Chapter 132: Two Sharpies

Chapter 132: Two Savvy Operators

At the dining table, Xu Moxing acted as a bridge, making sure he didn't neglect Su Lichen or leave Luo Shengnan out.

Plus, both Su Lichen and Luo Shengnan were savvy professionals; they wouldn't let things get awkward.

So, on the surface, all three were happy with the meal.

Forty minutes later, they were done eating.

Su Lichen started his little performance.

"Mo, this is delicious. I can't finish it—want the other half? I hate to waste food."

"Huh? Sure, give it here."

Xu Moxing thought it was weird because Su Lichen usually ate way more, but he handed his plate over anyway.

Luo Shengnan took note of this, growing a bit suspicious, but said nothing.

Next, Su Lichen kept grabbing food from Xu Moxing's bowl, then "accidentally" picked up the wrong glass and took several gulps.

"Oh, wrong glass. Sorry! Want me to grab you a new one?"

"No worries, I don't mind."

Xu Moxing didn't think much of it—they'd been a couple for years, so sharing a glass was nothing.

But now they were both single, so it was a tad inappropriate.

Since Luo Shengnan was present, Xu Moxing played it off casually, like it was just two bros accidentally sharing a cup.

Su Lichen acted this way on purpose because he'd observed Luo Shengnan's character from the little details.

After Xu Moxing finished eating, he said to them, "I'm hitting the restroom."

They both nodded. Once he was out of earshot, Luo Shengnan gave Su Lichen a knowing smirk.

"Mr. Su, that whole act just now—was that intentional?"

Su Lichen nodded very calmly. "Mm-hmm."

As expected, Luo Shengnan paused and then asked, "Are you after Mo Xing?"

Su Lichen didn't confirm or deny it.

Two sharp minds didn't need to spell it out; they could read each other from the tiniest expressions.

"So, are you sure Mo Xing is into guys too? Otherwise, I still think I have a chance."

"We used to date."

Luo Shengnan immediately caught the key word, with a hint of disdain: "Used to be."

"Yeah, used to be. We went from college to the real world, weren't mature enough, hurt each other, and had to break up. Now I still want him back."

In front of Luo Shengnan, Su Lichen didn't sugarcoat himself or their relationship.

"It's over—what's there to salvage? Don't tell me you couldn't find anyone better than him after looking around?"

Luo Shengnan didn't believe in putting a broken mirror back together. In her view, only if both people had their own issues and still couldn't let go after years apart would a reunion be justified.

But the reality was that most people, after a breakup, would date one person, flirt with another, shop around, and only go back to the ex when they found no better option.

That's disgusting—it means they already moved on, didn't really care about the relationship, and only returned because they couldn't find anything better.

Then they romanticize it, saying that after all the ups and downs, they still ended up together.

Luo Shengnan found it utterly nauseating—you've been bouncing around, kissing and sleeping with others, and then you say you ultimately chose each other?

"I never moved on. I've been single this whole time. I don't know about Mo Xing's romantic status during our breakup, but I don't care... even if I did, it's not like I can change it. I lost him—call it my karma."

Luo Shengnan clearly didn't believe him, but she still smiled. "A love saint, huh?"

"I'm no martyr—just an ordinary guy chasing the one I love."

"Sigh, what a shame. I thought I'd finally met a decent guy, but he's gay."

Luo Shengnan really did have a good impression of Xu Moxing, but now she had to give up.

Su Lichen was amused by her regretful expression. "What do you like about Mo? You've only known each other for about a week. Let me see if it's a mistake—maybe I can lessen your disappointment."

Luo Shengnan smiled and frankly explained why she liked Xu Moxing.

"I like his softness and sensitivity—more like a woman's. And the genuine respect he has for women. Hard to explain because you're not a woman, you wouldn't get it.

I think he'd make a great househusband—something I rarely see in men.

In a patriarchal society, some men, even some women, boast about loving women and being 'girl dads,' but when their daughter is only a few years old, they're already dreaming about what kind of son-in-law they'll want.

Sometimes I feel like 'loving women' is just a trendy accessory to look good—hardly anyone genuinely loves women.

Men with this quality are so rare, you can't let them slip away. If you find one, you grab him and make him your wife."

Su Lichen was silent for a moment. "I think you might be a lesbian."

"I've thought about it, but unfortunately, I'm straight—I'm not attracted to women."

Luo Shengnan never believed in the idea of "it's you, so I love you."

She was simply straight. Even if she admired a woman deeply, and they became best friends for life, Luo Shengnan would never develop sexual feelings for her.

"It's you, so I love you" was just an excuse some people used to romanticize themselves.

Love isn't inherently nobler than friendship—that saying romanticizes your own love and sexuality while subtly putting down friendship.

Su Lichen shrugged. "Well, then there's no way around it. I hope you find the househusband of your dreams soon."

"Thanks. Whatever fate brings."

They clinked glasses in the air.

"His mother doesn't know about his orientation—please keep it to yourself."

"Don't worry, I'm not that cheap. This is still taboo for most people, so I won't say anything."

"Thank you."

You're welcome.

The two downed their drinks in one go.

The two socially respectable people quickly finished their conversation.

Xu Moxing, on his way back from the bathroom, had unwittingly taken care of the minor annoyance of being pursued by an excellent woman.

"Sorry, I'm late. The store doesn't have a bathroom, so I had to go outside and walked a long way."

"No problem. Where's the bathroom? I need to go too."

Luo Shengnan's attitude towards Xu Moxing remained unchanged, still just as warm.

Xu Moxing gave her the directions, and only after she left did he shoot a glare at Su Lichen.

"What were you doing just now? Afraid she wouldn't notice our weird bromance?"

"What weird bromance? Aren't we both single?"

Xu Moxing took a sip of water, glared at him again, and said nothing.

Su Lichen nudged him lightly with his shoulder placatingly. "Alright, I was wrong. I shouldn't have been jealous that Ms. Luo could openly pursue you."

Xu Moxing looked at him and said softly, "Don't be jealous. I could never have feelings for her. I'm just a lousy gay guy, and I wouldn't stoop so low as to trick a straight woman into marriage. Why are you jealous of her?"

"Alright, alright, I'm not jealous anymore. You smell nice, not stinky at all."

Su Lichen went a step further, sneakily taking Xu Moxing's hand and even giving it a squeeze.

Xu Moxing didn't pull away, silently allowed it.