Be Passionately In Love

Xu Zhi had actually made herself quite clear—kissing without being in a relationship is thrilling, but whether we're together or not, I do like you. However, if things stay like this between us, I won’t be satisfied. Regardless of whether there’s a future, at least for now, I want to keep playing this game with you.

But if time could rewind, if she still didn’t know that Chen Luzhou was the top-scoring student in the city, if she hadn’t experienced that humbling moment during the program recording, she wouldn’t have realized he was the legendary academic prodigy from No. 1 High School—the one whose competition awards could paper a wall. Even among that dazzling, untouchable crowd, he still stood out, unmatched in brilliance.

If their beginning and interactions had been with just the ordinary top student Chen Luzhou from the senior year review building, perhaps Xu Zhi might have even said, "Be my boyfriend." But now, she could never take the initiative to say those words again.

Xu Zhi had never been one to underestimate herself, nor had she often felt inferior. In fact, growing up, no one had ever truly made her feel that way—otherwise, she wouldn’t have uttered that now-iconic line as a child: "My beauty is undeniable." Yet, facing Chen Luzhou, she felt inferior for the first time.

It was as if she thought she had the upper hand, that the game had just begun, only to realize he wasn’t even playing on the same server. She had no way of knowing how many extraordinary people he’d encountered on his journey.

If she took the initiative to define their relationship now, she’d feel uncomfortable, as if she were lesser. She could even imagine how insecure the "Xu Zhi" dating someone like Chen Luzhou would become. That wasn’t the ending she wanted for this story.

Old Xu had told her since childhood that liking someone is easy, but liking someone better than you is hard—especially when that person has an independent soul. Then, it becomes even harder.

So, Xu Zhi thought it was enough to enjoy the moment. Playing this game with Chen Luzhou wasn’t a loss, right?

"You’re just letting her do whatever she wants?"

As soon as Chen Luzhou got home, Zhu Yangqi was sprawled lazily on the sofa, legs crossed, gaming with friends. Before speaking, he dutifully muted his mic—since Jiang Cheng and a girl they’d recently met were on the other end.

Chen Luzhou stepped inside, slipped into his slippers, and shuffled over before flopping onto the sofa, tilting his head back with exhaustion. His Adam’s apple, cold as the tip of an ice blade, bobbed sporadically. After a long pause, he finally said, "She just wants to play with me."

Zhu Yangqi, lounging on the single sofa, glanced at him mid-game and scoffed. "Cut the crap. You’re clearly enjoying it. But I think Xu Zhi’s more carefree and clear-headed than you. She’s not the clingy type. I’ve been meaning to tell you—don’t overestimate your importance. Once you’re gone, she’ll probably just move on and date someone else happily. I doubt she’s the type to endure loneliness. You think you’re Yang Guo or something? That one glimpse of you would ruin her for life?"

Chen Luzhou mocked himself inwardly: More like I’m Xiaolongnü, getting kissed against my will all the time. At that thought, he suddenly opened his eyes and lazily kicked Zhu Yangqi’s sofa. "Am I ugly?" he asked flatly.

Zhu Yangqi: ?Zhu Yangqi paused for about half a second, waiting for his skill cooldown, then seized the opportunity to grab the pillow behind him and hurl it forcefully without hesitation. "Get lost."

Chen Luzhou hadn’t bothered much with his appearance today. His face still bore injuries, making it impossible to wash properly, and his unshaven stubble had grown over two days. Earlier, when he stopped by a convenience store to buy water, he’d caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and been startled by how rough he looked. He hadn’t planned on showing up at all, nor did he intend for her to know he was the one who’d paid for the movie tickets. If Cai Yingying hadn’t been so distractible during the film, Xu Zhi probably wouldn’t have noticed him tonight.

Just as Chen Luzhou was thinking this, Xu Zhi’s call came through. He got up and headed to the bedroom to answer it. Zhu Yangqi, annoyed by his secrecy, rolled his eyes and thought, Go on, you two. Play your little games. Like I care about eavesdropping on your calls. What could you possibly talk about that I haven’t heard before? It’s not like I’ve never been in the flirting stage myself.

Chen Luzhou closed the door behind him and leaned lazily against the desk, one leg half-dangling, his gaze wandering absently to the violin hanging on the wall. He recalled the night he’d helped her choose her major—her voice on the phone had been clear and composed, unlike him, whose heart was still racing from the kiss she’d given him earlier.

"You home?" Xu Zhi asked.

Arms crossed, Chen Luzhou stared at the violin he hadn’t touched in years, stubbornly thinking to himself that he’d find time to play her a piece. He refused to believe she could genuinely send him off to the airport with a cheerful smile. In a low voice, he hummed in acknowledgment.

She let out an "Oh," then added, "Yingying and I are grabbing late-night snacks. Wanna join?"

Chen Luzhou frowned slightly, unsure who "they" referred to. "They?"

"Zhai Xiao and his girlfriend," Xu Zhi said.

"That star-collecting guy?" Chen Luzhou vaguely remembered Xu Zhi complaining about him once.

"Yeah."

He chuckled, half-joking. "What a peculiar group. Whose idea was this? Aren’t you worried about a fight breaking out?"

"We ran into them while getting food. Zhai Xiao’s girlfriend probably knows a thing or two about Yingying—no idea what she’s up to, but she insisted on inviting us. Yingying, being impulsive, agreed," Xu Zhi sighed helplessly, then added with polite sincerity, "I’m afraid things might escalate. If you’re not asleep yet, could you come help mediate?"

"Like I could stop Cai Yingying," he said, playing hard to get.

"No, I mean stop me . Zhai Xiao just badmouthed you."

"..."

Zhai Xiao naturally had no idea that the guy from No. 1 High School—the notorious heartthrob he and Cai Yingying had spent a year trash-talking in their WeChat chats—would later become the "ambiguous interest" of Cai Yingying’s best friend.

Chai Jingjing had initially gotten together with him after stumbling upon Cai Yingying’s messages on his phone. Later, Cai Yingying had texted him a few more times. During one argument with Chai Jingjing, he’d accidentally let it slip—partly out of male bravado—that Cai Yingying had been messaging him, as if to say, You think you’re so special? Plenty of girls want me.

To put it bluntly, men have their flaws. There’s a certain twisted satisfaction in seeing women fight over you. So when Chai Jingjing suggested having late-night snacks with Cai Yingying, despite the awkwardness, he couldn’t resist the smug, petty pride that came with it and agreed.So, when the few of them scattered themselves around the table, the awkward atmosphere was overwhelming. Yet, with unwarranted arrogance, he felt like the sole connecting thread among these girls, leaving it up to him to break the ice. But he had nothing to talk about, and the only topic he could circle back to was school matters—which naturally led to Chen Luzhou again.

When Xu Zhi returned from her phone call, Zhai Xiao hadn’t budged from his seat, his posture unchanged, sitting there with an air of self-righteous "innocence." As he poured water for Chai Jingjing, he rattled on and on about other people’s gossip—

“He’s always been a jerk. Did he really think no one knew about his thing with Gu Yan? Gu Yan got dragged through the mud, and he didn’t say a single word in her defense. If they weren’t together, I’d eat my hat.”

“But Gu Yan’s always been the town bicycle—everyone knows that. Anyone who gets involved with a girl aiming for the entertainment industry is basically a player.”

Zhai Xiao had brought a male friend along. Since there were no available seats at this hour, the owner had given them a large table meant for ten. The group sat scattered around it. Xu Zhi’s original seat had an empty spot to her left, but when she returned from her call, the space beside her had been taken by a guy in a polo shirt and glasses. So she moved to sit next to Cai Yingying instead.

Polo Shirt hadn’t said a word the whole time, only speaking up when Zhai Xiao prompted him: “Dunno. The genius from Zongshan District? Not familiar with him. I only know his friend from the arts campus.”

Cai Yingying had never realized how unbearable Zhai Xiao could be. Back in senior year, when they were chatting nonstop on WeChat, she’d just thought he was a bit conceited—the type who put others down to lift himself up. But she’d liked him then, figuring everyone has flaws. What guy is perfect in every way?

But badmouthing Chen Luzhou was one thing—after all, who understands the drama between men?—but why drag a girl’s name through the mud?

Xu Zhi was equally shocked. Who still used terms like "town bicycle" to describe girls these days? Sometimes it’s because women keep tearing each other down that men end up so smug and sleazy.

She locked her phone, unable to stomach any more of it. Her tone was impatient as she spoke to Chai Jingjing, but her sharp gaze was fixed on Zhai Xiao across the table, slowly raking over him from head to toe like she was inspecting a cabbage—

“I once heard some wise elders say that when sizing up a guy, you don’t need to look anywhere else—just check if his butt’s perky. They say men with perky butts run fast, so when he’s old and there’s a supermarket sale, he can sprint ahead to grab the eggs… But looking at Zhai Xiao’s butt, I’d say he’s not gonna make it.”

The moment her words landed, Chen Luzhou’s hand had just touched the door handle of the private room. Behind him, Zhu Yangqi’s eyes instinctively drifted downward toward Chen Luzhou’s backside—

Chen Luzhou: “…”

Zhu Yangqi slapped him excitedly. “I’ve always said you’re fast, right?!”

Author’s Note: Chen Luzhou (counting on his fingers): My daily routine at eighty is already planned—wake up at eight, play the violin in the park, then rush to the supermarket at noon to grab the eggs…Today, my dad is undergoing surgery, so I'm a bit busy and won't be writing much. I'll make it up with a double update tomorrow.