A pleasant Saturday was spent in ranked matches of "Invincible Kitty Punch" and "#1 Online Godson."
Unfortunately, Sunday got derailed, so today is Monday.
(As agreed, Hua Xin hadn’t woken up on Sunday. She slept straight through until six in the evening, only then seeing over twenty missed calls and more than fifty worried messages from Xia Yan, fearing something had happened to her.)
Shanghai’s Times Square.
All sorts of bizarrely dressed people bustled about. Among them were no shortage of cosplayers and influencers wielding cameras and phones, frantically posing for photos.
They clearly thought themselves at the forefront of fashion.
Yet even so, Xia Yan didn’t pale in comparison to those heavily made-up influencers.
He wore casual light-blue jeans and a white T-shirt printed with a "Six Paths Tom" design.
The well-fitted clothes accentuated his muscular physique. A light, pleasant men’s cologne gave an impression of thoughtfulness.
But the most lethal part...
was his incredibly handsome face and sunny, confident aura.
Coupled with the camera in his hand...
he was simply the absolute pinnacle of cool.
Xia Yan had already drawn the rapt attention of numerous beauties. Their eyes burned with desire, as if ready to scorch holes through his pants.
Hua Xin, who should have been hiding, stood beside him instead.
They were in a spot with fewer crowds.
The girl, as always, wore all-black pants with a hood and mask. Compared to the freak show around, she seemed almost normal.
Unlike her usual quiet and fearful self, in this bustling crowd, Hua Xin peered through her bangs. Her beautiful eyes, like stagnant pools, fixed on the flirty women eyeing Xia Yan.
Her pale, slender fingers, hidden in her sleeves, were already clenched into fists.
*(What are you staring at? Still looking, huh? Keep at it...)*
*(Haven’t you seen a man before?)*
*(Heh heh... heh heh... you’re dead.)*
*(Why didn’t I bring a hammer today...)*
*(You like wearing tank tops, white stockings, black stockings, short skirts, short shorts, and staring at my friend, huh? [Girl’s face darkens...])*
*(I’ll gouge out your eyes, one by one...)*
"Handsome, add my WeChat? I’m... free tonight."
A beauty in a black tank top exposing her navel, and unbuttoned denim shorts, had somehow appeared beside them. The smooth white skin below her waist and the hint of black fabric sparked wild imaginations.
As she spoke, a smug expression appeared on her meticulously made-up face. She pressed her arms together against her chest.
Ample curves. Ample curves. Ample curves.
Judging by the bounce and softness, it wasn’t Hextech—it was the real deal.
But compared to Hua Xin, it still fell short.
If unsealed, the girl’s assets could definitely achieve the legendary 69 position. (Seriously.)
The Busty Girl flashed her WeChat QR code, her gaze aggressively roaming Xia Yan’s face... Adam’s apple... and the faint outline of his collarbone.
Such an excellent man—it was hard not to want to squeeze him dry, right?
"Sorry, I already have a girlfriend."
Xia Yan blinked, his face wearing a polite, sunny smile as he gently declined.
"Oh... we could just be friends. I never said we had to be lovers. Being *friends*... is fine too."
The Busty Girl held Xia Yan’s gaze, her tone thick with implication.
"I love my girlfriend deeply. Please respect that."
Xia Yan’s smile vanished. His expression turned cold and serious.
But the shock wasn’t just hers.
Hua Xin’s eyes filled with betrayal. Her gaze at the Busty Girl turned icy.
*(G-girlfriend???)*
*(When did he get a girlfriend?)*
*(So he had one all along...)*
*(Why hide it from me...)*
*(Was our friendship a lie?)*
"Fine then..."
The Busty Girl lowered her phone reluctantly, her gaze lingering.
Huh?
Wait... why’s it so cold all of a sudden?
She shivered, searching for the source of the bone-chilling chill.
Her prey had a nonconformist standing beside him.
The Busty Girl swallowed nervously, unsure if the girl was the cause.
Fear.
She forced a smile and turned to leave.
"Phew..." Xia Yan sighed in relief.
Next time, he’d wear a mask. He hoped Hua Xin hadn’t been scared.
"When... when did you get a girlfriend?"
The girl asked abruptly, her soft, boyish voice pleasant to hear.
Xia Yan paused, then chuckled. "That was just an excuse to brush her off."
Hua Xin’s frozen heart melted instantly.
*(An excuse, huh? Heh.)*
*(Of course it was... he’s the type who doesn’t date in college, right?)*
Then he seemed to recall a certain cat. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he added:
"My standards for a girlfriend are very high."
"I’ll tell you when I find her."
Xia Yan didn’t want anyone knowing about his online romance yet. He’d wait until his bond with "wife" deepened—after exchanging photos and meeting offline—before going public.
After all, interesting girls were rare.
It wasn’t about looks or legs...
Since becoming a sunny, popular guy, he’d been approached by all sorts of girls. He’d seen too many eyes full of stars but no real affection.
Online dating, where looks didn’t matter, felt refreshingly new.
*(............)*
*(🥺🥺🥺.)*
Tears welled in the girl’s eyes, threatening to spill.
She understood too well.
Once a guy got a girlfriend, he’d pour everything into her.
He’d never treat friends like before—honest and open. Every little thing needed his girlfriend’s approval. (Scrolled TikTok too much.)
Her first hard-won friend would be... gone... just like that...
"But we’ll always be good friends."
Xia Yan looked at Hua Xin earnestly.
The girl froze. His words made her want to cry even more.
*(That’s better. 🥺)*
*(I knew you wouldn’t forget me for a girl.)*
Right!
The friend fee for Xia Yan!
Hua Xin set her backpack on the ground, unzipped it, and pulled out ten cookies with solemn reverence. She presented them to Xia Yan like a treasure.
"Friend fee!"
Xia Yan’s smile faded.
He saw Hua Xin’s hands for the first time.
Sickly pale. Thin. Delicate.
No boy should have hands like this—clear signs of malnutrition. (His heart ached.)
Xia Yan took the cookies she offered, his fingers brushing hers accidentally.
Cold. Icy.
He didn’t look down on the cheap cookies. Instead, he carefully tucked them into his pocket, even as it bulged awkwardly.
"We’ll always be friends."
"Xia Yan and Hua Xin."
"Forever good friends."
"I promise."
He said it softly.
The girl nodded happily.
"Mhm!"
