Chapter 11: Online Romance Cannot Be Trusted

Chapter 11: Online Romance Is Unreliable

Fan Xiaoyao paused on the phone; she didn’t believe what Wang Guocheng was saying, nor did she intend to.
“Honestly, whether you’re a university teacher or not has nothing to do with me, does it? We’re not relatives or friends, just passing strangers on the internet.”
“Passing strangers? Do you really think we’re just passing strangers online?” Wang Guocheng’s voice came lazily through the receiver.
Fan Xiaoyao replied, puzzled, “If not passing strangers, then what?”
Wang Guocheng laughed but said nothing, refusing to answer her directly. Instead, he shifted the topic, speaking with a hint of sincerity.
“Actually, you could consider me. I’ll say it again: if you’re willing to be friends, I’ll never leave your side.”
As the dial tone sounded, Fan Xiaoyao realized he had hung up first. Strangely, her heart felt a faint sense of disappointment after Wang Guocheng ended the call.

When Feng Youru returned to the apartment, she happened to see Fan Xiaoyao, deep in thought, standing on the balcony with her back turned.
She waved her hand in front of Fan Xiaoyao’s eyes. “Hey, may I ask what’s wrong with our lady today? Why are you looking so forlorn?”
Fan Xiaoyao grabbed Feng Youru’s hand, troubled, and confided, “Youru, I posted on the forum yesterday looking for a ‘five-heart’ boyfriend, and just now some guy called asking me to consider him…”
Feng Youru burst out laughing. “Fan Xiaoyao, you’re past the age of daydreams. Look at all the marriage and money scams online these days. Online romance? You’d sooner believe a sow could climb a tree!”
Seeing that even her closest roommate had reservations about online romance, Fan Xiaoyao felt even more uneasy. She smiled at Feng Youru. “Don’t worry, I’m just asking. I haven’t promised anyone anything yet!”

The next few days, Fan Xiaoyao’s life was awkward and a bit chaotic.
That phrase—“If you’re willing to be friends, I’ll never leave your side”—became like a spell, appearing everywhere: at meals, while sleeping, even in the bathroom, disrupting her daily life as if it were a barrage of thoughts she couldn’t escape.

“Yeye, do you have time? I want to talk to you!” Fan Xiaoyao gripped the receiver, a little nervous.
Yang Yeye, ever a thoughtful person, heard the tension in Fan Xiaoyao’s voice and quickly expressed her concern. “Xiaoyao, what’s wrong?”
“It’s hard to explain over the phone. Let’s meet and talk.” Fan Xiaoyao was somewhat embarrassed and quickly ended the call.

For friends of many years, sometimes unspoken understanding brings them together at just the right moment.
Half an hour later, Yang Yeye appeared at Orange Café, a favorite haunt of Fan Xiaoyao. Upon seeing her, Yang Yeye immediately launched into a tirade. “What happened? Why couldn’t you say it on the phone? Why the drama of making me come out?”
Fan Xiaoyao blinked her long lashes and looked at Yang Yeye, her face slightly troubled. “Yeye, I did something really foolish!”
Yang Yeye folded her arms, calmly appraising Fan Xiaoyao. “Yeah, I’ve always known you’re a bit foolish. So?”
Fan Xiaoyao’s cheeks flushed. With Yang Yeye staring at her, she hesitated, stammering, “I… I posted on the forum looking for a ‘five-heart’ boyfriend, and now some guy has called asking me to accept him…”
Yang Yeye touched Fan Xiaoyao’s forehead, then her own, and coolly concluded, “Xiaoyao, you’re not feverish. Why are you talking nonsense? Is this even worth considering? Haven’t you heard—nine out of ten online romances are scams, the remaining one just leaves you heartbroken.
Little sister, even if the patriarch has set a deadline for you to marry within a year, you don’t need to risk an online romance. If love doesn’t work out, you’ll just hurt yourself. There are so many scams out there, both for money and for sex—how many are true gentlemen?”

Fan Xiaoyao realized both Yang Yeye and Feng Youru were united in their opposition to her online romance.
Suddenly, Fan Xiaoyao laughed and said dramatically, “Oh, I was just testing you two, seeing how you’d react. It’s just an online romance survey, nothing more.”
Yet Yang Yeye sensed the disappointment in Fan Xiaoyao’s eyes and worriedly asked,
“Girl, are you sure it’s only a survey? Listen, honestly, online romance isn’t reliable. You’d be better off dating that Liu fellow from last time.
He’s a real person, you know his background and education—much better than picking some random guy online.”

Fan Xiaoyao nudged Yang Yeye, “Don’t bring up that law guy again. Having coffee with him, all he does is talk about legal matters.
Imagine spending time with someone who lectures on law every day—you’d go crazy.”
Yang Yeye persisted, “But Liu is so promising. He’s already one of Kangcheng’s top ten lawyers at such a young age, which is no small feat. Besides, who among the capable doesn’t have a temper?”

Fan Xiaoyao bit her lip, quietly making up her mind. “Yeye, stop trying to match me with Liu. There’s no spark between us. Since neither of you approve of online romance, don’t worry—I’ll look for someone among people I know!”
Yang Yeye’s interest was piqued, her eyes smiling. “Actually, Xiaoyao, I think your mentor is a good choice. He takes care of you, and he’s only a little older. He’s from the seventies, you’re from the eighties—not exactly robbing the cradle!”
Fan Xiaoyao glared at Yang Yeye, tapping her forehead. “Yang Yeye, why do you keep matchmaking me? My mentor is an aloof type, and besides, there’s no chemistry between us at all.”
Yang Yeye grinned mischievously. “Is it you who feels nothing, or him? I can tell from the way he looks at you—it’s not just a teacher-student thing. Only someone as clueless as you wouldn’t notice!”
Fan Xiaoyao’s cheeks reddened as she deliberately turned her head away, feigning annoyance. “Yang Yeye, if you keep this up, I’ll ignore you from now on!”
Yang Yeye muttered, “You said you’d look for someone nearby, so I’m just helping you brainstorm.”
Fan Xiaoyao rubbed her forehead, exasperated. “Let me think more carefully about my options. Stop meddling and overthinking.”

Finally, as Fan Xiaoyao rose to leave, Yang Yeye grabbed her wrist, emphasizing her point once more.
“Fan Xiaoyao, stay right there. I told you, don’t mess with online romance. How many couples ever succeed from that? Most are scams for money or sex, few are truly sincere. We’ll search together for the right boyfriend—there will be someone suitable.”