Chapter 55: Lin Yuhan’s shortcomings

“Is Feng Xiyue… okay?”

“She should be fine.”

Outside the hospital, Meng Zhi and Chen Xinya walked one behind the other.

The orange sunset painted the sky, the horizon slowly dimming.

“You seem kinda cold about it, huh?”

“It’s their family business. None of my place to butt in.”

“Then why’d you come see her?”

Meng Zhi sighed and waved a hand.
“I’m just here as a friend, showing some concern. That’s enough. Why get more involved?”

“Really now?”
Chen Xinya’s eyes glinted mischievously.

Meng Zhi tapped her forehead, a bit annoyed.
“And you? Why’d you tag along? Just to watch the drama?”

“That hurts…”

Chen Xinya rubbed her forehead pitifully and muttered, “I’m not as mean as you think. I was genuinely worried about her, okay?”

“Don’t worry. That girl’s not that fragile.”

Meng Zhi stretched, glancing up at the sky.
“Sometimes, people don’t know how strong they are until they’re pushed.”

“Speaking of, if you’ve got this much free time, worry about yourself. College entrance exam results are coming out soon, right?”

“Don’t you start.”
Chen Xinya crossed her arms, huffing.
“You never beat me in high school exams, did you?”

“If anyone should be worried, it’s you. Don’t come crying if you don’t get into X University.”

At that, Meng Zhi suddenly stopped walking and, almost impulsively, asked,
“Chen Xinya. What if I really don’t get into X University?”

“…Huh?”

Chen Xinya froze, caught off guard by the seriousness on Meng Zhi’s face.
She fumbled, flustered.
“W-Well, it’s not a big deal if you don’t, you know. X University isn’t the only school out there, and it’s not even that great… Worst case, wherever you end up, I’ll just go with you.”

Meng Zhi noticed her cheeks flush, steaming red and utterly adorable.

Chen Xinya caught the playful smirk on his face and realized he was teasing her.
She let out a soft huff and turned away.
“…Jerk,” she mumbled under her breath. “Always picking on me.”

Her eyes shimmered with a hint of moisture, her shy cheeks practically glowing.

“Who told you to look so easy to tease?”

Meng Zhi swayed casually, then remembered something.
“Oh, don’t forget about tomorrow.”

“I know… How could I forget?”

Though she said that, Chen Xinya’s hands clenched tightly.

Tomorrow was the day she and Meng Zhi had agreed to visit their alma mater together.

Meng Zhi had promised to tell her who he liked then.

Honestly, Chen Xinya had braced herself for the possibility that it wasn’t her.

But every time she thought about it, her heart raced uncontrollably.

‘Could it be that girl who hugged him at the teacher’s banquet?’

That girl was so pretty, delicate and refined like a doll, with soft, wavy hair like a princess from a fairy tale.

When did she and Meng Zhi even meet?

Chen Xinya had always seen Feng Xiyue as her biggest rival.

But this girl, popping up out of nowhere, threw her off completely.

‘Just how many things about him don’t I know?’

“Ah.”
Meng Zhi suddenly stopped, looking at his phone.

“What’s up?”

“Sorry, you head back first.”
Meng Zhi scratched his head, a bit helpless.
“Someone’s calling me for dinner tonight.”

“Huh… Not some cute girl, is it?”

Chen Xinya teased out of habit, not expecting Meng Zhi to think it over and nod.
“Yeah… Pretty cute, I guess. You’ve seen her, right? Lin Yuhan, the one who used me as a shield at the teacher’s banquet.”

Huh?

Chen Xinya froze.

What a coincidence! She was just thinking about her!

“Oh, like that, huh.”
Chen Xinya forced a smile.
“Then I’ll head back.”

“Cool. Be safe.”

Meng Zhi didn’t seem to have any intention of walking her back.
He just gave a quick wave and turned to leave.

Chen Xinya stood there, watching his back, feeling a mix of anger and frustration.

‘Ugh, damn it.’

‘Why do you get to go off to some sweet, romantic dinner for two?’

‘While I’m stuck going back to an empty house, eating alone with the air?’

No way. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

As Meng Zhi got into a taxi, Chen Xinya hopped into another one, pulling on her hood and mask.
“Driver, follow that car,” she said casually.

‘I’ve gotta see.’

‘Who the heck is this Lin Yuhan?’

The taxi stopped in front of a fancy seafood buffet restaurant.

Chen Xinya remembered this place—it was famous on Xiaohongshu, known for being outrageously expensive, like 700 yuan per person or something.

‘This guy… Is he loaded? Or is she some rich girl?’

Watching Meng Zhi enter the restaurant, Chen Xinya hesitated, then gritted her teeth and followed.

“Welcome~”

After painfully parting with her money, Chen Xinya stepped inside.
The seafood buffet was lavishly decorated, with a long dining counter stretching from the entrance, piled high with mouthwatering dishes.

Sneaking around, Chen Xinya finally spotted Meng Zhi at a corner table for two.

Across from him sat a girl in a black lace Lolita dress, with fluffy, wavy hair.

Her skin was strikingly fair, even from a distance, the kind that made Chen Xinya jealous.
Her features were soft, and though she was petite, it only added to her delicate, adorable charm, like a sweet next-door neighbor.

Her arms, waist, and legs were slender, like a finely crafted doll.
When she chatted with Meng Zhi, she was all smiles, revealing a tiny tiger tooth that made her impossibly cute.

Honestly, if she weren’t a rival, even Chen Xinya would’ve taken a liking to such an adorable girl.

After a quick scan, Chen Xinya chose a seat not too far away, behind Meng Zhi’s back, secretly observing them.

Too bad the distance meant she couldn’t hear a word they said.

She felt a bit deflated.
This girl seemed even more appealing to guys than Feng Xiyue, and Chen Xinya couldn’t find a single advantage over her.

‘Doesn’t she have any flaws?’ Chen Xinya wondered.

The next moment, her jaw dropped.

The delicate, petite girl grinned, opened her mouth wide like an abyss, and chomped down on half a giant burger in one bite.

“…”

‘…Guess she does.’