Chapter 17: Don’t Call Me Brother 1
Lu Ziyi cast a languid glance at Zhao Congrui, his gaze calm as he faced the anxious eyes.
In short, the food is made, do I still need to keep praising you?
Zhao Congrui was put in his place and mumbled, “This is so heartbreaking!”
Lu Ziyi asked with concern, “If you’re not in a good mood, eat less, otherwise it’ll be hard to digest.”
Zhao Congrui’s eyes widened, “If I’m in a bad mood, I’ll eat even more!” He lowered his head and gulped down the soup, as if he wanted to swallow the entire table of food in one go.
Lin Houchun didn’t mind and good-naturedly invited, “Junior student Xiaoxiao, please eat.”
Zhao Congrui seized the opportunity to say, “Junior student Xiaoxiao, eat more. As for those who dislike simple food, don’t let them eat it!”
“Thank you, seniors!” Ye Chuxiao said with a smile.
She found it very amusing that Lu Ziyi, Zhao Congrui, and Lin Houchun, these three seniors, were together. Only brothers with a strong bond would joke around so freely and unrestrainedly.
Lu Ziyi deliberately reached for the sweet and sour pork ribs in front of Zhao Congrui.
Zhao Congrui exclaimed, “Hey, didn’t you dislike it? Why are you taking so much?”
Lu Ziyi said with a profound expression, “Only someone as magnanimous as me wouldn’t hold it against you, otherwise no one would eat the food you make!”
Zhao Congrui was furious, “Ziyi, you’re getting more and more capable! Not only did you dislike my cooking, but you also praised yourself!”
Lin Houchun kindly reminded him, “Congrui, if you keep talking, the dishes will really be gone!”
Zhao Congrui looked down at the dining table and yelled indignantly, “You bad people!”
Everyone else, however, laughed.
Ye Chuxiao said sincerely, “Senior student Congrui, the food you made is delicious! Every dish is delicious!”
Zhao Congrui felt better, “Junior student Xiaoxiao is still honest and knows how to speak! Junior student Xiaoxiao, you can just call me Congrui from now on, no need to be polite. In any case, we’ll all be under Boss Lu’s exploitation from now on!”
Zhao Congrui deliberately glanced at Lu Ziyi.
Ye Chuxiao obediently said, “Brother Congrui.”
Lin Houchun immediately said with a chuckle, “Then I’ll be Brother Hou Chun!”
Zhao Congrui was displeased, “Xiaoxiao called me brother, why are you butting in?”
Lin Houchun said good-naturedly, “Aren’t we all the same!”
Zhao Congrui laughed heartily, “Then you also admit that Boss Lu exploits us? You said we’re all the same!”
Lin Houchun was stumped, and Zhao Congrui laughed even harder. Ye Chuxiao also smiled, finding it amusing.
However, Lu Ziyi let Zhao Congrui and Lin Houchun make a fuss as they pleased, but he didn’t say anything about Ye Chuxiao calling him brother.
After dinner, Ye Chuxiao tidied up the bowls and chopsticks and the kitchen. She said goodbye, having disturbed Lu Ziyi for the afternoon and freeloaded a meal. She worried about delaying Lu Ziyi’s work.
Lu Ziyi, however, said, “Xiaoxiao, I’ll walk back to school with you. I’d like to take a stroll on campus.”
Zhao Congrui immediately squeezed in, beaming, “Ziyi, Xiaoxiao, I’d also like to take a stroll on campus.”
Lu Ziyi looked at Lin Houchun, “Houchun, Congrui wants to take a stroll on campus, you accompany him!”
“Alright!” Lin Houchun chuckled and hugged Zhao Congrui.
Lu Ziyi and Ye Chuxiao left. The tall and thin Zhao Congrui was still struggling in Lin Houchun’s sturdy embrace.
Lin Houchun said honestly, “Congrui, Ziyi is experiencing his first love, don’t make trouble!”
Zhao Congrui gritted his teeth, “I just want to be a third wheel and watch his lovey-dovey display all the way! Who told him to bully me all the time!”
Lu Ziyi and Ye Chuxiao walked slowly along the tree-lined path on campus. As night fell, a gentle evening breeze made the air much more comfortable.
