In their many verbal sparring matches, Tian Jiajia had always won more than she lost against Zhang Peng.
This gave her a sense of smugness whenever she faced him.
However, now that she had accepted her feelings and was waiting for Zhang Peng to confess, he seemed to have completely disregarded her as a potential love interest.
This left Tian Jiajia feeling deeply frustrated, as if she had suffered a significant defeat, and a sense of unreleased anger brewed within her.
"Nuannuan? Do I... lack the charm of a girl?" she suddenly asked.
"How could you say that!"
Xia Nuannuan immediately denied it, her expression earnest as she said, "Jiajia, why would you think that? You're so beautiful, how could you lack charm!"
"But..."
Tian Jiajia hesitated, her gaze drifting downwards to the pair of "great weapons" that she envied immensely.
Xia Nuannuan followed her line of sight with a confused look and immediately flushed, covering herself with her hands.
"Jiajia, what are you doing?"
"Look at you, then look at me. That's why I say I lack feminine charm!"
Tian Jiajia sighed, looking down at her own less-endowed figure.
"What are you talking about? Who says this represents charm?"
"Heh, you're like the rich not knowing the struggles of the poor. Boys like this, you know. Haven't you heard? Eighty percent of a woman's charm is in this."
"Really?"
Xia Nuannuan blinked in surprise. She had never heard this before.
"Then think about it, when you were with Qin Tian, did he often steal glances?" Tian Jiajia asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Xia Nuannuan paused again, shaking her head. "No!"
"Then he's just good at hiding it. I can guarantee he's been eyeing you for a long time." Tian Jiajia said with certainty.
"Ah?"
Xia Nuannuan's face turned bright red.
"Speaking of which, do you have any secret recipes? Like milk and papaya, or something? Teach me, I eat these things often but they don't work!"
"What are you talking about? I don't have any secret recipes, I just eat normally."
"Sigh, so it really is natural talent then."
Tian Jiajia sighed, then cast another envious glance.
"Oh, where did we go? We were talking about you." Xia Nuannuan realized, trying to steer the conversation back.
"Yes, we are. It's precisely because I lack 'feminine power' that he doesn't see me as a girl!"
"No, that's absolutely impossible. Believe me."
"Then tell me, shouldn't boys dote on girls they like? Why does he so readily use me as a maid, even though it's what I should be doing?"
"This..."
Xia Nuannuan was momentarily speechless.
"So, forget it, let's not talk about it anymore. Let him do as he pleases, I'm certainly not going to make the first move."
Tian Jiajia waved her hand, deciding to let fate take its course.
Xia Nuannuan didn't know what else to say, as she wasn't privy to Zhang Peng's thoughts.
Given her own personality, she also believed that girls should be reserved and not too forward.
Thinking back, when she first developed feelings for Qin Tian, if he hadn't made the first move, she might not have had the courage to confess her own feelings.
...
...
After the two girls returned with water, they chatted for a while longer before Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan took their leave from the hospital.
As usual, Qin Tian walked Xia Nuannuan home. After leaving the hospital, he relayed Zhang Peng's words to her.
"So, Zhang Peng is planning to confess?" Xia Nuannuan asked, her face beaming as she held his arm.
"Mhm!"
Qin Tian nodded with a smile, adding, "I just don't know when. I hope he can be more of a man about it."
"Hehe... I knew it. Jiajia was just overthinking. She's so beautiful, how could Zhang Peng not see her as a girl?" Xia Nuannuan said, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Doesn't see her as a girl? Why?" Qin Tian asked, a little confused.
"It's just..."
Xia Nuannuan instinctively started to explain, then remembered their conversation while buying water. Her face turned red at an observable speed.
She released his arm and, with a slightly unnatural tone, changed her words. "It's just that I feel Zhang Peng doesn't like her, so he hasn't considered her in that way."
"I see!"
Qin Tian nodded as if suddenly understanding, but he found her behavior peculiar. "Are you alright? Why is your face so red?"
"No, I'm fine!" Xia Nuannuan shook her head frantically.
"Could you be catching a cold? Let me feel!" Qin Tian reached out as if to touch her forehead.
Xia Nuannuan misunderstood, letting out an exaggerated gasp and hugging herself defensively.
Qin Tian stopped in his tracks, his hand suspended in mid-air as he looked at her with a strange expression.
Something was wrong, very wrong! He felt as if he were being perceived as a pervert.
"Ah, I'm so sorry, I, I thought..." Xia Nuannuan released her arms, apologizing in a flustered manner.
"What did you think?" Qin Tian frowned.
"Nothing, I..." Seeing his expression, which seemed to be turning angry, Xia Nuannuan grew anxious but didn't know how to explain.
"Did Tian Jiajia talk to you about something?" Qin Tian asked seriously.
"Mhm!" Xia Nuannuan replied with a blushing face, gathering her courage to explain, "She was worried she lacked charm and said some strange things."
Hearing this, Qin Tian could guess what had happened with reasonable certainty. When it came to women's charm, their physical attributes were the most obvious, and the most significant difference between Tian Jiajia and Xia Nuannuan... Well, it was already quite clear!
"And then, as you were talking, did it turn to me?" Qin Tian asked, his expression darkening.
Xia Nuannuan shyly lowered her head.
"This Tian Jiajia!" Qin Tian shook his head, a mix of amusement and exasperation on his face, and continued walking.
Xia Nuannuan hurried to catch up, once again wrapping her arm around his.
"Brother, you're not angry, are you?"
"No!"
"Really not?"
"Alright, when you misunderstood me just now, I was a little."
"I'm sorry, it was a reflex." Xia Nuannuan apologized again, her face filled with guilt.
Qin Tian glanced at her, awkwardly touching his nose. He then added, "Actually, it wasn't entirely a misunderstanding. Men, as long as they're breathing, are all lustful. I'm no exception."
Xia Nuannuan remained silent, blushing shyly. After walking a few steps, she held his arm even tighter.
She suddenly remembered Qin Tian had once said he liked her holding his arm like this. Before, she had simply thought he liked it, and she also enjoyed walking arm in arm. Now, she finally understood the true meaning behind it.
"Cough cough!" Qin Tian cleared his throat.
Xia Nuannuan's pretty face flushed, and she suddenly lowered her head, saying softly, "Next time... you, you can do this, and I won't dodge."
"Gulp!" Qin Tian's throat constricted, and he felt a fire surge within him. This little vixen was becoming increasingly bold! No, he had to 'discipline' her next time! Speaking of which, this was truly a beautiful misunderstanding!