He subconsciously touched the collar of his turtleneck, making sure it was still securely guarding the "secret" on the side of his neck.
'Should I go in?'
'How would I even start?'
'"Aunt Xu, I'm here to set off fireworks with Li Zhi?"'
The thought flashed through Shen Yuan's mind, and he immediately dismissed it.
'No, that's way too deliberate.' It would definitely make him the center of the family's attention again, drawing those knowing smiles.
He could almost picture the pouting glare on Li Zhi's blushing face.
His phone was in his pocket, within easy reach.
'Sending her a text to sneak out would be so much easier.'
But…
Shen Yuan looked at the courtyard gate and the light-filled windows, and a more direct idea popped into his head.
He took a deep breath of the night air, his chest filling with the frigid air and a certain impulse.
'It's already come to this…'
'I can't shake off the "silly boy" label from earlier anyway, so what does this matter?'
