Chapter Sixty-Eight

"But anyone would envy Yu Xingyue for having such a wonderful little sister. Why can't I have a sister as good as hers?" Wang Tianqi grumbled.

The three of them sighed in unison. Apart from Yu Li, who couldn't hear, the others were all somewhat envious of Yu Xingyue. Their parents pinned all their hopes on them, and shouldering everything alone could be overwhelming. If only they had siblings to share the burden, it would be so much easier.

Xiao Jian pulled out his straw and began twirling it like a pen. "We can't just sit here forever. Why don't we try finding someone special too?" he suggested.

Huang Feifan hesitated. "But I've seen online that you shouldn't start a relationship on May 20th. They say you'll end up single forever—it's some kind of curse on us single folks. I don't know if that's true, but I'm worried..."

Wang Tianqi shot back, exasperated, "Idiot! Just because it's online doesn't mean it's true. All that stuff about luck, career, love—it's just nonsense. None of it ever comes true."

"Oh! So, Tianqi, you keep an eye on fortunes and stuff? You seem pretty concerned about your own luck," Huang Feifan teased.

Yu Li typed something on her phone and showed it to Tianqi: "Never thought you'd be into fortune-telling, too! Want me to read your fortune?" She even added a silly emoji at the end.

"Hey, hey! You’re all just messing around!" Wang Tianqi protested, annoyed. "Who said I'm only interested in luck? There's love too, you know." She seemed to have let something slip, but the three others pretended not to notice, though they couldn't hold back their laughter.

"So, Tianqi, can you tell us why you're so interested in love fortunes, apart from the luck part?" Huang Feifan couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked her directly. Realizing she had given herself away, Wang Tianqi blushed deeply. "Well, since you all know, I might as well be honest. To tell the truth, sometimes what you read online is actually accurate—it depends on the timing."

"For example?" Xiao Jian prompted her. "Give us an example, or how are we supposed to believe you? Don’t just tease us."

Wang Tianqi snapped back, "Do you want me to die trying to remember? I need a moment to think of a successful example, don’t I? You’re just too much."

Huang Feifan quickly intervened, "Let's not argue, you two. Brother Xiao, you're being too pushy. It's her personal business—why press her? And Tianqi, don’t take it to heart. He's just a bit impatient."

Wang Tianqi pouted, "Since you all know, there’s no need for me to hide it anymore. Isn't it better for everyone to know?" She continued, "Now I can answer Xiao Jian's question. I’m interested in love fortunes because I’m actually quite accurate at it sometimes."

"You really know about that?" Xiao Jian was skeptical; even Huang Feifan didn’t believe her, not to mention Yu Li. All three shook their heads.

Wang Tianqi spread her hands helplessly. "That’s exactly my point—your disbelief is the best answer. It's normal not to believe in this kind of thing."

"That’s a pretty simple explanation. Isn’t there something more concrete?" Xiao Jian pressed, unwilling to let it go.

Huang Feifan stepped in, "Let it go, Brother Xiao. As a senior, it’s not exactly gentlemanly to keep pressing a girl for details. We’ll find out eventually—what’s the rush?"

Yu Li also tried to dissuade Xiao Jian from continuing. She had noticed Wang Tianqi’s expression darkening, a faint anger brewing. If Yu Li hadn’t nudged Huang Feifan under the table, he wouldn't have realized either, nor would he have warned Xiao Jian. Luckily, Wang Tianqi swallowed her anger and didn’t lash out.

Pretending nothing had happened, Wang Tianqi smiled, "Well, I have things to do, so I won’t be chatting with you two gentlemen any longer. Yu Li, let’s go." Without waiting for Yu Li’s response, she grabbed her left hand and pulled her away, leaving the two men behind.

Huang Feifan breathed a sigh of relief. "Brother Xiao, what was up with you today—asking Tianqi all those questions? Is it because it’s 520 and seeing all those couples is getting to you?"

Xiao Jian rolled his eyes and replied, "That’s not the point. I just think Wang Tianqi is hiding something from us. She usually doesn’t tell us her secrets."

Huang Feifan retorted, "You’re too suspicious. She trusts us as teammates and tells us everything—that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Last time we visited her house, we learned about her hobbies and schedule. Isn’t it nice to get to know each other better?"

"You make a good point. Maybe I’m overthinking it. I hope I’m wrong."

"Let’s not dwell on this—let’s play an intense round of '250 Grand Battle!'" Huang Feifan pulled out his phone to launch the game. Xiao Jian had no choice. There was nothing else to do, and since they’d signed up for the competition, not playing would just make them rusty. In the world of games, real-life worries could be set aside—no thoughts of 520 here.

As soon as they entered the game, a new event popped up, nearly making them want to smash their phones. The event was "Powering Love on 520—Find the One in Your Heart."

Huang Feifan couldn’t help but curse, "Damn, even the games are doing this. The developers must be trying to kill us."

Xiao Jian was more easygoing. "Maybe the event is just meant to annoy us single folk, or maybe it’s just a cash grab and they’ll pretend nothing happened once they’ve made their money."

Huang Feifan nodded. "That’s true. These developers only care about cash, not about us unlucky ones. Does anyone downloading this game have any sense? I wonder."

Xiao Jian slowly turned to look at him. "So, are you saying the two of us, plus Brother Yu, Little Rain, and the others are all fools? I’ll tell them you talked behind their backs."

"I meant everyone else, not us," Huang Feifan hastily explained. "We’re the only ones who aren’t influenced by idiots, right, Brother Xiao?" He chuckled.

"Not going to bother with you. Let’s just play," Xiao Jian replied, ignoring him as he started the game. Huang Feifan quickly got into the zone as well.

...

Lin Zimo paced around her room, clearly in a foul mood. The reason was obvious—she had seen Yu Xingyue post a selfie with Sun Ying on her social feed that morning, and the sight left her unsettled, wondering what the two of them were up to now.

Speaking of which, Lin Xianxin had secretly visited Yu Xingyue’s profile too. She had snuck Lin Zimo’s phone while her sister was asleep, searched for Yu Xingyue’s contact, and added her as a friend. Of course, Yu Xingyue, who accepted friend requests by default, had no idea her new friend was actually Lin Zimo’s younger sister.

Seeing Yu Xingyue’s photos, Lin Xianxin couldn’t stay calm. She had wanted to compete fairly with her sister, but suddenly a third party—Sun Ying—had appeared out of nowhere to get in their way. The thing was, Sun Ying was just a friend, but the two sisters kept speculating, never certain what the real relationship was.

The more Lin Xianxin thought about it, the angrier she became. Sharing her sister’s temperament, she dropped her previous rivalry and rushed straight into Lin Zimo’s room. As soon as she entered, she grabbed her sister and demanded, "Sis, what’s going on? Who exactly is that girl?"

Lin Zimo pouted, "Of course she’s his sister. But honestly, they get along so well that I want to go over and give him a piece of my mind. Is 520 just an excuse for them to show off their affection?"

"Everyone on my friends list has gotten a gift today, except the two of us. Is it because we’re too fierce and nobody likes us violent girls?" Lin Xianxin had barely finished when Lin Zimo tugged her ear. "Don’t overthink it. Other people are other people. We’re us. We don’t care about that stuff, right?" Evading reality wasn’t Lin Zimo’s usual style, but on this day, anything could happen.

Lin Xianxin grinned. "Sis, I think you really want someone to give you a present, especially if it’s from Xingyue. Honestly, I wish he’d give me one too."

Lin Zimo smiled faintly. "He doesn’t even know you. Why would he give you a present? If he gives anyone a gift, it’ll be me."

"Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you have guy friends, Sis. You should think about my feelings too!" Lin Xianxin protested.

Lin Zimo shot back, "Sorry, but having guy friends means I get to do whatever I want. Even if I don’t get a present, I still have more guy friends than you, little sis." She patted Lin Xianxin’s shoulder and grinned.