novelraw Chapter 92 092 She thought she liked...
Chapter 92 092 She thought she liked...
Chapter 92 092 She thought she liked...
At night, the moonlight on West Lake is shattered into tiny specks by the ripples on the lake's surface, making it appear even gentler.
On the balcony of the hotel's luxury suite, Su Xiaocheng leaned on the railing, gazing blankly at the beautiful scenery. The evening breeze ruffled the stray hairs on her cheeks, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in her heart.
The view before me is beautiful, and behind me is a lovely lady in the suite, but unfortunately, today is not the right time.
Everything that happened this afternoon was like an absurd drama.
Her crush, Sister Qiqi, was rescued by Wang Zhe after falling into the water. This was supposed to be a good thing, a hero saving a damsel in distress, and although the hero was a man, at least she was unharmed.
The problem is, the atmosphere between the two of them has become increasingly strange since they came back!
The "suspension bridge effect" after surviving a life-or-death moment, coupled with Wang Zhe's mature demeanor—especially when buying clothes, Qi Qi's timid and submissive manner, and that unprecedented denim mini-skirt—
Su Xiaocheng scratched her hair in frustration, wishing she could shout at West Lake, "Give me back my Qiqi!"
Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
Su Xiaocheng took it out and saw that it was a call from Song Zhiyi.
She took a deep breath, tried to calm herself, and answered the phone.
A gentle voice, tinged with concern, came from the other end of the phone: "Xiao Cheng, I hope I didn't disturb your rest by calling you so late?"
"No, no, I'm still enjoying the view from the balcony."
"Looks like your trip to West Lake went very well today! How was it, did you have fun?"
Hearing this question, Su Xiaocheng felt a mix of emotions.
Was it smooth sailing? Was it fun?
Su Xiaocheng could only swallow all her grievances and said in a normal, calm tone, "Yes, the scenery was beautiful, and I had a lot of fun. West Lake is really beautiful, especially riding a bicycle by the lake and feeling the breeze; it felt especially comfortable."
"That's good," Song Zhiyi smiled, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible anticipation. "So, how's it going with the person you like?"
Su Xiaocheng's hand gripping the phone tightened suddenly.
She subconsciously glanced back into the room. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, she could see Zhu Qi sitting on the sofa, drying her still-dripping hair while watching TV.
"How—how did you know she was here too?" Su Xiaocheng asked warily.
"I just guessed," Song Zhiyi said in a light voice.
Su Xiaocheng was stunned for a moment, then gave a wry smile.
She immediately understood. Song Zhiyi hadn't guessed the truth at all; she simply believed that she liked Wang Zhe! In Song Zhiyi's mind, all her previous actions, including inquiring about Wang Zhe and helping out in his office, were probably all in an attempt to pursue him.
This is a huge misunderstanding.
But----
Su Xiaocheng opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but didn't know where to begin.
Should I tell Song Zhiyi that I actually like Zhu Qi, who is also a girl? That I'm actually a lesbian?
Su Xiaocheng simply didn't have the courage to come out as gay to a new friend she'd only recently met, especially one who seemed so gentle and traditional. What if she scared her?
So she could only vaguely say, "Progress is so-so, just so-so."
Song Zhiyi seemed somewhat exasperated: "How could it be just average? Didn't you find a chance to be alone with him?"
Su Xiaocheng: "It's not that I don't have time to be alone—it's just that it feels a bit difficult."
Song Zhiyi: "Relationships require effort. You can try to spend more time with him, take it slow and gradual. Once he gets used to your presence and your kindness, success is not far away."
Su Xiaocheng asked helplessly, "How are we supposed to get along?"
"Opportunities are created," Song Zhiyi advised patiently. "As long as you find a reasonable excuse, it's not difficult to increase opportunities to spend time together. For example—are you staying at a hotel or a guesthouse this time?"
"It's like a serviced apartment, a suite with a living room and kitchen."
"That makes things much easier!" Song Zhiyi's voice suddenly rose several octaves. "Since we have a kitchen, this is a perfect opportunity."
You could suggest that we stop eating takeout all the time and cook together; it creates a better atmosphere. Then you can have him cook, and you can help him in the kitchen. You know, Wang Zhe is a really good cook.
Su Xiaocheng was stunned: "He can do this too?"
In her mind, there are already few boys who can cook, and nowadays young people, especially boys like Wang Zhe who know a lot, should only know how to cook instant noodles.
Song Zhiyi laughed and said, "I've tried it before, it's definitely chef-level. Just think, if we could get him to show off his skills, everyone would definitely look at him with new respect. And as the one who made the suggestion and helped him, you would naturally get some credit too, and you could also take the opportunity to praise him and get closer to him."
Su Xiaocheng was stunned.
Not only is he good at making money in the stock market and has a business mind, but he's also an excellent driver and can even cook? And he cooks really well?
Su Xiaocheng realized something: "Wang Zhe is good at making money, cooking, chatting with people, and he's good-looking too—since he's so perfect, why don't you make your move first?"
There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.
Then, Song Zhiyi let out a soft sigh: "Sigh, there's nothing I can do. You know, childhood sweetheart relationships are sometimes a curse. We grew up together, we're too close, so close that we even know about each other's bedwetting when we were kids. This kind of relationship makes it really hard to fall in love."
That reason sounds reasonable.
Su Xiaocheng expressed her understanding, and then the two finished their conversation.
After hanging up the phone, Su Xiaocheng held her phone, looked at West Lake under the night sky, and felt a sense of absurdity.
Song Zhiyi thought she liked Wang Zhe, so she tried her best to give her advice and teach her how to pursue Wang Zhe.
In reality, Zhu Qi, whom she likes, is now getting along very well with Wang Zhe.
"Forget it, never mind."
Su Xiaocheng sighed, turned around and went back to her room.
As soon as she entered, she saw Zhu Qi sitting on the sofa, staring at her.
"Who were you talking to on the phone just now?" Zhu Qi asked.
Su Xiaocheng replied, "Oh? Oh, just a new friend I met at school."
Zhu Qi then asked, "If he's your friend, why did I think I heard Wang Zhe's name just now?"
The balcony door wasn't closed properly, and Su Xiaocheng was speaking quite loudly, so Zhu Qi vaguely heard a few words.
Su Xiaocheng casually explained, "She's actually Wang Zhe's friend too. And she just told me something else, saying that Wang Zhe's cooking skills are exceptional!"
"Good at cooking?"
Zhu Qi was taken aback for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "You mean, he can cook?"
"Yes, they say it's chef-level—"
Hearing this, Zhu Qi smiled excitedly: "Great! Our suite has a kitchen! We're tired of eating takeout these past few days, let Wang Zhe show off his cooking skills tomorrow at noon! It'll also be a celebration of our life-or-death friendship today!"
Seeing Zhu Qi's excited expression, as if she had discovered a new continent, Su Xiaocheng's lips twitched involuntarily.
Oops, I let it slip.
Why did you have to tell the truth just now?
The next morning.
Wang Zhe was still asleep when he was woken up by a series of urgent knocks on the door.
He groggily got up and opened the door, only to see Su Xiaocheng standing there, with faint dark circles under her eyes, looking at him expressionlessly.
"Good morning," Wang Zhe yawned. "What's up so early?"
Su Xiaocheng took a deep breath and said in a businesslike tone, "Just so you know, the suite that Qiqi and I are staying in has a kitchen. Qiqi has already gone downstairs to the supermarket to buy groceries. Since you're the only one among the five of us who can cook, you'll be in charge of preparing lunch for everyone. Is that alright?"
Wang Zhe was taken aback, somewhat confused: "You want me to cook? No problem, no problem, but—how do you know I can cook?"
He had never shown off his cooking skills at school, except for that one time when he grilled meat for Su Xiaocheng and Song Zhiyi. But grilling meat and cooking are completely different things.
Su Xiaocheng pouted, her tone tinged with a hint of sourness: "Who else could it be? Of course, it was Song Zhiyi who told me."
Wang Zhe couldn't help but complain, "She really tells you everything. She talks way too fast."
Su Xiaocheng nodded, looking at Wang Zhe with a complicated expression: "Yes. Song Zhiyi only told me about your good points. She said you can cook, you can take care of people, you have a good personality, you are talented—she practically praised you to the skies, saying you are a one-of-a-kind good man."
Hearing these effusive compliments, Wang Zhe felt not only no joy, but a chill ran down his spine.
and----
He looked at Su Xiaocheng in front of him and asked suspiciously, "Although you're praising me, why does your expression seem a little strange? Why do you look so bitter and resentful?"
Su Xiaocheng's lips twitched twice, forcing out a smile that looked more like a grimace: "How could that be? I'm just happy for you! I'll go see if Sister Qiqi is back yet. Hurry up and wash up and come over."
After saying that, she didn't wait for Wang Zhe's reaction and turned to leave. Half an hour later, Zhu Qi indeed came back with a lot of ingredients, including chicken, duck, fish, meat, vegetables, and even various seasonings.
Wang Zhe went to the open kitchen of the suite and began to prepare the ingredients.
Zhu Qi wasn't idle either; she curiously gathered around the kitchen to watch the commotion.
"Wang Zhe, how do you prepare this shrimp? Do you need to remove the shrimp vein?" She rolled up her sleeves, looking eager to help.
"You have to pick them out. Use a toothpick to pry it out from the second segment on the back." Wang Zhe instructed as he skillfully peeled the potato. "If you want to help, senior, wash all the vegetables."
"Okay!" Zhu Qi agreed readily and picked up the green peppers to start washing.
Su Xiaocheng stood to the side, watching the two work together so seamlessly, and felt a pang of jealousy well up inside her. But she wasn't about to be outdone, and quickly chimed in, "Then I'll peel the garlic! I know how!"
Meanwhile, in the living room outside.
Zhang Hao and Li Wenjie were sitting on the sofa, drinking soda, watching the three figures busy in the kitchen.
Zhang Hao shook his head and sighed, "I really didn't realize Wang Zhe was so multi-talented. Not only is he a great game designer and a fantastic driver, but he can even cook?"
Li Wenjie adjusted his glasses, maintaining the seriousness of a science student: "Don't speak too soon. Being able to cook and cooking well are two different things. It's not too late to say that after you've tasted his cooking."
Zhang Hao rolled his eyes at him, looking righteous and indignant: "Old Li, that shows a lack of emotional intelligence. Whether his cooking is good or bad, as partners, we have to give him face!"
Li Wenjie curled his lip, looking disdainful: "Tch, hypocritical. I can't be bothered with these interpersonal relationships. If it's delicious, it's delicious; if it's not delicious, it's not delicious."
"You—" Zhang Hao shook his head helplessly.