Back in the dormitory, Li Qingxue sat quietly on her bed.
Her mind was filled with the photos on Ye Liangchen’s phone.
She took out her own phone and stared at the chat window between Hu Yuying and Lin Wanning. Her fingers hesitated for a moment before she finally decided to turn off the phone.
She tossed it onto the bedside table and refused to look at it.
Her thoughts were a mess; she didn’t know what to do.
She was too familiar with Long Aotian to believe he could be that kind of person.
She also didn’t dare tell Hu Yuying and Lin Wanning, fearing this matter might become a fuse that would blow everything up and turn the current situation into a complete disaster.
After much thought, she decided to confront Long Aotian tomorrow and demand an explanation about the photos.
He couldn’t betray Hu Yuying, and she certainly couldn’t believe that the person she liked would behave like that.
With that thought, Li Qingxue slowly exhaled.No matter what, this matter couldn’t be revealed to Hu Yuying for now. Hu Yuying liked Long Aotian so much; Li Qingxue could already imagine how heartbroken she would be if she found out.
At the same time, she felt a bit angry at Long Aotian for being so disappointing.
What was so special about that girl?
Just judging by looks alone, wasn’t she and Wanning way better than her?
Even if he had to find someone, it should be someone like her or Wanning, right?
Her thoughts suddenly spiraled to this point, and Li Qingxue quickly shook her head. “Damn it, what am I even thinking about?”
“Long Aotian, you better give me an explanation, or else—hmph—I’ll scold you to death!”
She said indignantly, kicked off her shoes, and sat cross-legged on the bed.
If she remembered correctly, tomorrow was Friday, and after University T’s special course, there were no more classes.
She planned to have a friend sign in for her in the afternoon so she could properly question Long Aotian.
Li Qingxue had a bit of a need to share, but maybe because of what was on her mind, she tossed and turned all night, unable to fall asleep.
As a result, she woke up the next day feeling noticeably off.
After washing up, she left the dorm and walked toward the cafeteria.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of someone running up behind her.
The next moment, she was wrapped in a soft embrace.
Looking up, she saw Hu Yuying’s happy face and quickly turned her head away.
“Qingxue, what’s wrong? Didn’t sleep well last night?”
Hearing Hu Yuying’s concerned voice, Li Qingxue sighed quietly in her heart. But it was okay—she still had herself.
Thinking this, Li Qingxue forced a smile. “It’s nothing, just didn’t rest well last night.”
Seeing Li Qingxue smile, Hu Yuying affectionately pinched her cheek. “I just like seeing you happy.”
She babbled on, her small hands growing a little mischievous as she gently pinched Li Qingxue’s slender waist. “You don’t even know how bored I’ve been since you stopped staying in the dorm. Tomorrow, come take a bath with me. It’s been so long since we bathed together.”
“All right, I’ll do whatever you want.” Recently, all her heart was focused on Long Aotian; it had been a long time since she had gone to bathe with her best friends.
After they parted ways, $2aybe because of what was on her mind, time seemed to drag slowly today.
Finally, it was three o’clock in the afternoon. Li Qingxue greeted softly and quietly slipped away from University A.
She grabbed a small bike and headed toward University T.
It had been a long time since she last rode a bike, and suddenly, it felt strangely refreshing.
She rode happily all the way.
Only when she was nearing University T did she suddenly remember the real reason she came today, and her expression immediately turned serious.
She returned the bike to the designated area and then strode toward University T with a somewhat annoyed look.
Passing by the Music Academy, she caught sight of a familiar silhouette. Instinctively, she wanted to call out to Lin Wanning.
But she stopped herself forcefully. She had come for something important today, something better kept from too many people.
So she didn’t call out to Lin Wanning.
Instead, she followed behind her. Li Qingxue thought Lin Wanning was just out to buy something, but she didn’t expect her destination to be University T as well.
Could it be that she was here to find Long Aotian too?
After a moment of hesitation, Li Qingxue decided to tell Lin Wanning about the photos Ye Liangchen showed her yesterday.
She trusted that Lin Wanning would keep it a secret and that together they could unite and demand an explanation from Long Aotian.
Feeling this was a good plan, Li Qingxue approached Lin Wanning.
“Brother.” Suddenly, Lin Wanning called out joyfully, and Li Qingxue saw her throw herself straight into Long Aotian’s arms.
Only after Long Aotian and Lin Wanning left did Li Qingxue come to her senses and instinctively followed them.
She felt that everything her mind had processed these past two days was hard to accept.
Walking along the road, $2ong Aotian was somewhat silent, while Lin Wanning was cheerful, constantly sharing amusing stories she had encountered.
Noticing her brother’s silence, she cautiously asked, “Brother, what’s wrong?”
Hearing this, Long Aotian stopped and looked at Lin Wanning beside him.
“I feel that things can’t continue like this.”
Lin Wanning was momentarily stunned, then pursed her lips and turned to look at him.
“I realize I can’t keep this from Aying, and it’s unfair to you as well.”
Looking at the man before her, she asked, “Are you happy when you’re with me?”
Happy? He was. Because with Wanning’s quirky antics, he experienced a kind of happiness he had never felt before—something he’d never known when he was with Aying.
“I’m not affecting you or them. If you really mind, brother, then can we just be together on Wednesdays?”
“I don’t ask for much, and I’ll work hard to bring you even more happiness.”
Hearing the humble tremble in Lin Wanning’s voice, Long Aotian took her hand proactively.
“I can’t let go of little Aying, yet I can’t help but develop feelings for you.”
Once or twice, those intimate moments—even between strangers—could stir unusual emotions toward each other.
Not to mention someone like Lin Wanning, who had laid her heart bare right in front of herself—how could she not be moved, not develop feelings in return...
“I see the joy on that little girl's face, and I realize I can't keep hiding the truth from her anymore. Nor can I keep you in the dark like this.”
“I’m so torn...”
“Sometimes I wish you were a little less good, that your sense of morality wasn’t so strong. Maybe then you wouldn’t be so conflicted.” Lin Wanning let out a soft laugh. Hearing from her brother that he already liked her—that made her happy.
“I truly cherish the moments I spend with my brother, and I will always respect him.”
“I don’t even know how to explain this to Aying right now,” Long Aotian said with a self-deprecating smile. But the thought of continuing to keep things from Aying was unbearable for him.
Lin Wanning stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed the corner of Long Aotian’s lips, softly placing his hand over her heart. “Wanning won’t make things difficult for you. If you’ve made up your mind, then let me be the one to speak.”
“At the root of all this... it’s because of Wanning...”