Chapter 454: Dream Broken

Chapter 454: Dream Broken

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.”

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. ☜