Chapter 23: I will support you

“You’ve been studying for three hours. Aren’t you hungry?”

“Not really. You?”

“A bit…”

“Order takeout. What do you want?”

“Fried chicken burger!”

“…Eat less junk food.”

Outside, cicadas sang in the summer heat. Feng Xiyao, finishing her third popsicle, had a faint sheen of sweat making her loose T-shirt cling to her skin.

“So hot. Can’t we turn the AC lower?” she whined, tugging at her collar to fan herself.

“Saving electricity.” Meng Zhi smirked, enjoying her pouty glare. Her annoyance was oddly satisfying.

But as she pulled at her collar, a fleeting glimpse revealed something.

This girl.

No bra.

The T-shirt, clinging to her body, was dangerously tempting—especially the slightly damp fabric, lethal to any guy. Even Meng Zhi, who’d seen her plenty, couldn’t help stealing glances.

As if on purpose, Feng Xiyao fanned her collar harder, complaining, “So hot, so hot,” exaggerating the motion.

No way he could study now.

Sighing, Meng Zhi closed his book and opened his phone. “Let’s find something to eat.”

“Can’t we get KFC Crazy Thursday—”

“No. We had fried chicken yesterday.”

Feng Xiyao pouted, sulking back onto the bed.

After browsing, Meng Zhi ordered two Japanese ramens—tonkotsu for himself, spicy hell ramen for her. Takeout wouldn’t be as good as in-store, but neither wanted to go out in the heat.

When the food arrived, Feng Xiyao slurped her hell ramen and immediately wailed. “So spicy!”

“Who told you to pick that?” Meng Zhi grinned, relishing her misery.

Annoyed, she leaned over and sipped his broth. But with her mouth already burning, the hot tonkotsu didn’t help.

“Ugh… regret.”

Seeing her dejected, puppy-like stare, Meng Zhi hesitated. “What? Don’t tell me you want to—”

“Thanks, Brother Meng Zhi! I knew you’d be the best!”

Before he could finish, she swapped their bowls and dug into his ramen.

Meng Zhi: “…”

Unbearable.

He had to kick her out soon.

He didn’t.

Despite her dramatic clinging and whining, Meng Zhi gave up and returned to studying.

Feng Xiyao sprawled on his bed, scrolling her phone.

The afternoon was quiet. Both sucked on popsicles, time trickling slowly.

“Hm?” A buzzing phone caught their attention.

Meng Zhi opened it to a friend request.

The avatar and ID felt familiar.

…Hanlin Xiangwan.

Feng Xiyao, peeking over, gasped and clicked her tongue. “Whoa, the rich girl who tipped us yesterday?”

“Told you. No way that big tip was random. She’s got ulterior motives.”

“See? I said you’d have a love interest.” She grinned, draping her arms around his neck to look.

Meng Zhi pushed her off, annoyed, and read the note:

…I’m Lin Yuhan, the girl you drank with at the bar.

He hesitated, unsure whether to accept.

Why would she add me? Doesn’t she hate me?

Or… is it because of Feng Xiyao?

After much thought, he accepted. She messaged instantly:

“Hi. Will you come to the band’s next gig?”

He glanced at Feng Xiyao, who shrugged. “Next gig’s after the exam. No excuses then, right?”

“…Do I have to? Sounds like a hassle.”

“A love interest! And you’re not going?”

“I’ve got enough annoying women around me. Don’t need more.”

Feng Xiyao froze, then glared. “Who’s annoying?”

“Whoever’s freaking out.”

Ignoring her playful lunge, Meng Zhi held her head at arm’s length and typed, “Maybe. Not sure yet.”

“Got it… If you’re coming, let me know. My friend’s family owns the bar. Free drinks.”

“Thanks, but I don’t drink much.”

Don’t drink much… On her bed, Lin Yuhan stared at her phone, dazed.

She recalled last night’s conversation.

—Slow down. That’s a cocktail—you’re supposed to savor it.

—If you want to chug, drink beer next time.

That didn’t sound like someone who barely drank.

So, he was probably rejecting her. She sighed, burying her face in her pillow, dejected.

Ugh. This life’s different.

Maybe meeting him too early caused some butterfly effect. This Meng Zhi seemed uninterested in her.

What if, with last life’s memories, she came off as old and uncute?

Did she make a bad first impression? She covered her face, curls falling over her hands.

What do I do?

In their last life, he pursued her. She had zero experience chasing guys.

Just staring at his WeChat avatar, she could zone out all day.

Meanwhile, Meng Zhi hesitated before ending the chat: “Let’s talk after the exam. Hope we both get into our dream schools.”

He closed his phone and resumed studying.

Feng Xiyao flopped back on the bed, grumbling, “All you talk about is the exam.”

“Because it’s important.”

He muttered, “Maybe not to you, but to me, it is.”

“If I don’t get into X University, I miss their big scholarship. I’m on my own now—if I don’t get it, I can’t even afford tuition.”

Feng Xiyao blinked, then hid half her face behind a pillow, murmuring, “I could… take care of you.”

“What?”

“I said, I can take care of you.” She pouted, half-petulant. “Even without adults. I can sing and support you.”

Her face was serious, but it had a childish stubbornness.

Like in their last life, when she grabbed his collar, eyes earnest: Let’s run away together.*

Meng Zhi zoned out, then chuckled, tapping her head.

“Take care of yourself first.”