"Feng Qingyi, buy me an umbrella!"
It was then that Feng Qingci looked at Feng Qingyi and tossed her the bag he had slung over his shoulder. "There are a few umbrellas inside. The three of you can share."
Before Feng Qingyi could feel touched, Feng Qingci suddenly added another sentence.
"An umbrella costs thirty yuan. There are three inside, so that's ninety yuan. Round it up and transfer me a hundred yuan.
"Preferably to my Alipay account. There are red envelope promos on Alipay recently."
Feng Qingyi didn't know whether to feel angry or amused.
Has he really fallen to the point of caring about the few cents in daily Alipay red envelopes?
"Alright, I got it."
Feng Qingyi took the umbrellas from the bag and distributed them to Shen Hanyue and Qu Jingqiu.
The three of them walked towards the canteen under their umbrellas.
Qu Jingqiu: "Qingyi, your brother seems to be having it rough. I'll transfer you the money later."
Shen Hanyue agreed, "I hope he's not short on food money because he's chasing after Xi!"
"Don't worry, that won't happen." She was amazed that he shamelessly flaunted spending Xi's money every day.
At Beijing University No. 3 Canteen.
Feng Qingci and Lou Xi sat across from each other, eating.
"Xi, are you free tomorrow? Let's go watch a movie together."
Facing the girl he liked, Feng Qingci felt a little nervous, even though they had been having meals and casual chats together recently.
But he didn't sense that she had much feeling for him, and he desperately hoped their relationship could progress.
"I'm free tomorrow afternoon. Just let me know once you've booked the tickets."
Originally, Lou Xi had no interest in dating.
However, when her parents subtly tried to set her up on blind dates when she went home, she refused.
And since she had a ready admirer nearby, she didn't want them to control her life, so she decided to give him a try.
If they spent some time together and she developed feelings for him, then it would solve a major life issue.
If not, she couldn't keep stringing him along, so she would clearly let him know.
So far, she was quite satisfied with him. Although he could be childish at times, he generally met her criteria for a partner.
Feng Qingci was excited that Lou Xi agreed to watch a movie with him.
He had expected her to refuse and was prepared for rejection, but the outcome was surprising.
"Okay, I'll contact you tomorrow."
...
On Sunday, Feng Qingyi was awakened promptly at 5 AM by her ringtone. She answered the phone, and Qin Yuchuan's voice came through.
"Qingyi, good morning. Time to get up."
"I don't want to get up. I want to sleep a bit more."
Feng Qingyi felt a bit dizzy and fatigued, not wanting to move.
Then, remembering it was Sunday and she didn't have classes, she decided to lie in bed a while longer.
Hearing her hoarse voice, Qin Yuchuan said, "Qingyi, are you feeling unwell?"
"No, just a bit dizzy. I'll lie down for a while longer."
Hearing her words, Qin Yuchuan became more worried.
"Qingyi, your voice sounds a bit hoarse. Get up and drink some water first."
"If you're not feeling well, you must see a doctor."
Feng Qingyi sat up. "I'm really fine. Don't worry about me."
"Your voice is like that, how can I not worry? It seems like you've caught a cold. Do you have any medicine at home?"
Qin Yuchuan felt restless, hating that he couldn't be by her side even when she was sick.
Feng Qingyi felt her forehead and noticed she had a slight fever.
"I think I have a minor cold. There's some cold medicine downstairs. I'll take some and lie down for a bit, and I should be fine."
Qin Yuchuan: "Then go take the medicine right away. If it doesn't work, go see a doctor. Did you hear me?"
"I heard you. Why are you so worried about me?"
Qin Yuchuan didn't answer Feng Qingyi's question.
"Didn't you say you could take care of yourself? Is this how you do it?"
"Stop talking now. Go take the medicine immediately."
Feng Qingyi muttered under her breath, "Why is he suddenly so fierce?"
Under Qin Yuchuan's supervision, Feng Qingyi boiled a pot of hot water and took some effective cold medicine, then returned to her room to lie down.
The phone call wasn't hung up, and Qin Yuchuan listened to the soft breathing coming from the phone, his worries easing slightly.
It had been a long time since he felt this emotion called fear. Ever since he stepped onto the battlefield, he had cast fear aside.
But in that split second earlier, he felt an unprecedented terror.
He was afraid of her disappearing from his life, even though he knew the medical standards were high where she lived.
A common cold wouldn't claim a life, but he was still afraid.
He even started to resent himself for not being able to stay by her side at this moment.
When did she enter his heart, making him yearn for her day and night?
It seemed like ever since the first time he saw her on the phone, she had firmly captured his gaze.
Only at that time, he wasn't aware of it, thinking it was just curiosity.
Those meals she cooked herself, their casual chats.
The sunsets they watched together, even her shadow became his most cherished memories.
Even though it was through a phone back then, even if it was just casual text chatting every day, he felt happy.
He became unsatisfied with the status quo, wanting to know more about her.
After realizing these feelings, he didn't want to let go.
He wasn't a good person, nor did he believe in fate or Buddha.
He only believed in himself, and he would obtain what he wanted through his own efforts, including her.
If the person by his side wasn't her, he didn't mind a lifetime of solitude.
But after seeing the remaining points balance in the Mysterious Shop, Qin Yuchuan felt a bit worried.
He had almost prepared her birthday gift, but he didn't know if he would be able to see her by then.
Looking at the sky outside, Qin Yuchuan headed to the kitchen.
She hadn't had breakfast yet, and would surely be hungry after waking up.
Plus, she was sick, so she could only eat light foods. He would cook her some porridge.
After the previous incident of Qin Yuchuan learning to make pastries, whenever he entered the kitchen again, everyone took it in stride.
The cooks readily made way for him, helping him prepare whatever he needed.
Cooking porridge wasn't new to him anymore. He had mastered it with ease and finesse.
"General, cooking this porridge will take some time. You may return and rest. There's no need for you to stand guard. We'll bring it to you once it's ready," said the cook.
"No need." He did not know when she would wake, so he preferred to keep watch here.
The cook felt somewhat helpless. His presence here was hindering the kitchen staff's work.
Previously, she had merely suggested politely that he leave, but it seemed subtle hints were ineffective at times.
"General, we need to prepare the noon meal. Perhaps you could wait outside the kitchen?"
