DXXZL - 64

Zhu Xingyao turned her head to look at Jiang Tu. His expression was calm, as if everything he did for her was completely natural and expected. Zhu Xingyao bit her lip, lowered her head, and entered her birthday into the phone. The screen unlocked, and she opened the photo album. There were a few categorized folders, and her eyes immediately landed on the one with two golden star symbols in its name.

The folder contained 387 photos—all of Zhu Xingyao at different stages of her life: stage photos, casual snapshots, unedited raw images, and more.

Zhu Xingyao scrolled to the very end and found the photo from her high school days—the one Jiang Tu had forced Xia Jin to delete years ago. Looking at it now, the emotions it stirred in her heart were even stronger than they were back then. She flipped through the photos and noticed two unfamiliar ones with poor resolution.

“Tu Ge, did you secretly take these two?” she asked.

Jiang Tu replied, “I took one of them. The other one I found on a forum.”

Zhu Xingyao fell silent and continued scrolling upward. Many of the photos were taken from unknown angles—clearly candid shots—but fortunately, she looked good in all of them, with no particularly unflattering ones. Lowering her lashes, she murmured softly, “You’ve collected quite a lot.”

Jiang Tu stopped the car at a red light and glanced at her, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Earlier, everyone had agreed to eat out, and Lao Yuan had booked a private room. As soon as the light turned green, Lao Yuan called Jiang Tu’s phone. Zhu Xingyao answered, leaning close to Jiang Tu and holding the phone near his ear. Lao Yuan said, “Let’s not eat out. Let’s buy ingredients and make hot pot at your place. Du Yunfei is also fine with it. We’ll grab some drinks too, and after eating, we can chat leisurely—it’ll be much cozier than going out.”

Jiang Tu suspected that Lao Yuan was just looking for an excuse to spend more time with Lin Jiayu, but he didn’t mind. “Do whatever you want,” he said indifferently.

On the way, Jiang Tu parked the car in front of a supermarket. He and Lao Yuan went inside to shop, and by the time they returned to the apartment, it was nearly 7 PM. The Jiang Lu Club was nearby, and when they heard the group was having hot pot, they came over uninvited, bringing two teammates along. They were already waiting downstairs, while Du Yunfei hadn’t arrived yet. Lao Yuan said, “You guys go up first. I’ll wait for him here.”

When Jiang Lu saw Zhu Xingyao, he grinned teasingly. “Goddess-sister-in-law!” The two young teammates, who looked about seventeen or eighteen, followed suit, calling her the same.

Zhu Xingyao felt slightly embarrassed. Wasn’t this title a bit inappropriate? She glanced at Jiang Tu, hoping he’d correct Jiang Lu. But Jiang Tu remained calm, carrying a bunch of things while using one free hand to hold hers as they walked toward the elevator. Clearly, he had no intention of correcting Jiang Lu.

Lin Jiayu gave Zhu Xingyao a wink. “It’s just early to call you that. It’s inevitable anyway.” She didn’t think there was any chance of them breaking up now. At the right time, with the right person—after so many wasted years—wasn’t Jiang Tu’s long wait precisely for the sake of marrying Zhu Xingyao?

Zhu Xingyao felt her hand being squeezed slightly. Instinctively, she looked up. Jiang Tu gazed down at her, his eyes behind his glasses dark and deep, brimming with emotion. Her heart trembled, and she quickly lowered her head. Jiang Tu didn’t explain because, from the very beginning, he had planned to marry her.

Jiang Lu rested his hand on Lin Jiayu’s shoulder and glanced over, teasing, “Exactly.”

Lin Jiayu swatted his hand away impatiently. “Stop treating me like a shelf. Don’t you know about propriety between men and women?”

Jiang Lu snorted. “What propriety? When we were kids, you even pulled down my pants.”

Lin Jiayu rolled her eyes. “That was because you peed yourself, and I—”

“Alright, alright, please don’t bring that up again!” Jiang Lu recalled Lao Yuan and quickly changed the subject. “So, that Lao Yuan—is he your blind date? He’s decent-looking, but probably doesn’t meet your high standards for looks, right? My brother might not fully understand you...”

“Shut up,” Jiang Tu said coldly.

Jiang Lu stared at the ceiling, mouthing silently, “So ruthless.”

The elevator doors opened, and everyone stepped out.

Back at the apartment, Jiang Tu put the groceries in the kitchen. Zhu Xingyao took off her coat, wearing a beige sweater and a cashmere skirt, and followed him. “Let me help,” she offered.

Jiang Tu was usually busy and rarely cooked, but the kitchen was fully equipped. He took out the rice cooker and glanced at her. “No need. Go to the living room and relax for a bit.”

In the living room, Jiang Lu was watching a livestream. Lin Jiayu smacked him on the head. “Are you not eating? Go help!”

Jiang Lu was shooed into the kitchen to assist.

Zhu Xingyao was also sent out by Jiang Tu.

The doorbell rang, and she went to open the intercom. On the monitor, she saw Lao Yuan and a tall, slim young man walking side by side. Lao Yuan and Du Yunfei stepped out of the elevator. Du Yunfei was saying, “You said Jiang Tu introduced you to a girl from No. 1 High School? Does she know Zhu Xingyao?”

Lao Yuan replied nonchalantly, “Yes, they know each other well.”

Du Yunfei grew excited. “Really? Then introduce us! After the concert the day after tomorrow, take me to meet Zhu Xingyao. Maybe I can get an autograph and a photo...” His voice suddenly cut off as he froze, staring in disbelief at the doorway.

—Zhu Xingyao stood there, the door open, with a slight smile on her lips.

Du Yunfei’s heart couldn’t handle it. He grabbed Lao Yuan, stammering, “L-L-L-Lao Yuan, is there something wrong with my eyes? Why do I see Zhu Xingyao standing at the door?”

“How old do you think I am? You said ‘Lao’ five times...” Lao Yuan sighed, dragging him forward.

Zhu Xingyao was still standing at the door. She smiled at Du Yunfei. “Hello. You’re not mistaken.”

Lin Jiayu came over, looked at Du Yunfei, and laughed. “You must be Du Yunfei. I’ve heard all about you—you’re Zhu Xingyao’s biggest fan!”

Du Yunfei pinched his thigh hard, wincing in pain. “Holy crap! Wait, no... Goddess, please hear me out—I’m not usually this rude...” His face flushed as he explained nervously, “I’m just too excited!”

Both Zhu Xingyao and Lin Jiayu laughed. Lin Jiayu teased, “Why are you so funny?”

Du Yunfei’s face reddened with excitement. He avoided making eye contact with Zhu Xingyao, feeling awkward. Lao Yuan introduced Lin Jiayu to him. As everyone entered the apartment, Du Yunfei pulled Lao Yuan aside and hissed angrily, “You bastard, why didn’t you warn me earlier? You almost made me embarrass myself!”

Lao Yuan shrugged casually. “Where’s the fun in telling you beforehand?”

Jiang Tu emerged from the kitchen, saw Du Yunfei, and smiled. “Long time no see.”

Du Yunfei grew excited again and walked over to hug him. “It’s been four years! You’ve really changed. By the way...” He lowered his voice and glanced at Zhu Xingyao. “Jiang Tu, you’re such a bad friend. How could you not tell me that Little Lin and Zhu Xingyao are close friends? Tell me, have you known Zhu Xingyao for a long time?”

Jiang Tu paused and looked at Lao Yuan. “Yes. Didn’t Lao Yuan tell you?”

Lao Yuan coughed awkwardly.

Du Yunfei cursed. “No, that guy just wanted to watch me make a fool of myself!”

“How should I slice this raw beef?” Jiang Lu shouted from the kitchen.

Jiang Tu said, “Go sit in the living room. Dinner will be ready soon.”

About fifteen minutes later, the hot pot began to boil. Everyone gathered around to eat. Lao Yuan cracked open several cans of beer and passed them around. Du Yunfei picked up a beer and clinked it against Jiang Tu’s glass. “I miss those college dorm days when we grilled skewers and drank beer. Come on, it’s been so long since we last met—we should drink a few rounds.”

Jiang Tu had just picked up his water glass when someone gently tugged on his sleeve. He looked down at Zhu Xingyao.

Zhu Xingyao handed him the beer and whispered, “Drink it. Later, I’ll have Old Liu come pick me up.” Du Yunfei and Lao Yuan were in such high spirits, and Du Yunfei hadn’t seen Jiang Tu in ages. If Jiang Tu refused to drink because of her, it would ruin their mood.

Jiang Tu hesitated briefly before taking the beer from her. “Alright.”

Du Yunfei watched them, momentarily stunned. Jiang Tu raised his beer to clink it against Du Yunfei’s. Only then did Du Yunfei snap out of it, but something still felt off. Were Jiang Tu and Zhu Xingyao really this close? Not only close, but their interactions exuded a sense of intimacy.

Jiang Lu started a livestream, pointing the camera at himself and the two teammates beside him. “See? We’re really having hot pot at my brother’s place. We’ll leave soon.”

Lao Yuan leaned over to take a peek. When his face appeared on the screen, the chat exploded with comments: “Who’s the person next to him?”

Jiang Lu said, “My brother’s college classmate.”

More comments flooded in: “Your brother must be super handsome!”

Jiang Lu smirked. “He’s pretty handsome, but not as handsome as me.”

Lin Jiayu turned to Zhu Xingyao and muttered, “I’ve never seen anyone so full of themselves.”

Jiang Lu stood up, holding his phone and turning it around. “No way. If I point the camera at his face, he’ll beat me up... Yes, cruel and merciless. Didn’t I tell you how much he used to hit me when I was little? You’ve forgotten already? Fake fans, huh?” He panned the camera over everyone, avoiding their faces. “Though he’s merciless, he has a girlfriend... Of course, she’s beautiful—goddess-level.”

“Jiang Lu, go fetch some water,” Lin Jiayu ordered.

“Not sister-in-law, but my sister. You readers might recognize her from novels...” Jiang Lu came out with a large bowl of water. Distracted by his phone, he tripped over a power cord on the floor, stumbling forward. He quickly steadied himself by grabbing Jiang Tu’s shoulder. Water spilled from the bowl, drenching Zhu Xingyao. She gasped as the cold water soaked her face, hair, and neck, trickling down her collar. She shivered from the chill.

Jiang Tu’s shoulder was also wet. With a stern expression, he pushed Jiang Lu away, quickly grabbing tissues to wipe Zhu Xingyao’s face. Frowning, he looked at her soaked sweater and skirt. Jiang Lu hurriedly apologized, “Brother, it wasn’t intentional! Goddess-sister-in-law, are you okay?”

Zhu Xingyao was still a bit stunned, letting Jiang Tu wipe her face. She glanced at Jiang Lu and murmured, “I’m fine...”

Lin Jiayu glared at Jiang Lu. “What were you doing livestreaming while eating? Honestly...” She touched Zhu Xingyao’s sweater and sighed. “It’s all wet. Why don’t you change into one of Jiang Tu’s outfits?”

Jiang Tu pulled Zhu Xingyao to her feet and said flatly, “You guys eat first. I’ll take her to get cleaned up.”

Du Yunfei sat there, dumbfounded. Only after Jiang Tu and Zhu Xingyao disappeared from view did he turn to Lao Yuan. “What... what’s their relationship?”

Lao Yuan wore a sly grin. “What do you think?”

Jiang Lu had already called her “goddess-sister-in-law,” and Jiang Tu, with his icy personality, had carefully wiped Zhu Xingyao’s face and taken her into the bedroom to change clothes... What else could their relationship possibly be??

Du Yunfei felt his heart skip a beat. The goddess was now his roommate’s girlfriend, and he hadn’t even known about it. Slamming his palm onto Lao Yuan’s back, he exclaimed, “Damn it! You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You knew all along, didn’t you?”

Lin Jiayu blinked. “Lao Yuan, you’re so sneaky.”

Lao Yuan nearly choked on Du Yunfei’s slap. Raising his hands in surrender, he said, “I just wanted to give you a surprise! Think about how shocked I was when I first found out—it’s just like you now. They were high school classmates, in the same class, and even desk mates...”

Du Yunfei stared blankly. “Desk mates???”

Lao Yuan nodded. “Yes, desk mates.”

Jiang Lu picked up his phone, which was now flooded with comments. He looked at his two teammates. “Zhou Yan, are you full yet? Let’s get going.”

The teammates weakly protested, “But we’ve barely eaten halfway through! I’m still growing...”

Jiang Lu said, “Forget it. Let’s go.”

“Why the rush?” Lao Yuan asked.

Jiang Lu calmly replied, “I’m afraid my brother will come out and beat me up. I’m not that merciless—I can’t fight him.” Waving his hand, he said, “Let’s go.”

________________________________________

In the master bedroom, Zhu Xingyao sat on Jiang Tu’s gray bed, watching him open the wardrobe. His clothes weren’t numerous, occupying only half the closet, and the colors were monotonous—mostly black, white, and gray.

Furrowing his brows slightly, Jiang Tu pulled out a set of black sportswear and turned to look at her. In a low voice, he asked, “Will this work?”