Ye Li had just returned to the dorm room when Fu Yanci’s lovingly prepared lunch arrived.
While waiting for Lu Xiaoxiao to co back, Ye Li sent a WeChat ssage to Fu Yanci, telling him about Lin Kerou reaching out to her.
The next mont, her phone rang.
"Ah Li..."
On the other end of the call, Fu Yanci’s voice was heavy with concern, "Lin Kerou didn’t do anything to you, did she?"
"Oh, co on, I’m Mrs. Fu—what could she possibly do to ? Besides..."
Ye Li laughed, "She approached because of Brother Mu. If she has even a shred of common sense, she should know better than to cross !"
Her words brimd with pride and glee.
After so casual chatter, familiar footsteps sounded in the hallway, and monts later, the dorm room door swung open as Lu Xiaoxiao flew in joyfully, shouting, "Darling, I’m back!"
On the other end of the phone, Fu Yanci paused for a second, "Ah Li, is this how you girls bond? Completely unreserved?"
One Qin Chu.
One Lu Xiaoxiao.
Every ti they talked, the term of address would quickly change from ’Lizi’ to ’darling.’
Ye Li treated them the sa way.
But as the rightful ’darling,’ Fu Yanci had never once heard Ah Li call him that.
His voice carried a trace of grievance, as if her friends had stolen the term that was ant for him.
Ye Li’s eyes curved with amusent, "Such a petty man! Alright, I’m going to have lunch now, talk later. And don’t forget to eat lunch on ti too!"
Before he could respond, Ye Li swiftly ended the call and sent him a WeChat ssage.
[Darling, don’t forget to miss !]
Her face heated up as she tossed her phone aside. When she glanced up again, Lu Xiaoxiao had already laid out the food.
Ye Li got up to wash her hands, and the two began eating together, chatting and laughing.
"I saw on the forum that there’s a sumr exchange program with other universities. Lizi, are you planning to participate?"
Lu Xiaoxiao asked.
Every sumr, Imperial University held a variety of activities.
The most famous one was the university exchange program.
This year, because the partner institution was an internationally renowned Ivy League university, the forums had been buzzing ever since the announcent.
Ye Li shook her head, "I’m not sure yet."
The exchange program lasted over a month, but she had her mom, her studio, and Fu Yanci... the thought of leaving for an entire month made her reluctant!
Noticing Lu Xiaoxiao’s enthusiasm, Ye Li’s heart stirred, "Do you want to go?"
"Of course!"
Lu Xiaoxiao nodded, "It’s such a rare learning opportunity. If I can go, I’ll definitely go."
Besides, this was a friendship-building event between universities, and the entire cost of the program was covered by the school.
A once-in-a-lifeti chance.
"But I’m not getting my hopes up. After all, spots are limited."
Imperial University had so many outstanding students.
Lu Xiaoxiao said optimistically, "Whatever happens, happens. If I don’t get selected, I’ll just focus on my part-ti job. President Tan has given several translation contracts recently—I have to perform well. Maybe my little savings fund will see a major hike!"
"If you want to go, then you’ll definitely go!"
Picking the largest braised atball from the lunchbox, Ye Li’s eyes sparkled with determination, "Eat this Lucky atball, and my darling Xiaoxiao will definitely fulfill her wish!"
"Thank you, darling Lizi!"
Lu Xiaoxiao laughed, her eyes crinkling with joy.
After eating and cleaning up, Ye Li prepared for a nap, only to see Lu Xiaoxiao humming a tune while rummaging through the wardrobe to put together an outfit, looking entirely pleased.
Giving up on her nap, Ye Li rested her chin on her arms and teased, "Going on a date, huh?"
"No, of course not..."
Lu Xiaoxiao’s face was filled with an ’I’m totally not hiding anything’ expression. "I’m just going to the library, that’s all."
After three years together, the fact that she still felt shy about dressing up just to go to the library with her boyfriend proved how sweet their relationship was.
Before her was Lu Xiaoxiao, ticulously dressing up, with happiness radiating from the corners of her eyes and brows.
In her mind was Xie Yunkai’s solemn face, promising to solve things if given so ti.
Ye Li sighed softly in her heart, "Xiaoxiao, you and Xie Yunkai better stay good together, or I’ll stop believing in love entirely!"
Muttering to herself, Ye Li flipped over and fell asleep.
Lu Xiaoxiao changed her clothes, applied the natural makeup trick Ye Li had taught her, and smiled brightly.
In the mirror, it was clearly still her, yet she seed like a completely different person. After glancing at the now-sleeping Ye Li, Lu Xiaoxiao tiptoed out the door.
The phone chid lightly as Lu Xiaoxiao stepped outside the apartnt building.
She opened WeChat and saw a friend request in her contacts.
When she read the note attached to the request, Lu Xiaoxiao froze.
[What a coincidence, I’m also Xie Yunkai’s girlfriend!]
Also.
Also???
Her rational mind told her that this was soone’s prank and she should simply ignore it.
But deep inside, a little devil whispered: Check it out, find out who’s playing such a trick—and besides, confirm your love while you’re at it.
Xiaoxiao, don’t do it.
Do it! Do it!
The two voices in her head wrestled with each other.
Almost involuntarily, Lu Xiaoxiao clicked "Accept."
[You’ve added Cloud Kai’s Sofia as a friend. You can now start chatting.]
The avatar showed a girl blowing on a dandelion.
Even from just her side profile, her beauty was evident.
Staring at the empty chat box, Lu Xiaoxiao seed oblivious to the scorching sun overhead.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong, ding-dong.
New ssages kept coming one after another.
The previously blank chat box was suddenly filled with photos.
At first glance, all of the photos featured the sa person.
Lu Xiaoxiao’s heart began to pound, each beat dragging her further down like a sinking ship.
She scrolled up to the top and clicked on the first photo.
In it, Xie Yunkai, dressed in a crisp white shirt and tailored black pants, looked like a fresh-faced celebrity as he inspected a painting in a gallery.
In the second photo, Xie Yunkai sat by the window in a sleek black suit, brooding as he gazed outside.
The scene was unidentifiable, yet the lace-covered tables, fine wine, and buffet setup hinted at a luxurious venue.
Third photo.
Fourth photo.
Fifth photo...
It was always Xie Yunkai.
The settings were different.
When she reached the next photo, Lu Xiaoxiao’s heart plumted to the depths.
In a booth at a nightclub, a girl took a selfie while Xie Yunkai tilted his head back, drinking.
A spaghetti strap top.
Perfectly done smoky makeup.
The girl’s beauty was sharp and commanding, yet her smile was exquisitely sweet.
Though the girl was looking at her cara, staring at the photo, Lu Xiaoxiao felt as if the girl addressed her directly: Such a coincidence, huh? I’m also Xie Yunkai’s girlfriend. So, between us, who do you think he’ll choose in the end? I think it’ll be . What about you?
[Who are you?]
Her fingers trembling, Lu Xiaoxiao typed and hit send.
A red exclamation mark appeared next to her ssage.
The other person had blocked her.
Instantly, Lu Xiaoxiao understood the person’s intent.
She was provoking her!
Beep.
Beep-beep!
"Hello, Xiaoxiao..."
Xie Yunkai’s bright voice ca through the phone, as calm and unfazed as always, with a faint trace of happiness if one listened closely.
Lu Xiaoxiao didn’t understand how she could still sound so composed.
Even though her entire body was trembling, she managed to speak with a smile, "Yunkai, where are you?"
"Xiaoxiao, I’m outside. I’ll be back at school in about ten minutes."
Xie Yunkai’s tone was soft, "I’ll call you when I’m downstairs."
Always that gentle and caring voice.
For a mont, Lu Xiaoxiao felt like she was about to break.
Part of her wanted to scream like an enraged village woman, "Xie Yunkai, where are you really?"
But on the other end of the line, Xie Yunkai was saying tenderly, "Xiaoxiao, see you soon!"
She couldn’t bring herself to shout anymore.
After hanging up, her gaze fell on the red exclamation mark along with the address sent after the photos.
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