Back at the dorm.
Only Leng Jing was there.
"Where are the others?"
"They went to the study room." Leng Jing stared at her inquisitively.
"Oh."
"I heard from my brother that you caused trouble again?"
Gong Xiaoqiao plopped down on the edge of the bed, slipping off her high heels, "Trouble? That was your Tang Yu making a scene, not me."
"You still have the nerve to say that! It's bad enough that Tang Yu is causing a fuss, but why are you joining in on the chaos?"
"I'm doing this to help you. Finding a man who is wholeheartedly devoted to you isn't easy these days; Tang Yu might seem a bit brainless, but his mom seems pretty nice. You won't have any mother-in-law issues if you marry into their family."
Leng Jing gave her a dismissive look, "Don't bother, there's no chance with me and Tang Yu."
"Today Gu Hangshen suddenly left the concert midway, you should've seen Hannian's expression at that moment, tsk tsk… I was wondering which deity had summoned Gu Hangshen away. And sure enough, it was your mischief!"
"Hey, that has nothing to do with me! I was also wondering how Gu Hangshen knew I was there with Tang Yu!"
"Gu Hangshen pays so much attention to you, is there anything that can be kept from him?"
"What do you mean 'my Gu Hangshen'!" Gong Xiaoqiao felt quite dissatisfied with that possessive description.
"Speaking of which, Gu Hangshen's attitude toward you is really subtle! Sometimes, I even doubt whether he has feelings for you that he just can't express."
Gong Xiaoqiao nearly choked on her own saliva, "What nonsense are you thinking! I've always respected Gu Hangshen like he were my father, alright!"
Leng Jing silently facepalmed, suddenly feeling that Gu Hangshen was rather pitiable.
"By the way, Xiao Jing, are you free on Wednesday?" Gong Xiaoqiao asked excitedly.
"Wednesday?" Leng Jing's face flashed with an odd expression.
"Yeah! Gu Hangshen gave me a few tickets to Jinmulin's concert."
"I'm a bit busy on Wednesday," Leng Jing said hesitantly.
"What's so important? Come with me! I finally got these from Gu Hangshen, and the seats are great!"
Leng Jing smacked Gong Xiaoqiao on the back of the head, "Stop pestering me, I need to study! If I fail again, I can forget about graduating!"
"Oww… Xiao Jing, you're so mean… Fine, fine! You study hard, I'll go by myself…"
"Xiaoqiao, I want to ask you something." Leng Jing suddenly looked at her seriously.
"What is it?" Gong Xiaoqiao rubbed her head.
"Are you still unable to forget Qin Yao?"
Gong Xiaoqiao was taken aback; Gu Hangshen had just asked her the same question not long ago.
After a long pause, just when Leng Jing thought she wouldn't answer—
"Why should I forget? I never planned to forget him."
Leng Jing looked anxious, "You're still not giving up on him? Xiaoqiao, don't be foolish, you know…"
"Leng Jing, calm down! Can't you just calm down a bit? Don't jump to conclusions, alright. All I mean is, first love is naturally unforgettable, so what's wrong with considering it a valuable life experience?"
"Do you really… just think of it that way?" Seeing her discuss it with such a nonchalant air, Leng Jing felt even more troubled.
She couldn't help feeling that something was off with everyone around her.
Gong Xiaoqiao was almost asleep when she received a call from Tang Yu, and that's when she realized it wasn't just her imagination.
"As a repayment for your help today, I've decided to risk telling you something," Tang Yu said solemnly.
Gong Xiaoqiao chuckled, "What is it?"
"Xiao Rou and Qin Yao are coming back."
"…"
"They'll be at the airport tomorrow."
"…"
"I heard they're coming back to get engaged, set to take place in three days."
"…"
No wonder Gu Hangshen suddenly asked her those questions, no wonder Leng Jing did as well.
No wonder Gu Hangshen gave her concert tickets even though he dislikes her obsession with Jinmulin, no wonder Leng Jing couldn't accompany her that day.
"It seems like the boss has blocked the news around you, probably to keep you from getting hurt," Tang Yu mused.
"Oh? What about you? Why are you telling me this? Aren't you afraid I'll get hurt?"
"Actually, I don't quite agree with the boss's approach! I… I feel that not telling you would hurt you more. Being deceived isn't something easy to endure, no matter the reason," Tang Yu said, scratching his head with some difficulty.
"Really…"
Tang Yu's thoughts were simple, but they captured exactly how she felt.
Everyone thought keeping her in the dark was best, but they didn't realize how sad it was to be the only one left out while the whole world was in the know...
"Xiaoqiao, do you still remember Qin Yao?"
Gong Xiaoqiao gave a wry smile, "Does everybody have to ask me the same question? Do you still remember Qin Yao by Daming Lake?"
[This book is currently updating four chapters a day, any changes will be announced~]