Which way to go is the road?

Having not been home for a long time, Qian Luomei stayed in the courtyard for two days before returning to "Shuiyunjian". When she returned, it was already 6 pm. Zhang Chu was on duty at the front desk, Xiang Fei was helping a customer repair a computer, and all four brothers from Lao You's dormitory were there except for Tian Hai. Dong Lu and Bai Xue were not there either.

Qian Luomei went to the front desk, put the bag containing a few pieces of clothing on the table, glanced at the gang members in the distance, and was very puzzled.

"Why are there so few people today?"

"There are quite a few people here, Sister Luomei. Look, there's only one empty machine; it'll probably be full in no time!"

"What? I mean, Tian Hai, where are Bai Xue and Dong Lu? It's Friday, and there's a guild war tonight! If we're missing our main forces, won't we lose tonight?"

"Oh, it's alright! We'll just log into all three of their accounts in a bit, it's fine!"

"It's alright, you big dummy! Can you get to the point? Why didn't the other three come?" Qian Luomei gave Zhang Chu a hard tap on the forehead, making her feel quite good.

Zhang Chu covered his forehead, forcing a smile: "Sister Luo Mei, if you used any more force, you could blow someone's head off and eat their brains!"

"Does it hurt that much? Let me see!" Qian Luomei said, stroking Zhang Chu's forehead and blowing on it a few times with a touch of heartache.

"It's nothing, it's nothing! Sister Luomei, don't exaggerate!" Zhang Chu was a little embarrassed by Qian Luomei's words.

"If there's nothing wrong, just say so. These people come every day, but it feels a bit strange that three of them are missing today!" Qian Luomei laughed at the contrast between her cold and warm attitude.

"Sister Luomei, something big happened these past two days while you were gone!"

"What is it?"

Since he hadn't called her, Qian Luomei knew it had nothing to do with the internet cafe, nor was it anything life-or-death! However, seeing Zhang Chu's exaggerated manner, Qian Luomei listened with great interest to what he had to say next.

"The main character in this is Bai Xue. You know Tian Hai likes Bai Xue, and he planned a love confession ceremony a few days ago. We all helped with that, didn't we?"

"Did Xiang Fei help?" Qian Luomei deliberately interrupted Zhang Chu and asked a question she was concerned about.

"I helped him, and even wrote a love poem for Tian Hai. The problem lies with that poem..."

Zhang Chu recounted the entire process of Tian Hai's courtship ceremony, Xiang Fei's fight with Tian Hai, and Bai Xue and Dong Lu's visit to Xiang Fei. Qian Luomei listened with great interest, but her brows gradually furrowed as she heard the later parts.

That evening, during a guild war in the game, Xiang Fei fought silently, completely lacking the demeanor of a captain. Zhang Chu, from the same team, knew Xiang Fei was preoccupied and took over the captain's duties. Qian Luomei, the guild leader, also unusually remained silent. Fortunately, Du Xinpeng, using Bai Xue's account, commanded the team with great flair, thoroughly enjoying his role as vice-guild leader. Knowing she was a beautiful vice-guild leader, everyone obeyed, and together they won two consecutive matches. Immediately, the guild chat interface erupted in cheers and applause!

The game was noisy and lively, but in reality, Qian Luomei and Xiang Fei each had their own worries. They logged off early, embracing their troubles and pondering their thoughts, before falling asleep with their minds preoccupied.

The next day, Tian Hai, Bai Xue, and Dong Lu all appeared in Lao You's group of internet users. Xiang Fei greeted everyone, but when it was Tian Hai's turn, he ignored them out of resentment. Tian Hai's outstretched hand hung in mid-air, and he shrugged and went to use the internet. However, Bai Xue and Dong Lu also ignored him, not even glancing at him before going to the internet area.

"Xiang Fei, sometimes I really don't understand you. Take care of yourself!" Lao You patted Xiang Fei on the shoulder and went to the internet area.

"You don't know how lucky you are. Do you know how many people in school are pursuing Bai Xue? If it were me... never mind! I'm not Bai Xue's type. She likes to write poetry and is very talented!" Zhang Fang shook his head helplessly.

"The poem is well-written, what a pity!" Du Xinpeng, abandoning his usual comedic style, spoke with a deeper meaning!

Xiang Fei was somewhat absent-minded all morning. He died three times while playing a simple story mission, despite his hastily assembled teammates hurling insults at him. Feeling very agitated, Xiang Fei decided to abandon all missions and went alone to a cliff scene with ancient pines, strange rocks, a sea of ​​clouds, and the setting sun, where he silently grieved.

"Xiang Fei, it's almost lunchtime, hurry up and come help me cook!" Qian Luomei's unquestionable command came through the walkie-talkie.

"Okay, coming right away!"

Xiang Fei called Zhang Chu to come and take the shift. He quickly went to the attic, only to see Qian Luomei setting up tea sets in the living room. After a skillful tea ceremony, she handed Xiang Fei a cup of tea!

"Thank you, Sister Luomei!" Xiang Fei finished his tea and put the teacup back on the tea set.

"How's my tea ceremony?"

"I don't know anything about tea ceremony, but you seem quite skilled, and the tea tastes very good!"

"So what do you think of me as a person?"

"Beautiful and generous, loyal and righteous, kind, wise and magnanimous," Xiang Fei carefully considered before speaking these words. When he realized that the word "magnanimous" was inappropriate, he could not take it back.

"Generous!" Qian Luomei chuckled self-deprecatingly twice and repeated, "Generous! Xiang Fei, sometimes you really don't know how to talk. I really don't understand why Bai Xue likes you!"

Xiang Fei couldn't answer this question, because he didn't understand how such a beautiful and charming college student could possibly like him. He was a penniless and powerless internet cafe manager who failed the college entrance exam and only knew how to write pretentious poems.

Do you like snow?

"I don't like it!" Xiang Fei said through gritted teeth.

"Then let's get married, I'll marry you!"

"What? What did you say, Sister Luomei?" Xiang Fei suddenly raised his head, looking at Qian Luomei with a slight smile, his face full of disbelief.

"Didn't you want to take responsibility for that? I'll grant your wish. What, you think I'm too old?"

"No, it's just too sudden!"

"So, do you agree or disagree? I need your answer now!"

Whether it was because the attic heating was too good or because Xiang Fei hadn't taken off his coat, he was sweating because of nervousness! Taking responsibility for that matter was Xiang Fei's consistent attitude and principle, but when it really came down to him, he felt at a loss and couldn't make up his mind!

"Didn't you want to take responsibility? What are you hesitating for?"

"Fine, I agree, I'll take responsibility!" Driven to desperation, Xiang Fei simply put his head on the chopping block and let them do as they pleased!

"You actually dared to agree. You're going to be the death of me! The death of me!" Qian Luomei stood up abruptly from the sofa, hands on her hips.

"Didn't you make me take responsibility?" Xiang Fei said, feeling wronged.

"Okay, then let me ask you: Do you love me? Have you ever loved me the way a man loves a woman?"

"I have no idea!"

"What do you mean you don't know? You like Bai Xue now, you love her! You think your love is so secret that no one can tell? Nobody in this world is a fool! I ask you, can you love one person while also loving another?"

"cannot!"

"If you don't love me, but you marry me, will we be happy?"

"Won't!"

"So you know what you did?"

"But if a man and a woman do that kind of thing, shouldn't the man take responsibility? Otherwise, what kind of man is he?"

"This is just so hard to explain, my goodness!"

Qian Luomei was speechless as she looked at Xiang Fei, who was still stubbornly refusing to listen to reason after attending class for half a day. She simply sat down and thought of another way to make sense of the situation.

"Xiang Fei, if we really got married and became a couple, would you be happy?"

"I don't know, but I did what I did, so even if I'm unhappy, I deserve it, as long as you can be happy!"

"These words touched me deeply, but I won't be happy. First, because you don't love me. A marriage without love is just mutual torture; there's no happiness in that. Second, because you're unhappy. Happiness is interactive and interdependent. If one person is unhappy, do you think the other can be happy?"

These words made Xiang Fei think deeply. Taking on the corresponding responsibilities is something a man must do, but if taking responsibility brings no happiness to the two people, only pain and torment, then is this "responsibility" still meaningful?

"But Sister Luomei, then you're at a disadvantage?"

These words made Qian Luomei smile helplessly: "That kind of thing didn't happen because you wanted it to, nor because I wanted it to. It was just a case of alcohol making you act recklessly. Blame that damned alcohol! I'll never drink that much again! That kind of thing should only happen between lovers. Remember that!"

"Oh, I've got it!"

"Alright, I feel relieved now that I've told you all this! You don't need to overthink it anymore. As for how things develop between you and Bai Xue, that's your business, I won't interfere! As long as your future romantic relationships aren't affected by what happened before, my mission is accomplished!"

"Sister Luomei, what are you thinking about?"

"Mind your own business. Think about how to handle your relationship with Wada Kai and Shirayuki! It's enough to give you a headache!"

"Oh, sis, I'll ask you something unnecessary: ​​have you ever been in a relationship before? I really don't have any experience with this kind of thing! Can you tell me about it?" Xiang Fei had benefited a lot from the conversation just now, and he wanted to take the opportunity to get some information out of her.

"Of course we dated, but it's all in the past. I dated someone in college, but we broke up and he left Yandu! He also liked playing online games. Back then, we played 'Legend of Mir.' The graphics weren't as polished as Fantasy Westward Journey, but it was the first generation of online games, and everyone had a blast! I even opened this internet cafe for him, but things have changed so much!"

Qian Luomei suddenly fell silent, glancing out the window at the flowers and plants she had been tending, overwhelmed by nostalgia and feeling lost. However, she seemed to be deliberately resisting this sadness, quickly regaining her composure and continuing with Xiang Fei's question.

"You don't need any experience to date, just a sincere heart! Relationships built on experience, tricks, and techniques are all nonsense. Everyone should have their own unique emotional experience. Don't try to imitate others, just be yourself! When the relationship reaches a certain point, just let it happen naturally!"

"Okay! I've got it!"

"We've been talking all this time, and haven't gotten anything done! They're going to start complaining again soon. Let's go, let's cook!"