Li Qian’s expression soured upon hearing that. To be honest, she wasn't entirely sure if she had actually developed feelings for someone. As this was the first time she felt this unsettling mix of anxiety and irritation, she couldn't quite place whether this was what liking someone felt like.

“Qingqing, actually… I really don’t know if I’m in love with someone.”

Seeing Li Qian’s utterly dejected face, Liu Qingqing couldn't help but say, “Qianqian, I don’t know who you like, but I can tell you for certain: liking someone needs no reason; if you like them, you like them. That’s all I can offer you, and besides, I haven’t even found anyone I like yet, so I don’t really know how to guide you.”

“Ugh!” Li Qian glanced at her confidante, forcing a bittersweet smile before saying, “Forget about it, let’s not talk about that. By the way, you still haven’t answered me—why are you here?”

“Nothing much. I was just bored, and I thought you’d been acting strange lately, so I came to check on you!” Liu Qingqing replied calmly.

“Oh!” Li Qian had assumed she came for some specific reason. Hearing this, she let the matter drop, but just as she finished speaking, Yang Yi and the other three walked in after finishing their meal.

Their gaze naturally drifted toward him. Liu Qingqing seemed keenly observant; sensing Li Qian’s subtle shift, she followed her line of sight to Yang Yi. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes as she thought, Isn’t that the upperclassman who performed so well at the gala? And I remember he came to the girls' dormitory not long ago to apologize to Qianqian.

“Holy smokes! Liu Qingqing!” Xu Ming’s wide eyes instantly spotted a new discovery, staring intently at Liu Qingqing in astonishment.

“Who? Where? Where is she?” Ye Xiaohou and Lin Fatty snapped to attention upon hearing this and immediately scanned their surroundings.

Suddenly noticing the beautiful woman standing in front of Li Qian, smiling towards them, their hearts skipped a beat, and they both managed foolish, hesitant smiles.

Yang Yi felt a surge of exasperation watching his friends freeze up upon seeing a beauty. He followed their gaze to the woman and immediately felt a strange twinge; wasn’t that the same beauty he had bumped into once before? This was Liu Qingqing?

Liu Qingqing paid no mind to their silly reactions. As a girl who was constantly ranked among the campus beauties, she was well accustomed to such stares. However, a sudden thought sparked in her mind. She glanced at Li Qian, then back at Yang Yi, and walked over.

Seeing Liu Qingqing approach Yang Yi and the others, Li Qian’s heart tightened instantly. She quickly grabbed Liu Qingqing’s arm and asked, “Qingqing, what are you doing?”

“Hehe, Qianqian, I know exactly who you like. I’m going to play matchmaker for you!” Liu Qingqing said, gently shaking off Li Qian’s hand.

Li Qian froze at her words. By the time she processed what was happening, Liu Qingqing had already reached Yang Yi’s group. Her heart began to pound wildly, and her breathing grew shallow.

“Oh my god, am I dreaming? She’s actually walking over to us?” Xu Ming murmured in disbelief, watching Liu Qingqing approach.

“Tsk, why don’t you just pinch yourself and find out?” Lin Fatty retorted.

Liu Qingqing stopped in front of Yang Yi and said, “Senior, hello. Are you perhaps free tonight?”

“Uh!” Yang Yi was taken aback. Though unsure why this beauty was asking him this, he managed a reply that avoided rudeness: “Beautiful lady, I’m like this: if a beauty seeks me out, I’m free that evening. If no beauty seeks me out, then naturally I’m busy—because I have other engagements, you see!”

“Oh!” Now it was Liu Qingqing’s turn to be momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected Yang Yi to respond like that. She chuckled, “Haha, Senior, you’re quite amusing!”

Damn, Boss—that’s seriously impressive! He pulled that off? Xu Ming and the others thought silently.

“Hmm, amusing, am I? By the way, what did you mean by asking if I’m free tonight?” Yang Yi asked with a mischievous smile.

“Well, here’s the thing. I wanted to invite Senior out for dinner tonight, so I was wondering if you had time. Of course, we’ll have a beauty joining us!” Liu Qingqing puffed out her cheeks, radiating a charming, cute smile.

“I said, if a lady invites me, I’m very free. Since the junior wants to invite me, I naturally have time!” Yang Yi replied with a calm smile.

“Great, it’s settled then. See you tonight at the Linglong Western Restaurant!” Liu Qingqing turned and walked away after stating the location.

“Understood. I will be there punctually!”

As soon as Yang Yi finished speaking, Xu Ming and the others pulled him down into a seat, bombarding him with questions: “Hey, Boss, spill it! When did you meet Liu Qingqing, and why is she inviting you to dinner tonight?”

“Uh, well, we just happened to cross paths once before,” Yang Yi said, unable to bear the critical stares of his friends.

“Boss, I’m so jealous! Why do all the beautiful girls flock to you? Waaah, my lifelong virginity!” Ye Xiaohou whined shamelessly.

While Yang Yi and his friends were chatting animatedly, Liu Qingqing had returned to Li Qian’s side, saying, “Qianqian, Linglong Western Restaurant tonight. That’s all I can do for you, hehe. Don't waste my efforts! Dress up beautifully tonight, and remember to rein in that fiery temper of yours—though, even if I didn’t say it, you’d probably forget all about being temperamental the moment you see him.”

“Qingqing!” Li Qian was now a whirlwind of impatience, anticipation, and nervousness, unable to form a coherent response. All she knew was that her heart was racing furiously; 'apprehensive' could barely describe it.

“Alright, Qianqian, have some faith in yourself. Tell him how you feel tonight, and then tell me the result when you get back. I have to run to class now. Bye!” Liu Qingqing finished with a cheerful grin and left.

Li Qian anxiously stood up, then immediately sat back down, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes while stealing glances toward Yang Yi’s group. Yang Yi remained oblivious to the fact that Li Qian was already smitten with him. Though Li Qian herself was still uncertain about the depth of her feelings, she could sense an indescribable liking and connection toward Yang Yi.

Perhaps fate orchestrates things this way—that even the best events are sometimes marred by obstructive fools. Just as he reached the classroom door, Chen Dong unexpectedly caught sight of the scene. A chilling coldness entered his eyes. “Hmph!” he snorted, casting a venomous glare toward Yang Yi. “Li Qian belongs to me. No one can steal her away from me, especially not some scrub who’s about to die anyway! Yang Yi…”

[Urgent request for collections! Everyone, please don't forget to collect this book while you read. I'll be mischievous, you collect. Thank you! Rise up!]