Jiang Xin sighed countless times watching Cao Rui persistently circle her, intent on dragging her to Juliana’s place. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to take the fool along; it was just that she had noticed over the past two days that the fool had stopped wearing his athletic gear constantly. After he started dressing a bit more normally, she’d mistakenly thought he was no longer preoccupied with her, so she deliberately chose a day when Shi Man and the others were all home to pay a visit.

Jiang Xin never wanted to bring up the scene from that day; it was truly not a pleasant memory. Although there were no harsh words exchanged, what was even more infuriating than cold remarks was being completely ignored. Unless Jiang Xin specifically asked a question that required naming someone, Shi Man wouldn't respond. As for Juliana and Wang Qiqi, they were quite nice, offering a warm reception, but the problem was they were both busy. Qiqi had received several urgent orders, and Juliana had to leave to run an errand right after taking a call. That left only herself and Shi Man behind.

From that day’s atmosphere, Jiang Xin understood that Shi Man was still very resistant toward Cao Rui. Especially whenever Jiang Xin steered the conversation toward Cao Rui, Man Man would fall silent. She knew it was impossible to change their minds, especially when Shi Man concluded by saying Cao Rui wasn't their friend, only the fool was.

Cao Rui watched Jiang Xin’s look of distress and thought to himself that this woman was being too petty, refusing to take him along. Cao Rui wasn't unaware that Jiang Xin often went over to Juliana’s place. He had initially assumed those visits were for the women to discuss things privately, and as a man, he would be uncomfortable tagging along. But the thing was, Jiang Xin had gone several times in a row, and yet she never thought to invite him. Today, he finally couldn't hold back, so his request carried a hint of pleading. Yet, even with that, Jiang Xin still didn't agree, which caused Cao Rui’s expression to sour slightly. Of course, he maintained some decorum, knowing this wasn't the time to have a major falling out with Jiang Xin. He restrained himself. “It’s fine, maybe another day. I just remembered I have something else to do. I’ll be going now.” Cao Rui felt he needed to go back and seriously contemplate his next move. He was already in his third year, and winter break would be here in less than a month; time was running short for him.

Jiang Xin was stunned as her boyfriend, who had promised to take her out to dinner, just abandoned her and left. Since she had known Cao Rui, he had never treated her this way even once. Naturally, Jiang Xin was furious; she wasn’t foolish. Cao Rui often steered their conversations toward Juliana, even telling her to get along well with Juliana, claiming she would understand the benefits of having a good relationship with her later on. But whenever Jiang Xin asked why he needed to cultivate a relationship with Juliana, he would never elaborate. If it weren't for the fact that she was present every time he interacted with Juliana, knowing there was nothing suspicious between them, no woman would enjoy hearing her boyfriend constantly bring up another woman while they were on a date—even if that other woman was her friend.

At this moment, Jiang Xin realized that if she had chosen the fool, she wouldn't have these kinds of worries. The fool’s world consisted only of computers, and talking to him brought a sense of ease. When with Cao Rui, Jiang Xin always had to consider many things, pausing to think before saying anything. But with the fool, he had seen Jiang Xin at her ugliest, so she never needed to put on an act; she could simply follow her heart.

Thinking this, Jiang Xin felt an immediate need to find the fool. She believed that if the fool asked Qiqi and the others, they would surely let her off the hook and treat Cao Rui better. Moreover, she could share the recent pressure she was under with the fool. Jiang Xin was sure the fool would help her; frankly, aside from the fool, she truly didn't know who else she could turn to vent these pressures.

The fool happened to be passing by the telephone when it rang, so he casually picked it up. When he heard Jiang Xin’s voice on the line, he wasn't exactly shocked. Every time he had run into Jiang Xin on campus recently, they would exchange greetings, but it was just that—greetings. He never expected her to call him today, asking where he was and if he could meet up. How could this not thrill the fool? He nodded quickly, then remembered they were on a call, stammering his agreement repeatedly. He carefully noted down the meeting location before swiftly darting into his room, only to reappear shortly after changing his clothes.

Dai Lijun knew that Wang Qiqi and the others were already having a rough time with Jiang Xin because of him. Under the current circumstances, seeing Jiang Xin again felt excessive. But although she hadn't cried on the other end of the line, Dai Lijun knew she was genuinely unhappy. Knowing she was depressed, he felt it was his duty, as a friend, to go over and comfort her. “I’m stepping out for a bit, then I’ll be back.”

Gong Junyu and the others were glued to their computers, furiously tapping their keyboards, completely missing the fact that the fool had changed clothes before leaving. Han Tao, emerging from the restroom, suddenly remembered he had asked the fool a question earlier that hadn't been answered. He rushed to the kitchen window, intending to call out to Dai Lijun. When he saw Dai Lijun, he froze—he was actually wearing a new set of clothes. Though there was some distance, judging by the silhouette, the way he walked, and the style of the outfit, Han Tao was certain it was the fool; he couldn't be mistaken.

This struck Han Tao as very strange. Wasn't this the new outfit he had bought a few days ago, the one the fool had said he planned to wear home for New Year’s? Why was he wearing it out?

Han Tao stood still by the bed, forgetting to close the window. As the window was open, a chill naturally crept into the room. “Who opened the window? It’s freezing! Hurry up and close it.” Everyone was only wearing sweaters, so they hadn't noticed the cold with the doors and windows shut. But now that the window was open, cold air was pouring in. Even though they were young men who could tolerate the cold out of sheer energy, being cold while the room had heating was an entirely different matter.

Han Tao only noticed the chill when someone complained. He quickly hurried to close the window and walked into the living room, asking, “Does anyone know where the fool went?” He hadn't known what was happening while he was in the bathroom, but it was clear the fool had left immediately after answering a phone call. The problem was, the fool was the only one missing from the room, and in this weather, Shi Man certainly wouldn't accompany him outside. “The fool went out alone?”

Gong Junyu grunted an affirmation. “It’s good for him to get out and walk around; staying cooped up isn't healthy. It irritates me seeing him look so lifeless, especially when he’s with Shi Man and the others, smiling so happily, but the moment he faces us?” Gong Junyu thought about how their junior had forced a smile as bright as a flower in front of those women just so they wouldn't worry, but the instant he returned home, his face would fall. This infuriated Gong Junyu, who felt like dragging the guy over and giving him a good beating.

“The problem is, he specifically changed into a new outfit,” Han Tao noted, watching everyone else take the fool’s outing as a good thing, wondering why no one seemed concerned that this might signal a new romance.

New outfit? When they heard Han Tao emphasize that word, everyone froze and looked at him. “It couldn’t be that one, could it?”

Han Tao nodded. “It was that one. That’s why I asked you all.” Otherwise, why would he be so agitated? At this moment, Han Tao truly regretted not following him out, not because he was gossiping, but because he wanted to see whom the fool was meeting.

Now everyone was filled with regret. Gong Junyu quickly snapped back, “You saw him in the new clothes, why didn’t you follow him?” If they had asked him earlier, they would have known.

Everyone exchanged glances, conveying: You knew he was wearing the new clothes and you came to ask us instead of asking the main character?

Han Tao could only slap his forehead. So in the end, it was his fault? “I said I was in the restroom. By the time I remembered I needed to ask him something, he was already quite a distance away.” Now they were interrogating him; where were the others before? “Besides, the fool had to pass through the living room to change and leave; didn't any of you notice?”

Han Tao’s words silenced them. What could they say? It was true; if they had paid a little more attention to the guy, they could have stopped him and asked clearly. “Sigh, are we just supposed to wait? But maybe Shi Man stood up Feng Xuanxiang and called the fool out?” That hadn't been the first time something like that had happened.

After saying this, Gong Junyu rushed to the telephone to call Juliana’s place. A moment later, he hung up the receiver and looked smugly at his roommates, who were watching him with expectant eyes. Gong Junyu initially wanted to savor the moment, but Han Tao saw him teasing them and didn't waste time; he directly grabbed the receiver, preparing to make the call himself.

Gong Junyu cried out a few times at Han Tao’s impatience. He only wanted a tiny bit of bragging rights, a small hope he couldn't satisfy. Gong Junyu finally sighed in resignation and said, “Shi Man is at home, and the fool isn’t there either. They haven’t called us.”

Well, everyone understood now. The fool had gone out on a date. Everyone was curious about who the person was, what she looked like, and, most importantly, how they met. As soon as someone uttered, “Do you think it might be Jiang Xin who called?” the room fell silent. Besides Shi Man, she was the only one capable of pulling the fool away with a single phone call.

The speculation about the date’s identity, appearance, and how they met was in full swing when the suggestion hung in the air. A minute later, Gong Junyu spat several times. “Don’t be such a jinx! None of those women are good people. She hasn't even broken up with that man; why would she call the fool?”

Don't let Gong Junyu’s reasoning fool you; he was panicking inside. He secretly wondered if the kid had really been called out by Jiang Xin. If so, what was that woman planning? Was she intending to two-time her partner? This thought gave Gong Junyu absolutely no favorable impression of Jiang Xin.

……(To be continued)