183. This is awesome!
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Back at the table, Lin Nan tried her hardest to ignore the array of seafood laid out in front of her, including lobster and crab legs.
“Suppress your appetite! Time to get down to business,” she thought.
But, in a twist of fate, her hands were on autopilot and snagged a prawn before she even realized it. Raising her head, she put on her most serious expression, striving to hide the delight spilling out of her face at the sight of such scrumptiousness.
“Director Zheng, about that rental apartment you mentioned?”
“It’s located in an urban village by the back door of the school, it’s a self-built building.” Zheng Qian, knowing exactly what she was curious about, chuckled as he placed a key on the table. “Here’s the key. Later, I’ll take you to check it out.”
Lin Nan couldn’t contain her excitement.
Finally, she could live on her own!
No more hiding in shame to swap out her sanitary pads when Auntie visits. She could finally wear a bra during the day to avoid chafing, and even swap her plain, boxy pants for some cute girl-style underwear that hugs just right—no more midnight leaks!
Though she’d always had a bit of resistance to girl stuff, reality was slapping her in the face: she was a girl now! So it was best to go with the flow, even if it took some time to fully embrace it. Much better than constantly feeling like a half-boy, too chicken to even step outside!
The problem? She still felt like a weirdo.
Suddenly reminded of some crucial future dilemmas, Lin Nan’s mood took a nosedive.
Even though she knew she would eventually have to accept the trappings of femininity, the thought of it kept her slightly grumpy.
It felt like visiting her parents during the weekends—scary as heck, but unavoidable.
Lin Nan reached for the key, but Zheng Qian playfully snatched it back. “The place has one bedroom and a living room, rent is nine hundred. My friend already paid, so when you’re ready, I’ll show you the contract. Seems like you can stay until early March when the lease ends, just in time for the break.”
“Uh-huh!” Lin Nan nodded eagerly, her eyes glued to the key.
When you think about it, renting near the school was pricier than other areas. Nestled in the outskirts, if she was in a similar suburban setting, she could have probably saved a couple hundred bucks!
Of course, renting a room in the city center was said to be around a thousand at least.
“Don’t rush, we’ll check it out later. For now, eat something,” Zheng Qian said with a grin that had a hint of mischief.
Lin Nan’s plans were interrupted, and there was nothing she could do about it. She thought getting the key would be a piece of cake, but this counselor was playing it suspiciously safe!
I’m not going anywhere!
She muttered internally, although deep down, there was always that slight temptation to grab the key and run off for free food and drinks!
At first, Lin Nan had a pretty decent impression of Zheng Qian. She thought he was a charming counselor—even if he barely showed his face—thanks to his good looks and the rare glimpses of him joking around with students. He seemed quite approachable.
But maybe this friendliness was just a bit too much?
Halfway through the meal, Zheng Qian dashed off to grab more exotic seafood and brought back some meat too.
“Eat more! Look at you, you’re practically withering away,” he said, only nibbling at his plate while keeping a hawkish eye on Lin Nan.
Feeling under intense scrutiny, Lin Nan squirmed; being watched while eating was making her anxious.
“Oh, I’m plenty chubby…” she mumbled, looking down with a hint of a blush.
Online, she often referred to herself as a “fat otaku.”
Despite standing for hours during her part-time job, her legs just refused to slim down! They weren’t fat, just… a bit soft.
Lin Nan wished her legs had some muscle, a sense of strength! However, they ended up rounded and plump.
Determined to make a spectacle of her eating habits, she exaggerated her movements—using her hands when possible and trying to forgo kn*fe and fork. But when she looked up, she was struck by Zheng Qian’s adoring grin, which sent shivers down her spine. It felt like being targeted by a lovesick psycho.
Is it just me, or am I the one feeling grossed out here?
Aside from her shoveling food into her mouth, what else could ruin her image?
Disregarding the fact that this buffet was a bit upscale, she kicked off her shoe and plopped her socked foot on the chair.
Now that’s gotta be revolting!
Sure enough, Zheng Qian frowned and said, “It’s fine to eat at home like this, but in public, maybe not put your feet on the chairs?”
Who the heck invited you to my private dining etiquette class?!
Lin Nan’s lips twitched as she realized more people were now noticing her ungracefulness, and sheepishly, she put her foot back down.
And, honestly, she wasn’t used to eating with her feet up on a chair anyway. She learned that from her grandfather!
After pondering a moment, she felt it was time to be straightforward. So, she set down her giant crab and looked Zheng Qian right in the eye.
“Director Zheng, I like girls, so no matter how nice you are, I’m not feeling it,” she declared, trying to summon every ounce of confidence.
When it came to claiming herself as a man, she never quite managed to sound convincing. But saying she liked girls? Now that, she could shout from the rooftops!
Though she had found herself teetering on the edge of potential disaster lately, she really only had eyes for girls!
“It’s okay, s*xual orientation can change over time,” Zheng Qian replied earnestly. “Besides, you look so much like a girl; loving boys wouldn’t raise any eyebrows.”
“???”
What a creep! Isn’t the aftereffect of that charm magic a bit over the top?
Lin Nan was taken aback; she’d never met anyone so shameless.
In a bid to counterattack, she unveiled her trump card: “Director Zheng, actually, I’m a girl!”
“I like who you are as a person, it doesn’t matter what gender,” Zheng Qian said without missing a beat.
So you’re exactly like what Chen Yao described—a perv who only likes pretty faces and doesn’t give a hoot about gender?
While she’d seen similar jokes and self-mockery online, encountering such a person in real life made her bl**d run cold, especially when the target was her.
Unable to hold back her thoughts, she shot back, “Are you a weirdo?”
“I think it’s okay for men to be a little weird,” Zheng Qian replied smoothly. Lin Nan found that statement oddly familiar; some guy in the dorm had definitely said something similar.
Lin Nan had run out of things to say, surrendering as she raised a white flag, continuing to munch with a mumble, “I just can’t ever like guys…”
At least not you, Zheng Qian…
Zheng Qian maintained his smug smile, who knows what mischievous thoughts were brewing in that noggin of his.
The atmosphere took a slightly awkward turn thanks to Lin Nan’s bluntness. Zheng Qian finally stopped with his stare and began pondering how he might lead Lin Nan astray.
I was also just a normal person at one point; maybe a bit inclined toward cute anime boys.
But who knew that reality would hit harder than a cutesy anime girl?!
Thanks to the aftereffects of that charm magic, Zheng Qian was awakened.
This truly is awesome!
