The Art of Delivering Meals: Different Impressions Among Colleagues

No wonder she’s called the Thousand-Faced Fox.

Every message she sends is packed with layers of meaning.

Lin Yu deliberately addressed her as "Sister He Jing" in his message, deliberately creating a sense of distance between them.

By proactively suggesting "call me sister," she was hinting that Lin Yu shouldn’t be so formal—subtly nudging their secret, behind-the-scenes connection closer.

She didn’t say she was busy, nor did she say she wasn’t.

What she wanted to convey was simple:

Chatting with him wasn’t bound by time.

Talk whenever, talk boldly.

"At your aunt’s flower shop" meant "come by anytime, we can meet."

And to reassure Lin Yu after his message withdrawal, she deliberately emphasized: Our chats? Your aunt doesn’t know.

So chat freely, without hesitation.

What big schemes could a college student possibly have? Just go all out—she’d cover for him.

This was why some people could hit a home run after just a day or two of chatting,

while others would still be stuck on "what’s your favorite color" after half a year.

When it came to flirting, the skill gap was glaringly obvious.

He Jing? Undisputed champion-tier.

But Lin Yu’s attention wasn’t on these loaded hints.

Instead, he zeroed in on one critical detail: "waiting for Boss Yi."

Earlier that morning, while grocery shopping, Aunt Qimeng had texted him:

"Handle lunch yourself today, something came up at the shop."

The date for finalizing orders was still far off.

It wasn’t the usual weekly rose delivery time either.

So why was Yi Haizhou visiting the shop now?

Something’s fishy.

Thankfully, his idle chitchat had uncovered this crucial intel.

Seemed like today’s peaceful lunch break was about to be ruined.

To preempt any underhanded plotting between He Jing and Yi Haizhou—two absolute foxes—

he’d have to swing by the shop early.

Besides, he still needed to pick up flowers for Mo Shangying’s client. Going sooner wouldn’t hurt.

...

At 11 a.m., Lin Yu got dressed and headed downstairs.

At the first-floor landing, he ran into his "little girlfriend," Chi Qingshui.

Though she replied to messages at a snail’s pace,

her texts were the longest and most frequent in his chats.

(Then again, managing two WeChat accounts wasn’t exactly convenient.

Slow replies? Understandable.)

Spotting Lin Yu, Chi Qingshui immediately clasped her hands behind her back,

stepping aside to clear the stairway with an oddly guilty expression.

"Why are you looking at me like a thief? Steal my money or something?" Lin Yu teased.

"Who’d want your money? I have my own," she shot back, eyes sharp.

"Didn’t you just get back? Going out again?"

Lin Yu ambled down the steps. "Yeah, heading to Aunt Qimeng’s shop. Wanna… come along?"

Chi Qingshui blinked, tilting her chin up haughtily.

"Why would I tag along to Aunt Qimeng’s? You’re being weird!"

After spending the morning effortlessly outmaneuvering "Big Chi,"

here she was, barely two hours later, back to her tsundere honor-student persona.

Clearly, the road ahead was long.

Right now, though, Lin Yu didn’t have time to dwell on her antics.

From his chat with He Jing, he knew Yi Haizhou would arrive around noon.

As a schemer with ulterior motives, punctuality was practically guaranteed.

Grabbing lunch would take time.

If he showed up late, who knew what chaos might unfold?

Lin Yu: "Fine, suit yourself. Water my plants if you get the chance."

Chi Qingshui: "Hmph—wait, why should I? You’re so strange!"

Lin Yu: "Thanks."

Chi Qingshui: "......"

Only after Lin Yu left did she finally unclasp her hands, revealing two film theory books.

She smacked them lightly against her forehead.

Am I an idiot? What am I even doing?

After their morning outing, she’d impulsively grabbed these to give to him.

Thank god he’d left.

Handing them over would’ve been beyond awkward.

Sure, they were "roommates" and "classmates,"

but they weren’t that close.

Was it because of how Lin Yu acted earlier,

confirming her place in his mind,

that she’d lost all common sense?

Cheeks burning, she muttered to herself:

"Punishment: two hours of nonstop studying."

...

[Ding!]

[Masterful maneuvering! Your flawless daily performance has left your destined partner utterly flustered, lost in thought!]

[Reward: 50 Spirit Stones.]

Lin Yu, already outside: "???"

What the hell are you up to, little genius?

"Utterly flustered, lost in thought"?

Don’t tell me she’s watching… certain videos and imagining him?

Damn, you’re something else.

Even while buying lunch, Lin Yu kept up his banter with He Jing.

He mentioned he’d be dropping by with food,

and took the chance to double-check: "Is Boss Yi here yet? Should I grab him a meal?"

The answer remained unchanged: "Around noon, no need to bring his."

Good—no schedule shifts.

The takeout was nothing fancy, just a simple boxed meal.

If it's a real feast, it certainly shouldn't end up in He Jing's mouth.

When Lin Yu arrived at the flower shop, it was ten minutes to noon.

Delivering food at this hour wouldn’t seem out of place.

As expected, only Chen Qimeng and He Jing were inside the shop.

"Qimeng, your little hottie is so diligent!" He Jing remarked the moment Lin Yu walked in.

"Huh? Lin Yu, why are you…" Chen Qimeng’s puzzled words trailed off mid-sentence as she noticed the takeout boxes in his hands.

Lin Yu raised the two meal boxes and said,

"I knew you’d be too busy to eat, so I brought lunch."

"Let’s take a break and eat first. Whatever you’re working on can wait, okay?"

He Jing reacted swiftly, setting down the vase she was holding.

"When the handsome young man gives an order, we’d better obey."

"Qimeng, let’s eat first."

Chen Qimeng smiled gently.

"Thank you, Lin Yu. But really… you don’t have to bring food every day. I won’t starve."

Before responding, Lin Yu deliberately glanced at He Jing.

Then he set the meals down and said,

"It’s no trouble. I’m free at home, so dropping by is easy."

[Ding!]

[Masterful move—your sincere and consistent care has left the acting sect leader’s heart fluttering!]

[Reward: 20 spirit stones.]

[Ding!]

[Perfect disguise—your suggestive concern has cracked open the Thousand-Faced Fox’s defenses!]

[Reward: 20 spirit stones.]

With that performance, Lin Yu had intentionally left gaps for interpretation, letting imaginations run wild.

In Chen Qimeng’s mind:

Lin Yu has really become so considerate!

Back when I didn’t come home, he never bothered with things like delivering meals.

Is this what it’s like when a guy finally gets a clue?

In He Jing’s mind:

Kid, you only came because I’m here, didn’t you? Trying to see me?

You can’t even lie properly!

If you’re really here because your aunt’s working hard, why did you bring three meals?

Good thing Chen Qimeng’s too slow to notice we’ve been secretly in touch.

My charm really hasn’t faded one bit.

In Lin Yu’s mind:

One lunch delivery.

Successfully infiltrated the hearts of both the virtuous woman and the one pretending to be virtuous.

Better make this a regular thing, my friend!