INT Chapter 58

When Liang Xiao got home that evening, he couldn’t stop thinking about Lu Ze’s words. The more he thought about them, the more he smiled.

 

After spending so much time pretending to be a “boyfriend” for clients, it would be a lie to say he didn’t know anything about relationships.  

 

He knew how to date, how to sweet-talk, and how to make people feel special. But he didn’t want to use any of that with Lu Ze.  

 

Because with clients, there were no feelings involved—everything was just technique.  

 

But with Lu Ze, there was no need for technique.  

 

Even if it sometimes made him seem clumsy, Lu Ze seemed to like it. What Lu Ze wanted wasn’t polished skills—it was genuine emotion, something natural and unforced.  

 

Feeling a little restless, Liang Xiao sent Lu Ze a message: [Baby, are you home yet?]  

 

Lu Ze: [Almost there, I’m at the supermarket now.]  

 

Liang Xiao: [I just thought of something.]  

 

Lu Ze: [? What?]  

 

Liang Xiao: [I’ve given you all my firsts.]  

 

Lu Ze: [???]  

Lu Ze: [WTF]  

 

He immediately sent a voice message, speaking in a suppressed tone: [You sound like an innocent girl! And I’m the scumbag who took advantage of her and won’t take responsibility!]  

 

Liang Xiao couldn’t stop laughing as he listened. After calming down, he cleared his throat and replied: [Aren’t you? You just said all those sweet things to me and now you’re planning not to see me for several days.]  

 

Lu Ze called him directly this time. Liang Xiao answered with a smile as Lu Ze began firing off words like a machine gun: “Liang Xiao, are you really Liang Xiao? Are you my Xiao-Xiao? If you’ve been kidnapped, cough once—I’ll come save you right now.”  

 

“I’m your abandoned Xiao-Xiao,” Liang Xiao said in an exaggeratedly pitiful tone.  

 

Lu Ze went silent for a moment before bursting into laughter so hard that Liang Xiao didn’t even need to see him to know he was probably squatting on the ground by now. Finally, Liang Xiao returned to his normal tone and said, “Alright, stop laughing—you sound like you’re running out of breath.”  

 

“You noticed?” Lu Ze said weakly between laughs. “What good does it do for you if I laugh myself to death?”  

 

After catching his breath and standing up, Lu Ze continued walking toward his dorm. “Why don’t you just come straight to my dorm tomorrow? Help me pack up and then come home with me.”  

 

“I was just teasing,” Liang Xiao replied. “Spend more time with your parents these next few days.”  

 

“Tsk, they don’t need me around—their lives are way more fulfilling than mine,” Lu Ze said. “My mom’s been wanting me to bring you home anyway—probably because she thinks you’re too handsome.”  

 

“I’m worried Auntie might figure something out,” Liang Xiao said cautiously.  

 

Lu Ze fell silent for a moment before sighing. “Maybe I should just tell her directly. After all…”  

 

‘After all, I don’t think we’ll ever break up—there won’t be a chance for her to worry.’  

 

Where did this confidence come from? He didn’t know.  

 

But Lu Ze just had this confidence—he liked Liang Xiao too much. It was the kind of liking where even after just parting ways, hearing Liang Xiao’s voice made him miss him all over again.  

 

He had never felt this strongly about anyone before.  

 

“Baby,” Liang Xiao’s voice came through softly, soothingly, “don’t tell her yet. If you do… I really won’t know how to face Auntie.”

 

“…Alright,” Lu Ze said, standing outside his dorm building without going in. “Tomorrow morning, my parents are coming to pick me up. Once I’m home, it might not be as easy to call you. What’s your plan for the next few days?”

 

“I’ll rest well, catch up on sleep, make some travel plans, and wait for my boyfriend to call me when he’s free.”

 

Lu Ze chuckled. “Where do you want to go? Let’s not go too far—just somewhere nearby.”

 

“You decide,” Liang Xiao said.

 

“You decide,” Lu Ze countered.

 

“I… fine, I’ll decide. Are you still outside the dorm?”

 

“The others already went up,” Lu Ze said. “I’m the only one out here feeding the mosquitoes.”

 

“Then stop chatting and head up quickly.”

 

“Mm, I still need to pack a bit. I won’t call you tonight.”

 

“Alright.”

 

“Goodnight, my innocent girl who gave me all her firsts.”

 

Liang Xiao held back a laugh. “Goodnight.”

 

—

 

The next morning, Lu Jinglang and Xu Jingjing arrived at the school to pick up Lu Ze. When Lu Ze spotted their car, he walked over and knocked on the window. After the trunk was unlocked, he loaded his luggage himself and got into the car without any of the fanfare other students received when heading home for break.

 

Xu Jingjing glanced back at him. “Why isn’t Xiao Jie with you? Is he not done with exams yet?”

 

Lu Ze mumbled an indifferent “Mm” and quickly changed the subject. “I’m a bit hungry—let’s grab lunch before heading back.”

 

“Sure, whatever you want,” Xu Jingjing said. “What do you feel like eating?”

 

“Didn’t you just say it’s up to me?” Lu Jinglang interjected.

 

Xu Jingjing laughed and patted his leg lightly. “You’re always so annoying—talk to your son yourself.”

 

“I just started my vacation, Lu Jinglang!” Lu Ze exclaimed in mock outrage. “Am I even your biological son?”

 

Clicking his tongue, Lu Jinglang glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “Alright then, what do you want to eat?”

 

“Western food,” Lu Ze replied. “I feel like having foie gras.”

 

Starting the car, Lu Jinglang whistled. “You really are my son—our cravings are even the same.”

 

The three of them had lunch at a Western restaurant before accompanying Xu Jingjing for some shopping and watching a movie together. They didn’t return home until after dinner.

 

As soon as they got home, Lu Ze complained about the heat and headed straight to his bedroom to take a shower.

 

Xu Jingjing quietly asked Lu Jinglang, “Is he dating again? He keeps looking at his phone.”

 

Reluctant to cover for Lu Ze but doing it anyway, Lu Jinglang shook his head. “Doesn’t seem like it.”

 

Xu Jingjing sighed. “What would you even notice?”

 

After just a few days of vacation, Lu Ze already found himself missing school—at least there, he could see Liang Xiao every day.

 

One evening after returning home, he told Xu Jingjing, “Mom, I’m planning to go on a trip with some friends in a few days.”

 

“Sure,” Xu Jingjing replied. “Where are you going? How many days?”

 

“Just somewhere nearby, for a few days… I’m not sure yet, nothing’s decided,” Lu Ze replied.

 

“We’re planning to travel abroad, your dad and I. Want to join us?” Xu Jingjing asked.

 

Lu Ze froze for a moment, suppressing a laugh. “Abroad? Where?”

 

“Some small European countries,” Xu Jingjing said. “You should plan your time and come with us…”

 

“No way!” Lu Ze interrupted quickly. “You two go ahead without me!”

 

Xu Jingjing looked at him in surprise. “Really not coming? Last year, you said you wanted to travel abroad…”

 

“That was last year,” Lu Ze said. “You two go and enjoy yourselves—I don’t want to tag along as the third wheel. I’d rather hang out with my friends.”

 

“Alright then. So, the trip you’re planning in a few days—is it with your university friends?” she asked.

 

“…No,” Lu Ze hesitated for a moment. He knew he’d end up posting photos from the trip, and it would look strange if there weren’t any group pictures. “It’s with Xiao-ge.”

 

Xu Jingjing smiled slightly. “Why Xiao-Xiao? Isn’t he busy with work?”

 

“He… quit his job,” Lu Ze lied casually. “He hasn’t found a new one yet, so this is kind of like a graduation trip for him.”

 

“Not bringing his girlfriend along?” Xu Jingjing asked.

 

Lu Ze froze for two seconds before remembering that excuse he had used before. Feeling a headache coming on, he said, “Actually… about that girl… they…”

 

He sighed and gave up explaining further. “He broke up with his girlfriend.”

 

This time, it was Xu Jingjing’s turn to be stunned. Her expression softened with a hint of pity as she said quietly, “That’s so unfortunate—quitting his job and breaking up? He definitely needs some time to relax. Make sure you spend more time with Xiao-Xiao and cheer him up.”

 

Lu Ze nodded without batting an eye. “Exactly—he’s so pitiful. I absolutely have to spend more time with him.”

 

Opening WeChat, Lu Ze sent Liang Xiao a playful notification by tapping on his profile: [Patted Liang Xiao.]  

 

Right? My poor, tragic innocent girl.

 

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