Chapter 1

The boy’s expression was far too indifferent, and Song Qingying couldn’t be sure whether he had heard the rumor that the girl earlier had spread.

Although Song Qingying had never been to the Red Pavilion, she had heard from her classmates that it wasn’t a reputable place. Someone as calm and clean as Lu Xun couldn’t possibly be associated with a place like that.

She couldn’t help but steal a glance at the boy’s side profile, only to suddenly meet a pair of deep, dark eyes. Her heart skipped a beat.

Because of the heat, Jiang Qiao had taken off her school uniform jacket and draped it over her arm. As she turned a corner, she happened to glance back and caught sight of the boy and girl standing at the door.

Jiang Qiao had good eyesight—she could clearly see the girl shyly tilting her head up while he slightly lowered his, revealing a high-bridged nose and naturally shaped thin lips.

Tch…

Jiang Qiao was a little annoyed. So this was the effect of the main couple’s protagonist halo? Their relationship was progressing pretty fast.

She looked away and walked out the school gate.

At the classroom door, Lu Xun lowered his eyes, seemingly oblivious to the girl’s hopeful gaze. His tone was polite but distant.
“Sorry, I have something else to do.”

“I see…”
Even though Song Qingying had expected this outcome, she still felt disappointed. She tried her best to put on a smile.
“Then… see you tomorrow, Lu Xun.”

Lu Xun paused. “See you tomorrow.”

Only after he had walked away did Song Qingying come back to her senses and touch her flushed, burning cheeks.

In a classically decorated Chinese restaurant, halfway through the meal, Jiang Qiao’s phone rang. The contact name was Peng Yang.

[Who’s that?] she asked 166.

166: [The original host’s friend. Pick up quickly, the first plot point is about to start.]

As soon as Jiang Qiao answered, deafening music blasted through the phone. The boy on the other end, worried she wouldn’t hear, shouted loudly:

“Qiao! Come hang out! It’s our only day off—hurry up and come out, everyone’s here!”

Jiang Qiao: “………………”

She moved the phone away from her ear. “Sure, send me the location.”

“Alright! We’re waiting. Don’t ghost us!”

How spoiled was the original host, Jiang Qiao wondered, if he had to specifically warn her not to bail?
“Got it,” she replied.

After hanging up, Ye Qingqing blinked. “Peng Yang?”

Jiang Qiao raised an eyebrow. “How did you know?”

“Tch, who else could it be? He’s always asking you out. Totally has ulterior motives…”

Oh? So he’s a peach blossom too? Jiang Qiao nodded in understanding.
“Then come with me.”

She really didn’t want to deal with high school boys on her own.

Ye Qingqing seized the chance: “I want Western food tomorrow.”

“………,” Jiang Qiao was speechless for a moment. “Fine.”

A taxi took the two of them to the location. When they got out and saw the luxurious building in front of them, Jiang Qiao squinted slightly.

Ye Qingqing was shocked. “Peng Yang actually dared to come to the Red Pavilion?”

“Isn’t he afraid his dad will beat him up?”

This kind of shady, dangerous nightclub was usually where rich kids went to have fun. But respectable heirs looked down on it—coming here would ruin their reputation.

And yet, he had invited the original host here? His intentions were clear.

“Let’s go back,” Jiang Qiao said, deciding not to enter.

She had barely taken a step when 166 suddenly freaked out:
[Host, please complete the plot point. Please complete the plot point…]

Ye Qingqing saw the girl stop where she was, take a deep breath, and make a face like she’d just eaten something disgusting.

…Uh-oh.

She tested the waters: “If you really don’t want to go in, we can just head back.”

“It’s my first time at the Red Pavilion,” Jiang Qiao said with a forced smile. “Wouldn’t it be a waste not to go in and take a look?”

Ye Qingqing nodded blankly in confusion.

But the two of them didn’t even get through the door—they were stopped right at the entrance.

“ID, please.”

Lu Xun stood tall and lean in his work uniform, the mature cut masking some of his youthful features. Even when spotted by his classmates working here, his expression didn’t waver.

“Oh… oh, right.” Ye Qingqing quickly realized, her face flushing with embarrassment as she fumbled through her pocket for her ID. “Here… here you go.”

“We’re just here to meet a friend,” she added nervously.

Lu Xun handed the ID back to her indifferently. “Under eighteen—no entry.”

“Ah…” Ye Qingqing mumbled awkwardly, “Okay…”

Lu Xun didn’t even look at her. His gaze shifted to the girl lazily sitting on the bench behind her—Jiang Qiao.

Jiang Qiao smiled lazily and waved her hand. “I didn’t bring mine.”

“…Still can’t enter without it,” he said flatly.

Just then, Peng Yang called again. Jiang Qiao’s lips curled into a grin as she answered and put him on speaker.

“Hey, the staff says I’m underage and not allowed in. Sorry about that,” she said with mock innocence.

“What the hell?! Who dares act all high and mighty in front of me?! Just wait—I’m coming out to get you!” the man on the other end snapped, clearly annoyed.

Lu Xun’s brows creased slightly as he heard the voice, but Jiang Qiao had already hung up and was now watching him with interest.

At such close distance, Lu Xun seemed even taller. She had to tilt her head to properly see his face.

Besides his height, Lu Xun was also exceptionally good-looking. At this awkward teenage phase when most boys still looked childish and unpolished, he had already grown into sharp, defined features—deep-set eyes, clear contours, and a calm demeanor. The type that made people’s hearts race.

It wasn’t yet peak nightlife hours, so the place was still relatively quiet. He stood behind the front desk with a straight back, his fingers resting lightly on something.

Following the line of his firm arm, Jiang Qiao spotted what was under his hand—it was a book.

Reading at a bar—earning money while studying? No wonder he was a top student. A true master of time management.

She was observing him with interest when Peng Yang finally stormed out, grumbling.

“I’ve come here so many times and never heard about needing an ID. I’d like to see who’s got the guts to pull this stunt…”

Peng Yang wasn’t bad-looking himself. He wore the latest designer clothes and had a decent presence—but compared to Lu Xun, he fell short.

Jiang Qiao’s beautiful, slightly annoyed peach blossom eyes made her look even more lively and dazzling. Peng Yang’s thoughts immediately wandered.

“Qiao, it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Every time I ask you out, you never come.”

“Well, I’m here now.”

“Hahaha, yeah.” Peng Yang reached out to put an arm around her. “Let’s head to the VIP room—what the—are you crazy?!”

At some point, Lu Xun had stepped out from behind the counter and blocked their way.
“You’re not allowed in.”

His voice was steady and calm, with almost no inflection. His eyes were fixed straight on Jiang Qiao, completely ignoring Peng Yang as if he didn’t even exist.

Peng Yang lost it. “You’ve got some nerve, huh? Just a measly worker, and you dare get in my way?”

He swung his arm toward Lu Xun. Lu Xun raised his own slightly but let it drop, taking the hit directly. A dark bruise quickly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

The manager rushed over just in time to see the scene. Realizing Lu Xun hadn’t fought back, the manager sighed in relief and quickly bowed with a flattering smile.

“Master Peng, you’re here? You should’ve given us a heads-up. What happened here to get you so worked up?”

Peng Yang sneered, full of contempt. “You guys have really dropped the bar for hiring staff. Even dared to stop my friend.”

“Ah, is that so?” the manager instantly caught on. “Lu is new here—he doesn’t understand everything yet. Please don’t take it personally, Master Peng.