Chapter 18

I waited until the topic of conversation shifted before I awkwardly pushed open the door and walked in.

Lu Xiao had a lot of friends. Many of the guys had brought their girlfriends, and while the room wasn’t packed, there were very few seats left.

There was one empty spot next to Lu Xiao and another next to my bestie.

I subconsciously started walking toward my bestie.

Just as she was about to wave me over, she caught a cold glare from Lu Xiao.

!

My bestie quickly placed her brand-new Hermès bag on the empty seat next to her.

“Sorry, sweetie, you’ll have to find another spot. I need this space for my bag.”

“Can’t you just put it on your lap?”

My bestie’s face was solemn. “You can’t put a bag that costs millions on your lap. Your body heat will ruin the leather.”

Me: “?”

Were luxury goods really that delicate?

I sighed.

Without another word, I turned and sat in the empty seat next to Lu Xiao.

But because of what I’d overheard outside, I had no idea how to face him now. I was barely breathing, afraid that if I made any sudden movements, he would overthink it and blurt out “masterful techniques” on the spot.

But I was a living person; I had to move eventually.

I tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, and his gaze intensified.

I politely replied to someone else’s comment, and his gaze intensified.

My mouth was dry so I took a sip of water, and his gaze intensified.

I…

I couldn’t take the staring anymore. I turned to look him in the eye.

Lu Xiao immediately leaned closer, his voice lazy.

“What’s wrong?”

I pressed my lips together, my cheeks hot as I whispered a complaint, “Lu Xiao, stop staring at me. Your friends are dying of laughter.”

He leaned in even closer and whispered back, “Let them laugh. I’ll look if I want to.”

“Why are you like this?”

“Like what? I’m pursuing you, so of course I’m going to look at you. The difference is, I do it openly. You used to just steal glances.”

The “used to” was a clear reference to my bestie’s birthday party.

I explained, “That day, I was just trying to complete the game’s mission.”

“Mhm, I believe you.”

His words said he believed me, but his scorching gaze said otherwise.

I suspected that if I slapped him right now, he’d just stick his tongue out and lick my hand.

…

He’s really become a simp.