"It's simple. I'll allow you to stay in my family group chat. After all, I don't plan on dating anytime soon. You can stay as long as you like, but you're not allowed to mess with me at the office anymore." Bai Tao felt it was time to lay things out clearly. At this moment, Luo He seemed relatively rational, so communication should be possible.
"I… mess with you?" Luo He asked, feeling an odd sense of ambiguity.
"Isn't that so? This morning, you came to my office to pick up food. During the meeting, you deliberately called my name just because I didn't want attention. You purposely went against what I wanted," Bai Tao replied, her tone matter-of-fact.
Luo He paused and recalled the events. It seemed like that was indeed the case. All day, he had been playfully teasing Bai Tao, secretly enjoying her puffed-up expression. But he had thought it was all just a joke—Bai Tao wouldn't take it seriously. Now, it seemed Bai Tao was quite upset. Otherwise, why would she use the word "mess with"?
"Do you really hate it that much?" Luo He's tone softened, a hint of caution in his voice.
Seeing Luo He like this, Bai Tao felt a bit awkward, and she didn't want to be too harsh. "It's not that I hate it, but anyone would feel uncomfortable, don't you think?"
"Okay, I understand. I'm sorry," Luo He suddenly became downcast, his voice growing heavy.
Bai Tao noticed his change in mood, and a sense of guilt inexplicably rose within her, as though she had done something wrong. But on reflection, what exactly had she done wrong? She couldn't think of anything. After considering it more, Bai Tao attributed it all to Luo He. He was like a seductive demon! He had his way with people and could easily pretend to be pitiful.
In truth, Luo He wasn't pretending to be pitiful. His innate charm made it easy for him to tug at people's hearts whenever he seemed slightly down. If his eyes even threatened to well up, even the coldest person would feel a pang of sympathy.
Both of them were lost in their own thoughts as they silently ate hotpot, the atmosphere falling into a prolonged silence. Bai Tao didn't mind; she was focused on eating. It was undeniable—this hotpot was top-notch.
Luo He wasn't a big eater. When he had hotpot, he would always place the ingredients into his bowl, let them cool down a bit, and then eat to avoid burning himself. So, he ate leisurely, fiddling with his phone at the same time.
After a long hesitation, Luo He finally gathered the courage to open his childhood friend Shen Sizhe's profile. "How do you chase girls?"
Not long after, Shen Sizhe replied: "Yo, which unlucky person is asking a dating rookie like you for advice? (laugh-cry) If you want my help, there's a consulting fee, you know. (winks)"
Luo He: "It's not someone else asking me, it's me asking you."
Shen Sizhe: "(horrified) Why are you asking this?"
Luo He: "Why can't I ask?"
Shen Sizhe: "What does this have to do with you? I seriously suspect you're messing with me. (pouts)"
Luo He: "No, I'm serious."
Shen Sizhe: "???????"
Luo He: "???????"
Shen Sizhe: "!!!!!!"
Luo He: "..."
Just as Luo He was getting exasperated by Shen Sizhe's series of symbols, his phone suddenly rang. It was a video call from Shen Sizhe. Luo He jumped in surprise and quickly hung up. No way—he couldn't answer, or his cover would be blown!
After hanging up, more messages from Shen Sizhe came through, a string of question marks.
"I'm busy with work, not convenient," Luo He replied.
"Huh? When you're talking to me about this, you're 'busy with work'? Before you lie, at least think through your logic. (dog head)" Shen Sizhe, having spent three years studying abroad with Luo He, knew his character all too well and immediately saw through the lie.
"...I'm eating." Luo He, helpless, had no choice but to tell the truth.
Shen Sizhe: "(evil grin)(evil grin)(evil grin)"
Shen Sizhe: "There's definitely something fishy!"
Shen Sizhe: "Otherwise, why would you hide the fact you're eating? Are you eating with a girl?"
Luo He felt like there was no escaping now. Since he was asking for help anyway, he decided to stop hiding the truth. "Yes!"
On the other side of the call, Shen Sizhe jumped out of his seat, his face filled with shock. His hands even shook slightly. This was way too unexpected!
"Who? Who is she? I have to meet this fairy of yours."
Luo He: "You don't know her."
Shen Sizhe: "Is your question about her?"
Luo He: "Yes."
Shen Sizhe: "Do you… like her?!!!"
Luo He: "I'm not sure, but maybe I do."
Shen Sizhe: "What do you mean 'maybe'?"
Luo He: "She's really interesting, I just want to see her all the time and talk to her."
Shen Sizhe: "Oh my god!"
Luo He: "What's wrong?"
Shen Sizhe: "Unbelievable! You actually like a girl..."
Luo He: "..."
Shen Sizhe: "So, you're just here to flaunt your love and torture me?"
Luo He: "No! She doesn't like me."
Shen Sizhe: (?)
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]