Chapter 74: Ugh, Stupid Love Rival. How Can You Be Like This?
He really wanted to spend money on her. But for some reason, he just couldn’t.
It’s not like Lin Yibai was being polite or trying to save money. Xia Changyu could feel that she was being cautious, like she didn’t fully trust him. Because of that, she kept her distance.
Dry noodles and wonton soup were simple, everyday foods.
He didn’t look down on them at all, but Xia Changyu still asked, “What do you think of steak or barbecue?”
Lin Yibai replied, “Of course they taste great!”
Xia Changyu continued, “What about hot pot or spicy crayfish?”
Lin Yibai swallowed and said with excitement, “With a cold beer? On a hot summer night? That would be perfect!”
The answer was already clear.
Steak, barbecue, hot pot, and crayfish are all more expensive and tastier than noodles and wontons.
She clearly knew that too.
Which made Xia Changyu even more confused.
He had never experienced this kind of situation with other girls before.
Frowning slightly, he asked, “If you know those are better, why not choose them? You know I’m happy to pay. If it’s just about being modest, you don’t need to be. I really mean it when I say I want to treat you.”
Lin Yibai raised her eyebrows slightly and gave a half-smile, “Oh? So that’s how you see me?”
Xia Changyu quickly waved his hands and said, “No! I didn’t mean anything bad. I just feel confused. We seem like friends, but at the same time, we feel like strangers.”
Lin Yibai replied calmly, “Well, isn’t that normal? Real friends keep things simple and clear, like water.”
Xia Changyu: “……”
He had to admit she had a point.
But when he thought about it more deeply, it didn’t seem completely right. For a guy who wanted to get closer to her, that kind of “simple friendship” felt like a death sentence.
She didn’t let other guys get close. She shut down the competition.
The noodles and wontons arrived. Lin Yibai mixed the noodles and tasted them. With the sesame sauce, they were just okay. If she really said they tasted better than steak, she’d be lying to herself.
And Lin Yibai wasn’t the type to pretend. She didn’t like girls who faked things, and she wouldn’t act like that herself. She said honestly,
“It’s not about being polite. If it were my roommate treating me to a late-night meal, I’d go all out. Barbecue, hot pot, grilled fish, crayfish. I’d eat everything. But you’re different.”
“Different how?”
“I just think… we’re not at the kind of relationship where it makes sense for you to treat me to something fancy.”
“You won’t even eat it for free?”
“Especially if it’s free.” Lin Yibai took another bite and said after a small sigh, “Since I was little, my parents, elders, and teachers always told me, nothing in this world is truly free. If someone offers you a free lunch, be careful. There’s always a price.”
“Honestly,” Xia Changyu said, “I swear I don’t have any bad intentions. I just want to treat you. No conditions whatsoever.”
“……”
Lin Yibai gave a small smile.
Just like Xia Changyu was confused when he looked at her from a guy’s point of view. Lin Yibai was also puzzled when she thought from a guy’s point of view.
She didn’t understand, why would a guy treat a girl so well, just because she’s a girl?
Did girls really believe they could enjoy all the benefits without paying any price?
Someone once said, ‘All the gifts that fate gives you were already marked with a hidden price tag.’
Lin Yibai thought, ‘Maybe other girls can accept those gifts without worry because they don’t understand that. But I’m not like them, I’m a “guy.” Shouldn’t I understand it better?’
Though honestly, maybe she had no right to say that.
She had gone through some painful experiences too. Now, looking at Xia Changyu, she was shocked to realize that his attitude was so much like how she used to be when she was chasing after Gu Xiaoxue.
‘Does he like me? No way… he must be joking, right?’
Hahaha! Lin Yibai couldn’t help but laugh, then quickly held it in and said to herself.
‘If this dumb love rival knew I’m actually a guy, wouldn’t he be totally grossed out? Hahaha! Just thinking about his face makes me want to burst out laughing—haha… wait, hmm… emmm!’
Something felt wrong.
‘Why would I say grossed out? I’m so cute as a girl, how could anyone think I’m gross? I even smell amazing!’
Lin Yibai picked up the pepper and vinegar and added a bit to her wonton soup. She even added some to her love rival’s bowl too.
Then she stopped him before he could keep overthinking and get lost in his thoughts again. She said, “Stop thinking about all that nonsense and try the wontons. I added vinegar and pepper for you!”
Xia Changyu took a bite.
It had a sharp, spicy taste. Not bad.
There were only six wontons in a bowl, and Lin Yibai scooped out two with her spoon and gave them to him.
Since turning into a girl, her appetite had gotten a lot smaller.
She said, “I can’t finish it. Don’t waste it.”
“How can you not finish it? You’re so skinny, are you on a diet or something? You—”
Before he could finish, Lin Yibai cut him off, “Were you about to say I’m not fat at all and that I should eat more? That I look perfect just the way I am?”
Xia Changyu: Busted. She saw right through me again.
But actually, since they were both guys, being seen through like that wasn’t really embarrassing.
Lin Yibai rested her chin on one hand and said, “Or are you grossed out because of my saliva? If you don’t want it, just say so.”
“No, I’m not grossed out.”
Seeing him finally eat it, Lin Yibai let out a sigh of relief and said, “I don’t really like the noodles here, but the wontons are pretty good. Next time, if I get the chance, I’ll let you try the noodles I make myself.”
“You can cook?”
Lin Yibai smiled proudly, “Of course I can! I learned from my grandma. When she was young, she used to be the head cook in a state-owned factory.”
Xia Changyu’s eyes lit up, “So you’re really good at cooking, huh?”
“Well, I'm not at the level of a professional 3-star Michelin chef,” she said with another smile, then patted her chest and promised, “But for home-style meals? I’m definitely better than all those girls on TikTok who say they’re ‘perfect housewives’.”
Yes, yes, you're absolutely right.
Xia Changyu couldn’t stop smiling. He had just discovered another amazing side of her!
But the more he learned about her, the more nervous he felt. The more eager he got, the more he realized he can’t rush things.
Their relationship was still stuck in the “close, yet untouchable” or “so near, yet so far” stage.
After eating, Lin Yibai confidently called out, “Boss, how much in total?”
“Twenty-two.”
“Got it!”
She pulled out her phone to pay.
Xia Changyu: ??
Come on! Give me a chance to show off a little, will you? Please? Just once?
He quickly stepped in and paid first.
Seeing that, Lin Yibai gave him a teasing look and said, “So… we’re splitting the bill?”
Xia Changyu’s face changed instantly.
He quickly dragged her out of the noodle shop.
Split the bill?!
No way, he didn’t even get a chance to make a move, and she still wanted to split the bill?
Lin Yibai then said, “So… is this your way of paying me back for helping you out at Binhai last time?”
Xia Changyu made a bitter face, “You saved my life! You’re my life-saver! Are you saying my life is only worth eleven yuan? That’s just sad!”
“Pfft~”
“Hahaha~”
Lin Yibai quickly covered her mouth, pretending she definitely didn’t just laugh.
Xia Changyu still looked pitiful.
Please stop teasing me. I just want to look good in front of you.
So please...
Give me a chance. Just one. Please.