113: In those years, Xun Xiaoxiao played the role

She looked at Chen Mengyao’s brilliant smile, slightly startled, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes.

She deliberately cleared her throat and said loudly, “Oh, Mengyao, what’s making you so happy? You’re smiling so sweetly, is there some good news?”

Chen Mengyao was startled by the sudden voice. Her body stiffened, and her hand, which was about to touch a bubble, stopped.

She turned her head, and upon seeing Xun Xiaoxiao, her expression first froze, then quickly flushed with a shy blush.

Her eyes revealed a hint of panic, as if a secret had been discovered, leaving her somewhat at a loss.

She stammered, “N-nothing, really. It’s just... I just thought the bubbles today were really fun.”

Xun Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth curving slightly into a meaningful smile.

She walked closer to Chen Mengyao, leaned into her ear, and whispered, “Oh, still pretending with me? I saw it all. Didn’t CEO Lu come looking for you just now? Did he say something nice to you?”

Chen Mengyao’s face instantly turned crimson to her earlobes. Her eyes grew even more flustered, not daring to meet Xun Xiaoxiao’s gaze.

She lowered her head, twisting a corner of her apron with her hand, and said softly, “You... don’t talk nonsense. There was nothing nice. It’s just... CEO Lu said he wanted to take me to a concert.”

Xun Xiaoxiao heard this, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, followed by an expression of envy.

She smiled and said, “Wow, really? That’s wonderful! CEO Lu is so good to you, taking you to a concert. You just enjoy yourself!”

Chen Mengyao bit her lower lip, the blush on her face growing even brighter.

She subtly lifted her head, stealing a glance at Xun Xiaoxiao, her eyes filled with a mix of shyness and sweetness, and said, “Actually... actually, I’m quite happy too. It’s just... I can’t quite believe it, it feels like a dream.”

Xun Xiaoxiao patted Chen Mengyao’s shoulder and said with a smile, “Oh, stop dreaming, this is real! You, you really need to cherish this opportunity, dress up nicely, and go to the concert with CEO Lu. Who knows, you might come back as Mrs. Lu!”

Chen Mengyao, both shy and anxious, quickly said, “You... don’t talk nonsense, how could it be that fast! I... I’m just going to a concert with CEO Lu, don’t joke around.”

Xun Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but laugh at Chen Mengyao’s shy demeanor. She said, “Alright, alright, I won’t talk nonsense anymore. But you are really lucky, you must seize this opportunity well!”

Chen Mengyao nodded gently, a hint of determination in her eyes. She said, “Mm, I know. I will cherish it.”

After speaking, she lowered her head again and continued washing clothes, her smile growing even brighter, as if the colorful bubbles were reflected in her heart.

Xun Xiaoxiao stood to the side, a smile on her lips, her gaze fixed on Chen Mengyao’s radiant, happy face.

That dazzling smile stung Xun Xiaoxiao’s heart with a pang of sourness.

She subconsciously clutched the corner of her clothes, her hand trembling slightly at her side, a bitter feeling welling up inside her as she quietly sighed.

This subtle movement was swept away by the wind in an instant, leaving no trace, and no one noticed the disappointment in her heart.

A flicker of envy quickly crossed Xun Xiaoxiao’s eyes, like a fleeting meteor in the night sky, too fast to catch.

She also really wanted to go to a concert with CEO Lu.

Just once, standing side by side with him under the brilliant lights, feeling that hint of warmth amidst the lively hustle and bustle.

But Xun Xiaoxiao knew in her heart that this thought was nothing but a pipe dream; Lu Chen’s gaze always lingered only on Chen Mengyao.

These days, because she and Chen Mengyao became best friends, she had more excuses to get closer to Lu Chen.

Every day, she would report Chen Mengyao’s every little change to Lu Chen in meticulous detail, and through this opportunity, she indeed had many moments alone with CEO Lu.

She even fortunately gained many opportunities for in-depth communication with CEO Lu.

She played the role of a caring nurse, gently comforting Lu Chen when he was “injured.”

She also tried acting as a rebellious female student, attempting to catch his attention with a hint of defiance, only to be severely punished in the end.

She even disguised herself as a teacher and a dean of students, seriously “discussing issues” with him.

Each time, she was full of anticipation, hoping to find a different kind of emotion in Lu Chen’s eyes, but with every gaze, CEO Lu’s eyes, though showing interest, lacked the burning passion that made her heart race.

Xun Xiaoxiao sighed again in her heart, fiercely suppressing those inappropriate thoughts, and a smile reappeared on her face. She walked over to Chen Mengyao, picked up a piece of clothing, and gently rubbed it.

Her movements seemed light, but they carried a hint of venting frustration. She poured handfuls of laundry detergent into the basin, and foam instantly overflowed.

Chen Mengyao noticed Xun Xiaoxiao’s actions, turned her head slightly, her eyes showing some surprise.

She blinked, stopped playing with the bubbles, and asked curiously, “Xiaoxiao, what’s wrong? It’s like this laundry detergent is free today.”

Xun Xiaoxiao’s hand paused, a flicker of panic crossed her face, then she pretended to be calm and replied, “Ah, nothing, I just want to finish washing quickly, I have other things to do.”

She avoided Chen Mengyao’s gaze, but her movements became more hurried. Foam splashed onto her face, and she merely wiped it away casually.

Chen Mengyao noticed Xun Xiaoxiao’s mood was off, put down the clothes in her hand, wiped her hands on her apron, walked beside Xun Xiaoxiao, tilted her head, her eyes full of concern:

“Xiaoxiao, you definitely have something on your mind. You’re usually not like this. Did you run into trouble? Tell me about it.”

Xun Xiaoxiao felt a warmth in her heart, mixed with a touch of bitterness.

She looked up at Chen Mengyao’s sincere eyes, her own eyes slightly red. After a moment of hesitation, she shook her head and forced a smile:

“It’s really nothing, Mengyao, don’t worry about me. You’re about to go to a concert with CEO Lu, so get ready.”

Upon mentioning this,

Chen Mengyao’s cheeks immediately flushed again, her eyes flashing with shyness and sweetness.

She gently bit her lower lip, her fingers twirling the apron string, and whispered, “I’m so excited and nervous, it still feels like a dream. Xiaoxiao, what do you think I should wear?”

Thinking of the concert, she seemed to be immersed in pink bubbles, her heart full of anticipation.

Xun Xiaoxiao looked at Chen Mengyao’s appearance, and the bitterness in her heart was somewhat diluted by her friend’s simple happiness.

She reached out and gently patted Chen Mengyao’s shoulder, her eyes regaining some of their usual liveliness, and teased:

“You look good in anything, as long as CEO Lu likes you. Maybe in his eyes, you’d be a Heavenly Immortal even if you wore a sack!”

Chen Mengyao feigned anger, lightly slapped Xun Xiaoxiao’s hand, and chided, “You always make fun of me!”

The two smiled at each other, and the atmosphere in the laundry room returned to its usual warmth.

However, in Xun Xiaoxiao’s occasional gaze into the distance, there was still a hint of imperceptible loneliness.

Meanwhile, Lu Chen had already arrived outside Gao Xuewei’s room.

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