Chapter 32: Two Girls

The ultimate goal of today’s mission was to manage these dates while keeping the two girls unaware of each other’s existence.

I had planned for them to never cross paths, so how did they both end up heading toward the same restaurant? Is this some kind of high-stakes chess match of social suicide?!

He Tianran felt his scalp tingle, but he had to maintain a composed expression. "I've been to that restaurant," he said. "It's not that great. The Thai curry is way too heavy on the coconut milk. If you're craving curry, I have all the ingredients at home. I’ll make it for you myself as a thank-you for helping me record that video today. How about that?"

Wen Liang raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You know how to make curry?"

He Tianran shook his head quickly. "I know how to add the curry powder."

"I knew it..."

"But I bought some chicken thighs just two days ago. It’s perfect for chicken curry. Compared to a restaurant, the main advantage is that it’s authentic and the risks are manageable."

The point of that last sentence was those final four words.

Wen Liang’s face remained unreadable. She stared at He Tianran for a moment. "Why do I feel like you’re still hiding something from me?"

"Not at all. I just think it’s not worth the money to eat there. That is the absolute truth."

"Fine. Whenever money is involved, you’re definitely telling the truth."

Wen Liang smiled and shook her head. He Tianran turned to the chubby boss of the guitar shop. "Thanks for everything today, boss. I’ll send you a few collector’s edition game discs in a couple of days."

Seeing He Tianran trying so hard to entice the girl to his place, Fatty Pu gave him a "I get it" look. If he caused any more trouble now, his little brother here would probably kill him.

Since the business was concluded, he said, "Alright, I'll organize the footage. Oh, and next time you come, bring me that Rin Tohsaka figure. Remember, the one where you can take off... no, wait, the one where you can change the outfit. I doubt you'll have any use for it anymore anyway."

No use for it?

That’s my beloved treasure!

He Tianran felt a sharp pang in his heart, but he could only grit his teeth and offer a forced, casual "Sure."

The two walked out of the guitar shop, and Xue Yong was already gone.

He Tianran sighed, "What am I going to do on Monday? You can go to your training class, but I have to see Brother Yong every single day."

Wen Liang glanced at him. "Only now you’re afraid? If he knew you were this devious, he’d probably want to kill you! Looking all honest and harmless on the surface, but secretly wicked—there’s a reason someone like you can’t make friends."

"I really didn't think that much..."

He Tianran offered a weak defense. He really didn't want to continue this topic, especially not in front of Wen Liang.

Seeing his awkwardness, the girl gave a triumphant smile, and the two finally strolled out of the shopping mall.

The short walk felt like walking on eggshells for He Tianran, terrified that Cao Aiqing might suddenly appear. Yet, he didn't dare show any urgency for fear of making Wen Liang suspicious. This life-or-death tension didn't subside until he finally stepped back into his home.

*The battlefield has been successfully divided. Now I just need to keep things steady...*

He Tianran pondered as Wen Liang entered the apartment and sprawled out on the sofa. "I don't want to move," she said bluntly. "I sang several songs after you left, and I'm exhausted. Hurry up and start cooking."

With that, she turned on the TV and began watching it, lost in her own world.

"..."

Is this my house or hers?

Forget it. Now is not the time to be petty.

He Tianran took the chicken thighs out of the fridge and started dicing them. He usually made simple meals when he was home alone; it was a necessity. While there were plenty of takeout options, the delivery fees and surcharges made them more expensive than cooking for himself. It just wasn't cost-effective, especially for a "poor" student like him.

Hearing the dull thudding of He Tianran’s clumsy knife skills, Wen Liang, who was lounging on the sofa, silently walked up behind him.

"...Young Master, let me do it."

That address nearly made He Tianran cut his own hand.

"Haha... the knife is a bit sharp, you know, be careful..."

He Tianran stepped aside, feeling embarrassed. Wen Liang rolled up her sleeves and took the knife. Looking at the uneven "chicken strips" and "chicken chunks" on the cutting board, she found it hard not to laugh. She kept a straight face and said, "Go wash the potatoes and carrots."

"Okay."

Watching He Tianran scurry about, looking flustered as he peeled potatoes, Wen Liang slowed her pace while cutting the meat.

But this scene...

As He Tianran placed the prepared ingredients into a basin, his phone vibrated again.

He pulled it out to check, assuming it was nothing.

It was indeed from Cao Aiqing. This girl’s WeChat was as elegant as she was; she didn't rush anyone. Instead, she subtly sent a photo.

In the picture was that same bowl of dessert, completely untouched, left behind before he had walked away.

We had agreed that she would leave once she finished it. Had she not touched a single bite?

This...

A sense of guilt bubbled up in He Tianran’s heart. He feared these "gentle knives" the most. If Cao Aiqing were like Wen Liang, demanding "Hurry up" or asking "Are you back yet?" directly, he would have felt better. But the girl clearly wasn't that type...

In the end, it was all his own fault.

He stepped out of the kitchen and looked at Wen Liang’s back as she chopped vegetables. He hesitated for a moment, as if he had made a decision.

"Wen, Wen Liang..."

"Yeah?"

"Uh, I'm out of curry powder. I’m going to run out and buy some. Do you need anything else?"

"Let me think... I'll WeChat you later."

"Right..."

He Tianran turned to leave. His hand rested on the doorknob, but he didn't turn it for a long time.

"Wen Liang..."

"What is it now?"

"...Uh... the code for my digital lock is four 6s and a 9. If you leave and I’m not back yet, remember the code..."

Wen Liang poked her head out of the kitchen just in time to hear the door click shut with a "bang." She stood stunned for a moment, muttering "How bizarre" to herself, before returning to the ingredients.

But, without realizing it, she began to hum a song.

...

...

"Just this once. As long as I get through today, I’ll never play a game like this again. It’s too painful..."

He Tianran muttered to himself.

Right now, there were two girls: one waiting for him to have a meal at a restaurant, and one cooking for him at home.

He couldn't bear to let either of them down.

At least not today, because he had given his word.

"At least I only have a normal relationship with both of them right now. Cao Aiqing is just having a meal; once she's done, we'll be square and go back to how things were. And Wen Liang is a reincarnator—she must have much more important things to do."

He Tianran comforted himself, telling himself lies that even he didn't believe. Before he knew it, he had arrived at the restaurant.

He took a deep breath, rubbed his face vigorously, and walked inside.

Cao Aiqing spotted him immediately, her eyes fixed on him without blinking.

"He... you..."

As he reached her table, the girl spoke, and the boy realized with a sinking heart—

"Damn it! I forgot to change my clothes!"