C293 Let's Go and Play Together!

"Yikes!"

Zhang Xinrui let out a startled cry.

She quickly grabbed Little Qing and called into the house, "Lin Dong, are you ready? My bestie's here!"

Her heart was pounding as she spoke.

She had been so preoccupied with letting her best friend in that she nearly forgot Lin Dong was still in the shower!

Somehow, she was fine seeing Lin Dong, but the thought of her best friend seeing him made her uneasy.

"Alright, I'm coming out," Lin Dong called back.

He hadn't anticipated Zhang Xinrui's best friend arriving so soon, almost immediately after him.

Luckily, he was just finishing up his shower.

He grabbed the towel hanging in the bathroom, dried off, got dressed, and stepped out.

Unbeknownst to Lin Dong, he had nearly given a live show.

Once out, he shook his damp hair and, with the confidence of Zhang Xinrui's boyfriend, gestured to Little Qing, "Hey there, why didn't you invite your friend in, Xinrui?"

"She's coming in now," Zhang Xinrui replied, biting her lip.

She couldn't bring herself to mention Lin Dong's near live broadcast.

Little Qing entered with a blush on her face; she had caught a glimpse earlier, and it was quite the eyeful!

Though Lin Dong had a slender build, he was deceptively muscular, the kind that looked lean in clothes but was well-built underneath.

Thanks to the Eight Blasts skill he had acquired, his muscles were well-defined, giving him the sleek appearance of a cheetah—just the type girls often fall for!

Little Qing, as vivacious as she was, shared Zhang Xinrui's discerning taste.

She was cautious about choosing a boyfriend and was still single.

It was also her first time seeing a man in the midst of a shower from such close quarters...

Entering the room, Zhang Xinrui tried to steady her nerves.

She poured a glass of water for her best friend, Little Qing, and one for Lin Dong as well.

The three of them sat in silence.

Lin Dong wasn't particularly adept at conversation, whereas Zhang Xinrui had come prepared with topics to discuss. However, the recent events had left her feeling disorganized, and she found herself at a loss for words. Meanwhile, Ruan Qingqing, sipping her water, couldn't resist stealing glances at Lin Dong. Fresh from a shower, his already handsome features were enhanced by his damp, taut skin, which lent him a soft, approachable air. His looks alone were incredibly appealing, regardless of his other talents!

Lin Dong, ever perceptive, caught her gaze and looked back, prompting an immediate blush from Ruan Qingqing. She felt like a thief caught red-handed, her heartbeat racing uncontrollably.

"Uh, Xinrui, aren't you going to introduce your boyfriend?" Ruan Qingqing finally broke the silence, using the question to shift focus from her embarrassment.

Zhang Xinrui lightly smacked her forehead, as if chastising herself for the oversight, and said, "This is Lin Dong, my boyfriend. And Lin Dong, meet my best friend, Ruan Qingqing."

Lin Dong nodded in acknowledgment, choosing to remain silent. He was acutely aware that his role was to play a part; the less he said, the fewer mistakes he'd make.

Ruan Qingqing, however, was clearly intrigued by Lin Dong. She gazed at him with wide eyes and asked, "So, Lin Dong, what do you do for work?"

"Just a low-level employee, nothing noteworthy," Lin Dong replied with a casual fib, sticking to the backstory Zhang Xinrui had briefed him on.

Ruan Qingqing expressed her surprise, "Really? I can't imagine Xinrui being interested in someone who's just a regular employee. Which company do you work for?"

"Little Qing, are you conducting an interrogation?" Zhang Xinrui interjected, deftly steering the conversation away. She added, "And you said you wouldn't arrive until later in the afternoon. It's barely past noon, and here you are, catching me completely unprepared."

Her words were laden with implication, and as she finished, both Ruan Qingqing and Zhang Xinrui blushed.

Successfully distracted, Ruan Qingqing took a sip of water to compose herself and turned back to Zhang Xinrui, "Actually, it's no big deal. Our old classmate, Chung Xiong, has organized an upscale gathering and invited everyone from our class. I thought I'd drop by to tell you about it. Since Lin Dong is here too, we might as well all go together."