Damn! He exposed his loser nature again. It was only the girls he liked who bossed him around. Chen Wenwen acted like a submissive wife with Zhao Menghua.
“Being bossed around and uncared for—is that even real affection?” Chu Zihang asked coldly.
“Damn!” Lu Mingfei was genuinely angry now. “Who are you to say what’s real affection, senior? You don’t know anything because you’ve never experienced it! What makes you qualified to make that judgment? Can you study this kind of thing?”
He was convinced now that Chu Zihang knew what had happened. Whether this conversation was meant to console or ridicule him didn’t matter anymore. This kind of detached, academic tone made him want to flip a table!
“Fair point. And I guess relying on zodiac signs is out too, right?” Chu Zihang nodded.
“What are you talking about?” Lu Mingfei asked offhandedly.
“Aquarius and Gemini,” Chu Zihang blurted out.
Lu Mingfei paused, turning to stare at Chu Zihang’s face intensely. Chu Zihang met his gaze for a few seconds before looking away. What? No way… Ah, this turned head, that hesitant expression, the hidden meaning in those words… He had completely misunderstood stoic senior. He wasn’t here to console or mock him, but for relationship advice! He’d finally opened up!
Chu Zihang was a typical Gemini; Lu Mingfei knew that. But who was the Aquarius girl?
Lu Mingfei’s eyes brightened. “Not a great match—both air signs. Gemini is too awkward, not good at expressing emotions, and Aquarius women are subtle when it comes to liking someone. They’re the type to care quietly without making it obvious. That’s what the horoscope says—Aquarius women are the kind who are always around you, but you never know if they really like you or not.”
“Oh, not great, huh?” Chu Zihang nodded, showing no particular disappointment.
“But horoscopes are just for fun, mostly for girls. You believe that stuff? Are you out of your mind?” Lu Mingfei quickly added. He thought, Stoic senior rarely gets a crush—don’t let my nonsense talk kill it. There’s a saying, ‘Those who block others’ fortunes shall perish,’ and blocking someone’s love life… well, that’s probably a straight path to hell.
“In what situation would you be sure you liked someone?” Chu Zihang stared at Lu Mingfei, his expression dead serious. If there was a notebook nearby, he would probably grab it and start taking notes.
Lu Mingfei leaned his head back, thought for a long time, and then tilted his mouth, “If there’s someone whose name comes to mind when you ask me this question, then you like her.”
He looked at Chu Zihang’s eyes, feeling a twinge in his nose. When he said this, he also thought of a name, and he knew he liked that girl. In fact, he’d rather not remember, so he wouldn’t feel this sadness. He thought he was quite something—willing to make himself sad just to give Chu Zihang a reminder. But his sadness wasn’t worth much, and if Chu Zihang understood and managed to get the girl—be it Susie or Xia Mi—then Lu Mingfei’s effort would be worth it. Even though he himself was pitiful, he still hoped Chu Zihang could be happier. Despite his cool demeanor, Chu Zihang didn’t seem genuinely happy.
Chu Zihang was silent for a long time, then nodded slightly. “I understand.”
Lu Mingfei felt his task was complete, and got up. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out.”
As he walked toward the door, he heard Chu Zihang ask from behind, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Lu Mingfei replied without turning his head. “Just frustrated. I never even had a chance—right from the start, it was destined to be pointless.”
“Who wants to like someone so pointlessly, right?” he whispered. “Not even… a chance.”
“Good afternoon, Senior Lu.”
Lu Mingfei bumped into Xia Mi in the hallway. She had changed into Cassell College’s dark green uniform, her hair tied up in a high ponytail, carrying notes and a thermal container.
“What smells so good?” Lu Mingfei sniffed the air around the container like a dog.
“Tremella soup, okay? It’s for the patient. What’s so great about that smell? I can make pork ribs too. Just wait!” Xia Mi grinned, revealing her little canine teeth.
“Looking forward to it, looking forward to it.” Lu Mingfei rubbed his hands together and casually asked, “What’s your zodiac sign, Junior?”
“Aquarius! Aquarius people are good at cooking!” Xia Mi giggled, brushing past him and heading into the room.
Lu Mingfei turned to watch her walk away, ponytail bouncing.
“Damn, having Tremella soup in America—that’s beyond affectionate, isn’t it? That’s practically head over heels!” Lu Mingfei muttered. Then he suddenly smiled and softly said to the empty hallway, “Senior, she’s not bad, so make sure you seize the chance.”
“It’s a bit late today,” Chu Zihang said.
“Come on, I had classes this afternoon! I’m not your nanny! Making soup for you is just out of respect, Senior, you sure don’t hold back!” Xia Mi sat on the edge of the bed, humming, her eyes shining like two pools of clear water.
“Tremella soup, alright. It wasn’t easy finding Tremella in this godforsaken place—I had to order it on eBay!” Xia Mi opened the lid of the thermal container, sounding very proud.
Chu Zihang ate the Tremella soup spoon by spoon, his expression unchanged.
“Is it good?” Xia Mi squinted her eyes.
“It could use a bit of osmanthus sugar.” Chu Zihang gave a calm, professional-level evaluation.
“Wow! You sure are demanding, Young Master!” Xia Mi almost shouted, then suddenly rested her chin in her hands, seriously asking, “What is osmanthus sugar?”
Chu Zihang paused. “Fresh osmanthus flowers, dry them in the sun, a hundred grams. Add two spoons of maltose, steam for ten minutes, cool, and store in a jar in the fridge.”
“Sounds like a troublesome thing to make, but it fits someone as troublesome as you. Alright, I’ll remember to add osmanthus sugar next time. I bought a lot of Tremella, enough for many bowls of soup.” Xia Mi said lazily.
“I’m done.” Chu Zihang handed the thermal container back to Xia Mi, indicating he had finished his task.
“Hey! Would it kill you to say thank you?” Xia Mi glared.
“Thank you.” Chu Zihang complied.
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