Chapter 19
Xiang Lan reached for her phone to make a call, but abruptly pulled her hand back the second she was about to press the dial button. She tossed the phone aside, dragged out her washbasin, towel, and toiletries, grabbed a thermos, and ran to the washroom. After washing her face, she pulled out several outfits from the closet, spread them on the bed, and spent a long time choosing which to go for—a pure and innocent look or a sexy one. She bit her lip, took a picture, and sent it to her sister-in-law, Hu Li.
Xiang Lan answered her sister-in-law's call quickly and immediately asked, "Sister-in-law, do you think the black one looks better, or the pink one?"
"You changed your phone number again? Does your brother know?" Hu Li asked warily.
“I didn’t tell him. I don’t want to talk to him,” Xiang Lan said. “You’re not allowed to tell him about this either.”
"oh--"
"Tell me quickly, which one looks better?"
"You're going out on a date at this hour?" Hu Li laughed. "Isn't it a bit late?"
"I'm not going out. I'm just video chatting with someone." Xiang Lan was unusually shy.
"Then tell your sister-in-law, how much do you miss them?"
"What does this have to do with wearing clothes?"
"Of course it's related?" Hu Li chuckled. "If you just like it casually, and want to go on a date, wear the pink one; if you're feeling restless and want to kiss and touch, wear the black lace one."
"oh--"
"Come on, tell your sister-in-law, which one do you want to choose?"
Xiang Lan chuckled, "Then tell me, sister-in-law, what did you wear on your first date with my brother?"
"Want to know?"
"Yeah yeah."
"Ask your brother."
"Sister-in-law—" Xiang Lan immediately flattered, "You know my brother puts on a fake serious act in front of me. He's clearly a scumbag but tries to wear a mature and composed mask. Only you can expose his true colors—"
"Your brother was really scared this time, he'll change his ways."
"You and your husband are so deeply in love, so don't try to teach me, a fellow woman! What if I get cheated out of money and sexually assaulted?"
Hu Li laughed and said, "Little girl, I think you're just eager to offer yourself up."
"I knew my sister-in-law had a sharp eye," Xiang Lan said coyly. "Look, I've grown up now, I should at least have some of that mature woman's charm, right?"
"Wait a minute, I'll go to the balcony and tell you."
A faint voice came through the microphone, as if they were negotiating with Xiang Yuan. Xiang Lan knew there was a chance and was overjoyed.
Sure enough, after a while, Hu Li's voice came over.
"You can't say this in front of a man. If you want to keep it a secret, I'll teach you something."
"I swear, this is a secret between us women."
"Your brother is only good-looking."
Xiang Lan nodded vigorously; her sister-in-law's assessment was very accurate.
"You have to figure out first whether the guy you're dating is a carnivore or a herbivore."
"Why?"
"I knew the moment I saw your brother, he was a player, only good for casual flings. So, when he asked me out to dinner, I went home and changed into sexy lingerie and a bright red dress, my intentions were very clear. But when your brother came to see me, he had ulterior motives. He was just eyeing me, but I didn't fall for his charms. All that effort of my seductive glances was for nothing."
"So what did you do?"
"Between men and women, it all boils down to sex. Whether you dress innocently or sexy, it's all about attracting the man opposite you. The most important thing is to figure out his preferences. Your brother is a bit of a problem. He likes the innocent type with long hair and long skirts, but his body is honest. He likes ordinary girls like me with big breasts, a slim waist, and a curvy butt. Every time I see him, I don't do anything else. I dress as sexy as I can. I just love seeing his eyes fixed on me with that conflicted look on his face."
"oh."
"Oh no, what kind of person does your boyfriend like?"
Xiang Lan tilted her head and thought for a moment, "Someone like me."
Hu Li laughed, "Think about it carefully."
“As long as I pounce on him, he has no chance.”
"Tsk." Hu Li sighed, and after a while said, "Two novices, scary."
Xiang Lan's face flushed red. Scenes from her dream inexplicably appeared before her eyes, and she felt like she was on fire.
"I'm hanging up now, I'm not talking to you anymore."
Xiang Lan received constructive advice, hesitated for a long time, then stuffed the pink one back into the closet and changed into a black openwork one. She looked in the mirror for a long time, feeling that the bust line seen through the openwork was not obvious enough, so she stuffed a few dumpling pads into the bra.
With her breasts a size larger, she nodded to the person in the mirror with satisfaction, curled her hair, applied powder, blush, eyeliner, and then painted her lips a bright red.
Everything is ready, except for the phone call.
Xiang Lan dialed the number, held her breath, and after a while, the call was answered. The boy's clear, slightly groggy voice was like a lotus flower covered in morning dew.
"Hello, who is it?"
She laughed, her voice carrying across the Pacific Ocean.
"Xiang Lan?" Fang Zidu's voice immediately became clear. "Is that you?"
"It's me," Xiang Lan said. "Are you sleeping?"
"Yeah, I just slept for a while."
Did I disturb you?
"No."
When they were face-to-face, Xiang Lan didn't know what shyness was, but over the phone, she actually felt shy, ambiguous, and unsure of what to say.
"Why can't I get through to your phone?" Fang Zidu asked.
“Someone posted my contact information in the library, and I’ve been getting a lot of calls and texts. My phone kept freezing, so I changed to a new number.” Xiang Lan sat at her desk, continuing to look at her computer. “I sent text messages to your phone and email when I changed the number, didn’t you see them?”
Fang Zi was taken aback. "I haven't had time to check my email yet, but I haven't received anything on my phone—"
Xiang Lan laughed, not in a hurry to ask him who the woman who answered the phone was, and said, "So that means you've been contacting my old phone number all along?"
"Hmm!" Fang Zidu's mood changed abruptly, looking somewhat disappointed. "Did you call me today?"
"Um."
"You hung up as soon as you heard someone else's voice?" Fang Zidu's voice sounded a little aggrieved.
"Yeah." Xiang Lan scrolled through the web pages on her computer screen, looking for something new to look at.
Why not keep attacking?
There was actually a hint of complaint in his voice.
"I was afraid of disturbing you," Xiang Lan said with a sly smile.
"I've been waiting for your call." Fang Zidu cleared his throat. "Are you angry, that's why you didn't call again?"
"No," Xiang Lan lied through her teeth. "I thought I dialed the wrong number."
“That’s Sister Lin Li. Her experimental data has been wrong, and she asked me to take a look. She’s been very kind to me here. She also helped me get a job back in China. She’s a really nice person. I had my phone on the shelf and went to the bathroom, and she answered the call for me.”
"Sister Lin Li?"
"Um."
"I don't even know how old you are."
What do you think?
"About the same age as me? I'm twenty-one this year."
"I'm a year older than you," Fang Zidu said on the phone, sounding relieved.
Xiang Lan traced lines on the table with her finger. "Fang Zidu, do you want to video chat?"
"Yes, I'll send you my QQ number. Wait for me."
Xiang Lan immediately turned on all the lights in the dormitory, chose the brightest spot, adjusted the angle of her laptop camera, and tested it herself, revealing her upper body image.
"Is it ready?" Fang Zidu's voice was a little distorted after being transmitted through the internet.
"I heard it." She stared at the images that began to appear on the computer screen. In the blurry light, a face appeared that was exactly as she had imagined. She was speechless.
"Are you spacing out? Do you want to sleep?" Fang Zi tilted her head, revealing her straight nose and red lips, with tired dark circles under her eyes.
"No, no—" Xiang Lan stammered, her face flushed, "It's just that this is the first time I've seen you sober, and I'm a little unaccustomed to it."
The two of them immediately recalled that chaotic night, their faces flushed, too embarrassed to look directly at each other.
"How's your throat?" Xiang Lan asked, trying to find a safe topic.
"Almost done." Fang Zidu smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over her, leaving her completely stunned.
"And you?" he asked.
Looking at his natural demeanor, Xiang Lan felt a pang of frustration, realizing that her makeup seemed too heavy and her lipstick too much. Moreover, the padding in her breasts was too thick, making it hard for her to breathe. She secretly reached behind her back and tugged at it, causing her breasts to heave violently.
Fangzi seemed not to see him at all, turning his head to grab something, but his uneasy expression betrayed him.
She looked down at her chest, where the cutouts revealed not only the edge of her lace bra but also her fair breasts.
"I'm doing pretty well in some parts, but not so well in others." She felt her flirting was a bit suggestive and reached out to cover herself.
"You can tell me," Fang Zi said, his eyes lowered, not daring to look at her.
"Of course, that's exactly what I plan to do."
"Wait a moment, I'll go get a cup of coffee, and then I'll listen to you slowly."
Xiang Lan watched him get up. Because they were indoors and the heating was on, he was dressed very lightly, wearing a light blue sweatshirt on top and loose sweatpants on the bottom.
A moment later, he indeed came in carrying a white porcelain cup, sat obediently in front of the computer, and said, "Xiang Lan, I'm done."
"I showed the first draft of the theme painting for the exhibition board to the teacher, and he didn't say anything. No criticism, which probably means approval, so I've already started painting it and will finish it soon." Xiang Lan smiled, revealing her perfect eight teeth.
"Congratulations."