The destination, a milk tea shop, is just across the street from the school gate; walk a short distance from the alley entrance and you'll arrive.
The shop was quite spacious, with plenty of seating for twenty or thirty people. The group of girls consisted of only 14 people; by asking the staff to rearrange the tables and chairs, they could easily find a place to sit.
When talking to the shop assistants, Lin Ruoyao was the backbone of this group of girls. In fact, she was the one who took the initiative to organize this small gathering.
After sitting down with everyone, Lin Ruoyao quickly found topics to discuss, such as entertainment gossip and the campus environment, and got everyone chatting.
However, not everyone gets into the atmosphere.
For example, Tang Qi was holding her phone before sitting down and was still looking at it after sitting down. Except when ordering milk tea, her eyes were basically on the phone screen, and she didn't even pay attention to the layout of the milk tea shop—whether before or after her rebirth, she has always been a late-stage social anxiety sufferer.
The only exception was when she received a WeChat message from Lu Zhe saying, "I'm about to pass by the milk tea shop," she quickly looked up and saw Lu Zhe's figure passing by the window.
She instinctively wanted to wave hello, but realizing the occasion was inappropriate, she held back.
Through the window, Lu Zhe and she exchanged a glance, smiled, and then Lu Zhe walked over.
Tang Qi immediately lowered her head and asked on WeChat: 【Where are you going?】
Lu Zhe: [There's a bookstore nearby; I'm reading there. Come find me when you're done there.]
Tang Qi: [You should read a book...]
Lu Zhe: [What, you still want to chat with me? Why don't you talk to the students next to you more, so you don't get isolated.]
So what if I'm isolated? What do I have to be afraid of?
Tang Qi had just sent the message when she heard the girl's voice beside her.
That was Lin Ruoyao saying softly, "Tang Qi, haven't you seen that show?"
Tang Qi subconsciously turned off the screen, and only when she turned her head did she realize that Lin Ruoyao was sitting next to her. But this wasn't the case when she sat down; when did Lin Ruoyao change seats?
Lin Ruoyao then said, "You haven't seen that show they were talking about, have you?"
Tang Qi didn't know which drama they were talking about, but that didn't stop her from nodding: "I don't watch dramas."
Lin Ruoyao asked with some curiosity, "So what do you like?"
Tang Qi answered decisively: "I like playing games."
Lin Ruoyao was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's such a coincidence! I also like playing games. We can play together next time."
Tang Qi: "I like single-player games, usually the kind you can't play with friends. Like Assassin's Creed, Devil May Cry... Oh right, I recently started playing Sekiro, and I find it quite difficult."
Lin Ruoyao was genuinely at a loss for words. However, after a couple of seconds, she came up with something to say.
"Tang Qi's hobbies are quite unique, a bit like a boy's."
At this moment, Little Rainbow remembered the basic social skill of give and take, so she asked, "So what do you like the most?"
Lin Ruoyao smiled and said, "I have a wide range of interests, including movies, TV series, variety shows, music, and games. But the games I used to play, like PUBG and Honor of Kings, were always played with me by others. I've heard of the single-player games you mentioned, but I've never played them. If there's a chance in the future, can we play together?"
Tang Qi smiled and said, "Of course that would be great..."
On the surface, Xiao Caitang maintained a somewhat dull and friendly attitude, but inside she felt a little uncomfortable. She always felt that although Lin Ruoyao in front of her had a spring-like smile, it was a bit fake.
The polite small talk ended. Tang Qi continued looking down at her phone, while Lin Ruoyao joined the girls' casual conversation.
However, just a few minutes later, Lin Ruoyao said "sorry" and stood up. Everyone assumed she was going to the restroom and didn't ask any further questions.
Lin Ruoyao walked out of the milk tea shop and turned into the bookstore next door.
Soon, she found Lu Zhe standing next to the bookshelf, engrossed in a book.
The young man looked quite young, not much older than these college students, yet he possessed a mature and composed air about him. He wasn't the kind of handsome man who would immediately stun you, but his features and physique were very pleasing to the eye. The well-fitting trench coat and suit further accentuated his mature charm, making it impeccable.
After watching for a while, Lin Ruoyao suddenly understood the saying—people who take things seriously are often the most charming.
Suddenly, Lu Zhe looked up from his book, deep in thought about something, and his eyes met Lin Ruoyao's.
After a brief silence and a moment of mutual staring, Lin Ruoyao took two steps over, stopped in front of him, and asked in a low voice, "I noticed you downstairs in the dormitory just now. You... you didn't follow us here, did you?"
Lu Zhe frowned slightly: "Who are you?"
Lin Ruoyao: "I'm Tang Qi's classmate. I guess you should know her, right?"
Lu Zhe suddenly realized, "I see. That's right, Tang Qi asked me to come and help. Is there a problem?"
Lin Ruoyao asked with some curiosity, "So what's your relationship with her? Are you friends, or...?"
Lu Zhe thought about it for a moment.
What's there to be ashamed to say in front of Xia Xiaobing? What's there to be ashamed to say to a stranger like this?
So he simply said, "I'm her boyfriend."
Lin Ruoyao covered her mouth, blinking in slight shock: "Oh... I asked her, and she said we were friends. So I thought we were just ordinary friends, sorry."
Lu Zhe immediately took out his phone and made a call to Xiao Caitang.
After the call connected, he said, "Come out for a moment, to the bookstore next door, just come for a bit."
Then the call ended.
Lin Ruoyao quickly said, "I didn't mean to question you. Is it necessary to call her over?"
Lu Zhe said calmly, "I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to ask her if she needs to make our relationship public to her classmates. If she doesn't want to, could you please keep it a secret for her?"
Lin Ruoyao thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Of course, no problem..."
Before she could finish speaking, Tang Qi had already entered the bookstore and hopped over to the two of them in a few steps.
Little Rainbow's gaze darted back and forth between the two, her eyes filled with obvious confusion.
"Lin Ruoyao, what's wrong with you...?"
Lin Ruoyao explained, "I noticed this handsome guy following behind us, and I was a little curious, so I came over to ask. By the way, what's your relationship with him?"
Tang Qi hesitated for a moment.
However, after exchanging glances with Lu Zhe and sensing that he didn't seem to mind going public, the young lady said, "He's my boyfriend!"
As soon as she said those words, Tang Qi felt refreshed and invigorated.
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