Cheng Lu not only had an outstanding appearance but also an impressive figure.
For starters, she stood at a full 1.7 meters tall, which made her exceptionally tall among women. Moreover, thanks to her long-time dance training, she maintained a fantastic physique and exuded an air of elegance.
Forget Shen Minyao—most women who stood before Cheng Lu couldn't help but feel inferior and self-conscious.
But Cheng Lu wasn't perfect either. Her biggest flaw was her icy personality. At times, she could speak in a way that felt harsh and unsympathetic.
Shen Minyao felt this was perhaps the only area where she might hold a slight advantage over Cheng Lu.
Yet, this realization did not boost Shen Minyao's confidence. Instead, it deepened her feelings of frustration and anxiety.
"If someone as remarkable as Cheng Lu can't win Xu Xiuwen's heart," Shen Minyao thought, "how could I ever have a chance?"
At the same time, she couldn't suppress her curiosity.
What exactly did Tang Weiwei do to win Xu Xiuwen over?
In Shen Minyao's eyes, Tang Weiwei was excellent. She had great grades, good looks, and a kind personality. But when compared to Cheng Lu, those traits didn't seem to give her much of an edge—except for her personality.
Yet Cheng Lu's cold personality could easily spark a man's desire to conquer her, couldn't it?
Shen Minyao just couldn't understand why Xu Xiuwen had resolutely chosen Tang Weiwei as his girlfriend instead of someone else.
To be fair, Shen Minyao had no right to meddle in Xu Xiuwen's relationships with other women. That was Tang Weiwei's job.
But when she heard the tone in which Cheng Lu spoke to Xu Xiuwen, she just couldn't hold back.
She said in a low voice, "Cheng Lu, Xu Xiuwen already said he doesn't need your help. He even told you to leave. Why are you insisting on staying here? If I were you, I'd just give up and leave."
Shen Minyao's rather unfriendly words made the hospital room fall into silence.
Hearing this, Cheng Lu didn't lash out or stand up in anger. Instead, she turned to Shen Minyao and said calmly, "That's exactly what I wanted to say to you. Xu Xiuwen needs rest. You should leave instead of disturbing him."
Shen Minyao was flustered. She widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Me, disturbing him? Do you even know who's been taking care of him all this time?"
Cheng Lu nodded and said, "If it was you taking care of him earlier, I thank you on Xu Xiuwen's behalf. But now that I'm here, you're no longer needed. You can leave."
Her tone remained steady, her expression composed, showing no trace of emotion.
Even when she essentially told Shen Minyao to leave, Cheng Lu remained just as calm.
Shen Minyao pointed at herself. "I should leave? It's you who should leave! And as for your earlier words, let me return them to you: what's your relationship with him? What gives you the right to thank me on his behalf?"
The two began arguing again.
Two tigers cannot coexist on one mountain—unless one is male and the other female.
But here, it was one male and two females.
Xu Xiuwen knew that Shen Minyao liked him, while Cheng Lu was his girlfriend.
So, it was no surprise that they couldn't stand each other.
Xu Xiuwen wanted to intervene, but he was at a loss.
As he hesitated, Cheng Lu suddenly said coldly, "Xu Xiuwen is my boyfriend. If even I don't have the right, who does?"
With that, Cheng Lu revealed their relationship.
Xu Xiuwen's heart sank.
This is bad, he thought.
Xu Xiuwen's roommates had long suspected that he had close ties with both Cheng Lu and Tang Weiwei.
But aside from Yang Baishan, none of them were entirely sure if he was truly two-timing them both.
After Cheng Lu finished speaking, everyone froze in shock.
Yang Baishan, however, couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
He had long known that Xu Xiuwen liked Cheng Lu. But later, when Xu Xiuwen started dating Tang Weiwei and openly admitted that she was his girlfriend, Yang Baishan realized Xu Xiuwen was two-timing.
Although he knew, he never exposed him.
First, even if he did, people might not believe him.
Second, if Xu Xiuwen found out it was him who spilled the beans, it would ruin their relationship.
So, Yang Baishan kept Xu Xiuwen's secret.
But that didn't mean he wasn't envious. Xu Xiuwen monopolized the two campus belles, which naturally invited jealousy.
Deep down, Yang Baishan always hoped Xu Xiuwen would slip up one day. When that day came, he would relish the spectacle.
Now, that moment had finally arrived.
"You're talking nonsense! How could Xu Xiuwen possibly be your boyfriend?" Shen Minyao said in disbelief.
Cheng Lu, however, didn't bother to explain. She merely replied nonchalantly, "Why not?"
"Because—"
Just as Shen Minyao was about to say something, Xu Xiuwen hurriedly interrupted her.
"Stop talking! I want to sit up," Xu Xiuwen suddenly shouted.
Everyone's attention turned to him.
Xu Xiuwen was panicking inside. He raised his voice and said, "I'm feeling uncomfortable lying down. Can someone help me sit up?"
He was clearly trying to change the subject.
Hearing his request, Cheng Lu stepped forward to assist him.
She supported his back with her hands, helping him sit up slowly. Xu Xiuwen shifted himself little by little until he finally leaned against the headboard.
Just as Xu Xiuwen let out a sigh of relief, Shen Minyao spoke again.
"Xu Xiuwen, what did Cheng Lu mean by her words? What does she mean you're her boyfriend? How could you possibly be her boyfriend?"
Shen Minyao stared at him with wide eyes, filled with disbelief and doubt.
Xu Xiuwen felt an intense headache. What should he do now?
All he could see was darkness, with not a shred of light or hope.
He desperately wished this was all a bad dream—that there was no fire rescue, no hospital stay, none of it.
But deep down, he knew this wasn't a dream.
On his left was Cheng Lu. On his right was Shen Minyao.
Xu Xiuwen's eyelid twitched uncontrollably, his heart pounding erratically like a drum.
Because he said nothing, the hospital room fell into an eerie silence, as if time itself had stopped.
Xu Xiuwen remained silent for so long that even Cheng Lu started to feel something was off.
Seeing his silence, Shen Minyao began to piece things together in her mind.
Her expression grew darker and darker as sourness and bitterness welled up in her heart.
If Cheng Lu wasn't lying and Xu Xiuwen really was her boyfriend, that meant Xu Xiuwen had been two-timing all along!
A wave of jealousy and sadness swept over her.
If Xu Xiuwen really was cheating, it meant he was never the loyal, devoted person he pretended to be.
And yet, he acted so sincere and steadfast in front of her.
Never mind what happened last semester—just tonight alone!
She had been so open about her feelings, yet he remained unmoved.
In fact, he resisted her advances, avoided her at all costs, and put up every possible barrier.
But with Cheng Lu, he could two-time without hesitation.
Shen Minyao knew she couldn't compare to Cheng Lu in many ways.
But even so, she found it hard to accept.
Was she really that much worse than Cheng Lu?
She had been so proactive, and yet Xu Xiuwen wouldn't even spare her a glance. Why?
The more she thought about it, the sourness and bitterness in her heart turned into resentment and dissatisfaction.
And when she thought about how Xu Xiuwen was two-timing while Tang Weiwei remained completely in the dark, she couldn't help but feel indignant on behalf of her roommate.
Xu Xiuwen, that scumbag, was truly despicable!
Shen Minyao didn't know whether Cheng Lu was aware that Xu Xiuwen already had a girlfriend.
If she didn't know, it was somewhat understandable.
But if she did know, then Cheng Lu was a homewrecker—a woman who destroys other people's relationships.
Shen Minyao despised anyone who interfered in someone else's relationship.
At that moment, the door to the hospital room opened again.
Su Yanyan's cheerful voice rang out:
"Hey, Big Bro, we're back! Did you miss us?"
Hearing Su Yanyan's voice, Xu Xiuwen immediately shut his eyes.
If Su Yanyan was back, then Tang Weiwei, who had gone with her, must also be back.
He had originally planned to find a way to get Cheng Lu to leave before they returned.
But now it was too late.
He was doomed!
Su Yanyan walked into the room, with Tang Weiwei following closely behind.
Su Yanyan quickly noticed the extra people in the room and let out a surprised "Huh?"
Tang Weiwei also noticed the visitors.
Her expression remained calm upon seeing Xu Xiuwen's roommates.
But the moment her eyes landed on Cheng Lu, standing by Xu Xiuwen's bedside, her face turned pale. Her gaze wavered with a hint of panic, and she quickly looked down.
Since Tang Weiwei was slightly behind, no one noticed her reaction.
Su Yanyan, on the other hand, recognized Cheng Lu and exclaimed, "Oh, you're Cheng Lu from Jiaotong University, right?"
Cheng Lu nodded. "That's me."
Su Yanyan didn't overthink it and smiled brightly. "You're here to see Big Bro too? You two must be really close! I didn't even know that."
Xu Xiuwen was screaming internally: I'm done for! This is the end! If I survive this, it'd be a miracle!
He braced himself for the worst.
Yet, surprisingly, things didn't escalate.
Shen Minyao didn't immediately reveal Cheng Lu and Xu Xiuwen's relationship to Tang Weiwei.
Cheng Lu, for her part, had no reason to bring it up on her own.
Xu Xiuwen's roommates were smart enough to stay quiet, fully aware of the danger.
Tang Weiwei and Su Yanyan, meanwhile, didn't seem to suspect anything unusual about Cheng Lu's presence.
Perhaps they just assumed Cheng Lu was a classmate with a good relationship with Xu Xiuwen?
There was still a sliver of hope for him to salvage the situation.
This tiny glimmer of hope made Xu Xiuwen feel like he might survive after all.
He opened his eyes and forced a smile. "Yanyan, Weiwei, you're back."
Tang Weiwei kept her head down and didn't respond or look at him.
Su Yanyan, on the other hand, grinned and asked, "Big Bro, guess what we brought you to eat!"
Xu Xiuwen could feel everyone's eyes on him.
He swallowed nervously and let out a dry laugh. "Haha, I have no idea."
Su Yanyan didn't keep him in suspense. "Big Bro, we got you pork rib soup with rice. Eat up!"
"Oh, thank you," Xu Xiuwen said, expressing his gratitude before adding, "Have you two eaten yet?"
Su Yanyan shook her head. "Sister Weiwei and I haven't eaten. We planned to eat after coming back. You're the patient, so we didn't want to make you wait too long."
"Oh, I see. Thank you."
"Big Bro, why are you being so polite?"
Su Yanyan chuckled as she opened the plastic bag and showed its contents to him.
Inside the bag were a box of rice, a bowl of pork rib soup, and a small side dish.
She placed everything neatly on the bedside table and asked, "Big Bro, your hands can't move. How are you going to eat this?"
Before Xu Xiuwen could say anything, Cheng Lu spoke up, "I'll feed him."
Su Yanyan froze in surprise.
She glanced at Cheng Lu, then at Xu Xiuwen, and finally at Tang Weiwei.
Seeing that Tang Weiwei didn't say a word, Su Yanyan had no choice but to hand over the plastic bag with the pork rib soup and rice to Cheng Lu.
Cheng Lu took it and unfolded the foldable medical table attached to the hospital bed. She then took out the box of rice, the bowl of pork rib soup, and the side dish from the bag.
Meanwhile, Su Yanyan walked to the bed diagonally across from Xu Xiuwen and unfolded another foldable table. She placed the remaining three dinner portions on it.
"Sister Minyao, Sister Weiwei, come over and eat dinner," Su Yanyan called cheerfully.
By now, Cheng Lu had already begun preparing to feed Xu Xiuwen.
Shen Minyao glared angrily at Xu Xiuwen. Upon hearing Su Yanyan's invitation, she let out a loud, sarcastic snort.
The sound made Xu Xiuwen's body tremble.
"What's wrong?" Cheng Lu immediately asked, concerned.
"Nothing," Xu Xiuwen tried to dismiss it, hoping to move on.
Cheng Lu seemed to believe him and didn't press further.
On the other side of the room, Tang Weiwei remained silent, avoiding looking at either Xu Xiuwen or Cheng Lu. She quietly walked over to Su Yanyan and began eating her dinner without saying a word.
Xu Xiuwen's roommates watched the situation unfold, silently observing every detail.
They all understood perfectly what was going on.
However, they were shocked by how things were playing out.
Cheng Lu was feeding Xu Xiuwen, and Tang Weiwei, as his actual girlfriend, didn't say anything or intervene?
That was completely illogical!
What's more, Shen Minyao—Tang Weiwei's roommate and close friend—clearly knew about the relationship between Cheng Lu and Xu Xiuwen.
Yet, she also chose not to tell Tang Weiwei.
Was she trying to help Xu Xiuwen cover this up?
The roommates had all been bracing themselves to witness a dramatic confrontation between the two women fighting over Xu Xiuwen.
But it didn't happen.
Instead, the room settled into an odd silence as everyone began quietly eating dinner.
It felt unsettling to them.
Yang Baishan, in particular, was utterly dumbfounded.
He couldn't understand how the situation had de-escalated so quickly.
Wasn't this supposed to be the moment Xu Xiuwen completely crashed and burned?
How had it turned into everyone peacefully having dinner?
He watched Cheng Lu gently feeding Xu Xiuwen, one bite at a time, and felt an intense pang of envy.
This was Cheng Lu—the famously beautiful and aloof campus queen of Jiaoda University.
She was known for being an ice-cold beauty, indifferent to men, giving them no attention or regard.
Yang Baishan still vividly remembered the first time he saw Cheng Lu.
Her cold, commanding demeanor, as if she were untouchable, had left an indelible impression on him.
Even now, on sleepless nights, he couldn't help but think of her. First, he would be mesmerized, and then consumed by a bitter sense of longing.
But now, that icy, untouchable Cheng Lu was nowhere to be seen.
As she fed Xu Xiuwen, her expression was soft and tender, radiating warmth.
At that moment, Yang Baishan understood something.
Even a girl as cold as Cheng Lu could become gentle and caring in front of her boyfriend.
Seeing this side of her only made her seem closer to the dream girlfriend he had always longed for.
His heart ached bitterly at the realization.
Cheng Lu was the kind of girl he could only dream of but never have.
Unless Xu Xiuwen completely fell from grace, and Cheng Lu broke up with him.
Only then would Yang Baishan have the chance to swoop in and fill the void.
But instead of watching Xu Xiuwen crash and burn, he was now watching Cheng Lu gently feeding him dinner in a warm, intimate scene.
It was so idyllic that it felt unfair.
Yang Baishan's emotions were a chaotic mix of jealousy, envy, and utter frustration.
Life truly wasn't fair!