Lin Qinghe took a bath and changed into clean clothes. She had sorted out her thoughts, putting aside her embarrassing past, and resolved to act pitiful towards You Rong to increase the progress bar.
Lin Qinghe went downstairs. You Rong was sitting alone on the sofa; the servants were nowhere to be seen.
Lin Qinghe's gaze flickered. She walked over, her eyes slightly red.
This was the result of her rubbing her eyes hard just before coming out. She looked like she had just cried, appearing pitiful and deserving of affection. She didn't believe You Rong could remain unmoved.
Lin Qinghe stood before You Rong and pretended to be timid, saying, "Um… thank you for saving me…"
You Rong glanced at Lin Qinghe, recalling the messages she had sent. A surge of anger welled up, and his face darkened. "You're a grown person, don't you have a brain! Why were you locked in that classroom? What were you doing there!"
"I…" Lin Qinghe lowered her head, feeling wronged. "A female classmate asked me to help her get some teaching equipment needed by the teacher, so I went. I didn't expect… she locked me in the classroom."
"You…"
You Rong stopped short, unsure whether to be angry or not.
He was the one responsible for Lin Qinghe being bullied at school.
You Rong stewed for a moment before finally scolding, "Then why didn't you call the teacher? Why didn't you call your friends? Why did you call and text me! If I hadn't seen it, you would have been locked up there all night! Do you know that!"
"I…" Lin Qinghe's eyelashes trembled. White mist gathered in her eyes, gradually forming tears that welled up. "I didn't think at the time, I only thought of you. Later… later my phone ran out of battery…"
Lin Qinghe inwardly wanted to punch You Rong.
If it weren't for the need to increase the progress bar, I would have smashed the door down and left. Why would I need you to save me!
You Rong seemed scalded by the tears welling up in Lin Qinghe's eyes. The scolding words that were at his lips could no longer be uttered. He even felt flustered and uneasy.
He wanted to comfort her but couldn't find the words.
Lin Qinghe sniffled and said with a choked voice, "I'm sorry to have troubled you. It won't happen again. Thank you today. I… I'll go back to school now. I'll wash your clothes and return them to you."
Lin Qinghe put on a brave face, as if suppressing her grievances, and turned to walk towards the door.
Lin Qinghe was counting silently.
One, two, three!
As expected, You Rong called out to her, "Wait! It's so late, you won't be able to get a taxi around here. Do you want to walk back? You'll reach A University by dawn!"
"No… no, it's fine. I'll find a way to get a taxi back."
Seeing Lin Qinghe's insistence on leaving, You Rong felt inexplicably annoyed. His face darkened, and he stepped forward, grabbing her wrist. He said coldly, "Even if you can get a taxi, the school will be closed. You won't be able to get in. You'll stay at my place tonight and go back to school tomorrow morning."
Lin Qinghe secretly glanced at You Rong and mumbled, "I can find a hotel to stay in for the night and go back to school tomorrow… I don't want to stay here. I know you hate me right now, and I don't want to be an unwelcome guest…"
You Rong looked at Lin Qinghe with a complex expression. After a long silence, his expression softened into helplessness. He uttered, "...I don't hate you."
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up, and she eagerly asked, "You don't hate me, which means you still like me, right?"
Meeting Lin Qinghe's expectant gaze, You Rong's expression changed slightly. He pursed his lips and avoided the question, "It's getting late. Go to the guest room and rest. I'll take you back to school tomorrow."
With that, You Rong strode upstairs into his room, ignoring Lin Qinghe's calls.
Lin Qinghe watched You Rong's figure disappear from view with frustration and sighed.
"Sigh… Seriously? I've acted this pitiful, and You Rong still doesn't react at all? This is not scientific!"
Just then, a system prompt sounded in her mind, "Progress bar increased by 5%. Total progress bar is 11%."
Lin Qinghe's eyes widened, and she was ecstatic.
Although You Rong didn't say it, he wasn't entirely unresponsive. His attitude towards her was softening, and the increased progress bar was proof!
Seeing the progress bar increase, Lin Qinghe's mood improved significantly, and she returned to the guest room with a smile.
You Rong's bedroom.
After returning to his room, You Rong sulked and went into the bathroom, letting the cold shower drench him.
After a while, he recalled what Lin Qinghe had said publicly in the past, her mocking gaze, her words piercing his heart like knives.
You Rong chuckled self-mockingly.
Lin Qinghe is such a hypocrite! Her words can't be trusted! Don't be a fool anymore!
You Rong walked to the washbasin mirror. His reflection showed sharp, handsome features. For some reason, he still saw his former chubby, foolish, and ugly self.
You Rong's gaze turned colder.
He would never trust Lin Qinghe again!
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Lin Qinghe slept soundly. She woke up, washed up, and went downstairs. Her eyes were bright as she approached You Rong and greeted him, "Good morning, You Rong!"
You Rong gave her a cold glance and grunted, "Mm. Eat breakfast, and then we'll go to school."
After speaking, You Rong didn't look at Lin Qinghe again and sat down at the dining table to eat.
Lin Qinghe froze, her brows furrowed.
That's strange. You Rong's attitude seemed to have softened last night, but why had he reverted to his cold demeanor today, barely willing to say a word to her?
It wasn't Lin Qinghe's imagination. As she ate breakfast opposite You Rong, she racked her brains for conversation topics.
You Rong consistently responded with "Mm," "Oh," or a dismissive glance, or even no glance at all by the end.
After breakfast, You Rong and Lin Qinghe went to A University together.
In the car, Lin Qinghe rested her chin on her hand, looking at You Rong's profile reflected in the car window, her face filled with worry.
What was wrong with this person? He changed his mind as quickly as flipping a page!
The critical point was that she couldn't figure out the reason for his sudden change no matter how hard she tried.
Upon arriving at A University, as soon as Lin Qinghe got out of the car and was about to say something to You Rong, he turned and walked away, giving her no chance.
Lin Qinghe stared at You Rong's cold and heartless back, grinding her teeth in anger.
Even after losing her self-awareness, she was still as detestable as in the real world!
Despite You Rong's words about not trusting Lin Qinghe and not wanting to be involved with her anymore, he secretly had someone find the principal of A University and expel the girl who had locked Lin Qinghe in the equipment room.
From then on, those who wanted to trouble Lin Qinghe to gain favor with You Rong were hesitant to act, unsure of You Rong's intentions.
Without the constant troubles, Lin Qinghe's days at A University had been much more comfortable for the past two days.