Lin An and this so-called tomboy, Xia Qi, have a story between them!
It was as if a pair of glasses had suddenly appeared on the bridge of Song Qiuyu’s high nose.
She couldn’t help but reach up and push them, her elegant willow brows furrowing as her eyes narrowed.
She felt a bit anxious and a bit worried in her heart, but she struggled to suppress the curiosity bubbling up.
She kept her gaze locked on the two of them.
“She’s my younger sister.”
Lin An’s expression returned to its usual gentle smile as he spoke.
Song Qiuyu was slightly taken aback.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that things weren’t that simple.
“Younger sister?”
On Xia Qi’s face appeared a third disdain, a third amusement, and the remaining four-tenths radiated the aura of a queen.
“Call me ‘Big Sister!’”
As soon as those words left her mouth, Xie Zhuran rubbed his chin, lost in thought, and all the bystanders who’d been eating seeds stopped at once, unable to wait to gossip about the story between these two.
After some back-and-forth between Lin An and Xia Qi, everyone understood the situation.
It turned out that Lin An and Xia Qi were childhood friends, growing up together since they were small.
But because of certain circumstances, Lin An’s father and Xia Qi’s mother remarried, leading to their families merging, and now the two of them had become siblings.
But perhaps because Lin An was born just one day after Xia Qi, he’d ended up as the younger brother, which didn’t sit well with him.
He didn’t like to call her ‘Big Sister.’
That’s why, in front of others, he always said Xia Qi was his younger sister.
Most of the members of the Drama Club could understand and relate to that, but Song Qiuyu felt otherwise.
She looked into Lin An’s eyes and, deep within them, saw his longing for Xia Qi—though that was the kind reserved for the opposite sex.
It was just like the look Wa Junior gave—but Wa Junior was chasing after someone’s mother, while this was the look of a boy wanting to pursue his wife!
This was troublesome.
Xia Qi seemed more interested in Jiang Xiao.
“Hey, handsome, the boss is glaring at me. I’ve got to get back to work. Tell me your name later and give me your contact info, okay?”
After saying this to Jiang Xiao, Xia Qi carried her empty plate and was about to walk away.
Seeing this, Song Qiuyu glanced at Jiang Xiao and opened her mouth.
Although Jiang Xiao had already made it clear that he liked someone else, in this situation, he ought to say something to finally cut off any possibility between him and Xia Qi.
Otherwise, their dorm—among the four of them—their friendship could possibly…
“Sorry, but I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.”
Jiang Xiao, as if perfectly in sync with her, spoke up on his own.
“You’re great, but I already have someone I like.”
At that, Song Qiuyu was stunned, but a moment later, a joyful smile blossomed on her beautiful face.
For some reason, she suddenly had the urge to hug Jiang Xiao’s arm and rub her cheek against him.
This girlish impulse made her uncomfortable, and also confused.
She bit her lip with her pearly teeth, but in the end, only reservedly poked his arm twice with her finger.
Nicely done!
Jiang Xiao turned his head and, seeing her bashful smile, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Sure enough, Xia Qi looked disappointed, then, trying to hide her embarrassment but still polite, mumbled a few words before quickly running off with her plate.
Immediately after, Lin An’s expression became noticeably more pleasant.
Song Qiuyu, however, wasn’t quite satisfied with this outcome.
Some things could be ignored if she didn’t know, but now that she’d found out, she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
She hoped that the friendship in their dorm would always stay healthy! That all of them could face the future, always smiling together!
Although she might be meddling a little, the four of them were a unit, and no one could be left behind!
She was no longer the Song Qiuyu who treated her roommates like virtual pets.
She was now the Leader of Dorm 602.
Jiang Xiao could see through all her thoughts at a glance. He turned to look at Lin An and Xie Zhuran, quite approving of her.
The four of them were a unit—especially when filming short videos, even more so.
Only when both Lin An and Xie Zhuran were doing well would Song Qiuyu have fewer things to worry about.
Only then could they work together to make even better short videos and walk further together.
But his Qiuyu seemed to have overlooked one problem.
If three of the people in the dorm started dating, what would happen to the only one left—her?
The group dinner ended.
Everyone packed up and walked out of the restaurant.
Song Qiuyu swept her eyes around and noticed that Xia Qi had already changed into her regular clothes and was about to leave, apparently finished with her part-time job.
Her eyes darted back and forth as she thought.
Without hesitation, she trotted over to Lin An.
“Lin An~”
Lin An froze—not exactly scared, but as if her voice had sent a shiver up his spine, making his heart beat a little faster.
If he had to describe the feeling, it was like a cat’s paw suddenly scratching his palm.
He turned to her with a smiling squint, “What is it, Qiuyu?”
…
“Xia Qi seems to be in a bad mood.”
Song Qiuyu pointed in Xia Qi’s direction.
“That’s her problem.”
Lin An glanced at Xia Qi from the corner of his eye, narrowed his eyes, and snorted dismissively. “Don’t worry about her.”
Lin An wanted to say more, but Jiang Xiao walked over, and, deliberately acting like someone beckoning a defeated golden retriever, waved at the clearly dejected Xia Qi.
Just like a golden retriever that had lost, she wagged her tail and ran over, and in the next second, someone’s face turned dark.
“Lao Lin, can you stop pretending already?”
Xie Zhuran couldn’t take it anymore, almost speechless.
This Lao Lin always seemed dependable with that scheming look, but inside, he was actually a tsundere!
Don’t underestimate our bonds, damn it. How could we not see through you! Stop pretending!
He put his arm around Lin An’s shoulders, lowered his voice, afraid Xia Qi would hear, and whispered, “Lao Lin, if you like Xia Qi, just go after her. Don’t chicken out.”
Lin An, however, raised an eyebrow and looked over at Jiang Li, then suddenly smiled, “Oh? Like her, go after her? Why don’t you chase someone first and show me how it’s done, right now.”
Xie Zhuran froze, following Lin An’s gaze, and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
Chase my ass! She’s only a sophomore in high school, getting ready for the college entrance exams.
If he dared to pursue her, Jiang Xiao would break his legs.
At that, Xie Zhuran admitted defeat.
Fortunately, Jiang Xiao was good at “persuading.” In the end, Lin An relented and took Xia Qi to a quieter spot to talk.
The remaining three members of 602 Dormitory, along with Jiang Yu, Jiang Li, and Sang Tian, all watched from not far away.
Suddenly, a cold winter rain began to fall, raindrops the size of beans mercilessly drumming on the ground and iron sheets.
Then, Lin An opened an umbrella over the flustered Xia Qi. Under the umbrella, the two of them stared at each other in silence for a moment.
Several taxis drove by.
The sound of the rain and the cars passing by drowned out their conversation, so no one could hear what was being said.
But the sudden smile blooming on Xia Qi’s face made everyone understand instantly.
Perhaps, from the very beginning, childhood friends were never a one-sided love.
Everyone couldn’t help but yearn for it, couldn’t help but long for it.
Even Jiang Yu, who was still young, was left staring in a daze, unable to resist the longing.
“So this is youthful love!”
The President’s cheerful voice rang out suddenly from behind them.
Everyone jumped in fright, except for Jiang Xiao, whose hearing was exceptional and who remained calm.
He cast one last glance at Lin An and Xia Qi, who seemed to be progressing well, and then, unable to help himself, turned his face to the side and looked at the person next to him.
Song Qiuyu seemed to be lost in thought, her small, fair hands clenching tightly.
Those beautiful almond-shaped eyes sparkled, growing brighter and brighter, as if she were excited, curious, and full of anticipation about something.
A few breaths later, she seemed to be biting her lips in indecision, then turned her head.
And just like that, their gazes met.
Their eyes locked together.