Xie Linchuan tugged at the corner of his mouth, smiled, and said, "I'm used to calling you that. Besides, you're not even chubby now, so it's not a big deal if I call you Little Fatty every now and then."
Chu Xubai let out a hum.
"No way, it'll hurt my chances with girls."
Xie Linchuan was taken aback, then looked him up and down, asking with great curiosity:
"That's strange! All these years, aside from studying and gaming, you've never been interested in any of the girls who actively threw themselves at you."
"I'm the only close buddy you've got. Honestly, every time I go to your place to hang out, your parents give me this weird look."
"They probably think you've got a secret crush on me." At that, Xie Linchuan curved his lips with a smug grin.
"Get lost!"
Chu Xubai was so annoyed that he tipped back the drink he had just snatched and downed it in one go.
It was strong enough to make him cough a couple of times.
Maybe it was the alcohol.
He felt a sudden urge to open up.
"You know I was really fat when I was little, and dark-skinned too. Everyone in class called me Little Black Fatty. Both the boys and the girls whispered and mocked me behind my back."
"In middle school, I started to grow taller and took up swimming. I spent two months in the pool during summer break, got taller, my skin lightened a bit, and gradually girls started slipping me love letters..."
Xie Linchuan listened quietly, nodding. "Yeah, right? Isn't that a good thing?"
Chu Xubai let out a cold snort and continued, "Good what? Did they really like me? They were just judging by my looks. When I was dark and fat, nobody noticed me. Now they're scrambling to send letters — what's that about?"
"Isn't that just superficial? How much of that kind of affection is genuine, and how much is shallow? Why would I accept their fake feelings?"
Xie Linchuan nodded thoughtfully.
Beneath Chu Xubai's seemingly composed exterior, Xie Linchuan knew well that because of the bullying and neglect he suffered as a child for being dark and overweight, Chu Xubai had built up strong defensive walls.
He was always inclined to assume the worst about people who tried to get close to him.
If it hadn't been for growing up together since childhood, it would have been nearly impossible to break through to him.
"So... have you finally found a girl who appreciates your inner beauty?" Xie Linchuan couldn't help but pry.
Chu Xubai had a faint smile at the corner of his lips.
This time, he only took a small sip, speaking vaguely, "Mm, actually, you already know her."
"How would I know?" Xie Linchuan was even more confused.
Chu Xubai had no reason to hide anything from his best friend.
"Little Qiao Loves Jungle is our classmate Qiao Liuyue. She's also the girl who used to be my neighbor when we were kids..."
Xie Linchuan's eyes widened instantly, stunned.
"What? She's the Skinny Monkey Sister you've been going on about all this time?"
Chu Xubai was usually easygoing, but upon hearing that, he shot his friend a glare and said, "Don't call her by nicknames."
Xie Linchuan scratched his head awkwardly. "But that's exactly how you described her to me back then."
Chu Xubai: "What I said at the time was that she was short, skinny, but really clever, like a little monkey."
Xie Linchuan: "Isn't that the same thing!"
The moment those words left his mouth, a heavy slap landed on his back from his buddy.
He let out a wail, "What was that for?"
Chu Xubai looked protective.
"Don't talk about her like that."
Xie Linchuan gradually sobered up a bit, looking him over in disbelief. "So... you're saying the person you like now is Qiao Liuyue!!!"
Chu Xubai gave him a sidelong glance and took another sip. "Got a problem?"
Xie Linchuan felt a swirl of complicated emotions in that moment.
His own feelings toward Qiao Liuyue had gone from initial disgust and resentment, to helplessness and forced tolerance, and now, to gratitude and confusion.
Still, out of responsibility for his good friend, he said, "No problem, no problem. It's just that Qiao Liuyue has a neighbor-brother figure around her who seems to be interested in her too."
Chu Xubai knew exactly who he meant.
"That's Zheng Qingyuan. He's also Shadow in the Wind — the one who supported you as your support that day we played a five-man queue."
The moment he said that.
Xie Linchuan nearly jumped out of his seat.
"What?! He's Ruying!"
No wonder Zheng Qingyuan kept looking at him with that odd expression, as if he recognized someone he already knew.
And then he remembered during that game when Zheng Qingyuan said twice that his network was laggy.
He did that on purpose!!!
What lag?
He was just deliberately watching the enemies take him down.
Way too much! Absolutely outrageous!!!
Xie Linchuan was still fuming over here.
Chu Xubai, meanwhile, replayed the words Xie Linchuan had just spoken and caught something off.
"How did you know that Qiao Liuyue has Zheng Qingyuan around? You two were only ever online before, unless..."
He paused, his tone turning heavier, and looked at Xie Linchuan with a disapproving gaze.
"...you two met in person today?"
Xie Linchuan had no choice.
So he spilled everything that had happened that day.
Only then did Chu Xubai learn there was a whole lot more going on behind the scenes, and he shot Xie Linchuan a sympathetic look.
"So... you're staying in the south city for an extra couple of days to deal with your situation with Dong Jiaoyan?"
Xie Linchuan gave a bitter smile.
"Yes."
Chu Xubai didn't say anything. He just filled both their glasses.
Then handed one over.
"Brother, let's have one."
"Alright." Xie Linchuan downed the drink.
All he felt was bitterness.
"Honestly, Qiao Liuyue is a really good person. If not for her, I'd probably still be in the dark." At that point, Xie Linchuan felt guilty about how cold he had treated her earlier.
He hesitantly asked Chu Xubai, "Do you think I should treat her to a meal as thanks?"
Chu Xubai shot a wary glance at his friend.
Seeing him standing there looking a little dazed, he shook his head. "No need. You're short on time."
Xie Linchuan added, "I was actually hoping you could help ask her to come out to eat."
Chu Xubai immediately changed his tune. "Then I'll go ask her once I'm back on campus."
Xie Linchuan: "...!!!"
Seriously, man! You'd ditch your best friend for a girl just like that?
As he dwelled on it, his mind suddenly flashed back to that moment at the restaurant that morning when his eyes had met Qiao Liuyue's across the table.
A strange, subtle flutter stirred in his chest.
...
The day after Valentine's Day was a Sunday.
Dong Jiaoyan was busy getting cozy with a senior from the sports department when she suddenly received a WeChat call from Xie Linchuan.
She found it strange.
After returning from her date last night, she had wanted to keep this fish on the line.
But Xie Linchuan had gone completely silent, ignoring every message she sent.
Dong Jiaoyan had even gone so far as to probe Qiao Liuyue the night before.
The other girl had responded in a cold tone, "I don't know why your boyfriend isn't replying, so why ask me?"
When the call connected.
The first thing Xie Linchuan said was:
"Dong Jiaoyan. I'm breaking up with you."
