Chapter Thirty-Five: So This Is How Delicious Hotpot Can Be (Now Over 70,000 Words—All Kinds of Support Appreciated! The Author Will Cut Off His Own Hand if He Abandons the Story!)

"Ahem! So, how do I look? Pretty, right?" Liu Ruoxi spun around and cast a flirtatious glance at Qin Xuan. It was clear she hadn’t quite mastered the gesture yet—it came off a bit forced, but Qin Xuan thought she was simply asking for confirmation she already knew.

Qin Lin'er watched enviously from the side, her gaze lingering on Liu Ruoxi’s figure as if she wished it were her own. But alas, that wasn’t possible in this lifetime.

It was just past twelve-thirty, and since Liu Ruoxi didn't have training that afternoon, the three headed straight to the hotpot restaurant they’d been to before.

As expected, the place was packed, but luck was on their side; a private room had just been vacated, and they were able to enjoy the rare treat of privacy.

After ordering, Liu Ruoxi excused herself to the restroom. Ten minutes later, she returned, chatting with someone at the door. Liu Ruoxi called out, "Come in, I’ve brought a beautiful friend for you to meet!"

When she entered, Qin Xuan realized it was Nan Zhiyi. She was still dressed in her host’s outfit—tall and elegant.

Nan Zhiyi, usually so poised on stage, felt a rare nervousness. She glanced at Qin Xuan, recalling how she’d long hoped to meet him. Sneaking a look at him in the library didn’t count; now, facing him directly, she realized she could be awkward too.

Qin Xuan frowned, feeling he had met Nan Zhiyi somewhere before. The same sense of familiarity had struck him in the library, but he couldn't place it. Now, seeing her again, the feeling surfaced once more.

Just as Qin Xuan was about to speak, Liu Ruoxi continued, "I saw Nan Zhiyi dining alone and thought I’d invite her to join us."

With that, Liu Ruoxi looked over at Nan Zhiyi.

Nan Zhiyi felt embarrassed at first, but seeing Qin Xuan say nothing, she relaxed and greeted them warmly.

"Hello, everyone. Lin'er, nice to see you again. And Qin Xuan!"

"Nan Zhiyi, hello!" Qin Lin'er waved naturally.

Despite his confusion, Qin Xuan pulled out a chair, inviting Nan Zhiyi to sit.

Nan Zhiyi didn’t hesitate, taking the seat beside Qin Xuan. Soon, the hotpot arrived, and the four chatted about school life.

Qin Xuan learned for the first time that Nan Zhiyi was studying journalism and media—it explained her poise.

"Nan Zhiyi, why do you eat alone?" Qin Lin’er, comfortable now, even addressed her as ‘sister.’

"I’ve always been alone; I’m used to it." Nan Zhiyi wiped a trace of oil from her lips, her gaze tinged with helplessness. Most girls approached her with ulterior motives, and the boys—well, their intentions were even worse, greedy and shameless. As a result, she hadn’t made any friends.

Her words surprised the other three. As a prominent figure at school, surely she’d have at least a few companions to dine with.

"Maybe I’ve always been this way since I was little. But don’t worry, let’s enjoy the hotpot—don’t let me spoil the mood," Nan Zhiyi said with a playful smile.

"So you don’t have any close friends?" Qin Lin’er asked suddenly, only to be tapped on the hand by Liu Ruoxi. Realizing her mistake, Qin Lin’er hurried to clarify, "Nan Zhiyi, don’t misunderstand—what I mean is, we can be your friends! From now on, invite us to eat together, and I promise, we’ll leave nothing behind."

Nan Zhiyi couldn’t help but laugh. She didn’t mind the question, but Qin Lin’er’s offer struck something deep within her. She stole a glance at Qin Xuan and replied, "Alright, I’ll make sure you’re always stuffed!"

"As for friends, well, there’s one. Someone I knew as a child—he used to call me ‘Snotty’ and annoyed me endlessly!" Nan Zhiyi’s eyes flickered. "We drifted apart, but I still remember him. He probably doesn’t remember me after all these years. So I guess he’s my only friend—and now, I have you three."

After saying this, Nan Zhiyi suddenly got up and bowed deeply to the three, catching them off guard. Qin Xuan quickly helped her up.

"No need for that now that we’re friends," Qin Xuan said, half amused.

"I..." Nan Zhiyi felt embarrassed—today had been full of awkward moments, and she wondered where her usual composure had gone.

"Alright, let's eat—aren’t you hungry?" Liu Ruoxi interrupted.

Half an hour later, Qin Lin’er and Liu Ruoxi sprawled in their chairs, stomachs bulging. Qin Xuan was equally stuffed, but Nan Zhiyi still managed to maintain her image, eating only a little for fear of gaining weight. Hotpot, with its high calories and fat, was a rare treat for her—after all, eating hotpot alone was the highest level of loneliness, wasn’t it?

Walking home together, they discovered Nan Zhiyi lived in the same neighborhood—just a different building.

Back home, Nan Zhiyi kicked off her shoes and flopped onto her white sofa.

"Ah! I finally saw him again!" Her little feet drummed against the cushions in excitement.

After a while, smelling the hotpot lingering on her clothes, Nan Zhiyi realized for the first time just how delicious it was.

Humming a tune, she undressed as she walked to the bathroom. Once she was thoroughly relaxed from the bath, she emerged wrapped in a towel, drying her hair and calling her mother on video.

"Mom!" Nan Zhiyi shouted as soon as the call connected.

"What is it? Keep your voice down—your father’s asleep," her mother replied, lying in bed beside Nan Zhiyi’s snoring father.

"So early?"

"Of course. You underestimate your mother’s skills!"

Nan Zhiyi: What a wild comment! I’m still a child!

"I saw him!"

"Who? That boy from the Qin family?" Her mother understood instantly. When Nan Zhiyi insisted on attending Shu University to find him, it had sparked a heated argument with her father.

"Yes!" Nan Zhiyi nodded excitedly, but then her mood faltered. "But he doesn’t remember me."

"That’s normal—you were only kids then."

"But those two girls around him are so close to him. What should I do, mom?" Matters of the heart were a mystery to Nan Zhiyi, so she sought her mother's advice.

"They’re probably Liu’s daughter and his sister," her mother said, knowing all about these families. Seeing her daughter’s blushing face, she realized Nan Zhiyi was finally awakening to love. "It’s fine—I’ll teach you some tricks to win him over."

"But we’ve only just reconnected. Isn’t it too soon?" Nan Zhiyi stammered, prompting her mother to roll her eyes.

"Then wait for him to marry Liu Ruoxi. Don’t cry at their wedding!"

"What? No, no, mom, teach me! I can’t stand the thought!" The image of Qin Xuan and Liu Ruoxi marrying while she sat below drinking wedding wine—unbearable!

Her mother yawned. "Forget it. Let’s talk tomorrow. I’m tired and want to sleep."

"Don’t, mom! Name your price!" Nan Zhiyi was still full of excitement—it was like her phone was at one percent battery, she’d finally found the charger, and then the power went out.

"Heh, actually, there’s nothing much. The company wants to develop a new business. Can you help plan it?"

"I’m busy..." Nan Zhiyi murmured, but then, thinking of Qin Xuan, changed her tune. "Alright! I’ll give it to you in a few days, but you have to teach me first..."

That night, Nan Zhiyi’s sleep schedule was thoroughly disrupted. When she finally drifted off, she still held her notebook, filled with her mother’s hard-won wisdom...