Chapter 56: Go to your apartment

A Bitter Cone

Yi Diandian wanted to toss the ice cream cone away—it was the worst she’d tasted in years!

Seeing her eyes redden like a little rabbit’s, as if tears might spill any second, Lin Lu realized he’d said something wrong.

Even hearing an ex-boyfriend talk about getting a room with another girl would sting, whether she still loved him or not.

It felt like being betrayed, especially since she’d never even gone that far with him herself…

He quickly tried to comfort her.

“We’re not getting a room anytime soon. It’s not happening that fast—just something for the future…”

A Slight Relief

Yi Diandian’s mood lifted a bit, but not much.

The fact remained that they’d eventually get there.

Seeing his creditor still down, Lin Lu, as he used to, reached out to pat her fluffy head.

Yi Diandian froze, her cheeks blooming with a soft blush.

This was the first time in days he’d touched her voluntarily—and with the long-missed head pat.

A Familiar Comfort

Her focus instantly shifted to the warm hand on her head.

She savored the affection, occasionally tiptoeing to nuzzle into his palm like a kitten.

She hated people touching her head—it made her feel even shorter.

But with Lin Lu, it was different. It felt so comforting.

She remembered lying on his lap on the school rooftop, the sunset glowing, a breeze brushing by, dozing off as he stroked her hair.

Back then, it felt so ordinary.

Later, she could never experience it again.

Now, her favorite head pat had finally returned.

A Playful Exchange

“Feeling better?” Lin Lu asked, knowing she loved head pats.

Unlike Su Keke, Yi Diandian’s tastes were oddly specific—not into cheek pinches or playful spanks, not even kisses.

She loved simple things: head pats, hand-holding, hugs.

The purer, the better.

Even a warm breath by her ear with cheesy sweet talk could make her melt.

When Lin Lu stopped, Yi Diandian felt a withdrawal-like unease, quickly grabbing his hand to place it back on her head.

“Keep going… I love it when you pat me…” Her face flushed deeper.

Lin Lu seized the chance to tease.

“Head pats come with a fee—how about that as interest?”

“No way~”

“If you don’t agree, I’m stopping.”

“Ugh, Xiao Lin, you’re so mean, taking advantage of me!

We agreed the interest is weekly dates…”

The Art of Compromise

Lin Lu leaned on the “teardown effect”—people resist small changes but compromise on bigger ones.

If you suggest opening a skylight, they’ll say no.

Propose tearing off the roof, and they’ll settle for the skylight.

He continued, “Weekly fixed dates lose their spark.

It feels like punching a clock, like I do with Keke now.

It’s kind of a drag…

How about we go out when the weather’s nice and we’re both free?

Spontaneous dates are way better.”

A Small Victory

Whether the teardown effect worked was unclear, but saying dates with Su Keke felt like a chore caught Yi Diandian’s attention.

“Fine…” she conceded.

She was already satisfied.

Her treatment wasn’t far off from Su Keke’s.

She might be the “bestie,” but her status was nearly equal to a girlfriend’s—except she wasn’t the state-assigned partner.

In some ways, she was even ahead of Su Keke.

A Quick Distraction

To avoid her changing her mind, Lin Lu glanced at his phone.

There was still time.

Pointing to a lively crowd nearby, he shifted her focus.

“That stage looks fun. Wanna check it out?”

“Sure~”

Lin Lu finished his cone quickly, pulled his black mask back on to avoid recognition, and kept a hand gently on her head as they walked over.

It was a buzzing matchmaking event hosted by a “Madam Wang” figure.

The Matchmaking Spectacle

“Young man, don’t let this lady’s age fool you.

Her style screams rich.

She could save you 20 years of struggle.”

“I’m in!”

“She’s 20 years older than you. You don’t mind?”

“Nope, I love older women!”

“Wow, a 20-year-old with bold tastes… Congrats to you both!”

They’d met at their fiercest ages.

The college guy hugged the wealthy, youthful-looking woman—practically his mom’s age—as they left the stage, a win-win of wealth and beauty.

The crowd seethed with envy, wishing they could take his place.

A Reflective Glance

Lin Lu glanced at Yi Diandian, thinking of Su Keke at home.

He wasn’t doing too badly either.

One was willing to “keep” him, another ready to hand over two million—both rich, beautiful girls.

If only their tangled history could be ignored.

A Playful Proposal

“Xiao Lin, this looks so fun.

Can we go up and play?

Just you and me, like a mock date…”

Yi Diandian shyly tugged his sleeve.

But Lin Lu, lost in thought, didn’t hear her.

His brows furrowed, then lit up with an idea.

“Diandian, what if we held a similar matchmaking event at the campus festival?”

A Brilliant Idea

Yi Diandian blinked, caught off guard, then considered it seriously as he continued.

“When the state partner-matching news dropped, everyone hoped they’d get picked, but spots are limited.

This event could meet that demand.

It’d be a hit.

All we need is a stage—no rehearsals, just a few student council members to keep order.”

Yi Diandian nodded.

“It could work. But who’ll play the matchmaker?”

Lin Lu winked.

“Matchmaker? That’s a woman’s role—obviously you!

I know you’d nail it.”

A Shared Stage

Yi Diandian wasn’t fooled, giggling softly.

“Besides a matchmaker, there’s also a Yue Lao.

You’re coming up with me, or I can’t handle it alone.

It’s my first time doing something like this…”

“Alright, fine…”

It required no prep anyway—Lin Lu could just grab a mic and wing it.

A Reluctant Parting

Leaving Wanxiang Plaza, Lin Lu gently let go of Yi Diandian’s hand.

As her face fell in disappointment, he explained, “That’s it for today.

I’ve got a tutoring gig this afternoon, and I need to nap at home first.”

“Do you have to go today…?” Yi Diandian’s voice carried clear reluctance.

“It was set for last night, but I pushed it to today.

Can’t bail again.”

A Lingering Attachment

Yi Diandian felt a real withdrawal.

Their first date in years, and she wasn’t ready for it to end after just a morning.

Like a girl after her first time, she wanted to cling to her boyfriend every second, never parting.

Finally, she said, “Then… can I visit your and Keke’s apartment?

You’re heading back for a nap anyway.”