Right after getting dumped, He suddenly learned that his best buddy was the legendary cold-as-ice school beauty. - Chapter 98

Lu Yibei: “Let me see.”

He was about to reach for it, hoping to sneak a peek, but Ji Qingqian’s next words froze him in place.

“Underwear.”

His hand immediately withdrew, unsure where to put it, and he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“Ah… right…”

Ji Qingqian cast a cold, sidelong glance at him:

“Pervert.”

Lu Yibei quickly explained: “It was an accident.”

Ji Qingqian: “And you still have time to rhyme?”

Then she loosened the strap of her backpack.

Lu Yibei didn’t dare unzip it or peek any further.

Still, his gaze kept drifting, intentionally or not, toward the white backpack.

As if trying to catch a hint through the tightly zipped seams.

The little angel on his left ear whispered: That’s her personal item. If you peek any further, it’s not right, you know?

The devil on his right ear argued: Curiosity about the unknown is humanity’s noblest instinct! Besides, the worst that could happen is Sir Niu getting hit by an apple—big deal.

Then the angel and devil spoke in unison:

Got it? Pervert.

That single word yanked Lu Yibei’s thoughts back, and he finally looked away.

“Heroine, shall we grab something to eat?”

Ji Qingqian nodded.

Dinner on the 25th was especially simple—just a small eatery near the apartment, serving plain home-cooked dishes.

Cheap, edible, nothing fancy.

A rare quality of Ji Qingqian was that she wasn’t picky.

Even the fatty cuts that Lu Yibei found hard to swallow, she would pick out and eat with gusto.

And she ate heartily, easily finishing two bowls of rice in one sitting.

She had the bold, generous spirit typical of a Northeasterner.

Afterward, she could slam a few swigs of fizzy soda, then let out a delicate little burp.

That last little burp, however, robbed her of all heroic aura, transforming her into the cutest girl in the world.

Even though it was still early after dinner—just past six—they strolled outside the apartment, letting the food settle, buying a few small snacks to eat along the way, before heading home.

The sky was darkening; the sunset clouds had faded to scattered streaks of crimson.

There were people walking in the complex—mostly young parents with toddlers just learning to talk.

Lu Yibei carried the bags behind, while the heroine walked a few steps ahead, hands clasped behind her back.

The toddler, unaware of right or wrong, perhaps had innate taste.

The child giggled at the heroine.

Ji Qingqian found it amusing, her eyes curved in a small smile.

The parents noticed their baby laughing at someone else and naturally glanced at Ji Qingqian.

Though strangers, the new father nodded politely, and the mother smiled warmly.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Ji Qingqian slowed her pace, while Lu Yibei hurried to catch up.

“So cute,” he said, smiling, and prompted her: “About half a year old?”

“Yes, almost seven months,” the father replied.

After a few more polite words, they parted ways.

Ji Qingqian walked beside Lu Yibei, glancing back at the long shadows cast by the streetlights over the small family.

“How did you know it was over half a year?” she asked.

“Teeth. The first ones appear around six months, so slightly over that,” Lu Yibei said with a soft laugh.

“…Oh.” Ji Qingqian nodded.

She looked back again, but the family had already gone: “They seem like a happy family.”

“Yes,” Lu Yibei agreed.

Ji Qingqian pressed her lips together, holding back a laugh.

In that family’s eyes, were she and Yibei seen as happy like that too?

“Yibei~” she called softly.

“Hm?” he responded.

“Nothing, just wanted to call you.”

Ji Qingqian walked lightly, hands behind her back, perfectly matching his pace.

“Ah.” Lu Yibei said.

“Yibei~”

“Hm.”

“Yibei~~”

“Here.”

The girl’s cheerful, repeated calls were met with the boy’s patient, unending responses.

…

Back at the apartment.

Ji Qingqian lifted her backpack. “I need to use the bathroom.”

“Okay.”

“No peeking.”

“Heroine, what do you take me for?”

“No eavesdropping either.”

“That’s… a bit much, isn’t it?”

“Hmph~”

She wrinkled her small nose and closed the bathroom door.

Lu Yibei sprawled on the bed, casting a disdainful glance at the locked door.

Then he picked up the unread Frozen Red and Blue, placing it on his lap and opening it.

Within books lie beauties and treasures.

No need for external distractions.

Besides, this wasn’t the first time she used his bathroom. Shower, toilet, changing clothes—it was all separated by a wall.

Hmph, what of it?

Inside the bathroom, Ji Qingqian unzipped her backpack.

Inside were indeed her undergarments.

But what Lu Yibei had seen earlier wasn’t that.

It was a thin, simple ma-mian skirt.

A ma-mian skirt is a type of Hanfu, quite popular these past couple of years.

Traditional formal robes were often thick, heavy, and cumbersome.

Following Wang Jue’s recommendation, Ji Qingqian had bought this set.

In her mind, Wang Jue had graduated from “roommate” to “Hanfu mentor.”

Simple yet elegant, the skirt had a refined charm.

Ji Qingqian liked it.

She hoped to surprise Yibei with it.

He had promised to take her to the seaside to watch the sunrise, which made her thrilled.

If he granted one of her wishes, she wanted to grant one of his.

Fairness was the way of the world.

…

Still, she was a bit careless. Yibei discovered it.

Even if he was happy, it would lack the special, carefully planned romantic feel.

Thankfully, it wasn’t too late.

Following Wang Jue’s instructions, she folded the left and right panels at her chest, then began tying the ribbons.

Yes… just like Wang Jue taught her.

And… yes, perfect.

“Ahbei.”

Lu Yibei looked up as the bathroom door opened.

He saw her head peek out, her black hair cascading like a waterfall.

“….”

He could only see her face—what lay behind was a mystery.

Quickly, he raised his book to shield his eyes.

“Did you forget something?” Lu Yibei asked calmly. “I’m reading… do you want me to help?”

“You’re holding the book upside down,” Ji Qingqian reminded him.

Lu Yibei: ?

No wonder he hadn’t read a single word properly.

“Yibei.”

Ji Qingqian called again, her clear voice tinged with slight guilt and complaint: “…Sorry.”

“Huh? What happened? Did you drop something? Are you hurt?” Lu Yibei asked anxiously.

Ji Qingqian shook her head, even more plaintive:

“I’m an idiot.”

Lu Yibei: ?

“I… don’t know how to wear it.”

…

…

PS: Since I wasn’t the first to wish you a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, allow me to be the last.

Happy Mid-Autumn.