Su Yun had been on the phone with her mom for almost ten minutes, and her hand holding the phone was starting to go numb.
She finally understood why her mom had called.
It was because her mom was worried she didn’t have money to eat. That afternoon, her mom sent her 200 yuan, but Su Yun had been busy and forgot to claim it.
A few hours passed with the money unclaimed, and her mom assumed something had happened to her, so she called.
“Your mom really treats you well, huh.”
“Yeah, she does… Uh, why are you still here…” Su Yun was just about to leave, only to realize Qin Xue was still right next to her.
“Waiting for Xiaoyun~” Qin Xue’s curvy figure was snuggled against the stacked cushions, resting her chin in her hands, with a smile blooming like a flower on her face.
“You’re waiting for me? Thanks.” Su Yun looked at Qin Xue’s smile, slightly stunned.
“So then, baby, shall we go?”
“?”
Su Yun had just started thinking that Qin Xue wasn’t actually that bad, only to instantly regret it the next second.
“You’re insane! Don’t call me that!” Su Yun glared angrily at Qin Xue.
“Baby~ Baby~ Hahaha.”
“Hmph...” Su Yun glared at Qin Xue who was laughing at her, her anger rising steadily until a hashtag-shaped vein popped up on her forehead.
I'm gonna smash you!
......
After messing around in the dance studio for a while, Su Yun and Qin Xue finally went downstairs together. It was 4 PM now, still bright outside.
Because of Qin Xue, Su Yun’s previously good mood was completely ruined.
Why is this girl so free all the time? She just keeps messing with me...
Su Yun was fuming and didn’t feel like talking to Qin Xue on the way.
Since the walk would take over ten minutes, she got bored and started humming.
Qin Xue wasn’t idle either—she kept sneaking glances at Su Yun.
This little bunny got mad and tried to hit her just now, and now she’s angry and ignoring people. So hard to deal with.
But it was adorable, so Qin Xue kept stealing glances at Su Yun’s face, just to see if any more cute expressions would show up.
Like maybe she’d notice the sneaky staring, freak out, and come whack her again?
Hehe.
Qin Xue felt like today was another great day.
Only thing bothering her was next Tuesday. Being outshone by someone else—it didn’t feel good, even if the other party was a real idol group.
Basically playing the supporting role.
“Hmph-hmph~”
“Hmm?” Qin Xue paused when she heard the lovely hum, and then realized it was Su Yun.
Back in a good mood already?
What a dummy.
But just then, an idea popped into Qin Xue’s mind.
“Xiaoyun, do you know how to sing?” she poked Su Yun’s shoulder.
“Singing? Nope.” Even though Qin Xue’s eyes were full of expectation, Su Yun immediately shook her head. She didn’t want to get laughed at again.
“I think it sounds really nice though. Give it a try.”
“What’s nice about it, I seriously can’t sing...”
“Not now. I’ll give you time to practice. Sing for me next Monday.”
“Ah...” Su Yun blinked in surprise.
Only now did she realize this was her next mission.
A thousand yuan to sing a song. That was definitely worth it.
“Fine, I’ll give it a shot.” Su Yun reluctantly agreed.
Seeing her agree, Qin Xue looked very satisfied.
They parted ways at the South Gate.
Qin Xue had a car waiting the moment she stepped out, which didn’t surprise Su Yun anymore.
Being rich really is different.
With that in mind, she walked home.
Once she got back, Su Yun jumped onto the bed and sprawled out.
Even though she hadn’t done anything particularly strenuous, she still felt exhausted.
Mentally exhausted.
But for some reason, she also felt like something had filled her heart—like today had been unusually fulfilling. Her mood was pretty good.
Su Yun kind of knew it was because of Qin Xue, but she didn’t want to admit it.
Because the more she cared, the worse she’d feel if she ever got thrown aside. Better to just treat it like a job.
So, whenever Qin Xue pissed her off, she’d just bite her!
Ding-ling~
Su Yun had been daydreaming in bed for a while when she heard her phone ring.
She checked and saw a message from Qin Xue—it was a song.
Hmm, must be the new task?
Su Yun was confident. It’s just singing, after all.
But the moment she tapped it and heard those sweet, syrupy lyrics, she knew she’d been wrong.
“...”
Yep. Money isn’t that easy to earn.
This kind of song… was one of those painfully cutesy ones. If a guy sang it, it’d be downright cringe-inducing. Only adorable girls could pull it off.
(Can I pick another one, Sister Xue?)
In order to get the song changed, Su Yun even addressed her as “Sister Xue” in the message.
(Qin Xue: I think it suits you perfectly. No changing. This is the one.)
Seeing how firm Qin Xue was about it, Su Yun’s heart sank halfway.
Alright, fine. She’d just be singing it for Qin Xue anyway—not that embarrassing.
But she really couldn’t sing. If she went off-key and it sounded terrible, that was not her fault.
No time to waste. Practice starts now!
......
......
In an office on campus, Shi Lezhi sat alone in a comfy chair, enjoying the latest batch of photos on his phone.
All the girls in the photos were pretty freshmen—some sweet and cute, others cool and mature.
If he had to pick, though, he preferred the mature type. He liked the thrill of conquest.
Chen Tingting counted as sweet, but her looks were decent, so he decided to go for her anyway.
Looking through the photos, Shi Lezhi started thinking about his two and a half years in college.
He’d dated ten girls since freshman year—and dumped all ten. What he enjoyed was the chase and the climax at the end.
Once conquered, they were tossed aside. Shi Lezhi was a textbook scumbag, borderline pervert.
He scrolled through his gallery until his gaze landed on a photo marked with a star. It was one he’d secretly snapped while passing by a classroom.
This was his one and only regret. Just seeing this photo made his blood boil—he had to do something.
His strategy for pursuing girls was simple: first learn what class they were in, then casually get close. After that, he’d add them on social media, use his student council connections to help them with something, and in no time, they’d warm up to him.
If they didn’t have any problems, he’d create some.
That method got him ten wins in a row. Some of those girls were so aloof at first they wouldn’t even glance at him, like untouchable flowers.
But every single one of them ended up clinging to him like puppies, heartbroken when he dumped them.
But on the eleventh attempt, he met his first total failure—and it crushed him.
Back in sophomore year, when he became student council president, it coincided with the new freshmen arriving. As the welcoming committee lead, he quickly flipped through every student profile and found one perfect “mature type.”
Her face and body were exactly his type. Seeing her in person, he was even more amazed—her aura was unlike any other girl’s. She gave off a feeling that kept people at a distance.
The more like that she was, the more excited Shi Lezhi got. He had to conquer her.
But the moment he tried to approach her, she hit him with a single word: “Scram.”
He tried creating trouble for her, only to find she didn’t care about failing classes or losing scholarships. Tried stalking her to see her dorm, and found she got picked up by a car every day after class—no chance to interact at all.
He was so frustrated he didn’t chase anyone else for a whole year. He couldn’t move on. He had to get this girl, or it would feel like a permanent stain on his record.
As for Chen Tingting? She came to him. He didn’t even have to try.
Knock knock. “Brother Zhi~” a sweet voice came from outside the door.
“Come in,” Shi Lezhi replied, not even bothering to look up. He sounded annoyed.
He’d originally planned to take Chen Tingting out for the night, but she said she had something to do.
She promised before—now she’s backing out? On purpose?
“Brother Zhi~ You look kind of upset.”
“My parents are visiting this week. Can’t help it. Let’s go out next week instead, okay?” Chen Tingting fluttered her eyes at him, trying to charm him.
Her little act worked—Shi Lezhi perked up and started smiling again.
“No big deal. Want me to send your parents a gift or something? Where are they staying?” He pulled her into his lap, enjoying the feel of her soft body.
“No need, no need.” Chen Tingting quickly waved it off, then her tone changed slightly, like she had something else to say.
“Um...”
“I already asked someone to handle it. Once they stop bothering you, you’ll be number one again. That little hiccup before doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Mn, thanks, Brother Zhi~”
......
......
“Phew...” Su Yun didn’t know how many times she’d sung the song before collapsing onto the bed.
Now, she felt like she could sing it as soon as she heard the instrumental.
Lyrics? Locked in.
As for pitch... well, that was out of her hands.
“Hmm...” Lying on the bed, Su Yun began reflecting on everything that had happened this week.
Maid service, acting cute, dancing, singing...
Qin Xue hadn’t given her a single normal task.
Well, okay, the first night when she had to clean that massive hall—that was at least somewhat legit.
But only that one time.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
“Maybe I should just bite her and quit this whole thing.”
(End of Chapter)