Fu Xiaotang nodded noncommittally. Ji Shan then glanced over at Fang Junjie not far away and, with a teasing smile, asked Fu Xiaotang, “What do you think of that young master?”
Fu Xiaotang’s heart stirred, and she looked over, catching Fang Junjie’s gaze. They smiled at each other for a moment. Turning back, Fu Xiaotang slightly lowered her head, her eyes sparkling as she softly said, “Good.”
Seeing the blush on her cheeks, Ji Shan felt a slight pang of jealousy but genuinely wished her well. He pretended to be stern and accused, “Fang Junjie has really surpassed me, hasn’t he? But why? Why should he jump the queue? He’s cutting in, and you’re biased!”
Fu Xiaotang scoffed, “Brother, you’re the one who doesn’t want me anymore, I’m a girl!” Her words, meant as a playful jab due to their close relationship, didn’t seem to bother Ji Shan at all, who solemnly nodded, “Yes, if I had set my heart on you, there’d be no room for them—Song Li, Cheng Yu, Fang Junjie, all would have to step aside.”
Fu Xiaotang was stunned by his audacity, her mouth half-open in surprise. Ji Shan tried to hold back a laugh, then whispered, “Image, image, you can’t look like that, it’s ridiculous!” Then he couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“Oh, you want me!” Fu Xiaotang, realizing what he meant, started hitting his shoulder playfully, her girlish demeanor fully displayed. “Hey, Ji Shan!” he caught her hand, leaned in close, and whispered, “Stop it, look over there, those two are glaring at me like they want to eat me alive.”
“What? Where?” Fu Xiaotang, still dazed, followed his gaze and indeed saw two persistent shadows shooting daggers at them with their eyes, which made her heart skip a beat. She then muttered angrily, “What does it have to do with them? How annoying!” Ji Shan looked her up and down, “Well, well, the once bullied little bunny has turned into a fierce little leopard!”
