The Creatures That We Are

A few seconds later, Gao Yang nodded in approval. “Hm, it’s good. Sweet but not overly so, and the texture is smooth.”

He took another spoonful. The pumpkin soup was good.

“Right?” Can let out a sigh of relief, feeling warmth bloom in her chest, and the back of her ears itched a little. She felt happier now than when she first tasted the pumpkin soup herself.

She looked at Gao Yang with glinting eyes as he enjoyed the soup, breaking into an adoring smile.

I’m lucky to be able to have dinner with Captain alone.

Can was short and skinny. She got mediocre grades and didn’t have much to boast about talent-wise. Her whole life, she had been a nobody, at others’ mercy. It wasn’t until she reached adulthood and entered college that she became a little prettier.

As a result, she suffered from low self-esteem, and she had no illusion about herself. She had a secret...well, a not so secret crush on Gao Yang, but she wasn’t greedy. She never dared to even dream that the goddess of fortune would grant her the luck of having her feelings requited.

She had made up her mind. It was good enough for her to be able to spend time with Captain like she was now.

If she got to have more alone time with him before he got a girlfriend, eating and playing games with him, she would consider that a great fortune!

Can smothered a smile and picked up a pair of tongs to start flipping the slices of meat. “Try the pork belly, Captain. Paired with some greens, it’s really...”

“Orange!” A familiar voice interrupted her.

Can paused, the hand holding the tongs stopping midair.

Why?

Why now?!

I’ve hoped against hope and finally get to spend some quality time alone with Captain, but my dream is so quickly shattered!

“Whoa, what a coincidence!”

Zhou Jing strode into the restaurant. She had healthy tanned skin, large eyes, and thick red lips, the large curls of her chocolate brown hair running down her shoulders, parted in the middle.

The gray jumper dress she wore hugged the curves of her hip, leaving her shoulders and long legs revealed.

The first thought Gao Yang had when he saw her was, It’s autumn. Aren’t you cold without even putting on stockings?

“Sister Zhou.” Can quickly hid her disappointment and put on a look of pleasant surprise. “What a coincidence!”

Zhou Jing strode up to them with confidence and sass, her eyes glinting with glee when she recognized Gao Yang at first glance. “Ah, isn’t this the boy from before...”

“Gao Yang,” Can said. “He’s now attending Li City University too, at a lower year than us.”

“Not bad, Little Orange.” Zhou Jing smirked, her brows and eyes curving. “You’ve got such a cute guy as your boyfriend.”

“Don’t joke like that, Sister Zhou. We’re just friends!” Can blushed, but inwardly, she was singing Zhou Jing’s praises, Sister Zhou, you should write a book given how well you speak! And where should I get your book? I’m gonna smash a bookstore if it doesn’t sell your work![1]

Zhou Jing sat down next to Can, crossing her legs and leaning forward while propping her head up with a hand. She looked at Gao Yang openly, even with an edge of scrutiny, making Gao Yang squirm a little.

Three seconds later, Zhou Jing slightly narrowed her eyes, her smile gone and her gaze chilled. “You’re a sly one, Gao Yang.”

The polite smile on Gao Yang’s face went stiff.

Shit!

Only then did he remember that back in the Eleventh High School, he had met Zhou Jing as a human, but now, he had the impression of a wanderer on him.

Zhou Jing would’ve noticed were she an elite monster!

“What do you mean?” Gao Yang pretended to not understand, while the hand under the table was already drawing energy in secret.

“It’s only been a few months, but your skin has become so clear!” Zhou Jing said with envy. “Tell me, have you been using skin care products? What’s the brand? Tell your senior!”

Gao Yang sighed in relief. Would you please not pause so dramatically when you speak? If you had gone even a little slower, I might have twisted your neck!

“No, I just wash my face with clean water,” Gao Yang said honestly. Then he added in case Zhou Jing didn’t believe him, “Maybe it’s because I get my beauty sleep.”

Yep, for three months.

“Gao Yang!”

Then another voice came from the door. Gao Yang turned around and saw that it was his roommates, Qiu Qiu, Mi Shi, and Lin Dajian. They were carrying drinks and beers.

“You bastard!” Qiu Qiu came over and put an arm around Gao Yang’s shoulder. “You didn’t respond to the messages we sent to the group chat, but it turned out you’re on a secret date!”

He glanced at Can. “Hello, Sister-in-Law, I’m Gao Yang’s roommate. We’re gonna be family from now on.”

“Oh, no. I’m just a friend of Gao Yang’s.” Can clarified while waving a hand, but in her mind, she was overjoyed. I’m gonna publish a book for you too, friend!

“Orange is my roommate.” Zhou Jing put an arm around Can’s shoulder. “What a small world. Why don’t we share a table?”

“I was just gonna say that!” Qiu Qiu immediately swung his arm. “Owner, we’re getting a table together!”

The six of them quickly moved to a large table and had barbecues together. Qiu Qiu was paying, and he generously made a big order.

They chatted while they ate, and Gao Yang caught up on what was going on.

Qiu Qiu was pursuing Zhou Jing. They were now at the flirting stage and had not yet put a name to their relationship, but it was a close thing.

Tonight, Qiu Qiu asked Zhou Jing out to have barbecues together before going to an escape room. Worried that there might not be enough people for a game, he also invited Lin Dajian and Mi Shi.

His roommates rejected Qiu Qiu in the beginning, but Qiu Qiu offered too good a price.

As long as he managed to cement his relationship with Zhou Jing tonight, Qiu Qiu would give Lin Dajian 10 pulls in the gacha game he played, as well as pay for Mi Shi’s breakfast for the next month.

Zhou Jing was friendly and outgoing, and Qiu Qiu was sort of a class clown. Can, when she was with friends, was quite talkative too. They enjoyed the food in a warm atmosphere.

They were full with alcohol and food at the end of the meal.

“Little Gao, Orange,” Qiu Qiu turned to Gao Yang and Can. “Why don’t you come with us?”

“Huh? But...” Can hesitantly turned to Gao Yang.

Just when Gao Yang was wondering how he should reject them politely, Lin Dajian cackled. “Qiu Qiu, you’re being insensitive. They have business to attend to.”

“What business?” Qiu Qiu, surprisingly, didn’t catch on immediately.

“Whoa, you aren’t going to a hotel for private tutoring, are you?” Zhou Jing’s eyes widened. “It’s like I didn’t know you, Orange.”

“Holy shit! Already?” Qiu Qiu then said somewhat jokingly, “Good for you, Little Gao. But you’ve just recovered. You should watch your health!”

“We’re just friends, for real! Don’t speak nonsense!” Can was bothered this time, even a little agitated.

“It’s not funny, Globy.” Gao Yang pulled a straight face as well.

“Sorry, I have a habit of running my mouth.” Qiu Qiu apologized with a grin and lightly slapped his own mouth. “I apologize.”

“Then let’s go to the escape room together,” Zhou Jing seized the opportunity to say.

“Yeah, let’s go together!” Qiu Qiu took out his phone and showed them the review app. “Look, this is the place. It’s a new store. It’s said to be really exciting!”

“I’m a little tired today,” Gao Yang said with a smile, but then his gaze fell on the address of the escape room.

Can quickly added, “Yeah, I’m also a little tired...”

“But no matter how tired I am, I shouldn’t rain on your parade.” Gao Yang turned to Can. “Isn’t that right?”

“Ah...right, right!” Can was flabbergasted. You’re a fickle one, Captain!

1. It’s a common meme in China. And the whole thing is shortened to the last part, 书无店砸, I’m gonna smash a bookstore if it doesn’t sell your book. ☜

The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel