The food at this Cantonese restaurant is really good, and everyone is enjoying their meal.
The guys with Shen Lang aren't great at chatting with girls, so the mood at the table was a bit awkward at first.
Luckily, Shen Lang is a pro at livening things up. What started as a stiff and quiet room quickly became lively under his influence.
He kept tossing out popular internet jokes and funny memes, making the girls laugh and brightening up their faces. The guys were watching, envious and a bit jealous.
They wanted to take a page out of Shen Lang's book and try to drive the conversation themselves, to make a better impression on the girls.
But as soon as they started talking and the girls paid attention, they quickly floundered and awkwardly sat back.
"Alright, you guys chat for a bit. I'm going to the bathroom."
Shen Lang got up, moved his chair, and gave Tan Linfeng a pat on the leg and a meaningful look. He whispered, "I don't get to hang out with them every day, so make the most of it."
The message was clear—get some conversation going while there's a chance.
But when Shen Lang came back from the bathroom, he overheard Fan Haiyang bad-mouthing him to Li Qiaoqiao.
"In middle school, Shen Lang and I climbed a tree to steal lychees, and he twisted his ankle. His shorts got torn by a branch, and he almost had to go back with his butt showing."
Fan Haiyang had meant to share some funny stories about Shen Lang to lighten the mood.
It turned out Li Qiaoqiao loved hearing about Shen Lang, and anything involving him, no matter how odd, was a hit with her.
Li Qiaoqiao's wide-eyed, eager look had Fan Haiyang smitten.
So, Fan Haiyang, eager to keep her interest, started sharing more embarrassing stories about Shen Lang.
When Shen Lang came back, he shot a look at Wen Jie, and Fan Haiyang immediately stopped talking.
"Cough, this place doesn't have any cigarettes. I'm going outside to get a pack."
Fan Haiyang awkwardly scratched his nose and asked, "Shen Lang, you want anything? I'll pick it up since I'm going out."
Shen Lang took a sip of his tea, pretending to think. "A pack of Huazi, haven't had those in a while."
"You used to smoke?"
Fan Haiyang thought to himself but replied with a forced smile, "Alright, I'll get it for you."
Shen Lang added, "Make sure it's the soft pack."
Fan Haiyang's shoulders twitched, and he turned around with a grin, "No problem."
As soon as Fan Haiyang left the room, Su Lexuan leaned in and whispered, "Your buddy's talking trash about you."
"It's fine, let him."
Shen Lang smiled it off.
He didn't mind being the stepping stone for his buddies in their pursuit of girls. He only wished he were as amazing as Mount Everest!
Shen Lang and these guys have been friends since childhood, so it's normal to tease each other.
Besides, Fan Haiyang was just making fun of Shen Lang to impress a girl, and Shen Lang didn't take it seriously.
If his friend could win over his crush by teasing him, Shen Lang would be happy for him.
What Shen Lang really worried about was Fan Haiyang being like a clown, getting played by Li Qiaoqiao.
After all, she was no easy catch, as her feelings for Shen Lang showed.
But even if Fan Haiyang failed, it's all good—real-life experience with girls is valuable.
...
Dinner was over, and it was already past seven in the evening.
Su Lexuan and her roommates took a cab home, while Shen Lang and his friends, who hadn't seen each other for months, were hanging out and smoking in the park.
"Hey, Shen Ge, I was just joking earlier."
Fan Haiyang pulled out a lighter to light Shen Lang's cigarette. "You know my friends and I aren't great at chatting with girls. We just didn't have much to say."
"I didn't care."
Shen Lang blew out a smoke ring, curious. "So, after all that teasing, did you get Li Qiaoqiao's contact info?"
Fan Haiyang looked surprised. "Her name's Li Qiaoqiao?"
Shen Lang facepalmed. "Dude, you've been chatting with her for so long, and you don't even know her name?"
"I didn't know how to ask."
Fan Haiyang seemed a bit frustrated but quickly smiled. "But I did add her as a friend in the game. That's a form of contact, right? We can play and chat in the future."
"Well, good luck with that."
Shen Lang didn't think Fan Haiyang was a match for Li Qiaoqiao, but he wished him well.
"Heh, you're pretty pathetic."
Wen Jie proudly showed off his WeChat, opening the chat with Ye Xinxin.
"I chatted with this girl a bit, and she added me on WeChat and even asked me to help with her game account. I think she's got a crush on me, like, love at first sight!"
"No way! Seriously?"
Fan Haiyang and Tan Linfeng crowded over to see, and sure enough, Wen Jie's contact list had an ID named [XinxinDoesn'tWantToBeGood], which was Ye Xinxin's WeChat handle, and they had been chatting minutes ago.
XinxinDoesn'tWantToBeGood: "I have classes and can't play games right now. Can you help me out when you're free? {Cute}"
WokeUpToSeeTheSea: "Sure, sure, just send me your account details, and I'll help you tonight."
XinxinDoesn'tWantToBeGood: "Thanks! I'm going to take a shower now. {Cute}"
"Damn, how did you manage that!"
Seeing Ye Xinxin's looks and figure, the two were incredibly envious.
"Stay humble, you guys just lack confidence."
Wen Jie proudly summarized, "Talking to girls is all about skill. Once the vibe is right, they'll naturally want to give you their contact info."
"Yeah, makes sense."
Shen Lang chuckled and then looked at the most shy guy among them, Zhao Zikang.
"Zikang, you were way too timid. You were just sitting there awkwardly smiling and didn't say a word to the girls?"
"What could I say? I didn't know what to talk about."
Zhao Zikang awkwardly smiled. "Your girlfriend's friends are so pretty. I'd rather go after the girl from my village."
"Zikang, let me give you a piece of advice: that girl has no intention of being with you."
Shen Lang seriously advised, "You've been chasing her for almost four years, and she still won't agree to be with you. She's clearly just stringing you along."
Zhao Zikang had been pursuing a girl from his university since graduation. She never agreed to be with him and, to make matters worse, never outright rejected him.
Just when Zhao Zikang was about to give up, she would come back and check in on him, playing him like a fool.
Shen Lang and the others had tried to advise him many times, but he never listened.