INT Chapter 33

Because of the rose Lu Ze conjured for Liang Xiao, the atmosphere between them on the way back was slightly awkward—or rather, Lu Ze was the only one feeling awkward. Liang Xiao remained as composed as ever, leaving Lu Ze unsure if he felt the same.

 

Glancing at the rose still in Liang Xiao’s hand, Lu Ze hesitated for a long time before leaning closer and whispering, “Xiao-ge, don’t misunderstand. I didn’t think too much when I was performing the trick.”

 

Liang Xiao replied naturally, “Don’t worry, I didn’t misunderstand.”

 

Relieved, Lu Ze relaxed his posture. When his knee accidentally bumped against Liang Xiao’s, he considered moving but decided it would seem too deliberate, so he left it there. Liang Xiao didn’t move either.

 

“Let’s post today’s photos in the group chat,” Mao Xin suggested.

 

Everyone agreed. Lu Ze uploaded the group photos to the chat but sent the ones of just him and Liang Xiao directly to Liang Xiao.

 

Looking at the pictures, Liang Xiao heard Lu Ze say with a smile, “We actually look pretty photogenic together.”

 

Before Liang Xiao could respond, Lu Ze suddenly asked, “By the way, what name did you save me under?”

 

Liang Xiao paused for a moment and showed him his phone. “The name you told me to use.”

 

“No descriptions about my appearance or personality?” Lu Ze asked.

 

Liang Xiao chuckled lightly. “I can remember you without needing notes.”

 

“So you can’t remember others?” Lu Ze quipped.

 

Liang Xiao hesitated briefly and glanced at Lu Ze. Sometimes he couldn’t tell if Lu Ze’s remarks were intentional or not, though based on his personality, they were likely unintentional. “The others are all women—I don’t remember them as clearly.”

 

Lu Ze laughed for a while before casually draping an arm over Liang Xiao’s shoulder and pulling him closer. In a low voice, he said, “Xiao-ge, your job is like being Tang Monk surrounded by demons—you can’t fall for any of them. That must take a lot of willpower.”

 

Liang Xiao stared straight ahead with no expression. Demons?

 

“It’s fine,” he said calmly. “I don’t like any of them anyway.”

 

The conversation had reached this point, and Lu Ze couldn’t suppress his curiosity. He asked, “Out of so many clients, there isn’t even one you like? That’s impossible.”

 

“No,” Liang Xiao replied matter-of-factly. “Sometimes I can’t even remember what they look like—that’s why I need notes.”

 

Lu Ze was stunned for a few seconds. As soon as he opened his mouth to speak, Liang Xiao already knew what he was going to say and mentally filled in: impressive.

 

“Impressive,” Lu Ze said aloud.

 

Liang Xiao’s lips curved slightly—so subtle that even he barely noticed it.

 

“I don’t think I could do this job,” Lu Ze remarked. “If I met someone I liked, I’d probably want to date them. How would I make money then?”

 

Liang Xiao pressed his lips together and twirled the rose in his hand. Watching him, Lu Ze added, “Actually, I learned magic from my dad. He’s incredible at it—what I did today is just leftover tricks he used to entertain my mom.”

 

“That’s already very impressive,” Liang Xiao said.

 

Lu Ze snapped his fingers lightly. “I wonder if my dad will be home during May Day break—I could learn some cooler tricks from him.”

 

He turned to Liang Xiao and asked, “Will you be really busy during May Day?”

 

Lu Ze turned to Liang Xiao. “Will you be really busy during May Day?”

 

“Yeah, my schedule is pretty full,” Liang Xiao replied.

 

Lu Ze clicked his tongue. “My mom even suggested I bring you home to hang out, and here you are, not saving even a little time for me.”

 

Liang Xiao smiled faintly but didn’t say anything.

 

“When’s your thesis defense?” Lu Ze asked.

 

“Mid-to-late May,” Liang Xiao said. “The paper is almost done; just the defense is left.”

 

Lowering his voice, Lu Ze said, “I still don’t even know what you’re studying.”

 

“Management. I’m not a good student and didn’t really study much.”

 

*Didn’t study much?* Lu Ze glanced down at their knees, which were still touching. He figured it was probably because of the debt Liang Xiao’s family owed, forcing him to work instead of focusing on college.

 

Even though they were wearing “couple outfits” today, the difference between them was clear. Lu Ze’s pants were from a mall and cost six or seven hundred yuan, while Liang Xiao’s were clean but visibly worn from use.

 

Despite having so many clients and earning so much money even before graduating college, Lu Ze didn’t feel envious—he felt uncomfortable.

 

Liang Xiao was an amazing person: cool personality, high IQ, and emotional intelligence. If he had grown up in a family like Lu Ze’s, he would probably have been far more accomplished.

 

Noticing Lu Ze’s serious expression, Liang Xiao asked, “Are you tired?”

 

Lu Ze snapped out of his thoughts. “No. Let’s settle the payment—I’ll transfer it to you.”

 

“Let’s make it half-price,” Liang Xiao said. “I haven’t been treating you like a client anyway.”

 

Lu Ze clicked his tongue. “Eighty percent at most! Who gives a fifty-percent discount just like that?”

 

“I don’t have any costs…”

 

Lu Ze glared at him. “What do you mean no costs? A whole day of your time isn’t a cost?”

 

“Then sixty percent,” Liang Xiao offered.

 

“Eighty percent.”

 

Their voices grew louder as they debated. Lü Xuan laughed and asked, “What are you two arguing about? What’s this sixty or eighty percent?”

 

Sun Zhuoyu, still riding high on the excitement of his successful confession, chimed in enthusiastically, “It’s gotta be something romantic!”

 

Lu Ze was about to explain but swallowed his words after hearing Sun Zhuoyu’s comment about “romance.” He glanced at Liang Xiao, who smiled and said, “We’re just betting on something.”

 

A moment later, Lu Ze suggested, “Let’s settle this with rock-paper-scissors—winner gets their way.”

 

“One round?” Liang Xiao asked.

 

“Up to you,” Lu Ze replied confidently.

 

“Let’s make it best two out of three,” Liang Xiao suggested.

 

In the end, Liang Xiao didn’t win a single round. Lu Ze grinned triumphantly. “Eighty percent.”

 

Liang Xiao stared down at his fist and, for once, looked genuinely dissatisfied. “Why?”

 

Lu Ze burst out laughing at his reaction and took a while to stop. Finally, he said teasingly, “Want to go again?”

 

“Let’s go.”

 

They kept playing rock-paper-scissors all the way back to the school. Liang Xiao barely won a handful of rounds. Frowning, he said, “You really must have mind-reading powers.”

 

“I’m just that good,” Lu Ze said with a laugh.

 

When they arrived, everyone got off the car except for Liang Xiao, who stayed behind. Lu Ze leaned his head back into the car and said, “Send me a message when you get home.”

 

“Mm.”

 

“Bye-bye-bye!” the others shouted from outside.

 

Liang Xiao replied with a simple “Bye.” Sun Zhuoyu tugged at Lu Ze from behind and teased, “Alright, Ze-ge, stop acting so reluctant to part.”

 

Lu Ze elbowed him in return and said to Liang Xiao, “Bye, Xiao-ge.”

 

“Bye,” Liang Xiao responded.

 

Lu Ze waved his phone at him as a reminder. Liang Xiao nodded in acknowledgment.

 

It was only after the car drove away that Lu Ze muttered, “Who’s reluctant to part?”

 

Sun Zhuoyu clicked his tongue repeatedly. Meng Qian and Lü Xuan laughed on the side. Left with no choice, Lu Ze turned to Mao Xin for support. But under Lu Ze’s threatening gaze, Mao Xin shrugged and said, “You do seem pretty reluctant.”

 

On his way back to the dormitory, Lu Ze found himself frowning in thought. To his surprise, he realized he *was* feeling reluctant.

 

He really enjoyed going out with Liang Xiao. He liked spending time with him. Talking and being around Liang Xiao made him feel incredibly comfortable.

 

When Liang Xiao messaged him saying he’d gotten home safely, Lu Ze stared at their transaction history in the chat and suddenly had an epiphany.

 

Liang Xiao wasn’t his boyfriend!

 

They were just friends—good friends!

 

Why couldn’t good friends feel reluctant to part?

 

It was perfectly normal for good friends to feel this way!

 

With that realization, Lu Ze confidently sent a message to his reluctantly-missed good friend:

[Are you really busy during May Day?]

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