Chapter 51: Are You a Dog?

“Tch.” Bei Xiaolin scoffed, eyeing Cheng Yuan skeptically. “Yuanyuan, what’s his name? Where’s he from?”

“Tao An,” Cheng Yuan replied without hesitation. “He’s from Hai City.”

“Tao An…” Bei Xiaolin repeated slowly, suspicious. “Does he work?”

“Probably,” Cheng Yuan said vaguely, recalling how he wore a suit the first time they met. He definitely looked like someone with a job.

“Then how did you two even become pen pals? If he’s working, how does he have time to write letters? And where does he get the time to collect all these exam papers for you?” Bei Xiaolin sounded increasingly envious. Why can’t I find a pen pal like that?

Cheng Yuan shot her a look. “Did you even score over 300 last time?”

Bei Xiaolin: “……” Yuanyuan, you’re going to lose me like this.

“Xia Wanwan’s concert is tomorrow,” Cheng Yuan added with a sly grin.

Bei Xiaolin gritted her teeth. Fine. I’m all in.

That night, after showering and eating a late-night snack, Cheng Yuan didn’t immediately head to her room to study. Instead, she joined her father, Cheng Huaien, for a chat.

“Dad, those clothes you bought in the city today? Really trendy.”

“There were a couple of cotton jackets I think will be big sellers,” she added enthusiastically. “Your fashion sense is seriously leveling up!”

Cheng Huaien chuckled, clearly pleased by the compliments.

“Here, take this,” he said, handing her a hundred-yuan bill. “For snacks.”

Cheng Yuan blinked. “…Again?”

Her allowance was already untouched. With minimal expenses and Cheng Huaien’s frequent generosity, she had over three hundred yuan tucked away.

“Dad, can I stay over at Xiaolin’s place tomorrow night?” she asked sweetly. “Is that okay?”

“Sure,” he said easily. “But why there?”

“She asked me to help her study. The monthly exams are coming up, and she’s desperate to break 300.”

Cheng Huaien nodded in understanding. He remembered how devastated Cheng Yuan had been when Xiaolin moved away. She had so few friends—if she could rewrite their story, all the better.

“Alright,” he said. “Just make sure you walk home with Yu Qing. No going anywhere alone.”

“I know, I know. I’ll definitely stick with someone,” Cheng Yuan promised.

“Good. And hey, why not invite your classmates over sometime for skewers?”

“Yeah, we’ll plan for that when we have more time.”

She thought of Bei Xiaolin, who had been itching to come over for skewers. If she weren’t buried in schoolwork, she’d probably camp out at their place.

Back in her room, Cheng Yuan began packing. There wasn’t much—mostly money. Since it was winter, she didn’t need to worry about showering. But she did need her own towel, pajamas, and toothbrush. If she could, she’d have packed her own bedsheets too.

At midnight, she went to bed on schedule. As always, she slipped into the dark room and climbed into bed beside Jun Nanye, leaving enough space between them for a third person. Just as she was getting comfortable, his voice broke the silence.

“After tomorrow night’s concert, I can arrange a late-night snack with Xia Wanwan.”

“No, thank you,” Cheng Yuan said quickly, her heart sinking. If I meet Xia Wanwan face-to-face, can I really keep up this act?

“You sure?” Jun Nanye coaxed, voice casual. “She’s got a tight schedule, you know. This might be your only chance to chat, take pictures, get her autograph…”

“I’m tired. Let’s talk tomorrow,” Cheng Yuan interrupted, shutting her eyes. If she kept listening, she might waver.

“A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he sighed theatrically. “Would be a real shame to miss it…”

“…”

“Dining with your idol—that’s every fan’s dream.”

That did it.

Cheng Yuan suddenly sat up, grabbed his arm, and bit down hard.

“Are you a dog?!” Jun Nanye flinched in shock.

“You’re the one who keeps tempting me!” she snapped, fuming. “I have to take the bus tomorrow. I need sleep.”

She flopped back down, still scowling. Say one more word, and I’ll bite you again.

Why is he like this? she fumed. Doesn’t he know I have zero resistance?

“So fierce,” Jun Nanye muttered, rubbing the new teeth marks on his arm. The old ones had just started fading. She really must be a dog. Always biting.

“Relax. Even if you were the last man on earth, I wouldn’t cling to you,” Cheng Yuan replied coldly, steeling herself. I have to keep my distance. If I let go now, we’ll never get back to normal.

Better to keep things the way they are.

To her surprise, he didn’t reply. The silence was a relief.

“Yu Qing, you have to cover for us,” Bei Xiaolin begged, practically wringing her hands. “When we get back, we’ll tell you everything—what song she sang, every detail!”

“That’s right!” Cheng Yuan added. “We’re counting on you.”

“Be careful,” Yu Qing said seriously, holding back the words he really wanted to say. He longed to go with them—just to see them off at the venue. But there was no excuse.

He usually kept to himself, and his mother would never believe a sudden sleepover story. And since Uncle Cheng knew his daughter wasn’t home either, it’d just raise suspicion.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry! Yuan Yuan and I will be perfectly fine. I’ll bring her back with every hair in place!” Bei Xiaolin said dramatically.

Cheng Yuan frowned slightly. Something about that line felt… off.

“Let’s go, Yuan Yuan! If we dawdle, we’ll miss the bus!” Bei Xiaolin urged, heart pounding with excitement at the thought of seeing Xia Wanwan perform live.

“Cheng Yuan, check your pocket!” Yu Qing shouted after them, waving.

On the bus, Cheng Yuan reached into her coat and found a crumpled hundred-yuan bill.

“When did he sneak this in?” she asked in surprise.

“Who knows?” Bei Xiaolin huffed. “He’s totally biased. Always you, never me.”

“It’s for both of us,” Cheng Yuan said, smiling as she tucked the bill away. Then she leaned in and whispered, “Don’t worry—I brought enough for the concert and a big celebratory meal after.”

“Same here!” Bei Xiaolin beamed.

As the bus pulled away from the station, the two girls sat side by side, hearts fluttering with anticipation. The lights of the city faded behind them as Hai City loomed ahead.