Chapter 026: All Women Share the Same Flaw

Chapter 26: All Women Have the Same Flaw

After Li Changying ran out, he never returned. No one knew whether he was too embarrassed to come back or had simply thrown up and given up. Either way, it was a blessing for the rest of the office staff. Had he returned, it was likely that another ten or so would have run out retching.

By this point, even Murong Wei, who was sitting beside Chu Fei, was so sick she was utterly drained. Her face was deathly pale, her eyes dull and lifeless as if her soul had departed. She dashed to the restroom three times, only stopping when she was too weak to move any further.

Thus, this much-anticipated bet came to a dramatic, nauseating conclusion, with everyone both entertained and disgusted. It was simply too revolting.

As soon as the workday ended, everyone left the office in a gust of wind, much quicker than usual.

Chu Fei did not leave. He had promised Ximen Lu he would join her for dinner, so naturally he wouldn’t slip away. He was also curious to see how Xu Shiqi had changed over the years—after all, Class Monitor Xu was one of the few former classmates who had left a strong impression on him.

Without knocking, Chu Fei pushed open the door to Ximen Lu’s office and was instantly stunned—Ximen Lu was changing clothes.

And not just halfway—she had already stripped off all her work attire. Her fair, delicate skin was exposed to the air; she was nearly naked, save for a small bandeau and black lace underwear. She was holding a red dress in her hands, considering it in front of the mirror, as if deciding whether she should wear it or not. And then—

There was no then. That was the exact moment Chu Fei walked in.

Ximen Lu was just as stunned to see Chu Fei standing at the door. Then, snapping back to her senses, she cried out, “Close the door!”

Startled, Chu Fei hurriedly turned and shut the door behind him with a bang.

The loud noise brought Ximen Lu fully back to herself. Seeing Chu Fei still staring at her, she flushed with embarrassment and anger, her face turning scarlet. “Get out!” she shouted.

Chu Fei obediently opened the door and retreated. He wasn’t even sure what had gotten into him—why he hadn’t left immediately but instead stood there, taking in the sight of Ximen Lu.

To be honest, her figure was truly something else. This woman was beautiful and captivating, seductive even when fully dressed, and even more so undressed.

Damn, what am I thinking? Chu Fei thought, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it, trying to calm his unsettled mind.

He waited more than ten minutes before Ximen Lu emerged. Her expression was cold, but she still took Chu Fei’s breath away. She wore a fitted one-piece dress—not the red one he’d seen before, but a slightly shorter cut, just reaching her knees and showing off her smooth, shapely calves. A fashionable belt cinched her waist, making her figure even more slender. Her usually pinned-up hair now cascaded down her back, lending her a sultry allure. She wore a pair of exquisite high-heeled shoes.

She looked much as she had the first morning Chu Fei had seen her, but even more alluring and seductive now.

Ximen Lu walked right past Chu Fei without so much as a glance, heading straight for the elevator.

Chu Fei trailed after her, a bit awkward.

“Chu Fei, don’t think just because you’re an old classmate I won’t call the police,” Ximen Lu suddenly said, her voice icy.

Chu Fei blinked, then realized what she was talking about and couldn’t help but reply, “You’re the one who didn’t lock the door while changing. I thought you left it open for me on purpose.”

“Chu Fei, you scoundrel!” Ximen Lu stopped and glared at him.

Chu Fei met her gaze unflinchingly. He genuinely felt no guilt—who could have anticipated that situation?

“Shameless!” Ximen Lu finally relented, hurling one last insult before moving on.

She didn’t speak to him again, staying silent all the way to the underground parking lot. There, she stopped in front of her BMW, sizing Chu Fei up as if weighing something in her mind.

“What is it?” Chu Fei felt uneasy under her gaze and grinned awkwardly.

“We still have time before dinner at six. Why don’t I take you to buy some new clothes?” Ximen Lu suggested, as if consulting with him.

“Why do I need new clothes?” Chu Fei was puzzled, then looked down at his casual outfit and back at Ximen Lu’s elegant dress. “What, you think my clothes aren’t good enough to be seen with you? Afraid I’ll embarrass you?”

“Chu Fei, you know that’s not what I meant. I just…” Ximen Lu began, appearing to have forgotten the earlier embarrassment.

“I know what you mean. You think I’m dressed too casually and you’re worried people will look down on me,” Chu Fei said with a shrug. “It’s just dinner with a few old classmates. Is it really necessary to dress up so much?”

Is this guy really that dense, or just pretending?

Ximen Lu glared at him, unable to find a retort.

“If you’re really afraid I’ll embarrass you, just drive ahead and tell me the address. I’ll take a cab,” Chu Fei added, smiling.

“Idiot! You’re driving me crazy!” Ximen Lu cursed through gritted teeth as she got into the car, then barked, “Get in!”

—

Half an hour later.

“It’s just dinner with some old classmates—why come to a place like this?” Chu Fei looked up at the lavish, gilded club before him, surprised, then turned to Ximen Lu.

Her expression was a little awkward, avoiding his gaze as she strode ahead.

At that moment, a beautiful woman in professional attire spotted them at the entrance and hurried over.

“Lulu, you’re finally here. I thought you stood me up,” she said, embracing Ximen Lu warmly.

Chu Fei watched quietly from the side.

This woman was just as stunning as Ximen Lu, but in a completely different way. While Ximen Lu exuded fashionable arrogance and seductive charm, this woman possessed a serene, intellectual beauty. Her features were delicate—perhaps even more so than Ximen Lu’s—and she wore stylish gold-rimmed glasses, giving her an air of seriousness.

Elegant, composed, calm, and steady—that was the impression she gave Chu Fei.

The intellectual beauty released Ximen Lu and turned to Chu Fei, her face alight with excitement. “Chu Fei, do you remember me?” she asked eagerly.

“You’re Class Monitor Xu! It’s been a long time,” Chu Fei replied with a laugh, offering his hand.

The intellectual beauty—Xu Jiaqi—shook his hand, smiling broadly. “I can’t believe you really remember me! I thought Ximen Lu was just teasing me.” She was clearly delighted.

Chu Fei broke out in a cold sweat—he thought, I’m not deaf. Ximen Lu just called your name, and since you’re hosting tonight, if I still didn’t know who you were, I might as well be dead.

Xu Shiqi had no idea what Chu Fei was thinking and seemed very pleased. She even raised her eyebrows at Ximen Lu in triumph. “See, Ximen Lu? Chu Fei really remembers me. Jealous?”

This time, it wasn’t just Chu Fei—Ximen Lu was also covered in cold sweat.

Is it just a universal flaw among women? Having boasted to Ximen Lu, Xu Shiqi turned back to Chu Fei, her eyes full of anticipation. “Chu Fei, do you think I look better now or back in high school?”

“You look better now,” Chu Fei answered honestly. His memory of Xu Shiqi was of a stern, bespectacled, bossy girl—a far cry from the elegant woman before him. The transformation was dramatic. They say women change a lot as they grow up, and both Ximen Lu and Xu Shiqi seemed to have changed beyond recognition. If not for this reunion, Chu Fei would never have recognized either of them on the street.

Unaware of his thoughts, Xu Shiqi beamed at his response. “Come on, most of the old classmates are already here. Only you two were missing,” she said, taking Ximen Lu’s arm and leading the way inside.

Chu Fei followed, idly watching their hands, intertwined like a pair of jade.

Such is the privilege of women. Two women can walk hand in hand without anyone batting an eye—it’s seen as a sign of close friendship. But if two men did the same, people would think something was wrong with them, or that they were a couple.

Xu Shiqi was clearly a regular at this venue. She led them smoothly to a private function room upstairs, pushed open the door, and announced excitedly, “Everyone, look who’s here!” She stepped aside, revealing Chu Fei in the doorway.

“Chu Fei, it really is you!”

“Haha, Class Monitor, I thought you were bluffing, but you were telling the truth!”

“Unbelievable, I never thought I’d see Chu Fei again in my lifetime, haha…”

The room erupted with chatter and greetings, but most of the attention was for Xu Shiqi. Only a handful waved or nodded at Chu Fei.

Xu Shiqi’s expression darkened. This was not how she had imagined it. Chu Fei had been a legend in their class. When she’d called the classmates she kept in touch with to say he was back, everyone had immediately agreed to come, some even offering to help contact others. She’d been so pleased, thinking that after all these years, so many still remembered him. She’d imagined that when Chu Fei appeared tonight, the room would erupt in cheers. That was why she’d made such a dramatic entrance for him—to give him a grand surprise.

But reality was nothing like she’d hoped.

How could this be?

Xu Shiqi was momentarily stunned.

Ximen Lu’s expression soured as well. She hadn’t known Xu Shiqi’s intentions, but now she could guess. Watching the half-hearted greetings, she felt a surge of anger and worry, glancing anxiously at Chu Fei. She feared he would be upset, that he couldn’t accept this reality.

Yet to her surprise, Chu Fei remained calm, as if nothing had happened. He even smiled at her, a reassuring smile meant just for her.

That smile made Ximen Lu’s heart ache a little.

The next moment, she suddenly turned, grabbed Chu Fei’s arm, and said, “Chu Fei, let’s go!”