The chill of early winter quietly descended, and the ginkgo leaves of Star River Academy had all fallen.
Half a month had passed since that bout of illness. The youth campus drama starring Su Qianqian had already aired.
Her portrayal of the campus belle senior, a fleeting yet stunning glimpse, once again captivated the audience, stirring up a small wave of popularity within the school.
Walking along the tree-lined path, Su Qianqian often received many curious or admiring glances.
Quite a few male students were eager to make a move, but most reluctantly gave up the idea upon hearing she seemed to have a boyfriend.
A few persistent ones went through roundabout ways to ask about her.
In the evening, the dormitory common room was cozy and warm.
Chen Xue, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, spoke up: "Qianqian, someone asked me today to find out, do you actually have a boyfriend or not?"
Su Qianqian was curled up on the sofa looking at her phone. Hearing this, she raised her head.
The face of Gu Chengyu flashed through her mind, along with his cold indifference. Her fingers holding the phone tightened slightly, a sour feeling welling up in her heart.
Boyfriend? Did he still count as one now?
She lowered her long eyelashes, hiding the emotions in her eyes, her voice soft: "No, I don't have a boyfriend."
"Really?" Zhou Wan exclaimed in surprise, her mouth agape. "But the rumors outside say..."
"He's not," Su Qianqian interrupted her, her tone firm, yet as if repeating it to convince herself, "I don't have a boyfriend."
Chen Xue looked at her lowered brows and eyes and her obvious reluctance to discuss the matter further, nodded understandingly, and didn't press on.
Although Zhou Wan was still curious, she tactfully changed the subject.
Lin Man, who had been quietly sitting at the table looking at sheet music, paused her movements.
No boyfriend?
Su Qianqian had been staying in the school dormitory continuously for almost half a month.
That imposing man who used to frequently come pick her up had never appeared again.
Now, when asked about her relationship status, she actually denied it outright?
Lin Man picked up her phone unobtrusively, her fingertips swiftly typing beneath the screen, editing and sending out the conversation from just moments ago, especially Su Qianqian's line: "I don't have a boyfriend."
The recipient was clearly Song Qingwan.
The message sent successfully. Lin Man put down her phone as if nothing had happened, redirecting her gaze to the sheet music as if the earlier incident had never occurred.
Elsewhere, the Song residence.
Song Qingwan picked up her phone. The screen lit up, showing a new message from Lin Man.
After reading it, the smile at the corner of her lips deepened a little.
Having held back for so long, it seemed she could make her move now?
...
Two months ago, afternoon, the tea room at the Song family villa.
Song Qingwan, wearing a beige knitted long dress, sat gracefully by the window, brewing a pot of tea.
The door to the tea room was knocked gently.
"Young Miss, Miss Qiao Xi is here," a servant announced softly.
"Please show her in," Song Qingwan said without looking up.
Qiao Xi walked in.
She was a far cry from the glamorous celebrity she had been a few months ago, her eyes carrying a lingering weariness.
Looking at her cousin behind the tea table, whose aura was noble and refined as if untouched by worldly concerns, Qiao Xi unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes.
"Qingwan, elder sister," Qiao Xi's voice was somewhat hoarse.
"Sit," Song Qingwan finally looked at her, gesturing to the seat opposite.
"Try this year's new tea."
Qiao Xi sat down as instructed, accepting the cup of tea, but had little mind to savor it.
The large family gathering for the main and branch families had just concluded not long ago. The faces of those relatives, seemingly concerned but actually mocking, were still vivid in her memory. They were all laughing at her, now only able to hide at home relying on her parents.
The frustration was driving her mad.
Qiao Xi put down the teacup, her voice filled with resentment: "Qingwan, elder sister, that matter I mentioned to you last time..."
Song Qingwan gently blew on the tea, her tone indifferent: "Hmm, I have a rough idea. Gu Chengyu has a new star by his side."
"And this time it's different. He's protecting her closely. It was also because of her that he stood me up."
Qiao Xi couldn't wait to speak up: "It's that Su Qianqian, an orphan girl who came from who-knows-where. Who knows what tricks she used to bewitch him so completely."
"Elder sister Lin Shu and I didn't even do anything much, and suddenly we were brought down by her!"
She grew more agitated as she spoke, leaning forward: "Qingwan, elder sister, you're not like us. You're the legitimate young lady of the Song family. In terms of talent, looks, family background, which point can't compare to that bitch? If you're willing to take action..."
"Qiao Xi," Song Qingwan interrupted her mildly, her voice still gentle, "Mind your language."
Qiao Xi abruptly fell silent, realizing her lapse, and quickly lowered her head: "I'm sorry, Qingwan, elder sister. I just... I hate her so much."
Song Qingwan set down her teacup.
"Hate solves nothing," she said calmly.
"Gu Chengyu's whereabouts are not something we can investigate."
"However, the public schedules and movements of a somewhat famous minor celebrity are quite easy to grasp."
Song Qingwan looked at her and continued, "You need not concern yourself with this matter."
"Rest at home recently. Behave yourself and don't cause any more trouble."
"And don't inquire too much about outside affairs."
Qiao Xi immediately nodded like a chick pecking at rice: "I know! I understand!"
She got up and left. The tea room returned to tranquility.
Song Qingwan sat alone, her thoughts wandering.
Su Qianqian, a helpless orphan girl, was worthy of blocking her path?
The position of the young mistress of the Gu family could only be hers.
