The students below erupted in a flurry of chatter.
"Aren't those You Rong and Lin Qinghe? Why are they standing up there holding hands? Didn't Lin Qinghe confess to You Rong not too long ago, only to be rejected?"
"I don't know... Someone on the school forum revealed that You Rong and Lin Qinghe are already dating."
"No way, You Rong is so handsome now, how could he still like someone like Lin Qinghe who's after vanity? It's truly an era where people only care about looks, and morality has become unimportant?"
"But setting that aside... Standing together now, a handsome guy and a beautiful girl, they do look quite a match!"
You Rong ignored the chaotic discussions of the students below. Holding the microphone, he gazed at Lin Qinghe with a serious expression and said, "Today, right here, I want to confess my feelings to Lin Qinghe."
You Rong paused, "I haven't prepared anything today. I just want to tell you, I like you! Can you be my girlfriend?"
Lin Qinghe's eyes curved, her smile faint, and she nodded emphatically, replying loudly, "Yes! I'm willing to be your girlfriend!"
The students below erupted once more as if a pot had boiled over.
"What! Wasn't Lin Qinghe the one pursuing You Rong? How did it turn into You Rong pursuing Lin Qinghe? What's going on? And isn't You Rong supposed to be engaged?!"
"About the engagement, didn't you see the entertainment news this morning? They've already denied it, saying it was baseless."
"Sigh... I don't understand, but I know I've eaten enough dog food! When will it be my turn to find a partner!"
A girl lamented in agreement, "Exactly, exactly... Our school has a rare handsome guy, and now he's gone, sob... Our path to finding a partner is long and arduous!"
You Rong pulled her into his arms.
They held each other quietly, without a word spoken.
Lin Qinghe understood that You Rong's confession today was to prove to everyone that it was he who liked her, he who pursued her, and to silence those who gossiped behind her back, calling her shameless for chasing him.
As they embraced tightly, Lin Qinghe's cheek rested against You Rong's chest. Besides hearing his strong heartbeat, she also heard him softly whisper, "Thank you..."
At the same moment, the system's prompt tone sounded again: "Progress bar increased by 5%, total progress is 76%."
-------------------------------------
Noon.
You Rong's classroom.
Lin Qinghe came as usual to find You Rong for lunch. As soon as she entered, Xiao Ziyi said sourly, "Here they come again, here they come again... Can't you two lovebirds have some humanity? Do you have to flaunt your affection in front of me every day and feed me dog food!"
Lin Qinghe rolled her eyes at Xiao Ziyi, "No! We're already being generous by not minding you being a third wheel, and you dare to say we're showing off to you."
"I!"
Xiao Ziyi was momentarily speechless, unable to retort. He looked at You Rong, intending to ask him to mediate, but upon seeing You Rong gazing at Lin Qinghe with doting affection, he immediately gave up.
Hoping You Rong would settle the dispute... who knew where that judgment would lean!
Under Xiao Ziyi's resentful gaze, Lin Qinghe and You Rong were enjoying their lunch intimately when suddenly, the classroom door was knocked. Wen Qianyun stood outside, timidly asking, "Um... can I come in? Will I be disturbing you?"
Upon seeing Wen Qianyun, Lin Qinghe's heart skipped a beat.
She couldn't help but be nervous. After all, in the normal storyline, Wen Qianyun was the female lead and had almost gotten engaged to You Rong. She seemed like a dangerous presence.
You Rong remained silent, his expression indifferent.
As Lin Qinghe pondered how to respond to Wen Qianyun, Xiao Ziyi grinned, patted the seat next to him with familiar ease, "It's okay, it's okay... you're not disturbing us, come on over."
Wen Qianyun's eyes lit up, and she quickly walked over, saying thank you before sitting in the seat next to Xiao Ziyi. She then appeared somewhat embarrassed, frequently stealing glances at Lin Qinghe and You Rong.
Xiao Ziyi continued to exercise his familiarity, smiling and asking, "Miss Wen, right? Is there something you're looking for?"
Wen Qianyun smiled sweetly, "If you don't mind, just call me Qianyun. I came today..."
Wen Qianyun's eyes sparkled as she said, "I wanted to find Sister Qinghe!"
Lin Qinghe looked slightly surprised upon hearing this, "Looking for me?"
She wasn't exactly close to Wen Qianyun. If she wasn't looking for You Rong, why would she come looking for her?
Wen Qianyun suppressed her excitement and nodded, "Yes! I came to find you! I've wanted to thank you for being kidnapped last time, but I haven't had the chance. I just went to your classroom and heard from your classmate that you were looking for Brother You Rong, so I came over. I really... thank you so much!"
Wen Qianyun's sincere gratitude was the exact opposite of the love-rival confrontation Lin Qinghe had anticipated, causing her to feel a bit flustered and unsure how to respond.
"Um... it's nothing, don't worry about it. You were saved more because of your own efforts, it had little to do with me."
Wen Qianyun shook her head vigorously, firmly refuting, "No! I was so scared when I ran out of that abandoned factory. It was your encouragement that made me persist, telling me not to be afraid and to run quickly. Without you... I would have just frozen there, not knowing what to do."
Lin Qinghe relaxed a bit and smiled in response, "Any normal girl would be scared in that situation. You were already very brave and amazing!"
"Really? You don't think I was... useless? If I hadn't been too scared and alerted the thugs, both of us could have escaped, and you wouldn't have gotten hurt later. I also heard... the thugs almost harmed you later..." Wen Qianyun lowered her head, her eyes reddening as she spoke, filled with guilt and self-reproach.
Seeing this, Lin Qinghe quickly took her hand and comforted her, "No! You were truly very brave, believe me!" Sudan Novel Network
Wen Qianyun nodded, unable to hide her joy, "That's great, you don't think I'm useless. I really like Sister Qinghe, can we be friends?"
Lin Qinghe said without hesitation, "Of course!"
Having more friends is always better than having one more love rival.
Wen Qianyun's eyes sparkled, "That's wonderful! Can I ask you to go shopping together in the future?"
Lin Qinghe replied, "No problem!"
"Then we can go watch movies together, and we can also go for milk tea!"
"Mhm, okay..."
Watching the two girls chatting happily, Xiao Ziyi stroked his chin and leaned over to You Rong, whispering, "Don't you think this scene is a bit like something out of a TV drama? After the hero saves the damsel, she falls for him at first sight..."
You Rong's eyes darkened, and he kicked Xiao Ziyi, giving him a warning look.
Xiao Ziyi clutched his foot, wincing in pain.
He was just making a joke, was that really necessary! Was it!
This guy was jealous even of the girls!