CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 123: WHY ARE YOU AVOIDING ME

During dinner, Lu Yuan was completely absent-minded.

"Lu Yuan, what’s wrong?"

Lu Yuan: "Nothing."

"Nothing? Why aren’t you eating?"

Lu Yuan: "I am eating. You all eat, don’t mind me."

Everyone looked at Lu Yuan with a lack of enthusiasm, not knowing what to say.

Halfway through the meal, Lu Yuan suddenly stood up.

"Lu Yuan, where are you going?"

Lu Yuan walked away saying, "I’m going to the bathroom."

Lu Yuan walked out.

"What’s up with Lu Yuan?"

"I don’t know, he was fine when we got here, and suddenly he’s like this."

"Did one of us offend him?"

"No way, knowing Lu Yuan’s personality, if it was our fault, he would’ve said something earlier."

"True, but I feel Lu Yuan’s mood is off; maybe the food isn’t to his liking."

"Do you think Lu Yuan would put up with something he doesn’t like?"

"No."

"Then it’s likely something personal for him; if he’s not saying, we don’t need to worry."

Lu Yuan went to the bathroom, the feeling in his heart growing stronger.

He left the bathroom and, for some reason, walked in the opposite direction of his original room.

Just as he realized he was going the wrong way and wanted to turn back, he inadvertently saw a familiar figure through a gap in the door.

Wei Lai, considering he was alone with Xu Ru’an, didn’t close the door completely, leaving it half open.

This gesture seemed gentlemanly to Xu Ru’an.

It also made Xu Ru’an feel a bit more favorable towards this new friend.

But it was just a friendly feeling.

Seeing Xu Ru’an’s smile, Lu Yuan felt a bit offended and couldn’t help but walk towards her.

Even though he knew it was rude.

But he couldn’t control it.

Lu Yuan walked to the door of the room and knocked.

Wei Lai and Xu Ru’an looked towards the door.

"What are you doing here?" Xu Ru’an spoke.

Xu Ru’an was surprised to see Lu Yuan; it seemed like since the last incident, they’ve been seeing each other more often.

Lu Yuan glanced at Xu Ru’an, then his gaze shifted to Wei Lai.

Wei Lai’s aura and attire indicated he wasn’t just anyone.

"Is this your friend?" Wei Lai asked Xu Ru’an.

Xu Ru’an nodded: "Sort of."

Lu Yuan’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment.

"Since you’re friends, why not join us for a meal?" Wei Lai stood up and walked towards Lu Yuan.

"Hello, I’m Wei Lai, also Ru’an’s friend." Wei Lai extended his hand politely to Lu Yuan.

Even though Lu Yuan didn’t like this man in front of him, faced with Wei Lai’s courtesy, he couldn’t show a bad attitude.

"Hello, Lu Yuan." Lu Yuan shook Wei Lai’s hand briefly.

Xu Ru’an watched as Lu Yuan sat down beside Wei Lai.

"What are you doing here?" Xu Ru’an asked.

For some reason, there was a flicker of guilt, not knowing where it came from.

Lu Yuan looked at Xu Ru’an, his eyes filled with a mysterious darkness: "Passing by, saw you, came to say hi."

Xu Ru’an dared not meet Lu Yuan’s gaze, simply nodding at his words.

Wei Lai, observing the atmosphere between the two, seemed to understand something.

"Since we have a new friend, I’ll step out to order a couple more dishes."

Xu Ru’an wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but Lu Yuan quickly replied: "Alright, thanks."

Wei Lai exchanged a glance with Lu Yuan, nodded, and went out.

Once Wei Lai left, the room suddenly fell silent.

Xu Ru’an didn’t know what to say to Lu Yuan, considering she’s been avoiding him lately.

Xu Ru’an felt uneasy and was about to get up with an excuse to go to the bathroom when suddenly Lu Yuan spoke.

"Are you avoiding me?"

Xu Ru’an looked at Lu Yuan, whose gaze was filled with aggression.

Xu Ru’an buried her head pretending to eat: "Why would I? Why would I avoid you?"

"Then why don’t you dare to look at me?"

Lu Yuan knew exactly how Xu Ru’an used to be, so he noticed even slight changes.

Lately, when she encounters him, instead of arguing back, she turns away.

If he couldn’t sense such changes, he’d have been clueless all these years.

Xu Ru’an: "I’m eating, why look at you? Looking at you scares me, I’m afraid I can’t eat."

Lu Yuan suddenly smirked, thinking that if Xu Ru’an had said the last sentence loudly and confidently, instead of hesitantly.

"Did I do something to wrong you?"

Xu Ru’an almost instantly denied: "No."

"If not, you seem to hate seeing me?" Lu Yuan asked.

Xu Ru’an mumbled: "Always did."

But she said this without much conviction, especially after Sang Yu’s words, feeling even less confident.

"What’s your relationship with Wei Lai?" Lu Yuan’s tone was mild.

Xu Ru’an: "What kind of relationship? Friends."

"Friends have dinner alone?" Lu Yuan almost gritted his teeth as he spoke.

Xu Ru’an: "What’s wrong with having dinner alone?"

Xu Ru’an’s chopsticks poked the rice in her bowl; to Lu Yuan, it seemed to show her guilt.

That’s just how she is; when she feels guilty, she makes little gestures.

"Don’t you know a man and a woman dining alone can lead to misunderstandings?"

Xu Ru’an: "What kind of misunderstanding?"

Lu Yuan sneered: "Xu Ru’an, are you genuinely clueless or just pretending?"

Xu Ru’an suddenly got upset: "How am I clueless? We’re just friends having dinner, and why do you care so much? It’s got nothing to do with you."

Lu Yuan nearly laughed out of frustration.

"Nothing to do with me?"

"Yeah, it doesn’t; we’re just classmates. Why bother so much?"

"Fine, I’m being nosey, okay."

Lu Yuan abruptly stood up, pushed his chair aside, and walked out.

As soon as he stepped out, he encountered Wei Lai.

Wei Lai could tell from Lu Yuan’s expression that things hadn’t gone smoothly.

Lu Yuan simply nodded to Wei Lai and walked away.

Wei Lai didn’t even have time to call out to him.

Returning to the room, Wei Lai asked: "What’s up with Lu Yuan? He seemed upset."

Xu Ru’an poked at the rice in her bowl: "Who knows what’s gotten into him; ignore it."

Wei Lai looked at Xu Ru’an’s expression, raised his brows, but said nothing.

When it comes to emotions, it’s best for outsiders not to interfere too much.

Meanwhile, back in his room, Lu Yuan picked up a glass of alcohol and drank heavily.

"Lu Yuan, where’ve you been all this time? That’s strong stuff, drinking like that could be dangerous."

Lu Yuan sat down abruptly: "Don’t mind me."

Seeing Lu Yuan in this state, it seemed necessary to intervene.

"Lu Yuan, this is alcohol, not water."

Everyone held Lu Yuan back, no longer letting him drink.