Repairing the Plank Road in the Open, Crossing to Chencang in Secret

After a while, Jiang Chao continued, "Honestly, I actually thought you'd go back to her.

"After all, Mo Yuqing has never humbled herself like that before."

Jiang Chao wasn't sure whether he was shocked that Mo Yuqing had apologized publicly in front of so many people at the evening gala, or saddened that all his brother's efforts over the years had come to nothing. For some reason, he actually felt it was a bit of a shame.

"Too late."

Chen Lu said in a low voice, "Besides, how can you be so sure she really realized she liked me, rather than just feeling uncomfortable because she suddenly lost someone who looked after her every need?"

He thought what he'd said might sound a little narcissistic, but how many people would unfailingly help buy meals and pick up packages every day, and be there whenever they were called for more than a decade?

Jiang Chao was speechless for a moment. He really hadn't thought about that.

He had simply put himself in Chen Lu's shoes and thought he would have been touched. For a moment, he had nearly forgotten everything Chen Lu had done over the years.

Damn, am I really that cheap? Ready to go back as soon as she throws me a bone?

"I've been a sea king all this damn time for nothing. You see things more clearly than I do," he couldn't help exclaiming.

Chen Lu pulled on a short-sleeved shirt he'd found in the closet, slowly covering his slim abs. "It's not that you can't figure it out. You've just never put in as much as I have.

"You could try doing what Mo Yuqing did and apologize to the girls you've hurt before, and see how they react.

"Most of the girls you were able to play probably had love brains, but maybe one or two of them were genuinely devoted."

Jiang Chao said nothing. Then I'd better see how Liu Yan reacts first.

I might just end up as the next Brother Cheng.

"I'm heading out." Chen Lu picked up the garbage bag and opened the door to leave.

"Wait a second!"

Jiang Chao suddenly called out.

"What? Can't bear to see your daddy go?" Chen Lu asked with a smile.

"How's it going with that idea of joining me to give it a shot? You like playing games so much. Haven't you ever dreamed of making a game that could get nominated for The Game Awards?"

"I'm still considering it. But I've got to warn you, if you start a business with that kind of idea, you'll starve to death."

The door closed gently.

"Damn it."

Jiang Chao cursed.

"That's why I'm asking you!"

The group had agreed to go out for hot pot that evening.

Since Lin Miaomiao had things of her own to do, Chen Lu went to the library to find Liang Zhirou, intending to pass the time until dinner.

She was preparing for the College English Test Band Six in June. Even when she'd been spending every day at the drama club, she had never forgotten to memorize English vocabulary. Now that she no longer had to go there, she simply immersed herself in the library.

Liang Zhirou wasn't the kind of student Chen Lu was, who could play around every day and still get good grades, but she wasn't the kind who worked herself to the bone only to see no improvement, either.

She was right in the middle, so every day, she spent the time when she wasn't working part-time or caring for her mother studying, to make sure she could get excellent grades and win a scholarship, and also find a better job in the future.

Watching the girl diligently at work, Chen Lu got up and borrowed a few books to read as well.

Liang Zhirou rested her arms flat on the smooth table, looking very well-behaved. They were fair and soft-looking, making him want to reach out and touch them.

The girl seemed to notice Chen Lu's gaze. She looked up at the book in his hands and couldn't help asking, "What are you reading?"

Chen Lu quickly returned his gaze to the book.

"This? The one I'm reading now is about the process of starting a business." He then pointed to another book on the table.

"The one on the table is the famous C++: From Beginner to the Grave."

Liang Zhirou's lips parted slightly, and she blinked in a daze. "Aren't you a law major...? Why are you reading that?"

She was a little surprised. No wonder Chen Lu can do everything...

Even though Chen Lu got excellent grades in his major courses, he was still squeezing in time to learn things he didn't know.

"I've got nothing else to do anyway, so I'm just learning a little about it for a friend," Chen Lu said seriously. "He's too reckless when he does things. He might not look into this stuff beforehand."

Liang Zhirou seemed even more shocked after hearing that. Her parted lips never closed.

Just studying her own coursework every day left her half dead with exhaustion.

Could Chen Lu really spend that much time learning things outside his major?

Chen Lu could tell what she was thinking. He quietly pointed to several people in the distance, with books piled high beside them. They looked like they were working hard, but were actually wearing earphones and watching videos.

"Nothing you learn is wasted, and I use the time other people spend watching short videos. I still take care of what I need to do step by step."

Chen Lu was certain that if he took the legal professional qualification exam now, he would pass.

The girl nodded, only half understanding, and went back to concentrating on her own work.

She didn't know why, but having Chen Lu beside her made her feel very reassured. Even her studying became much more efficient.

She liked being around Chen Lu more and more, even when they did nothing at all.

Even this much contentment was something she had never dared to hope for.

Just then, Chen Lu suddenly began poking her arm with a pen. Her skin was so nice that even a light press would leave a white mark.

He poked her like that, then slowly watched the mark fade away.

"Can I poke your cheek?"

"Liang Zhirou, you wouldn't want your good friend to be upset, would you?"

Liang Zhirou froze for a moment, then slowly leaned a little closer to Chen Lu...

That way, Chen Lu wouldn't have to reach so far.

That evening.

The two walked side by side into a hot pot restaurant near the university.

As soon as they went in, they saw Lin Miaomiao grinning and waving at them, completely unconcerned by the strange looks from the people around her.

Liang Zhirou lowered her head and sat down beside Lin Miaomiao, while Chen Lu sat directly across from her.

"You're pretty early," Chen Lu teased.

Lin Miaomiao put on a shocked expression. "How did you know I was on the university's official website?"

????

Chen Lu froze.

Did I say that?

Didn't I just say she was pretty early?

Before Chen Lu could speak, Lin Miaomiao deftly pulled out her phone. She didn't even need to search for it; the university's official website was right there when she unlocked the screen.

A group photo of the drama club and a video of her interview were prominently displayed on the homepage.

Because the production conveyed the right message and had been prepared with care, it was naturally selected to represent the anniversary celebrations in publicity.

Although Mo Yuqing's dance had attracted more attention from all the students, it ultimately wasn't as useful for publicity as the drama club's production.

"Oh, I really didn't expect it." Lin Miaomiao sighed. "Honestly, why did the university have to make such a big fuss?"

"Zhirou, did you watch the promotional video before you applied to this university? I applied after watching it."

How could the unsuspecting Liang Zhirou have guessed that Lin Miaomiao had laid an ambush for her? She could only shake her head.

"I heard this production is going to be edited into the admissions promotional video too. I'll send it to you then!"

Chen Lu rolled his eyes at her. "Well, well, that map of the State of Yan of yours sure was short."

Soon, a server came over to the three of them with a menu.

"Order more of the expensive stuff. We'll eat her into bankruptcy," Chen Lu said with a smile at Liang Zhirou. "We can't let our help go unrewarded."

Lin Miaomiao couldn't stand it anymore. "Shameless! Do you think I don't know what you go there to do every day?!"

She held Liang Zhirou protectively in her arms like a treasure and shouted, "You're repairing the plank road in the open while crossing to Chencang in secret!!"