Chapter 52: Struck by Filial Piety Today?

After the New Year, during the two weeks before the new semester began, Cheng Xingye didn’t seek out Lu Qingyue again.

Firstly, he didn’t want to distract her from her studies. Secondly, he worried that Lu Yi might have noticed something.

Being a guy, he didn’t fear rumors, but he was concerned that, as a girl, Lu Qingyue might suffer from unpleasant gossip. So he forced himself not to see or contact her.

In the blink of an eye, the new semester started.

From the very beginning of the second term of their sophomore year, the academic workload became visibly heavier. This was evident in the way the PE teacher kept falling ill and their classes were constantly rescheduled.

Fortunately, the affiliated high school valued well-rounded development. No matter how hard the subject teachers tried to take over PE lessons, they still kept one period a week.

Classes 1, 2, and 5 had their PE lessons together every Thursday afternoon during the second period.

After three laps around the track, the PE teacher waved his hand and announced free activity.

Instantly, the boys and girls split off: the boys headed to the courts to play ball, the girls went to the snack shop for treats.

The basketball court erupted in noise. The thumping of balls on the ground, the boys’ cheering and whistling, all blended into the vibrant, passionate soundtrack of youth.

After his game, Lu Ming wiped his sweat casually and was about to buy some water from the snack shop when someone called his name from behind.

He turned and, to his surprise, saw Cheng Xingye’s slender, upright figure standing on the bleachers.

Lu Ming bounded up the steps in a few strides. “Xingye, what’s up?”

Cheng Xingye had one hand in his pocket, the other holding a paper bag from a popular milk tea brand. He lifted it slightly toward Lu Ming.

“Just passing by, thought I’d treat you to some milk tea.”

Lu Ming was both surprised and delighted, feeling flattered as he reached for it.

No one ever bought him milk tea for no reason—could it be because he played especially well today?

He was sure that last three-pointer had been beautiful! Even someone as skilled as Cheng Xingye must have been impressed by his moves!

Basking in his own pride, Lu Ming opened the bag to take a look, only to find two cups inside, both in pink packaging.

He took one out and checked the label, his face incredulous.

“Strawberry Cheese? You’re giving me this? Isn’t this a bit too girly?”

Cheng Xingye raised an eyebrow. “Don’t like it? Then give it to some girl.”

Lu Ming forced a laugh.

“If I just handed some girl milk tea out of the blue, my dad would break my legs if he found out.”

Cheng Xingye was about to give him a hint, but unexpectedly, Lu Ming caught on quickly this time. He slapped his forehead in realization.

“Wait—actually, I know who I can give it to!”

He snatched the milk tea, thanked Cheng Xingye, and ran off to find Lu Qingyue at the snack shop.

The snack shop was always packed when students had PE. Besides the girls coming for snacks, there were plenty of sweaty boys buying drinks after playing ball. The small shop was so crowded it was hard to even turn around.

Thanks to his height, Lu Ming spotted Lu Qingyue immediately, nearly squeezed into a sardine tin.

He called out loudly at the entrance, “Lu Dandian!”

Lu Qingyue had been wrestling her way inside for an ice cream, but hearing her name, she gave up, squeezing back out.

“What is it?”

Her bun hairstyle was nearly undone, with a few fluffy strands falling at her temples, framing her delicate, petite face.

Lu Ming handed her the milk tea bag, his tone lazy.

“Here, milk tea for you!”

Lu Qingyue’s eyes widened in disbelief as she saw the brand.

“What’s going on? Feeling unusually filial today?”

This was a trendy milk tea brand that always had people lining up for an hour. Normally, he’d bicker with her just like Lu Yi did, yet today he was actually giving her milk tea?

But Lu Ming wasn’t happy with her assumption. As she reached for the bag, he suddenly raised it high.

“Hey, drink it or don’t—up to you!”

Lu Ming was a full head taller than her. With his hand raised, Lu Qingyue had to stand on tiptoe and jump for it.

“Fine, I’ll drink it!”

A filial son’s milk tea—how could she refuse?

She immediately tiptoed to grab the milk tea, stabbed in the straw, and took a big sip.

Who says having kids isn’t a blessing...

Her good son was certainly filial! He even remembered her favorite was Strawberry Cheese and bought it especially for her... As she drank, Lu Qingyue thought contentedly.

But after a month of this, Lu Qingyue started feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

After another PE class, as she was walking back to the classroom, someone suddenly tossed a paper bag into her arms. Opening it, she found a freshly made, steaming hot pork chop bun.

Lu Qingyue stared wide-eyed at the bun, then looked up at Lu Ming. After a few seconds of silence, she couldn’t help asking,

“Lu Ming, you’re not just being filial, you’re addicted to it, aren’t you?”

As she spoke, she held out her fingers and counted seriously.

“Have you even kept track? This month you’ve already given me three milk teas, five sticky rice cakes, and two pork chop buns.”

She finished counting, then sighed.

“Filial piety is good, but there should be limits, right?”

Lu Yi gave her a baffled look.

“Come on, me being filial to you? You’re even younger than me!”

Lu Qingyue exaggerated a gasp. “Then don’t tell me you like me? We’re cousins, you know! We’d get drowned in a pig cage for that!”

No sooner had she finished, than Lu Ming flicked her forehead unceremoniously.

“Giving you food means I like you? By that logic, Xingye must like me too!”

Lu Qingyue: “???”

Xingye? Cheng Xingye?

It had been ages since she’d heard that name. Suddenly hearing it from Lu Ming’s mouth felt almost surreal.

But what did this have to do with Cheng Xingye?

Completely at a loss, she stared at Lu Ming.

“Have you seen him lately?”

Ever since that New Year’s Eve fireworks night, she hadn’t seen Cheng Xingye in over a month. She’d heard that fourth-year medical students were all busy with internships by now, so maybe he was, too.

Lu Ming, ever straightforward, replied without thinking,

“These were all from him! I already told him I don’t like sweets, but he insists on buying them for me…”

He ran a hand through his hair, striking what he thought was a handsome pose.

“Guess he was too impressed by my basketball skills—what can I say, I’m just that cool.”

Lu Qingyue: “.....”