Seeing that she had managed to brush it off, Shen Jinyao breathed a sigh of relief.
As soon as they left the classroom, she abruptly slapped away his dog paw.
The two of them arrived at an empty stairwell.
At this time, everyone was rushing to their next classroom, so it quickly emptied out.
Seeing that no one was around, Shen Jinyao turned around and glared at him angrily.
“He Zongye! I told you to brush it off, not to spout nonsense.”
“What else? Do you have a better idea?”
Shen Jinyao opened her mouth… She really didn’t have one.
But still, she felt something was off.
And deeply aggrieved.
“Next time, call me when there’s no one around. Don’t run into people we know again.”
He Zongye’s gaze flickered slightly, a playful look in his eyes as he regarded her. “Want to have a secret affair with me?”
Shen Jinyao adjusted her hat and mask. At his words, her face flushed bright red, and she clenched her fists. “What nonsense are you talking about?”
He Zongye raised an eyebrow. “If not, then what are you afraid of?”
Shen Jinyao glanced around—quite a few people were looking their way. She lowered her voice. “If people find out you’ve got something on me, how am I supposed to hold my head up in this circle?”
Everyone in the industry knew the two of them didn’t get along. They’d go at each other’s throats the moment they met, and even sitting down to have a civil conversation was a pipe dream.
She had a hold over her, and that wasn’t something she could just go around telling people.
“No one’s allowed to know about our deal, or I’ll fight you to the death.”
She warned him fiercely through her mask, her clear peach-blossom eyes glaring at him, like a little rabbit that had been cornered.
He Zongye reached out and flicked the brim of her hat down again. “Why should I listen to you?”
A hint of teasing gleamed in his deep, dark eyes. “Or you could call me ‘big brother,’ and I’ll agree.”
Shen Jinyao still had to run back to class. She shot him a glare, quickly kicked him, and ran off with her bag.
Did he really think she was that stupid?
After class, Shen Jinyao and Meng Qingqing headed to the cafeteria together.
Xie Zhiyu lived close to the cafeteria and had already saved seats for the two of them.
He Zongye’s messages kept dinging incessantly, like a death warrant.
Shen Jinyao pretended not to see them, until He Zongye sent a photo.
High definition.
Startled, Shen Jinyao immediately pressed her phone to her chest. Meng Qingqing noticed something was off and asked while chewing on a gummy candy, “What’s wrong?”
“Um, Qingqing, you go ahead and eat. I need to head off campus for something.”
Meng Qingqing said cheerfully, “I’ll come with you.”
“No, no,” Shen Jinyao said, a look of discomfort on her face as her mind raced to come up with an excuse. “I’ll be quick. You guys eat first.”
With that, she hurried away.
Meng Qingqing?
How weird.
Shen Jinyao arrived off campus. Near Jing University there was a food street, and some of the restaurants there were quite good—moderate in size, clean, and well-kept.
Sometimes when the three of them didn’t feel like eating at the cafeteria, they’d treat themselves to something nice outside.
She moved quickly and arrived in ten minutes. Just as she stepped through the restaurant entrance, a voice from behind called out to her.
“Jinyao.”
Shen Jinyao turned to look. The young man wore a clean white shirt, with warm, handsome features and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. Every inch of him radiated a gentlemanly, courteous demeanor.
Shen Jinyao’s tone carried a hint of delight. “Yuchu, you’re eating here too?”
Duan Yuchu nodded. “Just stepped out to take a call. My classmates are upstairs.” His gaze settled on her. “No major courses this afternoon?”
“Mhm, just an elective and Chinese Dance History.”
The two walked in side by side.
Duan Yuchu said, “Let’s eat together then. Save you the trouble of waiting in line.”
This restaurant was very popular among students from the surrounding universities. It was packed during meal times, with prices ranging from affordable to pricey, and the food was all top-notch.
The second and third floors had private rooms, which were more expensive. Those from well-off families would opt for the private rooms, which also meant there weren’t enough of them and people had to wait in line.
Shen Jinyao was about to agree without hesitation when her expression froze. She almost forgot she was supposed to be meeting He Zongye.
He Zongye and Duan Yuchu didn’t get along—even worse than she and He Zongye did.
Shen Jinyao waved her hand. “No need. My classmate already got in line ahead of time.”
Duan Yuchu didn’t insist. “Alright, then let’s head back to school together after we eat.”
Shen Jinyao agreed.
She and Duan Yuchu had known each other since childhood. They were even classmates in middle school and had been desk mates. Their relationship had become close starting from those middle school years.
Shen Jinyao really liked Duan Yuchu’s personality and temperament. The two of them got along very harmoniously—old friends of many years, so they never stood on ceremony with each other.
When they reached the second floor, Duan Yuchu asked her, “Which private room are you in?”
Shen Jinyao looked up, and her steps suddenly halted. Duan Yuchu, who had been watching her, noticed her stop and followed her gaze.
At the door of the private room on the left ahead, He Zongye stood tall, hands in his pockets, shoulders leaning lazily against the doorframe. His dark eyes simply watched the two of them in silence.
Shen Jinyao knew things were bad—her lie was about to be exposed in the next second, and it was a bit awkward.
Duan Yuchu’s clear, gentle brows showed a hint of surprise as he greeted him, “A’Ye, what a coincidence. You’re eating here too.”
He Zongye’s expression was cold and proud, his eyes carrying a chill as he let out a light scoff. “What, is this Second Young Master Duan’s territory? Am I not allowed to come?”
Duan Yuchu didn’t seem annoyed by his sharpness. Instead, a faint smile played at the corners of his lips. “Of course I can.”
He Zongye didn’t look at him again. Instead, he addressed Shen Jinyao directly. “You’re not coming over here to be with him, are you?”
Shen Jinyao glanced at Duan Yuchu with some embarrassment. She had lied to her good friend, and now she had to cover it up somehow. “My mom told me to come with him.”
Meaning: I don’t want to be with him either—my mom made me.
Duan Yuchu had been somewhat surprised at first, but when she said that, he understood.
“Call me if you need anything. I’ll be right across the street.”
Shen Jinyao let out a sigh of relief and nodded. “Okay.”
A trace of cold ferocity flickered across the boy’s sharp features. “No need. What’s it got to do with you?”
He Zongye was too aggressive. Afraid he might say something else that would blow her cover, Shen Jinyao hurried over and pushed him inside.
The moment the door closed, the warm and obedient expression on Shen Jinyao’s face instantly shifted. “Have you ordered? Once you’re done eating, we go our separate ways.”
He Zongye watched her expression change faster than flipping a book. He reached out and grabbed the back of her neck, forcing her to look up at him. “Let me see if you’re wearing a mask—how do you change so fast?”
As he spoke, his other hand mischievously pinched her fair, tender cheek.
The boy’s crisp scent of mint and cedarwood rushed toward her as the distance between them suddenly closed. Shen Jinyao’s heart skipped a beat. Hearing his teasing words, she immediately struggled.
She pushed him away and let out a dry laugh. “Only for you.”
He Zongye curled his lips. “How honored I am.”
Shen Jinyao took it as sarcasm. After the meal, she couldn’t wait to leave.
Just then, Duan Yuchu called, asking if she was done eating.
He Zongye watched the sweet smile at the corners of the girl’s lips, and found it more irritating with every passing second.
He grabbed her bag directly. “Walk me back.”
“Wait, we agreed—after the meal, we’re done. How can you just change your mind like that?”
He Zongye looked down at her, holding her bag in his hand, a hint of mockery in his cold expression. “Did I say I’d let you go after the meal?”
Shen Jinyao was so angry her teeth itched. She glared at him fiercely.
He Zongye let out a light laugh, continuing to provoke her. “What, want to bite me?” He generously extended his arm to her. “Here, consider it a bonus.”
Shen Jinyao looked at his firm, taut forearm and could imagine the explosive strength contained within it.
The next second, she was annoyed at herself for starting to think about all sorts of nonsense.
Shen Jinyao suppressed her irritation. “Give me my bag back.”
He Zongye turned and strolled out lazily. “What are you thinking? This is my hostage—how could I just hand it over so easily?”