“Yeah, my mom said something similar to me too.”
Shen Ran nodded. “It was during that process that I realized I didn’t really get along with Jiang Jingjie.”
“So I figured I’d just call it off.”
“No point dragging things out. There’s nothing between us anyway, and since it’s still early, better not…”
“It’ll be better for both of us.”
“Mm.”
Mo Qingqiu nodded. “I didn’t expect you to be so decisive, Shen Ran.”
“I always thought you’d hesitate a little.”
“Senior Qingqiu, even though I’m not as capable as you, and I’m even a bit dumb…”
“My personality isn’t the indecisive type.”
Shen Ran stuck out her tongue playfully and gave a small smile.
“Mm, I can see that. Girls with a personality like yours—who can pick things up and put them down—are rare. You don’t need to wallow in self-pity.”
Mo Qingqiu showed a hint of approval. “If you’re not interested in Jiang Jingjie, then there’s really no need to stay in the music club.”
“Because the only reason you joined was to get close to him.”
“Yes, I hope you’ll approve my withdrawal.”
“Of course I can approve it, but…”
“Are you really going to quit?”
“Tong Ya and Luo Yueli are both in the literary and artistic union department.”
Mo Qingqiu’s tone suddenly paused, a hint of ambiguous amusement curling at the corners of her lips, her voice turning more intriguing. “Su Yichen is there too.”
As if sensing something, Shen Ran’s eyes trembled violently. She lowered her head, bit her lip, and said nothing.
“But Senior, that… has nothing to do with me.”
“The literary and artistic union department takes a lot of time…”
“If that’s the case, I won’t stop you.”
Mo Qingqiu leaned back into the sofa and immediately took a sip from her teacup. “You can hand in your application this afternoon. I’ll have someone accept it.”
“But…”
“Shen Ran, even if you leave, Tong Ya and Luo Yueli are still here.”
Shen Ran clenched her fists but still didn’t speak.
How could such a small gesture escape Mo Qingqiu’s notice?
Seeing this, the amusement in Mo Qingqiu’s eyes deepened. “Tell me… you don’t like the way Jiang Jingjie interacts with people, right?”
“Mm…”
Shen Ran answered softly.
“You said… you prefer relaxed, pleasant interactions—the kind you have when you’re with Su Yichen—right?”
“Mm…”
Same answer again.
“Then why… are you leaving?”
“What are you really afraid of, Shen Ran?”
This time, Shen Ran didn’t respond. She stayed silent.
“Is it because you’re worried you might fall for Su Yichen?”
“No, I… I’m not.”
“Then what are you afraid of?”
Shen Ran chose to remain silent.
She knew this game all too well.
Mo Qingqiu wasn’t in a hurry. Shaking the resolve of a girl like Shen Ran wasn’t difficult.
“Su Yichen is in this department. So can you.”
“Luo Yueli and Tong Ya are by his side. Why can’t you?”
“Do you… think you’re worse than them?”
“They deserve to be by Su Yichen’s side, and you… don’t?”
“Senior Qingqiu, didn’t you say…”
At that moment, Shen Ran, who had been silent, suddenly looked up at Mo Qingqiu and asked, “Does Su Yichen like Tong Ya or Luo Yueli?”
“I never said that. I only said it’s possible, since you were there for yesterday’s situation.”
“Besides, Tong Ya and Luo Yueli might also like Su Yichen.”
“You should know that better than I do.”
Shen Ran gritted her teeth and said, “Tong Ya probably likes Su Yichen…”
“As for Lizi… I’m not sure.”
“Senior, I’d still…”
“Rather just quit the music club.”
“Fine, here’s the withdrawal application.”
Mo Qingqiu searched through the documents beside her, pulled out the application, and placed it in front of Shen Ran.
“But you need to think carefully. Once you leave the literary and artistic union department, you won’t be able to reapply for a year.”
Shen Ran, who had just picked up the pen to fill out the form, froze, her hand hovering in midair.
“Still reluctant to let go, right?”
“I find it strange. Why don’t you dare to admit it?”
“Admit what? Shen Ran.”
Mo Qingqiu’s tone suddenly turned a bit stern.
Shen Ran said nothing.
“Weren’t you the one who said you’re decisive and never indecisive?”
“So why don’t you dare to admit it?”
“And what is it you’re doing now?”
“Making excuses?”
“Finding justifications?”
“Or maybe all those words were lies, and you’re… a liar.”
“No, Senior, I’m not lying.”
Shen Ran gripped the pen tightly, her voice inexplicably low and hoarse. “Su Yichen and I made a promise… We can only be friends.”
“A promise?”
A barely perceptible smile curled at the edge of Mo Qingqiu’s upturned eyes.
She propped her chin on one hand, her elbow resting on the table, leaning slightly forward in the posture of a listener.
Her voice carried an undeniable curiosity. “Is there some kind of agreement between you two?”
“Yes, Senior Qingqiu.”
Shen Ran licked her dry lips and said, “The first time we met, when Su Yichen agreed to help me…”
“He made me agree to three conditions.”
“What conditions? Can you tell me?”
Mo Qingqiu’s expression grew even more curious.
“I… I can.”
Now that I’m no longer pursuing Jiang Jingjie, it shouldn’t matter if I say it.
Su Yichen himself said the collaboration was over.
With that thought, Shen Ran spoke slowly: “The first one is… since he was teaching me, I had to respect him and treat him like a teacher.”
Mo Qingqiu paused, then continued, “And the second one?”
“To not act on my own and to listen to him.”
“No problem. Since he was teaching you, that’s only natural.”
“You don’t know how to deal with boys, so that makes sense. What about the third one?”
“The third…”
“Su Yichen said that during the time he was helping me, I couldn’t fall in love with him.”
“Have you fallen for him? Think carefully before you answer. If you had to choose between Su Yichen and Jiang Jingjie, who… would you pick?”
Shen Ran was silent, but at that moment, silence was the clearest answer.
“I see. It’s the third condition that’s holding you back.”
Mo Qingqiu’s peach blossom eyes narrowed suddenly. “But Su Yichen only said…”
“…that you couldn’t fall for him while he was helping you.”
“And now, you no longer need his help.”
Shen Ran’s body trembled visibly at that instant. She slowly raised her head, looking at Mo Qingqiu, and said, “But Senior, Tong Ya and Lizi… are both more suitable than me.”
“Su Yichen and I are just friends.”
“Is that so? But if you never try, how will you know…”
“…that friends don’t have a chance?”
Mo Qingqiu’s voice was gentle and calm, as angelic as a voice could be, yet to Shen Ran’s ears, it turned into a devil’s whisper, irresistibly seductive.
“Do you want it to be over… before it’s even begun?”
“Shen Ran, I believe you’re a decisive girl…”
“If you want to do it, I’ll find a chance to help you.”
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