Chapter 30: The obligation of a girlfriend
Post-Training Plans
Military training ended at five, coinciding with the PhD students’ lab hours wrapping up.
The mixer was set for six, leaving an hour for both sides to shower and change into something presentable.
“Lin Lu, where are you going?”
After the group dispersed, Yi Diandian, the class leader, approached Lin Lu.
Fat Bro and the others nearby couldn’t help but notice their height difference—almost a full head—making them look like father and daughter, both awkward and oddly fitting.
Lin Lu waved his roommates off to go ahead, then turned to Yi Diandian.
“I’m not mooching dinner off you tonight. Our dorm’s got a mixer.”
Her high ponytail bounced as she wrinkled her cute nose, instantly alert.
“With girls?”
Lin Lu nodded.
“But you promised to help me organize the event. We’re running out of time. We still need to survey what activities everyone wants.”
If she hadn’t pressured him with her student council president status, he wouldn’t have agreed in the first place…
“Next time, I promise.”
Yi Diandian didn’t push further.
She knew Lin Lu had just met his roommates, and skipping a bonding event would be a buzzkill and hinder their camaraderie.
But…
“You’ve got Keke now. It’s not right to go to a mixer with other girls…”
Yi Diandian knew dorm mixers were basically “speed-dating.”
If sparks flew, guys could seal the deal in one night and brag to their buddies about their quick conquests.
“What? You’re already making me help with the event, and now you’re controlling my mixers too?”
Lin Lu found her lack of boundaries surprising.
Sure, he didn’t want to go, but it wasn’t her place to dictate, especially since they weren’t a couple anymore.
“Well…” Yi Diandian’s expression faltered, stammering, “Keke’s my best friend, so I have a duty to watch her boyfriend for any cheating. Even if you’re state-assigned, couples still have obligations to follow.”
Her logic was sound, righteous, and reasonable.
Lin Lu could only explain, “I don’t even want to go, but the girls said it’s all dorm or nothing. I’m just there to make up the numbers…”
Yi Diandian still looked unconvinced, her big, watery eyes scrutinizing him suspiciously.
“I want to go too. Can you add me?”
Lin Lu shook his head.
“That’s against the rules. Even if you’re monitoring me, it’s a no-go.”
“It’s not monitoring…”
Caught out, Yi Diandian’s gaze darted away.
“Then you’re looking to mingle and find a new boyfriend?”
Lin Lu bent down, his face close to hers.
“I’m not a player like you! I’m not looking for a new boyfriend!”
When it came to her principles on love, Yi Diandian bounced in place, bristling with indignation.
“Then why crash the party? Relax, everyone knows Su Keke’s my state-assigned girlfriend. No one’s dumb enough to mess with me, and I wouldn’t dare either—cheating lands you in lockup.”
“Good that you know. With a girlfriend, you need to limit contact with other girls. You can’t be a player like before, or you’ll get beat up easily now…”
Realizing her words weren’t precise, Yi Diandian blushed and lowered her head, adding, “I-I mean other girls, not including me. Since I’m Keke’s best friend, you should interact with me more. It’s always been that way—guys need to get along with their girlfriend’s best friend. A-and since I’m your ex, there’s no need to be so distant. Being a bit close is… totally normal…”
Her voice trailed off until Lin Lu could barely hear the end.
“I’m heading back to the dorm.”
As he turned to leave, his training uniform sleeve was gently tugged.
He looked back to see Yi Diandian’s shy, flushed face.
“I-If you’re embarrassed to drink my sour plum juice in front of everyone, I can give it to you privately tomorrow.”
“We’ll see.”
What magic potion was in that juice?
Why was she so insistent on him drinking it, so eager to be “nice” to him?
Good thing he didn’t drink it today—there might be something fishy in it.
Dorm Room Preparations
Back at the dorm, Lin Lu saw his three roommates in rented suits from the laundry shop.
He finally understood why they’d been single their whole lives.
Was it because they were busy studying?
Plenty of couples studied hard and got into top universities together.
Was it their looks?
Fat Bro was chubby but not outrageously so, and his 1.8-meter height helped.
Skinny Dog Bro’s 1.9-meter frame might be a hurdle, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker.
Slant Key Immortal was short but had a cute, boyish charm that some girls liked.
The real issue was their classic nerdy style.
All three wore head-to-toe black—sweatpants, jackets, sneakers, backpacks, water bottles, even mesh umbrellas.
Even for today’s mixer with girls, their best idea was renting suits, which was overkill.
Lin Lu offered kindly, “How about something casual? This is too formal—you’ll scare the girls off. Suits and ties? Are you meeting clients for a billion-dollar deal?”
Fat Bro looked at him, exasperated.
“You sound like Third Bro. This is formal. It shows you value the mixer. That’s how you make a good first impression on girls.”
Lin Lu’s lips twitched.
Were all his ex-girlfriends—too many to count on one hand—for nothing?
“Fine, I’m out of touch.”
Fat Bro patted his shoulder.
“It’s normal. You had tons of exes because of your good looks and family background, so girls came easy. But if you were average-looking with no money, would girls give you the time of day if you didn’t dress well or speak properly?”
Lin Lu realized Fat Bro was the清醒 one.
He’d been in his “looks ivory tower” too long, out of touch with the masses.
Now, he wasn’t just broke—he was an orphan with no family, in debt.
If not for the state assigning him a girlfriend, he might stay single forever.
Not that he cared much about that.
Looks didn’t fill stomachs; money was the foundation of love.
“Fourth Bro, want to borrow a suit from the laundry shop?”
“I’m just there to fill a seat, not to flirt. Wearing that would steal your spotlight.”
The three nodded, thinking Lin Lu was truly a stand-up guy.
After more fuss, Lin Lu, in casual clothes, led the three suited giants out the door.