Chapter 40: I won’t look for you as a girlfriend again

A Tentative Request

Mi Xue gently tugged at Lin Lu’s sleeve with two clean fingers, her eyes pleading for him to stay the night. Her words, between two single adults, couldn’t help but carry a suggestive undertone…

But Lin Lu thought he was overthinking. As Su Keke had just noted, Mi Xue’s persona was always docile and pure. She wasn’t that kind of person.

A Cautious Probe

He paused his chopsticks, cautiously asking, “Why do you want me to stay?”

So she could sneak in at midnight, stab him, and toss his body into the river?

“It’s been so long. I just want to talk more…” Mi Xue lowered her head, her flushed face nearly buried in her chest.

An Unfamiliar Boldness

Her demeanor unsettled Lin Lu, goosebumps rising. She’d never said anything so sappy when they were dating. How could she say it now, after they’d broken up?

Something was off—nine parts out of ten.

Heeding the Warning

Recalling Su Keke’s advice, Lin Lu quickly said, “I’ve got training tomorrow. I won’t stay. Next time… uh, we’ll talk later.”

“But tomorrow’s Saturday, right? No training on weekends?” Mi Xue looked up, her wide eyes blinking in confusion.

A Blunt Excuse

Lin Lu went straight. “Actually, my girlfriend doesn’t let me stay over at other girls’ places… That’s normal, you get it, right?”

Mi Xue froze. “Girlfriend…? Since when do you have a girlfriend, Junior Lin?”

A Surprising Ignorance

Now it was Lin Lu’s turn to be stunned. “You didn’t know I have a girlfriend?”

Mi Xue shook her head, her gaze blank.

“My girlfriend’s Su Keke, the one you knew before. You really didn’t know?”

She shook her head again, mechanically.

A Disconnected Scholar

Lin Lu’s mouth twitched. “Do you PhDs just live in labs? No gossip at all? Su Keke’s a big star now. You’ve never seen a video recommendation?”

“My feeds are all academic. I barely touch my phone—either drawing charts or running experiments. My roommates are the same…”

Tonight’s dinner with Lin Lu was the most relaxed time she’d had in years.

A Misunderstood Past

“But didn’t you break up with all your girlfriends? Did you keep Su Keke?”

Lin Lu shook his head, explaining the government-mandated relationship with Su Keke to the out-of-touch professor.

A Calm Acceptance

Mi Xue listened without much reaction, showing no strong emotions about his forced reunion with Su Keke. She even ladled him a bowl of soup to soothe his throat.

“Then you should listen to Su Keke. I won’t keep you overnight, Junior Lin.” Her understanding tone didn’t pressure him.

An Unexpected Reaction

Lin Lu was surprised. He’d expected her to insist. Was it because his “national duty” intimidated her?

Either way, he’d dodged a bullet tonight. He’d steer clear of Mi Xue from now on.

A Loaded Question

As he zoned out, Mi Xue fed him another peeled shrimp, her shy voice asking, “So… are you still planning to, like before, date multiple girls at once, or maybe find one more?”

Was she subtly mocking his past playboy ways? Or if he nodded, would she dredge up her pain of being one of his many girlfriends, settling old scores?

A Hasty Defense

Lin Lu rushed to clarify. “That was me being immature, wanting everything. I’ve grown up. One girlfriend’s enough. Who has multiple? That’s for scumbags, and I don’t have the capital to be one now…”

As he explained, he didn’t notice Mi Xue’s trembling fingers. She dropped the shrimp, her eyes dimming.

A Quiet Despair

“What about me…”

“What do you mean? You live the life you want, free from scumbags. We all get a bright future.”

Lin Lu seized the chance to swear. “If it weren’t for the government, I wouldn’t even be in touch with Su Keke. Meeting you again was just a coincidence, but don’t worry—I won’t, and don’t dare, force you like before. I won’t harass you. If I see you at school, I’ll stay far away, out of your sight, so you’re not bothered…”

A Plea for Mercy

His promises were a show of weakness, hoping to ease her hatred—a roundabout plea for mercy, hoping she’d spare his life.

“So, Senior, can you…” He trailed off, stunned.

A Chilling Reaction

Mi Xue’s face looked terrible, her lips nearly bitten through. Worst of all, she stared at him, her eyes reddening.

Lin Lu jumped. Why did his groveling make her hate him more?

He stood, stepping back a full body length, but the move only darkened her expression further.

“S-Senior? What’s wrong? Did I say something bad? I’ll fix it, let’s talk calmly, don’t be mad…”

A Puzzling Fury

He racked his brain but couldn’t figure out what he’d said wrong. He’d apologized, hadn’t he? Maybe his sincerity wasn’t enough, but it was still remorseful. How could it fuel her anger?

A Sudden Calm

Thankfully, Mi Xue soon looked away, saying softly, “Sorry, Junior Lin, I lost control… I’ll get you more rice.”

She took his bowl to the kitchen, leaving Lin Lu shaken, feeling like he’d just escaped death. It was the first time he’d seen Mi Xue so terrifying. He’d always thought she was spineless, never angry no matter how he bossed her around, even when he flirted with other girls in front of her…

So what had upset her?

A Confusing Reflection

His last words apologized for his scumbag past—his exes should’ve loved hearing that. Before that, he swore he’d never be a playboy again, never juggling girls. That should’ve relieved them too…

An Ominous Sound

As he puzzled, a digital voice came from the kitchen—or rather, near the front door: Locked.

Lin Lu hurried over, seeing Mi Xue holding his bowl in one hand, fiddling with the smart lock with the other. A bad feeling hit him. He pressed the handle, but the door wouldn’t budge, locked tight.

A Suspicious Malfunction

He turned to Mi Xue. “Why’d you lock the door?”

Leaning against the wall, her gaze darted away. “I-It seems the door’s broken. Looks like… you’ll have to stay the night…”