A crisp 'crunch' of leaves underfoot, unusually loud at this moment, shattered the silence.
Both individuals instantly became alert.
However, a glance in the direction of the sound revealed a proud, plump orange cat strutting along the wall.
As if noticing the disturbance, it haughtily cast a sidelong glance at the two.
Its expression seemed to say: "Ignorant humans, how dare you interrupt my stroll."
"..."
The initially tense and slightly awkward atmosphere, broken by the passing of a stray orange cat, transformed into...
"Pfft."
Beneath the warm sunlight, they exchanged a look and, for no apparent reason, burst into laughter.
Their laughter was joyful and light, as if a burden had been lifted.
"I really don't have anything with Senior Song..."
"I know," Yu Wenli raised his hand and gently touched her swollen earlobe. "Does it still hurt?"
"What do you think?" The young girl shot him a look of anger and resentment.
Her voice, laced with gritted teeth, suggested she wished she could chew him up.
Yu Wenli lowered his head and blew on it.
Her fair skin made the redness on her earlobe particularly striking.
He had thought her earlobe would look lovely when it was red after she got her ear pierced.
Indeed, it looked good, but it had caused the young girl some discomfort.
"It's not that I doubt you and Song have anything going on, but rather..."
Yu Wenli looked up, his gaze lingering on Wen Tingxue, who wore a look of utter confusion.
"He seems to be a bit..."
The unspoken words hung in the air, understood by both.
Wen Tingxue bit her lip. "Then what should I do? Should I stay away from him?"
"No need..."
Recalling Sister Wan Qing's words, Yu Wenli suppressed the ache in his heart and reluctantly continued,
"Just interact normally, and it would be best if you could become friends.
"After all, you're in the same school, and he can help you more. But—"
His tone suddenly sharpened, and his expression turned serious.
Wen Tingxue nodded in understanding.
"Don't worry! I only have improper thoughts about you.
"I won't even glance at other scummy men."
Yu Wenli was amused by her slightly proud demeanor.
He reached out and ruffled her hair. "I'm truly afraid of losing you."
All his jealousy was secondary to her safety.
But Song You was indeed outstanding.
His personal charm was genuinely attractive to young girls.
His words carried a hint of imperceptible sigh, which made Wen Tingxue uncomfortable.
"You won't lose me. We'll be together forever."
She reached out as if to embrace him, but pulled back just before she could wrap her arms around him.
"But you're not allowed to bite my ear anymore!"
The young girl tilted her chin slightly, looking at him with feigned fierceness.
Yu Wenli raised an eyebrow. "You cursed me, I bit you. It's even."
"When did I curse you?!" Wen Tingxue felt as wronged as Dou E.
Yu Wenli: "You said that people with nice voices aren't necessarily good-looking. Isn't that a veiled insult?"
Wen Tingxue was speechless.
"You... don't you have any self-awareness about your own looks?! How could I possibly insult you!"
With your appearance, who would dare say you're not good-looking!
Unless they had a problem with their eyes!
Yu Wenli took a step forward, his long eyelashes drooping.
Golden light cascaded from above, as if bathing him in a unique, beautiful filter.
Wen Tingxue felt her heart skip a beat.
Then, she heard him say, "Among all voices, yours is the only one I care about."
*Dong—*
A small stone dropped into a calm lake,
stirring up ripples.
The disturbance lingered for a long time.
Wen Tingxue vowed never to speak carelessly again,
especially about topics involving Yu Wenli!
He was too skilled at tormenting her!!
Her ears!!
Neither one had been spared!!
Ahhh!
Maintaining a calm exterior while screaming internally, the young girl pushed open the door to the dormitory.
Lu Youran immediately sat up from her bed. "You're back? Did you buy the earplugs?"
"Uh-huh, bought them."
Wen Tingxue gestured with the paper bag in her hand.
She intended to use it to hide her flushed face.
However—
"Oh my goodness, what happened to your voice? It sounds so soft and lovely!!"
Lu Youran exclaimed and got off the bed.
"Teach me quickly, I want to learn too!"
Wen Tingxue: "..."
"Huh? Why is your face so red?"
Lu Youran suddenly leaned in to examine her, her round eyes blinking.
"Do you have a fever?"
She reached a conclusion and was about to go find medicine.
Wen Tingxue quickly grabbed her. "I-I-I-I'm fine, no fever, it's just..."
"This is clearly from kissing, isn't it~"
Meng Xiyao, who had just returned, leaned against the wall and teased.
A flicker of disdain crossed her eyes.
Boyfriend...
Who knew who she had been kissing!
The boys surrounding her numbered at least three, if not five.
A flirt!
"Kissed red, you say..."
Lu Youran covered her mouth, a mixture of surprise and joy on her face, her round eyes wide.
"You and your boyfriend are progressing so fast! I haven't even kissed my Xiao Xiao yet."
Hearing this, Meng Xiyao subconsciously licked her lips, her eyes brimming with smugness.
Wen Tingxue, her face too red to speak, handed the earplugs to Lu Youran and returned to her seat.
"You've been dating for so long and haven't kissed? Aren't you afraid someone will steal him away?"
Meng Xiyao suddenly spoke up. Lu Youran, who had been leaning against the bedpost, preparing to talk to Wen Tingxue, paused.
She then turned back. "Why would he be stolen away? Besides, we haven't been dating that long.
"We haven't even been together for two months. Before we were together, there were plenty of girls around him.
"He wasn't stolen away then, and now that we're together, he'll definitely be faithful."
Meng Xiyao smiled meaningfully. "My advice is not to trust a man's self-control too much."
Lu Youran: "?"
What did she mean?
After a pause, she seemed to recall something and straightened up instantly.
"Speaking of which, it's strange. My Xiao Xiao replied so quickly today!
"It's like he was holding his phone, waiting for someone to reply. He's never been like this before. No! I'm going to call and ask him."
Lu Youran pouted in displeasure.
She quickly walked to the head of the bed, grabbed her phone, and was about to leave.
Wen Tingxue recalled the figure she had seen on her way back to the dorm.
"Didn't you see each other today?"
"No," Lu Youran's steps faltered. She turned back. "He said he was busy today. What's wrong?"
Wen Tingxue gave a dry laugh and shook her head. "Nothing, just asking."
Although that figure looked very much like Jing Xiao.
But...
She had only seen him once, so she wasn't entirely sure.
Therefore, she didn't want to say too much.
Seeing Lu Youran about to take her phone and leave, a hint of panic flashed across Meng Xiyao's face.
She then spoke as if nothing had happened. "Don't overthink it. Brother Jing Xiao might just be playing on his phone.
"If you get suspicious and blame him, he'll be unhappy. Girls shouldn't act like that.
"Besides, if you have this much time, you might as well think about the matter on the school forum."
Jing Xiao was the big catch she was currently pursuing.
She started by discussing his favorite anime and chatted about everything under the sun.
Finally, they played games together.
Even though she had stayed up late yesterday, he had still agreed to come and bring her a hair tie today.
And to see Lu Youran.
However, when they first met, she had deliberately mentioned the rumors between Lu Youran and Fu Ran in front of him.
Adding a few more embellishments, he had indeed left in a huff, not even replying to Lu Youran.
If Lu Youran called him now to question him.
It might expose her scheme.
Then the image of a good girl, striving for self-improvement, that she had carefully cultivated in front of Jing Xiao, would be instantly shattered.
Thinking this, Meng Xiyao couldn't help but resent Wen Tingxue for speaking up.
But her transaction with Lan Shuo required her to maintain a good relationship with Wen Tingxue.
Meng Xiyao let out a stifled sigh and answered Lu Youran's question.
"There's a post on the forum saying that you confessed to Fu Ran today and failed."
Lu Youran: "?!!!"
What kind of ridiculous statement was this!
How could she possibly confess to that scoundrel Fu Ran!