Chapter 63: Useless Lies.

Did Yan Qingxin feel hostility toward Yun Shuiyao? Even she wasn’t sure.

She could let Lu Zhao be alone with Ling Cang, her roommates, even her mother or elders.

But not this woman.

It was a gut feeling, indescribable—like if Yun Shuiyao got a chance, she’d steal Lu Zhao, heart and all.

A baseless… intuition.

Did Yun Shuiyao sense it?

She did. She felt the faint rejection from Qingxin and knew why.

She wanted to tell her, Your worry’s unnecessary.

But she didn’t know how to say it—or maybe didn’t want to, afraid to expose the tiny spark of feelings tucked in her heart’s corner.

“Qingxin, you okay?” Lu Zhao asked suddenly.

Since Qingxin sat down, Yun Shuiyao had grown oddly reserved. Still expressionless, but her eyes held a hint of retreat.

Lu Zhao realized he could read the thoughts in this stoic girl’s eyes.

Maybe because her smiles—always in her eyes—were so familiar that any change stood out.

So he asked Qingxin, since Yun Shuiyao only shifted after she arrived.

“Hm? I’m fine. Weird question, Baby.”

Qingxin didn’t look at him, focusing on her food.

Lu Zhao opened his mouth but closed it, unsure what to ask next.

It’d be odd to press his girlfriend over a mere look. He wasn’t that unreasonable.

What could it be, then?

Unable to figure it out, he recalled something else.

“By the way, Senior Yun, what’s with that Yuan Haoyang?”

Qingxin and Ling Cang’s ears perked up. They knew him—third place.

Lu Zhao was second, practically first, since the actual first wasn’t human.

“I don’t know,” Yun Shuiyao said, looking at Lu Zhao, her tone slightly urgent. “Two days ago, he came out of nowhere, saying he’s liked me for ages. I don’t even know him. I rejected him, but he’s been pestering me since.”

“That’s… pretty random.”

Lu Zhao didn’t know Yuan Haoyang. At least get acquainted first—who confesses out of the blue?

He thought for a moment. “Usually, it’s one of two things. Either he’s super narcissistic, thinking you’d definitely say yes, or… he’s got ulterior motives.”

Yun Shuiyao pondered his analysis.

“What do you think, Qingxin, Ling Cang?” He turned to them.

“I don’t know,” Qingxin replied quickly, a trace of irritation in her tone.

Lu Zhao frowned slightly, shifting to Ling Cang.

She’d also sensed the odd vibe but wasn’t in a position to ask. Now, she tried to ease things with conversation.

“Um… I think it’s the second one.”

“Why not the first?” Qingxin shot back, sharp and fast.

Lu Zhao’s frown deepened.

Ling Cang froze. She’d never seen Qingxin so aggressive.

You just said you didn’t know, now you’re asking why it’s not the first?

Picking a fight like that?

“Uh… I just feel he’s probably not that narcissistic?” Ling Cang ventured, shooting Lu Zhao a pleading look.

Lu Zhao was now certain—Qingxin was targeting Yun Shuiyao. His earlier sense of hostility was spot-on.

“Qingxin, you—”

She cut him off. “Senior Yun, does your boyfriend know about Yuan Haoyang chasing you?”

Her question stunned all three.

Lu Zhao: Huh? Senior has a boyfriend?

Ling Cang: What? She’s got a boyfriend?

Yun Shuiyao: Where’d I get a boyfriend?

Facing three pairs of questioning eyes, Yun Shuiyao looked at Lu Zhao, then Qingxin.

If this puts you at ease…

“He… doesn’t mind.”

She’s lying!

Lu Zhao and Qingxin thought simultaneously.

But their interpretations differed. Qingxin believed her boyfriend would mind.

Lu Zhao, reading Yun Shuiyao’s eyes, knew the boyfriend itself was a lie. But why?

Because of Qingxin?

He glanced at his girlfriend, now smiling.

So, you heard she has a boyfriend, figured she wouldn’t go after me, and now you’re all smiles?

Lu Zhao’s lips curved into a helpless, fond smile. This girl… I don’t even know what to say.

You can doubt Senior, but trust me. No, you can trust her too. We’ve known her forever—she’s got no interest in me.

Ling Cang, utterly lost, gave up puzzling over the missed drama. “So… we still talking about Yuan Haoyang?”

Lu Zhao smiled. “Sure, Ling Cang, why do you think it’s the second one?”

Ling Cang, done eating her usual small portion, set down her chopsticks. “I don’t know what Yuan Haoyang’s up to, but I know a Yuan—Yuan Xinmeng, my mom’s business partner. Widowed early, has a son, I think. Never met him.”

“That’d be too coincidental, right? But why chase Senior Yun?”

Because that’s probably my only value.

Yun Shuiyao’s head dipped, her eyes dimming.

Lu Zhao and Ling Cang exchanged a glance. Her reaction screamed she knew something but wouldn’t say.

No need to press further.

Soon, Qingxin returned—with a woman.

A hand clapped Lu Zhao’s shoulder, squeezing it.

The voice from behind made him tense, flashing back to last night.

“Hey, eating? Save a spot for me.”

“…”

Damn it, you really have no guilt at all? Gotta keep chasing thrills, huh?