Chapter One Hundred and One: The Knight, the Princess, and the Prince

Xu Qinning walked over and tapped Cheng Xiaoyu on the shoulder, feigning disdain. "Have you never eaten a meal in your life? Gobbling it down like that, with absolutely no regard for manners."

Cheng Xiaoyu glanced at Xu Qinning, his gaze involuntarily drifting down to her shapely chest. Putting down his chopsticks, he smiled. "In this world, only fine food and true love must never be betrayed. Look at the people around us—talking grandiosely, exchanging empty pleasantries. All their fleeting words cannot warm the heart and stomach like this wonderful food."

Hearing Cheng Xiaoyu's words, Xu Qinning felt a strange emotion touch her heart. What he said made her feel the power and beauty of the written word. Perhaps this was why she was so fond of texting him. Cheng Xiaoyu, always quick with a witty remark, made her realize what a pleasure it was to converse with someone so eloquent and uniquely thoughtful.

Xu Qinning snatched the chopsticks from Cheng Xiaoyu's hand, picked up a piece of braised pork from his plate, and popped it into her mouth. "Mmm, delicious," she mumbled. "Cheng Xiaoyu, you should eat less! You're already so chubby!"

Cheng Xiaoyu smiled at her endearing behavior. "Hey, it doesn't matter to me, but you should watch your image. You are, after all, the precious daughter of the Xu family."

Xu Qinning gave him a gentle kick. "Don't bring up sore subjects. I actually wish I were a daughter of your family. A harmonious home, enough money, and no need to let others dictate my own birthday." She sighed, looking rather melancholy.

Cheng Xiaoyu had no intention of comforting her sudden melancholy. Holding up a plate, he said, "These stuffed cabbage rolls are pretty good too. Give them a try."

Xu Qinning picked one up and took delicate bites, her graceful movements and expression painting a picture of breathtaking beauty.

Just then, Gu Xuewei, unwilling to give up, followed them over. Seeing Xu Qinning chatting and laughing with a chubby boy made him feel rather uncomfortable. He walked up to her and said, "Ningning, didn't you say you felt nauseated? How is it that you're eating so happily now?"

Hearing Gu Xuewei's voice, Xu Qinning swallowed her food before she could finish chewing it. "I just put some distance between us," she said petulantly, "and suddenly I felt much better."

Gu Xuewei didn't seem to mind her attitude; to him, a girl who posed a challenge was all the more alluring. Turning to Cheng Xiaoyu, he offered a smile. "Hello, I'm Gu Xuewei, Ningning's friend."

Cheng Xiaoyu smiled back. "Hello, I'm just a bystander. Don't mind me. I hereby solemnly declare that Xu Qinning and I have no formal relations whatsoever. The only connection is that she's my sister's friend, and I'm only here on orders to deliver a gift." Terrified of getting caught in the crossfire, Cheng Xiaoyu rushed to clear his name before Xu Qinning could drag him into her schemes.

Xu Qinning stared at Cheng Xiaoyu, dumbfounded. She had never met anyone who could talk nonsense as shamelessly as he did, and she could hardly believe how quickly he had sold her out. Instantly, a bright, flowery smile graced her face, though her voice dripped with mock venom. "Cheng Xiaoyu, you sleep with me and then pretend you don't even know me? Do you have a single shred of humanity left?"

Cheng Xiaoyu hadn't expected that despite his thorough attempt to distance himself, Xu Qinning would still bite him so relentlessly. Fortunately, he was well-experienced by now. He turned to Gu Xuewei and said, "We don't know each other well, so forgive my bluntness, but while this girl looks beautiful, she's actually a bit touched in the head. You two take your time chatting. I'll take my leave!" With that, he turned to slip away before she could fly into a rage.

Gu Xuewei stood there completely baffled, unable to keep up with the logic of these two eccentrics, let alone figure out their relationship. Yet it was obvious they were very close, or they wouldn't be joking like this. Just as he was about to say to Xu Qinning, "Your friend is quite amusing," she ignored him completely and darted after the chubby boy.

Left standing alone under the crystal chandelier, Gu Xuewei was mortified. As a golden boy accustomed to being the center of attention, he had never been so thoroughly ignored.

Cheng Xiaoyu hadn't forgotten his mission, however. As he turned to leave, he picked up the box resting on the floor. He hadn't expected Xu Qinning to pursue him so relentlessly, giving his arm a series of sharp pinches.

With a miserable look on his face, Cheng Xiaoyu pleaded, "My dear lady, I've finished my meal. Are you seriously not going to let me leave?"

Xu Qinning replied with righteous indignation, "If you leave, what am I supposed to do?"

Cheng Xiaoyu broke into a cold sweat. He felt that staying in this revolving restaurant any longer would surely spell disaster. "Go do whatever you're supposed to do! It's your birthday—you're the star of the show!"

Xu Qinning's expression grew a bit desolate. "I'm nothing but a prop. Besides, today isn't even my birthday. My real birthday isn't until next week."

"Oh," Cheng Xiaoyu said, feigning indifference. "In that case, I definitely need to leave. If it's not your birthday, then I just got a free meal. You'll have to treat me again next week, which makes me feel a little guilty."

Xu Qinning burst into laughter. "Next week, I'll treat you to hot pot."

By now, they had walked to the entrance of the restaurant. Cheng Xiaoyu turned to look at her. "Do you want the gift I brought you?"

Xu Qinning looked at him, slightly puzzled. "Didn't you say you didn't buy one?"

Cheng Xiaoyu smiled. "Never mind that. If you want it, come with me."

Xu Qinning hesitated. "If I run away like this, my dad will probably skin me alive."

Cheng Xiaoyu's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Never let yourself be controlled by three things: the past, other people, and money. Any moment spent unhappy is a waste of life. I'm not trying to lead you astray; this is just a truth I want to share with you."

Xu Qinning laughed. "You're actually quite cute when you're being all serious. I'm just an insignificant bystander tonight anyway. Let's go!" With that, she slipped out of the revolving restaurant ahead of him.

Cheng Xiaoyu shook his head, gazing at her tall, slender figure as she walked away with apparent lightheartedness, and followed behind.

Taking the elevator straight down to the underground parking lot, Cheng Xiaoyu clutched the cardboard box and complained, "If I'd known, I wouldn't have hauled this all the way up."

Xu Qinning slipped her arm through his. "I know, I know! Thank you for your hard work, great poet!"

Cheng Xiaoyu handed the box over to her. "Here, carry your own stuff."

Xu Qinning took it with a pout. "How ungentlemanly. You're barely a man."

Cheng Xiaoyu ignored the jab. Once she had a firm grip on the box, he slipped off his school uniform jacket and draped it over her shoulders, as she was wearing only a thin slip dress. "Warmth is more important than manners," he said, before taking the box back from her.

For the first time, Xu Qinning blushed in front of him. She slid her arms into the oversized sleeves of his uniform, instantly enveloped in warmth. Though the jacket was far too big, her stunning figure gave the look a unique charm—much like a woman wearing an oversized men's shirt, exuding a captivating blend of innocence and allure.

Cheng Xiaoyu couldn't help but steal a few more glances. Noticing this, she asked, "Does it look terrible?"

Cheng Xiaoyu smiled. "You look beautiful in anything."

Xu Qinning scoffed playfully. "Hmph, as if you only just realized."

Once they were in the car, she couldn't contain her curiosity. "Where are we going? To buy my birthday present?"

Cheng Xiaoyu shook his head with a smile. "You'll see in a bit." He started the Ferrari and drove away from the Golden Summit.

Cheng Xiaoyu drove straight toward the Expo Park. Xu Qinning, possessing a notoriously terrible sense of direction, only realized where they were going when they were almost there. Learning that he was taking her to the carnival, she threw all decorum to the wind and squealed with delight. Clinging to his arm, she cried, "Xiaoyu, you know me so well! Since Su Yuxi refuses to acknowledge you as her brother anyway, why don't you be my brother instead?"

Cheng Xiaoyu wasn't buying it. Gently shaking off her hand, he said, "You have plenty of 'brothers' already; you don't need another one. I think I'll have a brighter future if I stay dedicated to being Xiao Xi's brother."

Xu Qinning didn't take offense. She laughed and said, "Well, Xixi's brother is my brother. It's settled then!"

Cheng Xiaoyu ignored her self-satisfied chatter. He parked the car and headed to the ticket booth. Xu Qinning followed closely at his heels, acting for all the world like an obedient little sister.

Once inside, Xu Qinning looked around wide-eyed, like a country bumpkin entering the big city. Even though it was already past eight in the evening, the park was still bustling, and many attractions had long lines.

Cheng Xiaoyu accompanied her on the roller coaster, where she shrieked with thrill while he turned pale with fright. When she wanted to go on the drop tower next, Cheng Xiaoyu refused to join her, no matter what. Watching him cling to a lamppost, refusing to budge, she had no choice but to ride it alone, calling him a coward the entire time.

Cheng Xiaoyu ignored her teasing completely. As he watched her rise higher and higher, he felt a wave of vicarious panic. Unable to watch the drop tower plunge, he turned his head away. A moment later, a chorus of screams erupted, and he could easily distinguish her voice from the rest. While others shrieked in terror, her screams were filled with pure, unadulterated excitement.

They went on to ride the pirate ship, the roller coaster, and the bumper cars. Cheng Xiaoyu even won a stuffed pig doll for her at a coin-toss booth.

Time flew by, and though Xu Qinning was exhausted, she was incredibly happy. When Cheng Xiaoyu checked his watch and said they had to head back, she pouted, reluctantly wandering off in random directions. Because she had no sense of direction, she couldn't find the exit anyway. Only after Cheng Xiaoyu coaxed her by promising to bring her back again did she cheer up and follow him toward the main gate.

By then, they were quite far from where the car was parked. They strolled along the tree-lined paths of the Expo Park, chatting idly as they made their way toward the main entrance.

(Special thanks to Bored Person, Drunk Soughing, Pants-Puller, Little Cripple, Shameless A, Mount Huang Misty Rain, Seeking Death is a Habit, Night Wood Wind, Big Thumb, Demon King Mo, and Great Philosopher Wu. Thanks to everyone who left a comment, and to every reader who bookmarked and clicked. You are the motivation that keeps me writing.

Without realizing it, I have reached one hundred chapters. To be honest, this book has flopped as hard as a book possibly can. I know that by web novel standards, this is destined to be a niche book, perhaps so small that no one will read it. But as long as someone leaves a comment saying it's good, or offers words of encouragement, I feel my passion reignited. To be honest, I have never cared about whether I make money from this. I simply want to write a different kind of story, one that people find engaging and moving. My writing might not be polished enough to achieve the exact effect I want, so thank you to those of you who are still reading. Please feel free to share your feedback. Thanks again, dear readers. No matter what, I promise this book will not be abandoned.)