A social phobic can also fall in love.

Yan Tingmo spoke carefully, his tone tinged with some anxiety and hesitation.

Qi Xing probably understood his inner thoughts and gently said, “I know. If you’re not comfortable with it, I can refuse for you.”

Yan Tingmo paused for a moment, then quietly replied, “No need. I’ll try to get used to it.”

“Mm.” Qi Xing, without much regard for the situation, said, “If it’s not working out, just let me know. Don’t force yourself.”

Yan Tingmo responded with a soft acknowledgment but eventually agreed to tutor Zhi Zhi for one week to see how it went.

Zhi Zhi was still very young, and tutoring him was quite exhausting for him. Fortunately, besides weekends, he had little contact with Zhi Zhi during the week.

After the first tutoring session, Qi Xing came to pick him up from Mr. Xing’s house.

As usual, Zhi Zhi clung to Yan Tingmo. Yan Tingmo patiently coaxed him for two minutes before he was finally able to leave with Qi Xing.

“How was it?” Qi Xing asked.

“Mm.” Yan Tingmo smiled faintly. “It was okay. Just that Zhi Zhi was a bit mischievous.”

“Kids are like that,” Qi Xing said. “It’s only because you have patience. If it were me, I would’ve quit by now.”

Yan Tingmo thought to himself: It’s not that I’m patient, it’s just that Mr. Xing gives so much. Also, compared to tutoring high school students, I’d much rather teach someone like two-year-old Zhi Zhi.

Though the child was a bit naughty, at least he wasn’t calculating. He didn’t have to worry about socializing; he could just focus on teaching.

Of course, Qi Xing didn’t understand the mindset of someone with social anxiety. He only knew that if Yan Tingmo wasn’t enjoying it, he would step in and immediately quit the job for him.

“We’re going somewhere?” Yan Tingmo didn’t directly respond to Qi Xing’s comment but instead wondered where he was taking him to an unfamiliar place.

Qi Xing turned his head and jokingly said, “Looking for a place to sell you.”

Yan Tingmo responded with an “Ah?” and asked seriously, “Would anyone want to buy me?”

“Of course,” Qi Xing smiled and raised an eyebrow. “I’d be the first to buy.”

Yan Tingmo froze for a moment, inwardly scolding him for smiling so charmingly, making him feel unexpectedly shy.

“What, you don’t want to?” Qi Xing teased. “Is it because I’m not good-looking, and you don’t want me?”

How could that be? Yan Tingmo almost blurted out that he was the most handsome guy he had ever seen, but he bit his tongue and instead replied, “I would.”

His answer was a little too direct, and it was unclear if it was because he liked him or something else. Qi Xing’s heart fluttered as if something had lightly brushed it. Following his feelings, he did something he had been wanting to do.

While Yan Tingmo was lost in thought, he leaned down and kissed his forehead.

Yan Tingmo stiffened, then absentmindedly looked up, meeting his gaze. Qi Xing’s eyes were locked with his, and Yan Tingmo, without thinking, blinked, his eyelashes trembling. That sudden feeling of intimacy with Qi Xing made him want to escape again.

He unconsciously took a step back, but Qi Xing quickly wrapped his arm around him and whispered, “Can’t handle it?”

Yan Tingmo didn’t respond.

Qi Xing asked again, “You want to run away and hide from me again?”

Yan Tingmo looked at him with innocent eyes, thinking to himself, You’re really spot-on.

“No running away,” Qi Xing said forcefully. “And no hiding from me.”

“I’m not…” Yan Tingmo was about to protest when Qi Xing suddenly raised his hand to cover his mouth. “Don’t say anything.”

He frowned slightly, his lips slightly parted in silent resistance.

“Let me finish.” Qi Xing’s voice softened. “I know you don’t like being close to others, but since I’ve decided to pursue you, I won’t let the same thing happen again. I want us to really be together, not just pretending to be in a relationship while acting like friends.”

Yan Tingmo muttered a couple of “Mm”s, and Qi Xing continued, “If you’re not used to physical contact, let me help you get used to it. If one day you’re ready for a kiss, we’ll talk about a real relationship, the kind that lasts forever. Can we do that?”

Yan Tingmo really wanted to tell him, If I say no, will you stop pursuing me?

Does love really have to happen this way?

“Can we?” Qi Xing pressed playfully. “If you agree, just blink. If not, I won’t let go, and I won’t let you go home.”

“*&%#…” Yan Tingmo mumbled something incoherent, and Qi Xing suddenly grinned, “Ah, so you agree, right? Mo Mo is so obedient!”

Yan Tingmo: “…”

It was his first time seeing someone act so dog-like.

Yan Tingmo tried hard not to blink, but Qi Xing remained determined, not backing down.

They stared at each other quietly for a moment, and eventually, Yan Tingmo gave in, gently blinking to signal his agreement.

Qi Xing let out a low laugh, and with Yan Tingmo’s eyes still fixed on him, he withdrew his hand and said, “Let’s go. I’ll take you somewhere nice to eat.”

After speaking, Qi Xing naturally took his hand and led him toward the city center.

Yan Tingmo, feeling a little dazed, followed him, his other hand pressing against his chest. He couldn’t understand why his heart was beating so fast.

Qi Xing had already made a reservation at a well-reviewed, affordable, and delicious restaurant.

Since Yan Tingmo liked spicy food, Qi Xing ordered boiled shrimp, spicy shrimp, dry-pot goose, and chopped pepper fish head.

Before the main dishes arrived, the waiter brought out four plates of cold appetizers.

Yan Tingmo grabbed a piece of smashed cucumber for himself, and Qi Xing sat across from him, looking down at his phone.

Soon, the four big dishes were brought to the table, and Qi Xing turned off his phone, put it aside, and started peeling shrimp with a disposable glove.

Yan Tingmo ate quietly, chewing without making the unpleasant “smacking” sounds.

Qi Xing peeled more than ten spicy shrimp in one go and pushed them toward him, saying, “Eat.”

“Huh?” Yan Tingmo was a little surprised and mumbled, “Aren’t you eating?”

“I don’t like shrimp,” Qi Xing replied. “I ordered them just for you.”

Upon hearing that, Yan Tingmo didn’t want to eat all the shrimp by himself, so he stood up to call the waiter for more.

“No need,” Qi Xing stopped him, smiling. “I just want to watch you eat.”

“Then I won’t eat either,” Yan Tingmo pouted, lowering his eyes and sulking.

Qi Xing found it amusing and shook his head helplessly. “I’m just joking. Eat, don’t waste it.”

Yan Tingmo gave him a sly look and met his smiling eyes.

His cute actions were so irresistible, and Qi Xing softened, grabbing his chopsticks to pick up a piece of fish head, the one he disliked the most.

Seeing Qi Xing finally pick up his chopsticks, Yan Tingmo felt a sense of relief. He didn’t want to go out to eat and still have Qi Xing take care of him.

Qi Xing must really like fish heads, his cheeks turning red with happiness and sweat forming on his forehead.

Wait, his lips seemed to be a bit redder now too.

He was intrigued and tilted his head, observing him eating.

Qi Xing was nearly suffering from the spiciness of the fish head. To cater to Yan Tingmo’s tastes, he had ordered an entire table of spicy dishes, hoping to make his crush happy.

But unexpectedly, Yan Tingmo wasn’t following the usual script and was actually concerned about whether he was eating or not.

“Is it good?” Yan Tingmo asked eagerly. He inhaled deeply, his tongue a little thick from the heat, and answered, “It’s good. You should eat too.”

“Mm,” Yan Tingmo’s eyes curved into crescents, clearly in a good mood.

Qi Xing suddenly felt that eating that piece of fish was worth it. He didn’t dare chew it thoroughly, just enough to swallow it quickly.

Seeing Qi Xing eating with delight, Yan Tingmo obediently continued his meal.

By the end of the dinner, Qi Xing felt like he almost lost his mind. Yan Tingmo was carefully wiping his mouth with a napkin, and Qi Xing took the opportunity to excuse himself and went to the cashier to order a yogurt to cool down the fire in his stomach.

“Let’s go,” he handed Yan Tingmo a can of milk. As Yan Tingmo reached out to take it, Qi Xing smoothly pulled him up.

Yan Tingmo didn’t expect it, and he ended up falling into his arms. Qi Xing smiled and wrapped one arm around his waist, turning slightly, then moved his arm up and casually draped it over Yan Tingmo’s shoulders, leading him out.

Yan Tingmo wasn’t used to walking with his shoulder linked to someone’s, and as they passed by pedestrians, they threw curious glances their way. He felt both awkward and nervous, lowering his head and staring at his feet.

“Don’t be nervous,” Qi Xing’s low voice sounded, “This is how good friends walk.”

Yan Tingmo was confused, thinking, is that really how it is? Why don’t He Shiyang and the others walk like this with me?

The two of them, like conjoined twins, returned to the school. Qi Xing dropped him off at the dormitory building and watched him enter before turning to leave.

Back in the dorm, only He Shiyang was there. Zhang Miao’s parents came to pick him up every Friday, and Zhou Wen went out early for a date with a senior.

“You’re back?” He Shiyang yawned lazily, as though just waking up.

Yan Tingmo responded quietly, immediately changing his shoes and clothes.

He Shiyang leaned against the handrail, playing on his phone and asking, “How was the tutoring today? Was the kid still acting up?”

“Mm.” Yan Tingmo said, “A bit of a handful, but it’s fine.”

“Heh.” He Shiyang said without thinking, “If the kid is too much of a handful, just stop doing it. If you don’t have enough money, let me know, I’ll lend you some.”

Yan Tingmo smiled shyly, “It’s fine. I’m only doing it for two weeks.”

He Shiyang casually glanced at him and then lowered his head to continue playing his game.

Yan Tingmo, with nothing to do, slowly moved closer to He Shiyang and pretended to be interested in watching.

He Shiyang’s gaming skills were mediocre—not bad, but not great either. He did well early on, but when it came to team fights, he endlessly fed the enemy team.

Sometimes Yan Tingmo found it strange, because He Shiyang had such a good start, yet in the end, he was still being beat by the other side. Was it because he wasn’t good enough, or was the enemy team just too strong?

After a long time, He Shiyang lost.

“Ah, damn!” He Shiyang frowned, blaming the marksman, “They didn’t group up when they should have, and they started fights when they shouldn’t have. What the heck!”

Yan Tingmo watched the entire process and weakly commented, “Your behavior is poor.”

He Shiyang, suddenly receiving a critique from Yan Tingmo, was stunned and pointed at himself, “My behavior is poor?”

“Mm.” Yan Tingmo explained seriously, “The enemy took 35 kills, and you took two-thirds of them. The game was lost, and instead of reflecting on yourself, you blamed your teammates.”

He Shiyang paused, and after a moment, he nodded, “Alright, I have poor behavior. So, big shot, will you carry me?”

Yan Tingmo shook his head, “I’m not really interested in playing.”

He Shiyang: “…”

He Shiyang: “Then… do you have something else?”

“Mm.” Yan Tingmo asked, “Can you hug me?”

He Shiyang’s eyes widened, “…What did you just say?”

Seeing He Shiyang’s huge reaction, Yan Tingmo became even more confused. Didn’t they consider each other good friends?

an Tingmo happy, then the plate of spicy crayfish in front of him wasn’t so bad after all.Yan Tingmo’s gaze was intense as he looked at him, and Qi Xing had no choice but to pick up a piece of shrimp and put it in his mouth. He didn’t dare chew it thoroughly, just enough to swallow it quickly.

Seeing Qi Xing eating with delight, Yan Tingmo obediently continued his meal.

By the end of the dinner, Qi Xing felt like he almost lost his mind. Yan Tingmo was carefully wiping his mouth with a napkin, and Qi Xing took the opportunity to excuse himself and went to the cashier to order a yogurt to cool down the fire in his stomach.

“Let’s go,” Qi Xing handed Yan Tingmo a can of Weng Zai milk. As Yan Tingmo reached out to take it, Qi Xing smoothly pulled him up.

Yan Tingmo didn’t expect it, and he ended up falling into Qi Xing’s arms. Qi Xing smiled and wrapped one arm around his waist, turning slightly, then moved his arm up and casually draped it over Yan Tingmo’s shoulders, leading him out.

Yan Tingmo wasn’t used to walking with his shoulder linked to someone’s, and as they passed by pedestrians, they threw curious glances their way. Yan Tingmo felt both awkward and nervous, lowering his head and staring at his feet.

“Don’t be nervous,” Qi Xing’s low voice sounded, “This is how good friends walk.”

Yan Tingmo was confused, thinking, is that really how it is? Why don’t He Shiyang and the others walk like this with me?

The two of them, like conjoined twins, returned to the school. Qi Xing dropped him off at the dormitory building and watched him enter before turning to leave.

Back in the dorm, only He Shiyang was there. Zhang Miao’s parents came to pick him up every Friday, and Zhou Wen went out early for a date with a senior.

“You’re back?” He Shiyang yawned lazily, as though just waking up.

Yan Tingmo responded quietly, immediately changing his shoes and clothes.

He Shiyang leaned against the handrail, playing on his phone and asking, “How was the tutoring today? Was the kid still acting up?”

“Mm.” Yan Tingmo said, “A bit of a handful, but it’s fine.”

“Heh.” He Shiyang said without thinking, “If the kid is too much of a handful, just stop doing it. If you don’t have enough money, let me know, I’ll lend you some.”

Yan Tingmo smiled shyly, “It’s fine. I’m only doing it for two weeks.”

He Shiyang casually glanced at him and then lowered his head to continue playing his game.

Yan Tingmo, with nothing to do, slowly moved closer to him and pretended to be interested in watching.

He Shiyang’s gaming skills were mediocre—not bad, but not great either. He did well early on, but when it came to team fights, he endlessly fed the enemy team.

Sometimes Yan Tingmo found it strange, because he had such a good start, yet in the end, he was still being beaten by the other side. Was it because he wasn’t good enough, or was the enemy team just too strong?

After a long time, He Shiyang lost.

“Ah, damn!” he frowned, blaming the marksman, “They didn’t group up when they should have, and they started fights when they shouldn’t have. What the heck!”

Yan Tingmo watched the entire process and weakly commented, “Your behavior is poor.”

He Shiyang, suddenly receiving a critique from him, was stunned and pointed at himself, “My behavior is poor?”

“Mm.” Yan Tingmo explained seriously, “The enemy took 35 kills, and you took two-thirds of them. The game was lost, and instead of reflecting on yourself, you blamed your teammates.”

He Shiyang paused, and after a moment, he nodded, “Alright, I have poor behavior. So, big shot, will you carry me?”

Yan Tingmo shook his head, “I’m not really interested in playing.”

He Shiyang: “…”

He Shiyang: “Then… do you have something else?”

“Mm.” Yan Tingmo asked, “Can you hug me?”

He Shiyang’s eyes widened, “…What did you just say?”

Seeing his huge reaction, Yan Tingmo became even more confused. Didn’t they consider each other good friends?