Chapter 103: You're Going to Carry a Human Life

"How did your date with Xu Yanfeng go Thursday morning?"

"Saturday night, the four dorm mates went out for hot pot; they had just ordered, the dishes hadn't arrived yet, and they took the chance to interview Xia Xi, wanting to know if there were any new developments between her and the expert."

"Xia Xi took a sip of the pearl milk tea she bought on the way, slowly chewing the pearls she had sucked into her mouth, lifted her eyelids, recalling that day's events; she had spread a rumor that she was pregnant, painting Xu Yanfeng as a scumbag who pulls up his pants and denies responsibility, he was powerless to argue, angry enough to want to walk away, she quickly stood up and grabbed his sleeve, smiling and explaining to the onlookers: \"Don't take it seriously, I'm just joking with my boyfriend. \""

"Xu Yanfeng got even angrier."

"To calm him down, she said many nice things."

"Although that breakfast wasn't perfect, overall she was satisfied. Because Xu Yanfeng noticed she couldn't tolerate douzhi, he lowered his eyes and said softly: \"If you can't eat it, don't; order something else. \""

"He still cared about her..."

"\"Hey, wake up, how are you already dreaming before even falling asleep? \" Wang Qiuyu, sitting next to Xia Xi, casually picked up a flyer from the table and fanned it in front of her eyes, saying, \"You're smiling like you're in spring; no need to ask, it's definitely good news. \""

"Xia Xi came to, pressed the back of her hand to her face, and asked incredulously: \"Did I smile? \""

"All three nodded in unison."

"Zhao Lei: \"Not just smiling, her face is all red. \""

"Xia Xi pointed defensively at the nine‑grid hot pot in front of her: \"The fire's too high, it's roasted red. \""

"\"Big sis, come up with a plausible excuse, OK? We haven't even lit the fire yet. \""

"\"... \""

"While they were talking, the waiter pushed a small cart over, serving the dishes they had ordered one by one: beef, tripe, duck intestines, shrimp paste… they piled up so much that there wasn't room on the later tables, so they had to stack them."

"The waiter lit the fire for them, said \"Please enjoy, \" and left."

"Before the broth even boiled, they started eating brown sugar rice cakes."

"\"Mm, right…\" Zhao Lei was chewing the soft, glutinous rice cake, unable to speak for a moment; after swallowing, she pointed at Xia Xi and asked, \"Do you know Xu Yanfeng's birthday? \""

"Xia Xi: \"I know, November 4. \""

"Today is November 1; the day after tomorrow is Xu Yanfeng's birthday. She had gathered so much information about him—how could she not even know his basic birthday? That would be a total failure."

"\"So you do know. \" Zhao Lei said, \"I thought you didn't know because you haven't prepared any gift lately. \""

"The pot came to a boil, gurgling bubbles, spicy beef aroma floating in the air, white steam rising; Xia Xi grabbed ingredients with the public chopsticks and dropped them into the pot, answering her question absentmindedly: \"Because I didn't prepare a birthday gift for him. \""

"Hearing that, all three roommates were shocked."

"Such an important day, and Xia Xi actually didn't prepare a gift? How could they not believe it?"

"Xia Xi lifted the quickly cooked tripe, dipped it in the sauce bowl, and before eating it, said: \"Even if I had prepared a gift, given his personality, he probably wouldn't want it. \""

"Having said that, she happily ate the tripe; the first bite caught her off guard, the spiciness made her choke, and she quickly gulped down some milk tea to cool it."

"\"So you're not going to show anything at all? \" Zhao Lei pressed for the root."

"Xia Xi wiped her mouth with a napkin, facing several pairs of inquisitive eyes, the corner of her mouth twitched slightly, revealing an inscrutable smile. She deliberately stayed silent, keeping them in suspense."

"\"I knew you had another plan. \" Zhao Lei slammed the table in agitation, \"Stop keeping us in suspense with us—just tell us! \"

"Xia Xi scooped with a strainer in the pot a few times, lifted a piece of braised spare rib that was almost falling off the bone, and called to them: \"Don't just gossip—hurry up and eat, the meat is totally tender. \""

"The three were practically dying of curiosity; without an answer, they couldn't eat anything."

"\"Xia Xi. \" Three voices called her name at the same time."

"The sound was a bit loud, drawing the attention of customers at the neighboring table."

"In the hot pot restaurant, the tables are separated into individual small spaces by hollowed wooden boards, with a central aisle for walking; people opposite each other in the aisle can see one another, while those in adjacent seats cannot see each other because the booth backs are slightly high, blocking the view of the head when seated, but sound can still be heard through the hollowed boards."

"In the row of booths back‑to‑back with Xia Xi, a guy, upon hearing a loud \"Xia Xi, \" turned around, knelt on one leg on the seat, and peered through the gaps in the hollowed wooden board toward the next booth."

"It was Xia Xi and her roommates."

"The guy sat down, and the girl sharing his table at the hot pot asked, \"What are you looking at? \""

"The guy lowered his voice, worried the neighbors would hear: \"I heard someone call Xia Xi's name, and it really was her. \""

"\"Xia Xi? The one chasing Xu Yanfeng? \""

"\"Yes. \""

"\"You and Xu Yanfeng are in the same dorm—what does he really think of Xia Xi? \""

"\"His thoughts aren't shown outwardly; how would I know? \""

"\"Can't you just ask him? \""

"\"Do you think he'd actually answer if you asked him? \""

"\"Well, then, what do you observe? \""

"\"Based on my observation, Xu Yanfeng seems to have something a bit special for Xia Xi. \""

"\"Tch, what kind of observation is that! With Xia Xi hounding him like that, he should be sick of her. \""

"At the neighboring table, Xia Xi spat out a bone, which went \"pat\" into the bone dish; a twinkling smile blossomed in her lovely eyes, spreading across her whole face: \"I plan to confess to him publicly on his birthday. \""

"Just moments ago, the three roommates who had been chattering about what big move Xia Xi would pull were suddenly silenced, as if hit by a pause button."

"Xia Xi knew they didn't understand, and explained: \"Although I've been pursuing Xu Yanfeng, and he knows it too, I've never actually made a formal confession. A birthday is such a wonderful and important occasion—of course it should be used for a confession. I want him to think of me every year on his birthday. \""

"The roommates remained silent."

"Once again, they were overwhelmed by Xia Xi's boldness."

"Xia Xi bit into a freshly cooked lotus slice, crunch‑crunch, her voice crisp: \"Why are you all mute? \""

"\"Uh… dear, I'm not trying to discourage you. \" Wang Qiuyu put down her chopsticks, rested her elbows on the table, struck a leader‑like speaking pose, and practically wanted to list three points: \"What do you think are the odds of your confession succeeding given Xu Yanfeng's current attitude toward you? And another question: if he publicly rejects you, what would you do? \""

"Xia Xi only looked at the present, not considering many consequences; when asked, she blurted without thinking: \"If he rejects me, I'll buy a rope and hang myself at his dorm door. \""

"Wang Qiuyu: \"... \""

"Zhao Lei: \"... \""

"Wu Qinglu's mind went blank; she recalled an online rumor and said weakly: \"Xi Xi, if you really did hang yourself, we as your roommates would be extremely lucky to get recommended for graduate school by the school. \""

"Zhao Lei and Wang Qiuyu paused, then burst out laughing."

"Xia Xi: \"... Get lost. \""

Fang Huaiyuan finished his hot pot and returned to school, opened the dorm door, and just happened to hear Chen Mian asking Xu Yanfeng how he planned to spend his birthday. Xu Yanfeng didn't want to discuss such a boring topic, said "Whatever," put on noise-canceling headphones, and read a book.

Chen Mian turned his head, saw Fang Huaiyuan had returned, immediately shifted his focus, hooked his arm around Fang Huaiyuan's neck and chuckled: "How did it feel to go out for a meal with your love interest today? Are you officially off the market?"

"Don't mention it." Fang Huaiyuan pushed his arm away, "It's a bit hard to put into words."

He had been getting along well with a girl from the School of Economics and Management; tonight was the first time he took the initiative to ask her out for a meal, she agreed readily, he thought there was a chance, but over dinner she kept bringing up Xu Yanfeng.

Every time he tried to change the subject, that girl would force the conversation back, saying how Xu Yanfeng was this and that.

Midway, he overheard Xia Xi and her roommate chatting next door; curious, he glanced over, and the girl he was having dinner with asked what he was looking at. When he mentioned Xia Xi, she flung open the floodgate, endlessly talking about Xia Xi and Xu Yanfeng, beating around the bush to find out whether Xu Yanfeng really liked Xia Xi.

He suspected that girl had approached him solely to find out about Xu Yanfeng.

Before, many girls had also tried to get close to him, Chen Mian, and Yu Tingbo, aiming to obtain Xu Yanfeng's contact information.

His deep affection had been misplaced, and Fang Huaiyuan felt a bit depressed.

He walked up behind Xu Yanfeng, reached out to take off the headphones on his head, and when Xu Yanfeng frowned and turned around, he kindly gave him a warning: "You're done, you're going to carry a human life on your back."