In the evening, the four of us gathered at Portman Restaurant. Xiao Xiu looked nervously at Chen Xingyu, while Chen Xingyu appeared somewhat aloof. The atmosphere inside the private dining room felt several degrees colder, making it intensely awkward.
Finally, Xiao Xiu mustered up the courage to explain to Chen Xingyu what had happened the previous night. “Senior, yesterday I invited my two sisters out to dinner, but my older sister got completely drunk and lost consciousness, so we all went back together.”
“Hsssh—” Hearing Xiao Xiu’s words, Mimi shot him a fierce, glaring look.
“Besides, that apartment belongs to me and my sister, and this brat is just staying there as a guest. Also, you don’t need to worry; my Momo has someone she likes,” Mimi said as she wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close against her.
I turned to meet her gaze, thinking to myself: Where on earth do I even have a boyfriend? She nodded back at me and gave a subtle wink, hinting that I should just play along. I thought about it, it was harmless enough so I went along with her plan.
“Yeah, I just look at Xiao Xiu like a younger brother. I have a boyfriend,” I said to Chen Xingyu with a smile.
As soon as I finished speaking, the private room plunged back into silence.
Xiao Xiu broke the quiet. “Senior, please don’t misunderstand. I really do just think of Sister Yan as an older sister.”
Chen Xingyu nodded slightly, offering a pale explanation, “Right, it’s nothing. I was just in a rush to get to work this morning. I wasn’t angry.”
“If you weren’t angry, Senior, why did you block me?” Xi Yuxiu asked tactlessly.
This kid really doesn’t know how to take a hint, I thought to yourself.
“Xiao Xiu, didn’t you bring a gift for Chen Xingyu?” Mimi blinked rapidly, signaling him to hurry up and move on to the next topic.
“Right! Senior, look, this is the gift I got for you.” With that, he picked up the exquisite box from beside him.
Chen Xingyu took the gift box and opened it. Inside was a pair of Hermès cufflinks. The cufflinks were entirely blue, catching the light with a sparkling, starry shimmer.
He looked up at Xi Yuxiu, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. “This is too expensive; I can’t accept it,” Chen Xingyu said softly.
“Senior, ever since we first met in the game, it was you who encouraged me to work hard and gave me my life’s goal and direction. I am genuinely so grateful to you for helping me successfully land this job. You really have to accept this gift. And also…” Xi Yuxiu placed the gift solemnly into Chen Xingyu’s hands, speaking with a hesitant stammer.
“It’s because Xiao Xiu himself has always worked extremely hard.” A hint of deep emotion flickered in Chen Xingyu’s eyes as he looked at Xi Yuxiu.
“Oh, Sister, our scheduled massage time is almost here. Let’s head out first,” Mimi stood up, grabbed my hand, and pulled me toward the door.
Understanding her cue, I nodded, “Right, you guys go ahead and chat. Mimi and I are heading out.”
Stepping out of the private room, Mimi and I both let out a sigh of relief.
“Phew… I didn’t want to be a third wheel for even one more second,” Mimi patted her chest.
“I hope their chat goes smoothly,” I said with a smile.
“Sister, since I dragged you out so suddenly, did you even eat your fill? Should we go grab something else to eat?” Mimi asked, holding my hand tightly.
Feeling the warmth of Mimi’s palm, my heart felt cozy. I shook my head and replied, “I ate enough; I’m not very hungry.”
Mimi tilted her head in thought before pointing excitedly ahead. “Then let’s get some dessert! That dessert shop over there is super good.”
Nodding, I followed her forward. We walked into the dessert shop and found a quiet corner to sit down.
“Their mango pomelo sago is amazing!” Mimi said while looking at the menu. “And the half-baked cheese tart, and this, this, and this!”
“Mimi, we can’t possibly finish all that,” I quickly stopped her.
“It’s fine, Sister, we can just taste a little of each,” Mimi insisted, getting carried away as she pointed at the menu and told the waiter, “One of this, this, this, this, and this, please one of everything!”
Before long, the table in front of us was covered with an assortment of desserts.
Mimi and I enjoyed our sweet treats while chatting about what had just happened.
“Mimi, do you know how Xiao Xiu and Chen Xingyu first got together?” I scooped up a spoonful of mango pomelo sago and popped it into my mouth.
“Hmm… Sister, let me tell you. Xiao Xiu and Chen Xingyu have known each other for over three years. They started out playing Rolling Pendulum together in a game, and after playing for a while, they added each other as friends. Chen Xingyu thought Xiao Xiu was a girl the entire time, hahaha.” Mimi giggled as she took a bite of her half-baked cheese tart.
“What?!” I covered my mouth in surprise and laughed.
“Hey, Sister, you have to try this, it’s so good,” she said, gently scooping up a piece of cheese tart and holding it out to my lips. Then, she dove right back into the gossip. “So then, as they got closer and closer, Chen Xingyu actually confessed his feelings to Xiao Xiu right there in the game.”
Hearing this, I couldn’t help bursting into laughter. “Hahahaha! Chen Xingyu thought Xiao Xiu was a girl and confessed to him?!”
“Mm-hmm!” Mimi was laughing so hard she was rocking back and forth, almost tearing up. “Hahahaha, Sister, do you know why he thought Xiao Xiu was a girl? Hahaha… because… Xiao Xiu’s game ID was ‘Crying Puppy’, hahaha…”
I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe. “Ha… ‘Crying Puppy’… ha… that is just too funny…”
Mimi laughed along for a good long time before finally calming down. Wiping a tear of mirth from the corner of her eye, she continued, “Xiao Xiu thought Chen Xingyu already knew he was a guy, so he happily agreed and changed his screen name to ‘Happy Puppy’. This brat kills me.”
“So then they started a web romance?” I took another bite of the strawberry mille-feuille, staring at Mimi with wide, gossipy eyes.
“Mmm-hmm!” Mimi nodded repeatedly. “So they had a two-year online relationship. Eventually, when they started talking about meeting up, Chen Xingyu invited Xiao Xiu out to dinner right here at Portman Restaurant.”
“Wait, what? The exact same restaurant we were just at? So that’s why you specifically chose Portman Restaurant for tonight?” I asked in shock.
“Duh, how else was I supposed to help set up the opportunity for Xiao Xiu?” Mimi winked. “Xiao Xiu told me he fell in love with Chen Xingyu the very first moment he saw him. But Chen Xingyu got totally spooked and ran away. After that, they went through a pretty awkward phase before finally going back to being friends.”
“Judging by Chen Xingyu’s attitude today, it feels like he’s fallen for Xiao Xiu too,” I nodded with a reassuring smile.
Mimi smiled back. “Sister, you’ve got everyone else’s business figured out so well.”
“Well, I’m almost thirty years old after all; don’t you think I’d be able to see through something like that? But speaking of which, have I ever dated anyone before?” Curious about my own romantic history, I couldn’t help asking.
“Nope! There were some annoying guys who chased after you, but you didn’t like any of them,” Mimi replied without a moment’s hesitation, a hint of fierce protectiveness flashing in her eyes.
“Guess I’m a complete amateur at romance then,” I chuckled self-deprecatingly.
“You’re so amazing, Sister none of them were good enough for you!” Mimi declared firmly, looking right at me.
I smiled, finding Mimi’s indignant expression utterly adorable, and couldn’t help wondering what kind of person the one Mimi liked turned out to be.
Right then, Mimi’s phone began to ring.
Seeing the screen light up, she swiped to answer without hesitation and casually hit speakerphone. “Hello, Xiao Xiu…”
“It’s me, Chen Xingyu.” Chen Xingyu’s voice came through on the other end.
Mimi paused slightly, asking softly, “Is something wrong with Xiao Xiu?”
“He drank a bit too much tonight. I’m planning to take him back to my place for the night and bring him home tomorrow,” Chen Xingyu explained.
“Oh, got it. Sorry to trouble you then,” Mimi replied politely.
After hanging up, Mimi and I exchanged glances, sharing a knowing, synchronized smile.
“Looks like things are developing really smoothly for them,” I said softly with a smile.
“Alright, Sister, since we don’t have to pick up that brat anymore, let’s head home early and get some rest.” Standing up from her seat, Mimi grabbed my hand and led the way toward the exit.
Easter Egg
(Portman Restaurant)
“Senior, is what you said in WeChat earlier still counts?” After Yan Moyi and Xi Yumi left, Xi Yuxiu leaned in close to Chen Xingyu and turned to look at him.
“Xiao Xiu…” Chen Xingyu sat straight and rigid, not quite daring to meet Xi Yuxiu’s gaze directly.
“Senior, let’s give it a try,” Xi Yuxiu said boldly, reaching out to take Chen Xingyu’s hand.
After a brief hesitation, Chen Xingyu didn’t pull away; instead, he gripped back tightly.