Chapter 14: Call Your Boyfriend Over

Everyone's expressions changed; they looked at each other, using their eyes to ask what the situation was, but the other person didn't know either.

No one could figure out Xu Yanfeng's thoughts.

Ding Wen Qi understood even less.

Originally, according to his guess, General Manager Xu had agreed to attend this class reunion because he saw Xia Xi's name on the list, but he brought his family along and, from the moment he entered until now, hadn't glanced at Xia Xi even once, as if he didn't know this person.

He had no choice but to overturn his guess.

But then a turn of events occurred—after Xia Xi said she had a boyfriend, General Manager Xu broke his usual silent demeanor, as if stepped on a sore spot, and uttered the longest sentence he'd spoken since entering the private room, aiming to expose Xia Xi's lie.

What is this? Jealousy? Envy? Unwillingness? Or simply the anger from being deceived? No matter what emotion Xu Yanfeng is feeling now, it seems to prove that he cares about Xia Xi more than he initially appeared to.

Everyone present was sharp; even if they hadn't understood just now, they could now figure out a thing or two.

This hasn't been cleaned up completely.

Ling Yan's situation is really too awkward.

The few girls who had envied Ling Yan earlier now felt some sympathy for her; the lethal power of a first love's white moonlight is not something ordinary people can match.

Ling Yan deliberately asked Xia Xi if she had a boyfriend under the pretense of the "Truth or Dare" game, her little scheme obvious as day—wasn't she just trying to sever Xu Yanfeng's lingering feelings for Xia Xi? It seems she isn't as magnanimous and composed as she appears.

Ling Yan felt as if sitting on pins and needles; she was used to being looked up to and envied, and could not stand others' pity. She didn't need it! Xia Xi stood at the vortex's heart, her mind like a clear mirror; if she couldn't break this round, the embarrassment wouldn't be just Ling Yan's but also her own—anyway, it definitely wouldn't be Xu Yanfeng's.

That person's skin is as tough as gold and bronze.

Just like now, everyone felt the atmosphere was stiff, but he alone crossed his long legs, lounged lazily against the chair back, lit that cigarette, and leisurely watched others make fools of themselves, as if watching a clown show.

A bad egg.

Everyone was fooled by his perfect appearance and noble temperament.

"Senior, you probably don't understand, but I and my boyfriend have just confirmed our relationship." After making up her mind, Xia Xi raised her head to meet Xu Yanfeng's teasing gaze and said frankly, "Dating for a day still counts as dating—how wouldn't that be a boyfriend?"

Xu Yanfeng narrowed his eyes, the teasing in his depths turning into inquiry: "Really?"

Xia Xi, neither humble nor arrogant: "Yes."

Xu Yanfeng didn't believe it, not a single word. He slowly sat up straight, his aura fully open, and spoke in an overbearing tone: "Then have him come over and play together. Didn't you say you could bring family?"

After saying that, he looked at Ding Wen Qi, hoping he would be perceptive and give the reaction he wanted.

The boss's meaning was obvious to Ding Wen Qi; he steeled himself and said, "Yeah, Xia Xi, call your boyfriend over, let's all have a lively time."

Xia Xi cursed inwardly, "What a lunatic, it's just a Truth or Dare game—do we really need to take it this seriously?"

Moreover, others joined in the clamor.

"I really want to know what the great beauty's boyfriend looks like!"

"Yeah, yeah, today's a day off, your boyfriend probably isn't busy."

"Even General Manager Xu has time to attend the gathering; your boyfriend surely isn't busier than him."

"It's just a phone call—how simple."

They weren't insisting on seeing Xia Xi's boyfriend; they just felt the atmosphere in the private room was too suffocating, and maybe having her boyfriend come would improve things a bit.

It so happened that Xia Xi and her boyfriend were a pair, Xu Yanfeng and Ling Yan were a pair, everyone would be fine, and these onlookers wouldn't have to endure the bizarre shura-field atmosphere.

Xia Xi really hadn't expected that, after all this maneuvering, it would be like lifting a stone only to drop it on her own foot.

She racked her brains but couldn't think of an excuse to get out of it; under everyone's gaze, she took out her phone with a resigned mindset, forcing a smile: "Well then… I'll give it a try."

Xia Xi opened her WeChat contacts, which weren't many, scrolled from top to bottom, and selected someone suitable to play the part.

In the end, she fixed her gaze on the three characters "Lu Mingji." He was the only choice.

Xia Xi silently exhaled, hoping her boss wouldn't let her down.

She didn't follow their suggestion to call Lu Mingji, as that would be too easy to give away.

She held her phone up in front of her eyes so others couldn't see the screen, and her fingers tapped the keyboard to edit a message.

Xia Xi: "What are you doing?"

Fortunately, Lu Mingji wasn't busy and replied quickly: "Watching a movie at home, anything up?"

Xia Xi explained her current predicament in a few sentences and asked him to pretend to be her boyfriend and come over to defuse the situation.

After sending the message successfully, Xia Xi was nervous, palms sweating, she lowered her lashes slightly, mentally prepared for Lu Mingji to flat-out refuse—after all, the request was rather bizarre. Although they got along well.

In a moment, a white chat bubble popped up on her phone screen—Lu Mingji's reply.

Xia Xi dared not look at first, took a deep breath, mustered her courage, then lifted her eyes to see his answer.

Lu Mingji: "No problem."

Xia Xi's heart instantly welled up with gratitude.

At the critical moment, Lu Mingji was still reliable.

Xia Xi quickly typed: "Thanks."

Lu Mingji: "Wait for me."

Xia Xi shared her location with him, then locked her phone screen and looked at the others. Someone couldn't wait to ask: "How's it going? Is he coming?"

"Mm." Xia Xi gave an affirmative reply.

Xu Yanfeng stared deeply at her, as if trying to see through her; after a long while, until a sharp burning pain came from his fingertips, he came to, shifted his gaze, and glanced down at his fingers.

The cigarette ash grew long and burned his hand.

He moved slightly, and the ash fell to the ground, scattering.

Xu Yanfeng leaned over to stub out the cigarette butt in the ashtray, lifted the previous cup of wine to his lips—the ice had melted considerably, the wine taste was thin, not rich enough, so he called for a replacement.

Everyone played the game while waiting, about half an hour passed, and a knocking sound came from outside the private room.

Three minutes earlier, Xia Xi had received Lu Mingji's message saying he had arrived, so she knew the knocker was him and immediately got up to open the door.

Zhao Lei teased: "Look how you've made our Xi Xi anxious."

The private room door opened, and everyone stretched their necks like geese, peering toward the doorway.

Xia Xi turned her back to them, slightly tilted her head, and gave Lu Mingji an apologetic gaze—she felt guilty for ruining his pleasant movie-watching time, having him come out late at night to accompany her in this act.

Lu Mingji was very considerate, raising his hand to rub her head, his smile warm and gentle, already playing along: "If you had told me earlier you were coming to the class reunion tonight, I would have just accompanied you."

Xia Xi was stunned for a moment, then went along with his act: "I was afraid of disturbing your vacation."

How could a vacation be more important than you?

In a place where no one else could see, Lu Mingji winked at her to reassure her.

He put his arm around Xia Xi's shoulder and entered the private room; facing a crowd of unfamiliar faces, he showed no timidity, his presence strong yet non-aggressive, smiling as he greeted everyone: "Hello, I'm Lu Mingji, Xi Xi's boyfriend."

Xu Er, you're asking for trouble, I, Sister Xia, have called for backup!! *whispering: Why is everyone guessing Zhou Du?... (End of chapter)