Chapter 15

The group found a table by the window with a clear view of the counter. Shen Man chose the innermost booth against the wall. Her back was straight, her walk carrying the rhythm of someone trained in dance since childhood. At five foot eight, she was taller than many boys, and sitting down accentuated the proportions of her long legs and upright back.

Her short black leather skirt rode up, exposing her legs in the warm light. They were straight and long, with the taut elasticity of a dancer. If Li Qian’s beauty was cool and distant, Shen Man represented the opposite extreme: mature, commanding, and provocative even in repose. She only had to cross her legs and cast a glance to make hearts race.

The boys’ movements slowed almost in unison. Li Lei froze for two seconds before sitting, his breathing quickening. Even Liu Xun looked more than once, though he soon remembered Li Qian and got up, saying he would order drinks.

Li Lei instinctively started to rise too, then sat back down. If he rushed to the counter, Shen Man might think he was interested in the Qing University beauty.

At the counter, Li Qian had to show herself. She lowered her head like a student caught misbehaving. “What’s going on?” Liu Xun asked quietly.

She glanced quickly at the coworker making drinks beside her. Her lips moved, but she said nothing. When she lifted her eyes, they were full of pleading. Liu Xun watched her for two seconds, then dropped the subject. He ordered and returned to the booth. Li Qian’s fingers had gone white gripping the sealing machine; only when he left did she release a soft breath.

At the booth, Shen Man looked up from QQ. “You want to add me?” She showed Li Lei a friend request on her screen: “Hello, I’m Li Lei! Smiley face.”

His phone nearly slipped from his hand. Trying to look calm, he spoke rapidly. “Ah! I added everyone in the group. We’re all friends, so we should keep in touch!”

“So you added everyone, right?” Her tone was mild as she casually recrossed her legs. His eyes dropped for an instant, then snapped back up. He swallowed, but before he could answer, she continued, “Fine. If you can get the Qing University beauty’s QQ, I’ll accept your request.” She pointed to Li Qian at the counter.

Li Lei stared. “Wouldn’t that be inappropriate? I don’t have feelings for her.”

Shen Man propped up her chin and smiled. “So you added me because you want to pursue me?”

His ears went red. He opened his mouth, swallowed his words, and strained so hard the veins in his neck stood out. Apparently enjoying his embarrassment, Shen Man tapped the table twice. “What? You want to pursue me, but don’t dare ask someone for her QQ?”

That flipped a switch. He sprang up, almost overturning his chair. Everyone looked up as he cried, red-faced, “Brothers! Bear witness!”

Two minutes later he slunk back. His face was still red, but his resolve had evaporated. He dropped into the booth. “She says she doesn’t have QQ.”

Wu Kai nearly sprayed his milk tea. Liu Xun didn’t laugh; he knew Li Qian was telling the truth. Her old Nokia couldn’t even run QQ, and he contacted her by text.

“Heh, Shen Man, you see…” Li Lei looked at her hopefully. She ignored him and looked across the table at Liu Xun.

“Li Lei added me. Aren’t you going to? Don’t you want to keep in touch?”

Wang Guowei and Wu Kai inhaled sharply and looked up. Li Lei shot Liu Xun a frantic warning glance. Liu Xun just smiled. “Usually girls add me first.”

The booth fell silent for two seconds. Shen Man stared, then burst out laughing. Her crossed legs swayed slightly, an unconscious allure that made it hard to look away.

“Well, aren’t you impressive? So charming.” Twirling a lock of hair, she asked playfully, “Do you think the Qing University beauty will come over and ask for your QQ?”

Liu Xun shrugged. “Who knows? She might, or she might not.”

Wu Kai gave him a thumbs-up. “Brother, that boast… I don’t even know what to say.”

Shen Man seemed annoyed. It was the first time she’d met a boy uninterested in her QQ. “Anyone can brag. I could say Jang Keun-suk will come ask for mine!”

“What if she does come ask for mine?” Liu Xun wasn’t about to indulge her.

“If she comes over and asks for your QQ, you can have whatever you want!”

“Then dance for me?” He remembered seeing Shen Man’s videos in his previous life. Before her motorcycle content, she’d danced to K-pop, and her long legs had captivated countless viewers.

She raised an eyebrow. “If she comes over and asks for your QQ, I’ll dance ten dances for you!”

“Deal.”

Just then a voice called, “Order 378, please collect your drinks!” Liu Xun stood and went to the counter. Li Qian waited with a tray, arranging the cups in a row when she saw him. He picked up the tray, turned slightly, and whispered, “New assignment: come over and ask for my QQ in a moment.”

He returned and set the drinks in front of everyone. Shen Man didn’t reach for hers. Leaning on one elbow, she tilted her head at him, the teasing smile still on her lips. “You haven’t said what happens if you lose.”

Liu Xun put down his lemonade and sat. “Then I’m at your disposal. Whatever you want.”

Her eyes moved as she considered an entertaining penalty for his arrogance. She opened her mouth, but noticed the boys opposite her looking strange. She turned.

The Qing University beauty was walking toward their table.