0098: Do Not Eat Potatoes

After a few seconds, Su Qingwan felt a pang of discomfort. Even though she was her best friend, she had stolen her boyfriend with a kiss.

Although this boyfriend was fake, it still felt strange. Was this the taste of sourness?

Fortunately, she was her best friend, and she would never betray her. Xu Lin was a gentleman who valued his integrity, and as a student, his focus was primarily on his studies.

Besides, the beauties surrounding him were all outstanding. She had been quite confident herself.

Why was she overthinking all of this? Once her parents’ approval was secured, after Xu Lin graduated, their paths would likely diverge.

At the thought, Su Qingwan’s mood soured instantly. That feeling from earlier had felt far too close, unbearable.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Xu Lin noticed her expression shift and assumed she might be uncomfortable.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Is it jealousy?”

“I’m jealous of you? I’m jealous of you? Probably I just feel sorry for my best friend, and you should be grinning inside.”

“It was just an accident, right…”

Xu Lin gazed toward the distant seating area, recalling the unexpected warmth from moments ago. It had been nothing more than skin contact, yet it had felt entirely different. Why was he dwelling on such trivialities? Another woman had appeared—only four remained.

At that moment, Qin Yunhe emerged from changing, her posture as poised and commanding as ever. Xu Lin realized, for the first time, how profoundly hairstyles could shape a person’s appearance.

Regardless of gender, some faces simply clashed with short hair, while others looked striking with long locks. The women around him each favored distinct styles.

Ji Yun wore her glossy black hair just past her shoulders, often worn in a neat ponytail during school. Teacher Su carried a flowing black mane that reached her waist. White Xiaoxiao sported a wild, untamed afro that was neither short nor tame, with bangs artfully framing half her face—a clever way to enhance her hidden allure.

Chu Qingchan favored voluminous waves, though she had revealed during their conversation that the curls arose naturally, without dye or perm. Chu Fengyi frequently appeared in golden twin ponytails, but when freed, her hair cascaded to her waist, mirroring her sister’s length. Ye Qinleng’s neat shoulder-length cut lent itself to sharp, professional styles, while Liu Qinnuan’s soft bun softened her features, likely extending to similar lengths when loose.

The thoughts had barely settled when a fresh ache pierced Xu Lin’s waist. He turned to Su Qingwan, who shot him a sharp glare.

“You scoundrel—even if he’s a fake boyfriend, he has no right staring at my best friend like that.”

“I wasn’t staring. I was thinking.”

“Thinking?”

“Hairstyles hold profound importance for one’s face shape and figure; otherwise, the mismatch becomes glaring.”

“Oh?” Su Qingwan touched her own long black tresses, a fleeting idea sparking in her mind.

“Don’t dare change your hairstyle. I adore black long hair!” Sensing her inclination, Xu Lin interrupted firmly.

“Why must I listen to you?” Su Qingwan replied with a sultry glance.

“Because you are my girlfriend. For today, you must obey me!”

She let out a soft hum, yet her grip on his hand tightened further. She might release it later, but now she wanted to hold on a little longer.

“You two—cut the lovey-dovey act. Let’s go eat!”

Qin Yunhe had approached unnoticed, witnessing the affectionate gaze her best friend held for Xu Lin. An unwelcome sting of jealousy rose within her.

“I want to hold hands too!”

“Fine, today my hand belongs to my boyfriend.” Su Qingwan watched her friend’s sour expression and felt a surge of delight.

“You owe us a meal!”

“Deal! Single Qin Miss.”

“Deal? Su Qingwan, how long have you two been together? Mocking me so brazenly! If I wanted to date, I could have in minutes!”

“Then why haven’t you?” Qin Yunhe asked seriously, meeting Su Qingwan’s gaze.

“Because I like you!” Su Qingwan froze.

Xu Lin blinked, stunned. Had he just encountered a devoted fan of the same persuasion on set? Then how was he supposed to build favorability?

The next instant, she burst into laughter. “Relax, I’m not that way at all! But Xu Lin—if you ever hurt Wanwan, I’ll snatch her away in a heartbeat!”

“Understood. I’ll work hard to become a man worthy of Su Qingwan’s satisfaction. Qingwan, what would you have me do?”

“Top of the class.” Su Qingwan whispered close to his ear.

“Done.”

“What were you two whispering about?”

“Whispers become ordinary once overheard.” Su Qingwan replied with playful mischief.

“Hmph! Fine, I’ll find someone too—then I’ll make you eat my leftovers!”

Amid their lively banter, the three arrived at a nearby chain hotpot restaurant. The midday crowd remained light, with queues only forming in the evening.

“What kind of man are you looking for? I can help you scout if any match.”

Su Qingwan had forgotten her own companion, still treating the situation as an opportunity to advise her best friend on choices.

Xu Lin instinctively wanted to intervene, though the remark about liking all twelve zodiacs felt as hollow as a dream.

Yet watching those women in his favorability court others stirred unease. Though he enjoyed observing bovine-headed men, he had no desire to become one himself.

“What I like… um, height needn’t be towering—just comfortable. I’m 170, so above that is ideal. Looks should also be passable.”

“So picky?” Su Qingwan hadn’t posed such questions to her friend before, surprised by the modest standards. Many young women boasted they were “half-gone” below 180.

“No, wait—let me finish. But character matters most! I don’t demand a paragon of gentleness, yet he must be kind, considerate, and filial. And he must support my dreams as my unwavering pillar. Of course, he also needs to defeat me in direct combat.”

“Uh… that’s setting the bar quite high. Who could satisfy every condition and still triumph over you?”

“My standards are modest—I don’t ask for houses or cars.”

“Absolutely.”

Su Qingwan smiled helplessly. Her best friend would simply take her time.

From her demeanor, she seemed unhurried, though a few years might change her uncle’s impatience.

“Qin Jie, any foods you avoid?” Xu Lin asked while consulting the menu.

“She hates potatoes—won’t touch them.”

“Good.” Xu Lin checked the list, relieved he disliked them too.

He felt a strange familiarity at the word. Not eating potatoes? In a fleeting moment, he heard a long-forgotten voice.

“Xu Lin, in our next life, we won’t eat potatoes.”

“Guest, have you finished ordering?”

“Yes.” Xu Lin snapped back to the present, handing over the menu. The waiter smiled and nodded.

“Xu Lin, you don’t like potatoes either?” Su Qingwan asked.

“Since childhood, yes. I’m not picky overall, but potatoes make me nauseous instantly. You never mentioned it, yet I can sense it.”

“Then you and Qin Yunhe share that trait—neither eats potatoes.”

Su Qingwan found it amusing. Two such rarities in their group.

“Qin Jie avoids them too?” Xu Lin glanced at Qin Yunhe, who nodded with surprise.

She had never met anyone else who disliked potatoes from youth, suddenly feeling kinship with a fellow outsider. Truly, such people were uncommon.

Minutes later, the dishes arrived. The three transformed into dedicated food enthusiasts. Xu Lin and Qin Yunhe had sampled several hearty portions, while Su Qingwan remained a seasoned diner whose appetite rivaled his. Yet her nutrition reached its proper place, unlike Chu Fengyi’s, whose intake seemed to vanish without trace.

“Another round of beef?”

“Certainly.” Xu Lin signaled the waiter. As she approached, he spotted two new arrivals at the entrance—one man, one woman. The man’s back stirred faint recognition.

He followed the figure deeper into the restaurant until the face came into view. It was her. He must warn her at once!