Dark-colored Fairy Tale: Seven Magicians - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Before Liu Menglu could think of anything to say, Lu Yuting’s mother glared at her daughter.

“What a way to talk!” She then put on a smile and said gently, “Don’t mind her, dear. This girl has been in a bad mood with her recent cold.”

“If you’re really in a hurry to get home to write…”

Lu Yuting’s mother hadn’t finished her sentence, but Liu Menglu blinked her cute eyes. “Since you’ve so kindly invited me, I’ll definitely stay and try your cooking. My parents don’t come home for the whole year, so it’s been a long time since I’ve had a dinner full of love.”

This made Lu Yuting’s mother pause, and then she smiled with delight. “Then I’ll cook a wonderful meal for you. You and Yuting can go to her room for a little while.”

With that, she gave a loving look to the beautiful girl in front of her, then put on her apron and went into the kitchen.

Lu Yuting just gave Liu Menglu a bland look, while Liu Menglu helplessly glanced at her watch.

There were still three and a half hours until 10 PM. She was sure she wouldn’t run into Lu Yumo if she ate quickly.

“What are you standing there for? Didn’t you hear my mom tell you to come into my room?”

Liu Menglu immediately snapped out of it. She carried the exam papers and materials and followed Lu Yuting into her room. The moment she entered, a faint floral scent came from the corner. Liu Menglu’s eyes followed the scent.

There was a pot of flourishing orchids, and the faint scent was coming from them.

Liu Menglu’s eyes lit up. She also loved orchids, but as a person who killed every plant she tried to grow, Liu Menglu had long given up on the idea of raising plants or animals.

Lu Yuting, seeing Liu Menglu standing there staring at the orchids, pursed her lips. A complex look flashed in her eyes as she looked at the orchids.

“You like this pot of orchids?”

“Huh?” Liu Menglu came back to her senses and nodded gently. “I do.”

“Then do you want to take it home and raise it?” This sudden question stunned Liu Menglu. Looking at the very healthy orchids, Liu Menglu was both happy and confused. “Aren’t you raising them very well? Why would you want me to take them home?”

Lu Yuting didn’t explain. She just asked again, “Do you really not want to take it home? You can have it as a thank-you gift for those exam papers you brought.”

With that, Lu Yuting bit her lower lip and looked away from the orchids, a clear look of reluctance on her face.

Seeing this, Liu Menglu thought for a moment before laughing. “I’ll pass. A gentleman doesn’t take what others love. Besides, I kill every plant I try to raise. I’d be a terrible owner. I couldn’t bear to let such a beautiful orchid die in my hands.”

Hearing this, Lu Yuting opened her mouth but ultimately swallowed her words. She let out a disappointed “Oh.”

The atmosphere in the room fell silent, and an awkwardness settled between them.

Liu Menglu scratched her head, her gaze scanning the slightly small room.

It was clear that the room had been decorated, but it was very simple. The pink wallpaper on the walls hadn’t been changed in at least five years. Its color was faded, and some spots were peeling off.

“So? Compared to a princess’s room like yours, this is a slum, right?”

“Uh.” Liu Menglu was speechless for a moment. She didn’t know why the proud Lu Yuting from a few days ago had become so confrontational today.

“Is something bothering you?” After a moment of hesitation, Liu Menglu decided to ask directly.

Lu Yuting’s face was cold. She gazed fondly at the orchids on the balcony but didn’t bring up the orchids again. She just shook the exam papers. “Let’s do the papers. I want to beat you.”

Liu Menglu naturally wouldn’t refuse. Although their relationship had returned to a standstill, at least Lu Yuting wasn’t as prickly as she had been before.

The papers the teacher gave her weren’t difficult. Liu Menglu finished them quickly, completing both sides of one paper in just 20 minutes.

Lu Yuting, however, was still deep in thought, having barely finished one page of the exam.

Seeing Liu Menglu put down her pen, and then looking at her own paper, a deep sense of frustration suddenly surged into Lu Yuting’s heart. When she saw Liu Menglu effortlessly start the second paper, a powerful feeling of jealousy spread through her.

She bit her lip, and her fingers, which were gripping the pen, turned white from the force.

Liu Menglu caught a glimpse of Lu Yuting’s motionless state. She stopped her own pen and looked up, asking softly, “Did you finish, too? Or did you run into a question you need me to help you with?”

“No need!” Lu Yuting flatly refused. The harsh tone once again made the benevolent Liu Menglu freeze. She then forced a smile, her expression a little hurt.

Liu Menglu took out another paper and silently started filling in the blanks. Her speed was even faster than before.

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye. Lu Yuting’s mother gently knocked on the door. Her weathered face was filled with kindness.

“Alright, stop writing. Come out and eat. Especially you, little girl. Come and try your Auntie Lu’s cooking; it won’t disappoint you.”

Liu Menglu smiled and nodded. After glancing at Lu Yuting, she was the first to go to the living room. She didn’t sit down until Lu Yuting’s mother and Lu Yuting had taken their seats. Then, Liu Menglu sat down in the seat to Lu Yuting’s mother’s right.

This was the seat for a guest.

But Lu Yuting’s mother didn’t mind. She kept adding food to Liu Menglu’s plate while asking about school and her daughter’s performance. Liu Menglu answered everything, and every time she talked about Lu Yuting, she would add a few words of praise.

Her sincere compliments made the smile on Lu Yuting’s mother’s face never fade.

Time flew by quickly. Liu Menglu didn’t forget that she had to leave before 10 PM. When it was almost 8 PM, Liu Menglu put down her chopsticks, ready to go.

Although Lu Yuting’s mother wanted her to stay longer, she looked at the sky outside and just kindly reminded Liu Menglu to be careful on her way home.

Liu Menglu agreed to everything. Just as she was about to open the door, the tightly shut door suddenly opened, and Lu Yumo, who should have been home at 10 PM, suddenly appeared.

This made Liu Menglu feel awkward and confused. Had the evening self-study for the third-year students ended early today?

She glanced at the sky. There were no sudden weather conditions, so why would the third-year students be let out so early?

Lu Yumo was also surprised to see Liu Menglu. After giving her a long, meaningful look, he turned and walked into his room.

This made the already awkward Liu Menglu feel a sense of relief. After saying goodbye to the auntie again, Liu Menglu hurriedly left the community and returned home.