Chapter 136: Shao Tian’s Thanks

“Aiya, calm down. Don’t start imagining nonsense.”

Seeing her brother looking like the sky was about to collapse, Lin Xue rolled her eyes with open disgust. She crossed her arms and spoke with an even, matter-of-fact tone:

“No, he shouldn’t know your identity yet. He just wanted to ask me to help him get in touch with you.”

“Get in touch… with me?”

The heart stuck in Lin Yu’s throat finally loosened by a millimeter—but he still stayed cautious. “I don’t even have business with him.”

“He said he hasn’t been able to reach you at all these past few weeks. You don’t answer calls, don’t reply to texts—he thought something happened to you, or that you were still mad at him.” Lin Xue shrugged. “So he looked for a family member—me—to ask about your situation. And also to thank you in person.”

“Not able to reach me? Impossible…”

Lin Yu instinctively raised his wrist and woke up his contract bracelet.

One look—and he almost had a heart attack.

In the communication log, rows upon rows of red-flagged entries lay like corpses:

• 【Blocked Spam Call: Luo Shaotian (27 attempts)】

• 【Blocked Spam Message: Luo Shaotian (14 messages)】

“Uh…” Lin Yu’s lips twitched violently.

Right… the past few weeks, he had been focused on acting as “Lulu,” and with his mood tanked, he’d casually switched his bracelet to Do-Not-Disturb mode. The system must’ve decided that repeated calls from the same number were “telemarketing harassment” and auto-blocked them…

“…Yeah, guess it has been a while since I contacted him.”

“But… just to thank me?” Lin Yu muttered, and in his mind appeared that ridiculous scene of Luo Shaotian awkwardly practicing an apology to “Lulu” during breakfast.

“Mhm. That’s what he said.”

Watching her brother’s expression twist into a pretzel, Lin Xue continued: “He said he finally understands your intentions from back then. You secretly helped him a lot, yet he misunderstood you—and even got physical.”

“So he’s been feeling guilty ever since. Uncomfortable. So no matter what, he wants to treat you to a meal and apologize properly.”

At that, Lin Xue paused and looked at Lin Yu’s hopelessly tangled eyebrows. She sighed dramatically.

“Hey. Judging from your tortured expression—if you really don’t want to see him, then forget it.”

“How about… I help you decline for good?”

“I can say you went abroad. Or that you went back to the hometown for a matchmaking appointment. I have a hundred excuses. As long as I don’t connect the two of you, he’s not going to storm into your corporation to block you.”

“That… does make sense…”

Just as Lin Yu was still battling all the angels and demons in his head—

“Hey hey! I smell gossip! Big juicy gossip!” Li Qing suddenly shoved her head into the conversation. “Someone tell me what’s going on! Hey—This Luo Shaotian you’re talking about… is he the guy from that day—”

“Shoo! Shoo! Kids shouldn’t eavesdrop!” Startled, Lin Yu pushed her head away impatiently. “He’s just an old university classmate! A totally normal… dude friend!”

Normal dude friend?

A normal dude friend would investigate your personal network to find your sister?

A normal dude friend would go through all this trouble just to apologize?

Li Qing really wanted to ask those questions out loud. But seeing Lin Yu’s “If you ask one more thing I will self-destruct” expression, she wisely kept her mouth shut. Fine. Hmph. Don’t underestimate the intelligence-gathering skills of the Red Fox. If you won’t tell me now… I’ll dig up the truth eventually. Nyehehe.

Without Li Qing’s interference, Lin Yu sank back into deep thought. Should he avoid the meeting?

He fell silent. Yes—it was the safest, most convenient option. As long as they never met, as long as he kept his distance—the secret of the “magical girl” would stay forever buried. Buried along with that video.

Luo Shaotian would never know that the “brother” he admired so much was actually… That maid-uniform-wearing magical girl who had… done that with him.

But—Was living like this really okay?

Did he really plan to hide forever? Did he want to wear a mask in front of his best friend for a lifetime, patching one lie with another? Letting that blockhead live in guilt forever?

…No. This wasn’t the ending he wanted.

And besides, with how that guy was right now… If he didn’t give him a chance to release that guilt—to break that thin layer of window paper just a little—Luo Shaotian would probably keep spiraling.

“Phew…” Lin Yu exhaled a long, heavy breath. He raised his head. The cowardice faded; determination settled in.

“Forget it. I can’t hide from that guy forever… I’ll go.”

“You figured it out?”

“Yeah. Some things are better said face to face. And honestly—I’m curious how he’s doing now.”

“It’s just a meal between two grown men. Nothing to be scared of. Worst case… I’ll be careful not to slip up.”

“Good. If you’re mentally prepared, then I’m relieved.” Lin Xue nodded with satisfaction. She glanced at her watch. “Perfect timing. I’m free tonight too. We’ll go to his place together.”

“Huh?” Lin Yu blinked. “His place? Not a restaurant?”

“He said restaurants aren’t sincere enough. And they’re too noisy for serious conversation.” As she spoke, she already had her phone out to reply. “So he insisted on hosting us at home. Said it’s to show sincerity. He’ll personally cook a full meal.”

“He’ll… personally cook?!”

“Hah?? Are you kidding me?!” Lin Yu immediately recalled that century-egg porridge disaster and grimaced. “That guy can’t cook to save his life.”

Night fell. Neon lights sparkled outside the windows of Xinhai City.

Luo Shaotian untied the pink apron at his waist and hung it on the back of a chair. He rubbed his palms nervously.

On the dining table, several dishes were already arranged. The braised pork ribs were a bit… too dark. The steamed bass had a chunk of skin torn off. And the plate of stir-fried water spinach—normally bright green—lay limp, yellowish, and suspiciously lifeless.

Even so, this was probably the richest, and most “heartfelt,” meal he had ever cooked in his life.

“…It should be edible, right?”

He stared at his tragic masterpieces, feeling a lump of anxiety in his chest. After being scolded by “Lulu” for his porridge, he had spent days binge-watching cooking tutorials online. He cut his fingers while chopping, got oil burns, and nearly triggered the apartment smoke alarm.

But this—this was the strongest sincerity he could muster.

Still… just in case, he had ordered an expensive restaurant’s takeout as backup.

He checked the time—still a while before they arrived. So he went to the window, lit a cigarette, and took a long drag.

“Huuuh…”

Smoke swirled. Memories flashed.

So much had happened recently. Suspension from duty. Monster attacks. Learning the secret of magical girls…

Things that should’ve shattered him mentally. Yet now, looking back—he felt strangely calm.

Because tonight—he wasn’t just apologizing.

Tonight, he wanted to confirm something.