The progress bar suddenly increased, and Lin Qinghe was stunned, unable to figure out why.
Given how You Rong had turned and left with a dark expression just now, the progress bar shouldn't have increased.
After thinking hard, Lin Qinghe couldn't come up with an answer, so she decided not to think about it anymore. As long as the progress bar increased, she didn't care if You Rong was acting strange.
You Rong returned to the classroom, distracted the entire afternoon. He hadn't registered a single word the teacher said during class.
His mind was consumed by one thought: Did he still like Lin Qinghe?
No!
He absolutely could not like Lin Qinghe anymore. He knew her inside and out. Did he want to be toyed with by her a second time?
But a voice deep within his heart kept whispering, perhaps Lin Qinghe was telling the truth. It was just that she wasn't ready before, and the hurtful words she spoke in her panic were not her true intentions. You should trust her one more time!
The two voices intertwined in his mind, and a wave of bitterness spread through You Rong's heart.
He truly couldn't see through Lin Qinghe. He yearned for her to be telling the truth, yet the memory of her sharp words from the past made him unable to stop doubting her.
When You Rong got into the car to go home after school, Xiao Ziyi followed him closely, plopped down beside him, and said with a grin, "I'm coming to your place for dinner!"
You Rong scowled, wanting to kick Xiao Ziyi out, but suddenly remembered his promise to Lin Qinghe and dismissed the idea. He calmly told the driver in front, "Drive, let's go home."
The driver replied, "Yes, young master."
The car slowly started and pulled away from the entrance of A University.
Xiao Ziyi stroked his chin, looking at You Rong with a half-smile. "You looked absentminded in class this afternoon. What's wrong? Tell your brother, what big life decision are you contemplating?"
You Rong shot a cold glance at Xiao Ziyi and ignored him.
"Let me guess..." The more You Rong ignored him, the more enthusiastic Xiao Ziyi became. He playfully draped an arm over You Rong's shoulder and said, "Is it about Lin Qinghe?"
"..."
You Rong's expression darkened.
If only he had kicked Xiao Ziyi out of the car earlier. Annoying!
Xiao Ziyi was thick-skinned and acted as if he hadn't seen You Rong's disdain. He continued with a smile, "I must have guessed correctly, right? We grew up together, and you think you can hide your little feelings from me... What? You're happy that Lin Qinghe didn't accept my gift today? You still like her, don't you?"
His thoughts had been completely exposed. You Rong frowned, turned his face away, and warned, "It's none of your business! I told you, stop meddling. Don't think that just because you and Uncle Xiao made a deal, I can't do anything to you. If you dare to do anything ridiculous like you did today again, I won't hesitate to call Grandpa Xiao."
Mentioning Old Master Xiao, Xiao Ziyi's expression changed instantly, and he immediately caved.
"Alright, alright... I'm really scared of you. I won't do anything ridiculous anymore. Please, please don't call my grandpa! I've been finding things quite interesting in China recently, and I want to stay here peacefully for a while."
For some reason, their family's Old Master Xiao had always liked You Rong since he was young, thinking You Rong was well-behaved and smart. He wished he could trade You Rong with the You family and have You Rong as his grandson. Therefore, Old Master Xiao listened to no one but You Rong, his words being almost absolute.
Seeing Xiao Ziyi back down, You Rong snorted and said nothing further.
Xiao Ziyi sighed and repeatedly glanced at You Rong, hesitant to speak. The words he wanted to say finally escaped.
"You Rong, you still like Lin Qinghe, don't you? I can tell. You're like this now... are you afraid Lin Qinghe will deceive you again? Do you think she's insincerely trying to extort money from you, is that it?"
You Rong lowered his eyes, remaining silent.
He himself was conflicted about Xiao Ziyi's question.
He wanted to believe Lin Qinghe, but he couldn't stop himself from doubting her.
Xiao Ziyi took in You Rong's changing expression. His long, phoenix-like eyes narrowed, his gaze flickered, and he had an idea.
He suppressed his thoughts and deliberately teased You Rong to ease the atmosphere.
"Haha... Actually, I think you're too insecure. Regardless of who Lin Qinghe was before, with the face you have now... tsk tsk tsk, you could charm countless girls just by walking down the street. Perhaps Lin Qinghe fell deeply in love with you because of it."
Unbeknownst to him, as soon as Xiao Ziyi finished speaking, You Rong's face suddenly changed. He coldly shouted, "Stop the car!"
The driver was startled and slammed on the brakes, causing a shrill screech. The car's tires left distinct black marks on the road.
Xiao Ziyi, due to the sudden braking, hit his forehead on the seat in front and cried out in pain, clutching his head. "Ouch, that hurts so much! My forehead will surely be bruised. You Rong, what are you doing?"
You Rong's face was grim. Without a word, he opened the car door and kicked Xiao Ziyi out of the car.
He completely ignored Xiao Ziyi, who was staring in disbelief, and coldly said, "Drive!"
Seeing You Rong's unusual demeanor, the driver didn't dare to ask further and quickly started the car to leave.
Xiao Ziyi stood by the roadside, completely dumbfounded.
It wasn't until You Rong's car sped away and completely disappeared from sight that he came back to his senses and angrily exclaimed, "You Rong! You're something else, leaving me on the side of the road like this. I... our more than ten years of brotherhood have truly gone to the dogs!"
After his outburst, Xiao Ziyi quickly calmed down. He took out his phone and called for a taxi to leave.
After all, he was a good brother who doted on his younger sibling and wouldn't hold a grudge.
Instead, he would repay kindness with grievance. He had to quickly find a way to verify whether Lin Qinghe's feelings for You Rong were genuine, so that You Rong wouldn't be tormented by self-doubt all day.
Inside the car.
You Rong closed his eyes to rest, his thin lips pressed tightly together. His cold, stern face exuded a chilling aura.
Xiao Ziyi's words had struck a nerve.
The idea that Lin Qinghe only liked him because of his changed appearance.
In the end, Lin Qinghe didn't truly love him. If someone better-looking appeared one day, she would still fall for them.
-------------------------------------
Lin Qinghe's dormitory.
Lin Qinghe, lying on her bed, stared wide-eyed at the ceiling, utterly sleepless.
She was contemplating how to continue increasing the progress bar.
After much thought, she suddenly remembered that You Rong's birthday was in a week.
Lin Qinghe decided to give You Rong a birthday present. After considering various options, she felt that basketball shoes would be the most suitable gift for a guy.
Lin Qinghe browsed online and found that the shoes she would consider gifting cost around five to six thousand yuan.
This amount was genuinely beyond her current financial means.
So, Lin Qinghe again considered taking on a part-time job.
Lin Qinghe immediately took out her phone and called the glamorous KTV where she had previously worked part-time. Upon learning that they were still hiring part-time staff, she agreed without hesitation and arranged to start her new job tomorrow evening.