Lu Wei smoothly shifted the topic without missing a beat—praising Qiqi’s dissection skills, asking a few academic questions, and finally saying, “Qiqi, today’s my birthday. My friends are throwing a party tonight. You should come too!”
“This…”
Qiqi hesitated. A birthday party? Was it one of those ultra-luxurious, over-the-top banquets? She’d heard that rich people were the worst—they’d change outfits several times just to eat a meal at home. Did someone as broke as her really need to get involved in that? Besides, Zhou Zhibi had just invited Qin Chen, and the two of them would probably be there tonight too. Things were already awkward enough. Would something go wrong if they met up in the evening?
“There’s a small masquerade party tonight, and I don’t have a date yet. Would you be my dance partner? Besides, this is my first birthday since returning home. Qiqi, you have to come!” Lu Wei looked at her expectantly.
His gaze was warm, his smile gentle—truly like a spring breeze rippling across still waters…
Qiqi was still hesitating when the old hen over there fluffed up her feathers with a cluck: “Brother Wei, why are you inviting her? If you don’t have a date, I can ask Sister Xianxian for you! Or I could be your date instead!”
Zhou Zhibi’s crystal-red lips pouted high, clearly unhappy that Lu Wei had invited Qiqi.
Lu Wei glanced at her with a smile and said, “If you’re my date, who’ll keep Qin Chen company tonight?”
Zhou Zhibi looked at Qin Chen, suddenly blushing as she lowered her head.
Gu Qiqi gritted her teeth and replied, “Fine! I’ll go!”
“No! She can’t go!”
Rong Yi suddenly cut in, interrupting their conversation.
Fuming, he yanked Qiqi back to his side, shielding her behind him as he stared warily at Lu Wei.
A demon! There was the scent of a demon again! He couldn’t be wrong—the man in the car, Lu Wei, carried the smell of a demon!
Rong Yi pressed his thin lips together, his phoenix eyes turning icy cold.
Dr. Lu studied the man before him in surprise. After a moment, he caught a hint of familiar hostility beneath the low baseball cap and oversized mask, and said with some astonishment, “Are you Rong Yi? What are you doing here? Didn’t Qiqi say you went back to your hometown for treatment?”
He remembered that Rong Yi suffered from intermittent mental illness and had violent tendencies.
Qiqi was startled and quickly stepped in to smooth things over: “It’s fine, it’s fine. My cousin’s health is much better now. He’s just here to accompany me to class today…”
Rong Yi grabbed her arm: “Qiqi, don’t go!”
Qiqi looked back in confusion: “Why can’t I go?”
“I… I said no, and that’s final!”
Rong Yi didn’t know how to explain—it was just his instinct. The wolf clan was born with a sixth sense far sharper than humans. Besides! Even if that man himself wasn’t a problem, he still didn’t want her to go! The way she was making googly eyes at him was infuriating!
“I’m going anyway!”
Gu Qiqi was someone who softened to kindness but hardened to force. Rong Yi’s anger only made her angrier—this guy was getting more and more arrogant lately! What right did he have to interfere in her life?
Seeing the tension, Lu Wei adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, cleared his throat lightly, and said gently to Rong Yi, “Rong Yi, why don’t you come along tonight too?”
His tone was sincere, but Rong Yi just snorted in response.
Qiqi was mortified and quickly nodded to Lu Wei: “Senior, don’t mind him! I’ll go tonight, for sure!”
Lu Wei smiled: “Alright, it’s settled then. I’ll pick you up at your place at seven.”
“Okay, see you later, Senior!” Qiqi waved a hand.