"Let's have dinner tonight."
Meng Ge: I'm busy tonight.
"Let's hang out this weekend."
Meng Ge: Already made plans with my bestie.
"Then I’ll just delete you."
"Auntie Wang introduced someone new to me."
Meng Ge: ???
After sending the messages, Li Ran tossed the phone back to Lu Zhaohui.
"This… this is it?"
Lu Zhaohui was dumbfounded. "Who chats like that? She’s definitely done with me now."
He picked up the phone to explain, but Li Ran immediately stopped him, firmly instructing, "From now on, pretend this phone doesn’t exist. Got it?"
"Is this really gonna work?"
"If you want to sleep with her, then you do what I say." Li Ran patted him on the shoulder. "Come on, let’s hit the supermarket."
"Mm."
The two arrived at Happiness Supermarket.
Li Ran pointed to a bottle of supplements on the shelf. "Buy this."
A glowing system prompt appeared above the bottle:
[Golden Stallion Oral Liquid: Even without desire, you will be unyielding and unstoppable. It will strengthen your kidneys.]
Lu Zhaohui spent 10 points to buy it, then asked in confusion, "What’s this for?"
"You need a strong waist, or you're going to die a horrible death." Li Ran grinned. "Anyway, make sure you drink it before you sleep with her. You hear me?"
"Got it, Brother Ran."
Then Li Ran had him buy a set of hidden wireless earbuds.
Just before noon, Li Ran suddenly said, "Let’s go to your place."
At Lu Zhaohui’s home, the place was fairly clean. It wasn’t pristine, but for a single guy, it wasn’t too bad. Behind the living room’s sliding curtains was a large balcony filled with lush green plants.
Li Ran stepped out onto the balcony and looked toward Building Six across the way. From here, you could clearly see the front entrance.
"You can turn your phone on now," Li Ran said, turning back.
"Okay."
Lu Zhaohui powered up FeiXin, and the moment the app opened, he froze.
Meng Ge had sent dozens of messages. She had even made three or four video calls.
"Huh?!"
"Why? Why are you being like this all of a sudden?"
"It’s not like I don’t want a relationship, it just felt like I had no breathing room."
"It’s not like I gave up on you!"
"Where are you? Say something!"
"Where are you now?"
"I’m free tonight. We can do dinner."
"I canceled my plans with my bestie this weekend too."
"Say something, please."
…
The endless stream of messages left Lu Zhaohui completely stunned.
He saw a woman frantically trying to hold on to something slipping through her fingers.
But what the hell happened? Just a while ago she barely paid him any attention, cold and distant.
And with just a few lines from Li Ran, she had a total change of heart?
For a brief moment, Lu Zhaohui felt like their roles had reversed—as if Meng Ge had become the desperate one.
"Brother Ran, what should I do now? Do I reply or not?" he asked.
Li Ran took the phone and typed, "I'm at home. Got other plans tonight."
Then Li Ran pointed at the door. "In five minutes, your Meng Ge will be knocking. I’ll hide on the balcony and guide you through the earpiece. Just do exactly as I say, and I guarantee you’ll win her over. Got it?"
"Y-yeah, got it."
Lu Zhaohui adjusted the earbuds in his ears. Luckily, his short, slightly messy hair perfectly covered them, hiding them from sight.
After confirming everything was working, Li Ran slipped out onto the balcony.
Knock knock knock!!
As expected, a rapid knock sounded at the door just minutes later.
"Don’t rush. Take your time opening the door. Don’t look at her when you do—just go back to packing like nothing happened," Li Ran instructed over the earpiece.
Lu Zhaohui nodded, picked up a backpack, stuffed a few clothes into it, then casually went to open the door.
Standing outside was a flustered girl.
She wore striking makeup and had sharp, defined features. Her expression carried that enticing mix of wanting to speak but holding back. Every little movement was captivating—especially those eyes. Just one glance could make your heart jolt.
But right now, those eyes were filled with worry and questions.
"Don’t look at her. Keep packing."
Lu Zhaohui's eyes flickered with hesitation, but just as he was about to say something, Li Ran's voice stopped him.
Seeing him silently packing after opening the door, Meng Ge walked in and snapped: "What’s the meaning of this? You playing me?"
"Sorry, I don’t have time to play. I’ve got another date to get to."
She was dumbstruck. Was this really the guy who was bending over backward for her just a few days ago?
Why was he acting like this all of a sudden?
Was she no longer attractive to him? Or was the new girl even prettier?
A wave of insecurity and desperation surged within her.
"Why are you doing this? I never said I was giving up on you."
Lu Zhaohui turned toward the balcony—nervous as hell—but spoke with forced annoyance, "If you’re not interested, just say it straight. Don’t act all wishy-washy like some old lady."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he wanted to die. Calling her an old lady?! If this blew up, Meng Ge might go ballistic.
One wrong move and his life could literally be in danger.
"Do you really want to date me?" Lu Zhaohui, "If you don't want to, just say no. Don't waste everyone's time.”
"Are you trying to force me? It’s not like I don’t like you… I just haven’t figured things out yet."
Lu Zhaohui, "I’m not forcing you. Take all the time you want."
"I don't believe it. Don't you like me anymore? I do like you, but…" Meng Ge bit her lip, hesitating to continue.
Lu Zhaohui slung his backpack over his shoulder. "Then let’s leave it at that."
He repeated exactly what Li Ran had told him. After saying it, his heart pounded—he’d never spoken like that to any girl before, let alone someone he liked.
He was terrified of losing her, but Li Ran's voice came calmly through the earpiece, "Relax. You’ve got this."
Meng Ge stared at the cold, indifferent boy in front of her, emotions churning wildly inside. No guy had ever spoken to her like this—not even the scummy ones she brought home before.
The reason she’d kept this one around was because he was kind, honest, and pure. She hadn’t met a good guy like him in ages.
But now, what the hell was going on? Did the good guy hit his head?
Was he really about to give up on her?
Are men nowadays this impatient? Or… had she done something wrong?
Was she really only worthy of those scummy men now? Couldn’t even hold on to a decent guy?
Then she noticed something—movement behind the curtains on the balcony.
She frowned. "Who’s out there?"
Lu Zhaohui’s heart sank. Crap. She saw?!
Li Ran’s voice came through calmly, "Don’t panic. She won’t find me."
Meng Ge pulled back the curtain and slid open the balcony door.
Out on the balcony, all she saw were the plants. No one was there.
But her eyes widened. "You can see my building from here!"
In that instant, everything clicked.
She understood why the boy’s attitude had suddenly shifted so dramatically.
"So… he saw everything…"
Since it was already exposed, there was no point pretending anymore.
Truth was, rumors had long spread around the neighborhood about a female demon living in Building Six who sucked the vitality out of men.
Meng Ge walked back into the living room, eyes gleaming coldly, lips curling into a faint, unreadable smile.
"So… you think I’m some female demon who drains men’s yang energy?"
(End of Chapter)