Caught in the Act

“Why are you asking about that?”

I lowered the menu in my hand and stole a glance at Xiao Xi across the table.

I definitely couldn’t tell her it had been Xiao Lu, or I’d have no way to explain why we were here alone.

“Hmph, can’t I even ask?”

Xiao Xi noticed my gaze and puffed out her cheeks in displeasure. She lifted her foot under the table and lightly kicked my calf.

(What’s she mad about this time?)

“I came here with Ling Yan, of course.”

I spoke calmly, keeping my hands steady and my eyes meeting Xiao Xi’s directly. After all, Xiao Xi didn’t know the truth, and since Ling Yan and I were in a relationship, it was the most logical explanation.

“I suppose so. You and Senior Ling Yan are a couple, so you must have come here together a long time ago.”

Xiao Xi turned her head away, pouting.

“I was thinking that if it had been some other girl, I’d have to tattle to Senior Ling Yan.”

Xiao Xi opened her cute little mouth but spoke terrifying words, making me inexplicably uneasy.

“Alright, let’s drop it. I’ve pretty much ordered. Junior Xiao Xi, do you want to add anything?”

I quickly changed the subject and handed the menu to her.

“No, this is enough.”

Xiao Xi took the menu, glanced at it, and shook her head.

It seemed that girls weren’t particularly interested in this kind of greasy food. Honestly, I had ordered very little—since she was treating me, ordering too much would have felt rude.

“Uncle Da, we’ll take this order.”

“Okay, have a seat. It’ll be ready soon.”

Uncle Da confirmed the order and immediately got to work. I quietly watched his bustling figure, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.

“By the way, Senior.”

“Hmm?”

I looked at Xiao Xi in confusion as she glanced around the small, run-down shop.

“Senior, do you come here often?”

Her question caught me off guard.

“No.”

I shook my head, feeling a twinge of irritation. It looked like I hadn’t let the past go after all. I had thought I’d stopped caring.

“But you’ve brought Senior Ling Yan here, right? Do you really not come often? Or did you only come that one time and never again?”

Xiao Xi stopped looking around and turned to me curiously.

“Ah, yeah.”

I was stunned by her rapid-fire questions and only snapped out of it after a long moment, nodding quickly.

(That was close. I almost slipped up.)

“Does Senior Ling Yan not like this place?”

Seeing that I just muttered a “yeah,” Xiao Xi frowned, probably thinking I was brushing her off, but she pressed on anyway.

This was so annoying. I really didn’t want to talk about this right now.

“Probably. I guess most girls aren’t into high-calorie stuff.”

I propped my chin on my hand and answered listlessly. The truth was, Xiao Xi suddenly bringing up this topic stirred memories I’d buried deep in my heart.

“When exactly did you and Senior Ling Yan come here?”

Xiao Xi followed up, interrogating me like a detective.

(Why are you asking for so many details? I’m not your boyfriend.)

I sighed, raised my eyebrows, and looked at Xiao Xi. Her eyes sparkled, as if she’d discovered a clue. My heart skipped a beat. Had she already seen through my lie?

It didn’t seem like it. Whatever, I’d just give her the date of when I had actually come here with Xiao Lu.

Just as I opened my mouth to tell Xiao Xi the time, the door swung open. I instinctively turned around.

Standing at the doorway were Ling Yan and Xiao Lu. They were frozen in the middle of pushing the door open, staring at us blankly.

“…Welcome! Oh, isn’t this the girl Xiao Chen brought last time?”

(I was done for.) That was the only thought in my mind.