Chapter 289

After the congratulations among friends in the piano room ended, Li Luo finally stepped out and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Seeing this, Ying Chanxi immediately followed him into the kitchen, put on her apron, and assisted Li Luo.

During dinner, as the seven of them chatted at the table, Li Luo learned that Zhao Rongjun had actually won his table tennis semifinal yesterday.

"Huh?" Li Luo exclaimed, "Didn't that mean you made it to the finals?"

"Yeah."

"Looks like when one door closes, another opens," Li Luo chuckled. "Shouldn't you thank me?"

"Thank you for what?" Zhao Rongjun's face darkened. "I won the match myself—what does that have to do with you?"

"If our class hadn't eliminated your class last week, how would you have had the energy and focus to devote yourself fully to the table tennis competition?" Li Luo explained seriously. "So you owe me for making it to the finals."

Zhao Rongjun: "... Thanks a lot."

"You're welcome."

After dinner, since the midterm exam was on Monday and the finals of the three major ball sports were all scheduled for the afternoon of the 30th, after the midterm, all held together in the gymnasium,

the seven of them cleared the table and sat around the living room desk to study seriously.

Midway through, Li Luo remembered Kong Junxiang's reminder, so he got up, returned to his bedroom, and called his mother.

"Hello? What's up?"

It was already past seven in the evening; Lin Xiuhong had spent the afternoon touring houses with Li Guohong, negotiating prices, then eating out, and had just gotten home when she received her son's call.

Honestly, ever since she stopped running the breakfast shop, these past two or three months have done wonders for Lin Xiuhong—she now speaks with real vigor and confidence.

Her health has been gradually recovering.

"I've got something to tell you both," Li Luo said. "In a couple of days is the school midterm, then May Day holiday, and next month—probably May 9th, Saturday—is the parent-teacher meeting for this semester."

"The teachers say this year's Gao Er class division might involve the new college entrance exam reform policy issued by the Ministry of Education."

"So this parent-teacher meeting will focus heavily on this topic, and they're insisting all parents must attend."

Hearing this, Lin Xiuhong turned on speakerphone, and Li Guohong's voice came through.

"What college entrance exam reform? Will it affect you?"

"It probably won't affect me much," Li Luo replied, then explained the general outline of the reform.

But Li Guohong and Lin Xiuhong hadn't dealt with the college entrance exam in years; his explanation left them confused.

Finally, Li Guohong said: "Just show up for the parent-teacher meeting, right? We'll definitely have time."

"I'll definitely be free," Lin Xiuhong laughed. "Since I missed your last parent-teacher meeting, I'll come this time—do well on your midterm and let your mom brag to your teachers."

"Wait a minute," Li Guohong finally caught on, "if you go to his, what about me?"

"Go to Xi Xi's then."

"Didn't you hear Li Luo? All parents must attend—Ying's dad will definitely go."

"Then you wait outside."

"I think that's not right."

"What do you mean?"

"Ahem…" Li Guohong cleared his throat, then gave her a serious analysis. "Here's how I see it."

"Remember last year's parent-teacher meeting?"

"That time we all went to Xu Youyu's house for dinner."

"Of course I remember. What about it?" Lin Xiuhong asked, puzzled.

"Didn't we say then," Li Guohong reminded her, "that we came for Li Luo and Xi Xi's meeting, but couldn't spare the morning?"

"This time we only need to attend Li Luo's meeting, so the other person can stay at Bihai Lanting and prepare lunch in advance."

"We go to the meeting, you prepare lunch, and as soon as we're done, we come straight over to eat—perfect."

"Then why not you cook?" Lin Xiuhong narrowed her eyes. "Yan Zhusheng is his desk partner—her mom is Yuan Wanqing. You're just trying to chase your idol under the guise of a parent-teacher meeting, aren't you?"

"You… what kind of thing are you saying!" Li Guohong protested. "I'm thinking that both Xi Xi and Yan Zhusheng are from single-parent families, but Xu Youyu's parents will only send one person to the meeting—so the other can come to Bihai Lanting to keep you company."

"What if it's Xu Youyu's mother who attends?"

"If you put it that way…" Li Guohong said, "then have Li Luo ask them—who's going? If her mom doesn't go, you two can cook together."

"Fine," Lin Xiuhong nodded, then told Li Luo, "Did you hear that? Tell Yan Zhusheng and Xu Youyu about lunch—let's set it in advance."

"Got it." After hearing his parents settle the parent-teacher meeting plans, Li Luo listened to Lin Xiuhong's reminders about daily precautions, then hung up.

Around nine that night, after Zhao Rongjun and the others went home, Li Luo told Ying Chanxi and the other three girls about the lunch plan for the parent-teacher meeting.

The three girls immediately pulled out their phones and called their parents.

After all, it concerned their daughters' future college entrance exams.

Whether it was Ying Zhicheng or Yuan Wanqing, upon hearing this, they promised to adjust their schedules and clear time for the 9th of next month.

The lunch arrangement was naturally agreed to without hesitation.

As for Xu Youyu, Cui Suling had originally planned to attend her daughter's parent-teacher meeting herself.

But Xu Rongsheng, having apparently heard about the college entrance exam reform, specifically insisted he would attend personally, and asked Cui Suling to come to Bihai Lanting to help prepare lunch.

After discussing this, Xu Rongsheng asked: "Is Li Luo next to you?"

"Yeah, why?" Xu Youyu asked, puzzled.

"Turn on speakerphone—I want to say a few words to him."

"Oh." Xu Youyu nodded, turned on speakerphone, and waved Li Luo over.

Li Luo came over, confused: "What's up?"

"My dad wants to talk to you."

"Your dad wants to talk to me?"

"Li Luo," Xu Rongsheng's voice came through the phone, cheerful and smiling, "how's your novel writing going lately?"

"Uh..." Hearing this question, Li Luo immediately felt a bad premonition, but still forced himself to say, "Not bad."

"That's right," Xu Rongsheng said. "Recently, I read through your book—roughly the first million characters—and drafted an outline for a paper along with some specific ideas."

"After that, I plan to reread it carefully, refining the framework and content of the paper as I go."

"As the author of this book, you'll have more direct insights into what I've written."

"So during parent-teacher conference, I'll bring you a draft of the paper and its structure—you can take a look and give your uncle some feedback and suggestions, how about that?"

After hearing Xu Rongsheng's words, Li Luo's face darkened instantly.

Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng, having finished their phone calls, heard the commotion and came over to listen.

Upon hearing Uncle Xu's words, Ying Chanxi immediately covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Yan Zhusheng stared fixedly at Li Luo's darkened face, finding it amusing, and suddenly felt a strong urge to read Uncle Xu's paper.

"Uncle Xu, you're..." Li Luo didn't know what to say, his face black as coal, toes curling in shame—he imagined the paper being circulated among Xu Rongsheng's students and felt like he couldn't breathe, "This is just an Online Novel—do we really need to turn it into a paper?"

"Why not?" Xu Rongsheng replied sternly. "Li Luo, you need to correct your attitude. Online literature, as a new literary form of the internet age, may very well become a crucial subject for future studies on the literature of this era."

"I've read your novel. Its structure is highly distinctive—whether it's the pacing of one climax after another, or the emotional entanglements with the three girls, the writing techniques are all clearly defined."

"Some elements derive from traditional novels, while others directly defy traditional standards—both hold significant research value."

"Of course, if you don't want to offer feedback, I won't pressure you—I'm just making a suggestion."

With the matter pushed this far, Li Luo couldn't refuse anymore. He sighed and nodded reluctantly: "Fine, I get it. Bring it over when you can—I'll read it, but I can't promise I'll have any good suggestions."

"It's fine," Xu Rongsheng said. "After all, you're the author—you might notice angles only an author could spot. We'll discuss it further then."

"Alright."

Li Luo's lips twitched. After finishing the call with Xu Rongsheng, the other side finally hung up.

The moment the call ended, Xu Youyu and Ying Chanxi burst into loud laughter, rolling around on the sofa.

Yan Zhusheng couldn't help asking: "Can I read that paper too when it's done?"

"Read what?" Li Luo growled, face still dark. "What's so interesting about it? Isn't the novel enough for you?"

"I've got to see it," Xu Youyu laughed. "When Dad does research, he's very serious—I need to see how he praises you."

"You're such a jinx," Li Luo shot her an irritated glare. "I thought you were just joking when you said Dad might use my novel as research material—and now it actually happened."

"Online novels are still new," Xu Youyu grinned. "Dad's probably sick of studying modern and contemporary literature—occasional Online Novel seasoning isn't bad."

"But why pick mine? I just write pure power-fantasy stories," Li Luo sighed. "Maybe I can still recommend another web novel to Uncle Xu—would it still be too late?"

"Hmm." Xu Youyu smiled, leaning close to Li Luo with a dangerous glint in her eyes, her tone calm, her smile cold and mocking: "What did you say?"

"Cough... nothing."

After confirming the parent-teacher conference arrangements, Xu Youyu went to take a shower first.

Under Ying Chanxi's watchful eye, Li Luo returned to his bedroom to write, avoiding being dragged into the piano room by Yan Zhusheng for some strange play.

Finally, Ying Chanxi returned to her own room, while Yan Zhusheng walked alone into the piano room to play the piano and relax.

Just as Li Luo thought he'd have a peaceful night, past midnight, after finishing his writing and preparing to get into bed, faint footsteps sounded outside.

Then, the door to his room opened.

Xu Youyu's head poked in, grinning mischievously at Li Luo, who had just sat on the edge of the bed.

"Why are you here?"

"Didn't you forget?" Xu Youyu skipped into the bedroom, closed the door, wearing her loose white nightgown, her steps light as she leapt to stand before Li Luo, hands behind her back and leaning forward. "Aren't you the one who won at basketball this morning? I'm here to reward you."

Hearing this, Li Luo instantly grew wary, silently shifting his butt further onto the bed. "You're sure this is a reward? I'm seriously starting to think you're planning to murder me."

"Why would I murder you?" Xu Youyu laughed, then narrowed her eyes, letting out a cold chuckle. "Someone's feeling guilty, isn't he? If you dare recommend 'Literary Era' to Dad, I guarantee you'll die in bed tomorrow."

"Sis, you're overthinking it," Li Luo said, shifting his gaze away, clearly embarrassed. "How could I?"

He had, in fact, briefly entertained that idea earlier—but he was too kind-hearted to actually go through with it.

"You'd better not." Xu Youyu huffed, then kicked off her slippers and climbed onto Li Luo's bed.

Seeing this, Li Luo shrank back to the headboard. "W-wait... what are you doing?"

"Rewarding you," Xu Youyu smiled suggestively, crawling all the way to him, her beautiful face inches from his, grinning. "Are you thinking of something?"

"Nothing..."

"Really?" Xu Youyu extended a finger, tilting Li Luo's chin upward, then trailed it down his neck and chest, lightly tapping his heart. With a teasing grin, she said, "Whatever you want inside, just say it—I can fulfill anything."

"... I just want to sleep."

"Is that so? What a shy reward," Xu Youyu chuckled, pulling back the covers and tucking them over both of them. "I can't help you—you're impossible. Then I'll just satisfy you."

"...", Li Luo stared at her as she lay down, utterly speechless. "I said I want to sleep—I didn't say you could sleep here too."

"But I haven't rewarded you yet—I can't leave like this," Xu Youyu smiled. "Wouldn't that make me a liar?"

Li Luo looked at her, head throbbing.

At this moment, Xu Youyu, clad in a white nightgown, lay in his bed.

As she slid down into the covers, her shoulder straps slipped loosely, her chest lifted high, revealing a graceful curve.

Li Luo, half-reclining, looked down—and could clearly admire the sight.

And furthermore...

After a bath, no girl would wear that, right...?

Thinking of this, Li Luo's breath quickened slightly. He forced himself to look away—only for Xu Youyu to shift beside him, grinning. "So, what reward do you want?"

"Any... whatever. Is there something simpler?"

"Something simpler?" Xu Youyu thought seriously, then smiled, patting Li Luo's shoulder. "Then let's keep it simple—you just need to lie still."

"You're sure?" Li Luo eyed her suspiciously. "Don't pull any more tricks."

"Relax."

Xu Youyu patted her chest in assurance, then pulled Li Luo back upright, herself leaning against the headboard, legs spread, sitting behind him.

Li Luo saw this and immediately felt a premonition of misfortune.

In the next instant, Xu Youyu had already hugged his head with a smile, gently leaning him backward until the back of his skull rested softly against something pliant.

"Don't move, good boy," Xu Youyu covered Li Luo's eyes with her right hand, "Close your eyes—I'll give you a massage."

As she spoke, her fingers lightly pressed against Li Luo's temples, her voice soft beside his ear: "When my dad comes home tired from work, my mom massages him like this."

"Later, when I grew a little older, every time I saw Mom massaging Dad, I'd beg to do it too."

"I slowly learned a bit, and now you get to enjoy it."

"Mmm…" Li Luo silently savored the pillow of his senior's head, feeling the familiar massage technique, his entire memory instantly pulled back to years ago in his past life.

Back when he traveled across the country with Xu Youyu gathering material, he had enjoyed this treatment a few times.

Though not in such an intimate setting as a bedroom bed, it was still one of the few memories from his past life worth savoring.

He never expected to experience it again so soon in this life.

For a moment, Li Luo felt dazed; already drowsy, he sank into this half-dreaming state, his nerves slowly relaxing.

"Youyu-jie…"

"Hm? What did you call me?" Xu Youyu paused, not quite catching it, then leaned close to Li Luo's face and whispered, "Say it again?"

But the next instant, a soft snore came from Li Luo.

He had actually fallen asleep right there under her touch.

"You guy… really…" Xu Youyu was half-laughing, half-exasperated, then shook her head with a smile, her expression softening.

Her hands grew even gentler, feeling the warmth of Li Luo's body resting in her arms, her gaze growing tender.

After confirming Li Luo was truly asleep, her hands—meant for massage—unconsciously drifted to his face, brushing lightly over his nose and lips, then tracing his brows and forehead with care.

Honestly, Li Luo actually looks a little cute when he's asleep.

Xu Youyu thought this, and a smile unconsciously spread across her face.

Outside, the night deepened; Xu Youyu held the sleeping Li Luo, and memories from the past year slowly surfaced in her mind.

At first, when she heard the landlord of her rented apartment had changed, she'd worried the new landlord might be hard to get along with.

Then came their first meeting, when she tasted Li Luo's cooking—tastier than her mother's.

Later, through QQ, she noticed something odd about him, realizing he shared her own hidden identity, and unconsciously felt a sense of recognition.

After that came the literature club, the student union, the sports meet, the New Year's Eve party, countless events.

Finally, during the winter break seminar, their masks were both revealed, and the slight distance between them as friends vanished completely.

Xu Youyu didn't know why.

She just felt Li Luo's personality suited her perfectly.

She had once imagined what kind of boy she'd fall for in the future.

But since Li Luo appeared, she vaguely felt he was like a boy tailor-made for her—everything about him looked right.

His every move pleased her so much it felt almost strange.

So naturally, now even walking into his room at midnight and letting him rest against her chest didn't bother her at all.

On the contrary, she cherished this quiet, private moment between them.

When Li Luo fell asleep under her massage, Xu Youyu even felt a sense of fulfillment.

Probably, this was how her mother felt when she saw her father's face relax after a massage.

It was truly strange.

As Xu Youyu thought this, she slowly shifted her body, pulling away from behind Li Luo and letting him lie flat on the bed.

But the movement stirred him awake.

Li Luo barely managed to open his eyes, glanced at Xu Youyu beside him, rubbed his eyes a bit, and yawned: "Mm... did I just fall asleep?"

"Yes, looks like my massage technique is pretty good?" Xu Youyu smiled. "Is this reward satisfactory, junior?"

"Mmm… very comfortable."

In every possible sense.

Whether physically, mentally, or simply because the back of his head was resting just right—it was all comfortable.

"Good," Xu Youyu nodded, then teased, "But don't you remember what you said while you were asleep?"

"Huh?" Hearing this, Li Luo's heart skipped a beat. "What did I say?"

"You said…" Xu Youyu rolled her eyes, then said, "You said you love your senior the most, and you wish you could lie in her arms forever, never letting go for a second."

Li Luo's face darkened with disbelief. "You're making that up. How could I speak clearly while asleep? Try making something more believable."

"Huh? Not believable?"

"Maybe for kids," Li Luo rubbed his brow. "Senior, it's late—go rest already."

"Is that so?" Xu Youyu lay down playfully, snuggling close beside him, blowing warm breath against his ear. "Really? No big sister to keep you company tonight?"

Li Luo: "... No."

"That's so heartbreaking," Xu Youyu pretended to tear up, climbing off the bed with a sigh, slipping on her slippers, then suddenly lunging into his arms, tilting her face up to him. "But you must dream of me tonight~ Goodnight~"

Li Luo couldn't withstand her relentless assault—he nodded frantically, finally seeing her off.

Watching her leave the bedroom, winking at him mischievously as she closed the door, Li Luo sighed, lying back and glancing at the empty space beside him—suddenly, he couldn't sleep.

…

The next morning, Yan Zhusheng woke early and entered Li Luo's room to wake him for a morning run.

But upon entering, he found Li Luo wasn't in bed—instead, the sound of running water came from the bathroom.

Curious, Yan Zhusheng approached the bathroom door and saw Li Luo busy at the sink, scrubbing something that looked like Doraemon.

"Li Luo, what are you doing?"

"N-nothing… I'll be done washing up right away," Li Luo, seeing Yan Zhusheng, quickly shut and locked the bathroom door. "Go wake up Chanxi first."

"Oh." Yan Zhusheng blinked, quietly turned around, and went to wake up Ying Chanxi, still puzzled in her heart.

In the bathroom, Li Luo let out a quiet sigh of relief.

After confirming the Doraemon in his hand was clean, he helplessly rubbed his forehead, then took it out of the room, went to the balcony, and hung it up.

He really couldn't let his senior come into his room at midnight again.

It was deadly.