September 24, 4:00 PM, cloudy.
Shen Ran, who had just returned from the library, received a message from Mo Qingqiu.
Mo Qingqiu: [Shen Ran, come to the School Literature and Art Union department. I’m waiting for you in the office.]
“Office?”
Shen Ran: [Okay, sure.]
The library and the School Literature and Art Union department were quite close, so going back and forth wouldn’t take much time. Without thinking much, Shen Ran headed down the path on the left.
About fifteen minutes later, she arrived at the door of Mo Qingqiu’s office.
Someone seemed to be talking inside.
After a moment’s thought, Shen Ran took out her phone and sent Mo Qingqiu a VX message, then waited at the door for a while.
It wasn’t until nearly 4:30 that the door was pushed open from the inside. Shen Ran saw a senior student who was clearly half a head shorter than her, with a slightly plump figure, walk out of the office.
She couldn’t help but take a second look.
Because of the low enrollment numbers, there weren’t many beautiful girls or handsome guys at Qingyue University, but the ratio was still decent.
She had heard from Senior Mo Qingqiu before that Qingyue University had certain physical requirements for enrollment. With limited admission slots, those who looked unattractive were usually put on the back burner.
The university’s admission requirements were particularly capricious—they even judged by looks.
Seeing Mo Qingqiu inside the office nod to her in acknowledgment, Shen Ran subconsciously smoothed her skirt and stepped inside.
“Senior Qingqiu.”
“Shen Ran, I won’t entertain you. Find a seat yourself.”
Mo Qingqiu waved her hand, propping her head with one hand as she half-lay on her comfortable sofa chair. Her eyes were narrowed, eyelashes long and beautiful.
The light from the window was stained a dark yellow by the brown curtains, spilling onto her bright and soft profile.
Seeing the stack of documents on the desk, Shen Ran didn’t disturb Mo Qingqiu.
‘Is Senior tired…?’
So she poured herself a glass of warm water and sat on the other side of the office.
The girl didn’t know that not long ago, this very seat had been occupied by Su Yichen.
***
After about four or five minutes, Mo Qingqiu opened her eyes.
She looked up at Shen Ran and revealed a gentle smile. “Shen Ran, sorry for calling you over so suddenly.”
“It’s fine, Senior.”
Shen Ran put down her phone, which she had been using to read foreign classics during her spare time to expand her knowledge.
“I just came back from the library, so it was on the way. It didn’t take any time, and I have nothing to do tonight anyway. I was planning to eat and then head to the classroom for self-study.”
Her foreign language skills were excellent, with a solid grasp of language. Even original works without any translation were fairly easy for her to read.
“That’s good. I’ll be blunt.”
Mo Qingqiu got straight to the point. “I’m a bit short-handed and need your help.”
“It’ll be about ten days to half a month. I’ll pay you accordingly.”
“How about it?”
“Senior Qingqiu, since you need help, I’ll definitely agree.”
Shen Ran nodded. “But I’m just not sure what it is—can I handle it?”
“It’s not hard. I temporarily hired a secretary to help me with some work. After he finishes his tasks, you’ll just distribute the processed documents and take over the liaison work.”
“With all the school activities these days after the start of the semester, he’s not familiar with the campus situation, so he definitely can’t manage alone.”
“If that’s the case, no problem.”
Shen Ran nodded and agreed.
“Mm.”
Mo Qingqiu responded, then casually opened a drawer and took something out, placing it on the desk.
“Shen Ran, I’ve prepared a little gift for you.”
“Huh? A gift?”
Shen Ran felt a bit curious and interested. She stood up and looked at Mo Qingqiu’s desk.
She saw a beautiful glasses case.
Shen Ran immediately walked over quickly. “Glasses? Senior.”
Mo Qingqiu interlocked her slender fingers on the desk and smiled at Shen Ran. “Open it and take a look.”
“Okay～!”
Shen Ran’s voice carried a hint of excitement. She carefully picked up the glasses case and opened it.
What came into view was a pair of exquisitely crafted frameless glasses.
“So beautiful!”
Shen Ran exclaimed in amazement. She carefully took the glasses out of the case, her face full of delight, completely unable to put them down.
“Do you like them? They’re for you.”
“I do.”
If it had been any other expensive gift, Shen Ran could have refused.
But finely crafted, aesthetically stunning gold-rimmed glasses—as a glasses enthusiast, she simply couldn’t say no.
So, with a sincere thank-you, Shen Ran put the glasses back into the case and carefully stowed it away.
“Thank you, Senior Qingqiu.”
Mo Qingqiu watched Shen Ran’s actions, her captivating peach-blossom eyes gradually curving into a smile.
“Originally, I planned to give them to you after you won over Jiang Jingjie.”
“But since you’re no longer pursuing him, I thought it over and decided to give them to you now.”
“I hope you meet the guy you like soon.”
“Hehe～Thank you so much, Senior Qingqiu.”
Shen Ran was clearly flattered. “You too.”
“I wonder how outstanding a guy would have to be to be worthy of you.”
“You’re being cheeky again.”
Mo Qingqiu scolded with a smile. “Alright, Shen Ran, go back and handle your own things. Come over here tomorrow at 11:00 AM.”
“I’ve arranged the secretary’s office next door. You’ll go find him then.”
“The specific work content, along with information about the School Literature and Art Union department’s personnel, I’ll send to your VX.”
“I won’t keep you for dinner today. I have other things to do later.”
“Okay, I’ll head off then.”
“Thank you, Senior Qingqiu.”
After expressing her thanks again, Shen Ran left the office.
The moment the office door clicked shut, the smile on Mo Qingqiu’s face gradually changed.
Not disappeared, but transformed.
If before she smiled like a gentle and graceful older sister, now…
It was somewhat eerie.
A sense of excitement from a prank about to succeed surged within the girl, along with the thrill of seeing something new.
“Tomorrow morning…”
“Isn’t that a bit rushed… only a day or two has passed.”
“No, it shouldn’t be. It’s just right.”
Mo Qingqiu carefully reviewed her plan and found no issues.
She was just too lucky.
If Su Yichen hadn’t taken off that pair of glasses, she might have needed to let them cultivate feelings for over ten days, even nearly a month, to shake Shen Ran’s resolve.
But now that he had taken them off…
Time was naturally shortened significantly.
He himself was the most enticing poison.
Even she couldn’t resist, so how could Shen Ran?
But still…
Thinking about what might happen tomorrow, Mo Qingqiu felt an indescribable emotion.
Today, Su Yichen confessed to her.
So what?
In the end, he and she were kindred.
He…
was a liar.
Expectation, excitement, and pleasure for the grand performance took precedence in the girl’s mind.
The show would begin tomorrow.
‘She can’t wait anymore.’