Chapter Eighteen

Lu Nan complained to Cheng Xiangdong about being a cheerleader at the sports meet and expressed jealousy of Cheng Xiangbei's achievements.

Cheng Xiangdong laughed heartily on the other end of the line, and the next day he sent Lu Nan a pair of designer sneakers by express delivery. Lu Nan was very happy and wore them constantly. Cheng Xiangbei felt resentful, thinking that his brother was being overly concerned about Lu Nan.

"Tiger, what's wrong with you again?" Lu Nan asked with concern when she saw Cheng Xiangbei's long face.

"It's nothing." Cheng Xiangbei shook his head, finding Lu Nan's shoes utterly displeasing. "Nan Nan, how about I buy you another pair of shoes?"

"What are you buying? I have enough shoes." Lu Nan swung her legs back and forth. Cheng Xiangbei, feeling a bit resentful, ran into the room and grabbed a bag. "Oh right, Uncle Li brought this the day before yesterday, I haven't seen what's inside yet!"

Lu Nan straightened up and leaned closer to see what was inside. "Huh? Aren't these the shoes my grandma made?" Inside the simple bag was a pair of homemade cloth shoes with layered soles. "Why is there only one pair?"

Cheng Xiangbei took it out, put it on his foot, and it fit perfectly. "Hehe, Grandma is so good to me!"

"Tch! Grandma's biased. I'm her real grandson!" Lu Nan pouted.

"Hehe, they're all the same!" Cheng Xiangbei put on his shoes and walked back and forth a couple of times. "I must say, these cloth shoes are really comfortable! Lightweight and breathable..." They're just a bit old-fashioned.

"Then just wear them, so you won't keep complaining about your feet being stuffy in sneakers."

"Yes, I need to be more careful with my clothes." Cheng Xiangbei nodded with a smile.

The two, one with a rustic look and the other with a Western one, swaggered back to their dorm. Li Weide, with his sharp eyes, exclaimed, "Lu Nan! When did you buy those shoes? They're a limited edition! Tsk tsk... they're not knockoffs, are they?"

“Go ahead, I’ll take it off and let you check its authenticity!” Lu Nan pulled out the express delivery slip and said, “Here, international express, freshly delivered.”

"Not bad, not bad, what a pity." Li Weide circled around him twice.

"What's a pity?" Lu Nan frowned.

Li Weide chuckled mischievously. "These shoes are so uncomfortable! It's such a waste to wear them on you."

"Get lost!" Lu Nan shouted angrily.

“Xiang Bei, you’ve been…” In front of the teaching building, Yu Mufeng called out to Cheng Xiang Bei, hesitating to speak.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?" Cheng Xiangbei replied calmly.

"Uh..." Yu Mufeng looked at the multi-layered soles on his feet and forced a smile. "Nothing, just asking what your plans are for May Day."

"May Day?" Cheng Xiangbei frowned. The holiday is here so soon? Three to five days? What plans could he possibly have? "I haven't thought about it yet."

"I see!" Yu Mufeng nodded. "How about we go on a trip together during the May Day holiday?"

Cheng Xiangbei pondered for a moment before replying, "Too many people will be traveling during the May Day holiday, so I'm not considering it for now." He paused, then asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Oh, no, that's all."

"Then I'll go first." Nodding, Cheng Xiangbei headed back to his dormitory.

Yu Mufeng gritted his teeth and said, "North!"

"Hmm?" He turned his head.

"If you have any difficulties in life, I can help you."

"Huh?" Cheng Xiangbei was surprised, then smiled after a moment's thought. "Thank you for your concern, goodbye!"

Back in his dorm, Cheng Xiangbei couldn't stop smiling.

Lu Nan looked at him strangely and kicked him, saying, "What are you grinning about?"

"Nannan, I suddenly realized..."

"What did you discover? Stop keeping me in suspense."

"I've become your kept man."

"Pfft..." Lu Nan spat out a mouthful of milk. "Cough, cough... What did you say?"

"I've become your kept man." Repeat it again.

"Nonsense! It's more like you're supporting me." Lu Nan shook her head, finished her milk, and started playing games, timing it perfectly.

As the two were talking, Li Weide and Luo Ming returned. "Oh, Lu Nan is here too!"

"Hmm." Holding Cheng Xiangbei's laptop, he was diligently killing monsters.

"Lu Nan, do you have relatives abroad?" Luo Ming asked casually when he saw Lu Nan's shoes.

“Yes, that’s right.” Lu Nan nodded. “My sister is outside.”

"Your sister is so good to you, these shoes are really expensive."

"Huh?" Lu Nan looked up blankly. "These shoes weren't a gift from my sister."

"Who is that?" Li Weide asked curiously, and Cheng Xiangbei turned his head.

"His brother." He pointed to Cheng Xiangbei, engrossed in his game.

"Holy crap! Boss, is Lu Nan some kind of emperor emeritus in your family?" Li Weide exclaimed. "Not only did you get a personal nanny like her, but the whole family has to mobilize to curry favor with her?"

Cheng Xiangbei gritted his teeth. Lu Nan belonged to him alone. Who allowed them to be nice to Lu Nan too?! It was one thing for his brother to give him a pair of shoes, but his father even wanted to give Lu Nan a car!

With the holidays approaching, Cheng Xiangbei has been taking more extracurricular activities.

Lu Nan stole half a day of leisure and went to the library to read comics and soak up the sun.

"Lu Nan?" After waiting for two days, Meng Tianze finally saw Lu Nan appear and walked over with a smile.

Looking up from the comic, Lu Nan narrowed her eyes. "Oh, Meng."

"Calling me 'Classmate Meng' is too formal." Meng Tianze sat down next to him and shook his head in disapproval.

Lu Nan was in a dilemma. "Then what should I call you?"

"Just call me Tianze or Aze, that's what my family calls me."

Lu Nan frowned. "I'm not family. It's just a name, there's nothing to argue about." "Tianze."

Meng Tianze smiled and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Lu Nan waved the book in her hand. "Here, take a look for yourself."

Meng Tianze looked down and saw the large Doraemon logo on the cover. His lips twitched. "You still read this?"

Lu Nan nodded. "This is really beautiful!"

Meng Tianze's lips twitched again as he asked, "Lu Nan, are you free this Saturday?"

"Saturday?" The legal sex day with the tiger? Lu Nan frowned and shook her head. "No time."

"Then... what about Sunday?" Meng Tianze carefully concealed his anticipation.

"I'm free this afternoon, what's up?"

Meng Tianze breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "That's good. I'll treat you to dinner on Sunday night."

"Why did you invite me to dinner? We're not even related."

“Uh…” Meng Tianze paused for a moment, then continued, “That day was my birthday.”

"You're treating me to dinner for your birthday?" Lu Nan pointed to his nose, feeling quite puzzled. Embarrassed by his blunt question, Meng Tianze forced a smile and said, "Yes, my family isn't here, and it's lonely spending my birthday alone."

"Oh, I see!" Lu Nan nodded. "Okay, where should we eat?"

"How is Zhongtian Hotel?" It's classy and stylish.

"Okay." I promise you won't be lonely.

During dinner, Lu Nan informed Cheng Xiangbei of this situation.

Cheng Xiangbei nearly overturned the table. "Nannan, how could you agree to have dinner with him?!"

"Why can't I agree?" Lu Nan grabbed his hand and forced him to sit down. "Sit down first, it's tiring for me to look up at you."

Cheng Xiangbei sat down angrily, his neck stiff and he didn't say a word.

"Why are you angry?" Lu Nan asked curiously.

"Why am I angry?!" Cheng Xiangbei turned his head fiercely. "You're going to have dinner with some shady men, how can I not be angry?!" He was about to explode with anger.

"Huh?" Lu Nan asked, puzzled. "Aren't you coming with me?"

"Huh?" Cheng Xiangbei exclaimed. "What did you say? We're going together?"

Lu Nan nodded. "What am I supposed to do if you're not going?"

Cheng Xiangbei let out a long breath and said, "Nannan, you should say things clearly. My little heart can't take your torment."

"You're the one who misunderstood," Lu Nan said, shaking her finger. "He said he was feeling lonely on his birthday, so I agreed. Want more people to make it lively? It's easy, just invite a few more!"

Cheng Xiangbei was secretly delighted, wondering how Meng Tianze's birthday celebration would turn out.

On Sunday noon, Cheng Lu and his companion got out of bed lazily.

"Nan Nan, are you feeling alright anywhere?" In the bathroom, Lu Nan was brushing his teeth with a toothbrush in his mouth when Cheng Xiangbei hugged him from behind and nuzzled his ear.

"That's all." Lu Nan shook her head, her mouth full of foam.

"That's good, but is it okay if I don't go to Meng Tianze's dinner party?"

Lu Nan rinsed her mouth and said, "You have to keep your word. Besides, I've already made plans with Dezi and the others. I heard the seafood at Zhongtian is pretty good, it'll be a good opportunity to give Afei some extra nutrition."

"Alright then. But shouldn't you talk to Meng Tianze first?" He genuinely meant well.

"No need, we'll surprise him later!" With so many people celebrating Meng Tianze's birthday, that guy should be very touched, right? Lu Nan thought dreamily. Cheng Xiangbei suppressed a laugh and led Lu Nan to the dining table. It wasn't that he was petty, but Meng Tianze definitely had ulterior motives towards Lu Nan. Lonely on his birthday? Come on! A prominent figure in the business school, wouldn't he have someone to celebrate his birthday with? Who would believe that!

The two stayed at home until dark before contacting Li Weide and the others to head to the Zhongtian Hotel. Upon entering, a hostess came over, verified Lu Nan's identity, and led him to a private room on the second floor.

As soon as the door opened, everyone shouted in unison, "Surprise!!!"

Meng Tianze was stunned, and so was everyone else. The room was quiet; the round table wasn't large, but it was set with exquisite tableware and elegant fresh flowers. Meng Tianze and Chu Lian were chatting on the sofa next to them.

"Uh, everyone's here!" Meng Tianze snapped out of his daze and quickly put on a smile. He had originally intended to invite only Lu Nan to dinner, but based on his understanding of Lu Nan, and to prevent Cheng Xiangbei from showing up as well, he had brought Chu Lian along as a backup. If Cheng Xiangbei came, he would be Chu Lian's target. If only Lu Nan came, then Chu Lian could find an excuse to leave at any time. His plan was well-thought-out, but unfortunately, he still didn't understand just how oblivious Lu Nan was.

"It's Brother Meng's birthday, how can we not come and support him?" Li Weide was a shrewd man and immediately sensed that something was amiss. But since they were already here and had bought a cake, they couldn't just leave without getting their money's worth, could they?

"Thank you all for giving me face. Come, come, take your seats!" Meng Tianze greeted everyone with a big smile. Seeing this, Chu Lian also stood up and walked to Cheng Xiangbei's side. "Xiangbei, welcome."

Cheng Xiangbei nodded and pulled Lu Nan to sit down.

Author's Note: To reiterate, this article is not guaranteed to be updated daily.