TSFLIP Chapter 729

Facing the boy’s confession, the one whose face she couldn’t see replied with a gentle voice:
“I’m sorry, Jiao Ji, but I can’t accept your feelings.”

“Why?” The boy named Jiao Ji looked stricken, his fragile expression full of disbelief. “Is it just because I’m a guy too? I remember you once said in a speech that love isn’t about gender, and that’s why I… I finally…”

He had finally mustered the courage to confess.

“I do believe love isn’t bound by gender,” the boy said softly, “but the way I feel about you isn’t the same as how you feel about me. I’ve only ever thought of you as a younger classmate. Nothing more. I’m sorry.”

His voice was so kind, it didn’t sound like an excuse or a rejection. It carried no trace of cruelty.

Jiao Ji’s eyes widened in disbelief. “If you don’t have feelings for me… then why did you help me when Gu Lan bullied me? He even picked a fight with you because of it!”

“You misunderstood,” the boy replied with a hint of laughter in his voice. “I help anyone who gets bullied by Gu Lan. Besides… watching the so-called mafia crown prince lose his temper when he can’t win an argument is actually kind of entertaining.”

That laugh was light, pleasant—utterly free of malice.

Jiao Ji froze. “So that’s the only reason you helped me…”

“That’s right,” he answered calmly, with an almost playful undertone. “I’ve helped plenty of people—guys and girls alike. And as you probably know, I don’t have a girlfriend… or a boyfriend.”

After a pause, he added that last part deliberately.

Every word of his carried no hint of prejudice against same-sex love. He was simply stating a fact: he didn’t feel anything romantic for this boy named Jiao Ji.

Hurt flickered in Jiao Ji’s eyes, but he quickly forced a smile. “It’s okay if you don’t like me now. As long as I stay by your side, you’ll eventually see how good I am.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” the boy said, though his flat tone betrayed no hint of anticipation.

That was just the kind of person he was. Faced with a boy’s confession, he neither recoiled nor rejoiced. He responded with calm detachment.

Someone like him—so reserved, so impenetrable—was nearly impossible to read, much less win over.

Hiding behind the wall, Feng Guang stroked her chin thoughtfully. This guy’s definitely a tough nut to crack. That timid little boy will have his work cut out for him if he wants to win him over.

When she saw Jiao Ji walk away in disappointment, Feng Guang offered him a moment of silent pity without much sympathy, then turned to head back to class.

But a warm voice drifted up behind her:
“Have you seen enough?”

She froze. Slowly turning around, she finally saw the boy’s face. He looked about seventeen or eighteen, with short hair, the collar of his white shirt casually open, and the sleeves rolled halfway up his arms, showing smooth, fair skin. His eyes were deep and striking, his nose sharp and straight, and his lips curved in the faintest smile. Put together, it was a masterpiece that could only have been crafted by God Himself.

99 points!

Feng Guang silently scored him. A perfect 100 was possible, of course—but she deducted one point, because in her experience, guys with this kind of personality were always the hardest to win over.