On the morning of the second day, Yu Qing received a message from Fu Mingxuan.
The message clearly listed several places the junior often visited, along with information related to her.
At least the efficiency was pretty good.
Yu Qing yawned, thinking to himself.
Recalling the plan Fu Mingxuan had told him, a trace of mockery flashed through Yu Qing’s heart.
He didn’t know whether his partner knew that the junior had already returned.
Of course, even if they didn’t, Yu Qing wouldn’t inform the other party of this fact.
Whether Fu Mingxuan knew or not didn’t affect him.
If he didn’t know, it was actually more beneficial to his own plan.
But regardless of what he knew, there were quite a few problems with the plan he and Yu Qing had discussed.
According to his plan, was it really enough to just act as bait?
Probably not.
Yu Qing was quite certain Fu Mingxuan was hiding something from him, but since he wasn’t willing to say, Yu Qing didn’t force it.
However, if he ended up doing something contrary to Fu Mingxuan’s wishes due to lack of information, that could be understood, right?
But before that, on the surface, he had to follow Fu Mingxuan’s plan.
Even if he wanted to go against it behind the scenes, at least the facade had to be kept up.
And so, Yu Qing spent three days like this.
During those three days, he wandered around the school in the junior’s appearance, carefree and unrestrained.
Each day, he wore clothes he liked: today, a JK uniform for an innocent look; tomorrow, a black silk skirt suit for a pure and alluring style.
A different look every day, never repeating, thoroughly overturning the lively and cute image of the junior.
If the junior couldn’t stand seeing the image she’d built for years ruined overnight, she’d naturally come out to stop him.
But in reality, neither Yu Qing nor Fu Mingxuan believed that Fu Yi would confront Yu Qing over something so trivial.
Both of them were waiting.
Waiting for that perfect opportunity.
All actions before then were just appetizers before the main course.
Two people with hidden motives, scheming against each other.
As for Yu Qing.
As mentioned before, he bought various beautiful clothes every day, treating the junior’s body like a dress-up doll and fully unleashing its charm.
All the clothing expenses were reimbursed by Fu Mingxuan.
Although he never said he’d cover Yu Qing’s spending, when the bills were put in front of him, Fu Mingxuan never refused.
After all, to him, it was just pocket change.
If it could be used to make Yu Qing obedient, it was more than worth it.
During this period, the junior also never appeared, just as expected.
Her classes over the three days were all attended by Yu Qing, and it felt like the two of them had reached another strange tacit understanding.
Everything was going smoothly.
Until the afternoon of the fourth day.
Today’s sky was gloomy, heavy lead-gray clouds hanging low.
The weather forecast said it would rain.
Yu Qing made sure to bring an umbrella when leaving.
As usual, he chose from the locations Fu Mingxuan had provided and finally decided on the Humanities Reading Room in the school Library that the junior often visited in her sophomore year.
This place was usually deserted, since few people came to borrow humanities books.
Those who did were generally serious students preparing for postgraduate exams.
Yu Qing came here simply to hide from the rain indoors.
It was still early, so the Library was quiet, most tables occupied by books indicating that seats were already taken.
Fortunately, the seat he’d planned to take was unoccupied, so he could complete today’s performance there.
Today, Yu Qing wore a simple beige knit top and dark pants, similar to the junior’s usual style.
The only difference was the layer of shiny black stockings worn under the pants.
When standing, the pant legs perfectly concealed the stockings, but sitting down, the pants were pulled up slightly by the bent knees, exposing the glossy black fabric around the ankles.
If someone took a photo and posted it online, the junior would probably be thrilled.
Imagining the junior’s angry expression in his mind, Yu Qing couldn’t help feeling delighted.
He crossed his legs, revealing more of the stocking-covered calf.
Since he was in the Library, Yu Qing suppressed the urge to hum and instead replayed a melody in his mind, moving his legs rhythmically to the silent beat.
The black-stockinged calf swayed, the delicate foot moving along, impossible to look away from.
Yu Qing sat by the window, the spot the junior often occupied—a place jokingly called a Library sanctuary on the Forum.
It was a joke, but those who knew about it would avoid sitting there if other seats were available.
It sounded exaggerated, but when you thought about photos of yourself sitting there being posted on the Forum and compared with Fu Yi’s, leaving you completely exposed, it wasn’t so appealing.
A thick art history book was open in front of him, but Yu Qing’s gaze wasn’t focused on it.
He seemed deep in thought, or perhaps just passing the time.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed clearly in the quiet space.
Someone sat at the table opposite.
Yu Qing didn’t pay attention until a slightly hesitant voice sounded, pulling him back to reality.
“Junior Yi?”
Such a familiar voice.
Yu Qing looked up.
His heart clenched in his chest, but he forced his expression to remain calm.
Sitting across from him was none other than Li Ming.
He held a few books on postgraduate politics in his hand, a clear look of surprise on his face.
“Senior Li Ming.”
Yu Qing nodded slightly and smiled at him, his voice pleasant but maintaining a polite distance.
Li Ming pushed his glasses up, placed his books to the side, and looked at her.
He spoke lightly.
“What a coincidence. I didn’t expect to meet you here. I remember you used to like coming here, but I haven’t seen you around these days, so I thought you’d stopped.”
His tone was casual, as if chatting about daily life, but Yu Qing could feel the other’s scrutinizing gaze behind the glasses.
“Yeah, just looking for a quiet place to read.”
Yu Qing kept smiling, replying simply.
Her fingertips unconsciously traced the edge of the book.
She had seen Li Ming’s observational skills before and wasn’t about to give him any openings.
Say less, do less.
The more you speak, the more mistakes you make.
“It is quiet here.”
Li Ming smiled, his gaze falling on the art history book in front of her.
He asked curiously.
“Why are you reading this? I thought you were busy with School Anniversary Rehearsal with Yu Qing these days. How do you have time to come to the Library?”
“Rehearsal is at night. It doesn’t affect what I do during the day.”
Yu Qing tensed inside.
He knew Li Ming was testing him.
If it had been before, he might have slipped, but today was different.
Upon hearing Li Ming’s question, she immediately lowered her gaze to hide her momentary panic, quickly composing herself.
Then she answered with a hint of impatience.
“Besides, rehearsal was suspended a week ago. As for art history, I’m just flipping through it.”
With that, Yu Qing focused back on the book, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation.
Li Ming nodded thoughtfully.
He didn’t press further, instead shifting the topic to Yu Qing.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen that guy Yu Qing in a while. He seems busy and elusive lately. Do you know where he is, junior? I wanted to meet up.”
It sounded casual, but Li Ming’s gaze locked onto Yu Qing’s reaction.
Not seeing his roommate for two weeks had made him uneasy.
Yu Qing?
Wasn’t he sitting right in front of you?
Yu Qing wanted to say that, but obviously couldn’t.
Facing Li Ming’s relentless gaze, he felt a chill run down his back.
Forcing himself to relax, Yu Qing met Li Ming’s eyes, impatience and confusion mingled in his own.
“Really? After rehearsal was suspended, we all went our separate ways. I don’t know what he’s up to.”
Li Ming stared at Yu Qing for a few seconds, trying desperately to find a crack in her expression.
He failed.
Finally, he just smiled bitterly and gave up.
“True. If it wasn’t for the rehearsal, you two weren’t really close anyway.”
He stood up and bid farewell.
“I won’t bother your reading. I’ll get going.”
“Take care, senior.”
Watching Li Ming’s departing figure, Yu Qing finally relaxed.
But did Li Ming really give up?
Yu Qing didn’t know.
It was clear that failing to clarify things with Li Ming regarding himself and Fu Yi had become a headache.
As long as Yu Qing couldn’t be found, Li Ming would keep searching.
This persistence was a bit troublesome.
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