As they stepped into the party house, Jing Pengcheng was already waiting. The moment they entered, he beamed and rushed over.

"You're here! Oh, Yuzhe, you've really saved me big time!" Jing Pengcheng clapped Chen Yuzhe's shoulder warmly, then turned to Xinyu with a bright grin.

"So you're Xinyu? Thanks for helping out! You're my little lifesaver—I'd be lost tomorrow without you."

Xinyu froze, startled by his overflowing gratitude. Her eyes widened, speechless, and she kept glancing at Chen Yuzhe with pleading looks.

Bro... it's just acting. Must you overdo it? Chen Yuzhe facepalmed.

"Bro Jing... dial it back."

Jing Pengcheng slapped his forehead, chuckling sheepishly. "Oops, sorry! Got carried away. Come on, Xinyu, let me explain your tasks..."

Xinyu followed him inside. Chen Yuzhe waited boredly by the door.

Honestly, he had nothing left to do—he could leave anytime. But going home meant just gaming. Might as well stay awhile.

His phone buzzed.

A message from Jiang Xiaoyao:

"About that thing you promised—helping me change myself. You didn't bail, right?"

"Bailed." Chen Yuzhe typed back instantly.

Three seconds later, a WeChat photo popped up: an anime figurine with a rope strangling its head.

Chen Yuzhe straightened up fast. "Digital version's ready. Sent it. Ask if anything's unclear."

"Good boy. =V="

Pulling devilish stunts while acting all innocent and sending emoticons? Seriously extra.

Chen Yuzhe grimaced. His phone rang again.

Yan Qiuran this time:

"Tomorrow noon, Mom and Dad have a symposium. Might just be us two at home."

Uncle Yan and Aunt Lin gone... Chen Yuzhe sighed. Visiting them would wait till next week.

Still, alone with Yan Qiuran? He grinned and replied:

"Sis Yan, guess it'll be just us siblings alone together. Hehe."

"Haven't we had enough alone time?"

"Just worried you'll cook too much again. With them gone, keep it light."

"Fair. Skip Kung Pao chicken and pepper pork. What else?"

"I want... to eat Sis Yan's tofu."

Yan Qiuran's long legs, tall frame, and graceful curves flashed in his mind.

Hehe. A perverted smirk curled his lips.

Yan Qiuran finally replied: "Brat, flirting with your sister? Hmph. Bring me a girlfriend first."

"Knew you wanted my tofu—have it all~ Who am I to say no when I spoil you?"

She added a flirty emoji: a woman blowing a kiss.

Heh, playing along now. Chen Yuzhe shook his head.

Not real flirting—just Mapo tofu. His favorite dish.

They both knew the game. Jokes versus sincerity? Clear as day after years together.

Chatting like this with Yan Qiuran was always fun.

Time flew. Without Xinyu snapping him out of it, he'd have chatted another hour.

"Senior?"

"Huh? Oh, little junior. Done with the tasks?"

"Mhm. Light workload—just temp server for the anime club meetup. But..." Xinyu eyed him oddly. "What were you looking at? Grinning at your phone like that was kinda..."

"...creepy..."

"...Uh. Hard to explain. Not porn, at least."

"Nothing. Since you're done, let's go." It was late—he wanted dinner and rest.

"Um!"

Xinyu's voice called from behind.

"Hm?"

She pursed her lips, steeling herself.

Why so serious again? This invites misunderstandings.

"I—"

She bowed deeply, shouting like her life depended on it:

"I—I want to thank you for your help! So!"

"Can I... treat you to dinner tonight?"