Xu Momo waved her hand in front of Xu Rui to see if he was asleep.
However, Xu Rui suddenly opened his eyes slowly.
Seeing that Xu Rui's eyes were a little red, Xu Momo couldn't help but ask,"What's wrong with you?"
Xu Rui shook his head." It's nothing.”His voice was nasal.
"Did you catch a cold?"
Xu Rui did not say anything.
Xu Momo reached out her hand to feel the temperature on his forehead. It seemed to be a little low.
"Did you really catch a cold?" Xu Momo was surprised." Did the air conditioner blow after you took a shower?"”
"…I'm fine." He looked up at Xu Momo and added," I'm really fine."”
"Alright, then drink more water and have a good rest.”Xu Momo said helplessly.
She left the room and went to the living room to get a glass of warm water. Then, she brought it back to Xu Rui's room.
She placed the water and dinner on the bedside cabinet beside Xu Rui's bed.
Seeing her enter, Xu Rui immediately sat up on the bed. He looked down at the glass of water, then looked up at Xu Momo, his expression seemed a little conflicted.
"What's wrong?" Xu Mo smiled.
Xu Rui shook his head slightly. He took a few sips of water and suddenly muttered,"Why?"
"What do you mean why?"
" You and your parents," Xu Rui put down the glass of water and stared at Xu Momo's clothes. He said in a very soft voice," Why are you... so good to me?"”
"Because…"
Xu Momo didn't know how to answer.
Was it because Dr. Shaw had saved her once?
Or was it because…she liked him?
No matter which answer it was, it seemed that it could not accurately answer Xu Rui's question.
Just as Xu Momo was silent, Xu Rui suddenly said,"…I'm sorry.”
Why did he apologize? Xu Momo blinked in confusion.
"Wait." Xu Rui said in a low voice.
He placed the glass back on the bedside table and turned on the laptop beside him. A few minutes later, he turned the laptop around and turned the screen to Xu Momo.
Xu Momo looked at the screen and saw the latest chapter of The Devourer.
"You…"
Xu Rui looked at Xu Momo silently. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, as if he was waiting for praise.
Xu Momo couldn't help but laugh." You don't think I'm trying to please you because I want to read the latest chapter, do you?" I'm not that childish."
Xu Rui hesitated for a moment, and then turned the notebook around.
"Alright, then let me see.”Xu Momo quickly grabbed his laptop and said," Maybe I can help you pick out bugs or something."”
Of course, she was just joking. Lux had never made low-level mistakes like typos in his writing.
So she sat down by the bed and lowered her head to read it seriously.
When she was at home, Xu Momo liked to tie her hair to the side, so when she lowered her head, the smooth back of her neck was naturally exposed. Only a few strands of soft hair fell on her fair shoulders.
Xu Rui leaned on the pillow and looked ahead silently. He did not realize that he was staring at the girl's back.
The room suddenly fell silent.
Time passed bit by bit.
The girl suddenly raised her hand and tucked her hair at her temples.
When he came back to his senses, he suddenly felt a little thirsty. He turned to look at the glass of water on the bedside table and reached out to pick it up.
Just as he was about to drink some water, Xu Momo suddenly tilted her head slightly and smiled."This part is really interesting. I wonder if Lu Su likes Chen Dong?”
Xu Rui coughed violently.
"Uh, sorry, did I scare you? Are you alright?" Xu Momo quickly patted his back.
Xu Rui quickly shook his head.
He raised his head. From this angle, he could clearly see the fine hair on the girl's chest. He could even see a little along the collar…
His heart was beating wildly, and he immediately narrowed his eyes and turned his head away.
"Xu Rui." Xu Momo suddenly called his name in a low voice.
Xu Rui couldn't help but raise his head.
He saw Xu Momo smiling at him.
He was suddenly in a daze as he recalled the scene when they first met.
At that time, Xu Momo was standing in the living room. She turned to look at him with a smile and said softly,"Hello…"
He stared at Xu Momo's slightly opened lips.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked softly.
He suddenly made a bold move. He leaned over and pressed his lips against Xu Momo's. A furry sensation came from his lips...
Wait…Fluffy?
At this moment, he suddenly felt a little stuffy in his chest.
He suddenly opened his eyes and found Charles staring at him with his eyes narrowed.
He spat out the cat fur in his mouth and pushed Charles away in embarrassment.
The cat shook its fur unhappily and turned around to find a corner to lie down.
Xu Momo had already left. His notebook was lying quietly on the bedside table.
He picked up the glass of water and took a sip, only to find that the warm water had already turned into cold water.
He frowned and then vaguely remembered what had happened. When Xu Momo was reading a novel, he leaned on the pillow and looked at Xu Momo's back. He actually fell asleep in a daze.
Everything that happened after that was just a dream…
Xu Rui placed a cold cup of water on his cheek, trying to calm himself down, but the scene in his dream just now could not be forgotten.
He sighed, turned on his computer, and started writing.
However, he unknowingly typed Xu Momo's name in Word.
…Xu Momo.
The pointer flickered at the end of the three Chinese characters, as if it was mocking his dullness and cowardice.
His fingers paused for a moment and quickly deleted the words Xu Momo.
He felt like he was going crazy.
*
After that incident, Xu Rui woke up on time on the morning of the third day. After folding the blanket neatly, he pushed open the door to his room and planned to go to the bathroom.
As soon as he left the room, he saw Xu Momo standing in the living room with her hair tied up in a ponytail and wearing a pink sportswear. She seemed to be warming up.
At this moment, he suddenly heard Auntie Xu's voice coming from behind him.
"You're awake, Ruirui?" Auntie Xu smiled and said," That's great. Hurry up and brush your teeth and wash your face. Then, change into this sportswear.”
Xu Rui took the black sportswear from Auntie Xu in confusion.
"I heard from Momo that you caught a cold again yesterday. Your physique is too weak, it's because you don't exercise.”Auntie Xu said," So from today onwards, you can go out for a morning run with Momo. This way, there will be some supervision between the two of you.”
"Morning run?" Xu Rui was surprised.
How many years had it been since he last ran?
"Hurry up and go." Auntie Xu pushed Xu Rui into the bathroom without any explanation." Don't forget to change into your sportswear!”
Xu Rui had no choice but to change into his sportswear.
The label of the pure black sportswear had not been removed. The Xu family had specially bought it for him and had chosen his favorite black color.
Thinking of this, Xu Rui could not help but feel a little touched.
After changing into his sportswear, he looked at himself in the mirror.
The mirror reflected a man with pale skin and messy hair, which did not match the sportswear at all. He sighed and lowered his head to brush his teeth and wash up.
Soon, he was ready. After going downstairs, Xu Momo smiled and waved at him." Are you ready?”
Xu Momo was wearing a dark pink short-sleeved POLO shirt with a tennis skirt of the same color. She usually combed her hair down to her shoulders and wore loose, forest style clothes, so her outfit today was particularly eye-catching.
"You run every morning?" Xu Rui asked softly.
"No." Xu Momo smiled and shook her head. Her ponytail swayed playfully with her movements." I'm quite lazy too. I only run two or three times a week."”
Xu Rui nodded.
"Then let's go." Xu Momo said.
There was a large lakeside park next to their neighborhood. It was already nine o'clock in the morning, so there were not many people doing morning exercises in the park.
"Let's run around the lake.”Xu Momo said," If you can't take it, we can run slowly. We can rest at any time along the way."”
Xu Rui nodded slightly.
Then they began to jog along the path by the lake.
The air here was especially fresh, and there was almost no smell of car exhaust. A few of the most common magpies in B City were jumping and chirping on the branches and grass. Some sparrows were foraging in the forest in groups. The breeze from the lake blew across the branches of the weeping willows on the shore, forming a natural and quiet scene.
Xu Rui took a deep breath and could not help but feel refreshed. He quickened his pace and caught up with Xu Momo who was running in front.
However, after a few minutes, he still felt a little suffocated. His body couldn't withstand a long period of exercise.
Xu Momo, who was running in front, stopped. She felt that Xu Rui's footsteps had become much heavier, so she wanted to stop and ask him if he needed to rest.
However, just as she stopped, she realized that Xu Rui suddenly stopped and stared at something behind Xu Momo.
"Ah!" Someone behind Xu Momo suddenly shouted," It's you!”
Xu Rui suddenly made a surprising move.
He pursed his lips tightly and took half a step back. Then, he suddenly turned around and ran at an astonishing speed.
Before, he was still panting and his steps were heavy, but now, he had suddenly transformed into a sprinter.
Xu Momo was stunned.
Why did he suddenly run?
"I'm talking to you! Don't run!" At this moment, a young man in a casual shirt passed by Xu Momo and ran straight in Xu Rui's direction.
Xu Momo looked at that person in surprise.
Who was this guy?
She couldn't help but run after that person.
The young man caught up with Xu Rui effortlessly. He grabbed Xu Rui's collar without hesitation and panted,"You! Stop right there! Why are you running!"
Xu Rui panted slightly and turned around. He frowned and glared at the man. At the same time, he calmly raised his hand and pulled at his wrinkled clothes, as if he was not the one who had fled in a sorry state.
"What do you want?" he said coldly and hoarsely.”
The young man suddenly sighed and put his palms together."My god, my god, you can't just disappear like this! I've been looking for you for a long time! The address you gave me is wrong!”
"Because I'm staying at a friend's house." Xu Rui frowned.
The man instantly went crazy. Do you know how many days I've been looking for you? QQ is offline every day! The address you gave me doesn't exist! I almost put up a missing person notice on that street!”
Xu Rui moved his lips.”
Xu Rui's attitude instantly deflated that person like a popped balloon, and he immediately lost his fighting spirit.
"Forget it, forget it. We've known each other for a long time. I don't think you can change your personality.”The man sighed and patted Xu Rui's shoulder." Come, let's find a place to chat."”
Xu Rui immediately looked at Xu Momo who was standing not far away.
The man turned around and noticed Xu Momo. He adjusted his glasses and stared at Xu Momo for a while. He smiled and said,"Oh? Is she your girlfriend?"
" She doesn't…" Xu Rui opened his mouth to explain.
The man waved at Xu Momo enthusiastically." That's good. Your girlfriend should come too!" I'll treat you guys to coffee. My car is parked not far away. It's only a few steps away.”
Soon, they walked out of the park.
On the way, Xu Momo had already learned the identity of that person. It turned out that he was Xu Rui's editor, Fan Jiayi.
"I knew you wouldn't get a girlfriend so quickly.”Editor Fan laughed." I don't even have a girlfriend. Can you be faster than me? I'm obviously more handsome than you."
In fact, Editor Fan's appearance was indeed passable. He had single eyelids, thin lips, fair skin, and a scholarly air. He was wearing black-rimmed glasses and a pair of linen trousers with a loose shirt. He looked like a typical artistic young man.
Xu Momo couldn't help but laugh. This guy was quite interesting.
"Since you're not his girlfriend, how did you two meet? Neighbors? Or university classmates?" Editor Fan asked.
"Oh, it's a long story," Xu Momo replied. Dr. Xu saved me once. Now, our families are very close and we are good friends.”
"From the looks of it, you should still be a university student.”Editor Fan said," What year are you in?"
It seemed that he was quite interested in Xu Momo.
Xu Momo had no choice but to answer,"I'll be in my third year when school starts. I'll be studying at A University."”
Editor Fan was surprised. I also graduated from A University. So you're my junior. What's your major?"
Xu Momo was also very surprised. She didn't expect Editor Fan to be a student of A University.
After hearing Xu Momo's reply, Editor Fan frowned.""Chemistry? She's not in the same major as me. I majored in international trade. Hehe, my major is indeed not quite compatible with my job.”
International trade?
This reminded Xu Momo of Xu Yi.
Strictly speaking, Editor Fan should be considered Xu Yi's senior. He wondered if the two of them had met before.
After getting into the car, Fan Jiayi turned the car key, and the car's audio system automatically turned on. A rhythmic English song came from the audio system, and Xu Rui frowned.
Fan Jiayi glanced at Xu Rui from the rearview mirror and smiled."Do you still hate the songs of the Passenger so much? Nowadays, young people loved to listen to such things. Have you listened to the disc I gave you last time?”
"…Yes."
"How is it? Not bad, right?" Fan Jiayi asked excitedly.
Xu Rui replied,"Not really."”
Xu Momo was a little surprised. Although Xu Rui was a little old-fashioned and would not pretend to be polite to others, he would rarely be so merciless in front of others.
Fan Jiayi didn't seem to care at all. He quickly switched to a disc of a classic old song, and Xu Rui's furrowed brows instantly relaxed a lot.
"Xu Rui, you look like someone who lived in the 1980s.”Fan Jiayi started the car and said," As a web novel writer who follows the trend, it's time for you to evolve into a modern person.”
"That doesn't mean I have to like the Passenger.”Xu Rui said in a monotonous tone.
"Who told you about the Passenger!”Fan Jiayi turned around and said impatiently," I'm talking about the phone! A cell phone! I'll definitely bring you to buy a cell phone later. I'll charge your phone bill every month in the future, okay?”
Xu Rui was silent for a moment." I don't know how to use the current touch-screen phone.”
"Don't find excuses." Fan Jiayi said," My three-year-old niece can use iPhone. Why can't you? Stop nagging. You have to listen to me.”
Xu Rui didn't say anything else, probably agreeing.
Xu Momo curiously observed their interaction. It seemed that the two of them had a good relationship.
"How long have you known each other?" Xu Momo could not help but ask.
"Three more months to two years." Fan Jiayi said without hesitation," We've known each other since I started working as an editor at Weihe Network. At that time, I spent a lot of effort to get his phone number and home address from him. In the end, this kid gave me the cold shoulder three times and only agreed to see me on the fourth time.”
Fan Jiayi turned to look at Xu Momo with a bitter expression." It's harder to see him than to visit the thatched cottage three times, you know?”
Xu Momo smiled. She could imagine the scene at that time.
"By the way, if you're from A University, you must have seen his brother before, right?”Fan Jiayi finally shifted the topic to Xu Yi.
"Yeah, I know him." Xu Momo said.
"That kid is quite famous. He's even the champion of some singing competition.”Fan Jiayi said," I think it's because he has a good face. His singing is actually just so-so.”
It seemed like Editor Fan did not like Xu Yi that much.
After a while, the car stopped in front of a nearby coffee shop.
They got out of the car. Xu Momo followed behind Fan Jiayi, and Xu Rui walked at the back. The three of them walked into the coffee shop in a single file.
Editor Fan took the initiative to treat them, and they each ordered a cup of coffee.
"I actually came to you to discuss the matter from last time.”Editor Fan said to Xu Rui," Do you still remember?”
Xu Rui supported his chin with one hand, his fingers casually rubbing the edge of the coffee cup. He lowered his head and said,"Oh, I remember."
"Have you thought about that matter?”
Xu Rui shook his head lightly.
"Still can't?" Fan Jiayi didn't look surprised." I knew you wouldn't agree." However, the publishing company said that you have to attend the readers 'meet-and-greet no matter what. Even if you don't say anything and just sit there and sign your name, it's fine.”
Xu Rui still shook his head.
"A meet-and-greet with readers?" Xu Momo was surprised.
"Yes, I am. You've heard that the author, Cat Doesn't Eat Fish, has recently held a meet-and-greet with readers and a book signing event in several major universities. His novel, Rose Musketeer, also sold the game copyright not long ago, and its popularity is rising steadily.”
Xu Momo had indeed heard of this news.
She had also read " The Rose Musketeer " before. Compared to " Nightfall," its structure was not as large, and the settings were not as meticulous. Most of the characters 'personalities were also more thin-skinned. However, its advantage lay in the word " cool ", which meant that it was more commercial and more suitable for the current trend of fast-food reading.
" I originally thought that there was nothing wrong with keeping Lux behind the scenes, but now it seems that commercial hype is also very important, especially for the editors. They had no choice. This was also what the market needed.”
Then, Fan Jiayi began to talk non-stop about the various necessities of Xu Rui's participation in the signing event. After talking for a long time, Xu Rui didn't say a word, and it was unknown whether he listened or not. However, Xu Momo listened with great interest and learned a lot from it.
After talking for about fifteen minutes, Fan Jiayi finally stopped to drink a mouthful of coffee to moisten his throat.
"Hey, hey, did you hear what I said?”Fan Jiayi tapped the coffee cup in front of Xu Rui with a spoon.
Xu Rui still had his head lowered and said in a low voice expressionlessly,"I heard it."
Fan Jiayi folded his arms." Alright, then give me your attitude."”
Xu Rui sighed softly." I still don't want to go."”
"Then I said so much for nothing!" Fan Jiayi glared.
Xu Rui suddenly stood up." It's getting late.”
"Don't go." Fan Jiayi tugged at his sleeve." You're not allowed to leave without my permission today." Don't forget, you owe me this!"
Xu Rui frowned." What do I owe you?"
"I've been looking for you for so long and called you so many times. If you don't owe me, who does?”Fan Jiayi was showing signs of going back on his words." Miss Xu, please help me persuade him.”
"Uh, then let's wait a little longer. Perhaps Editor Fan still had something to say.”Xu Momo looked at Xu Rui.
Xu Rui looked down at Xu Momo and sat down beside her without saying a word.
Fan Jiayi raised his eyebrows and smiled as if he had discovered a new continent."So obedient? Looks like there's finally someone who can control you. Haha, I'm relieved.”
Xu Rui exhaled softly." Tell me, what else is there?"”
Fan Jiayi snapped his fingers coolly." Waiter, the bill!”He took out his wallet from his pocket, took out a note, and slammed it on the table." Let's go. We won't talk about serious matters for the time being. Let's go out and play."”
"Go play?" Xu Rui frowned.
"That's right. We've known each other for so long, but we haven't even had a meal together. It just so happens that your-" He looked at Xu Momo,"-your friend, Miss Xu, is here today."”
At this moment, the waiter came over and paid the bill.
Fan Jiayi took the change and smiled." Why don't we go sing?" I don't think you're interested in anything else.”
"Singing?" Xu Momo was a little surprised.
"Yeah, singing." Fan Jiayi said. He thought for a moment and explained," It's singing karaoke. You're holding a microphone and singing to the television, you know?”
Xu Rui's mouth twitched slightly." I know."”
Xu Momo was embarrassed. Why did it suddenly become singing?
However, she felt that this kind of activity was quite good. She had never seen Xu Rui sing before. At the thought of this, she was suddenly looking forward to it.
"Then go." Xu Momo said.
"I…"
Xu Rui was about to say something when Fan Jiayi stood up without giving Xu Rui any time to vote against it." Let's go. I happen to know a good karaoke studio nearby. The sound system is very good."”
Soon, they arrived at the KTV.
Because it was in the morning, there were not many people in the KTV.
The private room was well-equipped and beautifully decorated. Fan Jiayi was obviously a veteran at karaoke. After entering the door, he went straight to the karaoke table. "Miss Xu, what song would you like?" he asked with a smile. I'll order it for you."
Xu Momo had completely gotten used to the strange title of " Miss Xu," so she thought about it and chose her best song.
"Almighty, what are you singing?" Fan Jiayi asked.
Xu Rui was staring blankly at the music video of the Han group that was randomly playing on the screen. When he heard Fan Jiayi's question, he shook his head and said,""I'm not singing."
"That won't do." Fan Jiayi said," You have to sing when you come. That's the rule.”
How could there be such a rule? Xu Momo didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Quick, quick, say one!" Fan Jiayi urged," The moon represents my heart?”
Xu Rui shook his head." No."
"You don't know this song? That's impossible." Fan Jiayi did not believe her." Isn't it a sin for a man to cry?”
"…I won't."
"Fickle?"
"…I won't either."
"Then what do you know?" Fan Jiayi was about to explode again." If you don't know how to sing these songs, you should at least have heard them before. I don't believe that you don't know how to sing them."”
Xu Rui frowned." I really won't."
"Alright, then order some for yourself." Fan Jiayi could only give up. He stood up, picked up the microphone, and handed it to Xu Momo. Then, he sat down beside her.
The song that Xu Momo chose was an old song, but not many people knew how to sing it. She had once envied those who could sing high notes. Unfortunately, her voice was naturally soft and slightly hoarse, so she could only sing soft and low songs.
Soon, the song ended.
"Not bad, not bad!" Fan Jiayi clapped her hands." It's nice!”
"Thank you, thank you." Xu Momo was a little embarrassed.
Xu Rui did not say anything. When Xu Momo sang, he held his chin and didn't move. It seemed like he was deep in thought, but also like he was listening silently.
The next song was a song that Fan Jiayi had requested. It was a new song by the national school hunk, Li Susu.
Fan Jiayi's singing was actually not bad. It was not inferior to Xu Yi's at all. Moreover, it sounded almost the same as the original singer.
After the song ended, Xu Momo clapped and smiled.""You sang really well, much better than me.”
Fan Jiayi actually imitated a celebrity singer and waved his hand." Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support! I love you!"
Reality proved that Editor Fan was a mic hog. He didn't stand on ceremony with them and started singing one song after another.
Xu Momo also chose a few songs, but Xu Rui kept a low profile and kept his chin in his hand. He didn't have any intention of singing.
After singing for an hour, Fan Jiayi's phone suddenly rang.
"Miss Xu, help me cut my song first. You guys sing first.”Fan Jiayi said loudly and turned to leave the private room.
Xu Momo walked to the karaoke table and suddenly realized that the next song was an old English song," Imyours," which she had played on her iPad in high school.
She raised her hand and was about to cut the song when she saw Xu Rui pick up the microphone.
"You want to sing this?" Xu Momo was surprised.
Xu Rui nodded slightly." Try it."
Soon, the music started playing.
Xu Rui did not look at the screen at all. Instead, he held his chin and looked at the coffee table expressionlessly, as if he had completely memorized the lyrics.
The moment he spoke, Xu Momo was stunned.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]