Just as Lin Nian liked Chen Feng and worried his affections might stray, Shen Yi’s words were surely motivated by his feelings for Qin Jiao.

Shen Yi nodded frankly. "Yeah. She’s so amazing, of course I like her."

Chen Feng was taken aback.

He pictured Qin Jiao. It was true—her beauty was bold and self-assured. Most of the seventeen and eighteen-year-old girls on campus were reserved. They would steal timid glances, ever so carefully, and blush at the drop of a hat.

But not Qin Jiao.

Her very presence was like a rose in full bloom, its sudden blossom making everyone else shrink back, feeling inadequate in comparison.

Looking at the warning in Shen Yi’s eyes, Chen Feng knew that no matter how beautiful that flower was, she had nothing to do with him anymore.

Shen Yi’s tone was placid, as if it were just a conversation between friends.

He said, "I’ve liked her for a long, long time, but I never dared to tell her. No one can imagine how much I like her, and no one could ever love her more than I do. From now on, no matter what happens, no matter how long or rugged the road ahead, I will always watch over her."

’I won’t give anyone else a chance.’

’I won’t let anyone take her from me.’

His tone was level, yet incredibly firm. Chen Feng froze, looking at Shen Yi in astonishment.

He was deeply shaken.

After all, while he liked Lin Nian, his feelings were nowhere near this intense.

’It seems Shen Yi really is in love with Qin Jiao. Then again, someone as perfect as Qin Jiao would naturally have many people offering their hearts to her...’

Chen Feng looked at Shen Yi again.

To be honest, the two of them were half-brothers and should have been hostile toward each other. Yet here they were, talking about the matters of a young man’s heart.

’Perhaps Shen Yi wasn’t trying to share his feelings, but was just unhappy about what Lin Nian had said a while back.’

Chen Feng hesitated for a few seconds before speaking. "Shen Yi, don’t you hate me?"

"Why would I hate you? Unless... you’re really thinking of stealing Jiao Jiao away?"

"No, it’s about my mom and your dad."

Shen Yi let out a soft laugh. "You said it yourself. That’s their business. What does it have to do with us? My mom hates your mom, but you and I have nothing to do with each other. We won’t be brothers, but we won’t be enemies either."

In his past life, when he had first learned the truth, Shen Yi had been so furious he’d wanted to kill someone.

But in this life, he didn’t care so much anymore.

’Ignoring him is the truest form of indifference.’

Leaving a stunned and bewildered Chen Feng standing there, Shen Yi carelessly pulled on his T-shirt. His mind had already moved on. ’What should I eat at Jiao Jiao’s place after evening self-study tonight?’

The sun outside was scorching. While the boys were out playing basketball, the girls were all in the classroom.

In this life, Qin Jiao was very careful about taking care of her skin. Especially since things like sunscreen were hard to come by, she did her best to stay out of the sun.

Just then, Jiang Xiaoyue came in from outside. She walked over to Qin Jiao’s desk, then slid into the seat behind her, a mysterious smile on her face. "Xiao Jiao, guess what I just saw!"

Qin Jiao didn’t even look up, her focus entirely on her practice problems. "Can’t guess."

"Hey, hey, hey, play along a little! Fine, I’ll just tell you. I was just passing the basketball court and heard Shen Yi and Chen Feng talking."

Qin Jiao paused. ’Why would those two be sitting and chatting together so calmly?’

She looked up curiously. "What were they talking about?"

Jiang Xiaoyue looked incredibly smug. "Beg me, Xiao Jiao. If you beg me, I’ll tell you."

"Then forget it. I’ll just get back to my practice problems." Qin Jiao made a show of turning away to continue her work.