"Just to be clear, a quick round of rules: I'll shower first, then you. After you're done, make sure to dry your hair before coming out. No tight clothes, no going without pants, straight to bed after, no extra activities. Got it?"

Wang Fan had strong self-control, but even he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't turn into a hungry wolf.

Zhuo Qianqian was undeniably the most beautiful girl Wang Fan had ever encountered in his two lifetimes. Even with full faith in his self-restraint, he couldn't afford to let Zhuo Qianqian stack buffs.

A fresh-out-of-water beauty, the allure of a wet body—any sane person would be overwhelmed by such a stack of buffs. As for Liu Xiahui, he only managed no reaction because he was freezing at below freezing temperatures!

Zhuo Qianqian seemed to have invested all her skill points into studying, rather dull in other aspects. Although she felt Wang Fan's demands were a bit much, as a guest, she accepted it was her role to comply with the host's requests.

"Okay, boss."

Wang Fan was content as he headed for his shower, while Zhuo Qianqian giggled mischievously and began sharing her culinary photos with her mischievous friends.

He Lu Xue was furious!

She used to tease Qianqian with food, how did the table suddenly turn?!

Wow, that color... Wow, that presentation... Wow, I'm drooling uncontrollably...

She flipped through her photo album again and again, searching every nook and cranny without a single picture to counterattack.

"What junk is this cafeteria serving every single day?!"

Fuming, He Lu Xue suddenly saw another video from Zhuo Qianqian.

Annoyed, she opened it, only to be captivated by the content.

The pitter-patter of rain, the clinking of raindrops on metal, densely visible raindrops under the cozy light.

Oh my!

Isn't this the outdoor immersive rainy-day enjoyment I always dreamed of?!

I haven't found a chance to experience it yet, and this jerk is already living it?!

Looking further, a "井" character suddenly appeared on He Lu Xue's forehead as her two little fists clenched tightly.

Hotpot!

Hotpot on a rainy day!

Having hotpot in a camper on a rainy day!

This is the life I always told this idiot I wanted to experience!

Without thinking, she sent a video invite. As it connected, He Lu Xue burst out: "You jerk, living the life I long for behind my back! Damn it, give me back my dream life!"

Zhuo Qianqian burst into mischievous laughter, her face full of smugness: "Blah blah blah, get mad, get mad, I just love seeing you fuming and utterly helpless against me!"

He Lu Xue was furious, but she had to hold back; she had to ask her most pressing question.

"How did you gather all these elements! Confess!"

Zhuo Qianqian was even more smug: "Well, it all started with my adept skewer-grilling skill."

"???"

He Lu Xue was all puzzled by Zhuo Qianqian's words, what does enjoying hotpot in the rain have to do with grilling skewers?

"You see, when I went to Mount Tai, I used my skewer-grilling skills to land a job at a restaurant. Later, the boss moved from Mount Tai to Yunnan, and since I wanted to eat his cooking, I followed him here to continue working. It happened to pour rain, and the boss made hotpot, and just like that, I gathered the elements of your dream life!"

After sharing her experience with He Lu Xue, the latter wore a face of sheer shock.

"You, a Kainan University honor student, went to a restaurant to grill skewers and wait tables? Are you kidding me?"

"Why would I joke about that? Let me tell you, the boss's cooking is amazing. Remember that orange lychee shrimp I sent you last time? The boss made it, so delicious it'll have you eating your tongue!"

He Lu Xue covered her face with her hand: "You're not about to tell me you and your boss are in a camper together, are you?"

"Yep, we are eating in the camper too. I was in such a rush I didn't book a hotel. Thankfully, the boss took me in."

"Are you two together?"

"Ugh! You're so gross! That's my boss!"

He Lu Xue sighed: "Tonight, if you can avoid showering, then don't. And if you must, don't go out with wet hair. Definitely, definitely don't wear tight clothes, especially not bare-legged!"

Zhuo Qianqian froze: "What you said matches exactly what the boss told me?"

He Lu Xue was surprised: "Huh? Your boss told you the same?"

"Yeah, exactly the same as what you said."

He Lu Xue praised: "Your boss can really hold his own as the virtuous gentleman!"

Zhuo Qianqian was bewildered: "Are you speaking in riddles? What even are you saying? And what the boss said? I really don't get what either of you means."

He Lu Xue didn't answer her question, but rather asked gossipily: "How old is your boss? Is he handsome?"

"Looks only about 20-ish? Maybe a bit older than me, still seems young, you know. I'm face-blind, I can't really tell if he's handsome or not. I've sent you a photo, see for yourself."

He Lu Xue minimized the video window to find a photo. Opening it left her stunned.

"Amazing, Zhuo, what kind of dumb luck did you have to meet such a gem?"

Zhuo Qianqian was irate: "Ugh, you're the one with dumb luck! Your words are so gross, not talking to you, I'm off to shower. If there's good food tomorrow I'll share again, to make you drool to death!"

The guys seemed to be quick showerers; Wang Fan was in and out in just over ten minutes.

"The toiletries are all new, they're inside, just use them."

After Wang Fan spoke, he directly walked to the bedroom, collapsing onto the single bed inside, eyes closed, going into standby mode.

Standby mode involved revisiting tonight's sesame chicken hotpot.

Seasoning combinations, ingredient configurations, timing of serving, taste changes—there was so much more to learn.

After hanging up the video call, He Lu Xue kept rubbing her chin.

This foodie, little klutz, how did she step into such good luck?

Good looking and equally adept at cooking, plus from the sound of it, quite the gentleman too. Should I consider linking a match to awaken the little klutz's heart?

After this village, finding a store like this one might not happen?

Besides, if they actually hit it off, as her die-hard bestie frenemies, would ordering food be my due right?

With thousands of cuisines worldwide, I can't travel the world sampling dishes, right?

Having a chef boyfriend of a best friend means I can order whatever I crave, right?

Oops, there's that heart-fluttering feeling!

He Lu Xue giggled mischievously, thinking it through seemed like a risk-free trade!

After her shower, Zhuo Qianqian diligently mopped the bathroom floor dry and tidied up everything before clapping her hands satisfactorily and stepping out of the bathroom.

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