Chapter 108: Hoping Qin Xiaochi Finds Joy Every Day

The evening was somewhat chilly, the sky overcast, and suddenly rain began to fall.

A heavy downpour engulfed the entire city in a curtain of rain, the sound of water pattering softly in the ears.

A group of people, umbrellas in hand, headed to the neighboring barbecue restaurant to celebrate Qiao Zhen’s birthday and to congratulate her on securing first place.

Inside, the aroma of grilled meat filled the air, paired with warm lighting that created an atmosphere of comfort and joy.

After tying an apron on Qiao Zhen, Qin Yichi prepared a special dipping sauce tailored to her taste. He grilled generous portions of pork belly, fatty beef with enoki mushrooms, chicken breast, and black pepper steak, placing each piece into her bowl.

Qiao Zhen’s eyes sparkled as she smiled and praised his grilling skills. Under the table, she kept poking his leg with her index finger.

Qin Yichi remained stoic but responded with a subtle nod, grilling even more enthusiastically, as if he wished he could throw all the other boys present on the grill too.

His own bowl had very little; he gave most of the food to Qiao Zhen.

Nearby, the three roommates watched Qin Yichi’s every move, exchanging glances that conveyed:

—Not bad, not bad, extra points for him!

—When will I get a boyfriend like that? *sniffle*

—Honestly, the meat grilled by Mr. Priceless does smell incredibly good.

Qiao Zhen looked at the mound of meat in her bowl, slightly opening her mouth, then poked Qin Yichi’s waist beneath the table and whispered:

“I can’t eat this much, you eat more too, boyfriend~”

Just then, Niu Yifeng overheard and rubbed his hands together, flashing Qin Yichi a mischievous grin: “I can eat it, I can eat it!”

Qin Yichi glanced up coolly, catching Niu Yifeng’s eager, hungry expression, then magnanimously placed a piece of slightly charred meat into his bowl:

“Here, eat up.”

Niu Yifeng: “...Excuse me, am I some kind of cheap cow?”

Several other boys popped open cans of beer, sipping while silently watching Qin Yichi.

At first, they had imagined what it would be like for the world-weary Qin Yichi to have a relationship.

They thought he would be aloof, always holding the upper hand, unable or unwilling to coax a girl, expecting her to make the first move to win his favor.

With his roguish good looks, he seemed like a playboy, a seasoned Casanova who’d have dozens of cheerleader girlfriends.

But the reality—

He was doting and sweet, deeply romantic, often stepping forward for kisses, hugs, and lifts, like a clingy little creature.

Qiao Zhen praised him, and Qin Yichi would be like a sturdy ox ready to plow two acres of land.

If they ever married, Qiao Zhen figured that just one compliment like “You’re amazing” would have Qin Yichi happily doing laundry and cooking, even enjoying it.

The boys exchanged looks.

No wonder this guy already has a wife…

—

The group began to eat barbecue while playing a game called “Turtle Soup,” an intellectual deduction game based on mysterious scenarios.

The presenter would give a puzzling hook—“the soup’s surface.” Players could ask questions, and the presenter could only answer “yes,” “no,” or “irrelevant.” The goal was to deduce the full story—the “soup’s base.”

There were horror versions and funny versions.

At first, the boys told a few funny stories that had everyone laughing heartily.

Then came a classic horror one: “A girl was sleeping in her dormitory at night. She heard a window downstairs open and a loud bang. Terrified, she hid under her bed. The next day, she was found dead. Why?”

Qiao Zhen shivered, instinctively clutching Qin Yichi’s arm, timidly raising her hand to ask, “Was she killed by someone?”

Boy: “No.”

Qiao Zhen pressed on, “...Did she commit suicide?”

Boy: “No, either.”

Everyone was baffled, faces full of question marks.

Qin Yichi asked calmly, “Did she die of fright?”

“Yes.”

“Did something enter her dorm room?”

“Yes.”

“Was it a living person?”

“No.”

Qiao Zhen was utterly confused, clueless. The other boys racked their brains but couldn’t guess.

Combining the clues—“window downstairs opened,” “bang”—Qin Yichi slowly pieced it together, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth:

“Because someone downstairs jumped to their death and became a ghost. When they jumped, they were headfirst down. After becoming a ghost, they floated upward but still upside down. The girl hiding under the bed saw the ghost’s inverted head at first glance, and was so frightened she died instantly.”

Sheng Lulu, realizing the truth, broke out in goosebumps and shouted wildly:

“Ahhh, stop playing, stop playing, let’s eat meat! I’m scared to death! How am I supposed to stay alone in the dorm from now on?!”

Chen Meixiang was already sweating coldly, feeling like dying:

“...Tonight, I’m definitely ordering a talisman to ward off ghosts and sticking it on the dorm door.”

Zhang Ning had listened to her brother all along, covering her ears and not taking any of it in.

Qiao Zhen felt a chill from head to toe, nearly frazzled, clinging to Qin Yichi.

Imagining that scene was just too eerie.

One boy scratched his head cluelessly: “Ah, actually, this isn’t that scary. I have some even scarier stories. Want to play more?”

Before he finished, Qiao Zhen quickly shook her head, on the verge of tears, stammering:

“No, no, no, I’m home alone tonight, please don’t say any more...”

So mean.

For a little girl afraid of ghosts, this was devastating, especially alone at home with possible thunderstorms at night... The tension was overwhelming.

The next moment, a coaxing voice softly whispered in her ear:

“Sleep with me tonight. Protecting the princess is my duty.”

Qin Yichi deliberately lowered his voice, speaking just loud enough for the two of them, his tone earnest.

He quietly wrapped his arm around Qiao Zhen’s waist, staring straight into her eyes.

Qiao Zhen looked up silently, meeting his deep, dark gaze, hesitating for a moment.

But thinking of the ghost that floated in upside down, she steeled herself and nodded softly, “Okay.”

Qin Yichi offered her a piece of grilled pork belly, and where she couldn’t see, the curve of his lips deepened.

He thought he was far scarier than any ghost drifting upside down...

—

As dinner drew to a close, Qiao Zhen began handing out birthday cake.

After placing a golden paper crown on her head and lighting a heart-shaped candle, Qin Yichi watched as she slowly closed her eyes, face full of sincerity and devotion.

Surrounding her were voices of blessing: the boys’ lively cheers, “Happy birthday, Qiao!”

Her roommates’ warm wishes, “Happy 19th birthday, Little Zhen!”

And Qin Yichi’s low, rich voice that made hearts race:

“Happy birthday, princess.”

After making her wish, Qiao Zhen opened her eyes, blew out the candle, and began slicing the cake.

The cake was enormous, adorned with adorable little animals made of frosting, each representing someone present.

Her first slice went to Qin Yichi, with a little gray wolf to match.

Chen Meixiang received her favorite little fox; Yun Yue got a little white sheep; Sheng Lulu had her beloved penguin; Zhang Ning held her little cat excitedly.

As for the boys, there were representations of bulls, octopuses, pigs, and more.

Everything was warm and joyous, a small part of their vibrant youth, burning bright and full of excitement.

Even years later, when they reunited, they would still recall these moments vividly.

Qiao Zhen’s birthday wish was simple:

[May Qin Xiaochi be happy every day! May everyone be happy every day!]