Rebirth Begins with Rejecting my Childhood Friend - Chapter 172

They continued eating and drinking afterward.

Xu Xiuwen quietly observed Cheng Lu the whole time.

Cheng Lu had completely changed his impression of her today.

In previous encounters, she had been as cold as her nickname “Iceberg” suggested, which was quite intimidating.

Xu Xiuwen had hit a wall several times in her presence.

But tonight, Cheng Lu seemed like a different person. When Dong Jun poured her a drink, she accepted it and listened to everyone’s conversation.

She didn’t mind when the guys swore.

She responded politely to any guy who struck up a conversation, and when someone proposed a toast, she would take a sip.

The atmosphere at the table grew livelier because of Cheng Lu’s presence.

By the end, almost every guy at the table had spoken to Cheng Lu and had a drink with her.

But there were exceptions.

Yang Baishan couldn’t bring himself to speak to Cheng Lu or toast her.

Xu Xiuwen wasn’t interested in competing with the other guys for a chance to talk to Cheng Lu.

Yang Baishan drank silently and couldn’t help asking Xu Xiuwen: “What’s wrong with Cheng Lu today? She used to be so cold that it was scary, but why didn’t she show any expression when someone talked to her today, and even responded with a smile?”

Xu Xiuwen thought, “How should I know?”

He remembered the moment when Cheng Lu had rushed over and grabbed his arm when he had the bottle pressed against Liu Liang.

The image of her anxious face was still vivid in his mind.

He couldn’t help but wonder if Cheng Lu had recognized him.

Dong Jun leaned over and quietly asked Yang Baishan, “Old Yang, aren’t you going to toast Cheng Lu?”

Yang Baishan retorted, “Why should I toast her?”

Dong Jun said in exasperation, “Are you chickening out?”

Yang Baishan, hit right in the sore spot, couldn’t respond.

Seeing Yang Baishan’s expression, Dong Jun understood and didn’t push further.

Instead, he stood up and said to Cheng Lu, “Cheng Lu, about the misunderstanding this morning, Yang Baishan knows he was wrong. He wanted to apologize to you.”

Cheng Lu glanced at Yang Baishan with a blank expression and said, “If he wants to apologize, why doesn’t he say it himself? Why do you have to speak for him?”

Yang Baishan, both embarrassed and angry, turned his head towards Xu Xiuwen and deliberately ignored her.

Dong Jun, seeing this reaction, felt awkward.

Fortunately, the others noticed the situation and quickly changed the subject.

Cheng Lu didn’t say much more and her gaze drifted from Yang Baishan to Xu Xiuwen.

This was the first time she had looked at him directly since sitting at the table.

Their eyes met for a few seconds before Cheng Lu looked away, her face slightly red.

Perhaps it was because of the alcohol.

Xu Xiuwen was a bit surprised.

Cheng Lu was definitely acting differently tonight.

Although Yang Baishan had turned his head, he was still secretly watching Cheng Lu.

Seeing her look at Xu Xiuwen for a long time made him feel a strange mix of jealousy and bitterness.

He couldn’t help but ask, “Xiuwen, do you think Cheng Lu came here tonight because she likes someone in our group?”

Xu Xiuwen didn’t answer.

After a moment, Yang Baishan hesitantly asked, “Xiuwen, does Cheng Lu… does she like you?”

Xu Xiuwen withdrew his gaze and looked at the conflicted Yang Baishan, asking, “Why? Do you like her?”

Yang Baishan hurriedly denied, “Don’t talk nonsense. How could I like the Iceberg? Even if I liked Bai Yue’er, I wouldn’t like the Iceberg!”

Xu Xiuwen smiled faintly, “If you don’t like her, then don’t ask.”

After a few rounds of drinks, the engineering group was mostly drunk and ready to leave.

Dong Jun, who hadn’t drunk much and was still sober, volunteered to pay the bill.

A group of people gathered at the restaurant entrance in small groups.

After paying, Dong Jun ignored the drunk guys and went straight to Cheng Lu, saying, “Cheng Lu, thanks for joining us today. About this morning, Old Yang is just shy and finds it hard to apologize. Please don’t hold it against him.”

Cheng Lu nodded but didn’t speak.

Dong Jun continued, “It’s getting late. Let’s call it a night here. I’ll find someone to walk you back.”

Cheng Lu didn’t refuse.

Seeing that she didn’t object, Dong Jun looked around, considering who should escort her.

Most of the sober guys were eager to take Cheng Lu back, but Dong Jun wasn’t considering them.

He focused on the people from 412, specifically Yang Baishan.

He thought Yang Baishan should escort Cheng Lu back and take the opportunity to apologize in private.

Feeling Dong Jun’s gaze, Yang Baishan had mixed feelings.

He had been annoyed with Cheng Lu in the morning, but after realizing his mistake, he felt some guilt.

Cheng Lu’s presence at dinner, being friendly and engaging, had changed his impression of her.

So, he wasn’t against walking her back, maybe even a bit willing.

But he was too embarrassed to volunteer.

Then, Xu Xiuwen suddenly spoke up.

“I’ll walk Cheng Lu back. I have something to do at Jiaotong University anyway.”

Yang Baishan was stunned and looked at Xu Xiuwen in surprise.

Xu Xiuwen’s face was unreadable.

Liu Zhihao laughed and asked, “Xiuwen, are you going to see Xiao Youran?”

Liu Zhihao’s comment was ill-timed.

Xu Xiuwen didn’t want to mention Xiao Youran in front of Cheng Lu.

Though he knew he couldn’t avoid it forever.

Dong Jun, not overthinking it, saw that Xu Xiuwen volunteered and Cheng Lu didn’t object, so he agreed, “Alright, Xiuwen, you take Cheng Lu back. Make sure she gets to her dorm safely.”

Cheng Lu didn’t say anything and started walking toward the street.

Xu Xiuwen quickly followed.

The other guys from the management and engineering group envied Xu Xiuwen for getting to walk the beauty back while they had to deal with their drunk roommates.

Yang Baishan watched Xu Xiuwen and Cheng Lu walk away with mixed feelings.

Liu Zhihao noticed and asked, “Old Yang, why aren’t you leaving?”

Yang Baishan snapped back, “I’m coming.”

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you so down?”

Yang Baishan shook his head without answering.

On the other side, Xu Xiuwen and Cheng Lu prepared to cross the street.

The North Street was still busy with cars, and Xu Xiuwen moved to Cheng Lu’s left side, reminding her, “Be careful.”

Cheng Lu remained silent.

They walked into Jiaotong University in silence.

The Jiaotong University campus, always beautiful, looked even more charming in the autumn.

The moonlight was soft, the shadows of trees danced on the ground, making the scene peaceful and serene.

A breeze rustled the leaves, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.