Afterward.
Xiao Youran wanted an explanation, but An Shishi didn't explain why she spoke up for Cheng Lu.
So from then on, the relationship between Xiao Youran and An Shishi completely broke down.
An Shishi then took the initiative to get closer to Cheng Lu.
Although Cheng Lu didn't care about the dormitory relationships, An Shishi defended her and made friendly overtures.
Of course, Cheng Lu did not reject her goodwill.
Song Siyu firmly sided with Xiao Youran.
Thus, Dorm 301 quickly divided into two camps: Cheng Lu's faction and Xiao Youran's faction.
One was a new friend and the other an old friend.
But in the end, the new friend gained the upper hand.
After An Shishi's overtures, the time Cheng Lu spent with her increased dramatically.
As they spent more time together, Cheng Lu found that An Shishi had a great personality and was a good friend.
Their relationship grew closer, and they now attended and left classes together almost every day, sharing everything.
On April 18th.
It was Cheng Lu's birthday.
She didn't tell anyone, but An Shishi seemed to know and proactively offered to celebrate her birthday.
Cheng Lu wasn't interested, but she couldn't resist An Shishi's insistence, so she agreed.
So, on the evening of Cheng Lu's birthday, the two girls went to a well-known restaurant on East Street.
...
Cheng Lu denied, "It has nothing to do with him, don't mention him."
An Shishi asked, "Cheng Lu, are you really planning to break up with Xu Xiuwen?"
Cheng Lu was silent for a few seconds.
Her eyes were a bit dazed. "I don't know."
A trace of disappointment flashed in An Shishi's eyes, but Cheng Lu didn't notice as she was looking down.
Cheng Lu suddenly looked up at An Shishi and asked, "Shishi, do you think I should break up with him?"
An Shishi thought to herself, "Of course I hope you break up."
But she said, "Cheng Lu, I think you shouldn't break up with Xu Xiuwen."
An Shishi had to say something against her heart.
Cheng Lu looked confused, "Why?"
"Think about it, Xu Xiuwen is such an outstanding guy. Wouldn't it be a pity if you broke up with him? Could you meet someone better than him in the future? Even if you could, he's probably your first love, right? Won't you regret it?"
Cheng Lu couldn't help but retort, "But he cheated on me, he was with Xiao Youran behind my back!"
An Shishi said, "Cheng Lu, it's true that Xu Xiuwen cheated, but I think it's understandable. That night, it was made clear that he and Xiao Youran were only kept apart due to someone's interference, but they had always liked each other. It's unrealistic to expect Xu Xiuwen to give up his feelings for Xiao Youran so quickly. And if he did abandon an eighteen-year-long relationship with his childhood friend so easily, wouldn't you think he's too heartless?"
Cheng Lu understood what An Shishi was saying.
In fact, it was precisely because of this that Cheng Lu couldn't decisively break up with him.
If it weren't for this, even if she was reluctant, she would have broken up without hesitation as soon as Xu Xiuwen cheated.
An Shishi saw that Cheng Lu was wavering inside.
She continued, "Cheng Lu, if you still like Xu Xiuwen, you shouldn't give up on your relationship. Otherwise, you'll definitely regret it in the future."
"Regret?" Cheng Lu's eyes were distant. "I probably would."
For the past month, Xu Xiuwen had been on Cheng Lu's mind countless times, even though she never mentioned it.
She read every text Xu Xiuwen sent her every night.
If he sent them late, she couldn't fall asleep until she received and read his messages.
An Shishi continued, "Cheng Lu, I think you should give Xu Xiuwen a chance. He chose you that day, which shows he still prefers you. As long as he completely cuts ties with Xiao Youran, there's no need for you to break up with him."
Listening to An Shishi, Cheng Lu felt even more conflicted.
At that moment, she unintentionally noticed a smile at the corner of An Shishi's mouth.
Cheng Lu was taken aback and then realized something.
She asked, "Shishi, something's not right. Why are you suddenly speaking up for him?"
An Shishi denied, "No, I'm not speaking up for him."
Cheng Lu wasn't that easy to deceive.
She looked at An Shishi calmly, without saying a word.
Seeing this, An Shishi showed a guilty expression.
Finally, unable to bear the pressure, An Shishi admitted, "Alright, I admit I was speaking up for Xu Xiuwen. But it's just because I want you two to reconcile soon. You're not happy when you're apart, and if you're not happy, neither am I."
Hearing this, Cheng Lu believed her.
After thinking for a moment, she realized that this was indeed the case.
Ever since that day, she hadn't been happy.
Cheng Lu was now struggling with the urge to forgive Xu Xiuwen.
However, she still asked, "Do you really think I should forgive him?"
An Shishi nodded, "It's been a month. I think you should forgive him."
Cheng Lu fell silent again.
Seeing this, An Shishi suddenly said, "If you don't want such an excellent guy like Xu Xiuwen, give him to me."
Cheng Lu instinctively asked, "Do you like Xu Xiuwen too?"
An Shishi replied, "I have a bit of a crush on him. So if you don't want him, give him to me. Otherwise, breaking up with him only benefits Xiao Youran."
Cheng Lu wasn't angry or anything upon hearing this.
It was normal for girls who knew Xu Xiuwen to have a crush on him, given how outstanding he was.
If An Shishi had denied it, Cheng Lu would have suspected she had ulterior motives.
An Shishi's bold admission made Cheng Lu let down her guard.
Cheng Lu asked doubtfully, "Shishi, you used to get along well with Xiao Youran. Why did you suddenly speak up for me that day?"
An Shishi paused and then said, "Because I can't stand her treating Xu Xiuwen like her personal property. Besides, you're the main girlfriend, and she's the other woman. What right does she have to question you? Although I got along well with Xiao Youran, I'm a normal person with proper values. I don't approve of her actions."
Cheng Lu didn't doubt her and nodded.
Just then, the door to the private room opened, and a tall waiter walked in.
After the waiter finished serving the dishes and left, An Shishi glanced at her and asked, "Cheng Lu, it's your birthday today. Did you tell Xu Xiuwen?"
Cheng Lu shook her head.
"So he doesn't know it's your birthday today?"
"Mm."
An Shishi, feeling indignant, said, "Xu Xiuwen is really something. He doesn't even know your birthday, and he doesn't visit you. What kind of boyfriend is that?"
Cheng Lu, seeing An Shishi blaming Xu Xiuwen, immediately explained, "He went to Guangming City. He's not at school."
An Shishi asked, "So he definitely can't come today?"
Cheng Lu replied, "Probably."
An Shishi suddenly asked, "If he comes today to celebrate your birthday and reconcile with you, would you agree?"
Cheng Lu thought for a few seconds.
This time, she let go of her pride and nodded, admitting, "I would."
At that moment, the private room door opened again.
The same waiter from earlier walked in again.
He was carrying a cake and said as he walked, "Ladies, your cake is ready."
Cheng Lu asked in surprise, "Shishi, did you order a cake?"
An Shishi shook her head, "No, didn't you say we didn't need a cake? So I didn't buy one."
Hearing this, Cheng Lu turned to the waiter beside her and said, "We didn't order a cake, you must have made a mista—"
Her voice suddenly stopped.
When Cheng Lu looked up, the man beside her, carrying the cake and smiling, was none other than Xu Xiuwen.
For a moment, Cheng Lu thought she was hallucinating.
Xu Xiuwen smiled and said, "Sorry I'm late, and happy birthday, Lulu."
It took a while for Cheng Lu to regain her composure.
She didn't react slowly; she immediately looked at An Shishi.
An Shishi chuckled, "Xu Xiuwen asked me not to tell you, he wanted to surprise you. I couldn't help it."
At that moment, Cheng Lu felt both happy and conflicted.
Although she had decided to forgive him, seeing him in person made her hesitate and feel torn again.
Xu Xiuwen noticed her hesitation.
He quickly set the cake down and handed over the flowers he was holding in his other hand, "Lulu, these are for you."
Cheng Lu didn't take them.
Seeing this, An Shishi took them for her.
Xu Xiuwen then took out two jewelry boxes from his pocket.
"Lulu, this is your birthday gift. I hope you like it."
Xu Xiuwen turned to An Shishi, "And this is your gift."
An Shishi exclaimed in surprise, "I get a gift too?"
Xu Xiuwen smiled and 'explained', "This gift is to thank you for helping me prepare this surprise today."
Hearing this, An Shishi reached out but stopped at the last moment.
She looked at Cheng Lu and asked, "Cheng Lu, can I accept this?"
Cheng Lu calmly replied, "He gave it to you. If you want it, take it."
Hearing this, An Shishi giggled, "Then I won't be polite. Thanks for the gift."
An Shishi accepted the jewelry box and immediately opened it.
Inside, there was a lavender jade bracelet.
An Shishi's eyes lit up.
She exclaimed in surprise, "What a beautiful bracelet! Is this really for me?"
Xu Xiuwen replied, "It's for you."
An Shishi immediately put the bracelet on.
She shook her wrist back and forth, looking at the bracelet on her wrist, unable to hide her love for it.
After admiring the bracelet for a while, An Shishi suddenly remembered something.
She immediately looked at Cheng Lu and said, "Cheng Lu, quickly open yours and see what Xu Xiuwen gave you."
Cheng Lu, having seen the bracelet Xu Xiuwen gave An Shishi, also liked it.
That kind of fine, smooth, and glossy bracelet is something no one would dislike.
Cheng Lu opened her jewelry box, and inside was a white jade bracelet.
Compared to An Shishi's bracelet, the one in Cheng Lu's hand was more delicate, clean, and appealing.
Xu Xiuwen noticed Cheng Lu hadn't moved; he picked up the bracelet and gently took Cheng Lu's hand to help her put it on.
During this process, Cheng Lu only glanced at him and did not resist or struggle.
Seeing this, Xu Xiuwen felt a surge of joy.
After putting on the bracelet, Cheng Lu gently tugged and withdrew her hand from Xu Xiuwen's grasp.
Cheng Lu looked down at the white jade bracelet on her wrist, liking it more and more.
Compared to the color of An Shishi's bracelet, she preferred the one on her wrist, as it suited her temperament better.
Xu Xiuwen interrupted the two women.
"Alright, let's eat first and then continue later."
Xu Xiuwen turned his head and shouted outside the private room, "Excuse me, could you bring another set of tableware?"
Cheng Lu saw Xu Xiuwen take the initiative to ask for another set of tableware, but she didn't stop him.
She didn't say anything.
At this moment, An Shishi also temporarily came out of the joy of receiving the bracelet.
She deliberately said, "Xu Xiuwen, the bracelet you gave us isn't cheap, is it? I can't accept such an expensive gift from you."
Xu Xiuwen waved his hand and said, "It's not very expensive, it's fine. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had the chance to make up with Cheng Lu. I should be thanking you."
Cheng Lu couldn't help but say, "Who made up with you?"
Xu Xiuwen ignored her words.
He looked at An Shishi and said to her, "The food is getting cold, Shishi, hurry up and eat."
After he finished speaking, he picked up his chopsticks and started serving the dishes.
Xu Xiuwen put some food into Cheng Lu's bowl and smiled, reminding her, "Lulu, eat more. You're too thin."
Cheng Lu looked at Xu Xiuwen with a cold expression.
Xu Xiuwen was too shameless.
Cheng Lu was left speechless by him.
She snorted lightly, then picked up her chopsticks and started eating the food in her bowl.
Seeing this, Xu Xiuwen finally let out a sigh of relief.
Across from them, An Shishi couldn't see Cheng Lu's expression as she had her head down.
An Shishi blinked at Xu Xiuwen with a look that seemed to say she was taking credit.
Xu Xiuwen gave her a warning look before continuing to put food into Cheng Lu's bowl.
Finally, Cheng Lu couldn't stand it anymore and said, "Stop putting food in my bowl. I can't eat that much."
"Alright, alright, I'll serve you more after you finish."
An Shishi chuckled, "You two should tone it down a bit. There's a single person here, you know."
Cheng Lu couldn't help but glare at An Shishi, as if to say, it's all your fault for bringing Xu Xiuwen here.
Xu Xiuwen chuckled and said, "Then you should find yourself a boyfriend. Want me to introduce one to you?"
An Shishi immediately said, "Sure, sure, Xu Xiuwen, I'll leave finding a boyfriend to you then."
Xu Xiuwen was startled by this.
What does she mean by leaving it to him?
It sounded like she was asking him to be her boyfriend.
Xu Xiuwen quickly shot her a warning look.
An Shishi glanced at Cheng Lu and said, "I suddenly remembered that I have a husband already. I don't need you to find me a boyfriend."
Last time, An Shishi had claimed she was being kept by someone in front of Xiao Youran.
But Cheng Lu didn't know about this.
So when she heard An Shishi's words, she was shocked.
Cheng Lu couldn't help but ask, "Shishi, you have a husband?"
An Shishi nodded and admitted, "Yes, my husband treats me very well. He gives me money to spend and buys me all kinds of things."
Cheng Lu had already noticed that since the start of this semester, An Shishi seemed to suddenly have plenty of money.
She no longer dressed and lived as frugally as she did last semester.
She had wanted to ask before, but felt it was inappropriate, so she held back.
Now, hearing An Shishi's words, she finally understood.
Xu Xiuwen, fearing that An Shishi might say too much, quickly kicked her lightly under the table.
An Shishi, startled, looked at Xu Xiuwen and then chuckled, not saying anything more.
Halfway through the meal, Xu Xiuwen began to open the cake box and took out the cake.
He placed 18 candles on the cake.
After lighting the candles, he walked to the door of the private room and turned off the lights.
During this process, Cheng Lu and An Shishi quietly watched without saying a word.
Xu Xiuwen started singing the birthday song: "Happy birthday to you..."
An Shishi joined in and sang along.