Chapter 39: What exactly are you afraid of me for?

There was a brief silence over there, and after five seconds, Xia Rui asked, “Senior, are you unhappy? Did you cry?”

Liang Rou was stunned for a second. “Huh? How did you know?”

“Uh.”

Xia Rui was momentarily at a loss for words but then had a sudden idea and explained, “Oh, I heard your voice sounded really nasal. Did you cry? Or are you just catching a cold?”

Liang Rou sniffed twice.

Indeed, when you just finish crying, your nose is a bit blocked, and your voice carries that nasal sound.

Xia Rui was quite perceptive.

However, Liang Rou had no intention of accepting that concern.

“It’s just my rhinitis acting up, nothing serious. I didn’t cry. There’s nothing to be upset about, don’t worry,” Liang Rou said softly.

She was grateful for Xia Rui’s care, but she wasn’t comfortable sharing this kind of thing with others.

“Oh… okay.”

Xia Rui felt a bit down but didn’t press further.

“Do you need anything? Xia Rui, I’m about to eat now.”

Liang Rou glanced at her phone and saw the delivery guy getting closer.

Xia Rui sighed quietly, only talking briefly about some simple work issues with Liang Rou before quickly hanging up.

“Sigh, Senior still doesn’t want me to share the burden…” she muttered.

The next day.

Liang Rou woke up with swollen eyes, spent some time spacing out at the office, and only began working after planning which restaurant to order from to treat Wen Xiaoliang.

There was no way she would take Wen Xiaoliang to a street stall now.

She had money, and she couldn’t be like that naive kid who used to order a 15-yuan beef noodle soup by the roadside and share it bite by bite with Wen Xiaoliang.

Out of those fifteen yuan, thirteen were usually paid by Wen Xiaoliang.

Wen Xiaoliang… deserved something better.

Liang Rou originally wanted to book a fancy restaurant.

Whether it was guilt eating at her or just a simple desire to treat Wen Xiaoliang well, she wasn’t sure.

But after thinking about it, treating someone to a luxurious meal after only three meetings seemed suspicious.

So she settled on reserving a private room at a regular restaurant.

She absolutely could not order the dishes herself later; otherwise, Wen Xiaoliang would definitely notice something.

She sent the message to Wen Xiaoliang that morning. Wen Xiaoliang replied at noon with just two simple words:

［Wen Xiaoliang: Okay.］

No further words. Liang Rou’s heart settled back into her stomach, and she focused on work.

Since the project wasn’t finished yet, overtime was required that week.

On Saturday afternoon, Liang Rou finished work early and planned to visit Wen Xiaoliang at the restaurant.

“Senior, you’re in such a hurry today~”

Behind her, Xia Rui caught up and asked in a deliberately gossiping tone, “Did your girlfriend come to see you?”

Girlfriend?

Liang Rou’s heart skipped a beat. She thought of An Luxi. Wasn’t it a bit… problematic to secretly meet Wen Xiaoliang while having a girlfriend?

No, she had no reason to blame herself.

She was seeing Wen Xiaoliang just for a peaceful future, not for flirting or rekindling old flames.

Thinking that, Liang Rou’s mood brightened considerably.

“No, I’m going to see a friend. I’m treating my old friend to a meal—just being a good host.”

After giving a simple excuse, Liang Rou hopped onto her electric scooter.

Xia Rui’s smile froze when she saw Liang Rou wasn’t carrying the usual bag today.

Damn!

She cursed silently.

Now she wouldn’t get to hear her Senior’s soft and cute voice… Wuwu, having gotten used to hearing Liang Rou’s voice, she felt as if her heart was being clawed.

Liang Rou didn’t notice at all and rode off.

When she arrived at the restaurant entrance, she found Wen Xiaoliang already waiting there, though it was unclear how long she had been standing.

Liang Rou frowned and walked over.

“Yan… Sister Wen, you go inside first and wait. It’s so hot outside… There’s air conditioning inside.”

Wen Xiaoliang smiled and shook her head. “You know me well. I’m used to waiting for you outside, no matter how long it takes.”

Liang Rou’s body stiffened for a moment, then she looked at Wen Xiaoliang with an innocent yet confused expression.

“What… Are you sure you’re not confusing me with someone else? I didn’t know this, and I feel bad making you wait outside like this…”

Wen Xiaoliang nodded thoughtfully.

“Okay then, let’s just say I was mistaken. Let’s go in and eat~”

The two girls walked shoulder to shoulder into the restaurant and were led to the private room.

Wen Xiaoliang didn’t sit down immediately but looked at Liang Rou quietly, as if expecting her to choose a seat first, and then she would take hers.

But Liang Rou didn’t want to sit down first either.

She feared that if she chose the seat, Wen Xiaoliang might get too familiar and sit right next to her, which would be awkward… and easier for her to observe Liang Rou’s subtle movements and figure something out.

So the two women remained in this stalemate.

“Sister Wen, please sit first.”

Liang Rou chivalrously pulled out a chair.

Wen Xiaoliang, smiling warmly, simply placed her hand on the back of Liang Rou’s.

“No, you sit first. Otherwise, I’m afraid if I sit down, you’ll think I’m worried about sitting too far away from you, and that would make us too distant.”

Liang Rou: “…”

Did she really just say that so openly?

Helpless, Liang Rou sat down; continuing to hesitate would only reveal more.

Wen Xiaoliang naturally sat beside her, picked up a nearby menu, and handed it to Liang Rou.

“I haven’t been to this restaurant before. Since you’re treating me, you order. I don’t have any dietary restrictions, and I like everything, so just pick a few dishes.”

Huh?

No dietary restrictions? Likes everything?

Liang Rou was shocked by this statement.

When they were together, Wen Xiaoliang was notoriously picky.

Now she claimed she liked everything?

But she didn’t argue, only gently pushed the menu back in front of Wen Xiaoliang.

“You order then. Actually, I haven’t been here either. I just liked the name and made the reservation here. I don’t know what’s good either. And since I’m treating you, Sister Wen, you decide what you want…”

Their eyes met, and Liang Rou felt a sting in her eyes.

She desperately wanted to look away but was afraid Wen Xiaoliang would see through her nervousness, so she held her gaze.

“I have trouble deciding, so I usually just follow others when I eat out,” Wen Xiaoliang said.

“What a coincidence, me too. Every time I go out, I eat whatever others eat,” Liang Rou added.

Neither gave an inch, the tension between them sparking like flint against steel.

After a long moment, Wen Xiaoliang spoke softly:

“Liang Rou… what are you guarding against? What are you afraid of?”