Meanwhile, Qin Jiao, who was leaving the law school building after class, happened to run into Xu Zhengyang in the hallway.
After what had happened with Li Man, Xu Zhengyang’s feelings for Qin Jiao had become quite complicated.
His pride had taken a blow, but more than that, it was the frustration of feelings that had been stifled before they could even be voiced, leaving him dejected and melancholic.
He didn’t know how to face Qin Jiao again.
Of course, Xu Zhengyang had his pride, so he hadn’t taken the initiative to contact Qin Jiao again.
And yet, he still found himself subconsciously keeping tabs on everything about her. For instance, that she had participated in the Computer Science Department’s programming competition and had even won first prize.
Or that there was a sophomore girl in the Computer Science Department aggressively pursuing Qin Jiao’s boyfriend.
A small, shameful part of him even hoped the girl would succeed. That way, he could pursue Qin Jiao without any reservations.
After all, he didn’t want to steal someone away from their partner.
In short, because of his feelings for her, Xu Zhengyang felt he hadn’t been himself lately—constantly plagued by insecurity and always getting lost in thought.
"Hello, Senior," Qin Jiao said, her tone as flat and emotionless as Han Juan’s and the others’.
Xu Zhengyang froze for a second before snapping out of it. He asked, "Qin Jiao, why didn’t you sign up for the department’s debate competition next week?"
After he spoke, he seemed to realize something and quickly added, "I’ve seen you in the debate club. It would be a shame for you not to compete."
"Oh, I was on a trip with my boyfriend when registration was open last week. But sure, if it’s not too late, I’ll sign up."
"Okay, I’ll sign you up."
Xu Zhengyang pursed his lips and left.
Han Juan, however, watched him leave before whispering to Qin Jiao, "Qin Jiao, you can be so cruel. You know Senior Brother Xu is into you, yet you still deliberately brought up your boyfriend right in his face?"
"Mentioning my boyfriend is the normal thing to do. Come on, let’s go."
Qin Jiao knew that relationships were a two-way street.
In this life, Shen Yi was more exceptional than in her last one, and so was she. It was only natural that such exceptional people would attract admirers.
Take Xu Wei, for example, who had a crush on Shen Yi.
Shen Yi was faithful and completely devoted to her, so she had to be the same way.
Love was a mutual effort, something both partners had to contribute to and work together to maintain.
Sure enough, when Qin Jiao got to the Rose District apartment, Shen Yi told her about running into Lin Nian on the way. He sighed, "Jiao Jiao, there’s something seriously wrong with that woman. The only reason she opens her mouth is to stir up trouble. I really want to punch her! If I ever hear her bad-mouthing you and I snap and actually hit her, don’t think I’m the kind of guy who’d commit domestic violence. Because if I ever lay a hand on her, I doubt I’ll even be seeing her as a human being."
"It’s not worth getting your hands dirty over someone like her. I actually understand where Lin Nian is coming from. She thinks my life is going too well, and she can’t stand it. But she’s supposed to be a smart person, so why is she doing such foolish things? You make your own life. Isn’t the situation she’s in now a result of her own choices?"
Shen Yi didn’t want to talk about other people. Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, he wrapped his arms around Qin Jiao’s neck and nuzzled against her. "She also mentioned that Xu Zhengyang guy," he said.
"I actually saw Xu Zhengyang today."
"What?"
"Mhm. He asked me why I didn’t sign up for the debate competition last week, so I told him it was because I was away on a trip with my boyfriend."
Shen Yi paused in surprise, then a grin spread across his face. "Jiao Jiao, my Jiao Jiao, you’re the best!"
"Alright, alright. We should get going. It’s time to head home."
"Okay!"
The moment Qin Jiao and Shen Yi got back to the courtyard home, a frantic-looking Su Yun came rushing out.
Su Yun cried out anxiously, "Xiao Jiao, Xiao Cheng is missing!"