A few minutes later, Julian Qi called me, his voice filled with alarm.
“Sis Zoe, why did you send me money? I can earn my own tuition!”
“You’re a student. Your job is to study hard. What if you fail your classes and can’t graduate?” I said, lying in bed, my voice deliberately lazy.
“Listen to your big sister. 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…” Julian Qi seemed to choke up a little.
A pang of sadness hit me.
At the same time, I wondered if I was being too devious, taking advantage of such a naive kid.
Julian Qi thought I was being kind, but in reality, I was just a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Someone from Julian Qi’s background, who managed to get into A-University and survive in A-City, had to work much harder than others.
Putting aside all the factors involving Lila Wei, I genuinely admired someone so resilient and self-reliant.
“Say no more. If you’re short on money in the future, just tell me. Think of it as me sponsoring you. You can pay me back after you graduate and start working. If you really feel bad about it, just pay me back with a little extra for interest,” I said.
This amount of money was nothing to me.
It helped balance the scales in my mind and also helped Julian Qi.
It was a win-win.
Julian Qi must have been truly at a dead end; otherwise, he wouldn’t be working the day before school started.
After he hung up, he accepted the money and replied: *Thank you, Sis Zoe.
I will definitely pay you back in the future!*
I didn’t reply.
I tossed my phone aside and went to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up early and carefully got ready.
I chose an elegant and graceful white dress, applied light makeup to look refreshed, and slung my cello over my back.
Then, I had Leo Li drive me to A-University.
Returning to campus, I was filled with emotion.
Seeing the vibrant new students, I remembered my own first days at university, as if it were only yesterday.
Back then, I was overjoyed.
The thought of finally attending the same university as Hugh Pei, of being his fellow alumna, made me more excited than winning the lottery.
Following the route from memory, I arrived at the Music Department’s concert hall.
It was a place all music students passed through, with transparent floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a tiered performance stage in the center.
We were playing “The Blue Danube Waltz,” a classic piece.
The stage was already set.
We were assigned our positions and took our places.
There was no rehearsal or practice; we had to rely entirely on our chemistry.
But we were all talented musicians from A-University’s Music Department.
Even after years in the real world, we still had our skills.
Otherwise, we wouldn’t have dared to accept the gig.
As the beautiful melody began, I felt the passion and exuberance of the music, and my whole body relaxed.
More and more students gathered to watch.
Our ad-hoc orchestra played with even more vigor, performing several classic pieces in a row until we finally took a break at noon.
The applause was incredibly satisfying.
My eyes scanned the crowd and landed on Julian Qi.
He was standing there, his eyes sparkling as he looked at me.
When he saw me looking back, he waved, a bit shy but very friendly.
I smiled and nodded at him.
After the orchestra dispersed, I walked over to him.
“Julian.”
“Sis Zoe, I didn’t know you played the cello! You’re amazing!” Julian Qi praised me generously.
“Cello was my major in college,” I said, carrying my cello as we walked and chatted.
In this environment, I felt years younger, as if I had been reborn into my university days.
“I think girls who know music are incredibly charming,” Julian Qi said.
The wounds on his face had mostly healed, but there were still faint scars at the corners of his eyes and mouth.
Dressed in athletic shorts and a t-shirt, he had a sunny disposition.
When he said that, I felt a little dazed.
*Could he be falling for me?*
The next second, Julian Qi shattered my illusion.
“My Lila is a music major too, but she studies voice, not an instrument.”
So she was like Ella Li, aiming to be a singer.
I sighed inwardly.
It seemed Julian Qi was deeply in love with Lila Wei.
Digging that wall would be difficult.
But once Hugh Pei managed to pry Lila Wei away, I’d have my chance. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
My goal was just to find some psychological balance, not true love.
“Julian!!”
Lila Wei appeared ahead of us.
She was also in a white dress, but the youthful energy she exuded made her look more innocent than me.
Seeing me with Julian Qi, she didn’t seem suspicious at all.
Instead, she greeted me with a surprised and happy expression.
“Sis Zoe, what are you doing here?”
“I was just performing in the concert hall and happened to run into Julian,” I said with a gentle smile.
“I heard there was a stunning symphony performance in the concert hall just now. Sis Zoe, you were part of it? What a shame! I had some club business to take care of, so I missed your performance,” Lila Wei said, her pretty face full of regret.
You could tell she was genuinely disappointed.
Julian Qi replied, “No wonder I couldn’t find you. I couldn’t get through to your phone either.”
A flicker of unease crossed Lila Wei’s eyes, and she seemed a bit tired.
The smile on her lips was slightly forced.
“My phone was on vibrate today. I didn’t hear it.”
“The start of the semester is always the busiest time. Want to get lunch together? My treat,” I asked them with a smile.
Lila Wei shook her head.
“Sis Zoe, thank you for the kind offer, but I have to go sort out my dorm later. I’ll just grab a bite at the cafeteria. What about you, Julian?”
Julian Qi, of course, would follow his girlfriend’s lead without a second thought, even though I had just lent him twenty thousand last night.
“I’ll eat at the cafeteria too. Sis Zoe, next time Lila and I will treat you,” Julian Qi said sincerely.
“Alright, I’ll head out then.” I didn’t insist.
I nodded and left.
Leo Li was waiting for me.
I got in the car and said, “Let’s go back.”
As the car started and drove along the wide campus roads of A-University, my mind filled with images of myself secretly trailing Hugh Pei, always trying to come up with a reason to “accidentally” run into him.
Suddenly, a silver Lexus slowly drove past.
I wasn’t mistaken; through the half-open window, I could see Hugh Pei’s profile.
Why was he suddenly at A-University in a different car?
This one was much more low-key than his usual fleet of luxury vehicles.
The only explanation I could think of was that he was here to see Lila Wei and didn’t want to attract too much attention.
No wonder Lila Wei had looked so uneasy just now, a hint of fatigue in her eyes.
She had probably been harassed by Hugh Pei for the past couple of days.
Such an aggressive intrusion would make anyone uncomfortable at first, especially someone like Lila Wei who was already in a relationship.
I wondered if Hugh Pei had seen me.
But with his mind completely focused on Lila Wei, he probably hadn’t noticed his surroundings.