“I’m in favor!” Han Cheng raised his hand first.

Yang Wenjin nodded with a smile, and even Xinyu hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

Huh? Chen Yuzhe’s gaze lingered briefly on Xinyu’s face.

This girl… didn’t she hate expensive gatherings like this the most? Why agree this time? Was she just too shy to refuse?

“Alright, since everyone agrees, let’s go for hot pot!” Jiang Xiaoyao’s face lit up happily at the mention of food. “The hospital meals these past two days were so bland. Scrolling through food pics on my phone made my mouth water.”

Everyone agrees? Did you even ask me?

Chen Yuzhe didn’t really care either way, but the total lack of say still annoyed him.

Still… Gu Chengjin was the one who suggested eating out?

Heh.

Interesting.

A faint smirk tugged at Chen Yuzhe’s lips.

—

—

The hot pot spot was downtown—a Xiaolongkan branch, authentic and decently famous.

They grabbed a large table inside, six of them sitting in a circle.

“What’s the deal with this hot pot?” Xinyu tugged Chen Yuzhe’s sleeve quietly, leaning in to whisper.

“Xiaolongkan is Sichuan-Chongqing style—super spicy and numbing. Dip the meat in oil sauce for that perfect, fiery kick.”

Chen Yuzhe skimmed the menu, tossed it to Han Cheng, then turned to Xinyu. “Ever tried Sichuan hot pot before, junior?”

“No…”

“Can you handle spice?”

“I guess… maybe?”

“It won’t taste right without heat, but tell me if it gets too much,” he warned.

Xinyu obediently murmured, “Oh,” then stole a glance at the prices and inwardly winced.

Wow… so pricey.

Do seniors always eat like this?

Han Cheng, seasoned from endless business dinners, smoothly ordered for six. “Drinks too?” he asked.

Jiang Xiaoyao hesitated, but Gu Chengjin cut in:

“Rare to gather like this—just a little won’t hurt, right?”

Huh? Chen Yuzhe blinked almost imperceptibly.

Gu Chengjin met his eyes, smiling openly, his gaze clear and utterly guileless.

Han Cheng paused, checked for objections, then nodded. “Alright, just a little.”

—

—

“My god…” Jiang Xiaoyao’s jaw dropped after hearing about that afternoon, staying open for a long while.

“Chen Yuzhe, I never knew you were this loyal!”

She burst out laughing, slapping his back hard enough to make him choke.

Hey, brute—you hit way too hard.

“Haha, just picturing Huang Yanchen’s face makes me so happy!”

Jiang Xiaoyao laughed freely, tears glistening faintly at her eyes.

She really had been through a lot back then.

Chen Yuzhe hadn’t cared about the rumors swirling around her anyway. Even if the gossip about Huang Yanchen and Jiang Xiaoyao was true, it wasn’t his business.

But her clean medical report proved it was all just noise.

She was innocent. Just friends with Huang Yanchen.

Whether they flirted was debatable, but her words to him—“I’m serious about the people I like”—now rang true.

She’d never wanted more with Huang Yanchen; he’d just gotten arrogant and lashed out.

Jiang Xiaoyao raised her glass, grinning. “Cheers!” She drained it in one go, ignoring her messy hair and flushed cheeks.

Hey, your idol’s right here—can’t you act ladylike? Chen Yuzhe thought dryly.

“Chen Yuzhe.” She turned serious after the drink, her intense stare making him pause.

“W-what?”

“Thank you.” She locked eyes, voice steady. “For believing me when no one else did. For standing up for me.”

Chen Yuzhe looked away, flustered. “Don’t make it a big deal. Just a small thing. Don’t overthink it.”

Our partnership isn’t over yet. This was just humanitarian aid for a teammate.

“So—” Jiang Xiaoyao beamed.

“I won’t hold your fake-boyfriend stunt against you.”

Tch. So that’s where you were aiming. Like you could actually punish me.

“But—” Her tone shifted instantly. She leaned in, voice dripping with saccharine sweetness:

“If you want to turn this fake act into reality—”

“—I might just consider it.”