Chapter 102: I Want to Talk to Him, Not You

  Cough—

  Xu Mo feigned a cough to remind Wei Rong to control himself. Though he himself had no real experience with girls, he had gained some insights from reading stories by well-known authors. He believed that those insights would work—at least up to a certain point—before the relationship would ultimately depend on the individuals involved. If the man broke character and the woman could not accept who he truly was beneath the mask he had used to attract her, then they had no future. The same applied to women. If she wore too much makeup to appear beautiful and, at night, when she washed her face, her complexion—once glowing like moonlight in the twilight—transformed into something like the bark of an old tree, then the man could only run to save his life.

  Xu Mo decided to do the one thing he had mastered—vanish.

  “Miss Mei.” Awakened by Xu Mo’s cough, Wei Rong adopted a more serious demeanor, a far cry from the usual flattering look he displayed in front of Mei Xueyin.

  “Wei Rong, not today. Please!” Mei Xueyin’s expression distorted as her brows furrowed, like she’d encountered something unpleasant. She instantly shut him down. Xu Mo almost couldn’t hold back his laughter upon seeing his friend—who was usually popular among the ladies—being treated so coldly by his crush.

  “Xu Mo!” Mei Xueyin called a name that instantly reduced the atmosphere to ashes. Wei Rong was shocked to hear the woman he liked calling another man's name. More than shock, he felt betrayed—especially because that name belonged to his friend.

  Xu Mo was a little surprised but didn’t allow the situation to spiral. He immediately threw a counter to calm the rising tides.

  “Yes, speak, sister-in-law.”

  Mei Xueyin couldn’t help but blush slightly at being addressed that way by Xu Mo. Meanwhile, flowers were blooming in Wei Rong’s heart. He immediately scolded the paranoid version of himself for imagining that his best friend would ever betray him. Xu Mo wasn’t like other people. That was precisely why Wei Rong had considered him a true friend in the first place.

  “What?! What sister-in-law? Don’t go around spreading nonsense,” Mei Xueyin snapped.

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

  Xu Mo swiftly changed the topic, “Sister Mei Xueyin, why were you looking for me?” He paused, glancing at Wei Rong before continuing, “When such a handsome man is standing beside you.”

  Mei Xueyin quickly caught on to what Xu Mo was up to—he was playing the matchmaker. Still, she had something she needed to say.

  “Xu Mo, listen to me first.” She lowered her voice, but before she could say more, Xu Mo cut in.

  “Sister, and Wei Rong, the Technique Hall is about to close. Why don’t we grab some tea at the teahouse and talk things over? We can also clear up any misunderstandings that might have piled up.”

  Mei Xueyin ignored the last part but nodded in agreement. The teahouse offered private rooms, and there, she could properly explain why she had come. Wei Rong also nodded, trying to appear calm, but couldn’t resist giving Xu Mo a discreet thumbs-up from beneath his long sleeves. His mouth twitched, struggling to contain his smirk. Fortunately, Mei Xueyin had turned around and was already walking toward the exit.

  Yes! Finally, I’ll get to have dinner with Mei Xueyin, Wei Rong thought inwardly. He didn’t mind Xu Mo tagging along since Xu Mo had actually created this opportunity for him.

  Xu Mo trailed behind as Wei Rong walked side by side with Mei Xueyin, maintaining a respectful three-foot distance as advised. Wei Rong lightly tapped Xu Mo on the back as he passed. Xu Mo smiled, letting him go ahead while choosing to walk alone instead. He didn’t want to be a third wheel. Thanks to the wide hallway and the late hour, no one paid attention to the three of them. Xu Mo kept at least a ten-foot distance behind them.

  Private Room, Teahouse

  They had booked a circular table with three seats, spaced evenly around it so that each person sat at an equal distance from the others.

  The ambiance inside the private room was calm and soothing, with lighting designed to cater to every diner’s aesthetic.

  “You can speak?!” Mei Xueyin finally voiced the biggest question that had been torturing her.

  “Yes.”

  “Then why did you pretend to be mute before? Was it just to get close to innocent girls and make them fall for you by making them feel sympathetic toward you?” Mei Xueyin couldn’t help but sound disappointed. She felt she had failed to see through a wolf in sheep’s clothing. For a moment, the atmosphere in the room turned cold and distant.

  Wei Rong caught a signal from Xu Mo and immediately stepped in to explain on his behalf. This was a rare chance for him to speak with Mei Xueyin without her ignoring or silencing him.

  He lowered his gaze, unable to maintain eye contact as Mei Xueyin stared at him, listening closely. She nodded from time to time. When certain points required confirmation from Xu Mo, he simply nodded in agreement. Throughout Wei Rong’s explanation, Xu Mo said nothing—he only nodded.

  “And that is why Xu Mo had to remain silent.” With that, Wei Rong finished his explanation.

  “Anyway, Sister Mei Xueyin, why were you looking for me?” Xu Mo reminded her gently, bringing the conversation back to the reason she had sought him out.