Why are you all trying to win over me, the male supporting character?

"You've met him, probably."

Meng Wanyu gave an uncertain answer.

"However, sir, your approach to flirting is really a bit outdated."

004. A relationship maintained by lies?

Lu Chengzhou took the cat food from her hand.

The two continued walking in silence.

However, the tacit understanding they had built up over the previous two years had enabled them to communicate without words.

When they parted ways at the next intersection, Meng Wanyu was certain that Lu Chengzhou had developed strong feelings for her.

Such affection can catalyze any kind of beautiful love in this world.

However, precisely because they were of one mind and had a good understanding, Meng Wanyu did not expect this love to be able to bind this man.

None of us are exactly respectable people, so why bother with anything too serious?

"Alright, sir, stop following me. I'm going back."

"Well, be careful on the road."

In such a short distance, even before they had a chance to talk, Lu Chengzhou was already unable to erase her from his mind.

After Meng Wanyu had walked away, Lu Chengzhou realized that he hadn't even asked her name.

So, will we be able to meet again in the future?

He felt that most of his thoughts had drifted away with her.

If we never meet again, I might think about her for many years.

When he realized that he, a man with a girlfriend, was thinking about something really awful, he couldn't help but slap his forehead.

"Lu Chengzhou, Lu Chengzhou, what are you thinking about?"

The Lu Chengzhou of the past was not this womanizer.

Actually, he's seen more than just one or two pretty girls...

However, it was them who gave him a sense of déjà vu.

This strange feeling left him very conflicted.

When he returned home with this conflicted feeling, Xu Qian was cutting fruit.

"Senior, you're back?"

She held a rabbit-shaped apple slice in her hand and waved to him.

"Would you like to try some?"

The apple slices are shaped like rabbits, but they still taste like apples.

Lu Chengzhou sat down next to her and ate the apple with a mix of conflicted feelings and complaints.

Forget it.

He thought to himself that he should just stay obediently by the side of the junior school girl.

She gave him her first time, and was so considerate and compliant. What more could he ask for?

As for that fleeting glimpse of the girl feeding the cat...

Forget it, stop thinking about it.

Lu Chengzhou still hoped that he wouldn't be a scumbag.

"Oh, right, senior, here's a letter for you. It was just delivered by the postman, and I've accepted it for you."

With that, Xu Qian presented the envelope with both hands.

"I want to clarify beforehand that I haven't opened or looked at it!"

She even said that on purpose.

Lu Chengzhou chuckled and said, "It's alright if you see it; it's a letter from the school."

Even if it's a private letter, he doesn't really care.

After all, throughout these years, I have always been an upright and honest man...

Open the letter and take out the letter paper inside.

"I'll be looking for a job soon."

He glanced at it briefly, then stuffed the letter back into his hand.

He turned around and looked at Xu Qian.

"Junior, what are your plans?"

Xu Qian was stumped by his question.

She wasn't from this world; she had always stayed by Lu Chengzhou's side as a passerby.

Therefore, naturally, there were no plans for the future.

"I... my words..."

Xu Qian stammered, unsure how to answer.

Lu Chengzhou sighed and said, "I think you should have your own career and don't always have to revolve around me."

"Of course, I don't mean to look down on you."

"If you need money, I can provide it to you anytime."

"If you need help with your work, I can do my best to help you."

Xu Qian covered his mouth, telling him to stop talking.

She understood what Lu Chengzhou meant.

He didn't want her to lose her own social circle because of him; he didn't want to drive her away.

"Okay, I understand, senior. I will follow your instructions."

Xu Qian doesn't want to become a housewife who relies solely on men for a living.

In that world, she studied hard and lived life to the fullest, hoping to become the master of her own destiny.

Even if you're relying on your senior for survival now, you'll eventually return to the life you want in the future.

It's just a matter of time...

Lu Chengzhou took a bank card out of his pocket and handed it to Xu Qian.

"If you need it urgently, there's enough money inside."

"I don't want this one."

Xu Qian returned the card to him.

She said in a half-joking tone, "Even if I go to work, I should still come back at night to do laundry and cook for my senior, shouldn't I?"

Lu Chengzhou neither said "yes" nor "no".

He simply patted her head and let her lean on his shoulder.

The silence at that moment made Xu Qian sense a hint of unease.

She knew that the senior agreed to be with her not because of love at first sight, but more because of her persistent pursuit.

She fabricated a lie for Lu Chengzhou.

She admitted that her lies contained her selfishness.

"A couple reunited after a long separation," "lovers who know and cherish each other," "their one and only"... all of this is a lie.

In that world, they were never truly together.

Therefore, a relationship maintained by lies is naturally not as good as one that develops over time.

Xu Qian felt a pang of sadness.

She buried her head in his chest, holding him tightly as if he would fall into someone else's arms if she let go.

"Senior, shall we do it?"

As she said this, she began to tentatively unbutton his shirt.

However, Lu Chengzhou grabbed her wrist.

This guy is a genuinely addicted cook.

They're the kind who beg for mercy in less than ten minutes.

Lu Chengzhou knew she was physically weak, so he could only stop her.

"Okay, okay, stop fooling around."

"Senior~"

Lu Chengzhou firmly rejected her.

They took her back to her room and closed the door for her.

Back in the living room, he sat by the French windows, gazing at the scenery outside, and inexplicably began to miss the smell of cigarettes.

Um……?

Wait, why would he miss the smell of cigarettes?

He doesn't smoke at all, and he doesn't have any smoking roommates.

These strange ideas that always popped up suddenly gave Lu Chengzhou a headache.

He knew that he had most likely lost a long stretch of his memory.

Being kept in the dark feels awful.

So, as if possessed, he put on his coat, changed his shoes, and prepared to go downstairs.