Category: I Don’t Want to Be Reborn With You

Chapter 24: The Unbending Reed

Zou Yameng splashed water on her face, instantly feeling refreshed. Coach Dan said from the side, “Get your head in the game. The next match is against He Ping. If you win, you’ll be in the semifinals, which is equivalent to getting a ticket to the provincial team!”

“I understand!” She opened her phone, glanced at a photo of her and her brother, and took a deep breath, as if she had consumed some kind of spiritual nourishment. “I’m ready!” She asked herself how confident she was. Maybe only ten percent, but even if there was only a sliver of hope, she had to fight for it!

She was the only female singles player from the Chuanhai Women’s Sports School to advance. She was the last vestige of their table tennis team. Zou Yameng’s pressure came not only from herself but also from the school. The Chuanhai City Women’s Sports School claimed to be the “training camp for the national team,” but no one from their graduating class had received an invitation from the national team. The school was under pressure from the Sports Bureau, and this pressure was transferred to the coaches and students.

Both Coach Dan and her teammates desperately wanted to win a championship trophy!

Calm down, Zou Yameng! Calm down! Hold on, there’s only one chance to change your fate! Don’t fall here! Ahead lies your dream, Lu Li, and everything in the future.

She kept hypnotizing herself when she suddenly heard the broadcast calling her name. She froze, looking helplessly at Coach Dan. The next second, she abruptly cut off her weakness, her eyes becoming firm again. She strode towards the arena. At this point, there was no turning back!

The lights in the stadium were particularly dazzling today, so bright that she couldn’t open her eyes. The overwhelming cheers were like a tidal wave, her brain trembling in the cacophony, her soul seeming to leave her body, able to reach out and touch the sky that should have been out of reach.

Her legs wanted to tremble, but she didn’t dare. Her throat wanted to make a sound, but she couldn’t.

Yesterday’s match hadn’t been this nerve-wracking. In this blinding spectacle, the woman who was as insurmountable as Mount Tai took the stage.

She wasn’t tall but rather thin, her hair haphazardly cut. To describe her as unkempt would be a compliment. That signature poker face was even more imposing under the white light, sacred and solemn. He Ping gripped the racket in her right hand, her fingers tightly clasped around the wooden handle, her knuckles thick and unlike a woman’s.

Compared to He Ping, the graceful and beautiful Zou Yameng looked less like she was here to play and more like she was here for a fashion show. People always had a misunderstanding about geniuses, thinking that they must be unkempt freaks, weirdos, madmen, or nerds. But true geniuses could not only excel in their own fields but also be comfortable in other areas.

Most of Zou Yameng’s fans were fans of her looks, half male and half female. When they talked about her, they only talked about how beautiful she was, not how good her skills were – the complete opposite of He Ping. When people mentioned He Ping, everyone thought of her terrifying strength. Maybe in another two years, He Ping would be able to compete internationally and make a name for herself. But Zou Yameng? Don’t even think about it.

Zou Yameng forced herself to take a few deep breaths. When she opened her eyes again, she had transformed back into the fearless girl. However, He Ping could see that Zou Yameng was just putting on a brave face. Putting on a brave front was a biological instinct. The more you lacked something, the more you would deliberately show it. Both she and Zou Yameng were just followers of the laws of nature.

As the players got into position, the audience gradually quieted down, and the entire venue fell silent.

He Ping took the ping pong ball from the referee without saying a word. She simply nodded to Zou Yameng as a greeting, and the next second, the woman blew the horn of war. Her ball speed was even faster than usual. If He Ping during practice was like a sleepy lion, then the current He Ping was like an enraged dragon!

After only a few rounds, Zou Yameng couldn’t keep up with He Ping’s speed and quickly lost a point.

Zou Yameng was not discouraged. She wiped the surface of her racket with her palm, her momentum not diminishing in the slightest. She was in an incredibly good state now, perhaps due to the extreme focus brought about by the extreme pressure. Everything outside the arena disappeared. Her world was reduced to this small table and the silent He Ping, who was like a god.

The second ball was He Ping’s serve again. She calmly hit another ball, her posture like a scholar strolling through a courtyard. Zou Yameng’s muscles tensed, the muscles in her thighs under her shorts pulling taut. In this state, Zou Yameng actually managed to keep up with He Ping’s attack, and the two sides seemed to be on equal footing.

Unfortunately, Zou Yameng’s basic skills were ultimately not as solid as He Ping’s. Her backhand technique was monotonous and couldn’t cope with He Ping’s changing balls. After He Ping hit a tricky shot from a sharp angle, Zou Yameng finally couldn’t keep up with her rhythm and lost another point.

Morale was like a sandcastle; once it collapsed, it would crumble like an avalanche. In the next five balls, Zou Yameng lost points again, and the score reached 7:0. So far, Zou Yameng hadn’t scored a single point. He Ping on the other side was like an impeccable stone lion, not giving Zou Yameng any chance.

The situation did not reverse. The first game ended quickly. Eleven to zero, Zou Yameng was shut out in the first game.

Zou Yameng’s state of mind was no longer as perfect as when she first entered the court. She began to observe the unfamiliar faces in the audience, to care about the gazes of the coaches and teammates in the rest area, and to imagine a future where she had nothing. The audience was whispering. What were they talking about? She guessed they were commenting on how bad she was. The coach and her teammates were cheering for her, but the more they did so, the more anxious and nervous she became.

She didn’t like being the center of attention, didn’t like being comforted when she was down, didn’t like being pitied like a helpless little animal.

Seven games, four wins, there’s still a chance. Don’t be discouraged.

Zou Yameng served first in the second game. She tried to draw He Ping into her own rhythm, but, overly tense, she made a mistake on the first ball. She apologized to the referee with a nod, picked up the white ping pong ball again, and hesitated for a moment.

He Ping didn’t rush her, just stared at the void indifferently, as if no one was worth her attention.

“Player Zou Yameng, you can serve when you’re ready,” the referee reminded her.

“Okay.”

Coach Dan in the rest area looked at the motionless Zou Yameng and saw her past self: “Yameng is scared. He Ping is too strong. This is a hopeless match.” In every era, there were always one or two geniuses who surpassed everyone else. In front of these people, ordinary people didn’t have a shred of hope, giving the illusion that the other party wasn’t even human. This was fear.

Fear was a motivator, but endless fear was a crusher of fighting spirit. It wasn’t that Zou Yameng didn’t want to move, but that she was too scared to move. She was afraid that others would see her hand trembling, afraid that she would really lose this match. Were there any other chances? She would graduate next June. There were no other chances.

The gentle smile of the young man flashed through Zou Yameng’s mind. A surge of courage welled up in her heart. With this courage, Zou Yameng served again. This time, she had to go all out. She had nothing to lose, no room for error. She could only bet everything!

*

The second game ended quickly. Eleven to zero.

Zou Yameng was shut out again.

Chapter 23: Long Night, Long Talk

“I’m sorry, I just wanted to play a joke on you.” Lu Li apologized sincerely. When dealing with someone like the class monitor, bowing one’s head and yielding was the best strategy.

“Don’t do that next time.” The girl’s voice sounded silly. She was clearly reprimanding him, but her tone was like a lover’s coquettish complaint.

“How did you get my number?”

“I’m calling you from my dad’s phone.”

No wonder. It was normal for Chu Xiaodong to have his number. Thinking about it carefully, he had left school without a word and skipped class for three days – tomorrow would be the fourth day – which was indeed not good. It wasn’t him who should have a headache, but the class monitor, Chu Jingyi. Thinking of this, Lu Li’s voice softened, “My sister has an important competition, and I wanted to witness it personally. I’m so sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you. When I get back, I’ll come to thank you personally.”

“N-no need to be so formal!”

Perhaps it was Lu Li’s gentle tone that startled her, or perhaps it was his overly formal words that made her feel at a loss. The girl quickly explained, “I don’t blame you. I’m just… worried about you.” Where were your principles, class monitor? On the first day of school, you were so serious about him not skipping class.

Chu Jingyi was definitely the kind of person who would make a great friend. She was generous, gentle, innocent, and selfless. Apart from being a little silly and a little gossipy, Silly Goose was a perfect girl. It was a blessing from the heavens to be friends with Chu Jingyi.

“Thank you, Jingyi.” This time, the address “Jingyi” had no other meaning, it was just a natural expression of the young man’s true feelings.

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a long time before Silly Goose’s voice came through, “When are you coming back?”

Just then, Chu Xiaodong’s voice could be faintly heard, “You little rascal, you’re siding with him too much! You sound just like your mother when she asks me about him!”

“Dad! Why are you eavesdropping on my call! Shoo! Don’t come upstairs! Mom!”

There was another round of commotion before he heard Silly Goose say angrily, “Don’t… Don’t listen to my dad’s nonsense. I’m just asking when you’ll be back so I can… write the report. You know, the class monitor has to write a report when a student takes a long leave. And the report…” She rambled on, all excuses to cover up her embarrassment. Lu Li listened quietly.

“Okay,” he replied softly. “I probably won’t be going to school this week. I’ll be back before next Monday.”

“Oh…”

They had finished talking, but Chu Jingyi didn’t hang up the phone. She didn’t speak either. Lu Li could only hear the girl’s soft breathing through the receiver.

“Hello? Are you asleep?” Lu Li didn’t want the atmosphere to become ambiguous, so he made a joke and was about to hang up.

“I’m not asleep. It’s just… just…”

“Just what?”

“Are you and An Baili really… that kind of relationship?”

How did the topic get to this? Lu Li was stunned for a moment, then realized that this was a good opportunity to explain.

“Of course not.”

“…You never talk to Baili, you don’t tell her about music, and you won’t let me give her your address… Do you hate Baili?”

“Yes.”

“Why? You… you…”

“I have nothing to do with her.” This was true depending on how you looked at it. In this life, he and An Baili really hadn’t had any interactions, so it wasn’t a lie. “I just simply hate her.”

There are two types of terrifying people in the world: one is an Arab with a backpack, and the other is a woman who will drag you down with her in real life. Whichever one is approaching, you have to turn around and run.

Just then, a man’s shrill voice came from the next room, “I have nothing to do with her~” The soundproofing of this rental house wasn’t very good. Although Lu Li’s voice wasn’t loud, it could still be heard if one listened carefully. As soon as the man finished speaking, the landlady abruptly got up and slammed on his door.

“Are you going to shut up while other people are having a private conversation?! If you make any more noise, get out!”

“Landlady, are you being unreasonable?! It’s this kid who’s keeping me awake with his phone call!”

“What I say goes! Sleep or don’t sleep, if you can’t sleep, go to work! You think you’re staying in a five-star hotel with the measly rent you pay?!”

The tenant grumbled a few times, not daring to talk back to the landlady anymore. Lu Li came out of the room and bowed slightly to the landlady apologetically, “I’ll go outside to answer the call.”

“It’s cold outside. Come sit in my room. I’m watching TV outside, I won’t disturb you.”

This time, the landlady was being genuinely kind, but Lu Li politely declined. He insisted on going outside to answer the call.

Walking onto the street at night, Lu Li finally had time to talk to the class monitor, “It wasn’t convenient to answer the phone just now. It’s fine now.”

Silly Goose had been listening quietly and finally spoke, “Lu Li, I’m sorry for bothering you…”

This girl had a habit of taking the blame on herself.

“…” Lu Li didn’t say anything because he didn’t know what to say. He was just waiting for the class monitor to hang up the phone, but Chu Jingyi didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so. Chu Jingyi was acting strange today. Did she have something to say?

“I’ll hang up if there’s nothing else. You should get some rest.”

“…Oh…” Chu Jingyi drew out her voice, her reluctance evident, just like a child who hadn’t grown up.

“I’m hanging up.”

“…”

“…”

Chu Jingyi suddenly laughed, “You liar, why haven’t you hung up yet?”

Lu Li sighed, “I’m just worried you still have something to say.”

“I’m fine now~ You should get some rest too. See you next week.” The girl’s mood suddenly improved for some reason. She hung up the phone on her own initiative, but a minute later, he received a WeChat friend request.

The profile picture was a golden retriever, smiling innocently.

[Likes Strawberries: Good night~]

Lu Li casually changed the remark to Silly Goose.

[Lu Li: Good night, good night.]

The city at night was exceptionally quiet. The evening breeze was gentle, and the neon lights in the distance were a blur. The world seemed to be divided into two halves: one half intoxicated with luxury and revelry, the other filled with the endless sounds of barking dogs and cicadas.

When Lu Li returned to the rental house, the landlady was still glued to the television. The handsome male lead in the drama was holding a dying woman and shouting, “No! Shuqin! How can I live without you! No!”

Lu Li felt that the woman could still be saved, as long as the screenwriter stopped writing such brain-dead plots. The landlady, on the other hand, was moved to tears. She wiped her eyes with a tissue and said, “Why is it so hard for lovers to be together? Sob, sob, you must cherish the people in front of you!”

Was she thinking of some sad past event? Her aura of a lovelorn older woman was showing. After chatting with Chu Jingyi, Lu Li’s mood had also improved a lot. He sat in the living room and watched TV with the landlady for a while before returning to his room and falling asleep amidst a chorus of snores.

Chapter 22: The Reason She Must Win

The morning in Lingyue City was livelier than in Chuanhai. Before the sky had even shed its dark curtain, vendors pushing breakfast carts were already patrolling the streets. Lu Li woke up early, his stomach aching with hunger. Only then did he remember that he had only eaten a piece of bread the day before. He patted his head, which throbbed from the sound of snoring, and groggily rinsed his mouth, washed his face, and carefully counted his cash. He counted three times, confirming he had exactly 872 yuan.

The landlady woke up even earlier. Before Lu Li left, he saw the fierce landlady washing clothes outside. Dirty water flowed down the slate into the narrow alley, adding a touch of down-to-earth atmosphere to the world. Seeing Lu Li, the landlady looked a little unhappy. She grumbled, “Young man, find a real job soon, don’t spend your whole life hanging around in a place like this…”

He left the alley and found a hole-in-the-wall restaurant near the gymnasium, ordering a bowl of Dry Noodles. If there was one thing poverty could destroy, it was one’s self-confidence. Lu Li was used to frequenting these inconspicuous small shops. He always felt a sense of cowardice when facing those high-end shops. Some people heal their whole lives with their childhood, while others need their whole lives to heal from it.

The Dry Noodles were delicious, and the couple who ran the shop were busy, business booming.

Perhaps because there weren’t enough seats, a young woman came in from outside and sat directly across from Lu Li, starting to unpack disposable chopsticks. Lu Li slurped his noodles and looked up at the woman, his expression suddenly changing. It was He Ping. It was indeed He Ping, the one who had spoken boldly in the interview.

Her appearance was extremely ordinary, her hair cut short, even messy. If one had to pick out a characteristic, it would probably be her perpetually expressionless face.

“Anything I can help you with?” He Ping’s expression didn’t change at all. She didn’t even move her lips when she spoke, the sound coming directly from her throat.

“Are you He Ping?”

“Yes.”

She admitted it calmly, took the noodles the owner handed her, and ate them nonchalantly. It wasn’t surprising. This place was close to the gymnasium, and it was normal for athletes to come and go.

Lu Li suddenly felt a surge of curiosity. He wanted to know how the woman who had beaten his sister so badly had trained.

“You’re so good at table tennis, you must have been practicing since you were a child.”

He Ping paused.

“I’m not that famous, am I?”

She was right. Neither she nor Zou Yameng was anything more than a high school reserve player. They might be well-known in the college circle, but in the entire sports world, they were just a drop in the ocean. If Lu Li hadn’t specifically searched for the Six-Province Tournament, he wouldn’t even know who she was.

“My sister also plays table tennis. She said you are very good.”

“Twelve years.”

“What?” Only then did Lu Li realize that she was answering his previous question. This woman’s train of thought was really jumpy.

Twelve years of playing? That meant she had been trained as an athlete since birth. No wonder Sister Yameng was no match for her. Compared to a professional player, Sister Yameng was just an amateur who had started halfway.

Twelve years. How many twelve years were there in a lifetime?

“You must love table tennis very much.” He sighed. Compared to He Ping, his sister’s determination and talent were insignificant. He even remembered that his sister’s motivation for picking up a table tennis racket was to teach the arrogant kids in the low-rent district a lesson. Before that, Sister Yameng didn’t even understand the rules of table tennis.

“I don’t.”

He Ping poured in a little vinegar and added some chili to the noodle soup.

“I don’t like table tennis,” she repeated.

This answer stunned Lu Li. He looked at the expressionless He Ping in astonishment. The dominant player of the Six-Province Tournament, the hottest candidate for the championship, an athlete who had been training for twelve years, actually said she didn’t like table tennis?

He didn’t ask why, but nodded woodenly.

“But I have a reason to win.”

He Ping ate her noodles quickly. After paying the bill, her eyes swept over the noisy crowd and landed on Lu Li.

“If your sister meets me, I won’t go easy on her.”

“That’s what she wants too.”

“Okay.” He Ping nodded coolly and turned to leave. She was just an ordinary person eating at a cheap noodle restaurant, just an ordinary person with ordinary looks, but He Ping’s back made Lu Li feel a sense of awe and sharpness, like a sword that had not been unsheathed for ten years. Perhaps she was the kind of person described as “a hidden dragon in the shallows.”

Lu Li smiled self-deprecatingly. When he saw He Ping, a malicious thought arose in his heart. He thought: If only He Ping couldn’t play tomorrow, then his sister would win by default, wouldn’t she?

He finally understood An Baili’s feelings a little. He was degrading his own dignity, but for his sister’s sake, he was actually seriously considering the possibility.

After breakfast, Lu Li entered the gymnasium, found the table tennis area, and sat down in an empty seat. Today was the first day of the official Six-Province Tournament, but it was only the preliminary round. At ten o’clock in the morning, he saw Sister Yameng on the court. Someone in the audience held up a sign that read “Go Zou Yameng!” It seemed that his sister had quite a few fans.

Her opponent was a thin and skinny girl, whose skills were average. She was quickly defeated under Zou Yameng’s fierce attack. Lu Li noticed that his sister’s playing style had changed, becoming more aggressive and radical. In the next few matches, she rode this momentum and defeated three players in a row, drawing cheers from the audience.

However, there was no smile on Zou Yameng’s face. She walked out of the competition area with a straight face.

He Ping’s match was in the afternoon. Her playing style was very steady, solid, and impeccable. In all the matches on the first day, only He Ping shut out her opponent. The girls who played against her burst into tears on the spot.

She was incredibly strong. Even a layman like Lu Li could see that He Ping’s level was terrifyingly high. Participating in the Six-Province Tournament was like bullying children for her. Someone online said that He Ping from the Jindong women’s team could even compete with the main players of the provincial men’s team. With another year of training, she could enter the national team and compete in the world championships.

Considering her age, He Ping might not be the youngest genius in Shenzhou, but she was definitely the most promising one to compete for the world’s top spot. Her mentality, technique, reaction, and stamina were all impeccable, without any flaws, as if she was born for this sport.

At five o’clock in the afternoon, the first day of the tournament ended. Lu Li sent a message to Sister Yameng in his rented room, mostly words of concern and greetings. He didn’t mention that he had also come to Lingyue City. His sister didn’t reply. It wasn’t until nightfall that Zou Yameng finally replied with a sentence:

“Li Zi, I will definitely win!”

Looking at the line of small words on the screen, Lu Li’s eyes felt inexplicably moist. He Ping said she had a reason to win. Wasn’t it the same for Sister Yameng?

Just as Lu Li was about to turn off his phone, a strange call came in. He answered the call with confusion.

“Hello?”

“Hello…” It was a timid girl’s voice. “Lu Li, where are you? Why aren’t you in class?”

It was Silly Goose. Her tone was like a lost little girl who couldn’t find her parents. Lu Li was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but smile. This was his first genuine smile in days. The physical and mental exhaustion seemed to be swept away by the girl’s words. Some people just had this kind of magic. They had their own emotional magic that could influence the mood of those around them.

“You’ve got the wrong number,” Lu Li said gruffly on purpose.

The panicked voice of Silly Goose came from the other end of the phone, “Sorry, wrong number.” She quickly hung up the phone, then called back after a while.

“Lu Li, how could you!” This time it was the class monitor’s reprimand. Hearing her naive voice, he could imagine her standing with her hands on her hips – this was how she looked when she was lecturing them during class meetings.

*********

Li Zi means Little pear

Chapter 21: Away From Home

As the class monitor, Chu Jingyi was a busy girl. She had to remember every student’s personality, their family background, assign tasks, and organize class activities. But today, she had an additional responsibility: lying. Lying to the teacher.

Lu Li had been absent from school all day yesterday and was nowhere to be seen this morning. When the homeroom teacher asked about his whereabouts, she could only muster a feeble, “He’s called in sick.” Was he really sick? She couldn’t help but stare at his empty desk. His textbooks were still in place, as if he had merely skipped class as usual.

An Baili pouted. “Some people can’t even look at an empty desk without getting lost in thought. Who knew he was so irresistible?”

“I-I’m just worried about my friend.”

“He disappeared after visiting your house the other day. Did your father have him whacked and dumped in the river? You know, the classic ‘walk down a dark alley, get hit with a blunt object, wake up in a ditch’ scenario…”

An Baili’s teasing was cut short by Chu Jingyi’s indignant outburst.

“My father is not a gangster! Baili, I’m warning you!”

When angry, Chu Jingyi’s delicate brows furrowed, her expression stern, radiating an air of authority. An Baili rolled her eyes and turned to stare out the window. Chu Jingyi had been distracted since yesterday, constantly asking, “Where’s Lu Li? Why isn’t he in class?” An Baili couldn’t stand it. Who did Chu Jingyi think she was, questioning her Lu Li’s whereabouts?

Where was Lu Li? An Baili knew exactly where he was. She also knew that tomorrow was the official start of the Six-Province Tournament. He had probably gone to see Zou Yameng.

A wave of malice surged through her. She adjusted her glasses and looked at the still-fuming class monitor.

“I know where Lu Li went.”

“You do?”

“He went to see another girl. A very important girl. Irreplaceable. And very beautiful.” Her own heart ached as she said these words, but she was more interested in seeing Chu Jingyi’s reaction.

To her disappointment, the girl simply tilted her head in confusion.

“Why didn’t he ask for permission?”

Love was selfish. True love couldn’t be shared. That wasn’t love, that was mere lust. Chu Jingyi’s lack of reaction meant that she wasn’t a rival. The realization drained her of all energy.

She suddenly felt foolish, her own petty jealousy dwarfed by Chu Jingyi’s pure and innocent heart.

Chu Jingyi fell silent as their Morality and Ethics teacher shuffled into the classroom. Today’s lesson was on “Trust and Friendship.” The teacher, a frail old man who looked like he was on his last legs, didn’t even bother wearing his reading glasses as he droned on, reading directly from the textbook. Even when the students in the front row gathered to play cards, he seemed oblivious.

Only Chu Jingyi paid attention. She highlighted passages in her textbook with a red pen, as if taking notes. However, a closer look revealed that she wasn’t taking notes at all. She was defacing the illustrations in the book.

The stick figure on the left was saying, “Let me introduce you to my friend. Then we’ll all be friends!”

The stick figure on the right looked apprehensive. “I’m shy!”

Chu Jingyi scribbled over the face of the stick figure on the left and muttered, “No way…”

“No way what?” An Baili’s sharp ears picked up her mumbling.

“N-nothing.”

*

Rewind to the previous day.

When do humans feel insignificant? For Lu Li, it was when he stepped into a completely unfamiliar city, alone. The city was like a hungry beast, devouring the youth, passion, and dreams of countless young people. Beneath its concrete surface lay the sweat and toil of generations. The successful found fame and fortune, while the poor wept in obscurity.

People often marveled at the grandeur and mystery of nature, forgetting the intricate and often cruel machinations of human civilization.

He had brought only two thousand yuan in cash. To save money, he walked from the airport on the outskirts of the city to the downtown area, finding a cheap rental room for fifty yuan a day near the sports stadium. The landlady, perhaps taking pity on him, hadn’t asked for any identification. In fact, the still-attractive woman had even flirted with him, drawn to his youthful good looks. He felt like Dazai Osamu’s character, Yozo Oba, a feeling that sent shivers down his spine.

He spotted Sister Yameng at the stadium but didn’t approach her. She was completely focused on her training, her expression serious, her eyes determined, even fierce. She was a far cry from the gentle, smiling girl he knew. The entire Chuanhai team seemed tense, their energy coiled tight, ready to explode during the official tournament in two days.

People who were passionate about their work deserved respect. He didn’t want to disturb her. He sat in the stands, watching her practice until nightfall.

Sister Yameng was the last athlete to leave. She and Coach Dan exited through a side door, unaware of his presence. He stretched his numb legs and walked out of the stadium. Before coming to Lingyue, he had been worried about his sister, worried that she might be crushed by another defeat, worried that she might lose her fighting spirit. But he had underestimated her resilience.

The voluptuous landlady was still watching TV at 10:30 pm. She chuckled as he entered. “Back so late, handsome? No hot water left for you~”

Her suggestive tone was enough to set any young man’s heart racing. She was curvy and full-figured, the type who would bear many children. In Lu Li’s words, she was prime wife material. Women came in all shapes and sizes. Some were meant to be admired from afar, like works of art, like Chu Jingyi. Others were meant to be enjoyed, like everyday objects, like the landlady.

However, Lu Li was too exhausted to entertain her advances. His body ached from the long journey. He forced a smile. “Cold water is fine.”

His smile melted her heart. She had never met such a charming young man. “You can’t shower with cold water! You’ll catch a cold. I have some hot water left in my room. You can use it to wipe yourself down.” She reached for him, but he deftly dodged her grasp.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

He wasn’t opposed to casual encounters, but he also knew how to behave.

She gave him a disappointed look. “Old Man Zhang is in the bathroom. He’s having some… digestive issues. You can use my room. Don’t worry, I won’t peek. What are you so shy about?” In these cheap rentals, seven or eight people usually shared a single bathroom. The rooms were separated by thin partitions, offering little privacy.

As if on cue, a voice called out from one of the rooms, “Hey, landlady! If he doesn’t want you, I’ll gladly take him off your hands. How about it?”

She swatted at the air with a fly swatter. “Shut up! Can’t you see I’m trying to watch TV?” Her aggressive demeanor was a stark contrast to her earlier flirtatious behavior.

In the end, Lu Li didn’t get to shower. He lay on his narrow bed, listening to the symphony of snores around him, his mind replaying the image of his sister training, her face determined, her body glistening with sweat. He remembered her words from his past life, her repeated warnings before he left for university:

“Take care of yourself when you’re away from home…”

Chapter 20: A Boy’s Reckless Courage

After dropping Lu Li off, Uncle Long had added him on WeChat, telling him to reach out if he needed anything. Lu Li couldn’t imagine what kind of trouble a high school student like him could possibly get into. He wondered what Uncle Long meant by “anything.”

Once home, he sent a message to his sister. She didn’t reply right away. She was probably busy with her practice match. He wondered how she was doing. He opened the laptop bag and took out the brand new computer. There was no way this wasn’t a gift from Chu Xiaodong. Although new, the laptop had a cute bear sticker on the back. Could it be that Chu Jingyi had chosen the computer and had her father deliver it?

Chu Xiaodong had been thorough. The bag also contained a slim keyboard and a simple mouse. The laptop was clearly expensive, its craftsmanship exquisite. The logo was barely noticeable, and beside it was a small inscription:

“XXX Official Order, Custom Made.”

Despite being a laptop, its specs were better than most desktops, more than enough to handle his game. He installed the necessary software and tested the game engine. It ran smoothly. Perfect! This laptop was ideal for independent game development.

Of course, he couldn’t neglect Chu Xiaodong’s task. He knew exactly how many children in his low-rent district shared his unfortunate fate. Even if Chu Xiaodong hadn’t asked, he would have volunteered to help. He made a list, planning to visit each child personally. Many had already dropped out of school to work. Some had even disappeared, rumored to have been abducted.

His heart felt heavy as he wrote, his mood somber. The world always seemed to target the most vulnerable, lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike. He thought of the Chu family’s doghouse, then of the missing children. Could he say that people like the Chus deserved to be punished? Perhaps not. The world was too complex. He didn’t want to dwell on it.

He opened his web browser and searched for information about the Six-Province Tournament. He navigated the website with ease and voted for the most popular player – his sister, of course. Zou Yameng was quite popular, not necessarily for her skills, but for her beauty. She was a crowd favorite.

He scrolled down and found a recent news report.

A reporter had interviewed the athletes during their practice session, asking them about their rivals.

Reporter: What are your thoughts on the upcoming tournament?

Unknown Player: What do you mean “thoughts”? I’ll be watching with my eyes, of course.

Reporter: (laughs) How confident are you in your chances of winning?

Unknown Player: I’m just here to make up the numbers. If you want a real interview, go talk to He Ping.

That player was brutally honest. Lu Li chuckled.

Reporter: Hello, He Ping. May I have a moment of your time?

He Ping: …

Reporter: How confident are you in your chances of winning?

He Ping: 100%.

Reporter: (gasps) That confident?

He Ping: Not confident. They’re just weak.

Reporter: Some people are saying you’re the next Pan Xiaochun. What do you think?

Pan Xiaochun was a national-level table tennis player, a dominant force on the world stage.

He Ping: I’ll surpass her.

Reporter: (gasps again) As expected of the tournament favorite. What are your thoughts on the other top-seeded players? Zou Yameng seems to be just as popular as you.

Lu Li’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of his sister’s name. If he remembered correctly, it was He Ping who had crushed Zou Yameng in his past life. Could the butterfly effect of his rebirth change her fate?

He Ping: Zou Yameng has a weak mentality. She’s no match for me.

Lu Li clenched his fists. How could she say such arrogant things with such nonchalance? And about his sister, no less!

Reporter: Oh? So, if you were to face Zou Yameng, what would your chances of winning be?

He Ping: 10 to 0.

Lu Li frowned. It seemed that fate hadn’t taken pity on them. Was his sister destined to experience another devastating defeat?

What could he do? How could he help her? He didn’t want to see her heartbroken again. Perhaps her suicide in his past life had been triggered by this very loss? He felt so powerless. All he could do was sit here, clenching his fists in frustration.

He hated his own weakness. A man’s weakness wasn’t just about physical strength, but also about wealth, status, and power. He was filled with a burning ambition, but his time hadn’t come yet. He was just an ordinary student. What could he possibly do?

Ding, ding, ding.

Sister Yameng had replied.

[Sister Yameng: Sorry, I was training this afternoon…]

No emojis. That meant she was feeling down. He typed, “Did you play against He Ping?” He hesitated, deleted the message, and sent a different one instead.

[Lu Li: I miss you.]

As expected, she responded with a happy face.

[Sister Yameng: Hehe #laughing, How much do you miss me?]

[Lu Li: As much as you miss me.]

She sent three laughing GIFs in a row. He had successfully cheered her up.

[Sister Yameng: #smirk, But I don’t miss you at all. Not even a little bit.]

[Lu Li: I feel the opposite.]

[Sister Yameng: Hehe, good boy. I’ll bring you back a present~]

Lu Li sighed in relief. It seemed she hadn’t been crushed by He Ping. He had been worried that a defeat at the hands of her rival would send her spiraling.

[Lu Li: When are you coming back?]

[Sister Yameng: After the tournament. Your big sis will at least make it to the quarterfinals~]

[Lu Li: When are your matches?]

She didn’t reply for a while. He knew she was hesitant. She wasn’t confident in her chances of winning and didn’t want him to watch her lose, especially not against He Ping. She wouldn’t be able to face him if that happened.

[Zou Yameng: Focus on your studies. Don’t worry about me.]

He had fallen for that line in his past life. When she returned, she had locked herself in her room, sobbing uncontrollably, her dreams haunted by her defeat. Sister Yameng was incredibly competitive. She always strived to be faster, stronger, better. He couldn’t even begin to describe the impact that loss had had on her.

Never believe that suffering is a gift. No one deserves pain.

He and his sister had suffered enough. They had seen the world’s cruelty firsthand. Sometimes, detaching oneself from society wasn’t about being cynical, but about acknowledging one’s own powerlessness. He could find solace in art, in his sunflowers, but he couldn’t live a life of dignity, couldn’t claim his rightful place in the world.

It was after that incident that he realized his sister wasn’t a superhero. She had weaknesses, she cried, she felt pain, she was just a girl. She should have been enjoying her youth like the other girls at Chuanhai No. 1 High School, discussing the latest makeup trends, trying out new drinks, and basking in the admiration of talented young men.

[Lu Li: Okay. Come home soon. I’ll be waiting.]

He closed his phone and stared at the computer screen, lost in thought. Finally, he closed the laptop, turned off the mobile hotspot, and began searching for train tickets to Lingyue City.

A burning desire, a surge of reckless courage, filled him. He had to go to Lingyue City. He had to be there for his sister. Even if he couldn’t do anything else, he could offer her comfort during her time of need. They could cry together, laugh together. That was one of life’s most precious treasures.

This overwhelming urge consumed him, pushing aside all other thoughts. He had one goal: to be with his sister.

This wasn’t a rational decision, not something a mature adult would do. But this time, he didn’t try to control his emotions. He let his heart lead the way, his passion a wild horse galloping across an open field.

The earliest train departed at 8 am the next day. It wasn’t a direct route, the journey taking 27 hours. A standing ticket cost 223 yuan.

Standing tickets on slow trains were notoriously grueling. He had experienced it once during his early entrepreneurial days. He had spent the entire journey clutching his belongings, squeezed into a cramped compartment, wary of pickpockets and jostled by the relentless crowd. The stench of sweat, urine, and bad breath filled the air. People cursed and complained, children screamed, as if the world was ending.

But what was a little discomfort compared to seeing his sister?

Unfortunately, it wasn’t his apprehension that stopped him, but a message that popped up on the ticketing website: “Please complete real-name authentication.”

His ID wasn’t a regular ID, but a special document linked to his school enrollment, valid only until he graduated high school. He couldn’t buy a ticket. He hesitated for a moment before contacting customer service. After navigating a series of automated menus, he finally reached a human operator.

The phone blasted a distorted, low-quality ringtone. It was hard to believe anyone in this day and age would use such a ringtone.

“All operators are busy. Please try again later.”

He gave up. Relying on customer service was a recipe for frustration.

His gaze fell on the newly added contact on WeChat. Was it time to call in a favor?

He didn’t bother with a “Are you there?” and typed directly, “Uncle Long, I need to buy a train ticket to Lingyue City!” There were only two types of people who asked “Are you there?”: those who needed to borrow money and those you wanted to avoid. Lu Li was neither.

Uncle Long’s reply was swift. “Is it urgent?”

“It’s crucial!!!” He added three exclamation marks for emphasis and began typing a lengthy explanation, hoping to convince him. There was no such thing as unconditional love. Uncle Long wasn’t obligated to help him. He couldn’t guilt-trip the man, but he had to try.

He hadn’t even finished his carefully crafted plea when Uncle Long replied:

“The earliest flight is tomorrow at 8 am. Will that work?”

His mind went blank. He was speechless. He deleted his lengthy message and simply replied:

“Thank you!”

Chu Jingyi, I owe you one.

Chapter 19: Big Sister’s Biggest Rival

“I think this Little Lu is a good kid,” Chu Jingyi’s mother said, settling into the living room to watch TV after Lu Li and Chu Jingyi had left. Chu Xiaodong, the head of the household, was washing dishes in the kitchen. “Don’t you dare try to scare him off this time. Our precious daughter is growing up, and she doesn’t even have a close friend. You’re entirely to blame for that.”

Chu Xiaodong chuckled as he scrubbed a plate. “That’s because those other kids had ulterior motives. I was worried they would take advantage of Yi Bao.”

“And do you think Little Lu’s motives are pure?”

“He’s a good kid.” Chu Xiaodong often praised people in public, but rarely offered compliments in private. “He’s just lacking a bit of luck.”

“There you go again, being narcissistic. Are you implying that you’re Little Lu’s lucky charm?” Chu Jingyi’s mother teased, making her husband’s crow’s feet crinkle with amusement.

“If the boy works hard, I might be able to lend him a hand.” He paused. “Let’s see what Yi Bao decides. We’re not lacking anything. Little Lu’s shortcomings are hardly a dealbreaker.”

“Dad, what are you talking about?” Chu Jingyi, who had just entered the room, looked confused. “What shortcomings? Lu Li doesn’t have any shortcomings!”

Chu Xiaodong sighed. “See? Already siding with him.”

*

Lingyue City.

Lu Li hadn’t replied to her messages all day. Had he already left for his classmate’s house?

Zou Yameng stared at her phone screen, lost in thought. It wasn’t unusual for them to be apart for extended periods, but this time, the separation felt unbearable. She felt like she was coming down with something, a strange and unsettling feeling. She realized, with a growing sense of unease, that her feelings for her brother had crossed a line. She was jealous when he spent time with other girls, she craved his scent, she dreamt of his gentle smile.

When had it started? She couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment. It was as if these feelings had always been there, buried beneath layers of self-deception. She propped her chin on her hand, her gaze unfocused as she watched the other athletes practicing.

She picked up her phone again and searched for online forums discussing relationships between siblings. After a while, she turned off the screen and shook her head. “I’m losing my mind.”

“Yameng, you’re up,” Coach Dan called out. “Focus. Your opponent is He Ping from Jindong.”

The name snapped her back to reality. He Ping from Jindong – a name that struck fear into the hearts of every member of the Chuanhai Women’s Table Tennis Team. Last year, during their expedition to Jindong, He Ping had single-handedly crushed them, leaving them demoralized and defeated.

This was just a practice match. The official Six-Province Tournament wouldn’t begin for another few days. The athletes who had already arrived were using this time to size each other up. Zou Yameng had gained a bit of notoriety amongst the players for her aggressive style. Her serves were faster and more powerful than most male players. She felt that she had made significant progress over the past six months and hoped to put up a decent fight against He Ping this time.

He Ping was an unassuming woman with short hair and an impassive expression. Her poker face was her most defining feature. She always seemed preoccupied, even when she had decimated the Chuanhai team last year. She hadn’t shown a hint of pride, as if she had merely swatted a fly.

It was this attitude that infuriated Zou Yameng.

“I won’t lose again,” she muttered, gripping her racket, her determination burning bright.

“You are…?” He Ping looked at her with a confused expression.

It was like a punch to the gut. Zou Yameng bit her lip, her frustration growing. The Chuanhai team had been training with He Ping as their imaginary opponent, dreaming of the day they would defeat her. Yet, she didn’t even remember them. The humiliation was unbearable. Any further explanation would be a sign of weakness. The only way to reclaim their dignity was through skill!

Zou Yameng played aggressively, responding to He Ping’s tricky shots with powerful smashes, resulting in several lost points. Coach Dan, watching from the sidelines, frowned. “Yameng, calm down! Play strategically!”

“Calm down” was a foreign concept to Zou Yameng. She and Lu Li had always had to fight for everything. Whether it was securing his place in school or keeping a roof over their heads, they had clawed their way through life, two children with nothing but their determination. They were like wild wolves, like stray dogs, scavenging for scraps, holding their breath as they devoured even the most rotten meat.

Thwack.

Another forehand smash, the trajectory too low. It didn’t even clear the net. The score was 11-4. Zou Yameng had lost the first set miserably. The referee reset the scoreboard and the players switched sides, preparing for the second set.

Coach Dan approached her.

“Yameng, what’s wrong?”

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. You’re playing too recklessly. He Ping isn’t like those rookies you’ve faced before. The more aggressive you are, the more vulnerable you become.”

“I can win,” Zou Yameng said, her voice firm. Like Lu Li, she was incredibly stubborn. Once she set her mind to something, not even ten Coach Dans could sway her.

The second set began with He Ping serving. Zou Yameng’s performance only worsened. Her first return went out of bounds. He Ping didn’t even bother retrieving the ball, looking at her with a puzzled expression.

“Do you need a break?” It was a genuine concern, but coming from He Ping’s emotionless face, it sounded incredibly condescending.

“No,” Zou Yameng replied curtly.

The second set ended swiftly, another crushing defeat for Zou Yameng, 11-2. Her eyes were red with frustration. “Again!” she growled. Failure! Failure! Why did failure always follow them? Why couldn’t fate cut them some slack? Why did she and Lu Li have to suffer so much? She wanted to make it to the provincial team, and her brother wanted to go to university. Why was it so difficult?

“Zou Yameng!” Coach Dan barked. “Take a break! Don’t let your emotions control your game!”

Zou Yameng ignored her and stubbornly prepared to serve, but He Ping simply caught the ball with her hand.

“Your skills are pathetic. You’re no better than a middle school student,” He Ping said flatly. “There’s no point in continuing this.”

Zou Yameng’s performance might have been affected by her emotions, but her skills weren’t as bad as He Ping made them out to be. It was simply that He Ping was on another level, her skills far exceeding Zou Yameng’s, magnifying her weaknesses tenfold. If the average player in the Six-Province Tournament was a 100, He Ping was a 500.

A dominant force.

Zou Yameng’s eyes welled up. She couldn’t accept this second defeat. The first time, she could blame it on underestimating her opponent, on carelessness. But what excuse did she have now?

Her biggest weakness was her inconsistent performance, her mental fragility. Coach Dan had repeatedly advised her to cultivate inner peace, to take up meditation, reading, or fishing. However, Zou Yameng didn’t have the luxury of time. Between training, competitions, and her part-time jobs, she was constantly on edge, a tightly wound spring that was bound to snap sooner or later.

Coach Dan sighed and led the heartbroken girl out of the stadium. The other members of the Chuanhai team surrounded her, wiping away her tears and offering words of comfort.

“She’s under a lot of pressure,” Coach Dan said, her experience allowing her to see through Zou Yameng’s facade. “Give her some space. Those of you who need to practice, go practice. The rest of you, go rest. I’ll take care of Yameng.”

After dispersing the concerned crowd, Coach Dan sat down with Zou Yameng on a bench outside the stadium.

Zou Yameng had forced her tears back. It had been a long time since she had cried. She had a brother to take care of. She couldn’t cry in front of Lu Li. She was the older sister, the pillar of their little family. Over time, suppressing her tears had become second nature. No matter how much she suffered, she wouldn’t allow herself to show weakness.

“Yameng, is something bothering you?”

Was something bothering her? She shook her head. Everything seemed normal. The only thing that had changed was the sense of impending doom that had settled over her, a fear for the future, for herself. She felt like a small boat caught in a storm, at the mercy of the waves.

“Coach, I want to win,” she said, her voice trembling, her heart still racing.

“I have to win,” she added, her voice gaining strength.

Looking at her determined yet beautiful face, Coach Dan sighed inwardly. Sometimes, being strong-willed wasn’t a good thing. The world could be a cruel place, ready to crush those who refused to bend. Only towering trees could withstand the storms, not fragile reeds.

Zou Yameng was a reed, a reed that refused to break.

Chapter 18: Ah, Youth

A soft knock interrupted their conversation. It was Chu Xiaodong. “Am I interrupting? Little Lu, do you have a moment? I’d like to have a word with you.”

Here comes the main course, Lu Li thought to himself. His interactions with Chu Jingyi’s mother and Silly Goose were just the appetizers. This was the real deal. He excused himself and followed Chu Xiaodong into his study, taking a seat on the leather sofa, though he couldn’t seem to relax.

The study was surprisingly modest: three walls lined with bookshelves, a large desk with a computer and three monitors, and a simple leather sofa. Lu Li’s sharp eyes spotted a small picture frame on the desk, a picture of a happy family of three. It seemed that Chu Xiaodong was a family man.

Chu Xiaodong didn’t stand on ceremony and sat casually beside him. “So, Little Lu, how old are you this year?” he asked conversationally.

“Sixteen. Turning seventeen next month.” His birthday was in October.

“Haha, relax. This isn’t an interrogation. Just a friendly chat.” Easy for you to say. I’m just a poor student, at your mercy.

Lu Li’s household registration was tied to his school enrollment. Legally, he was considered a minor with limited rights. Chu Xiaodong could easily make him disappear with a single phone call. This was also why he couldn’t apply for student loans.

“How long have you and Yi Bao known each other?”

So that’s what you call her in private, huh? Lu Li thought to himself. It was a fitting nickname. Silly Goose was as pure as distilled water, her occasional blunders endearingly naive. Yi Bao suited her perfectly.

“We were placed in the same class last year, but we weren’t close.”

Chu Xiaodong smiled mildly, his expression unreadable. This was the most dangerous type of person – calm, collected, capable of stabbing you in the back with a smile. Lu Li finally understood why Chu Xiaodong always seemed to squint when he smiled. It was to conceal his eyes, his true emotions hidden behind a carefully constructed curtain.

“I heard from Yi Bao* that your guardian ran off. Why didn’t you report it to the authorities? It must have been difficult for you all these years.”

“I didn’t have the opportunity to contact the authorities.”

A lie. When he was younger, Sister Yameng had taken him to the government building, where they had waited for an entire day, only to be dismissed with a, “Your paperwork isn’t in order. Come back when you have everything.” What followed was a bureaucratic nightmare, the two children shuttled between departments, their pleas falling on deaf ears. In the end, both Lu Li and Zou Yameng had collapsed on the sidewalk, their cries a mixture of exhaustion and despair. That was when he learned that the world could be a cruel and indifferent place.

He hated bureaucrats.

They represented his helplessness, his sorrow, his despair. Chu Xiaodong could never comprehend the profound sense of detachment that had gripped seven-year-old Lu Li as he sat on that sidewalk, his tears drying on his cheeks. It was as if he didn’t belong in this world.

Chu Xiaodong seemed to sense his shift in mood. “The reason I wanted to talk to you is precisely because of this matter. I’m aware that our local government’s work at the grassroots level is far from ideal. There’s a disconnect between policy and implementation. There are things that those of us in positions of power can’t control. So, Little Lu, I have a proposition for you. I need you to do something for me. Compile a list of all the minors living in your district without guardians, along with their circumstances. Consider it a small way for us, who seem to just sit around and eat for a living, to make amends. What do you say?”

Why me? What is he playing at? These were the only thoughts running through Lu Li’s mind.

“As someone who’s experienced this firsthand, I trust you to handle this matter with care,” Chu Xiaodong continued.

“But I have school. I don’t have much free time…”

“You can work on it during the weekends.” Chu Xiaodong winked, this time making no effort to hide the amusement in his eyes. “So, what do you say?”

It dawned on Lu Li. Chu Xiaodong was getting back at him for bossing his daughter around. What a petty man. However, he couldn’t deny that he was tempted. With Chu Xiaodong’s backing, the lives of those children in his district could improve significantly.

“Alright. I’ll do my best.”

“Just compile the information into a digital file and send it to me. By the way, you do have a computer, right?” Chu Xiaodong suddenly asked, clapping a hand to his forehead as he noticed Lu Li’s stunned expression. “Ah, my apologies. How about this? I’ll lend you a laptop. Consider it a work expense.”

He walked over to his desk and pulled out a brand new laptop bag from a drawer. It was clear that this had been planned all along. Lu Li accepted the heavy bag without a word. “Thank you, Uncle Chu,” he mumbled.

“Think nothing of it. And thank you for taking on this task.” Chu Xiaodong patted him on the shoulder. “I heard you achieved top marks in the recent exams. Impressive! Do you have a university in mind?”

In his past life, he had attended an affordable art school in another province.

“Not yet.”

“I suggest you consider Chuanhai University of Political Science and Law. It’s a good fit for ambitious young men like yourself.” His words were laced with implication, causing Lu Li’s eyebrows to furrow. Chuanhai University of Political Science and Law, formerly known as Chuanhai Youth Cadre Training Center, wasn’t highly ranked academically, but it was considered one of the most prestigious institutions for aspiring politicians. A significant portion of Chuanhai’s officials were alumni.

Of course, online, it was commonly referred to as “Corruption University.”

This wasn’t a school you could simply apply to. Without the right connections, you wouldn’t even make it past the initial screening process.

Was he suggesting a career in politics?

Chu Xiaodong didn’t elaborate further. He steered the conversation towards lighter topics, and before Lu Li knew it, it was lunchtime. Chu Xiaodong insisted he stay for lunch, and despite Lu Li’s repeated refusals, he eventually relented when Chu Xiaodong’s jovial facade faltered, replaced by a look of genuine disappointment.

At the dining table, everyone seemed to be in a different world. The happiest person wasn’t Silly Goose, but her mother. She was practically beaming, showering Lu Li with food. The second happiest person was Chu Jingyi. She seemed thrilled to have her new friend at the table, her eyes constantly flitting towards him. Whenever he caught her gaze, she would grin sheepishly.

He was certain that her feelings for him were purely platonic. She was too young to understand love, the late-blooming type.

Then there was Chu Xiaodong, his perpetual smile unreadable. Despite his experience, Lu Li couldn’t decipher the man’s thoughts.

After the strange lunch, Lu Li couldn’t wait to escape. He grabbed his laptop bag and made his excuses, practically fleeing the house. Chu Jingyi followed him out.

Silly Goose’s smile hadn’t faltered once. She skipped ahead of him, her yellow dress fluttering around her like butterfly wings. Lu Li couldn’t tell if it was his imagination, but she seemed even more clueless than usual. She was practically bouncing off the walls, a danger to herself and others.

“Are you always this happy? You look like you’re about to take flight,” Lu Li remarked. “Hey, watch out! Don’t trip.”

“Do I?” She seemed oblivious. “I feel perfectly normal~”

Try wiping that goofy grin off your face, will you? Your teeth are blinding me, Lu Li thought to himself.

“Maybe I’m a tiny bit happy,” she admitted, holding up her thumb and index finger, the space between them barely noticeable. “My parents really like you. Whenever I invited friends over before, they were always so serious and intimidating. It scared them all away.”

“You’ve invited male friends over?”

“No! Why would you even ask that?”

Lu Li stroked his chin, suddenly concerned. What if the Chu family had gotten the wrong idea? Their behavior had been rather strange. What if they thought he was some sort of gold-digger?

He couldn’t be sure what they were thinking. He couldn’t jump to conclusions. He decided to subtly clarify things with Silly Goose. “Silly… I mean, class monitor, you do know that An Baili and I are…” He almost slipped up.

“I know,” she said, giving him a strange look. “Why are you stating the obvious?”

“Right… Well, you should head back in. I’ll get a ride home.”

He was immediately proven wrong as he spotted Uncle Long’s car waiting for him at the entrance of the community. They even provided transportation?

Chu Jingyi came to a stop, her reluctance evident. “Oh.” After a moment of silence, she blurted out, “I’ll make sure to perfect the music.”

“Right.” Lu Li’s mind was elsewhere. He responded absentmindedly.

She pouted. “I’ll make it amazing! You won’t have a single criticism!”

“Uh-huh.”

“You’ll be blown away!” Her sudden outburst caught him off guard. What was with her?

She clasped her hands behind her back and whispered, “Come visit again sometime.”

Again? No, thank you. “Sure, if I have the time,” he replied with a strained smile.

She suddenly held out her pinky finger.

“What’s that for?”

“Pinky promise.”

“We’re not children anymore.”

“Are you promising or not?”

“No.”

Her eyes welled up.

“Fine, fine, fine,” he quickly relented. This girl was impossible.

Under the warm glow of the afternoon sun, their pinky fingers intertwined. From a distance, Uncle Long shook his head, a wistful smile on his face.

“Ah, youth,” he murmured.

 

***********************************

(T/N)

The nickname “Yi Bao*” (怡宝) for Chu Jingyi:

• 怡 (Yi): Means “happy,” “joyful,” or “pleasant.” It suggests a cheerful and amiable disposition

• 宝 (Bao): Means “treasure,” “precious,” or “baby.” It highlights her status as a cherished daughter from a wealthy and influential family.

Can be interpreted in english as:

• Happy Treasure

• Joyful Baby

Chapter 17: Life Imitates Art

Chu Jingyi cringed internally. She couldn’t believe she had just giggled like a fool over a simple compliment. She quickly turned away and led Lu Li towards the house.

Get a grip, Chu Jingyi! You’re the class monitor. Act with some decorum! she scolded herself.

“Your house is huge,” Lu Li remarked, genuinely impressed. It wasn’t just flattery. The houses in this community weren’t ordinary apartment buildings. They were townhouses. In Shenzhou, owning a townhouse meant paying extra property taxes. Ordinary people could barely afford to buy an apartment, let alone pay exorbitant taxes.

Chu Jingyi chuckled, her pride difficult to conceal. She was still just a naive girl, her emotions transparent.

As they reached the front door, it swung open, revealing a beautiful middle-aged woman who bore a striking resemblance to Chu Jingyi. She was tall and elegant, her youthful appearance suggesting meticulous care. At first glance, one might mistake her for Chu Jingyi’s older sister.

“Mom, this is Lu Li, my new friend.” Silly Goose sounded like an excited elementary school student. Lu Li cringed internally. “Lu Li, this is my mother.”

“Hello, Auntie.” Chu Jingyi’s mother smiled warmly, her eyes scanning Lu Li as if trying to determine his genetic makeup. After a thorough assessment, her smile widened.

“So, you’re Little Lu? You’re such a handsome young man. Come in, come in. No need to take off your shoes. Just come right in.”

Shenzhou people loved their formalities. If Lu Li actually dared to step onto her pristine floors with his 50-yuan canvas shoes, he’d probably be sneezing for days. He sheepishly changed into a pair of slippers, discreetly checking for any holes in his socks. If it weren’t for the circumstances, he would have even bent down to sniff his feet.

He was definitely overthinking things. And wearing socks with slippers felt weird.

Chu Jingyi’s mother instructed them to wait in the living room while she prepared some refreshments. Lu Li carefully placed the cheap plastic bag of fruit on a side table and offered her an apologetic smile. Heaven knows he was trying to emulate the “confident and composed” protagonist from those urban novels, but when faced with someone of such high social standing, his smile lacked conviction.

Chu Jingyi’s mother finally noticed the bright red plastic bag. Her eyes widened in surprise and delight. “You brought a gift? You really shouldn’t have!” She sounded sincere.

But gift-giving wasn’t about the gift itself, but the thought behind it. Although she insisted he shouldn’t have bothered, her beaming smile betrayed her true feelings. Lu Li felt a chill run down his spine. Perhaps he shouldn’t have brought anything after all.

The Chu family’s house was exquisitely decorated. It wasn’t just the expensive furniture, but the impeccable taste evident in every detail. The color palette was harmonious, the placement of furniture carefully considered, suggesting a rhythmic flow. Whoever designed this place was a master, the kind that charged exorbitant fees.

Lu Li and Chu Jingyi sat on the plush sofa in the living room, momentarily alone. Silly Goose’s cheeks were flushed, and she seemed at a loss for words. Lu Li, on the other hand, felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. Why? Because he had envisioned countless scenarios, the most likely being that Silly Goose’s parents wouldn’t approve of him. The second most likely scenario was that they would be indifferent, simply humoring their daughter’s choice of friend.

He hadn’t expected Chu Jingyi’s mother to greet him with such warmth, even praising his looks. For crying out loud, you can’t call a man “handsome”!

“So, class monitor, be honest with me. What do your parents really think of me?” Lu Li asked, turning to the clueless girl beside him. Say something, girl! It’s not like we’re on a date. Why are you blushing?

“They really like you! My dad even asked about you the other day. He wanted to know how long we’ve known each other.”

“And what did you say?”

“I told him the truth. I said we’ve known each other for over a year…”

You call that the truth? Lu Li gaped at her. It suddenly dawned on him: Silly Goose had a warped sense of time and distance. In his mind, they had barely interacted in the past year. The only reason they even knew each other was because they were in the same class. Yet, in Silly Goose’s mind, they were practically old friends… Technically, they had known each other, in the loosest sense of the word, but wouldn’t her parents get the wrong idea?

Thankfully, their awkward solitude didn’t last long. A few minutes later, Chu Jingyi’s mother returned with a tray of snacks and sweets. “Here you go, Little Lu. Try some of my homemade treats.”

“Thank you, Auntie.” Lu Li accepted a pastry and took a bite, forcing himself to appear enthusiastic despite his racing thoughts. “Delicious!”

The safest and most effective way to flatter a housewife was to praise her cooking and baking skills. Especially those who were wives and mothers. Telling her her food was amazing was far more impactful than complimenting her looks. Flattery was a valuable life skill. If life were a game, flattery was a cheat code, a shortcut to success.

Chu Jingyi’s mother sat beside her daughter and asked with a smile, “I heard you got first place in the mock exams, Little Lu. You’re a smart one. Perhaps you could help Jingyi with her studies. She’s quite stubborn and slow.”

Chu Jingyi pouted. “I’m not slow!”

Lu Li shot her a look. You’re telling me. You didn’t even pick up on your own mother’s subtle hint. He mumbled a vague agreement, promising to look after Chu Jingyi at school. This was the second most valuable life skill: playing dumb. It wasn’t about what you could or couldn’t do, but about maintaining a facade of agreeability.

Chu Jingyi’s mother beamed at him, her eyes practically sparkling. She asked a few more questions, mostly about school, and Lu Li, with his masterful conversational skills, steered the conversation towards safer waters. Just then, Chu Xiaodong descended the stairs, a towel draped over his shoulders, his hair still damp from a recent shower.

“I told you we should have freshened up before Little Lu arrived,” he said, his straightforwardness uncharacteristic of a politician. He chuckled and waved the towel in his hand. “Min, don’t let us interrupt the youngsters. Jingyi, entertain your guest. I’m going to dry my hair.”

Chu Jingyi’s mother glanced at her daughter, who was trying to disappear into the sofa cushions. “Jingyi, don’t you have something to discuss with Little Lu?”

Chu Jingyi frowned. She considered Lu Li her friend and felt that she should be the one entertaining him. Wasn’t her mother overstepping her boundaries by interrogating him?

“Lu Li, let’s go upstairs. I recorded the music.” She mumbled the last part and led Lu Li towards the stairs, her footsteps heavy with annoyance. Lu Li offered Chu Jingyi’s mother a polite smile and hurried after the class monitor, who was practically stomping up the stairs.

Away from her parents’ watchful eyes, Chu Jingyi seemed to relax. She glanced at Lu Li, who seemed unfazed by the earlier encounter. “Sorry about my mom. She tends to overreact. My dad spoils her rotten.”

“Your mother is very kind. I’m just not used to so much attention,” Lu Li said reassuringly. His words seemed to placate her.

“I was worried she was grilling you too much.”

“Not at all. It was just casual conversation.”

“Come on, let’s go listen to the music.” Chu Jingyi’s mood shifted as quickly as it had soured. She grabbed Lu Li’s sleeve and dragged him towards the home theater. Like Zou Yameng, she was impatient, always eager to get things done.

This house is ridiculously extravagant, Lu Li thought to himself. Besides the home theater, he had also spotted a game room, a billiards room, and a walk-in closet. According to Silly Goose, there was also a swimming pool on the third floor. He couldn’t help but compare it to his and Zou Yameng’s humble abode. It wasn’t even a proper apartment, more like a glorified studio: living room and bedroom combined, kitchen and bathroom combined. It was probably even smaller than the Chu family’s doghouse – he had spotted a two-story wooden structure in the backyard. That was where their Golden Retriever resided, its eyes following him with a forlorn expression.

Humans really are inferior to dogs sometimes.

Inside the home theater, Chu Jingyi handed Lu Li a pair of headphones and nervously pressed play. When the music ended, she fidgeted with her fingers. “So? What do you think? I wasn’t feeling very inspired at the time…” She had been pleased with her work, but now that she was sharing it with someone else, a wave of insecurity washed over her.

“It’s incredible! Far exceeded my expectations. Class monitor, you’re a natural!”

“R-really?” Chu Jingyi’s cheeks flushed, but this time it wasn’t from embarrassment, but from excitement and joy.

Lu Li removed the headphones and nodded seriously. Truth be told, her composition was mediocre at best, clearly lacking experience.

“I do have two minor suggestions,” he said carefully. “Would it be possible to raise the key and change the tempo after the three-minute mark? It would help build tension. Also, class monitor, you have a beautiful singing voice. Perhaps you could add some vocals towards the end, something like a Gregorian chant?”

Chu Jingyi nodded eagerly, committing his words to memory. As if afraid she might forget, she pulled out a notebook and scribbled down his suggestions. Lu Li watched her, amused and touched. From a professional standpoint, her work was amateurish. It was just a simple flute solo, monotonous and uninspired, completely unsuitable for the game’s atmosphere.

She was no match for An Baili. An Baili was a genius.

Looking at the pretty girl hunched over her notebook, Lu Li felt a sudden urge to pat her head and tell her she did a good job. However, the thought vanished as quickly as it had surfaced.

Right, maintain your distance.

Chapter 16: The Visit

The day finally arrived. After a peaceful and uneventful Saturday, Lu Li woke up early and headed to the market to buy some fruit. Even though he was visiting as a classmate, he couldn’t very well show up empty-handed.

Fruit was the perfect gift – not too expensive, not too cheap, a gesture of goodwill without being overly flattering. As Lu Li browsed the stalls, his phone rang. It was an unknown number.

“Hello, is this Mr. Lu Li?” Mr. Lu Li? No one in this life had ever addressed him so formally. He glanced at the number, confirming it wasn’t a telemarketer.

“Speaking.”

The person on the other end spoke to someone off the phone before another voice, Chu Jingyi’s, replaced them.

“Hello, Lu Li, are you there? What time are you coming today? I’ll have Uncle Long pick you up.” Today, Chu Jingyi’s tone was surprisingly elegant, her voice radiating a refined upbringing.

“So early?”

“It’s not early! It’s already 8 am. The sun’s already high in the sky. Anyway, hurry up.”

Why the rush? Didn’t she realize how easily her words could be misconstrued by a teenage boy? Lu Li shook his head. Silly Goose really needed to work on her sense of boundaries. She was either too cold or too enthusiastic. Thankfully, he had years of experience to rely on. Otherwise, he might actually believe she had feelings for him.

He gave her the address of the fruit market and soon spotted an inconspicuous car pulling up beside him. It wasn’t the same black car as last time. A tall, lean man with a neatly trimmed beard and sharp eyes emerged from the driver’s seat. He had the air of a capable and efficient individual.

“Mr. Lu Li, nice to meet you. Please get in.” This must be the “Uncle Long” from the phone call. Lu Li greeted him politely, to which the man smiled and said, “Just call me Uncle Long. And you even brought fruit? How thoughtful.”

Lu Li settled into the back seat, his mind preoccupied with other matters.

He wondered what awaited him at Chu Xiaodong’s house. Would he be summoned to the study and presented with a check?

Chu Xiaodong would probably steeple his fingers and say in a stern voice, “Here’s five million. Leave my daughter alone. You do understand the difference in our social standing, don’t you?”

Yes, that was the kind of cliché he expected. He decided that if it was only one million, he would refuse, declaring righteously, “Your daughter is not an object! You should give her the freedom to choose!” Chu Xiaodong would surely be moved by his integrity, kindness, and bravery, perhaps even grasping his hand and saying, “My apologies, young man. I misjudged you.”

Of course, if Chu Xiaodong offered him five million, he’d be forced to accept. It was simply too much money to refuse.

Uncle Long, unaware that Lu Li was busy directing a melodramatic soap opera in his head, drove on in silence. He observed Lu Li through the rearview mirror.

He seemed like a decent and well-mannered boy, his cheeks still carrying a hint of fuzz, reminding Uncle Long of his own younger days. Back then, he had tried to appear more mature by growing a beard. Now that he was older, he preferred to keep it clean-shaven.

He doesn’t seem nervous at all. He’s even smiling. Could it be that he’s unaware of the Chu family’s influence in Chuanhai? Little did Uncle Long know that Lu Li was smiling because his internal drama had reached the classic amnesia trope.

Not a bad kid, Uncle Long thought to himself, nodding in approval. Living alone without a guardian, balancing school and life – for a boy his age, he was doing remarkably well. He seemed to have a good head on his shoulders.

Sensing the awkward silence, Lu Li decided to break the ice. “You’re a very good driver, Uncle Long.” When in doubt, flattery was always a safe bet. Everyone enjoyed a little self-promotion, and most people were eager to talk about their strengths.

Uncle Long smiled faintly. “Well, I have been driving for over a decade. It’s how I put food on the table.”

“Driving? You don’t seem like a driver.”

“Oh? What do I seem like then?”

“A prosecutor. You have that aura about you.”

Uncle Long was taken aback. He had actually considered joining the prosecutor’s office after graduating. However, due to unforeseen circumstances and his family’s arrangements, he ended up as Chu Xiaodong’s secretary. And calling him a driver wasn’t entirely inaccurate. At Chu Xiaodong’s level, a secretary was practically family, handling both professional and personal matters.

“I’m just a driver. A prosecutor is way out of my league.” It was clear that Uncle Long was in a good mood. He was much more talkative now.

With the ice broken, the rest of the journey was pleasant. They chatted casually, Lu Li wisely avoiding any probing questions about Uncle Long’s work. Instead, he talked about himself. When he mentioned his guardian running off with his money, Uncle Long frowned.

“How could they! Have they no shame?”

“It’s alright. I got through the toughest part. Every day is better than the last. I’m content.”

Uncle Long nodded silently, his opinion of Lu Li rising even higher.

Soon, the car entered a gated community. It wasn’t particularly luxurious but rather a residential area specifically designated for government officials – at least officially. The Chu family lived here.

Lu Li noticed that the security guards patrolling the area had police badges on their uniforms. These weren’t regular security guards. No wonder Silly Goose insisted on sending someone to pick him up. If he had come alone, he probably wouldn’t even make it past the gate.

The more he learned about Chu Jingyi, the more her background intimidated him. Even in his past life, he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to interact with a politician of Chu Xiaodong’s stature. Yet, here he was, a month into his new life, paying a personal visit. He had Silly Goose to thank for this. No wonder so many people within the system sought out advantageous marriages.

For Lu Li, however, this only solidified his self-awareness: he and Chu Jingyi were from different worlds. Their lives shouldn’t intersect.

Had he made a mistake involving Chu Jingyi in his plans?

“The young miss is waiting for you.” Uncle Long chuckled as he spotted Chu Jingyi peering out the door, her impatience evident. “Go on then.”

Lu Li stepped out of the car and watched as Uncle Long drove away. It seemed that the man, clearly a figure of some importance, had been relegated to chauffeur duty. Chu Jingyi, you’re really not making this easy for me.

He suddenly felt self-conscious about the cheap plastic bag of fruit in his hand. A wave of insecurity washed over him, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in years. The nervousness, the unease, the uncertainty – perhaps this was what it meant to be young again.

In this unfamiliar world, the only source of comfort was the sight of Silly Goose running towards him. She had a bright smile on her face, her happiness genuine. She was dressed in casual clothes – a rare sight – a pale yellow sundress that accentuated her tall, slender frame. Her long, fair legs seemed to glow in the sunlight, and her bare arms added a touch of youthful charm.

Beautiful, graceful, radiant – she was the epitome of youthful beauty.

Chu Jingyi came to a stop in front of him, her eyes crinkling with mirth, just like her father’s. “You’re here! Come on in.” She instinctively reached for his hand but stopped midway, remembering An Baili’s words. She quickly hid her hand behind her back.

Lu Li was a pervert, and he was An Baili’s boyfriend. She had to keep her distance.

“I finished writing the music you asked for,” she blurted out, immediately regretting her words. She sounded like a child seeking approval from her parents. Lu Li wasn’t her parent… Why did she even care about his approval?

“That’s amazing.”

Hehe. Chu Jingyi beamed, her heart soaring.

Chapter 15: The Pretty Girl’s Holey Socks

Thanks to An Baili, Silly Goose had developed a newfound fear and respect for Lu Li. Once, Lu Li had just woken up from a nap when he saw her sneakily hand him a book. “Lu Li, I think this book is very important for you.”

He opened it to find, “Quitting Lust: The First Step to Success!” Lu Li couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat. If there was one thing Chu Jingyi excelled at, it was pushing his buttons.

If he didn’t know her personality, he would have thought she was mocking him.

He used the book to lightly knock on her head, as if playing whack-a-mole. “Don’t believe everything An Baili says. Grow up, will you?”

Chu Jingyi clutched her head dramatically, pouting. “That hurt! Don’t be so mean!” She mumbled under her breath, “I didn’t even dare write my name on the library card when I borrowed it. I hid it under my clothes the whole way here because I was so scared someone would see…”

Lu Li paused, suddenly realizing that the book was indeed warm, as if he could imagine the touch of a beautiful girl’s skin on its pages. He laughed and put the book away. It was the thought that counted. He might as well humor her.

The three of them – Lu Li, Chu Jingyi, and An Baili – had become quite the trio. They sat together in class, ate lunch together, and even left school together. Of course, Lu Li insisted that it was purely for work purposes, to discuss the details of the music production. There was absolutely no ulterior motive whatsoever.

Chu Jingyi was taking her role seriously. She had been showing up to school with dark circles under her eyes for the past two days. Upon inquiry, Lu Li learned that Silly Goose had been staying up late transcribing sheet music, unbeknownst to her parents.

He felt obliged to show his appreciation. Since school ended early that day, he decided to treat the class monitor to bubble tea at the school’s commercial street. You heard that right, Chuanhai No. 1 High School had its own shopping street, second only in scale to the downtown area.

Girls her age were obsessed with bubble tea, and the class monitor was no exception. An Baili, who had been eavesdropping, chimed in, claiming she was thirsty. The ever-so-naive Chu Jingyi naturally included her as well.

Before Lu Li knew it, their little outing had turned into a group affair.

The two girls found a quiet bubble tea shop and sat down, looking rather shy. They didn’t even have the courage to order, their eyes pleading with Lu Li. He felt a strange sense of fatherly responsibility, as if the two girls sitting across from him weren’t his ex-wife and classmate, but two helpless little lambs.

“What flavor would you like, class monitor? Any allergies?” Lu Li asked.

“Do you have strawberry?” Silly Goose asked nervously. “I’ve never had bubble tea before. I don’t know what’s good.”

Never had it before? Lu Li shook his head. Were her parents that strict? If Chu Xiaodong found out that he was not only making his daughter stay up late but also corrupting her with sugary drinks, he’d probably be thrown in jail for “abduction of women and children.”

The thought made him chuckle.

“Wait, you haven’t asked me yet.” An Baili glared at him. “I want papaya. Papaya.”

As if I’d let you have papaya. Lu Li shot her a look. An Baili didn’t even like bubble tea. She found it too sweet and heavy. She preferred plain black tea.

Silly Goose, hearing An Baili’s choice, nodded in agreement. It was worth mentioning that after being thoroughly brainwashed by An Baili, Silly Goose genuinely believed that he and An Baili were a couple. She would often try to create opportunities for them, even going so far as to schedule their cleaning duties together or assigning them tasks in the school’s botanical garden as a pair.

Where was the fair and impartial class monitor? Silly Goose’s understanding of friendship seemed a little unconventional.

Lu Li approached the counter and glanced at the menu, his heart sinking.

The cheapest drink was 25 yuan, while the most expensive one was a whopping 70 yuan. This wasn’t bubble tea, it was his and Sister Yameng’s blood he was spending! Could high school girls even afford this stuff? But he had to play the part. With a heavy heart, he paid for the drinks.

The shop manager seemed to recognize Chu Jingyi. He approached them and offered Lu Li a generous discount, even escorting them to a private booth.

Despite being called a bubble tea shop, it was more like a hangout spot for young girls. The booth was equipped with a tablet, a microphone, and a ridiculously large claw machine. However, the trio simply sat around a small table, sipping their drinks. An Baili had ordered a less-sweet version of her usual, while Lu Li had chosen a subtly mocking flavor for Silly Goose.

Chu Jingyi took a few sips and smacked her lips. “Isn’t this a bit too sweet? I’m going to gain weight.”

Gain weight? Lu Li glanced at her slender frame. She could use a little more meat on her bones. She was so thin it was almost unhealthy.

How could one tell if a man’s feelings were genuine? If he thought a girl should lose weight, it was merely infatuation. If he thought she could stand to gain a little weight, that was love. True love should be nurturing, improving one’s mental and physical well-being, not draining and destructive like his relationship with An Baili.

An Baili, also sensitive to the word “weight,” discreetly patted her stomach and pushed her drink aside, pretending to be interested in the sunflower seeds on the table. Suddenly, she noticed Chu Jingyi’s gaze lingering on “her” Lu Li. A surge of jealousy shot through her. Under the table, her foot slipped out of her loafer and slowly inched towards Lu Li.

Lu Li was casually chatting when he felt something brushing against his leg, slowly making its way towards his abdomen.

He looked down and saw An Baili’s leg, clad in black stockings. He had to admit, she was incredibly beautiful. Her features, her figure, everything about her was perfect.

Her slender leg continued its mischievous exploration, teasing the inside of his thigh. Following the graceful curve of her leg upwards, he was greeted by the sight of her creamy white skin, the area known as the “absolute territory” in certain circles. The contrast between her smooth, porcelain skin and the black stockings was a sight to behold, sending a jolt of electricity through him.

His gaze traveled further upwards, past her milky white thigh, to where her emerald green plaid skirt offered a tantalizing glimpse of what lay hidden beneath. As if sensing his gaze, An Baili bit her lip and spread her legs further apart, her immodest posture leaving little to the imagination.

Thankfully, Chu Jingyi’s view was blocked by the large table. Otherwise, this shameless display would have surely shattered her innocent worldview.

For Lu Li, this should have been an incredibly tempting situation. However, his attention was drawn to a small hole in her sock, right at the tip of her big toe. The perfect girl had a hole in her sock! Through the tiny opening, he could see her little toe wiggling playfully.

The sight of that hole completely dispelled any lingering desire, replaced by a mixture of amusement and heartache.

Just how bad was An Baili’s financial situation? Was she really that hard up?

He reached out, his finger finding the hole in her sock. He grabbed her tiny foot and tickled her mercilessly.

An Baili jolted as if electrocuted and let out an involuntary, “Ah, stop!” She quickly retracted her foot and glanced nervously at the oblivious class monitor.

Lu Li, on the other hand, remained calm and collected, continuing to sip his drink as if nothing had happened. “What’s wrong?” he asked innocently.

Chu Jingyi looked concerned. “Are you alright?”

An Baili, unable to come up with a plausible excuse, stammered, “I… I saw a rat. It scared me.” Chu Jingyi looked around the booth, searching for the alleged rodent. The place was spotless.

Silly Goose, believing her lie, nodded seriously. “We should report this to the staff. They need to improve their hygiene standards!”

Don’t you dare, Lu Li thought to himself. The shop was perfectly clean. One complaint from this privileged little missy, and who knows how many people would be running around like headless chickens, risking their jobs and possibly even the shop’s license.

Making a living wasn’t easy. To protect the shop owners, Lu Li decided to intervene.

“I think you were mistaken, An Baili. It was probably just the reflection from a car mirror.” He pointed at the window, which offered a view of the street outside.

An Baili played along, her cheeks flushed. “Y-yeah, you’re probably right.” Her bashful demeanor was a dead giveaway. Even Silly Goose could tell that she hadn’t been scared. She shot Lu Li a strange look, as if trying to decipher the expression on his carefully neutral face.

Lu Li responded with an innocent look, only deepening the class monitor’s suspicions.

So, the class monitor wasn’t completely clueless after all…

In the end, Chu Jingyi didn’t press further. As they were leaving, she suddenly said, “Tomorrow’s Saturday, Lu Li. Don’t forget you promised to visit my house. What time works best for you? I can pick you up.”

He had almost forgotten about that. Tomorrow was Saturday, and he had planned to sleep in.

“How about the day after tomorrow? Sunday morning?” he said, stalling for time. He really didn’t want to spend his precious day off feeling suffocated in a high-ranking official’s home.

An Baili’s ears perked up, catching something in their conversation. “Jingyi, you know where Lu Li lives?”

She might not, but Chu Xiaodong definitely did. Lu Li had no doubt that the man who was ostensibly the second-in-command of Chuanhai City, but in reality held true power, had already done his research. Not just on him, but probably on every student in their class.

Chu Jingyi didn’t want to discuss the matter. She found her father’s methods a little underhanded. She quickly changed the subject. “Baili, are you coming too?”

An Baili hesitated, her mind a battleground of conflicting emotions. Finally, she shook her head.