Love in the Fast Lane - Novelbike

Just outside the faculty housing is the main street. To get back home from the mall, it was necessary to pass by Mo Zihan’s place. Just as they arrived at the entrance, they encountered Qi Xiaomeng storming out angrily.

Qi Xiaomeng froze at the sight and, after a moment of disbelief, exclaimed, “Are you freaking kidding me? You two really hit it off?”

Before Tang Ning could say a word, Mo Zihan raised her fist and retorted, “Qi Xiaomeng, can you speak like a human? I’m injured, come help me. Carry me to that faculty housing over there and take me up to the ninth floor.”

Qi Xiaomeng’s legs went weak. Me? Carry you? Ninety jin¹ up to the ninth floor? Are you trying to kill me?

But the faculty housing up ahead? Ninth floor? What’s going on here?

Qi Xiaomeng was skeptical about Mo Zihan’s claim of being injured. She walked over, examined her for a while, and suddenly pinched Mo Zihan’s ankle hard. Hearing Mo Zihan’s scream, Qi Xiaomeng finally believed that she wasn’t faking it-she was genuinely hurt.

After finding out what happened, Qi Xiaomeng’s eyes widened. “So, you’re moving in together?”

Mo Zihan spat, “Can you stop with that nonsense today? Or do you want to be unable to go home?”

Tang Ning could tell Qi Xiaomeng was here to see Mo Zihan and thought they might have something to discuss. So, he suggested, “How about you two take your time getting there, and if you need anything from your place, I can go up and get it?”

Mo Zihan tossed her keys over, grabbed Qi Xiaomeng by the neck, and forced her to half-carry, half-support her as they walked. As for what Tang Ning might need to grab upstairs, it didn’t really matter.

After all, her most private belongings were all in the cabinet. Mo Zihan trusted Tang Ning not to be a pervert.

Thankfully, she had just bought some intimate apparel at the mall. Otherwise, she would really have had to go back and get them.

Halfway there, Qi Xiaomeng teased with a smirk, “I thought you weren’t in a hurry, but here you are already moving in together. Oh, Tang Ning is such a good guy. If I had known, I would have seduced him at lunch and snagged him first. Now I’m just jealous of you two.”

Mo Zihan wouldn’t let her off that easily and retorted, “I’m just helping him out. But you, why aren’t you sleeping in the middle of the night? What’s up? Did you think I was close with Tang Ning and wanted me to play matchmaker for you? If you really want a man, it’s simple. His parents aren’t here tonight, there are two bedrooms. Go ahead and make your move. Tomorrow, I won’t have to pretend to help; you can just put on a genuine performance.”

Qi Xiaomeng wouldn’t be defeated by Mo Zihan’s words and cackled mischievously, “I’ll pass. But seriously, it’s the middle of the night. You know, an unmarried man and woman alone together-it’s bound to be sparks and dry wood.”

Mo Zihan clicked her tongue in amazement, “Wow, you sound as bitter as a concubine banished to the cold palace. Aren’t you disgusted with yourself?”

Qi Xiaomeng pouted, “I’d at least be a favored concubine. I don’t care about being the empress, but I must be favored. So, your choice of words is off. By the way, are you really into this? Looking at you two green-eyed lovebirds, it doesn’t seem like just helping out. Are you planning to turn this act into reality?”

Mo Zihan, annoyed, said, “You came looking for me just for gossip? Can’t you be a bit more serious?”

Qi Xiaomeng sighed dramatically, “Do you think I want to be out in this heavy snow? I’m ruined, and it’s all your fault. Your mom and my mom talked on the phone before dawn today. Now my mom is in a panic. She came over this evening insisting she won’t leave until I find a man to bring home to meet her. What did I do to deserve this? Now I’m homeless!”

Mo Zihan burst out laughing. In matters like this, seeing Qi Xiaomeng in trouble made her happy, even if it was all originally her fault.

Qi Xiaomeng, both angry and exasperated, shouted, “You’re not here these days anyway, so give me your keys. I’ll stay at your place for now. I’m just so frustrated. How do all the good things happen to you, and I have to bear the brunt of all your disasters?”

Mo Zihan laughed, “We’re sisters, right? It should be me eating the meat while you take the hits. I’m Ultraman and you’re the little monster. Otherwise, what kind of sisters would we be? Lighten up. No obstacle is insurmountable and no river is uncrossable. Everything will get better!”

Qi Xiaomeng rolled her eyes, “Easy for you to say. Let’s see you try it.”

They teased each other as they climbed the stairs. Qi Xiaomeng took a look around once they were inside and sighed, “This place is really nice. If Tang Ning bought this house, you should just marry him right here. Wouldn’t that be great?”

Mo Zihan’s ears turned red, and she hopped on one leg to chase Qi Xiaomeng, “You shameless pervert, if I don’t shut your mouth today, then I’d believe in ghosts.”

Qi Xiaomeng hid behind the sofa and laughed, “You already believe in ghosts!”

After some playful banter, Tang Ning came in carrying a suitcase. After they finished dinner, Qi Xiaomeng was about to leave, her eyes dancing with mischief.

As the moment approached, Mo Zihan became anxious and hurriedly tried to keep Qi Xiaomeng with a respectable excuse, “Tang Ning just moved into his new place. As friends, we should celebrate. How can we leave without breaking in the place properly?”

Tang Ning, feeling a bit awkward, added, “I’m still getting used to this new environment. If you don’t mind staying a bit longer…”

Qi Xiaomeng cackled, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll interrupt your fun?”

She had figured it out. Tang Ning did have feelings for Mo Zihan. He just didn’t have any experience in romance, and the tough years he’d gone through had left him with a deep sense of insecurity about life and the future. Qi Xiaomeng was certain that Tang Ning’s thoughts at this moment were clouded with uncertainty. Until he had his family’s situation settled and his career on a solid path, he couldn’t and wouldn’t have complete confidence in handling emotional matters.

Mo Zihan appeared uncertain about her future actions on the outside, but deep down, she was also afraid and worried. Exactly what she was afraid of or worried about, Qi Xiaomeng felt she could partly understand but not fully explain.

After all, having known each other for over half a year isn’t exactly a short time. In this world where fleeting romances and swift partings are common, half a year is enough for many couples to break up and for many stories of joy and sorrow to unfold.

But their relationship was still just friendship, at most. Tonight was their first time truly spending significant time together. Even Mo Zihan, who usually seemed so resolute, tried to keep a familiar yet not-too-awkward friend around to diffuse the sudden tension.

…

Nothing significant happened overnight. The next day, Tang Ning, who had gone to bed relatively early, left for the train station. Qi Xiaomeng received a call from her mother, which meant she had to return to her place to face more nagging. As for Mo Zihan, after being teased endlessly by Qi Xiaomeng the night before, she had almost forgotten about the entire situation by morning. Seeing that she could walk fine, she grabbed her bag and hurried to the office.

However, today was different from yesterday. Yesterday, she was completely blank, not knowing what she should do. Today, Mo Zihan understood that what happened had happened. Since she had already agreed to help Tang Ning, she had to be responsible. Guided by this mindset, she found herself thinking through what to say when she got home later, how to start the conversation, and how to end it.

And so, the morning drifted by in a series of intermittent reflections.

By noon, after some hesitation, Mo Zihan, determined to fulfill her commitment, remembered the family dramas often seen in TV series. What if she faced similar conflicts? What would she do? What if the situation turned out to be even worse?

But when she got home and had barely spoken more than a hundred words, she immediately felt unsettled. All her morning preparations seemed utterly useless. This situation felt so unlike the TV dramas. Weren’t they supposed to be somewhat idealized?

People often say TV dramas are almost like fairy tales. But to her, they seemed utterly absurd. Could her luck really be that extraordinarily good?

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