One month later, Su Qianqian, as expected, was admitted to Xinghe University.
On the opening day, her long, silky hair cascaded over her shoulders. Carrying a canvas bag, her aura was clean and ethereal, making her stand out even in a crowd and attracting many glances.
"Classmate?" A female voice sounded beside her.
Su Qianqian turned her head and saw a girl with neat short hair, wearing cargo pants and carrying a large instrument case, looking at her with bright, shining eyes.
She exclaimed, "Wow! You're so beautiful. You must be that new artist who's recently blown up in the entertainment industry, right? I know who you are."
Su Qianqian was momentarily taken aback, then gave a somewhat shy, pursed-lip smile.
The short-haired girl was naturally outgoing and familiar. Without any reservation, she extended her hand. "I'm Qin Yuwei, Composition major in the Music Department! And you?"
"Su Qianqian, Acting Department." Su Qianqian reached out and shook her hand lightly.
"Su Qianqian, what a lovely name!" Qin Yuwei repeated it, then suddenly seemed to have made a new discovery.
"Your voice is also so beautiful! Soft, clean, and with a kind of ethereal feel to it!"
She grew more and more excited as she spoke, grabbing Su Qianqian's wrist. "Classmate Qianqian, could you do me a favor?"
"I've been working on an original piece of music lately but could never find the right voice. Your voice is literally my dream voice."
"There aren't many lyrics, could you help record it? Please!"
Qin Yuwei spoke rapidly, her eyes blazing with fervor.
Su Qianqian was somewhat flustered by this sudden enthusiasm and gently tried to withdraw her wrist. "I'm not very good at singing..."
"You don't need to be! Just hum a few lines casually! Really! Your vocal tone itself is already a work of art!"
Qin Yuwei refused to let go, continuing to plead. "Classmate Qianqian, I'm begging you. Your voice is truly a gift from heaven. Don't just focus on the acting circle, take a look at our vocal music circle too."
Su Qianqian, unable to fend her off and seeing her genuine sincerity, softened and finally nodded. "Alright then, let's exchange contacts. We can do it another day."
"Excellent!" Qin Yuwei cheered.
One week later, Zhou Yu'an, dressed in casual suit attire, carried himself with an air of noble elegance.
He had been invited back by the college to give an academic lecture. Passing by Qin Yuwei's practice room, he thought he'd drop in to see her, but was instead drawn in by an ethereal female voice coming from inside.
"Yuwei, made a new friend?" Zhou Yu'an adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his voice gentle as he teased his lively and clever younger cousin. However, his gaze imperceptibly landed on the slender-backed girl.
"Yu'an Ge!" Qin Yuwei saw him and immediately went over to greet him.
"Come and listen quickly! My new friend has the most incredible, beautiful voice."
Zhou Yu'an walked over with a smile, his gaze settling on the face of the girl who turned around at the sound. Her skin was snow-white, her features exquisitely delicate, almost unreal. Her eyes were clear, like a fawn in the forest, innocent of the ways of the world.
So it was her.
The smile at the corner of Zhou Yu'an's lips deepened, his eyes behind the lenses gaining a flicker of interest.
He knew of Su Qianqian.
Gu Chengyu's little girlfriend, the one he treasured like nothing else, the one he'd been spoiling to the heavens and earth lately.
He always maintained excellent boundaries with women his close friends openly acknowledged, never crossing lines—like with that previous one, Lin Shu.
But at this moment, looking at this delicate, pure girl before him,
Zhou Yu'an suddenly felt that some rules might not be entirely unbreakable.
Moreover, he had sensed last time that she wasn't all that genuinely in love with Chengyu; it seemed more like a dependence, a need for a protector.
So, perhaps a different person could also fill that role?
"Indeed, it is a very crisp and melodious voice," Zhou Yu'an echoed Qin Yuwei's words, his tone elegant, his eyes resting on Su Qianqian.
"Qianqian, hello. This should be our second meeting today."
"Let me introduce myself formally. I am Zhou Yu'an."
Su Qianqian met his eyes, which were difficult to read, and felt an inexplicable tightness in her chest. Yet, her expression remained one of pure, timid innocence as she gave a slight nod. "Hello, Mr. Zhou."
Zhou Yu'an looked at her—this surface appearance of docile obedience that actually held a hint of nervousness—and the smile on his lips remained unchanged.
Interesting. Quite perceptive.
But still no match for a top psychologist like him.
