Chapter 8: How Are You So Convincingly Ugly?

Only upon getting closer did he realize just how beautiful Liu Hanyue’s eyes were—almost as if they had been kissed by God himself. Beyond those deep, dark eyes, Cheng Yao was also fond of her twin-tails; the hairstyle was simple, yet so few could truly pull it off. It was, in his mind, the finest set of reins the world could offer.

Just watching her, Cheng Yao could almost hear the neighing of horses.

When they heard about seats being saved, Wang Churu's eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Would I lie to you? The two in the back are holding our spots—let’s go.”

“Hanyue, let’s hurry,” Wang Churu said, tugging Liu Hanyue along.

Liu Hanyue frowned slightly. “Why are you so eager?”

Wang Churu lowered her voice, “Do you think Cheng Yao might be interested in me?”

She’d already convinced herself that was the only possibility. After all, Liu Hanyue wore a mask all day—no one knew what she looked like. Cheng Yao could only be interested in herself, right?

Liu Hanyue considered this, mumbling, “It’s quite possible. But isn’t that a bit shallow? Falling for someone just because they’re pretty—he’s definitely just after your looks!”

“You’re shameless, hahaha…”

The cafeteria was crowded. Wang Wenbo spoke up, “Honestly, if we split the bill and ate elsewhere, we’d eat better than here.”

“Just bear with it, young master.” Cheng Yao asked the two girls what they wanted and ordered two sizzling hot pots.

Zhang Lei and Zhu Huiyang, who were saving seats for the girls, didn’t complain in the least.

The four of them sat in silence, which was somewhat awkward, but the owner was quick. Soon, Cheng Yao returned with a tray. “Here you are—be careful, it’s hot.”

“Thank you.”

Liu Hanyue opened her small purse and handed Cheng Yao some money.

Cheng Yao passed it to Wang Wenbo. “Change, please.”

“Uhh…” Wang Wenbo fumbled in his pockets but didn’t have a single bill—who even carried cash these days?

Cheng Yao said, “I’ll get some change when I buy a drink later, and give it back to you.”

“It’s fine.”

In truth, it wasn’t just Wang Wenbo; Cheng Yao was also curious about what Liu Hanyue looked like under her mask. To have a face that could score a ninety out of a hundred was no small feat.

But soon, both of them were left speechless.

Liu Hanyue lifted her mask just enough to eat, chewing slowly.

Cheng Yao couldn’t help himself. “Isn’t it uncomfortable eating like that?”

“I have a cold. I’d hate to get you all sick.”

Cheng Yao chuckled helplessly. “We’re all strong, healthy guys—built like oxen. You think we’re afraid of a cold?”

“Exactly! I’m not worried,” Wang Churu chimed in.

“Alright…”

Finally, Liu Hanyue simply took off her mask. Her cheeks were flushed where the mask had pressed against them, her features delicate, her nose dainty, and her lively eyes and arched brows seemed almost too perfect to be real.

Cheng Yao was stunned, a phrase coming to mind.

Ahem.

Wang Wenbo straightened his back, putting on an air of importance.

Cheng Yao muttered under his breath, “Look at her—she’s so beautiful she looks fake, and you… you look so real it hurts.”

“What?” Wang Wenbo sputtered.

Liu Hanyue quickly turned away, nearly spraying her soup into the trash can, covering her mouth as she fought back laughter.

Wang Churu was shaking with laughter, clutching the table for support.

Wang Wenbo’s expression soured. “That’s your week’s worth of lunches gone, Cheng Yao.”

“Fine, I won’t take advantage of you,” Cheng Yao said with a grin.

Liu Hanyue took a deep breath, her small canine teeth visible as she smiled sweetly. “It’s only the second day of the semester and you’re already such good friends?”

The four of them just smiled in silence. They’d already bonded on the first day over a selection of Japanese martial arts films—no one would’ve guessed that Cheng Yao, who looked so proper, had a secret stash of over forty thousand titles.

In a word: unbelievable.

“Yeah, we have a lot in common.”

“Absolutely.”

Cheng Yao turned to Liu Hanyue. “I thought you seemed delicate before—like the gentle sort. Didn’t expect you to be this lively.”

“I am sick, though,” Liu Hanyue retorted, then started coughing.

Wang Churu patted her back. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. Just a tickle in my throat—too much soda.”

“Ah… that’s happened to me, too.”

With lunch settled, they parted ways. Wang Wenbo said, “She’s exactly my type.”

Zhu Huiyang nearly lunged at him. “I ought to smack you! Weren’t you just saying she felt like a sibling?”

“Cough…”

Wang Wenbo replied earnestly, “I’m serious. Do you guys believe in love at first sight?”

“Get lost. She’s so cute—definitely above eighty-five.”

“I agree. I like her eyes—and that nose…”

Cheng Yao laughed. “What are you, an organ dealer? Why such a focus?”

“And you?”

“Her eyes, I guess.”

Cheng Yao couldn’t bring himself to admit he liked her twin-tails—it sounded too much like a fetish.

Wang Wenbo was gleeful. “Wow, these next four years are going to be interesting.”

The afternoon classes were still basic, but perhaps because everything was so new, no one felt bored and they all listened attentively.

But Cheng Yao knew, these days of paying such close attention wouldn’t last long.

After class, he’d chat with pretty girls, buy them grilled sausages, and before he knew it, the afternoon was gone.

Wang Wenbo asked, “Your sister called you home for dinner?”

“Yeah,” Cheng Yao replied, packing up.

“Lucky you.”

“What’s there to envy?”

Wang Wenbo shook his head. “Who doesn’t have a little sister? But mine wishes she could kill me. It’s a long story.”

Leaving Wang Wenbo to his musings, Cheng Yao left the university.

The evening was free time, and tonight would be his last chance to really enjoy himself for a while. Tomorrow, military training would begin and he wouldn’t be allowed off campus until the eighteenth—a strict schedule.

At the same spot as yesterday, Lu Mengyao stood with her bag slung over her shoulder and phone in hand, dressed all in black with a white bow at her neck. When it came to fashion, she truly had a flair for it.

Seeing Cheng Yao get out of the car, Lu Mengyao’s pure face broke into a smile. She walked over and looped her arm through his. “What took you so long?”

“Traffic was bad.”

“Let’s go, then. What are we eating tonight?”

“I booked a table at a restaurant in Zifeng Plaza. How about steak?”

“Mm, sounds good.”

Lu Mengyao showed her sweet, obedient side—girlfriend material, through and through.

Cheng Yao enjoyed this experience. Even if he saw her as just a companion, money wasn’t earned for nothing, after all.

At the very least, the yogurt drinks were unlimited.

Lu Mengyao asked, “By the way, have you gotten your driver’s license yet?”

“No,” Cheng Yao shook his head. He’d never dared to dream of owning a car, let alone getting a driver’s license, but now it seemed necessary—he would need to buy a car sooner or later.

Lu Mengyao’s eyes sparkled. “Neither have I! Let’s get our licenses together?”

“I have military training.”

“Oh, right. I’ll wait until you’re done, then?”

“Alright.”

Her favorability was already at sixty-one. In his experience, there was no need to chase after Lu Mengyao—just show his financial strength, and her interest would naturally grow.

Half an hour later, they left the subway and walked toward Zifeng Tower together.