Be Passionately In Love

Zhu Yangqi: "Shut the hell up, not a single word you say is worth listening to."

But deep down, he had some idea. What decent thing could come out of this bastard's mouth? To be honest, Chen Luzhou had a pretty polarizing reputation.

Zhu Yangqi remembered back in middle school, there was a once-popular section on Q/Q called "Friend Impressions." It allowed anonymous evaluations, where both close and distant friends could leave tags. Chen Luzhou had many friends, so his tags were all over the place. Aside from the undeniable "handsome" and "school heartthrob," there were all sorts of random labels, and back then, the terms used were pretty cringey—

Stuff like "Rukawa Zhou" or "Lelouch," basically taking cool anime characters and tweaking their names for him.

Zhu Yangqi wasn’t much into anime. He knew who Rukawa Kaede was, but he’d never heard of Lelouch, so he’d looked it up out of curiosity. Admittedly, the anime was pretty good, and Lelouch was indeed cool and badass, but slapping that onto Chen Luzhou was just so cringe.

But some of the criticisms were pretty harsh too. That’s just how he was—playing dumb while fully aware, never properly apologizing. When he pissed off Chen Xingqi, it was always the same half-hearted, "Okay, my bad. Sorry, bro." Meanwhile, he was probably thinking, "Wow, this guy’s so weak, getting mad over this."

He could never stay serious for more than three sentences.

He was great at taking jokes, but he never considered whether others could handle them, so he spoke without restraint. Zhu Yangqi thought smugly, "Hah, serves you right for kicking an iron plate this time."

Xu Zhi ignored him the whole way back. Once they returned to their rooms, Zhu Yangqi gloated and retaliated: "With an attitude like yours, you think you can chase after her?"

Chen Luzhou hadn’t eaten much all day and was starving. He planned to go downstairs to see if there was any food. If not, he could always munch on some peanuts at the bar. He was about to ask Zhu Yangqi if he wanted to come along, but hearing the provocation, he decided against it. Slipping into sandals, he headed downstairs alone and replied indifferently, "Who said I’m chasing her?"

Huh? That was true. Zhu Yangqi paused. "Then why were you trying to smooth things over earlier?"

"I’d do the same if you were mad," Chen Luzhou said, shuffling in his sandals as he poured himself a glass of water. "This is on you."

"Nature calls, okay? Could you hold it in?"

"See me drinking water right now?" Chen Luzhou finally took a sip and leaned against the table. "They’re both girls. Have some awareness."

"Fine, next time we’re out with them, I won’t drink anything, happy?" Zhu Yangqi actually got tangled in his logic. "You’re really not chasing her? I feel like you two actually vibe pretty well."

"Yeah," Chen Luzhou set down the glass, grabbed his phone, and prepared to head downstairs. "I’ll think about it after I come back from abroad. If she’s still unmarried by then, maybe I’ll give it a shot."

"What if she’s divorced by then?"

"Can you not jinx people?" He added, "But yeah, even if she’s divorced, I’d still go for it."

"Damn, you’re thinking way too far ahead. If it were me, I’d just date her first and have some fun." Zhu Yangqi said carelessly before heading off to wash his face.

The wind chimes at the bar’s entrance jingled crisply in the silent night. The moment Chen Luzhou stepped inside, Xu Zhi noticed and glanced toward the door, spotting a figure she really didn’t want to see right now.

It wasn’t really about what had happened earlier. For some reason, Xu Zhi felt inexplicably guilty—maybe because he didn’t drink, which kind of killed the mood.The entrance to the bar was a right-angled counter with a few wilted potted plants on top. Xu Zhi instinctively used them to shield herself from his line of sight.

Chen Luzhou spotted her the moment he walked in. The place was tiny—there was hardly anywhere to hide—but he was tactful enough not to bother someone who clearly didn’t want to talk.

So he took the nearest seat.

The bartender asked what he’d like to drink. Chen Luzhou couldn’t exactly say he was here for the peanuts, so he ordered another lemon water.

Between his striking looks and the fact that he’d ordered lemon water three times in a row, the bartender couldn’t help but joke, “Handsome, are you here for our peanuts?”

Chen Luzhou was impressed. How did this guy know? Was he an undercover cop? He asked, “Do you have anything else to eat here?”

“Nope, just drinks. Are you really that hungry?” the bartender replied, surprised.

Chen Luzhou nodded, deciding there was no point hiding it. He openly pulled the peanuts toward himself. “Yeah, your restaurant closes too early, and no one delivers out here.”

“Delivery’s definitely not an option,” the bartender said, slicing lemons. “Our boss tried working with a few platforms, but this mountain resort is just too remote. Last time, a delivery guy took an order late at night, and it had been raining nonstop—part of the road collapsed. Luckily, he was fine. After that, the boss stopped allowing deliveries. But if you’re really hungry, there’s a 24-hour convenience store near the hot springs.”

“There are hot springs here?”

“Yep. There’s also a foot massage place and a cinema nearby—all collaborations with Boss Fu. Did you not check the guest handbook? There’s a map in there.”

Chen Luzhou glanced where the bartender pointed and spotted the glowing acrylic sign: “Fu Yu Hot Springs.” So Boss Fu offered a full-service experience. No wonder Zhu Yangqi said business never slowed down despite his terrible temper. This wasn’t a guesthouse—it was a money pit.

“Thanks. How about making me a cocktail?” Chen Luzhou said after leisurely scanning the liquor shelf behind the bartender.

“You got it.”

Xu Zhi wasn’t about to pass up the chance to drink with someone. She grabbed her half-finished bottle of dark beer and moved over.

The bar had a British-style decor, with vintage paintings and bookshelves adding to its retro vibe. The lighting was dim, and the place was empty except for the two of them. To save power, most of the lights were off, leaving only the warm yellow LED strips around the counter, casting a soft, hazy glow.

“What made you decide to drink?” Xu Zhi asked.

Chen Luzhou sat on the barstool, one foot on the ground, head bowed as he meticulously shelled peanuts. As if he’d expected her to approach, he replied without looking up, “Can’t a man drown his sorrows at night?”

Xu Zhi watched his relaxed posture, then glanced at herself—both feet barely reaching the stool’s footrest. She sighed inwardly. Damn, his legs are long.

“One cocktail?” she teased. “You’re such a lightweight.”

Chen Luzhou ignored the jab. Instead, he casually crushed a peanut between his fingers and asked, “Were you really that mad earlier?”Xu Zhi shook her head, "More accurately, I was disgusted."

"Not angry?"

"No."

"Then why did you dodge me earlier?"

He had genuinely thought he’d upset her. Though he hadn’t planned on pursuing anything, he didn’t want Xu Zhi to actually be mad at him either. That’s why he hadn’t dared to approach her first—unsure if she really didn’t want to talk to him. He’d been racking his brain trying to figure out how to get her to speak to him instead.

"No," Xu Zhi admitted honestly. "You’re just too disciplined. Seeing you is like seeing our elusive homeroom teacher lurking in the classroom, you know? Makes me feel like I’m not being serious enough."

Chen Luzhou chuckled, brushing peanut crumbs off his hands before finally glancing at her. "You? Not serious?"

Under the dim lighting, the girl’s eyes reflected the hazy glow, a faint mistiness in them—she must have had quite a bit to drink. She seemed much softer than usual.

"Fine, neither of us is serious," Xu Zhi said. "What kind of decent person drinks at this hour?"

Chen Luzhou thought to himself, Who’s lumping me in with you? The bartender set a cocktail in front of him. He glanced down at it but didn’t touch it, continuing to peel peanuts one by one. "Hungry?" he asked.

"A little," Xu Zhi replied. "Want to hit the convenience store?"

"What do you want? I’ll go get it."

"You’re not drinking that?"

"I need something in my stomach first, or I’ll just throw it all up later," Chen Luzhou said, both feet now planted firmly on the ground, ready to leave. He looked at her slightly intoxicated eyes and added, "Go on, order whatever. My treat."

"Then treat me to Master Kong’s boiled water," Xu Zhi declared with mock solemnity.

It took Chen Luzhou a moment to realize she meant instant noodles. As he stood up to head out of the bar, he unconsciously flicked her forehead with his index finger. "Always so cheeky."

**

By the time the two had eaten their fill, Chen Luzhou propped one foot against the barstool and checked his phone. It was almost 2 a.m.

But he wasn’t the least bit tired, and Xu Zhi didn’t seem sleepy either. She was still enthusiastically scanning the menu for untried drinks. Still, they couldn’t keep this up—if Boss Fu found out, Xu Zhi would definitely get an earful.

Clearly, Xu Zhi was a little tipsy now, her mind buzzing with energy, determined to drink her way to some kind of clarity tonight. Though even she wasn’t sure what exactly she was trying to figure out.

Not wanting to ruin her mood, Chen Luzhou turned to the bartender and nodded toward Xu Zhi with a hint of helplessness. "Does she stay out this late every night?"

"No, just occasionally. We’re way past closing time today."

The implication was clear: You two are keeping me from going home.

Chen Luzhou, sharp as ever, took the hint. "Let’s go," he said to Xu Zhi. "If you want to drink more, I’ll join you next time."

"Fine," Xu Zhi reluctantly put down the menu, though her eyes still sparkled with anticipation. "But Chen Luzhou, aren’t you a lightweight? You just had two cocktails."

As he motioned for the bartender to bring the bill and unlocked his phone, Chen Luzhou shot her a glance. Both their gazes were bolder than usual, charged with the alcohol, his eyes brimming with amusement. "You believe everything I say? One drink was my limit when I was seven."

His tolerance had improved over time—he just didn’t like drinking much because it made him talkative.Xu Zhi was clearly taken aback for a moment before sighing in resignation. She had let her guard down. She’d known from their first meeting that he was full of nonsense, yet somehow she had believed every word he said.

“Is your birthday really on Singles’ Day?” Xu Zhi began backtracking. After paying the bill, Chen Luzhou hesitated with his jacket in hand, then decided against putting it on. Instead, he folded it over his arm. As they walked back, he positioned himself on the windward side to shield her.

“Depends on which one you’re asking about. My ID says March, but my family usually celebrates in March,” he replied.

Xu Zhi gave an indifferent “Oh.”

“What’s wrong?” Chen Luzhou chuckled. “Has your trust in me already collapsed so quickly?”

“Not at all,” Xu Zhi said as they reached the lobby entrance. Suddenly, she asked, “How much was the alcohol just now?”

“Want to split the bill?”

“Considering how hard things are for you.”

“Cut it out. If you really want to pay,” Chen Luzhou said, “settle the fee for keeping me company.”

Xu Zhi, ever meticulous with calculations, replied, “Then let’s talk for another ten minutes. This time, I’ll be the one keeping you company.”

“Forcing a sale, are you?”

Ignoring him, Xu Zhi declared, “Good, you’ve already placed the order—”

Chen Luzhou couldn’t help but laugh at her deadpan expression. “I’ve noticed you really love keeping accounts. Last time at dinner, you even lied about having a boyfriend just to trick me into coming out to settle the debt, didn’t you? Do you keep such strict tabs with your boyfriend too?”

Xu Zhi: “Of course. But you’re not my boyfriend—what does that have to do with anything?”

Chen Luzhou immediately realized he’d had too much to drink—why was he even bringing this up? “Fine, 250. Transfer it to my WeChat.”

Xu Zhi suspected Chen Luzhou was insulting her, but she had no proof.

The next day, Chen Luzhou left Fu Yu Mountain Villa early for a video interview. His mother had asked him to come home to collect his interview materials from the house. While brushing his teeth, he noticed an unread message on his phone. He didn’t even need to look—he knew it was Xu Zhi’s payment notification.

After packing up and boarding the bus, he finally glanced at his phone.

Xu Zhi had transferred 251 yuan to him.

Did she really think he was calling her an idiot? Chen Luzhou sent her a screenshot of the bar receipt—exactly 500 yuan, no more, no less. The moment he sent it, he felt childish for bothering to argue with her and quickly recalled the message. Then he pocketed his phone and didn’t check it again.

Upon arriving in the city, Chen Luzhou didn’t head straight to the villa. Instead, he stopped by his rented apartment to shower and change. As he left, he noticed the “No Spitting” sign was still taped to the door, and the trash bin was spotless—seems the landlord hadn’t caused any more trouble. He tore off the sign, crumpled it, and tossed it into the bin just as the driver sent by Ms. Lian Hui arrived.

A grand Mercedes van was parked conspicuously at the alley entrance, drawing the attention of the old man selling turtles nearby, who assumed Chen Luzhou had won the lottery and hailed a luxury ride. “Young man,” he called out, “it’s easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but hard to go back!”

Even then, Chen Luzhou didn’t sense anything amiss. It wasn’t until he stepped through the villa doors and was met with a lively atmosphere that it finally dawned on him—oh, so it wasn’t a video interview after all. No wonder. He distinctly remembered the interview was scheduled for next Thursday.Xu Zhi woke up the next afternoon to find several missed calls on her phone—all from Old Xu. Just as she was about to call him back, he persistently rang again.

"Hey, Dad."

"Finally awake? Yingying said you stayed up late watching the meteor shower last night?" Xu Guangji's voice came through the phone.

Still groggy, Xu Zhi ran a hand through her hair while looking in the mirror. "Yeah, it was pretty late. What's up?"

Xu Guangji: "I saw the photos on your Moments."

"Oh," Xu Zhi wedged the phone between her ear and shoulder, turned on the tap, and picked up her toothbrush. "And?"

"Nothing, they're nice," Xu Guangji replied, sipping something on the other end. "Who's Chen Luzhou?"

Xu Zhi had set her Moments to exclude her father precisely because he loved scrutinizing her posts. Last night, she must’ve been too tired to remember.

"A friend I met here," she mumbled around the toothbrush.

"A guy?"

"Yeah. He’s good at taking photos."

"Oh, just curious. The pictures are really nice," Xu Guangji said. "Anyway, if you’re free, come down early. There’s a typhoon coming in a few days—watch out for mudslides."

Xu Zhi hummed in agreement and hung up.

By the time she finished washing her face, Cai Yingying was on the phone with Zhu Yangqi, talking animatedly. "What? Chen Luzhou isn’t coming back today? Chen Xingqi’s throwing a tantrum about not wanting to draw, and you’re asking Xu Zhi for help? If you can’t handle him, how’s Xu Zhi supposed to?"

Zhu Yangqi said something on the other end.

Cai Yingying glanced at Xu Zhi. "Why isn’t Chen Luzhou coming back? A blind date? Zhu Yangqi, are you insane? How old is he? At least come up with a better excuse. Fine, I’ll ask her if she’s willing to help Chen Luzhou babysit his brother."

Xu Zhi nodded without hesitation. "Yes, yes! I’ll cover the 800."

Cai Yingying, still holding the phone: "..."

Zhu Yangqi on the other end: "..."