Xu Xiuwen chuckled dryly.
Hearing this, An Shishi also smiled softly.
She took the packed dinner from Xu Xiuwen's hands and suddenly asked, "By the way, master, are you going to the lantern festival later?"
Xu Xiuwen was about to shake his head and refuse.
But An Shishi said, "Master, you should go. Don't you want to know if you and Lulu are destined to be together?"
Xu Xiuwen glanced at Cheng Lu upon hearing this.
Cheng Lu happened to be looking at him too.
Their eyes met.
Xu Xiuwen asked, "Do you want to go?"
Cheng Lu nodded, "Going to see the lantern festival sounds nice."
Xu Xiuwen thought for a moment and then nodded, "Alright, let's go together later."
An Shishi quickly stopped them.
"Master, you can't go together."
"Why?"
An Shishi smiled and explained, "Don't you remember what the waiter said? At the lantern festival, the first girl or guy you stop for is your destined partner. If we go together, it won't work."
Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but laugh, "You believe that?"
An Shishi nodded, "Of course I believe it, why not? Lulu, what do you think?"
Seeing both of them looking at her, Cheng Lu thought for a moment and said, "I don't care much about it, but since we're going, we can experience it."
An Shishi chuckled.
She continued, "Then it's settled. We'll leave separately. After we go upstairs, master, you go first, Lulu will go ten minutes later, and I'll go twenty minutes after. Hehe, I'm giving Lulu a chance. Remember, you can take your phones but they must be turned off. Whether you meet is all up to fate."
"Alright." Xu Xiuwen reluctantly agreed but nodded in the end.
Then An Shishi and Cheng Lu went upstairs together.
Cheng Lu went straight to her room and closed the door.
An Shishi walked to the door of Xiao Youran and Song Siyu's room.
She knocked lightly.
Inside, the sound of slippers could be heard approaching.
Soon, the door opened.
Song Siyu appeared behind the door.
Seeing An Shishi, she was stunned for a moment, then her expression turned cold, "What are you here for?"
An Shishi walked directly into the room.
She glanced inside, seeing Xiao Youran sitting at the head of her bed, hugging her knees, curled up.
An Shishi walked over and put the packed meal on the bedside table between the two beds.
An Shishi asked, "Still upset?"
Xiao Youran looked up at her but then looked down again in sadness.
Song Siyu closed the door and walked over, unable to help but say, "Did you come just to mock Youran?"
An Shishi chuckled, "Am I that bored?"
Pausing for a moment, she continued, "You haven't had dinner yet, right? Xu Xiuwen packed it for you. Eat it while it's hot."
Song Siyu immediately said, "We don't care for his food. Take it away."
An Shishi chuckled again, ignoring Song Siyu.
She looked at Xiao Youran and said, "Xu Xiuwen packed this specially for you. It's all your favorite dishes. If you don't accept it, I'll throw it out. It'll be a waste of someone's concern."
Xiao Youran looked up at An Shishi and then at the packed food on the bedside table.
A hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes, but she finally said, "I don't want it."
An Shishi chuckled again.
She looked at Xiao Youran and said, "Youran, you're really silly."
Xiao Youran: "???"
Song Siyu immediately said, "Take your things and leave. You're not welcome here."
An Shishi smiled and asked, "Siyu, I haven't provoked you, have I? What's the point of you always targeting me?"
Song Siyu got angry, "Don't forget what you've done!"
"I'd like to hear it. What did I do?"
Song Siyu said, "You're a traitor!"
An Shishi laughed, "Who did I betray?"
"Don't play dumb! Xu Xiuwen cheated, and you chose to side with Cheng Lu. That's a betrayal of Youran."
An Shishi looked at Xiao Youran and asked, "Youran, do you think so too?"
Xiao Youran kept a straight face, not saying a word, but her eyes seemed to say, "Yes, that's what I think."
An Shishi laughed.
She said, "I'm always about the facts, not the people. Cheng Lu was with Xu Xiuwen first. Youran is the one who interfered. Do I have to side with Youran?"
Xiao Youran immediately retorted, "I'm not an interloper. I've known Xiao Xu for eighteen years."
An Shishi quickly said, "Yes, you're right. You've known Xu Xiuwen for eighteen years, but in those eighteen years, you remained friends, not a couple. Cheng Lu was with Xu Xiuwen first."
Xiao Youran's face turned pale upon hearing this.
Seeing this, Song Siyu immediately chimed in, "Even if Cheng Lu was with Xu Xiuwen first, she knew about Youran's relationship with Xu Xiuwen. How could she come between them? Isn't that too much?"
An Shishi shook her head, "Youran, that's why I say you're silly. When it comes to feelings, there should be no hesitation. You clearly had a better chance than Cheng Lu, but you didn't seize it. You can't blame Cheng Lu for taking Xu Xiuwen. For a guy as outstanding as Xu Xiuwen, what girl wouldn't be tempted?"
Song Siyu sneered, "So, are you tempted too? I see you hanging around them every day. Isn't Cheng Lu afraid you might have ulterior motives?"
An Shishi shook her head, "I admit I was tempted, but I love my husband more, so I wouldn't compete with Cheng Lu."
Pausing for a moment, she then asked, "Siyu, haven't you ever been tempted by Xu Xiuwen?"
This left Song Siyu stunned.
Xiao Youran also looked over in surprise, with a hint of tension in her expression.
After the initial shock, a trace of panic flashed in Song Siyu's eyes.
She averted her gaze and said, "Don't talk nonsense. Of course, I've never been tempted by Xu Xiuwen."
An Shishi stared at her for a few seconds and said, "It's best if you haven't."
"Youran, that's why I say you're silly. You didn't cherish the opportunity before. Now, you're handing Xu Xiuwen over to Cheng Lu. If you continue like this, Xu Xiuwen will only drift further away from you."
Xiao Youran asked softly, "What do you mean?"
An Shishi said, "If it were me, even knowing Xu Xiuwen cheated, I wouldn't break up with him but would compete with Cheng Lu. We're not even graduated yet, not to mention married. The ultimate winner is still unknown. But you chose to back down and gave Xu Xiuwen to Cheng Lu. Do you see how silly that is?"
Xiao Youran fell silent after hearing this.
Song Siyu couldn't help but say, "Youran, don't listen to her nonsense."
Xiao Youran suddenly said, "I think Shishi makes sense."
An Shishi smiled.
Song Siyu's eyes widened in surprise.
Xiao Youran continued, "I... I still can't forget Xiao Xu. Maybe I really shouldn't have forced him to choose that day."
Song Siyu: "Youran—"
An Shishi nodded, "It's good you think that way. So you're not completely silly. Look, you went missing today, and Xu Xiuwen was more worried than anyone else. He packed your favorite dishes for dinner. Do you think he cares about you or not?"
Xiao Youran recalled the scenes with Xu Xiuwen that afternoon.
On the stone steps down the mountain, Xu Xiuwen found her and carried her down.
After descending, he gently applied medicine to her in the pharmacy.
These scenes replayed in her mind.
Xiao Youran said firmly, "Xiao Xu definitely cares about me."
But her expression quickly turned dejected, "But what's the use of saying this now? Xiao Xu is already with Cheng Lu."
An Shishi said, "They're not married yet. You can still win Xu Xiuwen back. If you give up, he'll be completely out of your life. If you're willing to attend Xu Xiuwen and Cheng Lu's wedding in the future, then keep backing down."
Xiao Youran listened to An Shishi's words and felt a sharp pain in her heart at the thought of Xu Xiuwen and Cheng Lu getting married. If that day ever came, she felt like her life would be dark and gloomy.
She shook her head, "I don't want them to get married."
An Shishi continued, "Then it's up to you. I've said all I can."
Song Siyu couldn't help but say, "Didn't you side with Cheng Lu? Why are you saying these things to Youran? Aren't you afraid we'll tell Cheng Lu what you just said?"
Xiao Youran also looked puzzled, clearly unable to understand why An Shishi was suddenly encouraging her to compete with Cheng Lu for Xu Xiuwen.
An Shishi chuckled, "When did I say I sided with Cheng Lu? You two didn't accept me first, so I turned to her. Plus, Cheng Lu is actually quite nice. But ultimately, I have a better relationship with Youran and Siyu. Do you think I felt good when you ignored me?"
An Shishi's words made Xiao Youran's eyes instantly well up with tears.
Song Siyu also felt a bit guilty.
Xiao Youran apologized, "I'm sorry, Shishi. I shouldn't have blamed you or ignored you. It was my fault."
Song Siyu lowered her head, "Sorry, Shishi. I was too impulsive."
An Shishi laughed, "It's okay. I wasn't angry. Actually, Cheng Lu is quite nice. If it weren't for Xu Xiuwen, I think we could have been good roommates."
Seeing that neither of them spoke, An Shishi continued, "Can we eat now?"
Xiao Youran immediately nodded.
Song Siyu also stopped opposing.
Xiao Youran and Song Siyu sat by the bed and started eating.
An Shishi sat nearby, watching them for a while. Suddenly, she said, "Youran, what are you thinking? If you still like Xu Xiuwen, you should actively pursue him so you don't regret it later."
Xiao Youran put down her chopsticks and said, "I've figured it out. I won't give up on Xiao Xu. I will compete with Cheng Lu openly and fairly."
Song Siyu asked, "Have you thought it through?"
Xiao Youran nodded, "I've thought it through! Xiao Xu is mine. He was mine before, and he will be mine in the future. I will not let him go to Cheng Lu."
Song Siyu said, "I don't know if I should support you."
Xiao Youran immediately said, "Whether you support me or not, I want to thank you, Siyu."
Song Siyu smiled and didn't mind.
She turned to An Shishi and asked, "If Youran competes with Cheng Lu, who will you support?"
Xiao Youran also looked at An Shishi with concern.
An Shishi said, "I won't support anyone."
This answer was expected by both girls.
Xiao Youran felt a bit regretful.
If she hadn't ignored An Shishi earlier, An Shishi wouldn't have gotten so close to Cheng Lu, and she would be supporting her now.
Song Siyu didn't say anything either.
An Shishi saw their expressions and slightly smiled.
She suddenly said, "Although I won't support either of you, I have some news to tell you."
Song Siyu asked, "What news?"
An Shishi said, "Do you remember the lantern festival tonight?"
Both girls nodded.
An Shishi continued, "Do you remember what the waiter said? At the lantern festival, the first girl or guy you stop for is your destined partner. Youran, I don't know if you and Xu Xiuwen are destined, but I know that when I came up, Xu Xiuwen went out first, and Cheng Lu will leave ten minutes later. By now, she should already be on her way. I'm about to go to the lantern festival too."
She paused.
"If Cheng Lu and Xu Xiuwen meet at the lantern festival first, they'll probably think they're each other's destined partner."
Xiao Youran panicked upon hearing this, "No way!"
An Shishi looked at her and said, "Why not? Whoever you meet first is your destined one."
Xiao Youran immediately said, "I am Xiao Xu's destined one. I'm going to the lantern festival too."
This was exactly what An Shishi had been waiting for. She chuckled, "Then you'd better hurry. By the way, is your foot okay?"
Xiao Youran had lost her appetite. She hurriedly said, "It's fine, much better now."
"That's good." An Shishi nodded, "The time is almost up. I'm going back to my room to get ready for the lantern festival. You don't need to call me."
Xiao Youran nodded, then quickly put on her shoes, preparing to go to the lantern festival.
Song Siyu naturally wanted to accompany her, but Xiao Youran refused.
If she met Xu Xiuwen with Song Siyu, it would be unclear who the destined partner was.
At this moment, the entire Tianyun Town was bustling.
Lanterns and decorations were everywhere, and various stalls were set up, making the atmosphere lively.
Xu Xiuwen had just walked onto the street and noticed that the number of people had significantly increased.
Most of the tourists were now wearing various colorful masks.
Just a moment ago, when he finished dinner and returned, there weren't so many people wearing masks.
Xu Xiuwen checked the time and saw that it was already seven o'clock.
The waiter had mentioned that the lantern festival started at seven in the evening.
The lantern festival had officially begun.
Walking along the street, Xu Xiuwen soon came across a bustling shop.
The sign above the shop read "Tianyun Costume Shop."
There were many customers in front of the shop.
Seeing the masks hanging at the entrance, Xu Xiuwen decided to go in and take a look.
The shop sold not only masks but also rented out costumes.
Xu Xiuwen saw a variety of classical-style clothes.
The rental price for a costume was 200 yuan, with an ID required as a deposit.
The shop owner, a man in his twenties or early thirties, was very busy at the moment, constantly collecting money and making change, without any time to introduce the masks and costumes to customers.
The shop was crowded with customers selecting their favorite masks and costumes.
In addition to various classical outfits, the shop offered a wide range of masks in different colors and shapes.
The masks were for sale only, not for rent, but they were reasonably priced.
The nicer masks cost 30 yuan, while the cheaper ones were priced at 20 or even 10 yuan.