A few minutes later, Qi Zhouyang called back, his voice filled with trepidation. “Xu Jie, why did you transfer money to me? I can earn enough for my tuition myself!”
“You’re still a student. Focusing on your studies is what really matters. What if you fail your courses and can’t graduate?” I lay on the bed, allowing a hint of laziness to seep into my voice. “Listen to me, A University is a great school. Don’t waste your time on endless part-time jobs. Study hard, and you’ll have a bright future. You can pay me back after you graduate and get a job.”
“I…” Qi Zhouyang seemed to choke up slightly.
A sudden pang of guilt struck me, along with the thought that I might be too cunning, taking advantage of such an innocent young man. Qi Zhouyang thought I was being kind, but in reality, I was just putting on a show.
For someone like Qi Zhouyang, coming from his background, getting into A University and surviving in City A required far greater effort than most. Setting aside all the complications with Wei Lan, I genuinely admired his resilience and determination.
“Enough said. If you need money in the future, just let me know. Consider it a sponsorship. You can pay me back after you graduate and start working. If you still feel uneasy, you can add a little extra as interest,” I said.
This amount of money meant nothing to me, but it helped balance my conscience while also assisting Qi Zhouyang—a win-win situation.
Qi Zhouyang must have truly been at the end of his rope, otherwise he wouldn’t still be working part-time jobs the day before classes started.
After hanging up, Qi Zhouyang accepted the money and replied: Thank you, Xu Jie. I will definitely pay you back in the future!
I didn’t respond, tossing my phone aside and going to sleep.
Early the next morning, I got up and dressed meticulously. An elegant white dress and light makeup gave me a fresh, radiant look. After slinging my cello over my shoulder, I had Xiao Li drive me to A University.
Returning to campus stirred a flood of emotions within me. Watching the energetic freshmen, I recalled my own first days at university, as if it were only yesterday.
Back then, I was overjoyed, thrilled that I had finally been accepted into the same university as Pei Heng. The thought of us becoming alumni was more exciting than winning five million.
Following the route from memory, I arrived at the Music Department’s concert hall—a place every music student passed through, surrounded by transparent floor-to-ceiling glass, with a tiered performance platform at its center.
Fifty-two alumni, including myself, had gathered to perform today. We were playing “The Blue Danube Waltz,” a timeless classic.
The performance platform was already set up. After a quick allocation of positions, we took our places. There were no rehearsals or practice sessions—everything relied on our tacit understanding.
But all of us were talents who had graduated from A University’s Music Department. Even after years in the workforce, we still retained our skills—otherwise, we wouldn’t have dared to accept the invitation.
As the beautiful melody began, I immersed myself in the music’s passionate and unrestrained flow, feeling completely relaxed.
The crowd of watching students grew larger, and our impromptu orchestra played with even more vigor. We performed several classic pieces in a row, only stopping around noon.
The thunderous applause was immensely satisfying. As my eyes scanned the crowd, I spotted Qi Zhouyang standing there, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at me. Noticing that I had seen him, he waved shyly but warmly.
I smiled and nodded at him. After the orchestra dispersed, I walked over toward him. “Xiao Qi.”
“Sister Xu, I didn’t know you could play the cello—that’s amazing!” Qi Zhouyang didn’t hold back his praise.
“I majored in cello in college,” I replied, carrying my cello on my back as we walked and chatted. In this environment, I felt as if I had suddenly become much younger, almost as if I had been reborn into my university days.
“I think girls who are skilled in music are incredibly charming,” Qi Zhouyang said. The injuries on his face had mostly healed, though faint scars still lingered at the corners of his mouth and eyes. Dressed in a sporty short-sleeved shirt and shorts, he radiated a sunny aura. Hearing his words, I felt a little dazed.
Could he already have a crush on me?
The next moment, Qi Zhouyang shattered my illusion. “My Lan Lan also studies music, but she focuses on vocal performance, not instrumental.”
Wasn’t that the same as Li You? Aiming to become a singer in the future, then.
I sighed inwardly. It seemed Qi Zhouyang’s feelings for Wei Lan ran deep indeed. Poaching him would be challenging, but once Pei Heng managed to sway Wei Lan, an opportunity would open up for me. After all, my goal was to find some psychological balance, not true love.
“A Yang!!”
Wei Lan’s figure appeared ahead. She, too, wore a white dress, but her vibrant, youthful energy made her seem even more innocent than me.
Seeing me with Qi Zhouyang, she showed no suspicion. Instead, she greeted me with delight. “Sister Xu, what are you doing here?”
“I just performed in the concert hall and happened to run into Xiao Qi,” I replied with a gentle smile.
“I heard there was an amazing symphony performance in the concert hall earlier. Were you really part of it? What a pity—I had some club matters to attend to and missed your performance,” Wei Lan said, her pretty face filled with genuine regret.
“No wonder I couldn’t find you, and your phone was unreachable,” Qi Zhouyang added.
A flicker of unease crossed Wei Lan’s eyes, accompanied by a trace of weariness. Her smile seemed forced. “I had my phone on vibrate today and didn’t hear it.”
“The start of the semester is always the busiest time. Would you like to grab a meal together? My treat,” I asked both of them with a smile.
Wei Lan shook her head. “Thank you for the offer, Sister Xu, but I still need to tidy up my dorm later. I’ll just eat at the cafeteria. What about you, A Yang?”
Of course, Qi Zhouyang unhesitatingly followed his girlfriend’s lead, even though I had lent him twenty thousand just the night before.
“I’ll eat at the cafeteria too, Sister Xu. Next time, Lan Lan and I will treat you,” Qi Zhouyang said earnestly.
“Alright, I’ll head back then,” I said without pressing further. After nodding, I left.
Xiao Li was waiting for me. Once I got in the car, I instructed, “Let’s go back.”
As the car started and drove along the broad campus roads of A University, memories surfaced of me secretly chasing after Pei Heng every day, always contriving excuses to stage “coincidental” encounters.
Suddenly, a silver Lexus slowly passed by. If my eyes didn’t deceive me, through the half-open window was Pei Heng’s profile.
Why had he suddenly switched cars and appeared at A University? This vehicle was much more low-key compared to his collection of luxury cars.
The only explanation I could come up with was that he was here to see Wei Lan—and he didn’t want to draw too much attention.
No wonder Wei Lan’s expression seemed so unnatural earlier, with a trace of weariness between her brows. She must have been harassed by Pei Heng these past couple of days. After all, such an aggressive approach would make anyone uncomfortable initially, especially someone like Wei Lan who already has feelings for another.
I wonder if Pei Heng noticed me earlier, but he was so focused on Wei Lan that he probably paid no attention to his surroundings.