They don't actually think I like them, do they?

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Xu Hui exclaimed.

"Isn't that right?" Xue Qing covered her mouth and chuckled. "Talking all about male chauvinism, and expecting girls to pay for meals when you go out with them, I really don't understand how a man like you has the nerve to ask other women out?"

Xue Qing deliberately raised her voice a few decibels for every word she spoke, as if she wanted everyone around her to hear.

The air suddenly dropped to freezing point.

Lin Han couldn't help but turn his face away, partly because he was afraid of being recognized by the surrounding guests, and partly because he was worried for Xu Hui.

In such an extremely awkward situation, whoever gets flustered will be the clown, especially since splitting the bill is indeed a fact.

Although Lin Han never tolerated idiots, he didn't know how to speak up for Xu Hui in this situation.

If Xu Hui were to directly retort, it would truly confirm his identity as a clown, and Qiao Qiao would probably have a very bad impression of him.

"How dare you speak, you filthy bastard?" Xu Hui cursed.

The shout was even louder, and everyone present was stunned.

"Inviting you out? You should take a look in the mirror and see if you're even worthy. You look like a piece of trash and still have such wild ideas. If I knew you were a woman, would I have gone out to eat with you? Shameless thing, what kind of beggar are you? Do you really think you're Yan Yuli?"

Damn it, this is completely over!

After listening to this rap, Lin Han was completely stunned, while Xu Hui practically had the word "down" etched onto his forehead!

Such remarks are fine to have a laugh online, but who would say them to a girl's face in real life?

If there's still that girl who has feelings for Xu Hui, Lin Han would start to wonder if she's out of her mind!

Cen Sisi, standing to the side, was too shocked to speak. However,

"Pfft-"

Qiao Qiao laughed out loud, "As expected of Xu Hui."

"?" Lin Han was dumbfounded.

Xue Qing was dizzy and disoriented from the insults she had just received. Her face flushed red, and her delicate fingers trembled with anger.

"Ugh, you're disgusting! Don't you have any respect for women? How can there be such a shameless man? I really..."

Xue Qing had just raised her voice when Xu Hui's voice was even louder than hers:

"You're shameless! You expect me to treat you on our first meeting? Do you really think your bag is studded with diamonds?"

"Wow ah ah ah!!!"

Enraged, Xue Qing reached out to hit Xu Hui, who quickly raised his hand to block.

Just then, a hand tightly grabbed Xue Qing's arm.

Still shaken, Xu Hui looked up and saw Qiao Qiao.

Standing in front of Xue Qing at 1.7 meters tall, Qiao Qiao looked like a superwoman, easily controlling Xue Qing as if she were catching a chicken.

Just as Xu Hui was about to be beaten after cursing, Qiao Qiao appeared like a towering giant, providing him with a protective umbrella.

Her best friend panicked and wanted to help, but she didn't dare to move because of Qiao Qiao's powerful aura.

Qiao Qiao abruptly shook off Xue Qing's hand and said:

"It's easy to see from your performance that you're the shameless one. What's wrong with splitting the bill? Are you getting angry and taking revenge on Xu Hui because he didn't like you?"

"Me??? Fall for him??? How could that be!!" Xue Qing was both angry and amused.

"Get out of here, don't embarrass yourself." Qiao Qiao said with a smile.

"You're crazy! How could you speak up for someone like that..." her best friend yelled from the side.

"You get out too."

"???" My best friend was about to cry.

Xue Qing and her best friend were so embarrassed that they didn't dare to say another word, their eyes filled with grievance.

In the end, all they could do was glare at everyone before turning away in anger.

That was so cool, four breakthroughs in one second!

Lin Han, who witnessed all of this, sighed sincerely.

For some reason, he suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Cen Sisi.

"Are you alright?" Lin Han looked at Xu Hui, wanting to comfort his good friend.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, Xu Hui's gaze remained fixed on Qiao Qiao's face.

There seemed to be light in those eyes.

Qiao Qiao sat back down in her seat. As soon as she sat down, Xu Hui couldn't wait to ask her,

"Qiao Qiao, why are you standing up for me?"

"Huh? Why is there a reason?" Qiao Qiao said. "We're friends, of course I'd help you if you were bullied."

Xu Hui's nose suddenly felt a little sore.

This is the first time, besides his mother, that a girl has been willing to speak up for him.

"But what I just said was very rude."

So you do have some self-awareness?! Lin Han was shocked.

"Hey, it's not like we just met today. I listened to you rant for six hours straight at the concert. Actually, I've always thought you're quite interesting. You dare to say anything. There aren't many guys like you these days! I actually quite admire you."

As Qiao Qiao spoke, her face turned slightly red, a rare occurrence for her.

Xu Hui was stunned for a moment.

Because of his arrogant way of speaking, he has been attacked by girls a lot as a "submissive man" and "the man I least want to get close to." I never expected that this would be the first time someone would praise him for it.

Lin Han was dumbfounded. Had he seen that right?

This is... the sour smell in the air?!

Wait a minute, the first time Xu Hui cursed in front of Qiao Qiao, it was Cen Sisi!

Lin Han knew all too well how harshly Xu Hui had been scolded back then, and Xu Hui had never given Cen Sisi a kind look.

As Cen Sisi's best friend, shouldn't Qiao Qiao hate Xu Hui, who attacks her best friend every day?

Lin Han felt a bit overwhelmed.

Everyone enjoyed the lunch, except for Lin Han and Cen Sisi, who were excluded like marginal figures, watching Qiao Qiao and Xu Hui argue with everyone and everything.

When it came time to settle the bill, Qiao Qiao paid the money voluntarily, and Xu Hui gave her A's share, along with Lin Han's share.

Stepping out of the restaurant, Xu Hui was in high spirits, humming a tune and singing a song next to Lin Han.

At this moment, as if suddenly remembering something, Xu Hui abruptly stopped, his face slightly shy and bashful, and cautiously asked Lin Han:

"Don't you think Qiao Qiao is actually quite pretty?"

"Stop it!"

Lin Han stopped Xu Hui, because he also felt that Xu Hui and Qiao Qiao were showing signs of that kind of relationship.

However, he couldn't figure out Qiao Qiao's feelings for him, so he couldn't comment on them.

"and many more."

Lin Han looked puzzled.

"Qiao Qiao said you cursed for six whole hours at the concert. Who did you have a conflict with? Who made you curse so bitterly for six hours, and you even won Qiao Qiao's favor?"

“Uh…” Xu Hui quickly turned his face away and whistled.

Lin Han's face immediately darkened.

"It couldn't be me..., could it?"

"Of course not!" Xu Hui frantically wiped his sweat.

Lin Han wanted to ask more questions, but when he looked at the time, it was already four o'clock in the afternoon.

"I'm not going to argue with you now, I have very important things to do!"

Lin Han opened his phone and called Su Ruxue.

077. If you prefer the original flavor, just say so.

"Teacher Lin Han, you finally remembered to call me?"

When the call connected, Su Ruxue's voice clearly carried a hint of resentment.

"Uh, I've been too busy lately," Lin Han quickly explained.

"You really don't care about my game at all."

"How could that be!" Lin Han said seriously, "I have complete trust in you. Tell me, what place did you get?"

"Hehe, champion!" Su Ruxue's tone finally softened a lot when she said this.

“Ning Lei withdrew from the competition, and I’m the only one in the association who can still compete. Those old men have no choice—it’s the Dragon Qin Cup, and only I can play,” Su Ruxue said.

"congratulations."

"So, you finally remembered to call me. What's up? Have you finished writing my new song?"

"Uh, no, your new song is still a week away."

Lin Han hesitated for a moment after saying this.

I just can't bring myself to ask you to lend me your clothes!

"This matter is a bit complicated, let's talk about it in person."

"Okay, let's go to the same dessert shop as last time."　

"Absolutely not!"

Lin Han immediately shouted that he had had enough of the ice shaved ice that could freeze a bar open!

"Then come to my house."

"Please send me the address of the dessert shop."

"No, it's too much trouble to put on makeup before going out. Come to my house instead." Su Ruxue's tone became firm.

"..."

Since he needed their help, Lin Han, feeling dizzy and lightheaded, had no choice but to agree.

Following the address sent by Su Ruxue, Lin Han arrived at a luxury villa area in the city.

As soon as he entered the residential area, the tranquil scent of the wealthy filled Lin Han's nostrils, and he could hear the chirping of birds.

Although the villas here aren't as ridiculously large as Yan Yuli's, the location is obviously better, and at this size, they're already beyond my means.

"Ding dong~"

Lin Han arrived at the house located by Su Ruxue and rang the doorbell.

"coming."

The door opened, and Su Ruxue, dressed casually, appeared in front of Lin Han.

"Oh, Teacher Lin Han." The white-haired girl waved and smiled sweetly.

This wasn't the first time Lin Han had seen Su Ruxue without makeup. The disheveled girl had lost some of her usual dignified and elegant demeanor, but gained a more innocent and pure feeling.

If Lin Han hadn't known Su Ruxue's purity all too well, he might have genuinely believed that Su Ruxue was some kind of innocent and adorable girl.

"Come in quickly." Su Ruxue welcomed Lin Han into her home.

As soon as Lin Han entered the living room, he saw a middle-aged man and a woman sitting on the sofa.

Lin Han didn't react at first, and after a moment he quickly said:

"Hello, uncle and aunt!"

"Hello~" Su's father said with a smile.

"You must be Ruxue's composer friend, right? I've heard your songs, they're excellent!"

"No, no, Uncle, you flatter me!" Lin Han said, embarrassed, not daring to lift his head.

Su's mother stood up from the sofa, walked up to Lin Han, and took his hand.