Are you really capable or not

"Juan, over here." Xu Shuai spotted Wang Lijuan and her friends, waving his hand high.

"Why are you alone here?" Shen Mengjie couldn't help but ask when she saw only Xu Shuai waiting.

"Old Huang went ahead to book a private room. Old Ao is busy preparing his confession plan, and Old Li also wants to confess to his senior. They’ll probably show up soon. I stayed behind to wait for you guys so we can head to the restaurant together."

After hearing Xu Shuai’s explanation, Shen Mengjie scoffed. "A confession plan? Someone like Long Aotian would actually stress over something like that?"

"Don’t laugh. Old Ao is taking this very seriously. Let’s just go—Old Huang’s probably already sorted everything out."

With that, Xu Shuai sidled up to Wang Lijuan with a grin and whispered, "I saw those roasted chestnuts you like earlier, so I bought some for you. Here, have some."

He unzipped his jacket and pulled out a box of warm roasted chestnuts, handing it to her.

Wang Lijuan glanced at her two roommates, who were watching with amused smiles, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I could’ve bought them myself if I wanted."

"I just wanted to get them for you," Xu Shuai replied, his grin unwavering.

Sometimes, it takes a comparison to realize how good the person beside you is.

And he just wanted to be good to Wang Lijuan.

"Just lead the way already," Wang Lijuan said, pretending indifference, though she couldn’t hide her smile as she accepted the chestnuts.

"Got it." Xu Shuai scratched his head sheepishly and walked ahead.

Wang Lijuan took a deep breath, opened the box, and offered some to Shen Mengjie and Han Xiaojing. "Try some. Roasted chestnuts are the best this season."

"We’ll pass. Your Xu Shuai’s watching," Shen Mengjie teased.

Xu Shuai, walking ahead, quickly turned his head away, pretending not to look.

Han Xiaojing couldn’t help but laugh.

Amid the banter, they arrived at the restaurant entrance.

Huang Fei, seeing the group approach, stepped forward to greet them. He wanted to walk closer to Shen Mengjie but remembered Old Ao’s advice—start as simple friends first.

So he restrained himself, ushering everyone into the private room instead.

He placed the menu on the table and poured water for everyone. "I ordered a few dishes, but feel free to add more. There’s plenty of us."

"Old Ao and Old Li are on their way—should be here soon."

Coming from a well-off family, Huang Fei didn’t mind treating everyone. Xu Shuai didn’t hold back either, ordering two hot dishes before passing the menu to Shen Mengjie.

Before long, the door swung open.

Long Aotian and Li Longlong stumbled in, laughing and shoving each other playfully.

"Sorry, got held up on the way. We’re late."

Shen Mengjie smirked. "No problem. We don’t mind waiting for someone as busy as you."

As if she didn’t know he’d been preparing his confession. How pretentious!

But the moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.

She was usually so composed—why did she always lose her cool around Long Aotian?

"Get Mengjie a fish—my treat."

Shen Mengjie raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Even after what I just said, you’re still treating me to fish?"

"Nah, I just think you’re really good at picking bones out."

Someone burst out laughing, and soon the whole room was in stitches.

Shen Mengjie shot Long Aotian a glare. "Oh, absolutely. I’m great at picking bones. You can have the whole fish then."

Han Xiaojing and Wang Lijuan exchanged surprised glances.

Shen Mengjie, always so assertive, somehow turned docile around Long Aotian...

Just then, the waiter knocked lightly and began serving the cold dishes.

"Bring us a case of beer and three bottles of juice."

"Make it two juices," Shen Mengjie corrected with a smile. "Two’s enough."

"You lightweight. Don’t start crying with a red nose again."

"Long Aotian, must you always underestimate me?"

"Hard not to when someone leaves such a lasting impression."

"Oh, please. Last time, you drank all the alcohol I bought!"

"I disagree. The last bottle was hidden—then Huang Fei drank it."

Hearing that Long Aotian had stashed the last bottle, Shen Mengjie couldn’t help but laugh. "Serves you right for showing off. I should’ve nagged you more!"

"Should’ve punched you instead—would’ve made you cry for ages."

"Can’t you go easy on me? I am a girl, you know." She huffed. He never cut her any slack.

Well, except that one night...

"Fine, I’ll let you drink two extra bottles. Happy?" He popped open a beer and handed it to her. "Ladies first."

Han Xiaojing stifled a laugh. Shen Mengjie, who never backed down even when wrong, had finally met her match in Long Aotian.

The meal felt more like a gathering among friends.

Same age, same class—once the conversation started, there was no stopping it.

Shen Mengjie finished her drink, her gaze flickering toward Long Aotian as he joked with the others. Setting down her glass, she asked sweetly, "Heard you’re planning to confess to someone?"

"Need any advice?"

Long Aotian didn’t answer immediately, instead turning to Huang Fei and Xu Shuai.

Under his stare, Xu Shuai chuckled and downed three glasses in self-punishment.

"No need. Us four kings of Room 147 have skills. A little confession? Piece of cake."

Shen Mengjie propped her chin on her hand, scoffing. She’d seen through his roommates long ago.

Expecting Huang Fei and the others to come up with a decent plan? Might as well believe pigs could fly.

"You helped me before. Let me return the favor—we’ll call it even."

Afraid he’d refuse, she quickly added, "Besides, don’t you think girls understand what kind of surprises and romance other girls would like?"

Long Aotian considered her words. She had a point.

Girls would know better.

If he asked Qingxue or Wannin, those two would probably spill everything to her by tonight.

Under Long Aotian’s gaze, Shen Mengjie’s pulse inexplicably quickened.

She looked away, feigning impatience. "You helped me, I’ll help you plan a little romantic gesture. We’ll be even."

"Just say yes or no. Why are you hesitating more than me? Are you even up for this?"