Zhang Yan gave a look that clearly conveyed she wouldn't say more, insisting Wang Qiqi would understand once she arrived at the scene. This made Wang Qiqi feel that attending this group activity was a brilliant decision. "So, this is your motivation for joining the orientation meeting?"

Zhang Yan smiled without answering, instead pivoting the conversation to a book she had borrowed the previous day. "It’s really quite good. You should read it sometime; that travelogue is wonderfully written. I truly hope I can visit Turkey one day..."

Turkey? Oh, Wang Qiqi wasn't particularly fond of it, but it was certainly an ancient civilization. "Reading travelogues just makes me realize how vast the world is." It was a pity how few people actually managed to travel the globe; even those who did often only skimmed the surface. A deep understanding was easily achievable, but those with money often lacked time, and those with time often lacked money. Although there were backpackers nowadays who could travel cheaply, Wang Qiqi felt that while accommodations didn't need to be luxurious, experiencing the local cuisine was essential—a truly expensive endeavor, especially in developed countries. "I'm planning to travel a bit during the summer vacation."

From Wang Qiqi’s frequent reading of travelogues, Zhang Yan knew she was also someone who loved to travel. Furthermore, with her parents gone, she had the freedom to go wherever she wished. "I envy you." Zhang Yan didn't even know what her own summer vacation would look like, but it certainly wouldn't involve freedom; it would only hold many tasks she didn't wish to perform.

"Envy?" This was the first time Wang Qiqi had ever heard Zhang Yan say that. She saw both envy and a hint of distaste in her eyes, which struck Wang Qiqi as very strange. Yet, looking again, her expression didn't suggest she disliked Wang Qiqi herself. "Envy is useless; you have to work to achieve it yourself. When my parents were alive, they used to take me out to play, but alas..." She trailed off, remembering her father once promised to take her to Thailand after she got into university, but sadly... "Don't hold yourself so tightly. Even through hardship, you will see the beauty in life."

The beauty in life? "For example?"

"Take me, for instance. Many people say that since my parents passed away just over a year ago, I seem like someone without feelings, always cheerful and joking around. But what good does crying all day do? So, every morning when I wake up, I tell myself it's a brand new day, and I wonder if there's anything happy I can share with my parents." Wang Qiqi spoke quietly, as if narrating someone else's story. "Of course, I occasionally complain about why they left me alone like this."

"So you choose to face it all with a smile..." Regarding the death of her parents, Zhang Yan often spoke of it with a smile and frequently joked around with everyone. Because of this, Gong Yiying had more than once privately called Wang Qiqi cold-blooded behind her back.

Wang Qiqi gave a bitter laugh. "If I don't face it with a smile, what else can I do? Just cry all day long?" In her past life, she had done nothing but cry, ultimately ruining her own future, and the inheritance her parents left behind was not secured, leading a life far more miserable than Lin Daiyu's. "Sometimes people need to look forward. As long as I am living well, my parents below will be at ease. Does weeping and wailing truly express one's love for their parents?"

"Only if I live happily and contentedly will my parents be happy, don't you think?" Wang Qiqi countered.

Zhang Yan fell silent. Yes, Wang Qiqi had a very valid point. Bai Ge and the others weren't far from Wang Qiqi either, and hearing her words, they too remained quiet. They had all previously discussed whether Wang Qiqi was cold-blooded. They never imagined she had chosen to bury her pain deep inside, opting instead to greet life with a smile.

Duan Xiaomin glanced back at Wang Qiqi, then turned her head away. She was quite shaken. Few children her age would think this way; most would only feel their parents were heartless and harbor resentment toward many people. But Wang Qiqi had chosen another path. Perhaps this was why she did whatever she pleased, acting on what she liked. "Qiqi, have you thought about whether you'll return to your hometown after graduation?"

"That's too far off. I don't even know if I'll pursue postgraduate studies, and I'm not sure how I’ll pass the final exams for this first semester of my freshman year." Wang Qiqi wasn't going to share her future plans with them; there was no need. "Oh, right, I wonder who will perform today. Didn't the class beauty from next door say she's doing a solo?"

"I think you mean you want to see if the talented senior will present flowers," Zhang Yan smoothly redirected the conversation.

Wang Qiqi laughed and admitted Zhang Yan was correct. "Girl, you understand me too well." Wang Qiqi playfully lifted Zhang Yan's chin with a single finger. "I just think that at such a perfect occasion, the senior should officially announce that he has won the beauty's heart."

"Perhaps so," Bai Ge chimed in with some gossip they had overheard. In an instant, the group slowed their steps, essentially stopping in place to discuss.

Feng Yanjie was speaking animatedly when she suddenly spotted someone. She immediately stopped talking and stared intently at a certain spot. Her silence made everyone else feel strange. Why stop talking when the discussion was going so well? Weren't they just dangling everyone's curiosity? As they urged her on, she said, "Stop fussing, look." Feng Yanjie pointed to a spot.

They had initially assumed the talented senior was indeed preparing to go to the stage with a bouquet of roses, but they were surprised to see a familiar face. "Why is he holding flowers?"

"Did the class prepare a flower presentation activity? Duan Xiaomin, do you know?" Bai Ge looked at Duan Xiaomin in confusion. That seemed like such a waste; was the class fund just going to be depleted like this?

Duan Xiaomin shook her head, perplexed. "I haven't heard anything about it." Something this significant couldn't possibly skip us.

Gong Yiying watched for a moment, then seemed to understand. "I don't think the class bought the flowers for presentation; someone must be planning to confess their feelings." Gong Yiying inwardly cursed Han Meina for being so lucky to find such an outstanding boyfriend right after entering campus. Rumor had it that this Zhang Han came from a quite affluent family; whenever they went out to eat before, the bill always came to forty or fifty yuan, which stunned Gong Yiying. Although Gong Yiying might not be head-over-heels for Zhang Han, she had to admit he met her criteria. Gong Yiying had been contemplating how to pursue Zhang Han herself these past few days.

Hmph, her aunt had told her that a man pursuing a woman faces a mountain, but a woman pursuing a man faces only a thin sheet of paper. Gong Yiying didn't believe she couldn't win Zhang Han over. But now that he was making this move, regardless of whether Han Meina accepted his proposal, it felt awkward for her to step in now. Gong Yiying wasn't the type to worry about gossip, but she feared outside chatter would make her pursuit of Zhang Han much harder. Should she just give up? Gong Yiying's heart was quite anxious at that moment. She had observed several freshmen; those with better circumstances than Zhang Han either looked down on people with disdain or were visually quite unappealing. Comparing them all, Zhang Han was the most pleasing to the eye. Sigh.

None of them, including Wang Qiqi, noticed the sour note in Gong Yiying’s voice. Of course, even if they had heard it, they wouldn't have paid it much mind. After all, Zhang Han holding a bouquet of red roses was clearly a gesture of love, which was quite stimulating for those single souls still holding onto fantasies about romance.

Bai Ge looked longingly at the roses in Zhang Han's hand, but she knew those flowers definitely weren't for her. What concerned her was, "Who is Zhang Han planning to confess to?" That was the crucial question. She hadn't heard Zhang Han express interest in any particular girl.

"Who else could it be?" Gong Yiying muttered before turning and heading toward the auditorium. She couldn't bear to stay and watch Zhang Han hold the roses; she felt she might impulsively run over and confess herself. But if she confessed first, what would Zhang Han do? Gong Yiying mused as she walked, but she lacked the courage to confess right now. If Bai Ge and the others hadn't noticed, it might have been a decent plan, but if they witnessed it, and Zhang Han still proposed to Han Meina afterward, how could she possibly show her face around here later? Gong Yiying let out a long sigh.

"Han Meina."

"Han Meina?"

Several voices, either questioning or affirming, arose, followed by glances exchanged among the group. This outcome wasn't entirely surprising to them. They had often seen Zhang Han and Han Meina coming and going together before. Although they claimed it was for official business, it now seemed someone was using official business as an excuse to see Han Meina. The only uncertainty was how the leading lady would respond.

"I knew it! That's why Zhang Han acted so gentlemanly on the election day—it was all to set the stage for his future move. That's a smart tactic," Bai Ge realized belatedly. "But Zhang Han and Han Meina do look quite well together."

"They do look well together," Li Xin agreed concerning appearances, but the issue was, "Han Meina has quite a temper, and I hear Zhang Han isn't exactly mild-mannered either; they are both quite self-centered..." Li Xin wondered how two such self-centered people could last long together, unless one of them was willing to compromise.

"Whether they suit each other isn't our business to manage. Besides, perhaps Zhang Han will be accommodating when he encounters Han Meina," Duan Xiaomin said, glancing at Zhang Han again. Truthfully, Duan Xiaomin harbored a slight, vague crush on Zhang Han, but she knew Zhang Han would never like her. Aside from her cheerful personality, what else could she compare to Han Meina? "Alright, let's go inside; it’s cold out here."

Bai Ge let out an 'oh,' but then she suddenly asked, "Why did Gong Yiying leave so angrily just now? I felt like she wasn't very pleased that Zhang Han was presenting flowers to Han Meina." Bai Ge found Gong Yiying truly odd.

The five of them glanced at Bai Ge, then simultaneously shook their heads. Did this girl genuinely not know, or was she pretending? "The two of them haven't gotten along since that last selection event," Duan Xiaomin thought for a moment before giving Bai Ge a more easily understandable answer. As for the other answer, it wasn't something they could discuss right now, with people coming and going, who knew who else might still be lingering nearby. (To be continued)