[9. (Below)]

  After finishing the ball, everyone said they wanted to go eat hot pot. Hot pot is indeed more fun with a lot of people. Someone even specially called his girlfriend to come over. I thought this had become a small gathering.

  Liu Jing didn't want to go at first, but couldn't bear everyone's repeated persuasion. In the end, even I said: "Let's go together, it's rare to have some excitement. What can we do back in the dormitory anyway?"

  She thought for a moment and probably felt that it was just eating, so she nodded in agreement.

  The restaurant was chosen by Shen Diao, who adhered to his usual style. I've already gotten used to it, and Xia Ri looked at the restaurant and said, "Brother, this is a bit too high-end, isn't it?"

  Shen Duan smiled and said, "The taste is very good. I've been wanting to bring Liu Jia here for a long time, but it's not fun with just the two of us, so we haven't come until now. We're taking advantage of your gathering today."

  Everyone burst out laughing, but actually they didn't take it seriously. As soon as they entered the restaurant, someone came up to greet them. It seemed like the hall manager, a neatly dressed woman, slightly bowed and asked: "Young master, are you here for seafood today?"

  Others who saw this scene were more or less frightened, probably like me in the past, only knowing that Shen Zhong's family was very wealthy, but not knowing he had such power.

  Shen Duan smiled: "I came with a few friends for dinner, just keep it simple, don't make too much noise."

  "Good."

  Adding the family members of those people, we had about twenty people in total and ordered a very large private room. The restaurant's environment was extremely good, with an elevator to ride in, the private room came with its own TV and bathroom, it was totally like the style of Hong Kong-style hot pot...

  Shen Dang sat there and ordered a few dishes first, and kept asking me which ones I wanted to eat and which ones I didn't want to eat.

  A boy sitting opposite laughed and said: "Ah, Shen Da Shao also has today?"

  Shen Dang smiled: "I'm actually very afraid of her."

  As soon as he finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter, probably because they thought it was rare for someone like Shen Zhong to say such a thing.

  The atmosphere was lively for a moment. I looked at these energetic college students and couldn't help but sigh that being young is really great.

  The flavor of the spicy pot is delicious, I almost swallowed my tongue. Shen Zhuang took care of me on one side and had to drink with those people on the other. In comparison, he seemed very busy, and I felt a little heartache for him as he didn't eat much himself.

  "Don't bother me anymore. You eat quickly."

  He looked at me and smiled: "Not tired."

  "But you should also eat something. You can't just drink wine, it's bad for your stomach. Aren't you usually particular about these things?"

  He seemed to be in a great mood, and after hearing my words, he picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and put it on his plate, eating slowly. Shen Zhong always ate like this. I saw him treating the food on his plate as if he were doing homework, and couldn't help but tease him, picking out even more dishes and meat for him.

  "Eat a bit more." I propped up my chin and looked at him "I always feel like you've lost weight recently..."

  He glanced at me sideways: "You've actually put on weight."

  I dejectedly lowered my head and looked at the ring of fat around my waist: "Yeah..."

  He put down his chopsticks and reached out to pinch my cheek: "Don't look anymore, no matter what, the young master has made up his mind."

  A word made me blush and my heart beat fast, I quickly patted his hand: "Be mindful of your image!"

  He smiled quietly and didn't refute it. After a while, he came closer again and whispered: "The young master will spoil you well tonight."

  "Hey!" I pushed him a bit "Are you drunk?"

  The people sitting around us looked at the two of us with raised eyebrows and burst out laughing. Xia Ri, who was bored on this summer day, tapped his chopsticks: "Hey, hey! I'm saying, shouldn't we toast our sister-in-law a cup of wine?"

  "That's necessary!"

  "It's got to be! I've never seen him treat any girl this well since I met Shen Zhuang."

  A few words made me feel great, someone leaned over to pour me a drink and I didn't refuse. Shen Zhong looked at me, seemingly a bit drunk too, but still remembered to remind me: "Just enjoy yourself."

  "What if I get drunk?"

  "I'm here."

  I smiled and said: "You said it. Then I won't return until I'm drunk!"

  He smiled and patted my hair: "As long as you're happy."

  "Come on, sister-in-law, let me toast you first. Shen Duan and I are buddies who don't need to say a word to each other. From now on, if there's anything you need, just give the word, as long as it's not studying, I can do anything!"

  He made me laugh: "Learn from you to find Shen Duan and let him lend you a copy!"

  "Alright!" Xia Ri downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, turned around and said to Shen Duan, "Hey, wife is strict. Did you hear? Sister-in-law said that from now on, I'm responsible for your exams."

  Shen Duan couldn't help but laugh: "How can you be so good at taking things out of context!"

  I tilted my head and drank it all in one gulp. Shen Dong looked at me: "Don't drink so hastily."

  I smiled and looked at him: "You're under the control of your wife?"

  He made a wronged expression: "Yes, I have a shrew at home."

  I was amused by his appearance and couldn't help but laugh loudly on the table, Shen Zhong patted my back: "Come eat something, you drank so hastily just now..."

  The person opposite me didn't know who was a family member, I always felt a bit familiar, but couldn't quite remember, seemed to be looking at me with some disdain and said: "So delicate..."

  I'm a bit bewildered and don't know how I offended the family member opposite me. I thought to myself, they're all relatives, it's impossible for them to be my love rival.

  But if you're not a love rival... why are you targeting me like this?

  Shen Duan looked at the girl, his eyes cold and clear. I couldn't stand him being like this, it was even scary to watch from the side. Sure enough, the girl didn't dare meet his gaze, only fiddling with the sesame paste in her hand.

  On a summer day, the atmosphere might seem a bit off, so I hurriedly told a joke about one of my dorm-mates. Although it wasn't that funny, everyone cooperated and laughed, as if what had just happened didn't exist at all.

  Shen Diao stretched out his long arm and pulled me into his embrace. I couldn't care about appearances anymore, now I urgently needed comfort.

  To be honest, I've been with Shen Zhuo for so long and haven't suffered any grievances. Although he has a spoiled rich kid's temper, he treats me extremely well, and over time, my temper has been spoiled by him, and I can no longer bear even the slightest bit of injustice.

  Actually, it wasn't so fragile, if he hadn't been here today, I might have just treated this matter as an episode, but he was there...

  I think it's necessary for him to see me sad.

  Actually, when I used to watch TV, I would really look down on women like that. But after I started dating myself, I realized that no matter how strong and powerful you are, as a girl, you still need someone to pamper you, and you need the person you love to stand by your side all the time. There's a song lyric that says it well: "If I can give up the whole world, at least there's still you who is worth my cherishing."

  That's it, that's the principle.

  I snuggle in his arms and feel that it's okay to be a girl like this forever.

  It hurts, I'll cry out in pain, and he'll be there in no time to protect me.

  I'm sad, I said I'm sad, and he'll be there in no time to comfort me.

  I don't care about the turmoil in the outside world, I have my own little heaven.