Chapter 2: I Want to Meet That Love Rival
Lin Yibai’s mind was completely messed up.
At first, he still had a little hope, thinking maybe Gu Xiaoxue was just throwing a small tantrum. He believed that if he apologized and coaxed her a bit, they could get back together.
But now…
If what Gu Xiaoxue’s roommates said was true, then this breakup had been planned for a long time.
Still, Lin Yibai believed there must be more to the story. After all, if she didn’t like him, why would she date him for so many years?
He couldn’t accept it. He stood up and blocked their way, saying, "You must be lying. Xiaoxue just broke up with me. How could she have a new boyfriend so soon?"
"Eh? Lin Yibai!"
"Yay, free food again!"
"I want to add double fried pork cutlets!"
They were treating Lin Yibai like a free meal ticket!
In the past, even though he felt unhappy, he would usually pay for their food if they asked.
But now, did they really still have the nerve to ask?
When they saw Lin Yibai’s serious expression, they finally remembered that he and Gu Xiaoxue had just broken up.
Still, they didn’t seem to feel sorry at all. One girl nudged her slightly chubby friend and said, "Look at you! All you think about is those two pork cutlets. Think bigger, if we follow Xiaoxue’s new boyfriend, we can eat steak every day!"
"Hey~" Lin Yibai frowned unhappily.
"What, Lin Yibai? Do you still need something?"
"I’m just saying, Xiaoxue..."
"Ha! You two already broke up. Xiaoxue’s life has nothing to do with you anymore!"
"The breakup is only temporary," Lin Yibai insisted.
"You’re so funny," Yang Yueping laughed coldly. She looked at him with pity and said, "Xiaoxue never liked you. Stop dreaming."
"Three years of dating, and you’re saying Xiaoxue never liked me?" Lin Yibai had always believed deeply in their relationship.
"Of course! How could Xiaoxue like a broke guy like you? And don’t think you’re something special just because you bought us a few meals," Yang Yueping said with a sneer.
"You really think it was only 'a few meals'?" Lin Yibai directly called out their attempt to downplay the truth.
More and more people started gathering around, pointing and whispering.
At this point, Lin Yibai had nothing to lose.
Because of his deep love for Gu Xiaoxue, he didn’t want to believe all these ugly things.
But Yang Yueping and her friends were starting to get nervous. Surrounded by so many people, Yang Yueping snapped angrily, "You're really petty, counting even the meals you bought while chasing Xiaoxue! No wonder she broke up with you. Serves you right, humph!"
Now they turned the blame onto Lin Yibai.
Being stingy when chasing a girl was definitely something people would criticize.
The crowd began whispering and shaking their heads:
"Isn’t it normal to treat a girl to meals when chasing her?"
"I treated my whole class of girls back then just to get my girlfriend!"
"He’s way too petty."
"Still remembering a few meals after all this time, so scary."
"Guys like him shouldn’t even have the right to choose a girlfriend."
"Don’t worry, bro. From now on, he’s lost all his chances. No girl would ever like someone like that! Hahaha!"
The situation was getting worse and worse.
Lin Yibai wanted to speak up, and he could have easily fought back with sharp words.
But because he still cared about Gu Xiaoxue's reputation, he was afraid that if he offended her roommates now, they would go back and bad-mouth him to her.
Should he really just endure it all?
At that moment, the crowd suddenly made way. Yang Chenjun and the other roommates hurried over.
The third cafeteria was the closest one to their dorm, and since so many people there were classmates and friends, they had seen the messages and rushed over right away.
After they understood the situation,
Yang Chenjun patted Lin Yibai on the shoulder and said softly, "Brother, we know you're feeling terrible right now. Leave the rest to us!"
"You guys..." Lin Yibai was very touched.
"Good brother, we all know how deeply you love Gu Xiaoxue, but love isn’t supposed to be like this."
"Swallowing your pride and letting yourself be mistreated, that’s not love."
"......"
This… this was true friendship!
At that moment, Lin Yibai thought about a lot of things, especially the words his brothers said, which touched him deeply.
Could real love be gained by always giving in and lowering yourself?
Seeing the mocking looks on Yang Yueping and the others' faces, the answer was clear.
Lin Yibai knew he had to do something.
He took a deep breath, stopped Yang Chenjun, and said, "Let me handle my own problems."
For three years, he had put up with these girls.
Sorry, excuse Lin Yibai’s rough words, but he really had been patient for too long.
Right now, Yang Yueping and the others still looked full of disdain. They thought Lin Yibai would surely back down again, so they brought up Gu Xiaoxue’s name once more, speaking in a proud and superior tone:
"If you apologize now, maybe we’ll even say a few nice things about you in front of Xiaoxue. What do you think?"
"No need," Lin Yibai refused firmly.
Listening to their tone, he could tell that those "nice words" would probably turn into backhanded insults anyway.
Yang Yueping was shocked. She didn’t expect Lin Yibai to refuse the easy way out.
In the past, whenever they mentioned Gu Xiaoxue, he would immediately do anything they asked, even if they called him in the middle of the night to buy them snacks.
"You’re not afraid Xiaoxue will be mad?"
"But didn’t you just say Xiaoxue already broke up with me and found a new boyfriend?" Lin Yibai replied calmly.
"Well, yes, she found someone new, but it’s still your fault."
"My fault? Please explain."
"You… you’re too stingy!"
“You all freeloaded off me every single day for three years. Every meal. Every drink. Every little expense you didn’t feel like paying. I never said a word.”
"You... you are not worthy of being with Xiaoxue. Now I think it’s good you two broke up. Serves you right!"
"My relationship with Xiaoxue," Lin Yibai’s mouth twitched slightly, then he said firmly, "is none of your business. I’ll explain everything to Xiaoxue myself."
Now everyone around them finally understood.
Especially those who had also chased a girl and ended up paying for freeloaders for a long time. They showed faces full of sympathy.
Some even gritted their teeth in anger.
"I thought he just treated them once or twice and held a grudge for three years. Turns out they took advantage of him for the whole three years!"
"Three years, every single day. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to handle even a month of that."
"How could they have the nerve to do that?"
"That guy was just too nice, but stupid. I used to be a simp too."
"It’s not about being stupid. If you really love someone, of course you’re willing to put up with anything."
Yang Yueping and the others couldn’t stay any longer. Their faces burned with shame and anger.
They were even more afraid that someone might post this scene on the campus forum, and they would become a school-wide joke.
They cursed angrily and ran away in panic.
Soon, the crowd slowly dispersed.
And true brothers stayed true. They put their arms around Lin Yibai’s shoulders and walked off together.
When they passed an empty teaching building, they found an excuse and left Lin Yibai there alone.
A long time passed before Lin Yibai finally walked out, his eyes slightly red. He had made a big decision.
"I’m going to meet Gu Xiaoxue’s new boyfriend."
If the problem really was with Xiaoxue, then it would be better to give up early and move on.
"But if it turns out you tricked Xiaoxue with sweet lies—"
Then...
Prepare yourself, love rival.