Huang Fei grinned foolishly at Shen Mengjie in her swimsuit and said, "Not just two meals—I’d treat you to ten if you wanted."
Shen Mengjie glanced at him. "You look ridiculous. Go help Long Aotian get used to the water first. Wouldn’t want him to actually choke and embarrass himself."
With that, she dove into the pool. Her delicate fingers skimmed the water’s surface, sending ripples outward. Her slender waist swayed gently in the water, her flawless curves radiating an irresistible allure that made Huang Fei’s heart sway along with her.
A sharp slap landed on his shoulder. "Still staring? Hurry up and teach me already! If I choke, the three of you will go down in history as the biggest failures!"
The training session continued until it finally ended.
Shen Mengjie stretched gracefully, water droplets rolling down her long, elegant frame like a living work of art—a picture of serenity. But the moment she turned and saw the four guys splashing around wildly in the pool, she rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Hey, you four! Stop fooling around. Get changed and wait for me outside."
At her call, the four in the pool immediately swam toward the edge. Huang Fei and the other two swam, while Long Aotian waded step by step.
"Got it. We’ll wait outside—no rush. Dry your hair properly; it’s cold out there," Huang Fei said, looking up at Shen Mengjie with concern as he reached the pool’s edge.
Huang Fei was more than satisfied with this progress and felt confident that, given time, he could win her over.
"Where are your eyes wandering now?" Shen Mengjie shot him a reproachful look before crossing her long legs. For origınal chapters go to novel※fire.net
Triggered by some innate male reflex, Huang Fei just chuckled awkwardly. "So, what do you feel like eating later?"
"Hot pot. This weather’s perfect for it."
Glancing back at the approaching trio, he urged Shen Mengjie to go change first.
She huffed at him. "I’m in a swimsuit, you know." Wrapping a towel around herself, she headed to the changing room.
Huang Fei just kept grinning at her retreating figure, more convinced than ever that she was worth it—her stunning face, her fiery figure, she was practically his dream girl.
Long Aotian and the other two exchanged glances at Huang Fei’s lecherous expression. Moving in sync, they surrounded him and, ignoring his pleas for mercy, tossed him back into the pool.
Emerging from the water, Huang Fei shouted after their retreating backs, "Hot pot! We’re having hot pot for lunch!"
The three didn’t even look back.
"I’ve finished writing the ‘Confession Chapter’ of my ‘Ten Core Theories of Romance’!"
Three splashes sounded instantly as all three jumped back into the pool, then hauled Huang Fei out.
"Smart move. You’ve hit the jackpot by fishing me out today."
Huang Fei was practically glowing with pride. "I’ve studied countless confession experiences and condensed them into two words. I’ll show you later—consider it an education!"
In the changing room, Long Aotian and the other two stared at the two words in Huang Fei’s phone memo—[Sincerity]—and frowned deeply.
"Seriously? Just two words? You’re a real piece of work."
"My fist is itching."
"It’s been a while since I’ve felt homicidal, Huang Fei. You’re the first in a long time."
Meanwhile, Huang Fei, already fully dressed, was sneaking toward the exit. "Gonna go reserve a table for hot pot. Be right back."
Long Aotian scrambled to put his clothes on. "Wait up! There’s something we need to discuss."
"Yeah, hold on! We’ll be quick!" Xu Shuai and Li Longlong frantically dressed as well.
Seeing this, Huang Fei bolted without even grabbing his phone. As a track-and-field athlete, he easily outran the three, leaving them panting in his wake.
Laughing triumphantly at their exhausted state, Huang Fei reveled in the simple joys of male camaraderie.
"What are you guys doing?" Shen Mengjie asked, watching the four of them bent over, catching their breath.
Huang Fei turned to her, about to explain they were just messing around—
Then three whooshes of air rushed past him. Realizing what was coming, his smile faded as he slowly turned to face the three now encircling him. "Can I get a second chance?"
"Too late. We gave you a chance, but after seeing those two words, nothing you say matters now."
This time, it was Long Aotian and the other two who were laughing victoriously.
Watching their antics, Shen Mengjie couldn’t help but smile.
Pulling out her phone, she texted Han Xiaojing and Wang Lijuan to meet at the school gate before walking over to the still-wrestling group. "Alright, enough fooling around. Let’s go—Xiaojing and Lijuan are already heading to the gate."
The three glared at Huang Fei. "Hot pot saved you this time."
"Here’s your phone." Long Aotian pulled Huang Fei’s phone from his pocket and handed it over.
Two tables pushed together, two steaming copper pots—this wasn’t their first group meal, so everyone knew the drill. No one held back.
Between bites, Huang Fei asked Long Aotian about the club project assignments.
Shen Mengjie glanced at Long Aotian, biting her chopstick lightly before smiling. "Just watch the screen, count down from three, and whistle when it hits zero. Don’t say I never helped you—this spot’s in high demand."
"Even if it’s just base points, it should be enough for you, right?"
"Thanks. Will this be... troublesome for you?" Long Aotian asked earnestly, knowing how much this meant to him.
Shen Mengjie swirled a slice of lamb in the broth, her gaze flickering toward him before she replied airily, "Not troublesome at all for me."
That infuriatingly playful tone—somehow both endearing and maddening.
"Since I couldn’t help you last time, consider this an apology."
"Wouldn’t want certain people holding grudges and tattling behind my back."
Long Aotian coughed awkwardly. After recent shifts in his domestic standing, he’d learned never to argue logic with women.
Because they wouldn’t bother with logic in the first place. If they had it out for you, twisting words was just the opener, reversing black and white was standard, and winning an argument even when wrong was the finishing move...
Especially someone like Shen Mengjie, whose sharp tongue left no room for rebuttal. Trying to reason with her would only end with him looking like the villain.
Huang Fei nudged Long Aotian with his shoulder. "What’s going on?"
"Nothing, just a small misunderstanding."
He felt like Shen Mengjie was his natural nemesis. Crossing a woman like her was terrifying.
Seeing Long Aotian flustered, Shen Mengjie was thoroughly pleased. Normally, she could never gain the upper hand against him—always one step behind. But now? Pure satisfaction...