Chapter 6

Xia Ruofei still had a bewildered look on his face, while Liu Minghao's eyes flashed with a hint of shadow as he asked:

"Qingxue, do you know this young brother?"

Ling Qingxue completely ignored Liu Minghao and excitedly came to Xia Ruofei, asking:

"Xia Ruofei, don't you remember me? I'm Ling Qingxue! Your junior high school classmate!"

Junior high school classmate?

Not only Liang Qichao, Liu Minghao, Lu Wen, and Lu Ping found it unbelievable, but Xia Ruofei himself was also completely bewildered. After a while, he said:

"It seems... I have a bit of a memory..."

"Did you remember?" Ling Qingxue said happily, "Great! I thought you really forgot me!"

As she spoke, Ling Qingxue almost pressed herself against Xia Ruofei, her prominent chest nearly touching his chest. Xia Ruofei took a half-step back, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Liang Qichao and the others couldn't help but be shocked again. The cold and aloof Ling Qingxue actually had such a side... Moreover, Xia Ruofei clearly didn't remember her just now; he was just saying it to be polite, but Ling Qingxue actually believed it.

When did the wise and calm Ling Qingxue, known for her intelligence, become such a complete fangirl?

Liang Qichao and the others, including Xia Ruofei himself, didn't know that during their three years of junior high school, Ling Qingxue was in the class next to Xia Ruofei. Xia Ruofei was quite a popular figure in junior high school, playing soccer very well and looking quite handsome and sunny. Many girls liked him.

Ling Qingxue was one of them.

Most importantly, in the second year of junior high school, when Ling Qingxue was surrounded and teased by a group of small hooligans near the school gate, it was Xia Ruofei who rushed forward and drove them away.

From that moment on, Xia Ruofei's image was deeply etched in Ling Qingxue's heart.

Of course, that incident was very insignificant to Xia Ruofei, and he soon forgot about it.

When it came time to take the high school entrance exam, Ling Xiaotian, whose business was growing larger, arranged for Ling Qingxue to attend a prestigious high school, while Xia Ruofei entered a regular high school. From then on, the two had no further interaction.

However, Ling Qingxue never forgot Xia Ruofei.

The budding love of adolescence is the most profound and unforgettable. Ling Qingxue even secretly went to Xia Ruofei's school to watch him play soccer, all of which Xia Ruofei was completely unaware of.

Later, Ling Qingxue heard that Xia Ruofei joined the military after graduating from high school, and after that, she lost all contact with him.

Over the years, she had many suitors, especially as her father's business grew larger, and more and more excellent young men surrounded her. However, none of them caught her eye, and she became increasingly annoyed with such pursuits, her personality becoming colder.

Ling Qingxue never imagined that she would meet Xia Ruofei again under such circumstances. In her excitement, she seemed to revert to that innocent and carefree middle school student, seeing her dream prince, her joy evident.

"Xia Ruofei, I heard you joined the military after high school. What happened after that?" Ling Qingxue asked.

"Uh... I was just discharged not long ago..." Xia Ruofei said.

For this enthusiastic beauty, Xia Ruofei indeed had no memory, and the current situation was really awkward.

Ling Qingxue, however, didn't notice at all and asked with great interest:

"Oh! Life in the military must have been very exciting, right?"

"Alright, I guess!" Xia Ruofei said with an awkward smile, "Just daily drills, training, and studies..."

"Then where are you working now that you're discharged?" Ling Qingxue asked, tilting her head slightly and looking at him with her beautiful big eyes.

"I just got back, and I don't have a job yet," Xia Ruofei answered honestly.

Liu Minghao couldn't help but say:

"It's not easy for soldiers to find jobs in civilian life! My father's company hired a former regiment commander a while ago, and he chose to find his own job. He's now a group leader in our company's office. By the way, Xia, what rank were you in the military?"

Xia Ruofei smiled faintly and said:

"Corporal."

"Originally not an officer... That makes it even harder to find a job..." Liu Minghao said, glancing at Ling Qingxue with a tone of superiority.

Ling Qingxue didn't even look at Liu Minghao; all her attention was on Xia Ruofei.

Ling Qingxue said:

"Xia Ruofei, why don't you come work at our Ling's Catering? We just opened a new branch in Zhonglou District, and we need a store manager!"

"Qingxue, the position of store manager is very important. Xia has no experience in the catering industry, so it might not be suitable..." Lu Wen said with a smile.

"What's it to you!" Ling Qingxue said mercilessly.

Lu Wen glared at Xia Ruofei, pouted, and said sarcastically:

"Xia, one must have self-awareness. Don't take on tasks beyond your capabilities..."

Ling Qingxue's face turned cold, and she said:

"Lu Wen, if you keep nagging, don't blame me for losing my temper! Who do you think you are! Do you have the right to manage our Ling's Catering?"

"Qingxue, I'm just trying to help you..." Lu Wen defended himself.

Xia Ruofei quickly said:

"Ling... Qingxue, I appreciate your kindness, but... I don't have any plans to work right now."

"Oh... I see!" Ling Qingxue was very disappointed, "If you need a job, please consider us! The doors of Ling's Catering are always open to you."

Xia Ruofei smiled bitterly and said:

"Sure, sure..."

At this moment, Liang Qichao finally had a chance to speak. He quickly said:

"Xia... Mr. Xia, can we see your Ice Lantern now?"

Compared to Liu Minghao and Lu Wen, Liang Qichao was much more polite to Xia Ruofei.

Xia Ruofei smiled and said:

"Of course, no problem!"

Liu Minghao laughed and said:

"Liang Qichao, do you really believe Xia can cultivate an Ice Lantern? Haven't you heard? He just got out of the military. Did Xia learn how to cultivate succulents in the military? Ha ha..."

Lu Wen also took the opportunity to mock:

"I think Liang is just trying to curry favor!"

Xia Ruofei couldn't help but frown slightly. Since he entered the room, Liu Minghao and Lu Wen had been constantly targeting him.

He had never seen them before. Could these two be mad dogs?

At this moment, Ling Qingxue frowned and said:

"Liu Minghao, Lu Wen, be more polite! Why can't Xia Ruofei cultivate an Ice Lantern? Just because you can't doesn't mean others can't!"

Xia Ruofei was her teenage idol and her dream prince. This time, upon reuniting with Xia Ruofei, she found that after his military training, Xia Ruofei seemed even more manly, which made her even more infatuated.

How could she allow Liu Minghao and Lu Wen to mock Xia Ruofei?

Liu Minghao and Lu Wen shrugged and closed their mouths, but their expressions still showed ridicule.

Xia Ruofei looked at Ling Qingxue thoughtfully, guessing a few things, and couldn't help but smile bitterly, deciding not to take those two mad dogs seriously.

He opened the plastic bag and took out the Ice Lantern.

Liu Minghao couldn't help but mock:

"I've never seen anyone put an Ice Lantern in a plastic bag before, ha ha... And this pot is too shabby..."

He was so busy mocking that he didn't notice Liang Qichao, Ling Qingxue, and Lu Ping were completely captivated by the Ice Lantern, not even hearing what he said.

Liang Qichao's eyes were wide open, showing a very enthusiastic expression. He immediately rushed to the coffee table, crouched down, and stared at the Ice Lantern.

"Too beautiful... It's a masterpiece of nature..." Liang Qichao murmured, "This shape... This window... Perfect..."

Liang Qichao didn't hide his love for the Ice Lantern, and although Ling Qingxue didn't speak, her beautiful eyes sparkled with admiration.

She stared at the Ice Lantern, the crystal-clear dew reflecting a charming light under the fluorescent lamp, making her beautiful face even more alluring.

Liu Minghao finally reacted, staring at the Ice Lantern and murmuring:

"This... This... How is this possible..."

...