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A few bottles of liquor were emptied to the last drop.
Zhen Chuang and Hua Qingyang were clearly drunk, staggering as they walked. Ji Huailuo, the only one who hadn’t touched alcohol, looked thoroughly annoyed as he instructed the designated driver to take them home.
After sending off the two rowdy men who insisted on going to the horse ranch, Ji Huailuo turned to the side. “Hey, don’t tell me you’re planning to hitch a ride with me. We need to avoid any misunderstandings.”
Zhou Cong leaned against a Roman pillar, eyes lowered, typing on his phone. His voice, hoarse from the alcohol, let out a mocking laugh. “Don’t ruin my reputation. I’m a straight man, through and through—I like girls.”
“…Whew.” Ji Huailuo let out a breath of relief. “Alright then, call your own ride, and get lost.”
The cold glow from the screen reflected in Zhou Cong’s eyes, sharp and chilly. He turned off his phone, narrowed his long lashes, and gazed into the night as if judging the weather.
“Little Bao.” He suddenly called out.
Xu Zhiqiao stiffened.
Was he going back on his word?
Zhou Cong pulled the corners of his lips into a cold smile, no warmth in his eyes. “Bring your classmate along too. They came all this way—you should at least be a decent host.”
“Exactly,” Ji Huailuo jumped in, deciding for her. “Can’t let my reputation as Shenzhen CIty’s Big Shot take a hit. Imagine them going back saying we didn’t show them a good time.”
Xu Zhiqiao replied dryly, “No need. We prefer staying home and watching TV.”
“That was when we were kids,” Ji Huailuo said. “Now you’re at University—leave this to me. Your Big Brother will handle it.”
Xu Zhiqiao got anxious. “Who asked you to—”
Ji Huailuo waved dismissively. “Enough with the nonsense—”
Xu Zhiqiao stood on tiptoe and went for his neck. “I’ll fight you!”
This arrogant idiot who never listens to human language!!
Their bickering echoed non-stop. Ji Huailuo, thoroughly entertained, handled her like playing with a kitten—effortlessly pinning her down with one hand while proudly showing off, “Zhou Cong, tell your parents to have another one. Way more fun than a dog.”
Xu Zhiqiao: “…”
Screw you!
Zhou Cong watched them coolly.
“Hey, Xu Zhiqiao,” Ji Huailuo laughed, “go pick a fight with your Big Brother Zhou Cong too.”
Xu Zhiqiao turned and walked away.
Whoever wanted this stepbrother could have him.
She was one girl up against three—what hand could she possibly play?
Watching her storm off, Ji Huailuo scratched his face, doubtful. “I get the feeling she really has something against you.”
Zhou Cong straightened up, swaying slightly, finally letting a trace of drunkenness slip through.
“Accidentally dissed her idol,” Zhou Cong said carelessly. “She bit my arm till it bled.”
“…”
Under the glow of the hotel’s streetlamp, Ji Huailuo saw the small scabs forming on Zhou Cong’s forearm—little teeth marks, now crusted over.
“Damn,” Ji Huailuo winced. “Sharper than Er De’s teeth. Next time I’m not joking about her idol again.”
A faint laugh escaped Zhou Cong’s nose.
Ji Huailuo waved over a ride, then turned back and warned him, “Bro, even if you really were into guys, it’s cool. We’ve been butt-naked bros since we were kids. No way I’d cut you off just ‘cause you liked me.”
Zhou Cong raised a brow, exuding roguish flair. “Get lost!”
—
After the weekend, Shenzhen CIty University resumed its regular class schedule.
Xu Zhiqiao officially moved out of the Ji Family home and into her dorm.
There were only two morning classes on Monday. Afterward, Xu Zhiqiao walked back to the dorm with her three roommates.
“The solo competition’s third place was supposed to go on stage for a group photo,” Zou Qi said. “But you ran off so fast.”
Wang Miaomiao added, “I nearly died laughing at what you said about your Big Brother.”
Xu Zhiqiao: “…”
A humiliating, unspeakable chapter in her life.
Back in the dorm, a bouquet sat on Xu Zhiqiao’s desk. Song Siting reminded her, “Put them in water—they’ll last a few more days.”
“…Wasn’t that bouquet part of the vibe team’s decor? Why’d we bring it back?” Xu Zhiqiao asked, trying to recall.
Song Siting: “What vibe team? That one’s for you. Someone gave it to you specifically.”
“…”
Zou Qi helped unwrap the bouquet. As the slightly wilted roses drooped, a card slipped out from underneath with a soft thud.
“Yo, it’s got writing on it.”
Everyone leaned in.
On a small white sticky note, written in black ink, were the words:
Let’s be friends.
Followed by a phone number.
“Qiao-Bao,” Wang Miaomiao said with envy, “that sweet song you sang the other night? It won you four years of romantic priority rights. Go, child!”
“Go,” Song Siting echoed. “Start your sweet college romance!”
“…How do I return this?” Xu Zhiqiao’s ears flushed red.
The three girls were stunned. “Why would you return it?”
Xu Zhiqiao: “I don’t want it.”
“…”
“Here,” Song Siting pointed to the number. “Just call them.”
Then she added sincerely, “But I suggest you don’t.”
“?”
“If you don’t call, it’s like it never happened,” Song Siting said. “If you do, now they’ve got your number. You call, they call, and boom—drama.”
Xu Zhiqiao nodded.
Sounded reasonable.
Song Siting chuckled. “You need to relax. Why do you get so jumpy the moment someone tries to chase you?”
Xu Zhiqiao twisted the hem of her shirt.
All because of them.
“Honestly though,” Zou Qi nudged her, “with your Big Brothers being such prime specimens, no wonder you’re hard to impress.”
Xu Zhiqiao corrected her. “With Andy Lau being the prime specimen.”
“…”
—
But that night, the matter came to Ji Huailuo’s attention.
Just like last time, Xu Zhiqiao was once again forced to sit at the table, head down, being interrogated.
“You really are a magnet for attention,” Ji Huailuo grumbled. “Maybe you should just move back home.”
Xu Zhiqiao wanted to strangle him.
Ji Shou pondered aloud, “Or maybe… we find someone suitable in our circle and lock things down for Little Bao early…”
Xu Zhiqiao was speechless. “Someone chasing me counts as my fault now?”
“Still talking back?” Ji Huailuo put his hands on his hips, looking every bit the old-fashioned patriarch. “Sigh, raising a daughter is hard. Once she’s of age, it’s like hearing wind and cranes—one false move, and she’ll be led astray!”
Xu Zhiqiao opened her mouth, and Ji Huailuo narrowed his eyes. “About to fight me again, aren’t you?”
“…”
Ji Huailuo: “Too late. I already posted it to my Moments.”
Xu Zhiqiao stood up abruptly, lips trembling. “You—you posted it to your Moments?”
“In case you kill me,” Ji Huailuo said, “I want to leave my good name behind.”
“I—I’ll fight you!!!”
“Oh, by the way,” Ji Huailuo smirked proudly, “your Big Brother Zhou Cong was the first to like it!”
“…”
Silence.
Five seconds later, Xu Zhiqiao, like a ghost, floated upstairs and silently pushed open Ji Huailuo’s bedroom door.
Five minutes later, Ji Huailuo clutched the broken limbs of his beloved figurines, heartbroken and roaring, “Xu Zhiqiao! I’m gonna fight you!!!”
Xu Shu was speechless. “Wasn’t his door always locked?”
“Who knows,” Ji Shou sipped his tea slowly. “He won’t let us or Sister Li in—only Little Bao.”