“Susie, Vice President of the Lionheart Society, Chinese student, third year, and Nono’s longtime roommate. Rumor has it she’s Chu Zihang’s yet-unconfirmed girlfriend. They both deny it publicly,” Finger said, leaning against the wall and drinking a cola. “As the head of the campus news entertainment section, I’m quite a decent paparazzo.”
“This is getting way too cozy, isn’t it?”
“Caesar and Chu Zihang have certainly fought fiercely, but no one ever said they’re destined to draw their swords and duel every time they meet… Normally, they probably wouldn’t want to do this, but today is White Day, and since the girls didn’t want to go out, Caesar and Chu Zihang had no choice but to make do,” Finger said.
“White Day?”
“A holiday popular in Japan—March 14th, when boys give gifts back to the girls,” Finger explained. “Have you ever received any chocolate?”
“No.” Lu Mingfei’s head drooped.
What Valentine’s Day? What Christmas? What White Day? As a loyal member of the Go Die Club, Lu Mingfei despised these holidays.
“Well, here’s one for you.” Someone said.
What came into Lu Mingfei’s view was a pair of long, slender legs, wearing cork slippers with a strap between the toes. Around her ankle was a red string with a jade pendant attached.
He looked up and saw the girl’s clover-shaped silver earring with inlaid diamonds and a piece of chocolate wrapped in golden paper.
Nono was wearing a pair of shorts and a tight-fitting white T-shirt, leaning against the door frame of the dorm across the hall, still with bandages on her body.
Lu Mingfei rubbed his hands together and smiled awkwardly.
Whoever did the dorm assignments sure was considerate! For the first time in his life, he was given chocolate by a girl on Valentine’s Day—who cares if it was Black or White Valentine’s Day? The chocolate was given to him by a long-legged girl in shorts! Was this what they call a turn of fortune? What kind of luck was this? Oh no, it was peach blossom luck!
“It’s pretty tasty,” Nono said. “I’m not lying.”
“Do I get one too?” Finger asked.
“Oh,” Nono said. “Wait a moment.”
She turned back inside, then came out shortly afterward with a piece of dark chocolate and handed it to Finger.
“Today is an important day!” Finger patted Lu Mingfei’s shoulder forcefully. “The first piece of chocolate from a girl in your entire life!”
“Nonsense!” Lu Mingfei thought to himself. “If you weren’t involved, this chocolate would be even more meaningful! What’s the deal here? Finger and I both getting chocolate from the same girl?”
But even holding that piece of chocolate, Lu Mingfei still felt like every pore on his body was filled with joy.
“She even bought different types, how thoughtful!” Finger said.
“Nono, did you take down the chocolate wall?” Susie’s voice came from inside the dorm.
“Yeah, Caesar doesn’t eat chocolate; he only cares about his name being spelled out with it. He’s already seen it, anyway,” Nono said.
Finger and Lu Mingfei both peeked into room 304 and saw a wall of chocolate, about the height of a person, built out of golden and dark chocolate pieces, spelling out Caesar’s name.
Now, two pieces had been removed from the corner of the wall, propped up on a can of cola.
“My heart is shattered. Her love for me isn’t even one percent of her love for Caesar,” Finger said.
“I can put you at the top of my list of waiting suitors,” Nono replied.
While they spoke, Lu Mingfei looked at the chocolate wall, scratched his head, stuck out his tongue, and turned to go back to his own dorm.
“Thank you,” Nono said from behind him.
“Uh… you’re welcome.” Lu Mingfei was startled and turned back.
He didn’t know what Nono was thanking him for. He had only told the Principal part of what had happened underwater. He couldn’t exactly say he had sold his soul or his body, resulting in a demon taking over and knocking out the Dragon King in one blow, could he? So none of those English Yanling had been mentioned either. If anything, he should be thanking Nono, not the other way around.
“Aren’t you going to ask why I’m thanking you?” Nono tilted her head and looked at him.
“Finger, could you come and help me with the pizza? When it’s ready, I’ll treat you,” Susie called from inside.
“No problem! Let me tell you, seniors are far more reliable than the younger boys!” Finger twisted around and ran into room 304.
In the empty hallway, only Lu Mingfei and Nono were left. Lu Mingfei opened his mouth, wanting to say something.
“Delivery for Lu Mingfei.” A security guard came out from the stairwell.
Lu Mingfei signed the receipt. It was a large FedEx envelope. Judging by the address, it had been sent from the UK. Lu Mingfei weighed it in his hands, wondering what was inside.
“Could it be… another phone?” Lu Mingfei suddenly thought. The large FedEx envelope, the feel of it—it was just like when he had first received a letter from Cassell College.
He ripped open the envelope and out fell… an iPhone.
“Valentine’s gift?” Nono asked curiously.
Lu Mingfei was curious too. There was nothing in the envelope that hinted at who had sent it. The phone had about half its battery left. He opened the contact list, which was empty. Then he opened the messages, and there was a single text, from an “unknown number.”
Dear Mr. Lu Mingfei:
From this moment on, I shall treat you as my client. Thank you very much for doing business with me. During the elimination battle with Dragon King Norton, we worked together pleasantly. I hope in future collaborations, we can maintain this enjoyable feeling (Note: I mean that I hope you summon me as much as possible, so we can complete the contract sooner).