chapter 6

Lu Xinyu was the one driving this time.

It wasn’t until we reached the tennis court that we both realized I was wearing a dress and shoes that weren’t suitable for sports.

Just then, a surprised female voice called out from nearby, “Xin Yu!”

Lin Shanshan ran over cheerfully. “Didn’t you say you had something to do and couldn’t make it? Why are you here after all?”

Lu Xinyu looked surprised as well. “Weren’t you guys supposed to be here in the morning…?”

“Oh, Da Shuai had a last-minute meeting, so we were delayed until now.”

Not far away were Yao Shuai and Zhang Chen, two more of our former classmates.

So, the group of us headed to the lounge and sat around a table.

“Come on, let’s go get some drinks for the ladies,” Yao Shuai said, patting Lu Xinyu and Zhang Chen on the shoulder.

“I’m coming too!” Lin Shanshan followed immediately.

That left only me and Yao Shuai’s wife, Xu Yao, at the table.

I wasn’t familiar with Xu Yao, but as she watched Lin Shanshan walk away, she suddenly let out a cold snort.

“Actually, I sprained my ankle today and can’t exercise, but do you know why I came anyway?” she asked, turning to me.

“Coincidentally, Lin Shanshan and I were college classmates, while she was in high school with you guys. You might not have seen it, but I saw what she was like in college.

“She changed boyfriends every semester and never knew how to keep her distance from men who were already taken. Just like now-she uses the ‘classmate’ excuse to get our Old Yao to play tennis with her whenever she feels like it.

“‘Da Shuai, Da Shuai’-she calls him that so affectionately.

“But men are pathetic; they lose their heads the moment someone clings to them. Besides, Lin Shanshan is a pro at this. If I didn’t tag along, I wouldn’t even know if someone was trying to steal my husband right from under me.”

She looked at me. “So, don’t trust men too much. Men fall for women like Lin Shanshan who have ‘methods.’ Keep your guard up, okay?”

I realized she must have misunderstood my relationship with Lu Xinyu and was trying to warn me.

“Actually, the two of us aren’t…”

“Huh?” She looked quite surprised. “You’re still single?”

She leaned in with interest. “What kind of guy are you looking for? My company has quite a few male actors. Do you want me to introduce you to someone?”

I smiled and shook my head. “No, thank you. The entertainment industry is too complicated. I prefer a simpler life.”

Several glasses of juice were placed on the table.

“What are you guys chatting about?” Yao Shuai asked with a grin as the group sat down.

“Oh, my arms are so sore from carrying the drinks,” Lin Shanshan complained in a coy voice.

Xu Yao glanced at her sideways. “Just talking about how we spend our weekends.”

“Weekends?” Lin Shanshan chimed in immediately. “I think weekends have to be sophisticated. I usually start with breakfast at the cafe downstairs, do some yoga, have Western food with friends, and play some Texas Hold’em in the evening…”

She suddenly turned to me. “Xiao Shan, do you know how to play Texas Hold’em? I doubt you’ve had much contact with it, but everyone in our circle knows how to play.”

“She does,” Lu Xinyu said without looking up. “She even worked part-time as a coach for a Texas Hold’em decision-making course in college.”

Everyone was stunned, including me.

Yao Shuai turned to him. “How do you know that? Were you guys in touch during college?”

Lu Xinyu paused for a moment, then looked at me. “Wasn’t it on your Moments? I saw it there.”

I hadn’t set any time limits on my WeChat Moments. When I was doing part-time jobs a few years ago, I had indeed posted photos from the events.

So, he saw them last night?

“By the way, I know a hidden gem of a Western restaurant. The coffee is amazing! Let’s all get together for breakfast next weekend!” Lin Shanshan added.

“I won’t be going,” I said with a smile. “I’m not really used to drinking coffee.”

“Huh? You don’t drink coffee? Then what do you like to eat for breakfast?”

I thought about it. “Savory tofu pudding and fried dough sticks?”

“Oh my,” Lin Shanshan said, looking shocked. “You still eat that? The flavor is so heavy, and it’s not healthy at all.”

“Shanshan has a sophisticated stomach,” Yao Shuai laughed. “Since you love Western food so much and Xin Yu just came back from the States, you two are in the same circle. Why don’t you just start a CP?”

Lin Shanshan said, “Well, it’s not like I’d mind…”

“I never do CPs.”

Lu Xinyu set his glass down with a sharp clink.

“Besides,” he said with a polite smile, “I also love savory tofu pudding and fried dough sticks for breakfast.”

Silence fell over the table, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.

“Pfft,” Xu Yao suddenly burst out laughing.

Meanwhile, Yao Shuai let out a few forced laughs.

“Alright, enough chatting. Let’s go, let’s go, time to play.”