“Lao Mo, why so quiet? Just silently chowing down?” Zhong Taihong, mid-bite through his teary feast, suddenly noticed him and asked.
“Huh?” Mo Xiangwen paused with his chopsticks.
“Are you feeling guilty?” Zhong Taihong stared at him darkly.
“Guilty about what?” Mo Xiangwen glanced calmly at them and picked up another piece of meat for his bowl. “I’ve never even held a girl’s hand. What would I have to feel guilty about?”
“So you’ve got thoughts of betraying the organization.” Zhong Taihong slapped the table and launched into stern interrogation. “Come clean for leniency, resist and face the hammer.”
“Relax, I’ve never even thought about dating.” Mo Xiangwen sighed and shook his head. “The stuff you’re talking about now? I saw through it back in high school. No need to wait till now.”
“Heh, acting all profound.”
Sure enough, he knew speaking the truth would lead to this.
“Alright, drink up, drink up.” Mo Xiangwen raised his glass. “Stop pinning these baseless charges on me. The deed hasn’t even happened—how am I supposed to confess?”
“That makes sense.” Zhong Taihong blinked, thought for a moment, and said, “But orange juice isn’t cutting it. How about some adult beverages?”
“Nah, we’re pretty much done eating anyway.” Mo Xiangwen waved him off. “Booze is bad for you, and it’s a waste of money.”
“It’s on me anyway. I can afford it.” Zhong Taihong brushed it off.
The usually silent Qin Yongfeng chimed in too. “That stuff doesn’t even taste good. No point.”
“If Lao Mo and Lao Qin are against it, then forget it.” Xi Shaojie added his voice. “Lao Mo’s got to head back and sort out his bedding later anyway.”
“Right, right. You guys have yours sorted, so you don’t care. If we get smashed and crash, what am I sleeping on? The floorboards?” Mo Xiangwen griped.
“You can squeeze in with me.”
“Get lost. Not bunking with some dude.”
Zhong Taihong saw the other three all against it and dropped the idea.
Suddenly, Xi Shaojie patted his arm and whispered, “Lao Mo, check it out—hot girls incoming.”
His voice was low, but Zhong Taihong and Qin Yongfeng were sitting right there, so of course they heard.
The three of them followed his gaze. Four girls in long skirts happened to be passing by the aisle next to their table.
They seemed to know each other, chatting now and then.
The two in front had decent figures and were fairly pretty, but they paled in comparison to the pair bringing up the rear.
Those two were arm in arm, looking like twins from their faces.
They wore matching light blue shirts paired with floral-patterned light blue skirts—light, romantic, and elegantly put together.
Their features were equally refined and beautiful, but their vibes were a touch different.
Mo Xiangwen only gave them a quick glance, not dwelling on the details to avoid any misunderstandings.
He keenly noticed the girls seemed to glance their way.
Worried, he cautioned, “Cut it out. They’ll think we’re creeps.”
“You’re right. Women are all painted skeletons underneath.” Zhong Taihong took a deep breath and looked away.
Xi Shaojie simply shut his eyes. A moment later, he said, “But those twins were stunning. My resolve nearly cracked.”
“Pretty, huh, Wu Ji?” Mo Xiangwen chuckled.
Xi Shaojie laughed and cursed. “Damn, so the prettier they are, the better they are at fooling guys? I’ve seen the light, master.”
“But didn’t they glance our way just now?”
“Yeah, but it was probably just a casual sweep. Need me to remind you of life’s three great illusions?”
“You’re right, but at least I could take one down—that might not be an illusion.”
“Speaking of which, Lao Qin didn’t even blink.” Zhong Taihong clapped Qin Yongfeng on the shoulder. “Face like stone in front of beauties. You’re a role model for us all, Lao Qin.”
Qin Yongfeng adjusted his glasses. “No matter how hot a 3D girl is, she’s still fake.”
Mo Xiangwen shot him a look and asked darkly, “You into 2D?”
“Damn, who the hell are you calling 2D?” Qin Yongfeng laughed and cursed. “Watch it, or I’ll fight you.”
“No worries, 2D’s great—at least it’s safe.” Mo Xiangwen patted his shoulder.
“Keep pretending.” Qin Yongfeng glanced at him. “Don’t think I didn’t see Shiyin on your phone wallpaper.”
“Lao Qin, do we really have to keep hurting each other?” Mo Xiangwen immediately waved the white flag. “I think being a total shut-in is fine. It’s not hurting anyone.”
“Heh, you sure enjoyed taking shots at me earlier.”
“My bad, my bad. Truly.”
The four ate a bit more until they felt satisfied, then headed to the front counter to settle the bill.
Four college guys had racked up quite a tab, after all.
“How about we go Dutch? We ordered a ton tonight.” Mo Xiangwen suggested.
“Yeah, Dutch. Can’t let Lao Zhong foot it all.” Xi Shaojie agreed.
Qin Yongfeng had no objections and nodded along.
Zhong Taihong, however, wasn’t thrilled. “I said it’s on me, so it’s on me. Not a big deal.”
“Hi, could we settle the bill for table 3?” Zhong Taihong said to the waitress.
“Table 3 comes to 240 yuan… but it’s already been paid.” She checked the receipt, then eyed the guy in the gray shirt.
“Already paid? By who?” Zhong Taihong asked, puzzled. “We just finished. Must be a mix-up.”
The waitress patiently explained, “A friend of the guy in the gray shirt paid it.”
“Lao Mo, you sneaky bastard, paying on the sly?” Zhong Taihong frowned. “Wasn’t it supposed to be on me?”
“No, didn’t you hear? She said it was a friend of mine.” Mo Xiangwen was baffled too. “I’ve only just started school. Aside from you guys, I don’t know anyone. Where’d this friend come from?”
Just then, his phone buzzed.
Mo Xiangwen pulled it out. It was a private message from Xiao Huo.
Pass One Charm: Don’t worry, I got the bill. Said I’d treat you to dinner.
Mo Xiangwen smiled wryly. So she hadn’t been bluffing earlier—she’d really come with the President.
But if she’d been here, why not pop in and say hi?
Fine, thanks. I’ll treat you and the President next time you’re free. He tapped that out and sent it.
“Yeah, a friend of mine covered it. I’ll buy her dinner later.” Mo Xiangwen explained to the others. “Bill’s good, so let’s head out.”
“Damn, that means you shelled out, Lao Mo. We’ll Venmo you back when we get home.” Zhong Taihong shook his head.
“Nah, no need. I was gonna treat them anyway.” Mo Xiangwen shook his head. “Even if she hadn’t grabbed this one, I’d still owe them a meal.”
“Fair enough.” Zhong Taihong thought it over, then suddenly furrowed his brow. “Wait, Lao Mo—this friend of yours… she wouldn’t happen to be a hot chick, would she?”
“Damn, you got issues?” Mo Xiangwen laughed and cursed. “Do I look like some social butterfly? A hot chick?”
“Cut him some slack.” Xi Shaojie shook his head. “He’s just seeing traitors everywhere right now.”
