Chapter 41: An unexpected visitor.

Breakfast, unsurprisingly, went without a hitch.

Lu Zhao kept his composure, Yu Baowei looked a bit off, but Yan Qingxin, busy typing on her phone, didn’t notice.

“Who’s texting you this early?” Lu Zhao asked.

“Oh, my roommate, asking why I didn’t come back last night.”

To ease the awkwardness, Yu Baowei tried to shift focus with small talk.

“Last… last night, huh…” She glanced at Lu Zhao, quietly impressed by his calm.

This guy’s really different from other men.

“Ling Cang, right?” Lu Zhao set down his chopsticks.

“Yeah, she said she sent me a ton of messages with no reply. Thought something happened.”

Yan Qingxin shook her head with a smile.

Lu Zhao wasn’t surprised by Ling Cang’s message bombardment—it fit her. What puzzled him was why she hadn’t texted him. They had each other’s contacts.

Avoiding him? Maybe. He wasn’t interested in her anyway.

After breakfast, Lu Zhao and Yan Qingxin left first.

At school, they spotted Ling Cang at the gate, dark circles under her eyes—clearly sleep-deprived.

She was in men’s clothes again. Seeing them, she hurried over, greeting Lu Zhao before turning to Yan Qingxin.

“Qingxin, you didn’t come back last night and didn’t even tell me?”

“Hehe, forgot. Got too excited seeing Auntie Yu and drank a bit.”

“Oh, fine.”

The trio headed to the classroom building, unaware of cold eyes watching from a medical school window until they disappeared.

“Professor Mei, here’s the material for class.”

A flat voice snapped Mei Zi out of her focus—she hadn’t even heard the approaching steps.

Turning to the expressionless blonde girl, Mei Zi gave a rare faint smile, taking the documents.

“How was your break, Shuiyao?”

“Fine. Everything normal.”

Mei Zi wasn’t surprised. It’d be abnormal if she said otherwise.

Two years together, and she knew this girl with psychological issues rarely showed emotion.

“By the way, I asked before—any interest in getting a boyfriend?”

Yun Shuiyao’s brows twitched, her gaze shifting. “No. Why the sudden interest, Professor?”

Sigh… all because of Qingxin, thinking Lu Zhao’s some prize everyone’s after.

In two years, Mei Zi hadn’t seen Yun Shuiyao glance twice at any guy, Lu Zhao included.

Adjusting her glasses, Mei Zi said, “Just thought… with your condition, a caring boyfriend might help.”

Care… love…

Yun Shuiyao’s mind flicked to Lu Zhao’s face, glowing in the sunlight.

“Thanks, but I’m not interested.”

Mei Zi nodded. “Fair enough. No guy here’s probably good enough for you anyway. Let’s go.”

“Hm.”

Passing the window where Mei Zi stood, Yun Shuiyao glanced at where Lu Zhao’s group had vanished.

The first class after break was tough—for teachers and students alike, everyone was distracted.

Morning classes dragged, and soon it was noon.

At the cafeteria, they saw Yu Baowei eating alone, so Yan Qingxin’s group joined her.

Yan Qingxin and Ling Cang went to get food, leaving Lu Zhao to wait, as usual.

The noisy cafeteria was oddly quiet around their table.

Yu Baowei wore yesterday’s professional outfit, but unlike then, she felt uneasy now.

After last night, she’d avoided Yan Qingxin all morning.

Yet here they were.

She knew there was a good chance they’d meet but came anyway.

“Miss Yu.”

“Huh… oh?”

Seeing her nerves, Lu Zhao kept his smile, not mentioning last night. “What do you want for dinner?”

She paused, studying him, realizing she might be overthinking.

He doesn’t care. Of course—why would he have thoughts about an “auntie” like me?

Afraid he’d think too much, yet afraid he thought nothing at all.

Burying her slight disappointment, she said, “I’m staying at school these first few days. Won’t be back until next week.”

Lu Zhao nodded. “Right, you’re a counselor now. Busy start to the semester.”

They chatted until Yan Qingxin and Ling Cang returned.

After lunch, the three found a spot to rest before afternoon classes.

That evening, strolling campus paths, Yan Qingxin said, “Baby, I’m staying at the dorm tonight. Want me to bring breakfast tomorrow?”

“No need. I’ll make something.”

He’d just told her not to yesterday, and didn’t expect his “job” to pause so soon.

Couldn’t flip that fast.

Yan Qingxin held his hand, thinking he was practicing cooking for her, heart fluttering.

Back home, just past four, Lu Zhao hesitated.

Should he buy ingredients? Eating at Yu Baowei’s while she was away felt… wrong.

Yeah, not cool. Better buy something.

Then her message came.

[Out of food at your place? Cook at mine. I’m gone, and stuff’ll spoil.]

[Then I won’t hold back?]

[Don’t. Go for it.]

[Thanks, Miss Yu.]

“What a saint, thinking of this.”

Yu Baowei hadn’t—she’d just mentioned it casually to a colleague asking about her meals.

Lu Zhao didn’t care. Free dinner, who questions it?

He went next door, starting his meal.

Just as he set the table, a knock came.

“?”

Puzzled—Yu Baowei hadn’t mentioned visitors.

Peering through the peephole, he was shocked.

Her?*

He opened the door, knowing her.

The woman outside, seeing him, looked equally stunned.

“You? No way…” She covered her mouth, incredulous. “Your girlfriend’s Sister Yu?!”