking music to mental power healing, followed by Shi Shuyue’s bio.

She had started learning cello at five years old and performed a certain concerto with the Prime City Symphony Orchestra at thirteen. Afterward, she went abroad to further her studies, training under renowned masters.

It specifically mentioned that during university, not only had she refined her cello skills, but she also conducted unique research into music and mental power healing.

Further down was the program for this concert. Su Mi confirmed she had never heard any of the pieces, especially a lineup of various suites that already made her feel intimidated.

Whatever. She had drunk two cups of coffee—she was full of energy!

Su Mi nervously shook her leg.

Right on cue, a message notification from Fu Shixing popped up above her light brain.

Fu Shixing: Xiaomi, good afternoon ouo. We’re having afternoon tea at the research institute. What are your plans this weekend?

Su Mi found the message a bit strange.

It was indeed strange. The chat history between the original host and Fu Shixing was completely blank—they hadn’t talked since adding each other. Even as childhood friends, after so many years without meeting, their relationship should have been just average.

But ever since Su Mi had proactively messaged Fu Shixing about the barrier earring yesterday, it was like Fu Shixing had flipped some switch. She enthusiastically kept striking up conversations.

Su Mi couldn’t figure it out, and there was no way to know what Fu Shixing was thinking. Fu Shixing didn’t exist in the original plot, and the original host’s memories of her were very faint.

She agonized over it for a moment before deciding to just take it one step at a time.

She wouldn’t harm her anyway.

While she was still mulling it over, Fu Shixing sent a selfie with her back to the afternoon tea table.

Light brown woolly curls, wearing black-rimmed glasses, full of energy—this face could pass for a university student’s. She flashed a brilliant smile at the camera, squinting her eyes and throwing up a peace sign.

Very cute. Su Mi could barely match it to the neighborly big sister from her memories who used to take the original host out to play.

Fu Shixing: Our research institute’s afternoon tea—looks pretty good, right?

Su Mi zoomed in on the row of exquisite pastries behind her and honestly replied: Looks delicious.

Fu Shixing’s cute, university-student-like appearance easily dispelled Su Mi’s wariness and perfectly eased her tension about going out with Shen Han.

With her guard down, Su Mi started chatting. She obediently replied: On the way to a concert with a friend.

Fu Shixing: Wow! Whose?

Su Mi typed out the performer’s name.

Fu Shixing: The Eldest Miss of the Shi Family? Holding a solo concert right after returning to the country—impressive!

Su Mi: Do you know her?

Fu Shixing: Haha, not really, just heard of her. Is she doing mental power healing research? I read her paper last time. What’s on the program for her homecoming debut? Can you send it to me?

Su Mi screenshotted and sent it over.

Fu Shixing seemed very knowledgeable. Clutching her bouquet, Su Mi tapped away on her light brain: Will the healing stuff be hypnotic? It’s my first concert—I’m worried I’ll fall asleep…

Fu Shixing: It does make you sleepy! All soothing pieces.

Fu Shixing: But for a healing concert, falling asleep is the highest praise, right?

Fu Shixing: Not like me—I fall asleep at normal concerts too. This kind of event is totally not for me.

Fu Shixing: When I come back to Prime City for vacation, don’t schedule stuff like this for me. Take me to fun places instead [praying]

Su Mi had just been soothed by her words the second before, but this line left her speechless.

Why did she assume Su Mi would take her out?

She pondered her reply: Might not have time… Just started school, classes are packed…

Fu Shixing: I know, little freshman!

Fu Shixing: Let me tell you, when I was in university…

Fu Shixing could turn any topic into a chatty marathon, gushing on enthusiastically.

Unlike Shen Han’s guiding style of conversation—when Su Mi chatted with Shen Han, she unconsciously followed her lead, relaxing into everyday topics.

But with Fu Shixing, even if Su Mi just replied “haha” to four or five messages, it didn’t matter—Fu Shixing would keep going on her own.

Su Mi could have ended the conversation, but whenever she looked up from her light brain, she felt… nervous.

Looking down at the light brain nicely distracted her from the date-like atmosphere in the car.

Harboring a heavy escapist mentality, Su Mi ignored the time and chatted with Fu Shixing the whole way.

It wasn’t until the car stopped that Su Mi realized she had been staring at her light brain for so long—they had already arrived at the theater.

She hurriedly messaged Fu Shixing: I’m here. Talk next time.

Fu Shixing: Okay~~

Su Mi let out a breath and quickly shut off her light brain. Raising her head with a glimmer of hope, she immediately met Shen Han’s deep gaze.

The car was parked in the underground garage. The light brain display screen glowed softly, illuminating half of Shen Han’s face. Shen Han’s beauty always carried an aggressive edge, but now it seemed softened, shrouded in some kind of mood.

Su Mi pressed her lips together, her heart skipping a beat. She lightened her breathing and carefully observed.

Shen Han’s expression seemed normal—her usual cool detachment, without a ripple at her eyes or brows.

But Su Mi felt like… she seemed a bit unhappy?

She watched as Shen Han’s gaze lowered slightly, her ice-blue eyes darkening a touch.

For a moment, Su Mi almost thought Shen Han would question her about something.

But Shen Han merely lowered her eyelids, leaned over, her breath seeming close yet faintly distant, and unbuckled Su Mi’s seatbelt for her.

She said, “Let’s go. Should we take the flowers up?”

Su Mi: “…”

She bit her lip and, hugging the flowers, blurted out on instinct, “Let’s take them. I like them.”

Maybe… maybe Shen Han would be happier seeing her hold the flowers?

Su Mi’s mind raced. She hadn’t meant to… she was just nervous. Fu Shixing was so chatty, and she hadn’t realized the theater was this close. Or maybe the car was just too fast. She hadn’t deliberately ignored Shen Han.

Shen Han glanced at her, without smiling, got out, and opened the car door for her.

She didn’t ask a single question.

Su Mi felt even more guilty.

As they walked to the elevator, once the doors closed, Su Mi ground her heel against the floor and spoke up proactively. “I was just chatting with a friend earlier.”

Shen Han said, “Mm.”

Su Mi glanced at her and whispered, “Don’t you want to ask anything?”

In the narrow elevator space, the moment of silence stretched out.

Shen Han’s voice was calm and measured. “Nothing. I just hope you can relax around me.”

Su Mi fiddled with the ribbon at the bottom of her bouquet and said, “Mm… I am pretty relaxed.”

Shen Han lowered her eyes and said, “From the looks of it now, your mind isn’t here. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked you to this concert.”

The words came so abruptly and oddly that Su Mi immediately looked up. But right then, the elevator dinged at the second floor.

Security check was right in front of them. The topic got cut off, but Shen Han’s words still lingered in Su Mi’s mind.

What a slander!

Sure, she had a tiny urge to bolt, but just a tiny one. She was still looking forward to the concert.

After passing security, a staff member led the way. Su Mi followed Shen Han until they were shown into the VIP box. Even after the door closed, Shen Han said nothing.

Su Mi stared at Shen Han’s back the whole way, a spark of defiance rising. She couldn’t help but huff.

She muttered softly, “So overbearing.”

The room was very quiet. Shen Han clearly heard it—her movements paused—but she said nothing and went to select some tea.

Seeing Shen Han ignore her, Su Mi stayed by the door without moving and kept grumbling softly. “First time being asked out, first time getting flowers, and now I can’t even be nervous? Am I supposed to sing for you or something…”

Her mouth moved faster than her brain, and as soon as she said it, she felt it wasn’t quite right.

The next second, she saw Shen Han’s tea-selecting motions freeze. Her cool, detached gaze turned toward her.

Her expression shifted slightly as Shen Han pressed her lips into a straight line and walked straight over.

Su Mi instinctively took two steps back, but the door was behind her. Her heels hit the wall corner as she looked up at Shen Han.

She mentally pumped herself up.

I-I didn’t say anything wrong, right?

She really was a bit nervous around Shen Han, but it wasn’t on purpose.

For one, Shen Han was always so enigmatic—Su Mi felt like she barely understood her, let alone guessed what was on her mind. She could only passively react to whatever Shen Han did.

And now, Shen Han seemed to… have a bit of interest in her. Even if it wasn’t much, it was enough to make her tense and wary around her.

After all, by Shen Han’s own words, she was a dummy. A dummy facing a smart person should naturally be vigilant and fearful.

Though Su Mi figured her own vigilance wasn’t that high, because she knew Shen Han treated her well. The only potential dangers in hanging out with Shen Han were making a fool of herself by messing up, or…

Like right now.

Shen Han might, probably, maybe make a move on her.

Su Mi’s heart leaped to her throat. She didn’t dare move a muscle, watching wide-eyed as Shen Han slowly approached.

The bouquet hugged to her chest was gently squished a bit before springing back.

Shen Han drew close, her voice light as a breath, brushing Su Mi’s face with an itchy tingle.

Accompanied by the faint fragrance of white roses, her voice was equally soft. “What did you just say?”

Su Mi: “…I said the wrong thing.”

A soft puff of laughter escaped Shen Han’s nose, as if she wanted to probe further. “Just nervous? Nothing else?”

Su Mi stuck out her neck. “You heard wrong.”

Don’t ask. If you ask, the answer is no. She would die before admitting it.

A cool finger trailed over Su Mi’s cheek, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

The skin brushed by Shen Han’s fingertip immediately tingled with a burning numbness.

Su Mi’s heart pounded wildly. She stared dazedly at Shen Han, her face flushing red inch by inch, unsure what she would say.

Her mind nearly screamed for the System to analyze—if Shen Han said something here, then she…

“…”

She looked like a startled little quail, trembling timidly, as if she might explode into fluff the next second.

Shen Han had originally resolved to stay rational this time, to be considerate and polite, giving Su Mi a pleasant experience so there could be a next “date.”

But she still hadn’t been rational enough, swayed by a twinge of sourness.

During the drive, Shen Han had politely refrained from interrupting while Su Mi chatted with someone else. But seeing Su Mi so distracted, deliberately focusing on others, she couldn’t help doubting if she had been too forward this time.

For example, maybe she shouldn’t have given flowers, or should have invited one of Su Mi’s friends along.

Last time they hung out, Shen Han had thought Su Mi’s instinctive thoughtfulness and reliance meant closeness with her. Now, it seemed she might not be there yet.

So in the elevator, she had felt a bit stuffy inside, mentally preparing to listen to the concert and send her home. Who knew that once in the room, Su Mi would say something so indignant.

Clearly, Su Mi hadn’t realized yet that she truly had a strong sense of security and trust toward her… or maybe something more.

If Shen Han took the initiative, Su Mi retreated, appearing tense and at a loss.

But if Shen Han went cold, she pushed forward instead—like a spoiled child used to being indulged, demanding fairness from her.

No one had ever acted this way in front of Shen Han, and Su Mi probably wouldn’t with anyone else. This dynamic was something Shen Han had subtly fostered herself.

The sudden realization lifted Shen Han’s mood considerably, her heartbeat quickening along with it.

She twisted her fingers, paused, then asked instead, “The person you liked before… never asked you out?”

Shen Han recalled Su Mi’s reaction upon seeing the flowers. She lowered her eyes and asked confidently, “He didn’t even give you flowers?”

Su Mi: “……”

Su Mi’s mind suddenly cleared a bit, and she found it somewhat absurd.

How did Shen Han still remember this?

Su Mi said haphazardly, “No, the time I spent with her… was pretty short.” Just, just most of the night.

Like this.

Shen Han suddenly gained more confidence and concluded, “Even if the time together was short, she should have done all the courtesies. She wasn’t very attentive to you.”

Su Mi: “……” Sister, you might not know how short it was.

If she really said out loud that they had only spent half the night together…

Su Mi glanced at Shen Han’s currently very pleased expression and thought, Shen Han might go crazy?