Right after getting dumped, He suddenly learned that his best buddy was the legendary cold-as-ice school beauty. - Chapter 88

Hangzhou Metro Line 1 was packed to the brim, just like last time.

Fortunately, the air conditioning was blasting—almost uncomfortably cold—so it wasn’t suffocating.

Lu Yibei, as before, carved out a tiny pocket of survival for the heroine amidst the crowd, almost walling her into his arm for protection.

By the time they reached Longxiang Bridge Station and stepped out of the subway, Lu Yibei nearly collapsed from exhaustion.

Ji Qingqian reached out with her delicate fingers, hooking his hand.

The softness of her touch flowing into his palm immediately revived him.

But their hands remained linked only up to the subway exit because Lu Yibei still had to hold the umbrella.

They exited from Exit C.

The first thing in sight was the Apple Experience Store.

The store was large, two stories high, a perfect rectangular prism. Glass walls all around, completely transparent, allowing anyone to see the numerous customers inside.

A few years ago, Lu Yibei had been interested in electronics. Whether Apple or Android, he could explain every new feature and highlight with ease.

But recently, time seemed to pass faster and faster. He couldn’t even remember which generation the iPhone had reached.

Or what specs Snapdragon chips were currently at.

Now, buying a phone was more about whether it felt heavy in the pocket…

Walking past the store, the faint outline of West Lake came into view.

A few steps further, and they were truly standing by the lake.

If the lakeside shopping mall and Apple Store could prove Hangzhou was already an international city,

then the calm West Lake spoke of thousands of years of history.

Ripples barely disturbed the water, boats floated lazily, and distant hills overlapped in mist.

The lake reflected the rain clouds, dark and heavy, while the distant mountains appeared a deep, verdant blue, like brushstrokes from a master painter’s hand.

A sunny day made West Lake perfect for a stroll; a rainy day enhanced its atmosphere even more.

Lu Yibei and Ji Qingqian stood side by side, gazing at the shadowed hills across the water.

As a Hangzhou local, Lu Yibei had been to West Lake countless times.

Yet he still found it uniquely beautiful.

Not the grand, imposing spectacle of major rivers, but the gentle elegance unique to Jiangnan.

Jiangnan had countless famous sights—Guoqing Temple in Taizhou, the gardens of Suzhou, or the ancient town of Zhouzhuang.

But if Lu Yibei had to choose one place to represent Jiangnan, he would choose West Lake.

Perhaps it was his pride and attachment as a Hangzhou native.

Unlike many who grew tired of their hometown, Lu Yibei still found West Lake special.

Even in high school, though far away, he would take the subway just to wander there.

By the lakeside, there were not only tourists but also locals: old men playing chess, middle-aged women taking strolls…

“How is it?” Lu Yibei whispered to Ji Qingqian.

He loved West Lake and hoped someone he cared about would love it too.

“….”

Ji Qingqian didn’t reply. She gazed at the living ink-and-wash scene before her.

She didn’t know how to put her feelings into words.

She had heard Lu Yibei talk about West Lake.

Now, with the internet, countless photos and videos could be found easily.

Filtered and edited, West Lake could appear more vivid than in real life.

But standing there in person, her heart beat faster than usual.

The humid wind, passing people, the low murmur of voices, and the wake of a distant boat—all reminded her of one thing:

She was at West Lake.

Ji Qingqian reached out, lightly hooking Lu Yibei’s arm.

And she was right beside him.

“I thought a novelist like you would have better poetic flair,” Ji Qingqian muttered.

Lu Yibei: ?

“But your words still can’t match the real thing.”

She looked at him, her eyes shimmering like the lake waters, a faint smile on her lips.

Lu Yibei recalled how, centuries ago, Teacher Su had compared Xi Zi to West Lake to praise its beauty.

Today, he wanted to use West Lake to praise Ji Qingqian instead.

“If it feels beautiful, that’s enough,” he smiled.

“I’ve complimented you so many times. If you thought it was mediocre, I’d feel pretty bad.”

Ji Qingqian extended her hand beyond the umbrella.

Only a few raindrops landed.

“The rain stopped. Fold the umbrella,” she said.

“Mm.” Lu Yibei complied.

Others by the lake also began folding away their small transparent umbrellas.

Ji Qingqian glanced at the lake, then at Lu Yibei shaking off the droplets.

West Lake was beautiful.

Yet its charm didn’t lie solely in the scenery—it was the right time, the right weather, and the right company that made it truly exceptional.

Especially the last part. That mattered even more than the lake itself.

Lu Yibei smoothed the umbrella’s folds, neatly securing it with the strap.

He then planted it upright in front of him, eyes gleaming:

“Ultimate move! Dragon Sword!”

The heroine stared at his sudden dramatic gesture, her patience finally snapping.

“Enough,” she said softly, showing her pale palm. “Now it’s my turn.”

Besides the elegant lake, West Lake was also famous for its cultural history:

Su Causeway, Bai Causeway, the three lover’s bridges—Broken Bridge, Long Bridge, Xiling Bridge—and further out, Lingyin Temple, Beigao Peak…

But since they were in Hangzhou, there was no rush to check off every sight. No need for military-like planning—they could come anytime.

Hand in hand, they walked slowly.

“By the way…”

Ji Qingqian muttered, revisiting an old grievance. “So unfair.”

Lu Yibei: …

She shot him a sideways glance.

He knew exactly what she meant.

Earlier, when scanning her travel code to ride the subway, she had seen his phone’s wallpaper:

Her profile on the lock screen, her full face when unlocked.

It was as if she were turning gracefully in real life.

“Why don’t I have one?” she asked, calm yet cold.

“…I sent it to you,” Lu Yibei replied. “The full set—you can even use it as wallpaper.”

“I don’t want to use my own,” she said.

Lu Yibei carefully asked:

“Then… do you want me to take a set for you?”

“I’d look bad,” Ji Qingqian frowned.

She rarely took photos; not only did she struggle with cameras, even her phone photos were crooked, badly composed—hardly salvaged by beauty filters.

“Then I can’t take them myself, right?” Lu Yibei said helplessly.

“…Oh.”

She pouted slightly, a hint of grievance in her expression. “I don’t have your skills, so I deserve it…”

Lu Yibei quickly reassured her:

“I’ll figure something out. I’ll check with the photography club at school, see if I can get a pro to help… If all else fails, I’ll borrow a tripod and take them myself.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely. Not even a genius like me can fail at this,” he said confidently.

Ji Qingqian’s lips curved slightly.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, little genius.”

Not far off, a crowd gathered around a tree.

A tiny squirrel climbed its branches, twitching its tail.