"He's the last person you should mention," Qiao Xixi said with a chuckle.
The other two: "?"
What was going on now?
Before they could ask, Qiao Xixi poured out everything like a bamboo tube emptying its contents.
"Can you imagine? Ever since I confessed to him last time, he just DISAPPEARED!
"Seriously, not a single word from him, I'm impressed! Do you think this is how he chases a girl?!
"I've never seen anyone like this in my life! Does he think that just because he confessed to me, I should obediently agree?!
"Or is he waiting for me to message him? No way, that would be too..."
Qiao Xixi took a deep breath, looking utterly speechless.
"So, I shouldn't have believed he was sincere."
If he had even a shred of sincerity, he wouldn't have gone silent for so long.
Two months!
Even a turtle would turn over!
"..."
Wen Tingxue and Xu Kexin exchanged glances, finding it hard to believe.
It was July and August, and they were both busy. Qiao Xixi was also studying for her driving license.
They didn't have many opportunities to message in the group chat, and they had assumed the two of them had made up.
But it turned out...
"After that day, you haven't seen each other or contacted each other since?"
Xu Kexin still found it hard to accept.
Staying put wasn't like Mu Chen's character.
"That's right!"
Qiao Xixi nodded indignantly.
"Not a single word, not a single meeting.
"He even came to Didu, and I didn't know."
"..."
Wen Tingxue really wanted to side with Qiao Xixi and call Mu Chen crazy.
But she somehow felt that Mu Chen wasn't the type to toy with emotions.
If he said he liked her, he truly liked her.
But...
Two months of no contact was a fact.
"Perhaps..."
Wen Tingxue pushed her suitcase towards the roadside,
while making excuses for Mu Chen, "Perhaps he was just very busy?"
"Busy? Who isn't busy? I had time to message you all while studying for my driving test.
"Is he the President that he doesn't even have a chance to look at his phone?!"
Qiao Xixi was fuming.
Xu Kexin chuckled. Qiao Xixi immediately looked at her, "You're laughing at me!"
"No, no." Xu Kexin waved her hands. "I just feel that your tone is definitely because you still have feelings for him!"
"I..."
Qiao Xixi opened her mouth to retort, but eventually changed the subject with a blushing face.
Not long after, Han Yan drove over, which quite surprised Qiao Xixi.
"How did you know I was reporting today?"
Han Yan helped with her luggage and raised his eyebrows at the question, "Because I pay attention to you."
He knew everything, from when A University started its semester to which high-speed train she was taking.
Qiao Xixi avoided his gaze, wanting to say something but fearing she might hurt him.
In the end, she could only say, "Thank you."
Her words were perfunctory, but Han Yan was happy with anything she said since he liked her.
He also knew that she had been avoiding him.
But remembering the favor from last time, she couldn't bring herself to refuse him.
The reporting process at A University wasn't that complicated.
The key was Han Yan's frighteningly wide network.
Many people at the school gave him face, so many things were done incredibly quickly.
Qiao Xixi couldn't help but suspect, "Is your base of operations in Didu?"
Otherwise, why would so many people know him?
And why would they listen to whatever he said.
Han Yan skirted the question, "I used to go to university in Didu. You know, I was always outgoing, so it's normal to have accumulated some connections, right?"
Qiao Xixi was stunned speechless for several seconds.
Han Yan, knowing what she wanted to ask, said calmly,
"I told you, I have friends here. This shop just happens to be his, and he didn't want to run it anymore, so I took over."
Qiao Xixi paused for a few seconds and asked, "If I go to Haicheng for university, will you open a shop in Haicheng?"
"Yes."
Han Yan didn't hide anything, his eyes fixed on her. "Wherever you are, I'll open a shop there."
Qiao Xixi: "..."
Qiao Xixi pursed her lips. "Han Yan, you don't have to do this. We can be friends..."
"But I don't want to be your friend." He interrupted, "I just want to be your boyfriend."
"..."
Qiao Xixi clutched the strap of her crossbody bag, remaining in a speechless silence.
Han Yan's expression turned grim for a moment, then he said forcefully,
"Qiao Xixi, you can dislike me, but you can't stop me from pursuing you."
With that, he strode into the shop.
With a look, the greeter at the door immediately came to greet them.
"Three beautiful ladies, please come in."
Qiao Xixi knew Han Yan's personality, and she had no intention of making things difficult for the greeter.
Besides, it was just a meal, and she could afford it.
"Let's go, Sister Qiao is treating today!"
Qiao Xixi pulled Wen Tingxue and Xu Kexin into the shop.
Not far away, Mu Chen, who had witnessed the entire scene, left with a dejected look.
-
After the awkward scene at the entrance, Han Yan didn't reappear.
Qiao Xixi listlessly poked at the rice in her bowl.
"That..."
After a long hesitation, she mumbled,
"Didn't he send you guys a message?"
"..."
Wen Tingxue and Xu Kexin gnawed on their chopsticks with difficulty.
There was indeed no movement from Mu Chen's end.
Their messages to him had also disappeared without a trace.
Even Que You said: I don't know where he went.
"Forget it."
No answer was the answer. Qiao Xixi gave up and said,
"Whatever he wants to do, he can do it. I'm done serving him!"
She turned her grief into appetite and ate two bowls of rice.
She was too full to consider visiting the art academy.
Of course, it could also be because Mu Chen hadn't shown up.
Or perhaps, Han Yan's forceful confession had left her with mixed feelings.
In any case, she said, "I'm a bit tired and want to go back to the dorm to sleep."
Wen Tingxue and Xu Kexin took her back to her dorm. After seeing her asleep, they left.
On the way back to the art academy, Wen Tingxue received a long list of restaurant names from Lu Youran.
Her boyfriend was treating them to dinner that night.
They were to choose a place they wanted to go.
Jiao Yutong remained silent, and she also had no interest in choosing.
Finally, Meng Xiyao picked a barbecue restaurant.
"Sigh."
Wen Tingxue couldn't help but sigh.
She had a feeling that something was going to happen at dinner tonight.
-
Xu Kexin didn't like such lively gatherings.
When the time came, Wen Tingxue left her meal card and student card.
So she could use the library.
The barbecue restaurant was not easy to find, and Wen Tingxue had to take several detours to get there.
Lu Youran and her boyfriend were waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing her, Lu Youran enthusiastically said,
"Quick, quick, you're the only one missing. This is my childhood sweetheart's boyfriend, Jing Xiao."
Posting the first chapter now, the rest should be available in the morning.