Chapter 3: Falling for You, Mei Daoli

Falling for you, Mei Daoli.

In truth, without the ability to check women’s profiles on a panel, Cheng Yao would never have dared to be so bold, to act so recklessly in a bar, throwing out threats to any girl he caught. Society is complicated; people, at heart, are simple. AIDS is not a trifling matter—there have even been cases where patients used their own infected blood in syringes to harm others. Never mind the ones who know their status, what about those who don’t? They still engage in reckless behavior. Whether one gets infected is really just a matter of luck.

Especially in the murky, suffocating atmosphere of a bar, the probability of catching something is high—not just one disease, but several. The infection rate is practically magnified to infinity. Social studies show that the highest rate of infection is among college students; they are the most at-risk group. Some people are simply careless, hooking up in bars and even daring to “taste the sea”—as if they’ve never eaten seafood before. Once infected, their life is on the line, and they’ll have no one to blame but their own greed.

But really, that has little to do with him.

Since they’d already exchanged contacts, it was just a matter of time before Lu Mengyao would give in. Besides, he wasn’t planning to give her much time to hesitate. If it didn’t work out, so be it—the next one would be even more obedient.

After leaving the bar, Zhu Huiyang remarked, “The bar’s environment really is too noisy. KTV is much more comfortable. At least there, you’re paying for company, and the KTV girls will even let you touch them. It’s not worth it otherwise.”

“What do you know,” Wang Wenbo scoffed. “The old hags at KTV can’t compare to the freshness of college girls.”

Zhang Lei nodded in agreement. “He’s got a point.”

Cheng Yao sighed, “Let’s just catch a cab and head back. Your plan fell through.”

Wang Wenbo said, “I’m telling you, don’t be fooled by her innocent look. Every girl in a bar is here for a reason, but she’s a tough one—got quite an appetite.”

“The one with her, Chen Qian, she’s pretty too,” Cheng Yao said, probing for information.

Wang Wenbo replied, “Not my type.”

Cheng Yao was at a loss for words. If he really did start something with Lu Mengyao, would that count as stealing Wang Wenbo’s girl?

Probably not. They weren’t even close to that stage yet.

For all Wang Wenbo’s self-proclaimed ‘elite player’ status, Cheng Yao couldn’t bring himself to burst his bubble.

Just as they got into the taxi, a message popped up from ‘Late Summer Chill.’

Late Summer Chill: Let me think about it.

Time Cannot Erase My Longing for You: Give me an answer by tomorrow morning.

Late Summer Chill: …

Cheng Yao didn’t reply further, only growing more aware of how melodramatic his username and signature were—something like, “Even the most gifted Chopin couldn’t play my sadness.”

Trendy, but never out of style.

Just then, his phone rang. Cheng Yao glanced down and answered, “Done with your homework?”

“Yeah. Are you back at the dorm?” came a young girl’s voice, immediately grabbing his three friends’ attention in the car.

They all stared at Cheng Yao, curious about the identity of the girl.

Wang Wenbo whispered, “Is that Zhang Ya?!”

“It’s my sister…” Cheng Yao shot him a look of disdain, then continued, “How’s the new semester? Is your desk mate a boy or a girl? What did you have for dinner?”

“Same as always, a girl. Had duck blood vermicelli. Bro, are you really going to stay in the dorm?”

“Yeah. It’s such a small space, not really suitable for me anymore.” Cheng Yao thought of his rented apartment. It was cheap, but cramped; Cheng Cheng slept on the bed, and he could only take the floor. Besides, they weren’t kids anymore. Cheng Cheng was in high school now; it was no longer appropriate. When they were young, it was fine to bathe and sleep together, but now? Definitely not.

In fact, he’d felt it was inappropriate since last year.

“Will you be okay on your own?” he asked.

“Yeah… I’m going to hang up now, I’m watching a drama…”

“Remember to set an alarm and get up early. Don’t be late for school.”

“Got it.”

After hanging up, Cheng Yao found himself thinking about buying his first home with the money he’d save, so that Cheng Cheng could move in and finally have a place of her own.

Having this ability, he wanted to give her the best life possible; she was, after all, the only family he had left in the world.

No house, no car, orphaned and raising a little sister—that was his entire situation.

Wang Wenbo was surprised. “You have a sister? She still calls you this late?”

“It’s just the two of us at home.”

“What do you mean?”

Cheng Yao didn’t want to elaborate. “Exactly what I said.”

“Oh, sorry,” Wang Wenbo apologized, scratching his head, finally understanding. He hadn’t realized Cheng Yao’s situation was so tough. He decided to look out for him more in the future.

Zhang Lei and Zhu Huiyang exchanged glances as well.

When they returned to the finance university, it was already half past ten, just in time for curfew. The dorm matron stood at the entrance, eyeing them. The group immediately became meek. Cheng Yao handed her a bag of oranges. “Auntie, I bought these at the fruit shop by the door. They’re really sweet—please try some…”

She waved him off. “No, no, keep them for yourselves. Just get back earlier next time.”

Cheng Yao said with a wry smile, “It’s hard. I have a girlfriend…”

She softened. “Ah, I have a daughter too. I understand. Still, try to come back earlier.”

“Thank you, Auntie. I will.”

“It’s fine.”

Cheng Yao left the oranges with her anyway, then headed upstairs.

After bribing the dorm matron, he returned to his room and powered up his computer. Steam was still running. He opened the page for “My Dating Sim,” and clicked on his save file… Sure enough, the Easter egg was gone.

Unable to fathom what had happened, he decided to chalk it up to quantum mechanics.

He had class in the morning, so it was best to get some sleep.

The weather in Jinling had been unbearably hot, like a covered oven. Even military training had been postponed several days—proof enough of the heat.

He showered and chatted a bit with Zhang Ya, about school and her roommates. When it came to his own feelings for his white moonlight, he truly had no clue what to do.

It’s always easier to see things clearly as an outsider. With other matters, he knew his place, but when it came to himself, his brain just didn’t function. The distance made it all the more confusing.

Sometimes, words alone can’t convey emotion, and only lead to overthinking.

Should he go see her?

But the semester had just started; there was no time. At least not until military training was over.

Time Cannot Erase My Longing for You: I’ll come find you after training ends?

Zhang Ya: Okay.

…

Meanwhile, in the girls’ dormitory at Jin Yi University—

“What are you thinking about?” Chen Qian asked, giving Lu Mengyao’s shoulder a tap when she saw her staring into space.

Lu Mengyao looked up. “Do you think that Cheng Yao guy is kind of handsome?”

“Cheng Yao? That’s his name?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s already contacted you?” Chen Qian snorted. “Men are always aggressive when they’re chasing what they want. But so what if he’s good-looking? There are plenty of handsome guys at our school.”

“I know,” Lu Mengyao replied with a smile, but her mind kept returning to the thought of ‘fifty thousand a month.’

Should she agree?

Would that make her seem too casual?

But he was offering so much, and his attitude was forceful. If she refused, she’d miss the chance.

Maybe… she should give it a try?

Lu Mengyao bit her lip. After all, he couldn’t force her to do anything.

…