Chapter 154 I don't need a reason to be nice to you

"At that time...it depends on how you perform."

"Perform?"

Ye Fan's eyes lit up. "Don't worry, my performance will definitely satisfy you."

Ning Xi, still uneasy, reminded him again, "Remember this agreement: before the college entrance exam, we are just good friends. You are not allowed to touch me. If you violate this, then forget about chasing me."

Finally, she made her attitude clear, "I...I'm very serious!"

"Alright, I'll do as you say."

Ye Fan stood up and walked to the refrigerator, pulling out a chilled glass of lemon water and placing it in front of Ning Xi. "Here, have some water first."

As he finished speaking, he instinctively raised his hand.

"Eh?"

Ning Xi's gaze sharpened with wariness, and she quickly shifted to the side. "Did you already forget what you just promised?"

"Ahem!"

Ye Fan awkwardly retracted his hand. "Uh...habit, it's not something that can change overnight. Sorry, sorry."

Ning Xi pursed her lips, a flicker of amusement in her eyes, though her expression remained composed. "You need to pay attention. If you can't even keep such a simple agreement, how am I supposed to trust you?!"

This decision was one she made after careful thought.

As for Ye Fan, she indeed had feelings for him. Since childhood, besides her father, Ye Fan was the only man who gave her a sense of reliance.

But now, with the college entrance exams looming, she couldn't afford any mental distractions.

However, as her relationship with Ye Fan grew closer, she found it increasingly difficult to control her emotions and often felt an uncontrollable urge to be near him. Helpless, she came up with this arrangement.

At the very least, it could ensure her focus until the exams. As for what happens after the exams...

She hadn't thought about it yet.

Let things take their natural course!

When love comes knocking, it cannot be stopped.

"Understood, I'll pay attention."

Ye Fan forced a smile, glanced at the clock on the wall, and saw it was just 2 p.m. With three hours left until 5 p.m., he asked, "Xiao Xi, the afternoon is long and boring. Should we find something to do?"

"Like what?"

Ning Xi put down the water glass, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Ye Fan flashed a mysterious smile. "Wait here. You'll find out soon."

A few minutes later, a Go board and two boxes of stones appeared on the coffee table.

Only then did Ning Xi understand Ye Fan's intention. He wanted to play Go with her. She couldn't help but recall their last match on an online platform and felt a surge of dissatisfaction.

Rolling up her sleeves, she revealed her fair, slender arms and declared, "Today, I must see how good you are! But let's make it clear, you can't go easy on me."

"I won't."

Ye Fan sat down across from her and began setting up the board.

Clack—

Clack—

As the sound of stones hitting the board echoed, their game began.

Ten minutes later.

Ning Xi placed her stone on the board, pouting as she muttered under her breath, "Why play Go? It's not fun at all!"

Ye Fan chuckled, trying to comfort her, "Just luck, it's all luck. You'll definitely win the next round. Shall we go again?"

"Bring it on!"

Ye Fan's playful words successfully ignited Ning Xi's fighting spirit.

And so…

"Not playing anymore!"

Ning Xi stared at the board in front of her, slapped the table with her small hand, and pouted in frustration. "You couldn't go easy on me? What's the point of bullying me with your high IQ?!"

As he cleaned up the stones, Ye Fan let out a wry smile. "Xiao Xi, didn't you say not to go easy? I was just—"

"I said no handicaps, but you actually took it literally?"

"Wrong, my bad!"

"One more game!"

"Alright."

Ye Fan knew that reasoning with girls was a fruitless endeavor. Moreover, when the girl he adored was throwing a tantrum, it was a kind of bliss.

For Ning Xi, he would indulge!

After learning from the lessons of the first two games, Ye Fan suddenly began playing like an amateur in the third round, deliberately making mistakes. In less than 50 moves, he raised his hands in defeat.

"Not fun anymore, I'm done!"

Ning Xi grumbled about the game being boring, but the dimples on her face betrayed her joy. She grabbed the remote control and started flipping through TV channels.

Ye Fan chuckled quietly, tidying up the coffee table before pulling out a stash of snacks from a cabinet behind the sofa. He then refilled Ning Xi's glass of lemon water.

Ning Xi's cheeks were pink as she shyly asked, "Why...why are you so good to me?"

"No reason."

Ye Fan sat beside her, deliberately keeping a distance to avoid breaking their agreement. In a warm voice, he said, "I don't need a reason to be good to you."

"You..."

Meeting Ye Fan's sincere gaze, Ning Xi was momentarily stunned before quickly looking away. Grabbing a bag of chips from the table, she nibbled absentmindedly, her flushed cheeks revealing her inner emotions.

Ye Fan picked up a book from the side of the sofa, flipping through it page by page.

In this way, the warm and cozy afternoon passed by.

At exactly 5 p.m., Ye Fan's phone rang. It was Zhuang Li calling. He didn't answer but instead closed the book on his lap and waved his hand in front of Ning Xi's face.

"Huh?"

Lost in her thoughts, Ning Xi blinked in confusion. "What is it?"

Looking at the adorable girl in front of him, Ye Fan had to suppress the urge to pinch her chubby cheeks. He pointed to the clock on the wall. "It's time. Uncle Zhuang is already waiting at the gate. I'll walk you out."

"Wait."

Ning Xi hugged a pillow tightly, reluctance written all over her face. "This episode is almost over. Can I watch a few more minutes?"

"Next time. Be good."

Ye Fan raised his hand but remembered their agreement. He sighed helplessly. "Uncle Zhuang is waiting outside. It's not polite to keep him waiting too long. There's plenty of time in the future; you can watch whenever you want."

"Fine."

Ning Xi pouted, set the pillow down, and went to the door to put on her shoes.

Outside the residential complex.

Ning Xi turned around, her voice low as she reminded him, "What I told you today is only for you. You can't tell anyone else."

"Don't worry."

Ye Fan mimed zipping his lips and grinned. "Only you and I know. Heaven and earth won't find out."

"Bye-bye~"

Satisfied with his response, Ning Xi smiled sweetly. She turned and walked toward the car, her ponytail swaying behind her, silently revealing her happy mood.

Just before getting into the car, Ye Fan called out, "Xiao Xi, see you tonight on the Go platform!"

"…"

Ning Xi's legs faltered, and she nearly stumbled. She quickly got into the car and told Zhuang Li in the driver's seat, "Uncle, let's go."

After playing Go with Ye Fan today, she realized that geniuses really do exist in this world.

The first game took ten minutes, but the second only took six. She could feel Ye Fan improving by the second.

So this was what it meant to be a genius?

The speed of his learning was terrifying—almost monstrous!

If she had known this earlier, she would never have taught him Go. At least she wouldn't be suffering such a miserable defeat now.

Man-made calamities are avoidable; self-inflicted ones are not!

Playing tonight?

Like hell she would!

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I had some personal stuff to deal with over the past few days, which is why there haven't been any updates. But don't worry—we're back in action now