My boyfriend, Nate, casually started complaining about a freshman girl he was "mentoring." "Lily is so clueless, she can't even make a PowerPoint." "Good thing I was there to help, or the poor girl would have cried her eyes out." "But honestly, she's kind of cute. Like a little lost kitten." After he finished, I mimicked his tone, casually bringing up my own day. "Really? We have a new freshman in my department this year too. Total klutz, trips over his own feet." "I just helped him to the campus clinic today, and he sent me ninety-nine roses." "So dumb, right? But he is way hotter than you." "By the way, babe, I have plans tonight. I won't be spending Valentine's Day with you." Chapter 1 Nate was so lost in his own world, he didn't reply for a long time. Only his buddy, Brad, sitting next to him, couldn't help but laugh. "Bro, your girl is gonna have a baby... with someone else." I ignored them, sipping my boba tea and typing away on my phone, occasionally letting out a shy giggle. Nate saw my expression and finally seemed to realize something was up. His face darkened, and he dragged me away from the table. Outside the restaurant, Nate, clearly in a bad mood, pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one. I was too busy replying to texts to pay him any attention, unconsciously muttering, "That's hilarious. You're so funny, freshman." Hearing this, Nate angrily threw his cigarette on the ground and snatched my phone. He glanced at my chat screen, shook his head disdainfully, his voice tinged with anger. "It's just a meme of a dead pig. What's so funny?" I quickly snatched it back, rolling my eyes. "It's hilarious, okay? Why are you so boring?" Then I looked him up and down with disgust. "What do you want to say? It's hot out here." "Hurry up, I have plans tonight." Nate was getting anxious but looked at me with confusion. "Plans tonight?" "Aren't we supposed to go see a movie? What plans?" I brushed him off nonchalantly. "Oh, I already saw that movie. Go find someone else to watch it with." "I'm going to pull an all-nighter gaming with someone else tonight. Way more fun than your movie." At that, Nate completely lost it, stomping his feet in impotent rage. "It's Valentine's Day! You're ditching your boyfriend to play games all night with someone else?" I responded flatly, acting innocent. "Yeah? Is that not allowed?" "If you're bored, go hang out with someone else too. I'm not stopping you." Just then, another message popped up on my phone. I couldn't help but burst out laughing again. I sent a voice reply: "That GIF is hilarious too. I love it." Then I walked back into the restaurant with my phone. Ignoring Nate, who was hopping mad behind me. Chapter 2 We were almost done eating when the "clueless freshman" Nate mentioned appeared at our usual spot—Chicken Kitchen. Nate spotted her immediately and excitedly introduced her to Brad. "Brad, that's the girl I was telling you about. Lily. Cute, right?" Brad looked up at me, suppressing a laugh. "Yeah, she's cute." "But I think you're pretty clueless too. And cute." He burst out laughing, accidentally spraying juice on Nate's face. "Sorry, sorry, bro. Couldn't help it. My bad, I'm clumsy. I'll drink to punish myself." He downed half a glass of juice in one go. Nate wiped the pulp off his face, then eagerly waved at Lily. "Hey! Fancy meeting you here." Lily blushed and nodded, shyly clutching her backpack as she walked to the counter. On the way, she almost tripped over nothing. Nate chuckled, finding it adorable. He whispered affectionately, "Dummy, your shoelace is untied." Then he walked over to her with a look of helpless indulgence. Brad told me to look up and stop playing on my phone, warning me my boyfriend was about to get stolen. I shrugged indifferently and looked over. Nate was squatting on the floor, tying Lily's shoelace into a perfect bow. When he stood up, he couldn't resist patting her head. "Why are you so silly? Didn't even know your shoe was untied." Lily stared at the ground, blushing. "Sorry, Nate. Made you worry." Nate sighed lovingly. "Alright, be good. Go order your food." He watched her get in line, reluctant to leave. Finally, unable to stand it, he grabbed her number ticket and stood in front of her. "Go sit down. I'll wait in line for you. Don't want you tripping and spilling your food." Lily made a playful face at him and sat down at a table behind him. I watched their little performance blankly. I felt absolutely nothing. Instead, the boy serving the food caught my attention. I watched him working diligently, feeling strangely satisfied. Brad, seeing I wasn't going over to tear them apart, was shocked. "Zoe, what's going on? You're not gonna cause a scene?" "Where's the Zoe who once fought the entire Law department?" I gave a vague "Huh?" and replied casually. "Those are past glories. Not worth mentioning." I continued to admire the busy boy. He filled Nate's bowl of Braised Chicken Rice entirely with potatoes. I finally burst out laughing. The boy scratched his head awkwardly in my direction and gave a goofy smile. I silently gave him a thumbs up. Good job. Soon, I got a text. "Zoe, does anyone really love potatoes that much? No meat at all? Weird." I replied calmly. "What's weird about it? I love meat. Hate veggies." The boy blushed slightly. Another text came in. "I... I like meat too." I smiled and typed. "Don't forget your ID tonight." He replied instantly. "Okay. I'll bring extra boxes of that too." I was just about to say I prefer strawberry flavor when my phone was snatched away. I looked up to meet Nate's gaze. He was scrolling through my chat history. I wasn't scared. I let him read. And watched him crumble. His face went pale. "You've only added him for two weeks, and you've talked this much?" "Wait, why are you telling him everything? Even an ant carrying away your dropped ice cream is flirty conversation?" "I can't believe this. You told him about that? I was just a little quick that one time! I last a long time usually!" "Ha, I get it. Eighty percent of your chat is about me." "You're just using him to make me jealous, right?" He started trying to convince himself. Then, as if he'd figured it all out, he looked at me smugly. "Hmph, and what's this about IDs and bringing extra boxes? You're just going to an internet cafe to game, right?" "You girls and your little tricks. Naughty." "Lily is different. She's too innocent. She definitely doesn't scheme like you." I widened my eyes innocently. "No, you misunderstood. We're not gaming. We're getting a room." Seeing his disbelief, like he wanted to debate me for another few rounds... I didn't have the patience. I yawned and brushed him off. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. You guessed it." "Your Lily is innocent, everyone else is scheming. Happy now?" "Give me my phone. I need to go home and shower first." Nate laughed angrily and threw my phone on the table. "You're serious?" I gave him a meaningful look, then stared calmly at him as he teetered on the edge of a breakdown. Nate sensed I wasn't joking. He couldn't accept this shift. After all, I once fought the entire Law department to chase him. Tore up hundreds of love letters. Broke my nails multiple times. Someone who loved him that deeply couldn't just suddenly start flirting with someone else. To him, this was fantasy. But I can only say, it didn't happen suddenly. If he hadn't hurt me first... I wouldn't be treating him this way. Chapter 3 They say a woman's love makes a man forget to look in the mirror. It's true. I spoiled him too much. Too many girls were lining up to take my place, boosting his ego. So he grew colder towards me. Started flirting with every new girl he met. Lily wasn't the first girl he talked about in front of me. Before her, there was Jen from Dance, and Courtney from Sports Medicine. He always did this. Never did anything big enough to make me hate him and leave completely. But he couldn't stop flirting to prove his charm. I was exhausted. Tired, disgusted, and conflicted about whether to end it. I put so much effort into chasing him. Ending it felt like losing. During that time of hesitation, Xander appeared. He's the nephew of the Chicken Kitchen owner. I used to see him doing homework in the shop back in high school. When he wasn't in class, he helped out. He just happened to get into my department this year, so I recognized him immediately. One night, I went down for dinner late and ran into him alone in the shop. He gave me extra chicken leg meat. It tasted better than usual. Turns out, it was his secret recipe. To eat his cooking again, we exchanged WeChats. Sometimes he'd deliver to my door. Sometimes I'd go down when he was free. We got close. Initially, I was in it for the food. But then I realized he was funny. And we were fated. Every time Nate bailed on me, Xander appeared nearby. So for the last two weeks... The movies, escape rooms, claw machines, and music festivals I was supposed to go to with Nate... Xander filled in. As for what Nate was doing? Brad told me. This summer, Nate and Lily got a part-time job. Ten dollars a day. Working from 8 AM to 10 PM. Just making PowerPoints for a project. When I heard the wage, I was speechless. Everyone knows Nate is a trust fund kid. Does he need ten bucks? That doesn't even cover his socks. He just wanted to flirt with the freshman. Giving me crap about "work-study" and "experiencing life." But this time, I didn't make a scene. Because of Xander, I felt less angry. Every time Nate was slaving away with Lily for ten bucks... I was out having fun with Xander, losing track of time. I know I'm not exactly a saint right now. Stringing two guys along. But you reap what you sow. Xander was willing to be flirted with. And I was willing to take the heat. Life is short. Screw it. Today, I'm ditching my boyfriend to go to a hotel with Xander. Who wouldn't want to share a bed with a guy who's 6'3", has an eight-pack, a voice like velvet, and a soft personality? He paints. He cooks. And most importantly... he looks like my celebrity crush. Basically, I'm sleeping with my idol. Chapter 4 Nate read my chat history with Xander over and over, right in front of me. He remained convinced I was just doing it to make him jealous. I was too lazy to explain. Seeing Xander's shift end, I grabbed my phone and left. But when I was dressed up, perfume on, heading downstairs... Nate was waiting outside my building. "Zoe, I know I've been close with some girls, but I never crossed the line." "If you leave today, that's cheating. You'll be blasted on the campus confession wall. In the old days, you'd be shunned." He grabbed my wrist, trying to preach repentance. But all I could think about was my 6'3" crush. Is he packing? I didn't have the energy for Nate. I cut him off fast. "Okay, you're right, I'm wrong, I'm sorry." "Post me on the confession wall if you want. Just make sure to use the photo from my trip to LA in April. Not that ugly candid you took by the river." "If you don't know which one, text me. I can take a new one for you." "But I have an urgent matter right now. No time to chat. I'll apologize properly tomorrow, okay?" I tried to hail a cab. Nate blocked me again, looking furious. "It's Valentine's Day! What 'urgent matter' do you have with another man?" "Who are you trying to fool?" Then he pulled his ultimate move. Crossed his arms, looked away, pouting like a wronged housewife. "If you dare leave today, we're breaking up." I clicked my tongue, expressionless. Then I hopped into a taxi. "Driver, Holiday Inn. Fast, please."
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