Chapter 24: Madam, Imagination Is an Illness

“It tastes like shit, and it's more expensive than shit,” Chu Fei shot back, then glanced at Qu Yiyi, who had pinched her nose.

“I can’t take it, the smell is overwhelming. I feel like I’ve walked into a tea plantation, not a bar.”

Anyone with half a brain could catch the meaning. Chu Fei was calling Qu Yiyi a green tea—one of those two-faced girls. And as if he was afraid she wouldn’t get it, he added, “Let me order you a cup of Longjing from ’82—aged green tea!”

This time, Guan Ya beside him couldn’t hold back her laughter. She’d always known Qu Yiyi was a materialistic green tea girl, but for the sake of dorm unity, she’d never dared say it out loud. She hadn’t expected this guy to be so fearless about offending people!

Normally, when a guy found himself in this situation, even if he was irritated, he’d pretend to be gracious out of respect for Jiang Yunqi, trying to get in her good graces by pleasing her friends. Qu Yiyi counted on this, which was why she dared to be so passive-aggressive with Chu Fei!

But she forgot that it was Jiang Yunqi who had invited Chu Fei out tonight. Strictly speaking, he was the guest; he was the one who ought to be flattered. See? Change your perspective, and the game changes entirely!

Qu Yiyi, fuming, demanded, “What do you mean by that? Are you insulting me in a roundabout way?”

“I’m not being roundabout at all,” Chu Fei replied. “When I insult someone, I do it directly. I even explained it to you just in case you didn’t get it.”

“I’m a girl, and a beautiful one at that! Is this how you talk to a beauty?”

Chu Fei rolled his eyes. “Are you questioning my taste, or just trying to make me sick?”

—Double entendre, smooth and sharp!

Guan Ya, watching from the side, could only think, If you have something to say, say more of it.

Qu Yiyi was about to explode. She turned to Jiang Yunqi and cried, “Qiqi, are you just going to watch me get bullied by this country bumpkin?”

“Don’t get mad, he’s just joking,” Jiang Yunqi tried to smooth things over.

Qu Yiyi refused to let it go. “Who jokes like that? I’m not laughing. He has to apologize!”

What was this, some kind of wild chicken emotional meltdown syndrome?

Chu Fei was ready to snap back—if things got out of hand, he could just leave. He was pretty sure if he walked out now, Jiang Yunqi would chase after him. Then the whole setup would collapse, and it would just be the two of them left alone.

But just then, Guan Ya did something unexpected. She spoke up for Chu Fei: “Yiyi, you’re being a bit much.”

Her words stunned not only Qu Yiyi, but also Jiang Yunqi and Luo Man, who both looked at Guan Ya in surprise. They’d known her for so long, but this was the first time she’d ever defended a man.

Truthfully, Guan Ya had spoken up not to side with Chu Fei, but to spare Qu Yiyi further humiliation. With her keen social instincts, she could tell Chu Fei was only using half his strength; if this kept up, Qu Yiyi would likely end up in tears.

It certainly wasn’t because Chu Fei’s insults were so satisfying that she couldn’t help herself—definitely not!

“Guan Guan, why are you taking this bumpkin’s side?”

“He’s Qiqi’s friend. You should give her some face, at least,” Guan Ya replied, offering both sides a way out.

Qu Yiyi grumbled, “Fine, for Qiqi’s sake, I won’t stoop to the country bumpkin’s level.”

So she said, but she was already texting Jiang Yangrong, planning to have him come avenge her.

Chu Fei couldn’t care less about the wild chicken; instead, he ordered a few bottles of beer and, after opening one, smiled at Guan Ya. “Heroine, thanks for saving my life. I have nothing to offer in return—how about my undying devotion?”

Guan Ya put down her cocktail. She never really liked the taste; she’d just ordered it to blend in. Now that Chu Fei had brought out the beer, she poured herself a glass and replied, “Devotion is only for the good-looking. From you, it’s just betrayal repackaged as gratitude.”

Who said this girl was cold and aloof? She just didn’t warm up to everyone, that’s all!

Watching their easy banter, Jiang Yunqi, almost without realizing it, nudged Chu Fei’s leg with her own—a warning.

Chu Fei raised his eyebrows. It was happening—finally. That damned human possessiveness and competitiveness!

Luo Man, meanwhile, frowned, thinking, This guy… he’s trouble… big trouble!

To break the awkward tension, Luo Man suggested they play a drinking game—Liar’s Dice.

Chu Fei perked up. “Five people isn’t much fun. How about singles matches? Winner stays on. That’s more interesting.”

Luo Man wondered what new trick this guy was up to, but agreed anyway.

Qu Yiyi, still sulking, said, “I’m not playing with the country bumpkin. You guys play.”

But she found that no one paid her any mind; nobody tried to coax her back in. At this point, her presence or absence made no difference to the table’s mood. That made her even angrier. Just wait until Jiang Yangrong arrives—let’s see how cocky you are then!

“So what counts as a loss?” Guan Ya asked. “Half a glass or a full glass?”

Chu Fei grinned. “Half a glass if you lose, a full glass if you challenge and lose, maximum two full glasses. You cocktail drinkers can do as you please—Guan Guan and I won’t argue with kids!”

He was already calling her by a nickname.

Guan Ya shot Chu Fei a sidelong glance but said nothing.

It was Jiang Yunqi who got fired up. She straightened and declared, “I want beer too! Who are you calling a kid? Are you blind?”

“Doesn’t look that big to me,” Chu Fei said pointedly, glancing over, then picked up the dice cup. “Fine, small chest, you get to start!”

Small? I’m at least a C! Maybe not a D like Guan Guan, but still!

As these thoughts ran through her mind, Jiang Yunqi took the dice cup—as if it were Chu Fei’s head—and shook it vigorously.

“Two ones!”

“Bullshit!” Chu Fei leapt up theatrically.

Jiang Yunqi gaped. “What? You’re calling me out on two ones?”

“You’re definitely lying. I can see right through you. Next!” Chu Fei flipped open her dice cup without even glancing at her dice.

Jiang Yunqi had to drink a glass, giving Chu Fei a fierce glare as she did. The guy didn’t spare her even a little—jumping up to call her bluff, making it clear how bad she was at this!

Next was Luo Man, who gave Jiang Yunqi a mysterious smile. “Don’t worry, Qiqi, I’ll get your revenge. I’m the Dice Queen of our dorm—it’ll be a breeze to take him down!”

She attacked with confidence and bravado, as if the world belonged to her. But in the end, she lost, cursing, “You dared to call six fives when you didn’t even have five? Damn cheat!”

“Your turn, Guan Guan,” Chu Fei said, the nickname rolling off his tongue. And if you call someone by their nickname the first time and they don’t object, odds are they never will.

Guan Ya wasn’t one to fuss over such things. She took up the dice cup, shook, and called, “Three sixes!”

“Open!”

“Three!” she announced.

Delighted, Guan Ya high-fived Jiang Yunqi across the table.

Chu Fei said nothing, just sipped his beer.

At that moment, Luo Man lifted Chu Fei’s dice cup and exclaimed, “You only had two—why did you call open? Are you crazy?”

“Ah, you see… I was just thirsty,” Chu Fei feigned embarrassment and quickly removed the cup.

Guan Ya looked at him with surprise. He’d only had two sixes but still called open—was he letting her win? And just now, he’d tried to hide it from her. He was so sharp with the others, but with her… he was actually considerate. This man is unexpectedly thoughtful…

For this lady, overthinking is an illness. But I hope she never recovers.

What woman could resist such blatant favoritism?

A challenge? Was I challenging the dice? No—I was challenging your heart!