"Honestly, after all that talk, it's not going to do you any good. Even if you remember it, when you meet girls, you'll still have to play the part of a sucker."
Shen Lang said seriously, "So I suggest you practice more. The more you interact with girls, the easier you'll find them."
"Ugh, I get it. But where am I supposed to find that many girls to practice with?"
Zhao Zikang helped clean up the mess on the table. "You know me, I can't even walk past a girl on the street without ducking my head."
"With that attitude, it's a wonder how you even landed this job."
Shen Lang couldn't help but laugh, as if he was looking at his own socially awkward past.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Zikang couldn't resist asking, "Shen Lang, what are you planning to do in the future?"
"What do you mean?"
Shen Lang asked absentmindedly.
"About those two girls!"
Zhao Zikang asked curiously and with a hint of gossip, "Who do you plan to marry? Or who are you thinking of breaking up with?"
Shen Lang glanced at Zhao Zikang, then continued to clean up the dishes without saying much.
"Shen Lang, even if I'm not in a position to lecture you, you should at least show some responsibility."
Zhao Zikang advised passionately.
"We've known each other since we were kids. I always thought you weren't the kind of person to start something and then abandon it. If you don't want a future with Li Liusi, just explain it to her clearly and end things amicably."
With a crash, a ceramic bowl shattered on the floor after being accidentally knocked over by Shen Lang.
Zhao Zikang thought this was a sign that Shen Lang didn't want to continue the conversation and shut up reluctantly.
"It's broken."
Shen Lang kicked the broken pieces with his foot and looked around for a broom.
Zhao Zikang shrugged. "So what if it's broken? You're making so much money now, does one bowl really matter?"
Shen Lang grinned, "I was talking about my responsibility."
Zhao Zikang stared at the broken pieces, then his eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, you mean you've been...?"
"Please, Kang Ge, stop rambling and go take a shower."
Shen Lang said, holding a broom and laughingly scolding, "The internet says you single guys love giving advice to those who are in relationships. Seems like it's true. You should focus on your own romantic life first."
"Dammit, I'm just trying to help."
Zhao Zikang grumbled as he went to the bathroom to wash up, knowing Shen Lang wasn't up for discussing it anymore.
"More nagging than my mom."
Shen Lang shook his head in frustration.
Shen Lang trusted Zhao Zikang completely with his secrets because he knew he'd keep them safe.
True friends are like that; you're willing to share things you wouldn't even tell your parents with them.
Zhao Zikang understood the importance of this matter. If he were to tell Li Liusi that Shen Lang was cheating, the result would be Shen Lang's relationship with Li Liusi falling apart, and Zhao Zikang gaining nothing, but losing a true friend who was willing to help him when he was down and share secrets.
It's no exaggeration—if other friends found out Zhao Zikang did this, everyone would instinctively distance themselves from him.
Come on, you just sent me 20,000 bucks to help me with my love life, and I turned around and spilled your secrets to others? Who would trust me with their secrets after that?
...
After showering, the two men squeezed into a small bed back-to-back.
With his mind troubled by his own issues and Shen Lang's double dating, Zhao Zikang tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
"Shen Lang, you can't hide this forever, right?"
Zhao Zikang asked seriously, "In a few years, you'll have to give them an answer. Unless you move abroad to a country where you can have two wives."
Shen Lang asked irritably, "Kangzi, do you know what you're doing right now?"
"Just giving you some advice, and you're already annoyed."
Zhao Zikang said passionately, "I'm trying to help you see the light and make the tough choice. At worst, you'll end up with a beautiful girl!"
"And do you know what I'm doing?"
"What are you doing?"
Shen Lang turned around and showed Zhao Zikang his phone screen. It was a WeChat chat with Su Lexuan.
Today, Shen Lang had driven to a distant place to buy a giant Pikachu figurine for Su Lexuan as a Valentine's Day makeup gift.
Su Lexuan: "Wow! This Pikachu is huge! I really like it, Shen Pig!"
A Good Night's Sleep: "You think so? I spent a long time finding such a big Pikachu."
...
A Good Night's Sleep: "Alright, let's stop chatting. It's Monday tomorrow, so get some rest. We'll talk more after your class tomorrow {Storm Kiss}."
Su Lexuan: "Haha, I like this emoji! It's mine now! {Image Thief}."
"You're chatting with Su Lexuan?"
Zhao Zikang asked, tilting his head.
"Of course. See, while you were lecturing me, I'm balancing both sides and keeping things fair."
Shen Lang grinned smugly.
"So instead of empathizing with me, you should focus on how to get your Qianqian into bed. I don't need your advice on that."
"Dammit, going to sleep!"
Zhao Zikang slapped Shen Lang's thigh and turned away, deciding not to deal with Shen Lang's issues anymore.
Actually, thinking it over, Zhao Zikang realized Shen Lang was right.
Since he can manage two relationships, he must have a way to handle it.
Since he hasn't even had his first relationship and only managed to win his first girlfriend with money, who is he to advise a pro on how to handle relationships?
Feeling conflicted, Zhao Zikang took out his phone and opened the chat with Li Qianqian.
Homebody Boy: "Qianqian, I got my paycheck. I'll come to your school next Saturday. Is that okay?"
Sweet Strawberry Cookie: "No need, just meet at the airport."
Homebody Boy: "Okay, I've taken time off work. We can have a great time for two days!"
Homebody Boy: "I also checked, and there are many fun places near the concert venue. How about we go boating?"
Sweet Strawberry Cookie: "Hmm, you can arrange it."
Homebody Boy: "No problem."
Sweet Strawberry Cookie: "Alright, it's a bit stuffy today, and I'm not feeling great. I'm going to shower and sleep."
Homebody Boy: "Forwarding video: What to do if you're feeling stuffy? Here's a trick to fix it!"
During the chat with Li Qianqian, Zhao Zikang was constantly humble, with his enthusiasm and effort not being reciprocated.
It wasn't like Shen Lang and Su Lexuan's sweet and loving exchange, where you could feel the affection through the screen.
"Am I really a sucker?"
Zhao Zikang turned off his phone screen and sighed deeply.