After chatting for about one hour, Shen Ran felt a bit lightheaded, though she had grasped the general key points and was ready to practice. Right now, a giant question loomed in her mind.
Why did Su Yichen, a guy, understand the techniques for girls pursuing boys so well? His reasoning was so clear.
She had many questions, but for the young girl, this was far beyond her league; it was not something she could figure out right now.
“Shen Ran.”
“Hmm? What is it, Teacher Su?”
Seeing that they were almost done talking, Su Yichen changed the subject and asked, “Do you… know Mo Qingqiu?”
His tone was casual, as if chatting about an incidental topic after a meal. “I saw you two arrive together today. Did you happen to meet her when you went to the literary and artistic union department?”
“Mo Qingqiu…”
Shen Ran didn’t think much of it and said, “No, we actually had an appointment beforehand. I’ve known her for a while.”
“For a while?” Su Yichen looked curious. “How did you meet such a beautiful senior? She has such an aura; I’ve never seen a girl so beautiful and elegant.”
“Yes, Mo Qingqiu is amazing, and she’s very kind and gentle.” Shen Ran nodded.
“I met her on our school forum after I received my admission letter. She helped me answer so many questions. I met her when I first started school, and I often go to the art academy to visit her.”
“I see…” Su Yichen murmured thoughtfully. “So the reason you went to the literary and artistic union department… was because Mo Qingqiu was there?”
“Yes, because we agreed on it beforehand.”
Shen Ran spoke obediently. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something and added, “I was a bit hesitant about which specific department to join at first, but later I found out Jiang Jingjie was there. So, I decided on the music department.”
“He’s going to the music department… It probably has something to do with Ming Li, right?” Su Yichen said.
“I’m not sure about that. I think… it probably is.” Shen Ran scratched her head, her tone uncertain.
Su Yichen fell silent. He felt his train of thought was stuck in a strange loop; there was one point he hadn’t quite grasped.
Setting aside himself and Tong Ya, there was Luo Yueli, Jiang Jingjie, and Shen Ran… all appearing in the same department.
These three people alone could fill a campus romance novel about a love triangle. And yet, this trio could be together at the same time.
Wait…
“Shen Ran, does Mo Qingqiu know you like Jiang Jingjie? Have you told her?”
“I have. She knows. She even said she would help me.”
“!”
Su Yichen’s eyes narrowed sharply. Combining this with her behavior at the dessert house today, the logical circle closed.
Mo Qingqiu’s character persona… had emerged.
She was someone who enjoyed watching drama for the sake of it, never caring if the situation grew too large.
So… that was why she was fanning the flames.
‘Oh… why is she that kind of person?’
*Buzz*
Just then, Shen Ran’s phone on the table rang. She checked it and quickly stood up. “Teacher Su, I have something to attend to today. Is there anything else you need to tell me?”
“No, just use the methods I told you to chat with Jiang Jingjie. Ask me if there’s anything you don’t know. However…” At this point, Su Yichen paused, a trace of pity appearing in his eyes as he looked at Shen Ran.
“You can’t force these things. A twisted melon isn’t sweet. There’s nothing wrong with pursuing someone you like or seeking a beautiful, sincere love. But if a door truly won’t open, continuing to knock is just rude.”
“I understand. Thank you, Su Yichen.” After saying that, Shen Ran gave him a sweet smile and bowed to express her gratitude. Then, she picked up her bag and left, closing the door of the private room behind her.
As soon as Shen Ran left, Su Yichen stood up. He speared an octopus ball with a fork, stuffed it into his mouth, and stared blankly at the whirring air conditioner.
“What a mess.”
“What’s wrong, Mr. Su?”
“How did I run into an Eldest Miss who enjoys watching drama for the sake of it? The key is, this person doesn’t just want to watch the show; she wants to be the director.”
After swallowing the snack in a few bites, Su Yichen pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one.
A drama seeker, a prestigious Eldest Miss, polite, extremely well-bred, and high-IQ… Combining all the information observed today, a three-dimensional image quickly formed in Su Yichen’s mind.
Many years ago, somewhere in this world, a girl was born into a prestigious family. Her name was Mo Qingqiu.
From a young age, she was taught to follow the rules. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she enjoyed the best conditions her family could offer, surpassing almost all her peers.
And this Eldest Miss had always done well. She was stunningly beautiful and incredibly intelligent. Soon, she reached the prime of her life, becoming the most brilliant jewel of her family.
Such a background placed the girl at the top of the social pyramid, providing her with material conditions that others her age could only dream of.
But at the same time, this restricted, cage-like life caused her to develop a unique hobby.
She liked to watch things she couldn’t experience; she liked to watch other people’s stories.
There were only two ways to conquer Mo Qingqiu.
Either be like her—detached from the events, standing at the same height to see through the whole play.
Conduct the pursuit while both sides were on equal footing. This was the simplest and most effective way because as two of a kind standing at the peak, it was easy to find common ground.
The other way… was to enter a role, cooperate with her to finish the story, and then pull her into the story itself. Finally… let her become the protagonist.
This way, both would still be on equal footing and of the same kind. But this was extremely difficult, especially given how intelligent an Eldest Miss from a prestigious family Mo Qingqiu was.
Without a doubt, the first option was the optimal solution.
In the past, he had conquered girls in the void realm like Mo Qingqiu using that method. It was not only relatively simple, but he also had experience.
Su Yichen finished the last of the sushi and octopus balls, took a sip of tea, and left the private room. He took out his phone and walked slowly toward the cashier.
To choose the first option, he had to leave the stage.
So, the matter with Shen Ran… had to end here.
He had obtained almost all the information he wanted from her. Shen Ran no longer had any utility value to him. She was just a passerby. In exchange, telling her those things was enough. Both sides were even.
If she could remember his final warning… perhaps she wouldn’t get hurt.
“How much?”
Su Yichen opened VX, preparing to delete Shen Ran from his contacts before finding Mo Qingqiu. He would assist her and help her make this play even more interesting.
However, if he did that, Shen Ran’s ending was destined to be unpleasant.
Just then, the waiter’s voice chimed in. “Hello, sir. The girl who was with you earlier already settled the bill. She even left a prepayment for you. If you don’t need anything else, I’ll refund it to her.”
Su Yichen was stunned. The finger about to press [Delete Contact] paused.
“Heh.”
“Foolish woman.”
A smile unconsciously played on the young man’s lips. He closed VX, put away his phone, and spoke in a voice as gentle as flowing water. “Alright, thank you.”
“Mr. Su, did you change your mind?” After walking out of Shujiao garden, Huohua’s cheerful voice rang out.
“Do you think… Shen Ran and I are alike?”
“How could she compare to you…” Huohua said, but then seemed to recall something.
“Eh?! Wait, are you talking about… the first time you entered the void realm? Of course I remember. That time could be considered your first love, right?!”
“First love? If you put it that way, I suppose it counts. Back then, I was as naive as she is… even our experiences were very similar. If you hadn’t stayed by my side, I would have been lost in that void realm long ago.”
Su Yichen stopped and glanced sideways at the brilliant sunset over Jinyue City. “Huohua, the current me…”
‘I can no longer save the Su Yichen who drowned in that night of heavy rain.’
“But… I can save her.”