"Little Yu, don't you think Chuan Chuan is being so unreasonable? I made him breakfast this morning, and right after eating, he tried to kick me out!"
"It’s like he thinks I’m in the way, like I’m some third wheel. He must be planning to make a move on that girl!"
At Luo Xi’s home, the young girl sat on the edge of her bed, clutching her pillow tightly as she vented over the phone.
On the other end, her best friend An Shiyu let out an indifferent "Hah" after hearing Luo Xi’s complaints. "Well, if Ye Chuan is trying to pursue someone, you are kind of a third wheel, aren’t you?"
"At the very least…" Luo Xi’s voice softened as she stared at her toes, "he could’ve let me stay for a cup of tea."
"Stop being dramatic," An Shiyu scoffed.
"Wha—?! That’s so mean!" Luo Xi’s eyes widened. She hadn’t done anything wrong—she just thought it was unfair for Ye Chuan to shoo her away so quickly.
"You never had a problem when Ye Chuan dated other girls before. Why are you making such a big deal out of it this time?" An Shiyu asked. "Did that girl offend you or something?"
"It’s different! Before, Chuan Chuan only stuck around those girls for free meals—he never had any real feelings for them!" Luo Xi blurted out. "But this girl is rich, gorgeous, and Ye Chuan treats her like she’s made of glass!"
"Oh, I get it. The other girls were just flings you knew wouldn’t last, but this rich beauty actually makes you feel threatened, huh?" An Shiyu said bluntly.
"That’s not…" Luo Xi squirmed, unable to refute the accusation.
Because it was true.
Ye Chuan had never cared about those other girls, but with Bai Qianshuang, he was gentle, protective—like she was something precious.
It was different.
Completely different.
An Shiyu had no patience for Luo Xi’s hesitance. "If you really like him, just confess already. Hiding behind this ‘best buddy’ act isn’t going to magically turn into romance. Or do you actually want to end up as just ‘one of the guys’?"
"Of course not! But we’ve known each other for so long—how am I supposed to just say I’ve liked him since we were kids?" Luo Xi glanced around and lowered her voice.
"If you keep dragging your feet, you’ll regret it," An Shiyu warned. "Next thing you know, you’ll be trailing behind that girl, crying, ‘Sis, don’t steal my man~’ or something pathetic like that."
"......"
Luo Xi stayed silent.
"No response? Fine, I’m hanging up. Data’s expensive out here," An Shiyu said.
"Wait! Keep me company a little longer. I’ll treat you to milk tea!" Luo Xi quickly changed the subject. "By the way, what’s the deal with Huang Haotian?"
"How should I know? He’s been blabbing everywhere, even setting up some big challenge. Probably wants to humiliate Ye Chuan in front of everyone?" An Shiyu didn’t care much for gossip.
"I see…"
"If Ye Chuan wants to take the challenge, let him. Worst case, he gets beaten up and spends a few weeks in bed. He won’t die," An Shiyu said casually.
"But Chuan Chuan’s health is so weak!"
"Not that weak. He took down Huang Haotian and his goons before. If he’s confident enough to accept, he must have a plan."
Luo Xi had to admit An Shiyu had a point, even if she didn’t know where Ye Chuan’s confidence came from.
"Little Yu, you really think Chuan Chuan will be fine?"
"Who knows? He won’t die, at least. Maybe just break a leg?"
"That’s still dangerous!" Luo Xi protested.
Just then, the doorbell rang—
"Ding dong~~"
"Someone’s here. Gotta go," Luo Xi said, standing up.
"Whatever."
After hanging up, Luo Xi opened the door to find a familiar figure standing outside.
It was Ye Chuan, dressed in a fresh T-shirt, smiling at her.
"What are you doing here?" Luo Xi turned her head away. "You already kicked me out. Isn’t this a waste of your precious time?"
"Feel like treating you to a fancy meal," Ye Chuan said.
"Shouldn’t you be busy cozying up to Miss Bai? I wouldn’t want to interrupt. After all, I’m just the cook—make food and leave, right?" Luo Xi muttered.
"There’s a new hot pot place that just opened. Heard it’s amazing."
Luo Xi turned back. "I’d just be in your way."
"My treat. Let’s go now," Ye Chuan said with a grin.
Luo Xi pouted but tugged at his sleeve. "You still need to save money for your treatment. Let’s just eat at home."
"I’m cured," Ye Chuan said.
"No way…" Luo Xi froze when she looked at his face. Before, his complexion had been pale and sickly, but now, his cheeks were flushed with health, his entire demeanor radiating energy.
How?
She couldn’t believe it. Stranger still, even though nothing about him seemed different, he somehow looked hotter.
She reached out and poked his cheek. "Are you wearing makeup?"
"All natural, I swear," Ye Chuan said.
"But you didn’t look like this this morning!"
"Didn’t you know guys just need to wash their face to look completely different?" He laughed.
Luo Xi stared at him, unable to pinpoint what was off. Finally, she blurted, "Are you… having a final burst of energy before death?"
"......" Ye Chuan rolled his eyes.
"Just recovered, that’s all. Come on, Luo Xi, let’s go eat something good." He pulled her to his side as he turned.
Luo Xi blinked at him, then mumbled, "Okay…"
......
After hailing a cab, Ye Chuan took Luo Xi to a high-end restaurant—its lavish decor made it clear this wasn’t a cheap place.
"Chuan Chuan, seafood restaurants like this are crazy expensive. We can’t afford this," Luo Xi whispered.
"Relax. I said I’m paying, so I’m paying."
Seeing Ye Chuan stride in confidently, Luo Xi had no choice but to follow.
If things go south, I’ll just have to dip into my savings…
"Hello, table for how many?" a hostess greeted them.
"Two. A booth, please."
"Right this way."
Once seated, a server handed them menus.
Luo Xi’s eyes widened at the prices. "Chuan Chuan, this is insane! Look—588 for a single set, 1288 for the couple’s package!"
"Chuan Chuan, I’m not mad anymore. Let’s just sneak out… I’ll cover you," she whispered urgently.
She knew Ye Chuan had scraped together a few thousand for rent, but this was way beyond their budget.
"No worries." Ye Chuan flagged down the server and ordered the 1288 set.
"Chuan Chuan!" Luo Xi immediately grabbed his arm.
th】 【No prior gaming knowledge required】【The First Cultivation + Game Design Novel on the Platform】 In a world where the righteous path dominates and crushes the demonic sects, Lu Ze unlocks the "Son of the Demon Path" system. Killing righteous cultivators now grants him power-ups. Wait—deaths in illusions count too? As a former game designer, Lu Ze decides to give the cultivators of this world a little—no, a massive—shock... Sect Elders: "What is this 'Escape from the Demon Sect' game? Why have all our disciples abandoned cultivation to play it??" Elite Disciples: "You're saying... mastering 'Demon Slayer' can help us counter demonic schemes?" Reclusive Masters: "Why did I leave seclusion? Ask that backstabbing rat who ambushed me in 'Eternal Strife' yesterday!" Rogue Cultivators & Civilians: "'Immortal Abyss Action' is addictive! You can even earn spirit stones by loot-running..." Sect Prodigy: "My Dao heart is unshakable... except for that cursed black hammer." Royal Scions: "Can skins have stat boosts? I’ll pay 10,000 spirit stones for one!!" Sect Leader: "WHO IS CORRUPTING MY DISCIPLES?!!!"
reezy rom-com) Good news: Jiang Liu is quite the ladies' man. Bad news: He’s lost his memory. Lying in a hospital bed, Jiang Liu listens to a parade of goddesses spouting "absurd claims," feeling like the world is one giant game of Werewolf. "Jiang Liu, I’m your first love." "Jiang Liu, you’re my boyfriend—she’s your ex." "Jiang Liu, we’re close friends who’ve shared a bed, remember?" "Jiang Liu, I want to have your baby." The now-lucid Jiang Liu is convinced this must be some elaborate scam... until someone drops the bombshell: "The day before you lost your memory, you confessed your feelings—and got into a relationship." Jiang Liu is utterly baffled. So... who the hell is his actual girlfriend?! ... Before recovering his memories, Jiang Liu must navigate this minefield of lies and sincerity, fighting to protect himself from these women’s schemes. But things spiral even further out of control as more people show up at his doorstep—each with increasingly unhinged antics. On the bright side, the memories he lost due to overwhelming trauma seem to be resurfacing. Great news, right? So why are they all panicking now?
u Chenyuan transmigrated into a female-oriented novel about a real and fake heiress, becoming the CEO elder brother of both. Unfortunately, the entire Lu family—including himself, the CEO—were mere cannon fodder in the story. Determined to save himself, Lu Chenyuan took action. The spoiled, attention-seeking fake heiress? Thrown into the harsh realities of the working class to learn humility. The love-struck real heiress? Pushed toward academic excellence, so lofty goals would blind her to trivial romances. As for the betrayed, vengeful arranged marriage wife… the plot hadn’t even begun yet. There was still time—if he couldn’t handle her, he could at least avoid her. "CEO Lu, are you avoiding me?" Mo Qingli fixed her gaze on Lu Chenyuan. For the first time, the shrewd and calculating Lu Chenyuan felt a flicker of unease.
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
