"And...here we are,

" Feng Mian announced.

I was currently standing before a restaurant by the name of Hotpot Shenzhen. It was located relatively close to the Central Metropolis, but it didn't look fancy like Grange Grill. That being said, it didn't look shabby at all, and there was a nice balance between the luxury and commonplace, which I could appreciate. By the name, I assumed it served hot pots - different ingredients thrown into a delicious broth, a meal perfect for winter...or at least it would be, if our winter had actually winter-like temperatures.

Coincidentally, I happened to enjoy hot pots, whether it's winter or not. Thus, I didn't mind going to this place. Usually, hot pots were eaten for dinner, but like I said, I enjoyed them whether it's winter or summer, dinner or lunch.

The two of us, along with the phoenix and Mei Gui, headed inside nonchalantly. Unlike the times I went to Grange Grill, I didn't receive any condescending looks for not wearing formal or anything. The only gazes we received were those of envy and lust (the former directed at me, the latter directed at Feng Mian and Mei Gui, of course). They were both top-level beauties by anyone's standards, so that made sense. But alas, I was used to it by now. A waitress then quickly greeted us, and led us to a table in the corner of the room, which I was grateful for. Corners are the best.

As the waitress placed down three glasses of lemon water, one for the each of us, Feng Mian took a sip and sighed deeply.

"Ah...this is quite refreshing,

" she said in pleasure.

I copied her and also tried the water out - and indeed, it was delicious. Normally, restaurants would serve hot water in winter, but for one, this year's winter was more like a spring, really, and for two, this diner in particular served hotpots. Cold lemon water complimented it very well, so there's no problem with it, even if the climate outside was freezing.

"Yeah...you're right,

" I murmured quietly.

The waitress then brought over three menus, and placed one in front of each of us. Feng Mian immediately flipped hers open and began browsing through it. Then, upon seeing that I hadn't even touched my menu, she raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"You aren't going to order anything?

"

I shrugged.

"You're the experienced one here. Just choose whatever you want, I trust you.

" Mei Gui did the same.

Feng Mian's cheeks flushed red for a moment, then she hid her face behind the menu she was holding.

"D-Don't say things that can lead to misunderstandings like that...mou~

"

I pretended not to hear her, and took another sip of my lemon water. After a short while, Feng Mian called the waitress over and gave her our order. Then, after the waitress left to deliver our order to the chefs, Feng Mian stretched her arms and yawned cutely.

"Oh? You're sleepy too?

" I asked.

"Yeah...guess your drowsiness is contagious, huh?

" Feng Mian replied with a gentle smile.

Then, suddenly, my phone began ringing, since I turned off silent mode on the way here. I pulled it open to see who it was.

"Who is it?

" Feng Mian asked curiously.

"Hm...it's Yu An Yan,

" I replied, glancing at the caller shown on my phone.

"Well, aren't you going to pick up?

"

"Well, yeah, but can you keep quiet while I talk to her?

"

"Yeah yeah, you don't want her to find out we're together right now, don't you? I don't either.

"

Sighing in relief at her understanding, I finally picked up the phone.

"Heya, what's up?

"

"Oh! Um, hi! I just wanted to ask, um...are you free right now?

" she stammered nervously.

"Uh...right now?

" I echoed, then quickly ran an analysis on my options in this situation.

1. Tell her the truth. This is a no-go, since that would defeat the purpose of me being against this idea in the first place. It would be equivalent to telling your enemy the plan your allies worked so hard to keep secret.

2. Lie to her. I'm not a good liar though...

3. Hang up. Yeah, this isn't very feasible. She would definitely be sad and quite pissed if I were to just hang up on her right now.

Therefore, option 2 seems to be the most intelligent choice here. But what's a good lie...oh, I know.

"Hm...sorry, but I'm actually kind of in the middle of something right now,

" I replied, as casually as possible.

"Oh! Um...if you don't mind me asking, what exactly are you doing? Maybe I can help?

" she continued, not backing off in the least.

Well, this is to be expected...well then, here we go. The most believable lie in the history of lies.

"I'm uh, taking a **.

"

"PFFT! HAHA!

" Feng Mian burst out laughing across from me, and I quickly covered my phone's microphone.

"Hey! She's going to hear!

"

"S-Sorry! That was too funny!

" Feng Mian exclaimed, tears in her eyes from laughing too hard.

After she finally calmed down, I slowly and cautiously brought the phone back up to my ear again.

"Uh...sorry. I just ran into...a bit of a problem. What's the word...ah, right, constipation, was it? Sorry - are you still there?

"

"Xuan Kai...I heard someone laughing in the background,

" Yu An Yan said, her voice now devoid of emotions. I gulped in fear.

"And it was a girl, no less...just what in the world are you doing?

"

Holy crap! If I continue with my lie now, I'll be seen as some sort of weirdo who brings a girl into the bathroom alone...damn it, what do I do?

And then, to my surprise, Feng Mian reached over and grabbed the phone straight out of my hands.

"Hey-

" I began, but it was too late.

She turned on speaker mode, placed the phone on the table, and continued the conversation in my place (without asking for permission from me first).

"Hey, An Yan!

"

"Oh, so the girl in the background was you, Feng Mian...I couldn't hear clearly since Xuan Kai immediately covered the microphone, but...what are the two of you doing together?

" Yu An Yan asked, sounding slightly sad and disappointed.

"We're having lunch together right now,

" Feng Mian answered, with a trace of triumph in her tone, for some reason.

"O-Oh...I see...

" Yu An Yan murmured dejectedly. Just hearing her like that over the phone made me feel bad. And so, in the spur of the moment, I cut in to their conversation and made what I would later consider to be an insanely bad move.

"Hey, if you want, why don't you come join us?

" I asked like a brain-dead overheated toaster.

"R-Really? You won't mind?

" Yu An Yan's tone immediately brightened up as if my words had given her the greatest hope in the world.

"Uh, yeah...we're all friends, no? Eating together is only natural,

" I responded, attempting to justify my own decision.

"Okay! Then I'll call An Xue, Obsidia, and Qing Yue as well!

"

It took me a little while to process what she had just said.

"Huh? Hey, wait, they aren-

"

But by the time I finished, it was too late. She had hung up the call, and I was left faced with the awkward beeping of the phone and a very annoyed Feng Mian.

"Uh...hey, lighten up,

" I said, trying to cheer her up. Quite frankly, her current dead gaze was frightening as it bore straight into my eyes.

"...You understand why I am mad, yes?

" she finally said after a long silence.

I nodded immediately.

"Y-Yeah, but...she just seemed very dejected, so I kinda got the sudden urge to just invite her...

"

Feng Mian stared at me for a little longer, then sighed at last, easing the tense atmosphere.

"Well, I don't blame you...

" then, in a quieter tone, she continued.

"It isn't really fair for me to keep you here all to myself today, anyway...

"

"Hm?

"

"Master...I am going to go use the bathroom,

" Mei Gui suddenly spoke up, and without awaiting my response, hurried off, taking the phoenix with her, leaving Feng Mian and I alone.

Then, Feng Mian took a deep breath as I watched on in puzzlement.

"Xuan Kai, I have something I need to say to you right now, while we're alone. Because if I don't say it now, I don't think I'll ever be able to muster up the courage to say it again,

" she said determinedly.

I tilted my head in confusion. What is she talking about...? She has something she needs to tell me? And while we're alone, at that? No no no...it can't be. There's no way she's going to do that right now, is there? And not to mention...Mei Gui, you betrayed me! Damn it, I'm not ready for that yet...I didn't think that far ahead! How am I supposed to respond to her if she really confesses to me?! Had I know this was her true intention in inviting me out here today, I wouldn't have even come....I blundered once again, it seems.

"H-Hold on, Feng Mian...can this wait until after we're done eating? Since you know, I don't like to talk about serious matters before having food. I won't be able to eat properly that way,

" I said in a panic, trying desperately to stop her from proposing.

Feng Mian, however, shook her head.

"No. I have to do it now, while the others are still not here yet. By the time the hot pot is ready, they'll have already arrived.

"

Yes, that's what I am aiming for! But you saw right through my intentions...damn it, normally I would be thankful for having such smart and perceptive allies, but sometimes being too clever can be a bad thing too!

Then, Feng Mian grabbed my hand, and I immediately stiffened, anxious about what's to come.

The beautiful girl with golden hair and starry purple irises gazed into my eyes longingly, and spoke.

"Xuan Kai...I'm in love with you.

"