Before Qian Chuan could continue speaking, Lu Xun slowly said, "Don't disturb us."
Qian Chuan wouldn't miss this opportunity. He immediately put his arm around Lu Xun's shoulder, "Come on, good brother, let's eat together. It's my treat today."
Qian Wei knew Lu Xun was tall, but didn't expect him to be slightly taller than the 6'1" Qian Chuan. Qian Wei stood frozen, dumbfounded as he watched Qian Chuan and Lu Xun walk into the hot pot restaurant together.
Did Qian Chuan just say he would treat them? This guy rarely paid a dime for Qian Wei, with no brotherly love at all. If Qian Wei hadn't used his broken heart as leverage, Qian Chuan wouldn't have even thought of treating Qian Wei to a warm bowl of soup. And now he was saying he would treat them???
Mo Zi Xin was also standing still. She bit her lip, her face not looking very happy. Qian Wei greeted her, and she nodded back rather perfunctorily.
Mo Zi Xin didn't need to say it, Qian Wei knew she couldn't be in a good mood. They had gone out for a private date, but two unwanted additions had shown up halfway through. And this insensitive Lu Xun just brazenly turned their date into a double date.
After sitting down, Mo Zi Xin's face was still a bit unhappy, making her seem somewhat cold. Of course, this didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the lovesick young man Qian Chuan at all.
"Here, have a fruit juice."
"Does Zi Xin like spicy food? Let's get a half-and-half hot pot. This restaurant's spicy broth is really intense. I'm afraid you can't handle it."
"Here are your chopsticks."
"Want me to go get some hot pot sauce for you?"
Qian Wei really couldn't stand it anymore. "Qian Chuan, sit down and eat properly, okay? Why are you showing off so much?"
"It's a gentleman's duty to serve a lady."
"Then why don't you serve me too?"
Qian Chuan sneered, "You're so manly, do you count as a girl?"
This ungrateful jerk, as soon as he found a girl he liked he forgot his own sister. Qian Wei regretted deeply. Just what had blinded her in her previous life to help Qian Chuan steal Lu Xun's girlfriend? It was so not worth it.
While Qian Chuan was being so proactive, Lu Xun on the other hand sat completely still. People fear comparison, and the contrast was stark. If this continued, how could Mo Zi Xin feel good? Qian Wei glanced at Lu Xun several times, winking at him to try to hint that he should also get up and serve Mo Zi Xin. But Lu Xun didn't get the hint at all. He not only continued sitting lazily like a young master, but even ordered Qian Wei to get up when she was about to go get hot pot sauce.
"Seafood sauce, satay sauce, sesame sauce, one spoon of sesame oil."
Qian Wei: "What???"
Lu Xun smiled slightly, "Help me get some hot pot sauce too, since you're going anyway. Did you get what sauces I want?"
Oh Lu Xun, with your arrogant attitude, no wonder your girlfriend got stolen in our past life!
*****
"Here Zi Xin, have a juicy pork dumpling, it's this restaurant's specialty."
"The beef tripe is ready, come try some."
"Do you want me to get you some watermelon or fruit or something?"
The whole meal basically became a grand show of Qian Chuan doting on Mo Zi Xin. Qian Wei sat anxiously on the side, while Lu Xun remained completely nonchalant, without showing any of the nervous jealousy or unease he should have felt seeing his girlfriend being coveted. He ate very elegantly, as if he was eating a Michelin star meal rather than hot pot. Mo Zi Xin finally smiled from Qian Chuan's attentive service, but Lu Xun was unmoved, just sitting quietly eating by himself at his own slow pace. He didn't try to intervene at all as Mo Zi Xin chatted and laughed with Qian Chuan.
What to do? Would history repeat itself? Would Mo Zi Xin be chased away by Qian Chuan again? Would Qian Wei once again be punished by Lu Xun as a wife stealer?
Qian Wei kept looking between Qian Chuan, Mo Zi Xin, and Lu Xun, extremely anxious.
Qian Chuan, this shameless guy, clearly felt none of Qian Wei's anxious stares. To make the beauty smile, he was clearly willing to sell out anything.
Mo Zi Xin seemed to really buy into it. She pursed her lips and smiled at Qian Wei, "You two have such a good relationship, Qian Wei. I'm really envious. I wish I had a brother like him too."
Qian Chuan seized the opportunity, "No problem, I feel like I'm just a bit older than you, so I can be your brother. Just ask me for anything you need help with, I'll definitely handle it for you." He wanted to continue his pursuit, but unexpectedly the silent Lu Xun finally reacted.
"You got dumped?" Lu Xun looked up at Qian Wei.
"Of course, she had a secret crush on one of my guy friends. But this friend got a girlfriend, so she was heartbroken. If Qian Wei had told me earlier, I would've helped her get this friend of mine no matter what." Qian Chuan took over the conversation, then steered it back to Mo Zi Xin. "Zi Xin, if there's anything you need help with, don't be like Qian Wei. Just tell me, I'll definitely handle it for you."
Qian Wei sincerely admired Qian Chuan in that moment. She'd never realized this kid was so skilled, able to easily steer any conversation to his advantage without revealing a thing. He really was a prodigy.
But what could Qian Wei say? She regretted trapping herself, there was no way to clarify now. Still, Qian Wei wasn't too bothered. Lu Xun and Mo Zi Xin probably wouldn't be that interested in her love life anyway, just listening to gossip was enough.
Facing the girl he was smitten with, Qian Chuan was even more elated. A beauty's smile was the best catalyst. He became even more diligent in serving food and drinks, no longer making any pretense by the end. He completely ignored Qian Wei and Lu Xun's existence. Qian Wei kicked Qian Chuan under the table several times to get him to tone it down a bit, but he outright ignored her. Finally she gave him a hard kick that even shook the table, causing the dumpling Lu Xun had raised to his mouth to fall off. But Qian Chuan seemed to feel nothing as he continued chatting and laughing. When Mo Zi Xin got up to get more sauce, he even followed her dutifully like a bodyguard.
With just the two of them left in front of the huge hot pot, Lu Xun finally spoke to Qian Wei.
"Seemed like you enjoyed kicking me quite a bit?"
Qian Wei had a juicy dumpling in her mouth when Lu Xun spoke. His words startled her into accidentally biting into and bursting the filling, the scalding soup spilled out and burned her, forcing her to spit out the dumpling in a very ungraceful manner. It fell into the bowl in front of her, splashing soup everywhere.
Lu Xun quickly leaned back to avoid the soup that might splash on him. He frowned and checked himself over to make sure he didn't get splashed, before looking back meaningfully at Qian Wei again.
What a mistake, she had kicked Lu Xun instead! No wonder Qian Chuan was unmoved...
"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding!" Qian Wei hurriedly explained, "I was trying to kick Qian Chuan, please don't hold it against him. He's from the Sports University, you know, his brain is too good to be wasted on hot pot. I guarantee I won't let Qian Chuan come back and ruin your date with Zi Xin. I'll drag him away after this."
Lu Xun looked at Qian Wei without speaking.
Qian Wei lamented, it seemed even the future ace lawyer Lu Xun was so dense when it came to budding romance. Men really needed more coaxing in these matters.
"Lu Xun, if you like someone you have to pursue them. In relationships, the man has to take initiative." Qian Wei spoke solemnly. "I know you're used to being doted on, so it's hard to suddenly change roles. But girlfriends are for spoiling." Qian Wei pointed at Mo Zi Xin chatting with Qian Chuan not far away, "I can handle Qian Chuan for you. But Zi Xin is so pretty and smart, even without Qian Chuan, others will pursue her. You can't keep this up. You have to express yourself more, showcase your charm fully, like helping Zi Xin get food and hot pot sauce during meals."
"When did I say I wanted to pursue Mo Zi Xin?"
Look at him, still denying it when the moment of truth is here!
"You even went on a date alone with her, if not pursuing her, then what is it?" Qian Wei had a knowing expression, as if only missing a "Young man, don't be shy, be honest with yourself" sign on her face.
"She took me out to thank me for helping her at the gym last time. I declined at first, but she kept insisting and treated me several times."
Qian Wei was exasperated. "Look at you! Zi Xin already bravely took the first step, yet you don't cherish it. Isn't it common courtesy to reciprocate favors? Today she treated you to a meal, which gives you the reason to treat her back next time! Go back and forth like this, then seize the opportunity to pursue her, and you two will be together!"
Qian Wei wanted to say more, but Qian Chuan was already walking over with Mo Zi Xin. She winked meaningfully at Lu Xun and timely kept quiet.
