Lu Youran and her boyfriend were waiting at the door. Seeing her arrive, Lu Youran said warmly:
"Quick, quick, you're the only one missing. This is my childhood sweetheart.
"And also my boyfriend, Jing Xiao."
Introducing the boy beside her, Lu Youran showed a rare girlish charm.
Before this, Wen Tingxue had never seen her like this.
It seemed she really liked him.
"Hello."
Jing Xiao smiled politely.
He was handsome and refined, the type that would make one's heart flutter during adolescence.
More importantly, he had an air of academic brilliance about him.
Steady and distant.
He just wasn't very photogenic.
He looked much better in person than in photos.
-
"Why are you only here now? We've already ordered quite a bit. See if there's anything else you want to order?"
Meng Xiyao, in a sweet voice, handed over the menu.
She was dressed exceptionally well today, even wearing false eyelashes.
As she spoke, her eyes sparkled, drawing particular attention.
Wen Tingxue knew nothing about makeup, but she could tell this was a "no-makeup" makeup look.
It seemed as if she hadn't put on any makeup, but all the necessary steps had been taken.
Yet, she looked pure and innocent, a look that could undoubtedly captivate any man.
As Wen Tingxue took the menu, Lu Youran said with a smile,
"Don't be shy, order whatever you like. My Xiao Xiao has quite a bit of money."
Jing Xiao nodded in agreement, his expression not exactly doting, but certainly indulgent.
The two of them sitting together were undoubtedly a perfect match, made for each other.
Wen Tingxue smiled, "Okay, I'll take a look first."
As she finished speaking, Meng Xiyao beside her suddenly blinked and asked,
"Brother Jing Xiao is that generous? Does he own a mine?"
Her soft, sweet voice made her seem even more innocent and cute.
She happened to be sitting directly opposite Jing Xiao, maximizing her impact.
Jing Xiao was indeed affected by her steady gaze, and he chuckled, "Not exactly."
"Oh~~"
Meng Xiyao drew out her tone, satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
Judging by her tone, his family was at least well-off.
He was a good catch.
Brother Jing Xiao...
Wen Tingxue's appetite decreased by half, and she listlessly ordered a few skewers.
The waiter took the menu and left.
Lu Youran, unaware of Meng Xiyao's thoughts, chatted enthusiastically with her.
Although the topic had nothing to do with Jing Xiao, Meng Xiyao always managed to steer it back to him.
Jing Xiao occasionally chimed in.
No matter what was said, Meng Xiyao would display an appropriately adoring expression.
Then, in a voice that was sweet but not cloying, half-whining, half-pitying, she would say:
"Wow! Is that so? Brother Jing Xiao is amazing, I don't understand any of it~"
Wen Tingxue wanted to say something several times.
But she felt it was unnecessary, after all, the person concerned didn't seem to mind.
...
This barbecue restaurant was the most popular in the area.
With the start of the new semester, the food was served a bit slower.
But the taste was excellent.
With each bite, Wen Tingxue felt her mood improve significantly.
Even Meng Xiyao quieted down, looking down as she took small bites of the lamb skewers.
Her movements were remarkably delicate.
Lu Youran loved food the most, and when she tasted something delicious, she couldn't stop eating.
"We can definitely come back here again, the taste is absolutely amazing!"
As she said this, she nudged her boyfriend with her elbow, seeking his agreement:
"Don't you think this taste is very similar to the barbecue place near the alley we used to live in when we were kids, right at the entrance of the alley?"
Jing Xiao savored the thought, "It is a bit similar, but I still think the one at the alley entrance was tastier."
Lu Youran laughed heartily, "Right, right, what we remember is always the best."
"Right—"
Jing Xiao was about to nod when he caught sight of a few oil stains on her face out of the corner of his eye, and he couldn't help but gently poke her forehead.
"You."
"Hm?" Lu Youran blinked, not understanding.
Jing Xiao pulled out a tissue to wipe her face, "You'll never grow up, you look like a little raccoon when you eat barbecue."
"Hehe, it's because I'm with you."
As she spoke, Lu Youran leaned closer, "Wipe it clean, or I'll bite you!"
Jing Xiao let out a soft scoff.
What was initially a sweet scene was interrupted by Meng Xiyao.
"Oh no—"
She pouted and shook her hand, then handed the unopened drink to Jing Xiao, who had just finished with the tissue.
In a weak voice, she asked, "Brother Jing Xiao, I can't open it. Can you help me?"
"Let me help you."
Lu Youran put down her skewer, "Give it to me."
"Can you do it?" Meng Xiyao withdrew slightly, "Why don't you let Brother Jing Xiao do it? Boys have more strength."
She pushed the drink towards Jing Xiao's hand.
"It's just opening a drink, does it matter if it's a boy or a girl?"
Wen Tingxue finally lost her patience and spoke up, "Why don't you just say you want Youran's boyfriend to open it for you?"
"..."
The atmosphere fell silent for a second.
Jing Xiao's hand, which had instinctively reached out, immediately retracted.
Bang—
Meng Xiyao slammed the drink onto the table with considerable force, her face flushed with anger.
"What do you mean by that?! Do you think I'm trying to seduce Youran's boyfriend?!"
"Aren't you?" Wen Tingxue glanced sideways, looking at her calmly.
"You call him 'brother' one moment and 'brother' the next.
"Youran is his girlfriend, and she doesn't even call him that intimately.
"As her roommate, do you think that's appropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it?" Meng Xiyao casually tossed her hair.
"I've always spoken this way. If Youran doesn't like to call him that, that's her business.
"Are you saying that just because she doesn't call him that, I can't?"
She spoke with such conviction that Wen Tingxue was almost amused to the point of anger, "You..."
"Oh dear," Lu Youran quickly intervened, "It's not a big deal. Calling each other brother and sister, we do that all the time in our alley."
"Did you hear that?" Meng Xiyao raised her eyebrows triumphantly. "Youran thinks it's fine, so you're being too petty."
Wen Tingxue: "..."
Forget it.
She shouldn't have said anything.
She ended up being the bad guy no matter what.
"You shouldn't talk like that!" Lu Youran playfully slapped Meng Xiyao, "Xue Bao meant well."
Meng Xiyao gave a perfunctory smile and then, with a look of innocence, acted coquettishly towards Jing Xiao.
"I don't really like this drink, can Brother Jing Xiao treat us to some milk tea?"
"Sure," Jing Xiao put down his skewer and asked, "What flavors do you want? I'll go buy them."
"I'll go with you," Meng Xiyao said, "My taste is quite particular, I'm afraid you won't remember."
Jing Xiao looked hesitantly at Lu Youran.
Lu Youran was busy eating and waved her hand without looking up.
...
By the time they finished eating, it was already dark.
After Lu Youran saw Jing Xiao off, she rubbed her stomach and headed back to the dorm with everyone.
"I'm so full, shall we take a walk on the sports field?"
She was already lagging behind, and as she spoke, she held onto Wen Tingxue's arm, pulling Wen Tingxue along with her.
"..."
Wen Tingxue was a little angry at first.
But the moment Lu Youran acted cute, her anger subsided.
Besides, Lu Youran was truly a straightforward person.
She couldn't see Meng Xiyao's ulterior motives, nor did she realize she had angered someone.
It was really not worth getting upset with her.
"Okay," Wen Tingxue nodded, then called out, "Are you guys going to the sports field?"
Jiao Yutong turned her head, and before she could speak, Meng Xiyao said, "I don't think I'll go."
A hint of urgency flashed in her eyes, "I have something to do, I'm going back to the dorm."
With that, she left without looking back.
Jiao Yutong paused for a moment and said, "I'll go."
As the three of them reached the sports field, back in the dorm, Meng Xiyao received a friend request from Jing Xiao.
"She took the bait..."
Meng Xiyao held her phone, a look of absolute confidence on her face.
The next one is...
She recalled the voice that made her body go weak.
She then remembered Wen Tingxue's aggressive demeanor today.
A shadow instantly fell over her eyes.
You dare ruin my plans, I'll make you taste what it's like to be cheated on!