Vol2 Chapter 38: Ah?

“Last time you treated me to dinner, I never properly thanked you.”

“No big deal,” Lu Mingfei said, scratching his dandruff-flecked head. “My boss set it up. He’s reliable. I’ll go ask him to figure something out for you.”

“I shouldn’t have gone,” Chen Wenwen said softly.

“Huh?” Lu Mingfei froze.

“I felt so guilty afterward. I only went to dinner with you to spite Zhao Menghua, to show him I wasn’t just waiting around for him…” Her voice was barely a whisper, like a mosquito’s hum. “But on the way, I regretted it, worried you’d misunderstand. You cleared things up afterward, and I felt so much better. You’re really great. I’m not worth your feelings. That night, I even ran to Zhao Menghua’s place in the rain to explain. Look at me, so foolish.” She gave a bitter smile, brushing her wet hair.

“Whoa, with this rain, you had a driver drop you off, right?” Lu Mingfei asked, all concern.

“Yeah, the driver was nice. Thanks anyway.” Chen Wenwen turned and left. Lu Mingfei waved with a worried expression, watching her vanish at the basement entrance.

For a full ten seconds, that concerned look stayed frozen on his face, peeling away bit by bit, like his face was coated in glue. Finally, expressionless, he stared in the direction she’d gone.

To spite him, huh…

So that’s still how she sees me. Lu Mingfei glanced at the ceiling. Another “nice guy” card?

He slumped onto the sofa, eating the chips Bai Ci left behind.

Should he have chased after her? She was probably back at her hotel by now. Was she cold after the rain? What if she caught a cold?

Suddenly, a small hand reached into the chip bag, grabbing a piece.

“Brother, you really don’t get girls’ hearts,” Lu Mingze said softly, crunching the chip. “She’s mad at you. Didn’t she tell you Chen Wenwen’s the person she hates most?”

“I don’t get it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have chased Chen Wenwen for three years,” Lu Mingfei said. “How about you help me figure it out?”

“How can you say that? You’ve gotta chase girls yourself.” Lu Mingze tilted his head, smiling at him. “Remember what I said? In this world, it’s just you and me, heart to heart. Sure, I might want your life, but I’ll always be with you. I’m sad when you’re sad, happy when you’re happy. Brother, are you sad right now?”

Lu Mingfei turned to the little devil’s pretty, boyish face. He knew this kid was a scheming liar, spouting nonsense, but that earnest, honest expression made his nose sting.

“Sad? Nah, I’m at my junior sister’s place, just ate with a girl I like, and the girl I used to like came to ask for my help. I’m thrilled, looking forward to a bright future!”

“Brother, your eyes don’t lie.” Lu Mingze smiled. “Cheer up. Big things are coming. You might die, and I’d be heartbroken if you did.”

“Can’t tell. Feels like you’re always plotting to take my life.” Lu Mingfei sipped his cola. “Instead of babbling, tell me what Bai Ci’s up to.”

“You’re hopeless.” Lu Mingze sighed. “I’m talking about your career, and you’re like, ‘Hold on, I gotta find my girlfriend.’”

“She’s not my girlfriend.” Lu Mingfei glanced outside. “It’s pouring. I’m just worried about her.”

“Come on, Brother. Can you say you don’t want her to be your girlfriend? I’m your little brother—I know your little schemes.” Lu Mingze grabbed a cola, sipping.

“Don’t worry, she’s fine. Honestly, I care about your love life. Gotta pick a good sister-in-law. Bai Ci’s not a bad choice—she really cares about you, a decent-blooded rich girl. She’s just a bit stubborn. If you confess, she might think you’re running a fever.”

“You’re pushing me to confess?” Lu Mingfei waved it off. “You said she might not like me. If she thinks I’m feverish and rejects me, where do I hide my face? In a ditch?”

“You weren’t like this when you confessed to Chen Wenwen.” Lu Mingze stood, brimming with gusto. “Didn’t I tell you? She’ll say yes. Back at Cassell, you can sling your arm around her and shout, ‘From today, this woman’s mine!’ Total swagger, the world firing cannons for two S-ranks tying the knot. How happy, how epic would that moment be?”

“You also said she might not like me,” Lu Mingfei muttered. “I’d rather she confess to me…”

“Brother, are you joking?” Lu Mingze laughed. “You’ve been with her so long. What’s she like?”

“Uh… loyal?”

Lu Mingfei thought about it. She always saved him some snacks, treated him to meals, paid for all-night gaming, bought him Nutri-Express, even said if his future girlfriend mistreated him, she’d swap her perfume for toilet water. Pretty loyal… wait!

He froze. Why does this feel like she’s my bro?

“You know she’s dense as a log. Without a running start and a solid kick to her butt, how’s she gonna get it? Look at how Xia Mi chased Chu Zihang. Keep dawdling, and Senior Brother Chu’s kid will be in elementary school while you’re still a bachelor!”

Lu Mingze had a point. This couldn’t go on. No way! He’d been a coward his whole life—couldn’t he be brave once? You’re always hovering, telling me Chen Wenwen doesn’t like me. Fine, I won’t chase her. Can’t I chase someone else? Why not Bai Ci? I’ll pin her down and say, ‘I’m marrying you, and if you say no, you won’t walk tomorrow!’

Ding, ding, ding!

His phone rang. Lu Mingfei picked it up.

“Hello, are you Ms. Bai Ci’s family? She’s at the police station giving a statement due to some troublemakers. Please come to the station to pick her up.”

“What?”

Lu Mingfei grabbed an umbrella and bolted out, frantic.

It was honestly cold outside.

The police eyed the bruised thugs and the silent girl, puzzled.

According to the thugs, she beat them up—and they called the cops.

This slender girl took down armed tough guys?

How?

Could she uproot trees?

Get real.

Even if she could, she didn’t break any laws—just self-defense. First time they’d seen thugs openly admit to causing trouble. Were they beaten senseless?

Soon, Lu Mingfei arrived, soaked and panting.

“Uh… Officer? I’m her family…”

Moments ago, he was fired up like a rocket. But seeing Bai Ci, head bowed, next to a cop, he chickened out, shuffling over timidly. “Bai Ci, you okay? You alright? Cold? I’ll grab you some noodles…”

Bai Ci looked up, nodded, and said softly, “Mm.”