Meng Xiyao's face instantly soured.
What did that mean?
Was she expected to only associate with poor guys like Bian Wei?
Who did they think they were looking down on!
If she were to find someone, it would be a young rich second-generation like Jing Xiao.
What was Bian Wei?
Aside from decent grades, he had no family background. When would he ever establish himself in the capital?
"No, no," Meng Xiyao said coolly. "It's a senior. You'll know when you meet him."
"Oh..."
Wen Tingxue recalled Bian Wei's phone call. He had later explained it was a mistake and he had meant to call Meng Xiyao.
Considering Meng Xiyao's current attitude, Wen Tingxue didn't doubt him too much.
"Then, how about tomorrow evening?"
With her boyfriend present, she would likely be more restrained.
Meng Xiyao agreed. "Okay, I'll pick the place. I've already scouted out most of the restaurants around here, so I know which ones are good better than you do."
Wen Tingxue couldn't refute that.
"Alright then."
It was just a meal, it wouldn't cause much trouble, right?
The next evening.
Wen Tingxue dragged her suitcase back to the dorm. Lu Youran, who was already back, looked up lazily. "Xuebao, why are you wearing so much?"
She widened her eyes in surprise. "In just a few minutes, has it dropped below freezing outside?"
"Not quite, but there's a saying: a cold you feel is a cold your boyfriend thinks you feel."
Wen Tingxue spread her hands helplessly, a sweet smile evident on her face.
Lu Youran pouted. "Stop feeding me dog food. I don't know what's up with my Xiao Xiao lately."
"He not only replies slowly but also constantly finds fault with me. I'm almost developing a psychological disorder."
As she spoke, she looked at her phone again.
Wen Tingxue paused as she took off her coat. "Aren't you neighbors? What's wrong? He didn't go home for the National Day holiday?"
"Go home, my ass!"
Lu Youran angrily tossed her phone aside.
Turning, she rolled up her sleeves and complained to Wen Tingxue.
"Tell me, during the seven days of the National Day holiday, how much money could he make?
"He promised to go home with me, and I already bought the tickets. But he didn't show up!
"When I called him, he told me he'd found a tutoring job and wasn't planning to go back.
"Fine! If he wants to make money, I support him. But—"
Even after several days, Lu Youran's voice was choked with tears as she spoke about it.
Wen Tingxue immediately handed her a tissue.
"Thanks."
Lu Youran tearfully accepted the tissue and said while crying:
"But, but why didn't he tell me beforehand? I'm his girlfriend.
"Shouldn't he consult me before making any decisions?
"I'm not blaming him for not asking my opinion, I'm just saying, next time something like this happens, can you discuss it with me in advance?
"Don't catch me off guard, and then he loudly questions me, saying I'm trying to control him..."
As she reached the most painful part, Lu Youran cried even harder.
Wen Tingxue hugged her and soothed her, listening as she sobbed in her arms:
"Let me tell you, I really wasn't harsh with him. My tone was very calm, but he just thought I was being unreasonable.
"Because of this, he's been cold to me lately. He didn't even pick me up when I returned to school... and now, he's not even replying to my messages."
Lu Youran really wanted to hold back her tears and not look so pathetic.
But tears were sometimes uncontrollable.
She truly didn't know what she had done wrong to deserve this torment from him.
He had never been like this before.
Even before they were together, he had never neglected her like this.
If it weren't for his aunt urging him during the seven days of the National Day holiday, he wouldn't have replied at all.
Sometimes, when he got annoyed by the urging, he would even blame her for being too talkative...
Meng Xiyao bounced back and pushed open the door, pausing for a moment when she saw them hugging.
"What's going on? Who upset her?"
She looked at Lu Youran, who was crying buckets, and asked Wen Tingxue.
"Jing Xiao," Wen Tingxue replied in a low voice.
Meng Xiyao let out a meaningful "Ah." "I thought it was something serious. Boyfriend, huh? If he's no good, just get a new one."
"Don't say another word," Wen Tingxue frowned, displeased.
Meng Xiyao slightly smirked, looking pleased with herself.
Can't handle that already?
It seemed like a breakup was just around the corner.
Meng Xiyao, in a good mood, scrolled through the dozen messages Jing Xiao had sent.
Most of them were photos, taken on the road or after returning to his dorm.
He even meticulously photographed the milk tea shop she had casually mentioned.
He wasn't being perfunctory at all, unlike when they first started contacting each other.
Meng Xiyao picked a few to reply flirtatiously, and finally, pretended to be pitiful: "After eating and drinking with you, I don't even have money to buy milk tea anymore."
Jing Xiao immediately transferred 520 yuan.
Although he paid for everything during the National Day holiday, it was a willing exchange.
Meng Xiyao clicked her finger and received the payment.
Then she found Lu Youran's WeChat account and transferred money.
"I've sent you the money for the hand cream."
When Lu Youran had cried enough, Meng Xiyao spoke.
Lu Youran nodded, her spirits low. "Okay."
Meng Xiyao looked at her red eyes, feeling a sense of exhilaration after her conquest.
Childhood sweethearts, so what? Still taken down by me!
Men, of course, the ones belonging to others are the best.
When Jiao Yutong returned from the bookstore, Meng Xiyao led them to the restaurant.
"Which restaurant is it? What's the signature dish? Is it good?"
Lu Youran asked a string of questions.
She firmly believed that only good food could heal the heart.
Therefore, as soon as she heard someone was treating them tonight, she perked up considerably.
Meng Xiyao replied perfunctorily a few times, then shifted the conversation to Wen Tingxue.
"The jacket on your chair, is that your boyfriend's?"
"Yes, why?"
"That's a very expensive brand. Is your boyfriend's family quite wealthy?"
Her eyes sparkled at the mention of "wealthy."
Wen Tingxue: "..."
"It's okay, I'm not very familiar with brands." She didn't want to chat much.
Lu Youran, however, chimed in. "Of course he's wealthy! He was playing in a band at twelve or thirteen. He's definitely from a rich family!
"The key thing is, he's incredibly, incredibly good to Xuebao! The deep affection is visible to the naked eye!"
Wen Tingxue: "..."
"I see..." Meng Xiyao's interest grew even more intense.
She liked rich young men the most.
His voice was also so charming.
As for deep affection...
Heh, how many men could be truly devoted?
However—
Meng Xiyao thought regretfully, such a near-perfect man probably doesn't look that great.
After all, you can't have everything.
At the entrance of the restaurant, Wen Tingxue saw Meng Xiyao's boyfriend.
Well... he was an acquaintance.
The pink-haired guy who had sent her the water card.
The pink-haired guy was also surprised to see her. "You two are roommates?"
"Mhm, senior, hello." Wen Tingxue replied faintly.
The pink-haired guy gave an awkward smile. "Hello, hello to both of you."
Damn it.
If he had known this girl's roommate was a participant he found attractive, he wouldn't have come!
For a performance fee of a few thousand yuan, he might lose a future girlfriend. What a loss.
"Where's your boyfriend? Why isn't he here yet?"
After getting acquainted, Meng Xiyao urged, looking at Wen Tingxue.
Pink-haired guy: "?"
She has a boyfriend?
Then the performance fee of a few thousand yuan is more appealing.
However, he was curious to see what kind of guy could attract a participant he found attractive.
If he wasn't that good, he might still have a chance.
"He should... be here soon."
Wen Tingxue looked up from her WeChat and gazed towards the crowded roadside.
Everyone followed her gaze.
The next second, a cool sports car screeched to a halt by the roadside, kicking up fallen leaves.
Pink-haired guy: "?"
No way, he's this rich?
Meng Xiyao's eyes widened instantly.
This car!
She had seen Lan Shuo drive one, it was incredibly expensive, enough to buy a house!
Amidst the dappled shade of the trees, the gull-wing doors lifted.
Immediately after, a tall, long-legged young man emerged from the passenger seat.
His exceptionally superior proportions, even without seeing his face clearly, gave him an aura of standing out from the crowd.
As he approached, Meng Xiyao couldn't suppress her infatuation.
She had never seen a young man with such noble bearing and striking looks.
It was as if he was destined to be accompanied by luxury cars.
Coming to this restaurant was practically beneath him!
Meng Xiyao resisted the urge to step forward.
She knew that such a guy would be hard to win over.
She needed to be patient.
The dining place was a well-known stir-fry restaurant.
The environment was elegant, and the layout was well-arranged.
Meng Xiyao briefly introduced the specialty dishes and then remained relatively quiet.
Her gaze, actions, and tone of voice were all normal.
Completely unlike her behavior when she last saw Jing Xiao.
Wen Tingxue looked at her curiously, wondering if she had truly mended her ways, or if it was because her boyfriend was present.
Or perhaps, she had ulterior motives?
Wen Tingxue didn't want to assume the worst of people and simply thought she had genuinely restrained herself.
During casual conversation, all the dishes were served.
Meng Xiyao proactively served a bowl of soup to Wen Tingxue. "The soup here is excellent. You all should try it."
She served a bowl to everyone.
Wen Tingxue scooped a spoonful with her spoon and found the taste to be good. Just as she was about to drink more, her hair got in the way.
"Here!"
She offered her right hand, which had a small hair tie, to Yu Wenli.
Yu Wenli happened to reach out at the same time.
Their level of默契 (mòqì - understanding/chemistry) was almost perfect.
Lu Youran sipped the soup enviously.
Once they made up, she definitely wanted to enjoy this kind of treatment too!
Meng Xiyao lowered her gaze, hiding the jealousy in her eyes.
It was true that comparing oneself to others could be infuriating.
Why couldn't she find a handsome, wealthy, and devoted young man?
Why did all the good things happen to her, Wen Tingxue?
This was too unfair!
Fortunately... her good days were coming to an end.
Recalling Lan Shuo's plan, Meng Xiyao suddenly didn't feel so angry anymore.
After the meal, the pink-haired guy suggested going for karaoke.
He refused to believe that if he couldn't compete in looks and wealth, he would also be inferior in singing.
Having finally met a participant he found attractive, he definitely wanted to leave a good impression!
"So? Dare to compete with me?"
The pink-haired guy provocatively tilted his chin at Yu Wenli.
Yu Wenli: "..."
Lu Youran: Good heavens, why pick a fight about singing of all things...
"It's okay if you don't sing well. We're all friends here, no one will laugh at you."
Yu Wenli's long silence made the pink-haired guy think he wouldn't, and his confidence soared.
"Come on! It's just the two of us guys today, let's have a competition, okay?"
He pushed the microphone towards Yu Wenli, or rather, shoved it at him.
This chapter feels a bit weak (well, not just a bit). I did my best, and I'll revise it when I have the chance.