Chapter 72: Embracing the New, Forgetting the Old

Xie Xu bent down, drawing close to her, leaving barely a fist’s width between them.

His warm breath brushed over her face, enveloping her in its heat. “So, what should a naughty little girl do when she’s made a mistake?”

Lu Yiqi was caught off guard, momentarily flustered.

That phrase—“little girl”—was far too suggestive.

She pressed her lips together.

No—she couldn’t waver, not even if Xie Xu was trying to flirt with her. She absolutely refused to lose herself just because he happened to be handsome and let him lead her around by the nose.

She straightened her neck, eyes wide and full of feigned bravado. “So what if I was wrong? I’ve already realized my mistake and reflected on it thoroughly. Isn’t that enough?”

Xie Xu had anticipated that she might blush or freeze up, but he hadn’t expected her to raise her voice and snap at him. Was this what they meant by lashing out from embarrassment?

Damn… she was adorable.

His long, deep-set eyes lifted ever so slightly, a gleam lighting up their depths, and a low chuckle rumbled from his throat. “It’s enough.”

That deep baritone left Lu Yiqi completely disoriented.

Before she could react, a loud, boisterous voice called out from nearby.

“Xu? Hey, Xu?”

At the sound, both Xie Xu and Lu Yiqi turned in unison to look toward the source.

Not far away stood a boy in a white shirt—tall and slender, with hair as lustrous as black jade, eyes clear beneath long, curling lashes, and lips the pale pink of peach blossom.

Catching sight of Xie Xu, the boy waved with a grin. “Hey, Xu!”

Upon seeing him, Xie Xu frowned.

When the boy drew closer, Xie Xu spoke, unable to mask the impatience in his tone. “What are you doing back here?”

“I came all the way back just to celebrate your birthday, Xu!” The boy’s face fell instantly at the hint of annoyance, transforming into a picture of wounded misery. “Xu? I was only gone for a semester, and you’ve already cast me aside? Have you found some new little cutie? Is this what they call moving on to someone new and forgetting your old flame?”

He conjured up a melodramatic scene in his mind, pouting like a wronged wife relegated to the cold palace.

Lu Yiqi: “!!!”

Something in his words startled her—she sensed something scandalous!

Oh no, her imagination was already conjuring up all sorts of wild scenarios.

As expected, the bond between men was indeed full of… passion.

She had only just started to imagine things when Xie Xu cut in sharply, “Damn it, stop talking nonsense!”

He shot her a quick look, then rapped her lightly on the head. “And you—stop letting your mind run wild.”

“Ow.”

Only then did the boy finally notice Lu Yiqi standing behind Xie Xu.

His eyes lit up as if he’d spotted some rare curiosity. “A girl?”

He looked her up and down with great care.

Appearance: Top-notch.

Personality: Unknown.

Character: Unknown.

Voice: That could be tested now.

Based on looks alone, this girl was definitely worthy of his Xu.

He stroked his chin and went straight to the point. “So, what’s your relationship with my Xu?”

Lu Yiqi: “???”

Xie Xu: “???”

What kind of question was that?

Lu Yiqi pondered a moment before answering, “We’re desk partners?”

Desk partners??

His Xu’s desk partner was a girl?

Before he could get over his shock, Lu Yiqi added airily, “And we’re neighbors.”

She was even his Xu’s neighbor?

That certainly meant she wasn’t lacking for money.

Oh, and her voice was pleasant too.

So—

Voice: Top-notch.