The air froze for several seconds after An Ran spoke.
Hu Qianhao's face, which had been full of smiles, stiffened.
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Huh?!?!"
Hu Qianhao's eyes widened in disbelief.
*Director!*
*Did I get the wrong script?*
*Am I dreaming?*
*What did An Ran just say?*
*It sounds like she wants me to help her pursue Wang Yue?*
*Doesn't she like me?*
*Director, come out here!*
*This script is completely wrong!*
*I demand a script change!!!*
Hu Qianhao was stunned.
He now understood how a single sentence could send someone from heaven to hell.
However, An Ran didn't notice Hu Qianhao's distress.
She continued, "I heard you were desk mates with Wang Yue for a year, so you must know his preferences well. But Wang Yue seems to have a prejudice against me, and it's too difficult for me to win him over. So I want you to help me."
"Can you?"
An Ran asked with hopeful eyes.
"Can you?"
"You're asking if I can?"
"Do you think I can?!"
Hu Qianhao roared inwardly with anguish.
This was truly a tragic story. He thought love had finally come to him, only to have it shatter in an instant.
"So, you brought me breakfast and helped me out of that situation, all because you want me to help you pursue Brother Yue, is that it?"
Hu Qianhao, unable to hide his sadness, forced himself to speak calmly.
"Yes."
An Ran nodded frankly. "You just said you'd help me with anything."
"I understand."
Hu Qianhao took a deep breath, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill.
*That's it then. It'll be impolite to say more.*
"I will help you."
After speaking, Hu Qianhao turned around decisively and headed for the classroom.
But the moment he turned his back, he wore a mask of agony.
"Ah, pain, so much pain!"
An Ran watched Hu Qianhao's retreating figure.
Her face was also filled with apology.
"Hu Qianhao, I'm sorry. I know you like me."
"But I want to be with the person I like even more."
"You're a good person," An Ran thought to herself.
Back in the classroom, Hu Qianhao felt as if his soul had been drained.
He walked back to his seat expressionlessly and sat down in silence.
Many people were watching Hu Qianhao at this time.
Seeing him in such a dejected state, many began to speculate.
"Why is Hu Qianhao so down? Did he break up?"
"Hahaha, I knew Hu Qianhao could never be with An Ran. They don't suit each other at all. I still have a chance!"
"An Ran must have made things clear. How could a cute girl like An Ran be with him?"
"Let's disperse. Can't you see he's so sad?"
Hu Qianhao turned a deaf ear to the whispers. His mind was filled with An Ran's face and voice.
Sometimes, fate is truly melodramatic. You like someone, you think you have a chance, only to realize in the end that in your dying moments, you discover you were the fool all along.
Hu Qianhao was usually resilient, but even he felt unbearable pain right now.
Just then, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
He listlessly looked up and saw a pair of eyes as bright as stars.
"Haozi, are you okay?" Wang Yue asked.
"I... I'm fine."
Hu Qianhao wanted to shake off Wang Yue's hand and demand to know why An Ran liked him and not him. But looking into those eyes, he felt that An Ran truly belonged with someone as dazzling as Brother Yue. If she were with him, she would probably be mocked all day.
"What did An Ran say to you?" Wang Yue sat down next to Hu Qianhao and asked.
"N-nothing much."
Hu Qianhao shook his head. In his past life, Hu Qianhao had also been hurt by An Ran, just not as deeply. Back then, An Ran hadn't brought him breakfast, and she had always kept him at a distance. So when she suddenly pulled away, Hu Qianhao hadn't been this heartbroken.
"Come on, man, don't be so mopey over a girl," Wang Yue punched Hu Qianhao lightly. "Cheer up! Your true love is Sister Xia. Gather your courage and pursue her. It'll save you over ten years of detours."
Seeing Wang Yue's frankness, Hu Qianhao felt a sense of relief. That's right, Brother Yue was so outstanding; it was only natural for An Ran to like him. It wasn't his fault. If he were a girl, he'd probably like such an excellent man too.
"Brother Yue, what if I told you that the person An Ran likes is you?"
However, Hu Qianhao still voiced the words he had been holding back.
"No wonder you had resentment in your eyes just now," Wang Yue chuckled and said, "You actually believe that? I really don't know what to say. Besides, even if she did like me, it wouldn't matter. Our friendship can't be ruined by a woman."
Hearing Wang Yue say this, Hu Qianhao felt much better. His eyes regained their sparkle.
"Brother Yue, you're right. Brothers are like hands and feet, women are like clothes! I was too narrow-minded. I've come to my senses!" Hu Qianhao nodded emphatically.
"It's good that you've come to your senses," Wang Yue said, patting Hu Qianhao's shoulder. "I'm going back to my seat."
Hu Qianhao watched Wang Yue's dashing figure disappear. He thought to himself, "One day, I'll be as dashing as Brother Yue!"
...
After school, Wang Yue first took Qiao Zixuan home. Then, he went to the milk tea shop. It had been open for quite some time, and the business was still booming. The busiest times were always before and after classes.
"It seems the idea of opening a milk tea shop was right. I should open a branch in front of No. 1 Middle School and make 'Water Mercury' famous throughout every corner of this small town!" Wang Yue already had a grand vision in his mind. He imagined the magnificent scene of his branches in every city he visited.
Wang Yue sat in the shop for a while. Although the employees wanted to chat with their boss, they were too busy to pay any attention to him. It wasn't until most of the students had left that the staff finally had a moment of respite.
"Boss, do you have any new instructions?" Liu Qingxia asked with a smile as she approached.
"Do you know anyone suitable to be a deputy store manager?" Wang Yue asked with a smile.
"Ah? Boss, did I do something wrong?" Liu Qingxia asked, bewildered. To be honest, she cherished this job very much, as high-paying positions like this were hard to find.
"Boss, please don't fire Sister Xia! She's very dedicated and responsible at work!"
"Exactly! Boss, please reconsider. Sister Xia is very capable!" The other employees also pleaded.
"Who said I was going to fire Sister Xia?" Wang Yue smiled.
"Then what do you mean, boss?" Liu Qingxia asked cautiously.
"I'm opening a new branch. Are you interested in being the store manager?"