Chapter 686: Might as Well Wash Together

At 5:30 p. m., the afternoon military training ended.

Li Luo had arrived at the music academy by 3 p. m. and stayed to accompany Yan Zhusheng during choir practice.

While Yan Zhusheng and the others practiced singing, Li Luo would sneak out his phone and type two words in the hallway.

There was nothing else to do anyway.

If Xu Youyu was free, they'd flirt on WeChat, teasing each other until their banter raced like high-speed cars.

Since their relationship had surged forward, their private chats had become impossible to stop.

Both were online novel writers, and their flirting skills were unusually sharp, turning ordinary text into speeding cars that crashed recklessly along the WeChat racetrack.

Thanks to this, Li Luo's typing skills had improved recently, leaving readers in the chapter comments screaming that their Xinhua Dictionary had been destroyed.

As Li Luo's recent update word count gradually declined—even though he still maintained over ten thousand words per update—his growth rate had slowed compared to his explosive summer updates.

One reason was that his total word count had surpassed a million, nearing Xu Youyu's Gu Dao Changqing; in another short while, Li Luo would completely overtake Xu Youyu.

Xu Youyu was a staunch member of the "Four Thousand Words a Day" slackers' club and had barely done any explosive updates since starting his novel last September.

After nearly a year of updates, he'd only reached about 1.6 million words.

Li Luo, who started in April this year, had already written over 1.5 million words in less than five months.

Now their word counts differed by only 40,000 words; in about a week, they'd be essentially tied.

【Xu Youyu】: It's all your fault! Readers are constantly mocking me, telling me to learn from you.

In the hallway, Li Luo held his phone and replied to Xu Youyu's message.

【Li Luo】: Then try harder. Who was it that started typing every night at ten during the summer? Where did your daytime hours go?

【Xu Youyu】: Shut up, you workaholic—say less!

【Li Luo】: This is my passion for creation.

【Xu Youyu】: Don't say that—it sounds like you're asking to get punched.

【Li Luo】: I've constantly fed you essence, yet you absorb nothing?

【Xu Youyu】: Haha, if you're so confident, take off your bulletproof vest and let me absorb some?

【Li Luo】: That makes sense. How about next time we try a different absorption method?

【Xu Youyu】: Get lost! No way! It tastes awful!

Seeing Xu Youyu's reaction, Li Luo wore a look of slight regret.

But such things couldn't be forced—he just teased a little, continuing to flirt with Xu Youyu while Yan Zhusheng's face surfaced in his mind.

Thinking of Zhusheng's lips and her earnest way of savoring every moment, Li Luo couldn't help licking his lips, a flicker of excitement rising.

At that moment, the singing in the choir room stopped.

Li Luo checked the time—it was already 5:30 p. m. —and sent Xu Youyu a message.

【Li Luo】: I'm going to take Zhusheng to dinner first. Talk later.

【Xu Youyu】: Fine.

【Xu Youyu】: Being neglected by someone again, I see.

【Xu Youyu】: Wuh wuh wuh.

【Li Luo】: I'm spoiling you the most right now—don't be ignorant of your good fortune.

【Xu Youyu】: Haha, it's just because you haven't won over Zhusheng and Chanxi yet—you're surprisingly holding back.

【Li Luo】: No rush. We've got plenty of time ahead.

【Xu Youyu】: Are you afraid we'll drain you dry? Haha~ Can you even make it to thirty?

【Li Luo】: You're such a weakling—better not mock me, or I'm afraid you'll be screaming for surrender again one night.

【Xu Youyu】: Hmph! Prove it tonight!

【Li Luo】: Not tonight.

【Xu Youyu】: So you're scared after all?

【Li Luo】: I promised Chanxi I'd accompany her.

【Xu Youyu】: Oh, so you're taking turns spoiling them? Your Majesty is so busy.

【Li Luo】: Are you jealous, my concubine?

【Xu Youyu】: How could I dare? I only hope Your Majesty won't forget me—occasionally coming to keep me company is enough to make me happy for days~

【Li Luo】: Next time, act like that in bed.

【Xu Youyu】: Sure~ Your Majesty is so naughty~

When Li Luo finished chatting with Xu Youyu, the choir teacher had finished explaining the key points and announced the day's practice over.

Yan Zhusheng rushed out of the room and grabbed Li Luo's hand, pulling him away quickly.

Shen Zhaoyin hurried after them, staring fixedly at their retreating backs for a long time.

Only after they vanished from sight did Cheng Jinyan and Su Wei catch up to her and take her together to the cafeteria for dinner.

"Where are they?" Cheng Jinyan asked curiously.

"They probably went out to eat," Shen Zhaoyin recalled, guessing based on the direction the two had left.

"I'll ask." Cheng Jinyan pulled out his phone and sent Yan Zhusheng a message.

Soon, he received a reply.

"Oh, they're eating at a restaurant outside and will be back soon."

"Really?" Su Wei asked. "What about tonight's club recruitment? Will Zhusheng join us?"

"Yeah, she said she'd come with us," Cheng Jinyan nodded. "Li Luo has to return to his college for recruitment too—he'll leave after dinner."

The three walked into the cafeteria, chatting as they went.

Meanwhile, Li Luo took Yan Zhusheng to a restaurant by the roadside and booked a private room.

After having dinner with her and seeing her back to campus, he hurriedly drove back to Ningshan Campus.

It was nearly seven o'clock in the evening.

Li Luo first drove to Lin Xiu's milk tea shop, asked Lin Xiu to make seven cups of milk tea, then entered through the West Gate and quickly parked in the underground garage of the College of Literature's administrative building.

He got out of the car, went to Classroom 203 on the second floor, and immediately spotted Xu Youyu.

At that moment, Xu Youyu was busy with new student recruitment; the classroom was full of people.

Besides He Hailu, a third-year student who had become the External Relations Department head this year, only six second-year students remained; the rest had quit the department.

Among them, only Xu Youyu and Jiang Feiya were the two girls who stayed; the other four were all boys.

Two of the boys were responsible for recording new applicants' information, while the other two handled interviews.

Jiang Feiya and Xu Youyu greeted incoming new students at the classroom door, explaining the department's functions and benefits of joining.

It must be said, with two beautiful senior girls standing at the door attracting attention, the foot traffic at the External Liaison Department was quite substantial.

Li Luo stood on the corridor outside and looked over: Classroom 201's Organization Department, Classroom 202's Propaganda Department, and Classroom 204's Academic Department all still had space at their entrances.

Only the External Relations Department had a massive advantage.

Especially at the back door handled by Xu Youyu—it was packed. When Jiang Feiya at the front door saw a large crowd of boys gathered around Xu Youyu, she could only stare in disbelief.

"Are these new students here to join departments or just to look at pretty girls?" Jiang Feiya muttered under her breath.

"Of course, it's best if they get both." Li Luo's voice appeared beside Jiang Feiya, startling her.

"Huh?" Jiang Feiya turned her head, recognized Li Luo's face, and immediately reacted, "Li Luo?! What are you doing here? Go to Youyu's side!"

"There are too many people over there." Li Luo coughed, took a membership application form from Jiang Feiya's hand, and handed her the milk tea he was carrying, "Could you help distribute these? Youyu asked me to buy them."

Jiang Feiya took the bag, glanced inside, saw it was milk tea, and pursed her lips: "At least she has some conscience."

Saying that, Jiang Feiya glanced again at the application form in Li Luo's hand, led him into the classroom, had him fill it out, then handed it directly to Department Head He Hailu, whispering something to her.

Soon after, He Hailu walked over with a smile, greeting Li Luo: "Long time to hear of you, Li Luo. I'm He Hailu, head of the External Relations Department."

"Senior He." Li Luo bowed politely, "Youyu often mentions you—says you've always taken good care of her."

"I haven't done anything special." He Hailu waved her hand, lifting the milk tea, "Thanks for the milk tea."

"Youyu asked me to buy them—I just happened to be passing by."

"Mm." He Hailu nodded, then shook the application form, "You don't need an interview. Youyu told me; you'll get your acceptance notice directly."

"Won't that be unfair?"

"Why would it?" He Hailu laughed. "Your family's hot pot shop and milk tea shop are major clients of our college. We can afford to turn away anyone—but you? You can join anytime you want."

"So you already knew…" Li Luo felt a faint regret; the fantasy scenes of showing off and humiliating others had simply vanished.

Sigh…

"After all, you're the famous Chongran." He Hailu smiled, "My little brother loves your novels—he's obsessed. If you have time, could you sign one for me?"

"No problem." Li Luo smirked, "Just don't let my parents scold me."

After all, being too obsessed with Online Novels could still affect studies.

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"Haha~ We wouldn't scold you." He Hailu laughed. "I just praised you recently—said your 'Little Joys' was excellent. I didn't even know then that Youyu's boyfriend was the original author of 'Little Joys.'"

"Not at all, you flatter me." Li Luo bowed modestly, then asked, "Do you need help here?"

"We're fine." He Hailu pointed to Xu Youyu's side, "But your dear senior is swamped—why not ask her if she needs help sharing the load?"

"OK." Li Luo gave a thumbs-up, took the last cup of milk tea from the bag on the podium, and walked toward Xu Youyu at the back door.

At that moment, Xu Youyu was still smiling, explaining the basics of the External Relations Department to incoming new students.

Suddenly, a cup of milk tea, straw already inserted, was pressed against her lips.

"Drink up." Li Luo said beside her.

Xu Youyu turned her head, smiled instantly, and naturally bent to sip twice: "You're here?"

"Yeah, just arrived." Li Luo nodded.

"I'll tell the department head."

"No need—I just talked to her." Li Luo stopped her. "Need help here?"

"Maybe earlier, but probably not now." Xu Youyu winked at him, then bent to sip again.

The new students around them saw this intimate moment—and a lightning bolt flashed through every one of their minds.

Such a beautiful, well-built senior… had someone already claimed her?

How infuriating!

As Xu Youyu had said, many now reconsidered joining after seeing she had a boyfriend.

Though some still came purely for her looks, the numbers were now perfectly acceptable.

Li Luo stayed with Xu Youyu in the classroom until eight p. m., when he received a WeChat message from Ying Chanxi.

【Ying Chanxi】: I'm done. Are you free yet?

Li Luo pulled out his phone, glanced at Xu Youyu beside him, leaned close to her ear, and whispered two words.

Xu Youyu rolled her eyes, then waved him off: "Go, go—don't keep Chanxi waiting."

"Then I'm off." Li Luo leaned close to Xu Youyu, kissed her cheek.

This moment froze in the eyes of those around—gasps echoed through the room.

Xu Youyu's cheeks flushed red; even with her usual thick skin, she couldn't bear so many eyes watching, and lightly swatted him, half-annoyed.

Li Luo chuckled twice, waved to Xu Youyu, and hurried out of the classroom.

【Li Luo】: I'm out. Where are you? I'll drive to pick you up.

【Ying Chanxi】: Just left the administrative building of Zhu Institute. At the back entrance.

【Li Luo】: Coming. Wait right there.

Li Luo put down his phone, went to the underground parking lot, drove to Zhu Yuan, and soon arrived before Ying Chanxi.

Ying Chanxi opened the front passenger door and got in, her spirits soaring.

"Isn't your senior coming too?"

"The external relations department is still recruiting—probably busy until after nine."

"What about Zhusheng?" Ying Chanxi asked again. "Which department did she plan to join?"

"I'm not sure," Li Luo shook his head. "She said she had no plans—she'll just go with her roommate tonight to take a look, maybe not join."

"Oh." Hearing that Xu Youyu and Yan Zhusheng were still busy, Ying Chanxi's smile widened further; she eagerly lifted her feet. "Then let's go home~"

"Alright." Li Luo glanced at her happy profile and couldn't help smiling. He started the car and drove out the east gate of Qianjiang University, soon returning to Bihai Lanting.

Unlike the unrestrained Xu Youyu, Ying Chanxi didn't go wild after returning to 1502—she didn't immediately pin Li Luo against the wall and start things right in the living room.

After entering, she slipped on slippers and hurried down the hallway toward the bathroom, then remembered something and turned to Li Luo: "You go first—take off your training uniform and give it to me. Let's wash it right away; it'll dry faster."

"Alright." Li Luo walked into the bathroom in his bedroom, brought in fresh pajamas, stripped off his training uniform, then opened a crack in the bathroom door and tossed the clothes out to Ying Chanxi.

Ying Chanxi took them and couldn't help glancing through the door crack.

That one glance was caught by Li Luo inside.

Li Luo widened the door crack slightly and teased her with a grin: "So eager to see? If you want to see, come in and take a look—why not wash together?"

"Pfft! Shameless!" Ying Chanxi's cheeks flushed instantly; she spun around and fled. "I'm not washing with you!"

Saying that, she dashed out of the bedroom, ran down the hallway, entered the public bathroom, and threw both her own and Li Luo's training uniforms into the washing machine.

She closed the transparent lid, watching water begin to flow, gradually swirling the two uniforms together.

Ying Chanxi bit her lip, imagining in her mind the scene of washing with Li Luo—and a faint regret stirred within her.

I should've said yes earlier…

Oh no!

How could I possibly say yes?!

No no no!

Ying Chanxi shook her head vigorously, turned on the showerhead, and let the water drench her body to cool down.

But the moment she closed her eyes, the image of Li Luo's body she'd stolen a glance at flashed in her mind—her face instantly burned red.

I really want to see just one more look… I've only touched before—I've never actually seen it…

Ashamed by her own thoughts, Ying Chanxi stomped her feet hard twice.

But that step slipped—she lost her balance and slid sideways, falling instantly.

"Ah!"

"Ouch…"

(End of Chapter)