About twenty minutes later, he returned with two large bags full of food.
Melody remained in the same position, holding a small wooden stick she'd found somewhere, idly drawing on the ground.
Her long hair cascaded softly on both sides, making her look childish and cute.
She looked more like an eighteen-year-old girl than someone in her thirties.
Upon seeing Lu Qingxu's shoes, she dropped the stick and slowly stood up.
"Why did you buy so much?"
Lu Qingxu handed her a bag, "There's some for you too."
She didn't take it. "I don't eat at night. It's bad for my health."
"Is there anything else you need? If not, let's go back."
"It's not fried food; I chose baked items for you. Young people nowadays, though they love to eat, also pay attention to health. Take a look first."
Lu Qingxu, seeking praise, insisted on giving her the food.
It was late at night, and the food, as if filtered, looked exceptionally tempting.
Considering Melody hadn't had dinner, the appealing color made her waver.
"Since you've already bought it, I'll make an exception."
Lu Qingxu was as happy as if he had won the lottery.
As they walked back, he asked her if she wanted to eat some first.
Melody said, "No. I don't like eating while walking on the street."
Indeed, although she was out wearing slippers, her innate elegance couldn't be hidden.
"Then we'll eat back at the hotel."
"I don't like the smell of food in the room."
"..."
For some reason, her tone and demeanor when she said this were remarkably similar to Zhan Bei Jue.
Lu Qingxu had known Zhan Bei Jue for so many years, yet he had only recently learned that he had close female friends.
The thought made him feel a bit uncomfortable.
"Then where shall we eat?"
"Isn't there a garden behind the hotel? We can eat on the bench."
They went to the garden. After putting down the food, Lu Qingxu handed her her portion.
Melody ate it without any pretense.
However, she ate the popular street snacks as if they were a Michelin-starred meal.
He increasingly felt she resembled Zhan Bei Jue.
Lu Qingxu couldn't help but ask, "I still don't know your name."
"Didn't he tell you? Melody."
"Oh. My name is Lu Qingxu."
"Your names are so difficult to pronounce; I can't get used to them. Can I call you by your last name?"
No one had ever called him that before; it felt like a pet name, and Lu Qingxu was delighted.
"Sure."
Seeing her pleasant demeanor, Lu Qingxu finally asked.
"Has anyone ever told you that you resemble someone?"
"Who? A celebrity? Keira Knightley?"
From the side, she did indeed bear a resemblance to Keira Knightley.
Both were slender beauties with exceptionally good skin.
But that wasn't who Lu Qingxu was referring to.
"I think you resemble President Zhan a bit."
Melody hadn't expected him to say that. Although they were twins, they weren't close, and it sounded strange.
Pretending not to care about his remark, she shrugged.
"Perhaps it's because we've known each other for a long time. You know, friends tend to become alike after a while."
"I've known him for quite some time, and I know most of his friends. I didn't expect there to be someone I didn't know."
"What are you trying to say?"
Lu Qingxu's admiration and liking for Melody were evident.
Having lived this long, if Melody couldn't see through his thoughts, she would have lived in vain.
Seeing him cautiously trying to delve deeper into the topic, she cut him off.
She smiled and frankly reminded him.
"I think Jue might not have explained some things clearly to you."
"What things?"
"I don't plan to get married, I'm not looking for a boyfriend, and I don't intend to stay in the country long-term, so..."
Her words extinguished the hope that had just ignited in Lu Qingxu.
However, he had no principles at this point.
As long as he could talk to Melody and see her smile, he was content.
"I understand. He told me everything."
"That's good. Since I invited you here, I won't let you spend extra money."
"Your round-trip airfare, plus this meal, are all on my tab."
"..."
In Lu Qingxu's view, he still held some traditional beliefs about gender roles.
He believed that men protected women, and when they went out together, it was natural for the man to pay.
This was the first time he had met a woman like Melody, who prioritized finances before acting and constantly tried to maintain distance.
He couldn't help but wonder: this woman doesn't want to get married, doesn't want to date, and is so clear about money?
Could she have been hurt in a past relationship?
Surely no woman is born to be a lifelong advocate of celibacy?
If she, so beautiful, had become so cautious because of some man's hurt,
It would be too heartbreaking.
With this thought, Lu Qingxu's affection for her deepened in his heart.
After eating and drinking, it was nearly two in the morning when they returned to lie in bed.
However, Lu Qingxu had no intention of sleeping.
In the darkness, it was his domain, where he could possess her completely. He didn't want to waste time.
Naturally, having slept late, Lu Qingxu overslept the next day.
When he woke up, Melody was long gone.
Wandering into the living room alone, he saw a stack of money and a note under his phone.
He picked them up and saw it was a full ten thousand yuan.
The note was in English. Melody said that
she had a pleasant time yesterday, but didn't need his services today. She would be staying in North City for a while longer and would call him again if needed. The money was for his labor. She wished him a safe journey.
Alas, it was similar to the tactics his bad friends usually employed.
Except that it was usually men treating women this way.
He had completely reversed the roles.
Looking at the money and the note, Lu Qingxu felt a sense of irony, yet also found it extremely intriguing.
This woman was different from everyone else; how could he forget her?
There were no major work issues that required his constant attention, so a few days' delay was acceptable.
He knew he would miss her terribly if he went back, so Lu Qingxu didn't leave.
He ordered takeout, ate, and then went to the hotel gym.
After returning and tidying himself up, it was already closing time.
He was scrolling through his phone when Melody entered the room.
She was somewhat surprised to see he hadn't left.
"Didn't you see the note I left?"
Lu Qingxu said he had.
"But the money you gave was too much; it was my rate for two days, so I decided to stay and accompany you for another day."
Melody couldn't refuse this reason.
It was quite boring to guard patients in the hospital every day, and it was best to have someone to talk to at night.
She accepted without hesitation, freshened up, and comfortably began to take advantage of Lu Qingxu.
Around seven o'clock, Lu Qingxu called her to go out.
"Don't sleep yet; we haven't had dinner. Let's go out for something to eat before coming back to sleep."
Zhan Bei Jue had instructed Melody not to wander off. While going out in the dark was acceptable, she refused after glancing outside at the bright lights.
"No. If you want to go, go by yourself."
"We won't go to crowded places. I'm leaving tomorrow, so I'll accompany you to watch a movie."