NOVEL NEXT Chapter 368: Learn Some Boundaries, Will You?!
"Alright! Everyone, get ready—lunch is served!"
Xia Yuan clapped her hands, ushering everyone to the table before calling out to Mei Fang, who was helping Lin Youxi untie her apron.
"Ah Fang, come here a sec."
"What's up?"
Instead of answering, Xia Yuan pressed her phone into Mei Fang's hands.
"Call Yunyun again to check her ETA. If she's close, we'll wait to start."
"No need, I'm on it."
Yue Xinyi was already dialing. "Yunyun? Where are now? Gao Xin Fourth Road? Almost here? We just started—no rush!"
After a 10-minute delay, Guo Yun finally arrived at Mei Fang's apartment, frazzled from her trip from Yangcheng. Mei Fang personally greeted her at the door, taking her luggage with visible guilt.
"Oh, no… no need to trouble yourself. A cab was fine…"
Mei Fang's attentiveness far exceeded what he'd shown other guests, flustering Guo Yun. After timidly greeting everyone, she took a seat beside Liu Xiaoyu.
"Finallygetting to taste CEO Lin's cooking! Rare opportunity—can't miss it!"
"Wait, wait! Group photo first!"
Xia Yuan insisted, propping her phone on a selfie stick. She nestled against Mei Fang while Lin Youxi draped an arm over his shoulder as everyone flashed peace signs.
Post-photo, Xia Yuan uploaded it to their group chat and kept fiddling with her phone even as dishes cooled.
Mei Fang nudged her. "Food's getting cold. Who're you texting?"
"Xiaoxue, of course! She's the only one missing today—gotta make herjealous."
As Xia Yuan spoke, her phone buzzed with an incoming video call—from Peng Xue.
The moment the call connected, the group gasped. Gone was Peng Xue's flamboyant style—in its place was a studious bob-cut, glasses-wearing girl who could've passed for a librarian.
"Whoa—WHAT?!Whoareyou?!"
Xia Yuan gawked. "Unrecognizable!"
"Me? Heartless Yuan Yuan—forget old friends now that you're rich and famous?"
"No, no! Everyone,look—"
Xia Yuan angled the camera toward Mei Fang first. Peng Xue's gaze flickered over him without acknowledgment before scanning the others. Even Yue Xinyi was stunned:
"PENG XUE?!Were youbody-swapped? Quick—what's our high school homeroom teacher's name?"
"Old Zhu. Zhu Renxuan. Right?"
Peng Xue rolled her eyes, then greeted each person—including first-time-meet Xiang Bingbing.
"Wow. Everyone's sogrown-upnow. Ifyoudidn't recognizeme,Ibarely recognizeyou!"
"Why singlemeout?!"
Zhang Ming's indignant retort drew laughter. Peng Xue chuckled too, wiping imaginary tears.
"Alright, enjoy your meal! Just wanted to say hi… and drool over Youxi's cooking."
"Droolaway."
Lin Youxi smirked. "I've saved portions for youmultipletimes. Always stood up."
"Next time!Promise!"
Peng Xue clasped her hands apologetically. "After this year's college entrance exams, I'lldevouryour dishes."
"Then I'll wish you top marks in advance."
Lin Youxi smiled warmly.
"Withyourblessing?In the bag!"
Peng Xue laughed before bidding farewell to each person—except Mei Fang, whom she pointedly ignored.
Post-call, the group dug into lunch. Sandwiched between Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi, Mei Fang received a consoling chicken leg from the former.
"Xiaoxue's just… you know. Don't take it to heart."
"Takewhatto heart?"
Mei Fang smiled as Xia Yuan fed him directly. "Mmm, delicious."
"Right?Youximade it."
Xia Yuan beamed, earning a dry remark from Lin Youxi:
"Feels like you'restealing creditfor my cooking while flirting."
"Exactly! You two lovebirds—tone it down!"
Yue Xinyi seized the rare chance to snipe without Peng Xue around, inadvertently putting Xia Yuan on the spot.
But I can't always rely on Xiaoxue to back me up… I've grown up now.
If I want my man's love, I'll fight for it myself!
Post-meal cleanup, the group packed for their seaside villa overnight trip.
"Off to the beach!"
Xiang Bingbing's cheers led them to the underground garage, where Mei Fang's car awaited.
Thefront passenger seat—a status symbol—wasn't usually contested between Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi. But with an audience, aperformancewas warranted.
Xia Yuan sprinted ahead, claiming the seat after Mei Fang unlocked the car. Lin Youxi slid into the back with Liu Xiaoyu—until Xiang Bingbing's arrival ruined Xia Yuan's plans.
"Oof—this backseat'stiny! I don't fit!"
Bingbing pawed at Xia Yuan's headrest. "Yuan Yuan, can we swap?Please?"
"Sigh… Fine."
Xia Yuan reluctantly exited, meeting Lin Youxi'striumphantgaze.
…You planned this, didn't you?
En route, Xiang Bingbing bombarded Mei Fang with questions like an excitable child.
"Ah Fang, what's that pointy building?"
"Chun Sun Tower."
"And the nest-shaped egg?"
"Chun Jian Stadium."
"Wow! You knoweverything!"
"Had meetings here recently. Local partners filled me in."
"Being a CEO soundsexhausting. Nonstop meetings?"
"Not really. Other execs handle most now. I'm still learning."
Bingbing's starry-eyed admiration made Xia Yuan's brow twitch.
Is it me… or is Bingbingwaymore into Ah Fang than in high school?
Then again, I never saw her interact with him during classes…
But still—right in front of me and Youxi!
Sure, Bingbing liking Ah Fang seems absurd… but her lack of boundaries comes from obliviousness, not malice. Can't let this slide—
Just as Xia Yuan prepared to intervene, Lin Youxi reached forward, poking Bingbing's shoulder.
"Bingbing, don't take this the wrong way…"
"Yeah?"
Lin Youxi smiled sweetly. "Ah Fang needs to focus on driving. Askusyour questions instead, okay?"
"Oh! Good point!"
Bingbing nodded cheerfully, utterly missing the warning.
Thetensionterrified Liu Xiaoyu, who sensed a shift in Bingbing's demeanor.
Is Youxi mad? She has to be.
Will she kick Bingbing out of the car?!
…Would she?
It's Lin Youxi we're talking about—
Unfazed, Bingbing pondered aloud:
"Then I'mreallycurious… How do you threemanagedaily life? Like… do yousleep togetherat night?"
"LEARN SOME BOUNDARIES, WILL YOU?!"
Liu Xiaoyufinallysnapped—beating Xia Yuan to the punch and leaving the latter awkwardly mid-retort.