Chapter 76

Days passed, and before he knew it, it was December 12th. Rongcheng had already entered winter, and the outdoor temperature had dropped to just a few degrees above ten.

Because it was in the south, the trees lining the streets were still lush and green, unlike in the north where bare trees stood on both sides of the streets.

During this time, Lin Fei made a few more trips to the Spirit Realm, but with no significant gains. So he stopped going there for the time being and stayed at home to conduct some experiments. Feeling bored, he decided to open a store and do some business.

Ding dong, Lin Fei, who was fiddling with some plants, heard his phone ring on the table.

He put down the plant, picked up his phone, and saw that it was a WeChat message from Zhou Yue.

Zhou Yue: Lin Fei, are you free tonight? I want to treat you to a meal.

Lin Fei: What's up? Don't be so nice for no reason. Just tell me what you want.

Zhou Yue: What are you talking about! Do I seem like that kind of person to you? I only treat you to a meal when I need something from you. I just want to treat my good friend to a meal. You're really hurting my feelings.

Lin Fei: ... Alright! I misunderstood. Send me the address for the meal.

Zhou Yue: Jinling Road, Niu Yifen Steak House. 7 PM.

Lin Fei: All-you-can-eat steak? It's been a while since I've been to Niu Yifen. This time, you're treating me, but I want to make it clear that I won't take you to see the sunrise in the Taklamakan Desert again.

Zhou Yue: Don't worry! I won't. One experience was enough. Remember to be on time tonight, don't be late.

Lin Fei: Don't worry! I'll be there early if someone is treating me to a big meal.

Lin Fei put down his phone, touched his chin, and made up his mind again, "What is this woman up to? No matter what, I won't agree to anything tonight. I'll just focus on eating."

Inside the Vitality Fitness Club, in Zhou Yue's office, she placed her phone on the desk and gave Wang Xiaoru, who was sitting on the sofa, a victory sign.

"You're trying to trick Lin Fei again! Just tell him what happened. With his personality, he will definitely help you," Wang Xiaoru said, putting down the magazine in her hand.

"How can it be called tricking! I really am treating him to a big meal! And if I ask him directly on the phone, even though he will eventually agree, he will definitely find it troublesome and refuse me multiple times. It's better to meet in person and get him to agree," Zhou Yue said with a confident look.

"You're so smooth-talking! I can't argue with you, but we haven't had steak together in a long time. It's perfect for tonight," Wang Xiaoru said, shaking her head.

...

At 7:30 PM, in Niu Yifen Steak House, Lin Fei and the other two were eating the steaks they had ordered at table number seven.

"Lin Fei, try this egg tart. The new egg tart they launched is really good," Zhou Yue said, passing an egg tart to Lin Fei.

Lin Fei swallowed the food in his mouth, took a sip of juice, and then took the egg tart from Zhou Yue. He took a bite and thought, "It really is good. It's much better than before. It seems the owner of this place has hired a better chef."

"Try this fruit salad, and these grilled chicken wings. Oh, and these are your favorite pan-fried dumplings," Zhou Yue said, enthusiastically placing the food in front of Lin Fei.

"You should eat too! Don't just keep adding food to my plate," Lin Fei said.

Wang Xiaoru sat on the side without speaking, quietly watching Zhou Yue's performance.

"I'm on a diet recently, so I need to eat less. Lin Fei, you're out of juice. Let me get you another cup," Zhou Yue said, reaching for Lin Fei's cup.

"No, no, I can get it myself," Lin Fei quickly stopped her.

"Don't be so formal! We're close friends. Do you want orange juice or coconut juice?" Zhou Yue pushed Lin Fei's hand away, picked up his cup, and headed to the drink station.

"Give me coconut juice," Lin Fei replied.

Watching Zhou Yue get up to get the drink, Lin Fei quickly asked Wang Xiaoru, who was sitting next to him, "What does she want me to help her with? Can you give me a hint?"

Wang Xiaoru looked at Lin Fei without speaking, smiling and shaking her head.

"Looks like you've been sworn to secrecy," Lin Fei sighed.

After a while, Zhou Yue returned with a lot of food.

"While I was pouring the coconut juice, I saw the waiter bring out a lot of freshly cooked dishes. These garlic oysters and these shrimp. Come, eat them while they're hot!" Zhou Yue placed the coconut juice next to Lin Fei and put most of the food she had brought over in front of him.

Lin Fei picked up a garlic oyster and tasted it. "The oysters are very fresh and taste great," he thought. Then he picked up a shrimp, peeled it, and was about to put it in his mouth, but he looked up at Zhou Yue and sighed, placing the peeled shrimp in the bowl.

Zhou Yue looked at Lin Fei with a gentle gaze and said softly, "Why aren't you eating?"

Lin Fei wiped his hands with a hot towel provided by the restaurant, glanced at Wang Xiaoru who was smirking, and said to Zhou Yue with a helpless look, "Just be yourself! This side of you makes me uncomfortable. Just tell me what you need. If I can help, I will."

"Ah, well, it's not much! There is something that has been bothering me recently, but it's not a big deal!" Zhou Yue said hesitantly.

"Tell me! What is it?" Lin Fei took a sip of coconut juice.

"I want you to pretend to be my boyfriend," Zhou Yue finally revealed.

"Cough, cough, cough! What did you say?" Lin Fei, who was drinking coconut juice, choked and asked in disbelief after recovering.

"Pretend to be my boyfriend!" Zhou Yue leaned in and whispered in Lin Fei's ear.

"Do you think this is a TV drama? What era are we in? Are you still using these cliché tricks?" Lin Fei pointed at Zhou Yue's forehead and gently pushed her back.

"Do you think I want to do this? A week ago, the gym hired a high-priced fitness coach. He has been pursuing me ever since he arrived. I've refused him several times, but it hasn't had much effect. I'm so annoyed that I had to lie and say I already have a boyfriend..." Zhou Yue explained the situation briefly.

"Is what she said true?" Lin Fei asked Wang Xiaoru, who was quietly eating on the side.

"Yes, everything Xiao Yue said is true. We are colleagues, and it wouldn't look good if things got too tense. So we had to use this excuse to refuse him, but he doesn't believe Xiao Yue and insists on seeing her boyfriend in person before he will give up," Wang Xiaoru nodded.

"See, Xiaoru is vouching for me. I'm not lying to you! Lin Fei, you have to help me this time!" Zhou Yue said on the side.