Chapter 23: What If Xu Ke Likes You?

As Tang Yu had anticipated, her appearance in the cafeteria alongside Qin Luo—both as a campus celebrity and as his dining companion—quickly drew the attention of everyone around them.

The students were stunned, their slack-jawed expressions even more exaggerated than when they had seen Qin Luo with Yao Yanyan the day before. Because of Yao Yanyan’s controversial reputation, people were surprised to see her with Qin Luo, but it was somewhat understandable, perhaps even expected.

Tang Yu, however, was different. She was the golden girl of the campus, the object of countless students' admiration, and highly praised even by the school administration. She was, for all intents and purposes, a flawless woman. That someone like her would actually be seen eating with Qin Luo was truly bewildering.

"I must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed; I saw Qin Luo and Tang Yu eating together. I’m going back to sleep."

"Don't bother, man. I’m afraid if you wake up again, he’ll have already moved on to someone else."

"Seriously, what is going on? Yao Yanyan I could understand, but how did he hook up with Tang Yu?"

"Hey! 'Hook up' is such a vulgar term! That’s Goddess Tang Yu we’re talking about. How could she possibly have some secret, sordid affair with Qin Luo?"

"I don’t want to hear it. I just can’t stand that guy. I thought he was a real man for finally waking up and stopping his pathetic pursuit of Xu Ke, but looking at him now, he’s clearly just a scumbag. Pfft!"

"Doesn't it feel like he’s been acting like a wild man ever since he stopped chasing Xu Ke? First Yao Yanyan, now Tang Yu... Holy crap, he isn’t actually trying to collect all the goddesses, is he?"

"They’re just having a meal. Maybe they have actual business to discuss. Stop being so cynical. Just eat your food."

"I get that, but why are you sharpening your knife while staring at him?"

"It’s nothing. I just suddenly felt like chopping something. Don’t mind me."

...

Modern university students are mostly a bored lot, always looking for a bit of entertainment in their mundane lives, so one could hardly blame them for indulging in such gossip. Tang Yu was well aware of this and understood their reactions, so she didn't pay much mind to the hushed whispers around them.

She merely picked at her hearty meal—Qin Luo had shown no mercy, truly making her foot the bill for the most expensive dishes in the cafeteria. While the student canteen didn't exactly serve luxury food, the spread had still cost Tang Yu over two hundred yuan, though that was a pittance to her.

"I don't know if it’s the 'beauty effect,' but how come your portion of braised pork is so much bigger than mine?" Qin Luo asked, picking up a piece of meat. Usually, sixteen yuan only bought him eight pieces, but with Tang Yu paying, he had received six extra pieces for the same price! It was unfair, absolutely unfair. The world was filled with oppression against men; would this society ever change? When would men truly be able to stand tall?

He feigned indignation, and seeing his exaggerated act, Tang Yu felt a bit less stifled. She hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Thank you for today."

Qin Luo waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, come on, we’re friends. Why thank me? Besides, you’re treating me to a meal, so don't worry about it."

Tang Yu shook her head, her gaze fixed on him. "A single meal hardly balances out the favor you owe Teacher Shen Fang, does it?"

However, to her disappointment, Qin Luo showed no significant reaction, as if helping her had been a trivial matter and he didn't feel indebted at all.

"It’s just writing a song for her; it’s no trouble," Qin Luo said. "If you feel one meal isn't enough, I’ll just have to fleece you a few more times. Since you're a wealthy young lady, I might as well take advantage of it."

"A song? You agreed to write her a song?" This caught Tang Yu off guard, so much so that she didn't even register the "wealthy young lady" remark.

"Yeah," Qin Luo replied casually. "I invited her to perform at our school anniversary. Aside from the appearance fee the school is paying her, I’m writing her an original song as a personal gesture. She seems to really like my music."

Tang Yu pursed her lips, watching him silently, her expression growing increasingly complex. Qin Luo made it sound easy, but she knew he had incurred a massive favor.

"Just a song?" It sounded simple, but how many people with musical dreams had been defeated by that very challenge? Based on "You Are the April of This World," Tang Yu was certain of his talent, but talent had its limits. Furthermore, Shen Fang was a veteran powerhouse vocalist; how long would it take to write a song that could satisfy her? And considering "April" was inspired by his pursuit of Xu Ke, what could he possibly write now that he had moved on?

Her thoughts were in turmoil. She hadn't expected him to pay such a price. While not unacceptable, she knew their relationship was nowhere near the point that warranted such a sacrifice. If they were close friends, she could accept it and repay him later, but they had only had their first formal interaction today. Yet, he was willing to owe such a debt for her sake.

Tang Yu sighed, her complicated emotions coalescing into a deep sense of guilt. "I’m sorry," she said, looking him straight in the eye. "I didn't realize you would owe such a big favor on my account. If you need anything in the future, just ask. I will do everything in my power to help you."

"It’s just a song. It’s no big deal to me. You really don't have to be so serious." Qin Luo was amused by her sudden solemnity. After all, he was a man with a cheat code; his "Classic Music Library" contained countless songs as good as, or even better than, "April." He could just pull one out to satisfy Shen Fang—it wasn't as dramatic as Tang Yu imagined.

Of course, Tang Yu didn't know that, so she assumed he was just downplaying it to make her feel better. "I know you are very talented, and perhaps you can write a song for Teacher Shen Fang quickly, but your sacrifice for me is real, and I will keep that in mind."

"Alright, if that makes you happy." Seeing her so earnest, Qin Luo decided not to explain, finding the situation quite amusing. Preferring the lively, occasionally embarrassed Tang Yu over this stiff version, he teased, "Can we skip that question now?"

"Oh..." Tang Yu seemed surprised he had brought it up again. It was only then she remembered she still had serious business to ask him. She opened her mouth to speak, but finally sighed. "You’ve done me such a huge favor. Since you don't want to answer, I won't press you, but..."

"But what?"

"But I’m curious. Is this question really that hard to answer? You told Yao Yanyan; why can't you tell me? Or is it that you never said that to her, and she just lied to provoke Xu Ke?"

Facing her questions, Qin Luo pondered for two seconds before saying, "Yao Yanyan didn't lie. I did say that."

*So, you really don't like Xu Ke anymore...*

Tang Yu pursed her lips, unable to stop herself from asking, "Then, what if I told you that Xu Ke likes you?"

As soon as the words left her lips, Tang Yu regretted them and lowered her head. To be honest, she no longer wanted to see Qin Luo and Xu Ke together. Looking back at their relationship, she had always been an outsider. She could see Qin Luo’s devotion and Xu Ke’s indifference. Xu Ke never responded to his affection yet accepted his kindness as a matter of course—something Tang Yu detested, leading her to advise Xu Ke many times.

Because of that, when Qin Luo stopped pursuing Xu Ke, Tang Yu had felt a flicker of admiration, thinking he had finally woken up. But Xu Ke’s subsequent reactions had shifted her perspective again. From a woman's point of view, she felt Xu Ke must like him, but her way of thinking was different from normal people, making things complicated. With Yao Yanyan now in the picture, it caused a rift between roommates that Tang Yu could no longer ignore.

She felt she needed to intervene. If Qin Luo still liked Xu Ke, she would try to bring them together. If he didn't, she would tell Xu Ke the truth and stop coddling her, forcing her to face reality. As for why she regretted asking, and why she no longer wanted them together? Simple: she felt Xu Ke didn't deserve him.

Her thoughts swirled until she finally heard his answer.

"I don't know why you think Xu Ke likes me, and I don't want to know. My answer remains the same... I don't like her anymore."

Tang Yu looked up, meeting his seemingly calm, smiling face. For some reason, she felt a sudden sense of relief.