Chu Lulin: '…'
Jian Ran found it hilarious. Zheng Hui was truly amusing—sincere in her praise, but the one being praised couldn't laugh.
'Is that any way to compliment someone? What guy likes being called pretty as a flower?' Jiang Ming said.
'Why not…'
Zheng Hui and Jiang Ming walked ahead, bantering back and forth.
Jian Ran tugged at Chu Lulin's shirt hem. He turned to look.
She stared at his face, feigning seriousness for a moment, then whispered teasingly, 'Mmm, indeed as pretty as a flower.'
Chu Lulin looked resigned.
The hot spring resort was surrounded by mountains. It was deep autumn, and red leaves covered the hills—perfect for sightseeing.
After lunch, everyone split into groups, hiking and admiring the maple leaves.
Through the afternoon's observations, Zheng Hui reached a crucial conclusion:
Chu Lulin's 'well-behaved' side seemed to be exclusive to Jian Ran.
After all, she had known him for a long time, but he had smiled more in one afternoon with Jian Ran than in all their years of acquaintance.
Anyone watching would think he was a cheerful person.
That evening, there was an outdoor roasted whole lamb.
Back at the resort, everyone took a short rest, but soon the group chat urged them to come out.
Jiang Ming went to Chu Lulin's room to fetch him and found him in front of the bathroom mirror… applying lip balm.
His eyes widened. 'Whoa! Since when do you use that stuff?'
Chu Lulin glanced at him in the mirror. 'The weather's too dry. My lips are peeling.'
Jiang Ming shrugged indifferently. 'So what if they peel?'
He was a rough guy—who cared about such things?
Chu Lulin looked at his lips, now glossy again, satisfied, and put the balm in his pocket. 'You wouldn't understand.'
Jiang Ming was puzzled. Understand what?
But before he could ask, Chu Lulin was already at the door. 'Are you coming or not?'
'Coming!'
Jiang Ming had hiked all afternoon and his lunch was long gone. He was starving, so he forgot all about 'understanding'. His mind was full of the delicious roasted lamb.
'Can't you walk faster? I saw in the group chat that Hu Wei's already eating,' Jiang Ming urged impatiently.
Chu Lulin ignored him and kept his own pace.
Seeing his unhurried attitude, Jiang Ming grew anxious. Then a lightbulb went off. 'I think Ran Jie's already here. Sure you don't want to hurry?'
Sure enough, Chu Lulin's pace quickened noticeably.
Jiang Ming grinned. He had finally found the guy's weakness.
The night open-air lawn was bathed in warm yellow bulbs and the sparks from the barbecue grills, creating patches of light.
When Chu Lulin and Jiang Ming arrived, Jian Ran was busy with some girls at the grill, cooking their own barbecue.
Nearby, a group of guys surrounded the chef roasting the whole lamb, each holding a plate, eagerly waiting in line.
With a whoop, Jiang Ming dove into the line for the lamb, while Chu Lulin went to Jian Ran's side.
'When did you get here? Why didn't you call me?'
Jian Ran smiled. 'Not long ago. The group chat said the lamb was done.'
Zheng Hui couldn't resist after seeing the photo of the roasted lamb. She dragged Jian Ran over in a hurry.
'Don't worry. I'm not a child; I can take care of myself. Since you finally get to have some fun, spend time with your classmates. Don't worry about me.'
Jian Ran had noticed that Chu Lulin had barely interacted with his classmates all afternoon because he was looking after her.
After all, this was a team-building activity for him and his lab mates. He couldn't just stick with her the whole time.
Chu Lulin didn't respond, just took the skewer that was starting to burn. 'Let me do it.'
Once the skewers were in his hands, they seemed to transform, soon emitting a delicious aroma.
'What else do you want to eat?' Chu Lulin placed the cooked skewers on the plate in front of Jian Ran.
Jian Ran thought for a moment. 'How about some veggies?'
'And those slices of steamed bun too,' Zheng Hui added.
Chu Lulin hummed lightly, but instead of grilling immediately, he went to grab a stool and placed it beside Jian Ran. 'Eat first. They're best fresh off the grill.'
Jian Ran said 'okay' without standing on ceremony. She picked up a golden crispy chicken wing and bit into it.
The girls who had been barbecuing with her earlier had moved to a nearby griddle.
Everyone was grilling fine, but suddenly the paper on the griddle caught fire, flames shooting up. The girls screamed.
Jian Ran shot up, about to help, but Chu Lulin stopped her. 'Don't move. I'll handle it.'
He casually set down the skewer, walked over quickly, and calmly removed the burning paper to put out the fire while the girls panicked.
He remained composed and orderly throughout.
Jian Ran followed, worried, but relaxed when she saw everything was under control.
Chu Lulin took the griddle aside. Jian Ran went to check on the girls.
After all, that scene had been pretty scary.
But just as she stepped behind them, she heard one girl looking at Chu Lulin's retreating back and sighing, 'Wow! Handsomeness is truly a feeling!'
Another agreed. 'A man who stays calm in a crisis is the most attractive.'
'Exactly! Not only is he handsome, but he's also charming. No wonder he's the guy every girl at A University wants to date…'
They were in full swing when they turned around and saw Jian Ran. They looked a bit embarrassed.
Jian Ran didn't mind. Who doesn't chat about handsome guys behind their backs? It was normal.
But for some reason, hearing others praise Chu Lulin made her inexplicably proud.
Probably because it validated her choice as a benefactor.
That episode passed quickly, and the lawn became lively again. Everyone grouped up, eating and drinking.
Zheng Hui got Jian Ran a huge plate of lamb leg meat—tender and juicy. Jian Ran devoured it happily.
Afraid she might get overheated, Chu Lulin specially asked the staff for a large cup of herbal tea, even sharing one with Zheng Hui.
Zheng Hui, won over by the tea, kicked Jiang Ming and said, 'See how considerate Junior Chu is? Learn from him.'
Jiang Ming rolled his eyes. Of course, he had to be attentive when chasing someone. What was he supposed to learn? Chase Jian Ran too?
He wasn't tired of living!
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, someone suggested a game. No one objected—afternoon had been free time, so they needed to gather in the evening.
They all sat around a low, long table and played 'I Have Never' (a drinking game).