Chapter 5: Like a Birdman

After seven or eight days had passed like this, Lu Yu was reading in the library when he received a call from Chen Xiaofei, asking where he was. Lu Yu replied that he was at the library.

Chen Xiaofei said he'd drive over soon; today, he wanted to have some real fun. He complained that he hadn't had a decent meal all through the New Year holiday, and his mouth was so bland it could grow feathers.

An hour later, Chen Xiaofei called again. Lu Yu left the library, found Chen Xiaofei's Panamera in the parking lot, opened the door, and got into the passenger seat.

"Are you always this serious now?"

"No choice. I've suddenly realized knowledge is fascinating."

"More interesting than girls?"

"Communication between chromosomes falls under the category of genetic interaction—a very serious medical research project. It's quite fascinating."

Chen Xiaofei raised his middle finger and decisively ended the topic. "So, how do you want to have fun today?"

Lu Yu replied, "Shouldn't I be asking you? I'm fine with anything."

With a step on the accelerator, Chen Xiaofei sped off. "O**K!"

They ate Sichuan-style stir-fry at a restaurant near Sichuan-Shu University. Chen Xiaofei sighed contentedly, "Nothing beats Sichuan cuisine. Damn it, when I travel, I never eat my fill—it's pure torture."

Lu Yu jabbed, "Bring a jar of Old Godmother next time."

Chen Xiaofei cursed, "You think I haven’t tried? Security won’t let you through!"

Lu Yu laughed unkindly, imagining the airport staff’s faces. They probably suffered internal injuries holding back laughter.

"What are we doing later?"

Chen Xiaofei thought for a moment. "Why not play a few rounds of PUBG first? We’ll decide on the evening plans after that."

Lu Yu said, "I'm up for anything, as long as we don’t drop at the airport."

Chen Xiaofei paid the bill. "Let’s go, I’ll take you to my new place."

"When did you get a new place?"

"A friend opened an e-sports internet café. The equipment is top-notch!"

"So this is the legendary combination of poor skills, big addiction, and high standards?"

"Watch your mouth, or you’ll get sniped mid-lane!"

"Can’t afford to mess with you, can’t afford it."

They drove to the e-sports café and found a soundproof room designed for matches. The décor and environment were excellent, and the computers were all high-end. No wonder Chen Xiaofei called this his new home—gaming here was truly immersive.

They ordered two kumquat lemon teas, turned on their computers, and logged into their accounts. Before even launching the game, Chen Xiaofei was already chatting with someone on YY voice.

Lu Yu could tell he was flirting again, so he didn’t rush him.

After a while, Chen Xiaofei took off his headphones, muted his mic, and said to Lu Yu, "I’ve got two girls from Sichuan Conservatory who want to play with us—any objections?"

Lu Yu smirked, "No problem. Which one is yours?"

Chen Xiaofei raised an eyebrow, "Zhang Kexin. Qianqian is her best friend."

Lu Yu nodded and entered the game.

As he operated the computer, Chen Xiaofei warned Lu Yu, "Just so you know, I’m dead set on this girl. Don’t mess up my image!"

Lu Yu chuckled, "What image? That of a playboy?"

Chen Xiaofei scowled, "Get lost!"

Lu Yu ignored him and put on his headphones.

Quickly, Chen Xiaofei pulled the two girls into the squad, and the four began their game.

While waiting for the plane to take off, Chen Xiaofei started chatting with the girls. He boasted with the air of a grandmaster, making winning seem effortless and poetic.

He claimed it was all to give the girls a better gaming experience, and, as self-appointed captain, he chose S City, the farthest from the flight path.

As they floated down with their parachutes, Chen Xiaofei kept up his smooth talk. "Kexin, look toward the sea."

Zhang Kexin asked, "Why?"

Chen Xiaofei replied, "I’ve found that when I parachute with you, and you’re drifting beside me, even the sunset becomes more dazzling."

There was a brief silence in the voice channel. Finally, Lu Yu couldn’t help but sing aloud, "Most afraid is when the air suddenly goes quiet…"

Chen Xiaofei glared at him, "Lu, are you looking for a snipe in mid-lane?"

Zhang Kexin and Qianqian burst into laughter at their banter.

While collecting loot, Chen Xiaofei stuck close to Zhang Kexin. Sometimes, while she was still checking things out, he’d quickly snatch the loot from under her nose, all calm and composed, hiding his true skills.

After searching several houses, Zhang Kexin had a gun but no bullets, and her backpack held only five bandages. She couldn’t take it anymore. "Chen Xiaofei! Why are you following me?"

"Because you look good!"

"Then why are you stealing my bullets?"

"Bullets are heavy. I’m afraid you’ll get tired."

"What about the meds? Why are you taking my meds?"

Chen Xiaofei replied earnestly, "Girls shouldn’t take too much medicine."

Zhang Kexin, exasperated, pulled out a frying pan and chased him around.

Amid the laughter and chaos, none of them noticed the safe zone had closed in on the airport, far from their location. By the time the toxic zone shrank toward them, they realized they didn’t have a car.

The four of them ran through the blue zone, over hills and wheat fields, the sunset at their backs. It was just like running in the fading sunlight of youth.

Halfway through, Lu Yu, Chen Xiaofei, and Zhang Kexin all ran out of meds. When all seemed lost, they noticed Qianqian was bandaging herself.

Zhang Kexin quickly asked, "Qianqian, do you have any meds left?"

Qianqian opened her backpack. "Yes, over forty bandages."

Zhang Kexin exclaimed, "Qianqian, I love you! Give me some, I’m about to die."

Chen Xiaofei asked in confusion, "How do you have so many bandages?"

Lu Yu, out of habit, quipped, "According to the principles of microeconomics, in general, demand determines supply."

"???"

"???"

"???"

Realizing what he’d said, Lu Yu immediately shut up, knowing the less he said, the better.

Fortunately, everyone was busy sharing bandages and didn’t pursue it further.

The next few hours were filled with laughter, though they never once made it into the top ten. Even though their results were poor, the atmosphere was lively and fun.

Around five o’clock, Chen Xiaofei and Lu Yu prepared to log off, planning to grab a meal and then head to Space for a night out.

Zhang Kexin casually asked why they were leaving so early. Chen Xiaofei explained they were going to eat and then to a bar.

Surprisingly, Zhang Kexin, intrigued by the idea of a bar, said she’d never been and usually didn’t dare to go alone. She encouraged Qianqian to join, and after considering, Qianqian agreed.

Neither girl bothered to ask Chen Xiaofei or Lu Yu for their opinions; they just made the decision, leaving the two of them exchanging glances.

Lu Yu remarked, "How are you going to have fun with those two in tow?"

Chen Xiaofei looked grave. "Don’t worry; everyone has their own way to have fun."

"Oh? There’s a theory to this?" Lu Yu was curious.

Chen Xiaofei replied with a deep tone, "Today, I just want to be a good man!"

Lu Yu fell silent.

Chen Xiaofei called Zhang Kexin again, asking if they wanted to have dinner together. They arranged a time and place, then Chen Xiaofei and Lu Yu drove to pick up Zhang Kexin and Qianqian.

On the way, Lu Yu learned that both Zhang Kexin and Qianqian were sophomores at Sichuan Conservatory—Zhang Kexin was twenty, Qianqian nineteen.

Chen Xiaofei had only recently met Zhang Kexin, but after a brief acquaintance had already set her as his top priority. He spoke in grand terms about compatible personalities and interesting souls.

Lu Yu thought, men know each other too well. Old foxes all, who are you trying to fool with those tales of Liaozhai? It’s just greed, lusting after her body…

Chen Xiaofei, unfazed by being looked down on, took a deep drag of his cigarette, adopting a lofty air. "You don’t understand."

Lu Yu ignored him, already used to Chen Xiaofei’s thick skin. He adjusted the seat, half reclined by the window, closed his eyes, and began reviewing the basic scientific information in his mind.

After about half an hour, they arrived at the gates of Sichuan Conservatory.

Before getting out, they saw two lively, youthful girls chatting in low voices. Despite the winter chill, neither was dressed heavily.

Zhang Kexin wore her hair in a bun, a black turtleneck under a red wool coat, tight leggings, and white sneakers. Qianqian had long hair draped over her shoulders, a beige hoodie layered over light skinny jeans and white sneakers.

Both were in the prime of youth—lively, energetic, with attractive figures, a feast for the eyes.

Chen Xiaofei got out to greet Zhang Kexin and helped her open the car door.

After Zhang Kexin and Qianqian got in, they noticed Lu Yu in the passenger seat, eyes closed, resting.

Zhang Kexin, a bit bolder, tapped his shoulder. "Hey, are you the 'Mister Subtext'?"

Lu Yu opened his eyes, looked at her, and asked, "Mister Subtext?"

Zhang Kexin, realizing he didn’t know the nickname, explained, "The guy surnamed Lu."

Lu Yu guessed it probably had something to do with their earlier game. He nodded. "That's right, I'm the one surnamed Lu."

Chen Xiaofei, just getting in, said, "His name is Lu Yu—Yu, as in 'feather.'"

Lu Yu stared at him. "It’s strange, whenever you say my name, it just sounds off."

"How so?" asked Chen Xiaofei.

"It sounds like a birdbrain."

Qianqian and Zhang Kexin burst out laughing.

Chen Xiaofei changed the subject with a smile. "What shall we eat? Taro chicken or chestnut chicken?"

Zhang Kexin asked, "What’s the difference?"

"Taro chicken is spicy. Chestnut chicken is a soup pot—good for beauty and health."

"Why only those two?"

"I, Chen Xiaofei, am a man of my word. I said I’d take you for chicken, so chicken it is! No escape!"

Zhang Kexin and Qianqian exchanged a glance and, as if in agreement, both chose chestnut chicken.

Sure enough, girls can’t resist the word 'beauty.'

Chen Xiaofei nodded, buckled his seatbelt, and started the car.

Lu Yu gazed out the window, his mind wandering to a programming problem he hadn’t solved earlier.