As the driver, “March Never Snows” was already stunned.
In her impression, her young lady had always been elegant and generous, never one to bother with verbal sparring.
But what was happening right now?
Why was the young lady bickering with this big sister?
Hiss～
There must be something big going on here.
Come to think of it, this big sister looked kind of familiar.
She’d have to ask Sister Lingling about it when they got back; she’d definitely know something.
Chen Xiaoyan didn’t intervene between the two.
Nor was it appropriate for her to step in.
If she did, she’d have to take a side, and she didn’t want that.
Besides, it was just a bit of bickering—nothing serious.
What surprised her was that even Mu Qingxue could quarrel like this, and so smoothly at that.
“Ding ding” ×3
The Penguin notification had sounded several times already. Seeing that Chen Xiaoyan hadn’t replied, Liu Yue kept sending messages.
At first, she didn’t want to look, but she couldn’t hold out against the barrage.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she clicked in to check.
Liu Yue: Xiaoyan, why aren’t you saying anything? Was I too forward?
Liu Yue: Is it inconvenient to reply, or are you angry and don’t want to respond?
Liu Yue: Can you say something? Xiaoyan
Liu Yue: You said you wouldn’t get mad, now you’re going back on your word!!!
Liu Yue: Alright, alright, no more jokes. I only said I liked someone to fool my dad.
Liu Yue: I don’t have that kind of preference.
Chen Xiaoyan: Really?
Liu Yue: Now you’re willing to reply? I lied to you.
Chen Xiaoyan: What??
Chen Xiaoyan: Xiaoyue, that’s not right, how can you trick people?
Liu Yue: Right back at you. You said you wouldn’t get angry, but then you didn’t reply to my messages.
Chen Xiaoyan: I didn’t mean to ignore you, I was just shocked.
Liu Yue: Mm, that’s my fault, it was too sudden, wasn’t it?
Chen Xiaoyan: Not exactly…
Liu Yue: I don’t even know if I really like you, but I really do care.
Chen Xiaoyan: Xiaoyue, do you really like me?
Liu Yue: What do you think?
Chen Xiaoyan: I’m the one asking you! (Knock on the head)
Liu Yue: Can’t deny it, I do like you.
Chen Xiaoyan: Then if I were a boy, would you still like me?
Liu Yue: Wouldn’t that be even better? One boy, one girl, a perfect pair.
Chen Xiaoyan: I’m not joking.
Liu Yue: As long as you’re still Chen Xiaoyan, that’s enough.
Chen Xiaoyan: Even if I’m a boy?
Liu Yue: I really can’t answer that. Logically, I don’t swing that way, but I like the in-game you, so I feel conflicted.
Chen Xiaoyan: How about a little experiment? Imagine the me in the game with short hair and dressed as a guy. See if you feel any resistance or aversion.
Several minutes passed before Liu Yue finally replied.
Liu Yue: No.
That answer made Chen Xiaoyan burst with joy. If, even subconsciously, Liu Yue didn’t mind a “male-dressed” Chen Xiaoyan, it meant this girl wasn’t like Mu Qingxue and Chongchong.
At least not as seriously as them.
Liu Yue: But, Xiaoyan, what’s the point of this? The fact that you’re a girl can’t be changed.
Chen Xiaoyan: Well…
Chen Xiaoyan: Actually, I’ve always had a boy’s heart. I want to be a man just once. That’s my dream.
Liu Yue: Alright then, Brother Xiaoyan.
Brother Xiaoyan—each word struck her like a bolt of lightning, making her mind buzz.
Chen Xiaoyan’s breathing grew rapid, her eyes wide as she stared fixedly at the phone screen.
She almost wanted to burn a hole through the screen with her gaze.
Liu Yue: Brother Xiaoyan, has your dream come true?
Chen Xiaoyan: Xiaoyue, could you send a voice message and call me that? (Please)
Liu Yue: Hold on, I’m going to the restroom.
Chen Xiaoyan: (Sitting and waiting)
Chen Xiaoyan’s legs bounced restlessly, right hand clutching her dress, her excitement practically written all over her face.
Her odd reaction immediately drew the attention of Mu Qingxue and Chongchong.
The two exchanged glances, suddenly losing interest in their quarrel.
“Xiaoyan.” Mu Qingxue scooted over to her seat.
“Hmm?” Chen Xiaoyan looked up at her.
“Who are you chatting with?” Mu Qingxue asked, eyes drifting toward the phone.
Chen Xiaoyan immediately long-pressed the exit button and returned to the home screen, acting as if nothing had happened.
“No one.”
“Really?” Realizing she’d missed her chance, Mu Qingxue stopped asking.
There’d be no result anyway; pushing further would only be annoying.
After that, Mu Qingxue and Chongchong, with mutual understanding, stopped their bickering, and the car fell into silence.
“Ding.”
The Penguin notification sounded again.
Chen Xiaoyan froze, instinctively wanting to check Penguin, but remembered Mu Qingxue was eyeing her like a hawk.
Listening to a voice message now would be like self-destructing on the spot.
Mu Qingxue heard the notification too, but didn’t say a word or show any reaction.
Her right hand propped her head against the car window as she gazed outside.
She looked like she was taking in the scenery, but her eyes never left Chen Xiaoyan.
Something’s off.
She’s hiding something.
Thinking of Chen Xiaoyan’s reaction just now, and her hurried exit from Penguin, Mu Qingxue’s suspicions only deepened.
Who’s Xiaoyan chatting with?
Could it be Liu Yue?
Mu Qingxue’s first thought was her.
It couldn’t be helped—besides themselves, Liu Yue was the only woman closest to Xiaoyan in the whole game.
Hmph.
Mu Qingxue snorted silently, her expression turning ugly.
She thought Liu Yue wasn’t coming to the gathering because she was giving up, but hadn’t expected her to be pulling tricks behind their backs.
Cunning woman.
“Ding.”
The Penguin notification chimed again.
This time, Chen Xiaoyan decisively set her phone to silent mode.
Then, she opened Penguin again.
Liu Yue: [Voice message]
Liu Yue: Now Brother Xiaoyan’s dream has come true, hasn’t it?
Chen Xiaoyan: Thanks, Xiaoyue, for making my dream come true.
Liu Yue: So, any reward?
Chen Xiaoyan: I don’t have any rewards for you. How about this—I’m pretty good at cooking, you come to my place… or I go to yours, and I’ll whip up a feast to reward you, Xiaoyue. How’s that?
Liu Yue: Sounds good! It’s a deal, the sooner the better. How about tomorrow?
Chen Xiaoyan: No, let’s do it when I have some free time.
Liu Yue: That’s fine, just don’t go back on your word.
Chen Xiaoyan: My word is my bond.
Liu Yue: Hard to take back even with four horses.
Chen Xiaoyan: I’m almost there, let’s talk tonight.
Liu Yue: Okay.
Liu Yue: Also, Xiaoyan, do Mu Qingxue and Chongchong know?
Chen Xiaoyan: Know what?
Liu Yue: That your dream is to become a man.
Chen Xiaoyan: They don’t know. Don’t tell them, alright?
Liu Yue: Don’t worry, I won’t.
Liu Yue pressed her lips together in a smile. Only a fool would tell them. This was a secret just between her and Xiaoyan.
Mu Qingxue, Zhou Xiaochong.
This round, I’ve already won way too much against you.
She understood Mu Qingxue’s situation—there was no way they’d work out. After all, one had androphobia, the other’s dream was to become a man. How could that ever work?
As for Zhou Xiaochong, Liu Yue had already looked into her background.
Total yuri girl.
And her dream didn’t match, either.
So she was the most likely to win.
Though she wasn’t exactly into Xiaoyan’s male persona, it’s not like wearing men’s clothes made someone a man.
Chen Xiaoyan was still Chen Xiaoyan, nothing would change because of that.
Right, when she comes over, how should I entertain her to really impress her?
At the dinner table, Liu Yue stared at the spread of dishes before her, lost in thought.