Chapter 36: Ordering Fresh Milk
[System 107: He’s dreaming of being with you while you’re right here! Pinch him back!]
In an instant, a small patch of the young man’s face turned red, and his rounded, misty eyes were filled with astonishment.
With a “slap,” he brushed away the man’s hand—it didn’t hurt, but it was firm.
“Why are you pinching me?”
Realizing what he had done, Qiao Fangyu abruptly withdrew his hand and took two steps back, looking panicked and regretful.
“I’m sorry, I… I thought I was dreaming…”
But the soft, lingering sensation on his fingertips reminded him that it was real; he had touched Yu Deng’s face.
So small, so soft, so tender—it was as smooth as milk.
He looked like a common harasser; who on earth touches someone’s face the moment they meet?
How frivolous.
Yu Deng pouted, a hint of a reproachful glare swirling in the depths of his amber-gold eyes. “Then pinch yourself! Why did you have to pinch me? You hurt me.”
It only hurt a tiny bit, but the young man made a fuss, wrinkling his small face as if he were utterly aggrieved. He was truly squeamish.
Yet it didn’t make one dislike him. Instead, it felt as though he were acting spoiled, enticing others to coax him or act as his punching bag to vent his anger.
Qiao Fangyu quickly apologized, “Don’t be angry, Dengdeng. Can I treat you to Eight Treasure Duck and beef soup for lunch?”
“Eight Treasure Duck?”
Yu Deng had never eaten it, but just hearing the name made him crave it.
He stared at Qiao Fangyu, his eyes wide and round, his moist, tender tongue even darting out to lick his pale red lips.
Loving ease and hating work, deceiving people, taking advantage of small favors, acting like a vampire… these were all his defining traits.
So, since Qiao Fangyu was proactively offering to buy him a meal, he could accept without refusing, right?
Not only would he not refuse, but according to his persona, he had to take the initiative to make Qiao Fangyu spend money on him.
Men should all spend money on him!
He was a small villain who wanted to spend every man’s money.
Go for it, little villain!
107 was protective of its host. Looking at the host’s face—which was like a little fatted bird—its heart was biased all the way to its stomach.
[System 107: You’re already eating with him; he’s clearly the one profiting, right? He better be secretly celebrating!]
Qiao Fangyu was indeed secretly celebrating.
“Dengdeng, the floor here is too hard, and the air conditioning is set quite low. I brought a cushion for you; come here quickly.”
Although Qiao Fangyu had only touched a tiny bit of Yu Deng’s face, he felt that Yu Deng was soft and precious all over.
The floor was so dirty and hard; his bottom would surely be uncomfortable.
How could that be allowed?
In his heart, he felt that Yu Deng should not only never have to lift a finger for work, but he shouldn’t even have to walk up slopes or over obstacles; he should ideally be carried in a grand sedan chair.
In short, he couldn’t be allowed to suffer even a bit of hardship.
By noon, Qiao Fangyu had taken Yu Deng in a taxi to that restaurant.
Unlike those small shops, this restaurant had a large plaque with its name in gold lettering. It occupied a vast area and was two stories high, with private booths on the second floor.
Qiao Fangyu led Yu Deng, fearing the people passing by would bump into him. He wanted to grab Yu Deng’s arm but worried it would be an offense, so he just stayed close to protect him.
“The second floor is for private booths, but they don’t have air conditioning. Let’s sit downstairs, Dengdeng.”
Yu Deng loved air conditioning. Knowing the upstairs lacked it, he didn’t feel there was any prestige to be had up there at all.
Qiao Fangyu ordered three dishes, then placed the menu in front of Yu Deng, who was glancing around.
“Yu Deng, is there anything else you want to eat? Don’t be polite; order whatever you like.”
Yu Deng retracted his curious gaze and took the menu. The moment it landed in his hand and he glanced at it, he wished he could drop it like a hot potato.
What?
A plate of stir-fried potato shreds cost four yuan.
Yu Deng: “…”
The cost of living in the city was simply too outrageous. No wonder a little “country bumpkin” like him learned to be profligate in the city.
He was being corrupted by an opulent life; if he didn’t exploit Zhou Yuejun, who would he exploit?
If he didn’t leech off people everywhere, who would?
To align with his persona, Yu Deng knit his brows and ordered two dishes: “Fried meatballs and pineapple cakes.”
Qiao Fangyu was so generous he was practically arrogant. “Then add two bowls of cream iced glutinous rice balls.”
Before the menu was snatched away, Yu Deng caught a glimpse: six yuan a bowl.
As expected of a rich second-generation; he was truly wealthy.
Seeing his host acting as if he had lived through hard times—looking at everything as expensive and being afraid to spend money—107 felt a bit upset.
Its host was meant for the good life, okay?
[System 107: Don’t worry. Once you complete the mission, you can eat these things every day and enjoy the air conditioning whenever you want.]
With the system’s reassurance, Yu Deng was instantly filled with energy.
Qiao Fangyu was sitting on the same side as Yu Deng, making it impossible to see his face directly.
His eyes were glued to Yu Deng, sometimes dazed, sometimes filled with craving.
Those lips were so red and moist; he felt even his breath must be fragrant. If he leaned in for a sniff, who knows what kind of mess he’d be turned into?
When those drooping eyelids trembled, the fluttering “crow feathers” simultaneously tugged at his heartstrings. The shadow they cast made Qiao Fangyu’s breath stall.
Can a boy… be this attractive?
Realizing his own loss of composure, Qiao Fangyu abruptly snapped back to reality.
“Yu Deng, what have you been busy with lately?”
Yu Deng took a small sip of chrysanthemum tea. The slightly astringent taste cleared his internal heat. He puffed out his cheeks a bit as he swallowed.
“I’ve just been at home waiting for my admission notice.”
Knowing that Qiao Fangyu was part of the “rich second-generation” circle, Yu Deng wasn’t as guarded against him.
Qiao Fangyu’s eyes suddenly went wide. “Notice? You’re going to university? Did you get it? Where are you going to school?”
Yu Deng looked so small; he had thought… he was an underage child.
He was actually an adult.
The corners of Qiao Fangyu’s mouth unconsciously curved upward.
Yu Deng mumbled a response. “Nanda.”
“Nanda?!”
Qiao Fangyu was overjoyed. He couldn’t help but lean closer, his arm even brushing against Yu Deng.
“Dengdeng, I’m right next door at Jiangcheng University! I’ll be a sophomore when school starts.”
“I have friends I know at your school too. If you need anything then, you can tell me…”
Yu Deng wasn’t surprised. After all, as one of the rich second-generation heirs he intended to cling to later, they were bound to have some social overlap.
Qiao Fangyu kept chattering in Yu Deng’s ear, but Yu Deng didn’t really listen, focusing entirely on devouring his food.
After finishing the meal, Yu Deng grew sleepy. He was yawning so much he could barely keep his eyes open.
Qiao Fangyu: “They don’t kick people out here, and the air conditioning stays on. Let’s rest over there for a while.”
The area over there was by the window. The tables were small and covered with checkered cloths, creating a refined atmosphere.
It was a place for afternoon tea.
Since Yu Deng had just eaten his fill, Qiao Fangyu only ordered a pot of jasmine tea.
The little beauty was indeed tired. He rubbed his eyes, folded his hands, and lowered his head to rest.
So well-behaved.
After he woke up, Qiao Fangyu took Yu Deng for a stroll through the neighboring mall before finally returning to the library.
Yu Deng arrived home early, at six o’clock. Zhou Yuejun had just finished making dinner.
In Yu Deng’s bag were the leftover pear from the morning and the snacks Qiao Fangyu had packed for him at noon.
Yu Deng held a large pear in his hand. It was heavy, but his fingers were more enticing than the fruit—white with a hint of pink, as lustrous as jade.
“One is too big; I can’t finish it. And there’s no knife, so I could only take a bite. You just have to use a knife to scrape off this part and you can eat it.”
After an afternoon, the part Yu Deng had bitten had oxidized slightly.
Zhou Yuejun took the pear, showing no sign of disgust. “No need for all that trouble.”
Immediately, he took a large bite.
The pear was juicy and very sweet. It hadn’t become wilted from being tucked in Yu Deng’s bag all day; it was still crisp and refreshing.
Abruptly, his powerful, long fingers yanked at Yu Deng’s collar. “What did you eat at noon? There’s a drop of chili oil on your collar.”
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