Chapter 61: A Gathering Among Men”

“It’s time to cook, I’m hungry.”

Outside, Qin Muxue poked her head in but didn’t enter.

“Mhm.”

Lin Beixiu got up from the bed and started to get busy, with Qin Muxue helping him from outside.

When the two were eating, Lin Beixiu checked his phone and discovered that not only the main courses but even the computer courses required a practical test.

Lin Beixiu looked at the message from the class representative and felt quite helpless, as he had been very busy lately.

“What’s wrong?”

Qin Muxue noticed his troubled expression and asked curiously.

“Another test.”

“Oh.”

Qin Muxue was not flustered.

…….

The next day, everyone went to the computer lab for another exam. The boys surrounded Lin Beixiu again, asking for his help.

Lin Beixiu could only give pointers, insisting that they needed to do the work themselves; he couldn’t help them much more than that.

Afterward, Lin Beixiu and Qin Muxue were among the first to hand in their papers and leave the classroom.

……..

In the evening, after work, the two went out to relax. Qin Muxue took him out for some fun, or rather, Lin Beixiu was dragged along, having had exams for two days, couldn’t he just rest?

Lin Beixiu complained and flopped onto the sofa, too drained to even walk back to his room.

“I give up on you.”

This comment from Lin Beixiu was sincere; Qin Muxue had been out for so long without showing any signs of tiredness. Later, she even took the snacks from his hands, not letting him hold them.

Qin Muxue placed a large bag on the table, filled with snacks and some delicacies she had bought.

Qin Muxue stuck out her tongue, “Sorry, I accidentally bought too much.”

Lin Beixiu didn’t speak, lying on the sofa to rest his eyes, while Qin Muxue organized the snacks and sat down on the sofa.

Lin Beixiu immediately felt a soft touch beside his thigh and, opening his eyes, was startled.

Qin Muxue was sitting right next to him on the sofa, her small buttocks pressed against his thigh, especially her slightly flushed face.

His instinct told him that this girl was up to no good.

“What are you doing?”

“Cough, I was going to massage your legs.”

Qin Muxue reached towards his thigh, and the ticklish sensation immediately jolted Lin Beixiu, who quickly pulled back his leg.

“Where are you touching?”

Lin Beixiu curled up on the other end of the sofa, looking as though he had been molested.

“Cough, would you believe me if I said it wasn’t intentional?”

Lin Beixiu got up, heading to his own room.

“Damn it, you’re totally a hooligan; I feel scared staying here.”

Qin Muxue: ……..

“Trust me, I’m really good with my massage techniques.”

“No need.”

Lin Beixiu’s weak voice came through, “I’m going to take a shower.”

He was truly tired now and just wanted to sleep afterward.

Qin Muxue felt it was a pity but didn’t follow him.

When Lin Beixiu came out and returned to his room, he saw a bottle of wine and a pack of chips on the desk.

“I’ll go back to my room.”

Lin Beixiu muttered to himself, but the smile on his lips betrayed his feelings.

The chips were tasty, and the wine even more so.

…….

The next day, Lin Beixiu woke up very late. Qin Muxue had gone downstairs to buy breakfast for him, purchasing two servings of buns.

When she returned home, Lin Beixiu had just gotten up and was yawning on the sofa.

“You’re awake; I bought you breakfast.”

“Thanks.”

Lin Beixiu walked over and joined her for breakfast.

On his phone, there was a message from Hu Feng, naturally about the barbecue he had promised to treat Lin Beixiu to, which was scheduled for that evening.

Lin Beixiu didn’t hesitate and accepted right away.

“Why can’t you wake up earlier, like before when you used to go running every morning?”

Lin Beixiu knew she was referring to a previous bet they had, but he was quite indifferent.

“There’s no need now, I think my body is still okay.”

“Bullshit.”

Qin Muxue retorted irritably, “You’re so weak.”

Lin Beixiu’s mouth twitched; any man would be annoyed being called weak, but he didn’t bother to argue with her.

“Mind your own business, nagging old lady.”

Qin Muxue: …….

“You….”Qin Muxue calmly ate her breakfast, ignoring him.

Lin Beixiu also stopped talking and went back to his room after breakfast.

Qin Muxue shook her head, as today was her day to clean, and she started busying herself.

…….

In the evening, Lin Beixiu left the house.

“Just eat something yourself, I’m going out.”

“Is it Hu Feng?”

Qin Muxue remembered what Hu Feng had promised him and asked directly.

“Yeah, they’re treating me to a meal.”

Qin Muxue wanted to say something, but she just said,

“Be careful on the road, come back early.”

Lin Beixiu looked at her expression and blurted out,

“I’ll try to come back early.”

He wasn’t even sure why he said that.

“Good.” Qin Muxue then smiled and waved goodbye.

As soon as the door closed, the smile on Qin Muxue’s face disappeared, replaced by a look of disappointment.

After all, it was a gathering among the men; if she went along, what would it look like? Besides, she felt it might annoy Lin Beixiu.

……

On Lin Beixiu’s end, he quickly arrived at the address Hu Feng had sent, a small restaurant Lin Beixiu had never been to.

“Lin Beixiu, you’ve arrived.”

As Lin Beixiu entered the designated private room, Hu Feng warmly greeted him.

“Have you been here before?”

Lin Beixiu shook his head; he had indeed never been here.

“This isn’t my first time here either; I think the food here is quite good, and it’s a great value for money.”

As soon as Lin Beixiu sat down, everyone started chattering.

“I’ve ordered the dishes already, Lin Beixiu, what would you like to drink?”

“Wine.”

“Alright, that suits us.”

When the dishes arrived, Hu Feng also had the waiter bring a case of wine.

“How come you have so much money, always treating people?”

“No, a few of us together are treating you, Lin Beixiu.”

Liu Jin chimed in, “Yeah, without your help in the exams, we might have failed.”

“Thanks.”

Lin Beixiu smiled, “It’s no big deal.”

“Hehe, then we’re not going home sober tonight.”

Lin Beixiu involuntarily thought of Qin Muxue and sighed.

“I’m not going to drink much, and you guys should drink less too, so you can make it home.”

The others laughed it off, but it seemed they didn’t take it seriously; Lin Beixiu didn’t bother to insist, as he was just indulging himself. If he really drank too much, he’d end up being nagged by Qin Muxue.

Lin Beixiu helplessly shook his head, looking troubled; he knew he’d get scolded whether he drank or not.

The group quickly got into the swing of things, enjoying their drinks.

Lin Beixiu chose not to join in, drinking by himself. Even though his personality had changed a lot, he still couldn’t blend in quickly.

“Lin Beixiu, want one?”

Lin Beixiu was startled, then saw Hu Feng holding a pack of cigarettes, offering him one.

“Good stuff, huh? You smoke these expensive ones?”

———-
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