Dragon Clan: Starting with the Azure Dragon Fruit

Before he could even speak, Lu Mingfei rushed onto the rain-soaked highway.

It was this near miss that allowed Lu Mingfei to avoid Odin and his kingdom of death.

Since then, Chu Zihang has always paid attention to Lu Mingfei on campus, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

He saw the other person leaning on the corridor railing after school every day, staring blankly at the falling leaves; he saw the other person running errands in the literary club, carrying two cases of mineral water, sweating profusely, yet still smiling awkwardly; and he saw the other person's anxious and unrequited love for a girl in a white cotton dress circling around her.

Chu Zihang actually felt sorry for Lu Mingfei because, in his eyes, Lu Mingfei was the same kind of person as him, surrounded by a suffocating sense of loneliness. The only difference was that Lu Mingfei was used to using pride to cover up his loneliness, while this loser always used endless, nonsensical talk to pretend that he wasn't lonely.

The atmosphere in the carriage was slightly stuffy. Chu Zihang tapped a few times on the in-car screen to play some instrumental music, then looked at the traffic lights ahead and casually asked, "Do you guys usually like to play games?"

Lu Mingfei was taken aback, not expecting Chu Zihang to initiate the conversation, and quickly nodded: "Ah, right, Yuan Ge and I often play StarCraft together."

What race do you usually use?

"Humans..." Lu Mingfei scratched his head. "I'm used to micro-managing my Marines."

"Terran races have very high APM requirements, they're quite difficult to master." Chu Zihang commented seriously, as if discussing a challenging math problem. "I used to play Protoss for a while."

These few simple lines of dialogue are like the ice-breaking spell in Harry Potter.

Lu Mingfei discovered that this legendary senior Chu was not an unapproachable iceberg, but a normal guy who knew how to play StarCraft and understood tactics.

His tense back gradually relaxed as he leaned back firmly in the leather seat. The awkwardness and restraint slowly disappeared, replaced by an irrepressible surge of excitement. Sitting in the luxury car, chatting about games with the school's legendary figure, with a completely transformed Lin Yuan beside him, Lu Mingfei suddenly had a strange feeling, as if he had briefly squeezed into the school's elite circle.

The car exited the elevated highway and drove into an underground parking lot near a commercial street in the city center.

The three got out of the car and walked along the pedestrian street. Lu Mingfei's steps were visibly lighter, and he became more talkative, even gesturing to Lin Yuan to boast about the positioning of one of his machine gunners earlier.

I just turned a corner.

Under a lush camphor tree stood a girl in a white cotton dress. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling her clean hair. She held a book with a light green cover in her arms, quietly gazing towards the street corner.

Lu Mingfei's incessant chatter suddenly caught in his throat.

His shoulders, which had been swaying slightly with excitement just a moment ago, stiffened unnaturally. The little bit of confidence he had built up in the car vanished the instant he saw this girl. He instinctively tried to smooth his hair, trying to look presentable. But his hair, messy all day and oily, wouldn't obey him, clinging tightly to his scalp.

He glanced quickly down at his faded T-shirt, a hint of annoyance flashing across his face. If he had known he would be seeing Chen Wenwen today, he would have dressed more presentably.

But there was no way to avoid it now, so Lu Mingfei had no choice but to quicken his pace and step forward to greet him:

"Chen... Chen Wenwen, what a coincidence."

The girl looked up at the sound.

After recognizing Lu Mingfei, he politely smiled and said, "It's you, Lu Mingfei."

The tone carried a hint of aloofness, but Lu Mingfei seemed oblivious. Hearing the other call his name, he perked up, took a half-step forward, rubbed his hands together, and beamed with a smile.

"You...you're here too? What a coincidence! Are you...shopping? Having dinner? Or..."

In short, he stammered out three questions, and after asking them, he didn't even know which response to give.

Lin Yuan watched from the side and found it amusing; she was so humble and easily satisfied.

Chen Wenwen's gaze was fixed on Lu Mingfei's awkward appearance. Perhaps because she was blocked by pedestrians at the street corner, she didn't notice the other two who were half a step behind.

She frowned slightly, habitually adopting the air of the literature club president she usually used when interacting with Lu Mingfei: "Why weren't you studying at home this weekend? You're at the bottom of the class again in the final exams. We're about to be seniors, time is tight, you have to work hard."

Lu Mingfei's previously held-up spirit collapsed like a deflated balloon after being poked by these few light words.

Chapter 23 A Messy Group of Friends

"I...I just came out to eat." Lu Mingfei's voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's buzz, and he rubbed his hands on his trouser legs.

"I only came because my friend called me..."

Upon hearing the word "friend," Chen Wenwen sighed softly.

"Do you know that we'll be in our final year of high school after the semester starts? We need to focus our minds on the right things."

"If you put half the energy you spend playing games into studying, your grades wouldn't be like this. You should spend less time hanging out with those shady friends in internet cafes..."

Before she could finish speaking, she saw Lin Yuan and Chu Zihang behind Lu Mingfei.

Chen Wenwen couldn't bring herself to say the rest of her sentence.

Her gaze first fell on Lin Yuan. The boy in front of her was tall and straight, and a dark Burberry T-shirt made him look clean and neat. More importantly, he exuded a composure from within. This was completely different from the sleazy internet cafe friends that Lu Mingfei usually associated with.

Chen Wenwen was stunned. When did Lu Mingfei make friends like this?

Then, she shifted her gaze slightly to the side and met a pair of cool and calm eyes.

Chu Zihang.

Her pupils dilated slightly, and she instinctively tightened her grip on the book she was holding. That perpetually aloof and popular figure at Shilan High School was actually friends with Lu Mingfei? When did this happen?

A hidden sense of inferiority struck her unexpectedly.

At school, her white cotton dress and poetry collection were her capital to enjoy being admired, allowing her to feel at ease being looked up to by a loser like Lu Mingfei. But at this moment, facing the young master Chu who exuded an aura of superiority, she suddenly realized how flimsy and ridiculous her cheap youth literature book seemed.

The white cotton dress that was always washed clean was now soaked with sweat and clung to her back because of the hot weather. Several cheap wrinkles were also pressed into the hem, revealing an embarrassing feeling that could not be concealed.

The confidence she had displayed when she reprimanded Lu Mingfei just now deflated completely, like a balloon punctured by a needle.

Chen Wenwen's gaze returned to Lu Mingfei.

Strangely enough, with the aura of the two people behind her, Chen Wenwen even felt that Lu Mingfei in front of her seemed a little different.

His faded old T-shirt no longer seemed like a symbol of poverty, but rather exuded a casual, unpretentious air; his messy hair no longer looked slovenly. Even his earlier attempts to cover his embarrassment had lost their usual timid, ingratiating quality in Chen Wenwen's eyes, instead revealing a hint of hidden depth. How could someone who could be friends with Chu Zihang be a loser who did odd jobs in the literary club every day?

Thinking of this, Chen Wenwen subconsciously straightened her back, and hurriedly and frantically raised her hand to tuck her casually loose hair behind her ears.

She even quickly glanced down at the hem of her white dress, trying to smooth out the wrinkles, instantly transforming into a reserved and well-behaved junior.

"Chu... Senior Chu Zihang." Chen Wenwen's voice was filled with obvious panic and eagerness.

"Hello."

Chu Zihang simply nodded slightly in response.

A brief silence fell over the room.

Lu Mingfei originally wanted to introduce Lin Yuan, but Chen Wenwen's lecture had emboldened him. He opened his mouth, but like a stuck cassette tape, he couldn't utter a single word.

He could only lower his head even further, like a child who had made a mistake and was being disciplined.

Chu Zihang watched all this, his gaze first sweeping over Lu Mingfei's slumped shoulders, then settling on Chen Wenwen's face, which was trying its best to maintain an obedient demeanor.

He allowed this silence to fester.

Under Chu Zihang's silent scrutiny, Chen Wenwen's unease gradually intensified, and her arms holding the books stiffened.

Lin Yuan watched silently from the side, finding it amusing. This expressionless man's aura was truly powerful; he had silently returned all the pressure that the little girl had put on Lu Mingfei earlier.

Only after this subtle power reversal was fully realized did Chu Zihang take action.

He took half a step forward, subtly drawing the head-down Lu Mingfei into his protective circle, and suddenly spoke:

"Since you're Lu Mingfei's friend, and we've run into you, why don't we grab a bite to eat together?"

Upon hearing the invitation, Chen Wenwen's mind went blank for a moment.

She opened her mouth slightly, her eyes blank, wondering if she was hallucinating because of the heat.

Chu Zihang, who usually treats people like charity, actually invited her to dinner.

"Huh...? What did you say?" Chen Wenwen asked instinctively, her voice trembling.

Chu Zihang showed no impatience, looked directly into Chen Wenwen's eyes, and patiently repeated his words: "I said, since you are Lu Mingfei's friend, if you don't have any other plans this afternoon, why don't we have lunch together?"

His tone remained flat, but he clearly emphasized the word "Lu Mingfei" when he spoke of him.

This time, Chen Wenwen heard it clearly.

But what followed was a violent upheaval within my heart.

She knew Lu Mingfei's situation all too well. How could this poor kid, who usually had to squeeze money from his breakfast to buy a copy of "Illustrated Novels," possibly treat everyone to a meal in this prime commercial street?

This was definitely Chu Zihang's treat, but at this moment, Chu Zihang actually took the initiative to invite Lu Mingfei. This means that Lu Mingfei and Chu Zihang's relationship is better than that of ordinary friends.

A blush of flattery crept onto Chen Wenwen's cheeks. Being able to have dinner with Chu Zihang was something she could brag about for a whole year at Shilan Middle School.

Her lips moved, and her eyes and brows betrayed an undisguised flutter of excitement. But when her gaze swept across the street corner and fell upon Lu Mingfei's hopeful eyes, a fleeting hint of annoyance and inner turmoil flashed across them.

"Thank you for your kindness, senior." Chen Wenwen replied politely, but couldn't hide the deep regret in her voice.

"However... I made an appointment beforehand and I'm waiting for you, so I won't bother you any longer."

Lu Mingfei's eyes, which had been brightening, narrowed almost imperceptibly when he heard "made an appointment." He seemed to really want to ask, "Who did you make an appointment with?"

But he secretly tilted his head, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yuan and Chu Zihang.

In the end, he didn't say it, but just gave a silly smile: "Ah...it's okay, it's okay. You wait here, we...we're leaving now."

Chen Wenwen gave him a deep look, and in the end, she simply nodded slightly.

The three continued walking forward, with Lu Mingfei at the very edge. He couldn't help but look back after only a few steps.

The white cotton dress swayed in the breeze. Chen Wenwen glanced down at her watch, still gazing at the street corner.

Chapter 24 Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road

After walking a dozen steps, Lu Mingfei couldn't help but look back one more time, only to find that the camphor tree was completely blocked by the corner of the building before absentmindedly turning his gaze away.

Chu Zihang walked to the side, his eyes taking in Lu Mingfei's dazed look out of the corner of his eye. After a moment of silence, he spoke first:

"You joined the literature club in your first year of high school, right?"

Lu Mingfei's mind was still on Chen Wenwen, and he subconsciously replied, "Ah? Right! The Literature Club, it's a club added in the first year of high school."

“I once read an issue of the literary society’s journal. Your review of ‘Unsolved Mysteries of UFOs’ didn’t quite fit the overall style of the journal.” Chu Zihang spoke slowly, as if he was carefully choosing his words.

"But you still stayed in that club for two years... Was it because you liked literature, or because of the club president?"

The sentence began in a roundabout way, but then suddenly and incisively exposed Lu Mingfei's little scheme.

Lu Mingfei nearly jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his face instantly turning bright red all the way to his neck. His hands waved wildly in front of his chest as he stammered, "Ah? No, no! Senior Brother Chu, you must be joking! I just... I just like reading! I like literature, yes! Reading cultivates one's character! How could it be because of the club president... Hahaha, impossible, absolutely impossible!"

His denial was hurried and flustered, and his final laugh revealed a hint of guilt.

Seeing this, Chu Zihang did not press further, but simply nodded and said, "I understand."

After this frantic attempt to cover it up, Lu Mingfei's last bit of energy completely dissipated. The excitement he had built up in the car vanished. He lowered his head, staring at the worn-out edges of his shoes, and kicked a pebble away from the roadside. For the rest of the journey, he didn't utter another word.

Walking deeper into the street, Chu Zihang led them to a narrow, wooden doorway.

The storefront was small and had no sign. There was only a cloth curtain hanging from the lintel with handwritten Japanese characters on it, which Lin Yuan did not recognize.

Upon entering, you are greeted by a delicate aroma of cypress and dried moss.

The waitress, dressed in a light blue kimono, gathered her skirt and knelt down in front of the polished wooden floor at the entrance, her fair hands outstretched, ready to help the three men change their shoes.

This elaborate and ceremonial display left Lu Mingfei completely dumbfounded.

He had never seen a girl kneeling before him to serve him. When he saw the waitress reach out to take off his worn-out shoes with frayed edges, his face turned red and he backed away.

"No... Sister, you don't need to trouble yourself. There's no such rule. I can do it myself."

He kept muttering to himself, afraid of getting other people's hands dirty, and haphazardly kicked off his shoes, one foot stepping on the other. He lost his balance halfway through, swayed, and nearly knocked over the screen in the entryway, but Lin Yuan caught him quickly.

Chu Zihang, standing to the side, remained expressionless despite the formalities; Lin Yuan, on the other hand, paid no attention to these formalities and accepted the service with a perfectly normal expression.

The waitress led them to the center of the bar, the most prestigious spot with the best view in the entire restaurant.

The three-meter-long countertop made of golden nanmu wood was polished so smooth that it reflected one's image. The head chef from Tokyo, along with two apprentices, stood ramrod straight, wiping the long knife used for sashimi with a pure white towel.

"I've reserved all the seats in front of the chef's counter today, so you can all sit wherever you like." Chu Zihang also pointed to the middle seats, indicating that Lu Mingfei should make himself at home.

Lu Mingfei glanced around at the elegant surroundings, his mind racing as he calculated how much it would cost to book the entire place.

His limited knowledge made it impossible for him to understand, so he could only look to Lin Yuan for help. He somewhat regretted coming to freeload this meal today.

Lin Yuan didn't stand on ceremony and casually pulled out a chair next to him and sat down. However, he was also secretly surprised. Booking an entire row of seats in front of the high-end section was a bit too extravagant. All things considered, he had only known this young master Chu for two days, and their relationship was limited to a brief encounter in the abandoned factory and a night's lodging.

The other party's overly generous gesture seems like they want to keep assassins, which is far more expensive than that.

However, Lin Yuan didn't point it out; since he was already there, he might as well make the best of it. He leaned back in his chair, looked at Lu Mingfei who was still standing as punishment, and raised his chin: "Sit down, Boss Chu is treating, are you afraid he'll go broke?"

Lu Mingfei then steeled himself and awkwardly squeezed himself into the chair opposite the head chef.

As soon as the three of them sat down, the waitress approached with a lacquer tray and handed them a wrung-out, warm towel.

Lu Mingfei assumed the other person was going to wipe his hands, so he reflexively bowed and thanked them, repeating what he had just said in the entryway: "Thank you, thank you, but you really don't need to trouble yourself, I can do it myself..."