"This is my destiny." Zhongyuan said softly with a smile.

Qiu Yuan's eyes widened slightly, and several others had the same reaction, with more of a stunned emotion.

This is not a recording of a program. The natal chocolates given out in the program mostly indicate the degree of closeness of the relationship. No one would think of other aspects, but in private, using this term will inevitably make people feel weird.

Nishino looked at Zhongyuan with complicated eyes, but the other party then said easily

"Kidding."

Wugeng seemed to hear several people sighing in relief. Of course, she was the one who felt ups and downs in her heart. Just now, Zhongyuan made eye contact with her and said the word "Benming" in his mouth. Wugeng

Indeed, my heart skipped a beat, followed by a panic that I didn't know how to respond to.

She is still young, has never liked anyone else, has never been confessed to, and is still in a state of ignorance about certain feelings. She has read many books and followed the protagonist in the books and had many relationships, but the actual experience

, but it is zero.

Zhongyuan said she was just joking, and Wu Geng was really relieved. She was still worried about Xi Ye's matter. If Zhong Yuan got involved this time, her head would probably be overloaded on the spot because it was running too fast.

"Riyaxiang... don't make such a joke, my heart won't be able to bear it." Wu Geng patted his chest as if saved.

"Sorry, everyone...won't take it seriously, right?" Zhongyuan asked.

"No, no, no." Gao Shan waved his hand quickly.

"I, I knew it was a joke from the beginning." Ikoma said.

Neither Akimoto nor Nishino spoke.

The little bird was still looking around, feeling outside the situation.

Instead, Ikuta complained softly, "Why are the chocolates given to Shiya-chan so much larger than the ones given to me..."

Ikuta-san, you may be focusing on the wrong thing.

Because of this joke, the atmosphere at the dinner table relaxed a little, and Zhongyuan's attitude became much more natural.

Looking at Nishino at five o'clock, she still had that complicated expression.

Nishino bit his lower lip. The aura that suppressed everyone before had dissipated. Wu Geng still couldn't believe it now. He felt that he might be hallucinating. How could Nishino, who was usually soft and showy, question others so aggressively.

Sure enough, after noticing Wugeng's gaze, Nishino smiled apologetically.

"Zhongyuan-san," she said, "just now... I'm sorry, I..."

"It's okay," Zhongyuan graciously forgave her, "Nishino-san is just a little impatient, right? I can understand it."

"……Feel sorry."

"It's okay, it's okay, don't take it personally."

"That's right," Ikoma interjected, "Ikoma, I also have sudden strange moments. Don't worry about it, Na-chan."

Takayama and Qiuyuan were on the sidelines, and the little bit of unpleasant stiffness that remained before was quickly melted away by a few playful words.

It's just that Nishino rarely spoke after that, mostly watching the lively scene at the dinner table quietly. Although it was the same before, but at the fifth watch, she always felt that this time, she was really not in a high mood.

Xi Zhongyuan almost ruined the joyful and harmonious atmosphere of the party because of her own impulsiveness. Xi Zhongyuan could not help but feel guilty and remorseful. For Zhongyuan, she not only apologized for her rude behavior, but at the same time she felt that her guess hit the target.

In front of Wu Geng, Zhongyuan did conceal his feelings. He could deliver chocolates at any time, and there was no need to rush over at night to deliver them. Zhongyuan expressed his true thoughts with a joke. Even if Nishino had an opinion, it was hard to say it.

Otherwise, it would look like she was deliberately looking for trouble. The previous questions were all based on her momentum, but if she was asked to be more energetic now, it would be difficult to arouse her emotions.

What's more, she really felt sorry and thought her words were a little too intense. From the perspective of expressing her feelings, she and Zhongyuan actually belong to the same type of people.

I want to face my own emotions, but I have constant twists and turns.

The party afterwards went on smoothly, everyone talked and laughed, and Zhongyuan slowly blended into the atmosphere. On the way, Ikoma also started an animation appreciation activity in the living room. Unfortunately, Nishino, one of the animation fans, rarely gave

She responded that after a show of hands, the video was changed to the previous episodes of "Where is Nogizaka?". Some members may have already watched it, but the process of sitting around and complaining was quite enjoyable.

The party lasted until after ten o'clock in the evening.

Nishino's chocolates have never found a suitable opportunity to give away.

Ikuta's battery ran out, and he hugged the pillow without letting go. Xiao Asuka, sleepy-eyed, leaned side by side on the sofa with her, refusing to get up no matter how hard he pulled.

I had no choice but to temporarily decide to stay at Wu Geng's house. Although Wu Geng's bedroom was not big enough, it was still possible to sleep on the floor in a crowded place. Takayama was responsible for contacting Xiao Asuka Ikuta's house and explaining the situation so that the family would not worry. Akimoto stayed to clean up the dishes.

Chopsticks, but Zhongyuan, insisted on leaving.

"If I don't go back, my mother and sister will probably be worried again. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, it's okay, but it's a bit hard for us to insist on keeping you."

"No, I'm very happy tonight."

"Then... let me give it to you."

Zhongyuan waved his hand, indicating that he didn’t want to use it.

"No, at least let me take you down the slope. It will be easier to get a taxi." Wu Geng said.

"Xiao Xiao, Xiao Xiao!" Ikoma squatted in front of the TV and called her, "What should I do with the video tapes? I stuffed them all in the drawer?"

"Don't! You should sort it out for me, don't stuff it randomly!"

"How do you classify them? Come and sort them out." Ikoma waved to her.

Wu Geng looked at Zhong Yuan, hesitant. At this time, Xi Ye came over.

"Let me see Zhongyuan Sang off, it's not far anyway," she said.

Wu Gen still remembered the strange atmosphere at the dinner table, but Zhongyuan said, "Okay, I'll bother Nishino-san" and agreed directly.

Nishino put on his coat, changed his shoes at the entrance, and went out with Zhongyuan. He stayed at the same place without even having time to express his position.

"Xiao Xiao, come here quickly." Ikoma urged her.

"I'm coming!"

Wu Geng sighed, thinking that nothing could go wrong.

——

The problem was that Zhongyuan did not plan carefully, but relied on his momentum to find Wu Geng. Later, he was bumped into by Nishino and dragged into the party, which almost messed up the relaxed atmosphere.

God knows why Zhongyuan was so excited when he heard Nishino's invitation that he casually accepted it. It wasn't until he sat down that he reacted belatedly. Rather than attending a temporary party, it was more like visiting a party.

No wonder Nishino has such an attitude towards her.

It's like a small animal has invaded its divided territory without permission, so it arches its body as if facing a formidable enemy and raises its tail high, making a threatening gesture.

Zhongyuan naturally felt apologetic. Because of her sudden arrival, she also felt guilty about competing for her friend. However, she was not a soft-tempered person. After being provoked by Nishino's two questions, she became increasingly confrontational. Benming Chocolate's

Although I said it was a joke, it was my sincerity.

After sitting down, she originally planned to find an opportunity to leave after giving away the chocolates, but Nishino's words aroused her competitive spirit, and she thought about how to make a comeback, so she just gave away the chocolates at that time.

Now that she thinks about it, Zhongyuan's cheeks feel hot. This is the first time in her life that she has acted so proactively.

He and Nishino walked out of the door and walked down the ramp. The two of them were silent at the same time.

Zhongyuan and Nishino were not familiar with each other. Although they had many opportunities to meet each other, they had not spoken to each other a few times.

Under the light of the street lamp, she inadvertently glanced at the other person's side face, and felt that today's contact was very different from her own impression. At least, she was not as harmless as the rumors said.

Silently all the way, Nishino walked her to the intersection below the slope.

Xi Ye did not leave, but stood with Zhong Yuan, seemingly waiting for the bus with her.

Both of them had a lot to say to each other, but neither one spoke first. They seemed to be engaged in a silent confrontation, and whoever spoke first lost half the battle. A delicate balance was formed between the two.

, the noise of the streets, and the long and sharp sound of car horns on the road failed to break it.

Finally, Zhongyuan stopped an empty car and got in.

"Nishino-san."

She rolled down the window and shouted to Nishino who turned to leave.

Nishino paused for a moment, then slowly turned around, his eyes falling on Zhongyuan's face in the car window. Most of her shoulders were sunk in the blurry darkness, and she couldn't see anything clearly, but her eyes were as bright as those in the summer night sky.

star.

"Nishino-san." Zhongyuan said.

"Nishino-san and Shiyao-chan have been together since the early days, so everyone thinks that Shiyao-chan only belongs to Nishino-san..."

"but……"

"Actually, Shixiao-chan doesn't belong to anyone, right?"

Nishino's expression remained unchanged, and she didn't reply. But her heart gradually sank, sank, sank, into the dark deep sea, where no sound or light could penetrate.

Nishino stood there for a while, and then she slowly walked back until the car carrying Zhongyuan was far away.
Chapter completed!