NOVEL NEXT Chapter 298
After tidying up, Li Muxue changed into a proper office outfit and prepared to leave.
Meanwhile, Xu Lin opened a can of soda, sat on the couch, and started scrolling through his phone while sipping his cold drink. If his parents saw this, they’d probably snatch the soda right out of his hands. But drinking a cold beverage with the heater on? That’s a rite of passage for young people.
“Meow~”
“Oops, I forgot to feed Chenpi dinner. Well, at this hour, it might as well be breakfast.”
Xu Lin walked to the enclosed balcony, poured some cat food for Chenpi, and looked outside. The snow had just stopped, but now it was starting to rain.
Hearing the door open behind him, Xu Lin ran to the storage room, grabbed an umbrella, and chased after his cousin. Luckily, Li Muxue was still waiting for the elevator.
“Here, take this—it’s raining.”
“Thanks, cousin.”
Seeing Xu Lin’s concern, Li Muxue smiled sweetly. On the mountain, everyone looked out for each other, but this kind of familial care was a first for her.
“It’s no big deal. Oh, by the way, I just remembered—I don’t have your WeChat yet.”“Oh.”
The two exchanged WeChat contacts, and Xu Lin casually transferred 3,000 yuan to her.
“Why are you giving me money?”
“There’ll always be things to spend on when you’re out and about. Even if meals and lodging are covered while you’re with Chu Fengyi, there are still personal things you might need to buy.”
Xu Lin glanced at Li Muxue and began explaining some basic life tips, especially regarding hotel stays.
“Oh, oh, got it. Thanks, cousin. I’ll pay you back when I get my salary.”
“Don’t. We’re family—no need to be so formal.”
“Mm, mm, family.”
“Wait a second, cousin. When you say ‘family,’ I feel like it means something different from when I say it.”
“It means the same thing. Alright, I’m off.”
As the elevator doors opened, she quickly stepped in. Xu Lin waved goodbye and returned to his room.
It was only 5:30 a.m., so he decided to play some mobile games before heading to Ji Yun’s place. Since it was raining, their usual morning run would probably be canceled—it would just make their shoes muddy and hard to clean.
“I did promise to make breakfast for Ji Yun and the others, but I haven’t been consistent. Maybe I should go today?”
With that thought in mind, Xu Lin flopped lazily off the couch, got dressed, and opened the system store to take a look.
The refreshed items weren’t particularly useful or affordable for him, so he decided to save up more points. Since buying the alchemy technique and recipe scroll, he only had 30,000 points left, though it had since increased to 35,000.
Teacher Su’s favorability had risen above 30, but getting it to 40 would still take some effort. Jiang Zimeng and Zhu Zhaoxue had also made some progress.
The highest favorability levels remained with Ji Yun, Chu Qingchan, Chu Fengyi, and Qin Yunhe. Ji Yun, having regained her memories, had reached a favorability level of 49 but was now stuck.
Xu Lin suspected it might require deeper “interaction” with two individuals to break through. However, he didn’t dare test the theory. After all, feelings need to develop naturally—approaching things with ulterior motives wouldn’t be right.
But Qin Yunhe could be a potential breakthrough. She was the only one with whom he’d had deeper interaction. If her favorability went past 50 without any issues, it would confirm his theory: genuine emotional growth is the key.
But if that were true, did it mean he’d have to make 12 “mistakes” to maximize his points? Qin Yunhe was a special case—it had been an accident. If he were to intentionally pursue others, Ji Yun and the rest definitely wouldn’t be so easy to fool.
“Letting things happen naturally is so hard.”
With that thought, Xu Lin got dressed and headed to Chu Qingchan’s house, hoping they hadn’t already bought breakfast.
A few minutes later, he arrived at Chu Qingchan’s door and knocked several times, but there was no response.
He pulled out his phone and sent her a WeChat message. A few seconds later, the door finally opened.
Standing there was Chu Qingchan, her long hair disheveled, her loose pajamas barely hanging on, and her sleepy eyes staring blankly at him.
“What’s up, Mr. Xu~?”
“Here to make you breakfast, Miss Superstar.”
“Oh, I thought you’d forgotten by now.”
“I’ve just been too busy. Otherwise, I’d be making you breakfast every day.”
Xu Lin walked inside and immediately noticed that the room wasn’t particularly warm. Compared to his place, the heating here was much weaker.
“The floor heating needs maintenance and a good cleaning.”
“It’s not a new house, after all. But it’s fine—I’m not that cold.”
“Your hands are freezing, and you say you’re not cold.” Xu Lin stepped closer, took her hand in his, and confirmed it was indeed chilly.
“My hands aren’t warm even in the summer.”
“That’s exactly why. Your constitution is already weak, and you don’t exercise much, so it’s no surprise.”
As Xu Lin spoke, Chu Qingchan nodded along, then slowly leaned her head onto his shoulder.
“Stand properly, or I might knock you over if I move.”
“It’s been a long time since I leaned on you like this…”
Her voice was cool as always, but that one line left Xu Lin silent.
He couldn’t help but recall how it was his fault that she had come to this city in the first place. He had planned to take care of her during her lowest moments, but with everything that had happened—meeting so many girls and getting involved in countless things—he’d ended up neglecting her.
“I’m sorry… I haven’t spent enough time with you lately.”
“Don’t apologize. Just listen: these past six months have been the most relaxing time of my life. You’ve helped me so much.
“You can’t just focus on me all the time. Not to mention the girls you, the ‘playboy,’ have managed to bring into your life—you also need your own space.”
“You’re just too straightforward. If you’re unhappy about something, just tell me. If you need me to do anything, just ask.”
Xu Lin gently wrapped his arms around Chu Qingchan’s waist from behind, resting his nose against her tousled hair.
“Then I’d just seem like a child. Sure, I’m not as sharp or efficient as Chu Fengyi, and there’s a lot I don’t get right. But I’m not someone who needs constant care. That said… having you around does make me feel a lot more at ease.
“Do you know what I thought the first time we met? The very first moment I saw you?”
“What? ‘Wow, this guy is so handsome—he’s totally my type’?” Xu Lin teased.
“No, I thought you were like a beam of light in the darkness, pulling me out.”
“Looking back now, don’t you think it’s a little funny how low your mood had gotten back then?”
“No. If it weren’t for you, for Ji Yun, and for everything and everyone that followed, I might have stayed stuck in that state for a long time.”
“Well, you won’t ever fall back into it now. You’ve got us—you’ve got me.”
Xu Lin gently held her hand. Chu Qingchan turned around slowly, stood on tiptoe, and leaned closer.
Looking at her face, Xu Lin closed his eyes and leaned in as well. The touch of her cool lips was soon followed by a growing warmth.
Neither knew how much time had passed before their breaths began to grow short, and they finally pulled apart.
They gazed into each other’s eyes, their emotions reflected in their gaze, as if their very souls were visible.
Seeing Xu Lin’s flushed face, Chu Qingchan couldn’t help but let a small smile play at the corners of her lips.
“You’re smiling!”
“Am I?”
“Don’t even try to deny it—I can tell you’re happy.”
“Fine, let’s say I am.” Chu Qingchan looked at him, her smile widening even further.
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