Chapter Three: The Fiery Assault of Hotpot

Time fast-forwards to the day of departure. In the meantime, Liu Ruoxi’s parents had returned once, arranged everything, and then set off on another trip… This made Liu Ruoxi seriously doubt whether she was truly their daughter, or perhaps she was just an accident.

Qin Xuan’s parents were still away on business. When he was little, Qin Xuan had once asked his father, “Why do you both work so hard to make money?”

“Because I enjoy it,” his father replied bluntly.

From then on, Qin Xuan never dared to ask any more questions.

Early that morning, Liu Ruoxi arrived at Qin Xuan’s house, dragging her suitcase behind her. She was greeted at the door by Qin Lin’er, who was still half asleep.

“Where’s Qin Xuan? Don’t tell me he’s still in bed?” Liu Ruoxi peered inside.

“Mmm, probably!” Qin Lin’er rubbed her eyes. “He’s such a pig!”

With a resigned sigh, Liu Ruoxi walked to Qin Xuan’s door and knocked. When there was no response, she pressed down the handle and crept in quietly.

There he was, sound asleep, snoring blissfully. The sight made Liu Ruoxi fume with anger.

Just then, Qin Xuan stirred at the noise and turned over.

“Ah?” Startled, Liu Ruoxi quickly turned her back.

“What kind of idiot sleeps without any clothes on?” Her cheeks flushed red, though curiosity flickered in her eyes.

“Maybe… just one more look? Just one,” she muttered.

Slowly, she turned around, forgetting her earlier resolve.

“Tsk tsk tsk,” she marveled, eyes wide. “This? I never noticed before! And he has abs!”

She leaned in even closer, poking him experimentally with her finger, completely ignoring that Qin Xuan’s eyes were half open.

Her gaze drifted downward.

“Are you a pervert?” Qin Xuan’s sudden voice made Liu Ruoxi jump in fright.

She finally noticed he was awake, her face turning even redder.

“You—you—you should’ve said you were awake!” Liu Ruoxi spun around, hiding her hands behind her back, fidgeting with fingers that still carried the warmth of his skin.

“If I had, I wouldn’t have discovered this side of you, Ruoxi—the lovesick stalker!” Qin Xuan said with a teasing smile.

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Liu Ruoxi blurted out, desperate to salvage her dignity. “I came to wake you up, that’s all! Don’t make things up!”

“Oh? Is that so?” Qin Xuan’s tone was playful. “I don’t believe you.”

“Oh, just get up already! If you don’t hurry, we’ll miss our flight!” Liu Ruoxi shouted as she bolted out of the room, leaving Qin Xuan grinning as he shook his head and got dressed.

Liu Ruoxi flung herself onto the sofa, burying her face in her hands.

“Aaaah! This is mortifying!” she wailed, both embarrassed and frustrated. So much for keeping her secret—her infatuation was obvious now, though she only ever felt this way about Qin Xuan.

“What’s gotten into you?” Qin Lin’er had just finished washing up and, clad in pajamas covered in little bears, caught sight of Liu Ruoxi rolling around on the sofa.

Interrupted, Liu Ruoxi glared fiercely at her.

Qin Lin’er shivered. “What’s with that look?”

Suddenly, Liu Ruoxi changed her tone. “Lin’er, what kind of girls does your brother like?”

“Huh?” Qin Lin’er eyed her warily. “Definitely not someone like you. If he married you, I fear he wouldn’t survive the first week.”

Liu Ruoxi: What?

“Forget it, I’m in a good mood today, so I won’t argue with you,” Liu Ruoxi declared magnanimously.

“How lucky I am,” Qin Lin’er quipped.

Liu Ruoxi rolled her eyes, deciding not to bicker with a child.

Once Qin Xuan finished washing up, the three of them had a simple breakfast before heading straight to the airport.

By two in the afternoon, the three stood before the scholarly gates of their new university, exchanging glances before stepping together into the first day of campus life.

It was nearly four by the time they finished all the enrollment procedures and applied for off-campus living. Having arrived two days early, they had time to familiarize themselves with the place they’d call home for the next four years.

Before that, they went to the apartment Qin Xuan’s mother had found for them—a friend of hers had bought it as an investment, and since it was close to campus, they were welcome to move in, saving them the trouble of searching for housing.

Two intersections away, after picking up bedding and supplies, Qin Xuan opened the door to a spotlessly cleaned apartment. There were three bedrooms—he and Qin Lin’er chose the two rooms with doors facing each other, while Liu Ruoxi marched into the last room, visibly disgruntled.

“Brother! Help me make my bed!”

“Brother! Help me put on the duvet cover!”

“Brother! My legs are sore, give me a massage!”

Liu Ruoxi ground her teeth as she overheard all this from next door.

“Qin Xuan! Come help me!”

“Are you still a child?” he called back.

Liu Ruoxi felt thoroughly aggrieved, though in the end, Qin Xuan still helped her with everything and was left staring at his own empty bed in a daze.

When all was finally settled, Qin Lin’er, breathing hard, looked at her brother. “Let’s have hotpot for dinner tonight!”

Liu Ruoxi, who was darting about the rooms, immediately chimed in. “Yes! You can’t come to Shu City and not have hotpot!”

“Sure, I don’t mind,” Qin Xuan agreed. After all, he wasn’t afraid of spicy food.

And so, on their first night in Shu City, the bathroom became a battleground.

Qin Xuan, emerging slowly from the bathroom, was questioning the very meaning of life. He exchanged a glance with Qin Lin’er, who was waiting outside, and saw the same sorrow mirrored in her eyes.

He quickly grabbed a carton of milk from the table and handed one to Liu Ruoxi as well.

Entering her room, he found Liu Ruoxi lying on her stomach, mouth slightly open and face blank. He handed her the milk and finally noticed her expressionless face.

“Who would have thought my legendary reputation would be ruined in a mere hotpot restaurant?” she murmured.

Qin Xuan couldn’t help but laugh. “Who was it that insisted on eating hotpot?”

“How was I supposed to know it would be so spicy!” Liu Ruoxi complained.

“I’ve heard the hotpot in Fog City is even fiercer. We should try it someday,” he teased.

“Forget it, I’m terrified now,” Liu Ruoxi replied, her mouth burning at the thought.

“Ah, no, it’s coming again,” she suddenly exclaimed, scrambling off the bed and running for the bathroom, not forgetting to yell, “You get out of here!”

Qin Xuan quickly retreated, chuckling bitterly. This must be what it means to overestimate oneself.

When Qin Lin’er came out of the bathroom and found her milk missing from the table, she let out a puzzled “Huh?” but didn’t dwell on it. Clutching her sore bottom, she wobbled back to her room.

That night would remain vivid in their memories, even ten years later.