"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.