After Zhao Qingyu emerged from the bathroom, the group made their way back to the Art Troupe’s classroom.
“Senior Sister?”
“You all head to the classrooms on the other side. The rest of the new students are interviewing there. Leave this one to me.”
“Oh, okay.”
At Zhao Qingyu’s instruction, the Art Troupe members who had been in the large classroom immediately cleared out and shifted to two small classrooms nearby.
The new students waiting for their numbers still looked utterly baffled when they were suddenly called over.
Shen An watched it all unfold and thought to himself that the Art Troupe truly lived up to its reputation for being loaded and influential.
Ordinary school groups had to navigate layers of bureaucracy to book classrooms. Most clubs could only sneak into empty ones on the sly.
But the Art Troupe snapped up a whole large classroom, complete with two small ones on the side.
“Senior Sister, should we go over there too?” Shen An asked, though he already knew the answer.
Zhao Qingyu shook her head, a sly glint flashing in her eyes. “You two stay right here. I’ll handle your interviews personally.”
“No need to go to such lengths, right, Senior Sister? Making such a big show of it?” Shen An clutched his chest in mock astonishment.
Zhao Qingyu turned with a smile. “Come on in with me.”
Shen An let out a sigh, then glanced back at Song Rui.
The girl’s anxiety was plain as day on her face.
He hadn’t expected the interview to come so abruptly, skipping even the line and number-calling.
For Song Rui, it hit like a bolt from the blue—she was terrible at thinking on her feet.
Chen Nannan smacked her lips in quiet amazement. She had no choice but to believe what Shen An had said earlier.
With her position as Deputy Troupe Leader, Zhao Qingyu didn’t need to conduct interviews herself. She was more like a supreme emeritus emperor, content to sit in the back and observe.
Yet now she had cleared out an entire large classroom and stepped up personally as the examiner for Shen An and Song Rui.
This was far beyond just “high hopes.”
Had Shen An known Senior Sister Zhao before?
But he insisted he hadn’t…
Chen Nannan felt little joy about it. Instead, worry gnawed at her for Shen An’s sake.
Zhao Qingyu had a somewhat notorious reputation, especially when it came to guys.
She had specifically warned Shen An not to provoke her—just blend in as an ordinary member.
Now, though… everything had shifted too fast. Even Chen Nannan felt lost in the fog, unable to make sense of it.
“By the way, Nannan, Xiao Rou just said she was thinking about you. Why don’t you head next door and catch up?”
Zhao Qingyu paused and turned back with a smile for Chen Nannan.
“Huh?”
“Hmm?”
“Oh…” Chen Nannan’s smile was strained. She sidled up to Shen An and whispered, “You… be careful, okay?”
Shen An’s lips quirked up. “I’ll pass with flying colors.”
The large classroom felt vast and empty, holding only Zhao Qingyu, Shen An, and Song Rui.
Once the door clicked shut, Song Rui’s heart jolted. Her nerves had spread to her limbs, leaving her unable to control the trembling.
She stood frozen, head bowed stiffly, eyes glued to the floor. Her small hands clenched her clothes so fiercely that if the shaking worsened, they might need to call an ambulance.
“You two wait just a moment.”
Zhao Qingyu sauntered to a seat, grabbed some paper and a pen, and appeared to be jotting down interview questions.
Shen An turned to her, gently ruffling Song Rui’s hair. “Don’t be nervous. I’m right here with you. What’s there to fear?”
“Senior Sister Zhao isn’t going to eat anyone, right?”
Song Rui lifted her chin hesitantly and nodded, her uncertainty easing just a fraction under his reassurance.
“Come on, deep breaths: inhale~ exhale~ inhale~ exhale~”
Shen An demonstrated with exaggerated flair. Song Rui watched and couldn’t help but let out a soft, involuntary laugh.
“There we go. A laugh means you’re loosening up.”
Shen An poked her forehead with mock exasperation. “I always have to pep you up. Can’t you encourage me for once?”
Song Rui pouted, her grievance melting into natural coquettishness. “I just… get nervous so easily.”
They had only met twice, their total conversation time barely an hour.
Yet Song Rui had already placed a measure of trust in Shen An.
The clearest sign was this: wherever he was, she felt an inexplicable sense of calm.
As if, no matter what came, he would stand in front first.
Shen An teased her with fond indulgence. “Can’t do a thing with you. From now on, you’re in charge of my homework, Academic Committee Member!”
“Mmm~”
Song Rui nodded obediently.
Just then, Zhao Qingyu chimed in. “Ready?”
The look she gave them carried an ambiguous tease, as if she had already formed her own firm opinion about their relationship.
Song Rui spoke up first. “We’re ready, Senior Sister.”
“And you?”
Shen An nodded. “Of course.”
“Then take these seats, right in front of me.”
Zhao Qingyu pointed to the empty row ahead.
They sat down. Song Rui remained tense, her limbs rigid, small fists balled on her knees and perfectly still.
Shen An, by contrast, lounged in total relaxation, casually scanning the room without a hint of nerves.
Zhao Qingyu tapped the desk lightly. “Interview begins now.”
“The content is straightforward. I have just one question.”
“A question?”
“That’s right, only one. Very simple.” Zhao Qingyu propped her elbow on the desk, cradling her chin in her palm. Her gaze lingered subtly on Shen An’s face.
Her features were pure as fresh snow, sharp as moonlight’s cold edge, but those eyes—captivating, soul-stealing. Her orange bob and fiery makeup evoked snow cloaked in crimson, strikingly vivid.
A rose blooming amid the snow—that was the perfect metaphor for Zhao Qingyu.
Her raw, unflinching stare cut through the air like the sharpest bullet, carrying a scorching heat that warned against meeting it, lest one get burned… or ensnared.
Song Rui, of course, couldn’t bring herself to meet it.
Only Shen An stayed utterly calm.
“Go ahead and ask, Senior Sister.”
His voice was soft.
“Y-Yes… Senior Sister… go… go ahead.” Song Rui stammered.
“My question is this: If you were to give yourself a gift, what would you choose? And why?”
Zhao Qingyu’s gaze stayed mostly on Shen An.
She seemed locked in a subtle contest with him, like a childish game where the first to blink loses.
“It’s just a normal question. Answer from the heart.”
“And nothing too vague or lofty, got it?”
Zhao Qingyu’s smile faded, her alluring gaze sharpening into something more pressuring.
Shen An pondered for a moment. He already had his answer.
But he held off, glancing first at Song Rui.
She was genuinely on edge, fine sweat beading on her forehead.
Zhao Qingyu’s lips curved slyly as she turned to Song Rui, her tone cool. “Got it figured out?”
“Ah… I… I’m… al-most… there.”
Song Rui looked on the verge of tears from the scare.
“’Almost’ meaning how long?”
“I…”
“Senior Sister, I’ll go first.” Shen An shifted in his seat and gently patted Song Rui’s trembling hand, drawing the fire onto himself.
“Fine. You first.”
Zhao Qingyu leaned back, crossing her legs with casual grace. The small motion traced her perfect curves in exquisite detail.
“If I had to give myself a gift, I’d choose a bouquet of flowers.”
Shen An recalled a classic, utterly absurd line.
“Flowers?”
His answer caught both Zhao Qingyu and Song Rui off guard.
A guy buying himself flowers? What kind of play was that?
Zhao Qingyu blinked, her eyes shimmering. “I overheard some interesting tidbits when you were checking in. Is it true?”
Shen An played coy. “What do you think, Senior Sister?”
“I won’t guess. You tell me.”
“Then you might be waiting a while, Senior Sister.”
“No rush. I’ve got all the patience in the world.” Zhao Qingyu smiled, brushing back a lock of her orange hair. “Now, the reason. Why flowers for yourself?”
“Because most men don’t get their first bouquet until their own funeral.”
Shen An said softly. “I’m not sure if that’ll be my fate, so why not give myself one now?”
“Tsk. You don’t sound too confident in yourself.”
Zhao Qingyu leaned forward, propping her cheek and toying with her earring. “If you asked nicely, I bet the girl next to you would happily give you one.”
Eh??
Song Rui blinked in confusion, suddenly pulled into it.
“Right?”
Zhao Qingyu turned to Song Rui with a playful smile.
“Uh…” Song Rui managed only an awkward smile, at a loss for words.
Shen An leaned in closer. “Would you give me flowers, Senior Sister?”
Zhao Qingyu covered her mouth with a coy lift of her fingertips. “What do you think?”
“I’m guessing no.”
“Tsk, wrong~” Zhao Qingyu narrowed her eyes. “I’d definitely send you a bouquet.”
“A funeral bouquet.”
“Hiss. Sounds kinda creepy. Can I opt out?”
“You’re so unreasonable. You clearly wanted me to give you one, but now that I’m offering, you don’t want it. That’s really going to hurt my feelings.”
Zhao Qingyu shot him a pretend glare full of resentment.
“Um…”
Song Rui watched as the two of them started veering into flirty banter. Feeling a little embarrassed, she raised her small hand.
“Hm?”
“I… I have an answer too.”
“What is it?” Shen An turned to ask.
“I… I want to give myself a cup of milk tea.” As Song Rui voiced her answer, her gaze drifted unintentionally toward Shen An.
Huh???
Shen An’s mouth twitched. He was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
This response was even more abstract than his own.
Zhao Qingyu perked up with interest. “Milk tea?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Because… because I feel like no one would give me milk tea, so… I decided to give myself a cup.”
Song Rui pouted, her light words carrying a faint trace of resentment.
Combined with that little look in her eyes, even Zhao Qingyu couldn’t help feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.
She stood up and leaned on Shen An’s shoulder. “Oh dear, it looks like I’ve got some competition.”
Shen An: ????
Song Rui: ????
“Junior Brother, you’re quite the charmer. You’ve only been at school for a few days.”
“But I’ve already claimed him, so sorry about that, Junior Sister.”
Zhao Qingyu patted Song Rui’s shoulder with mock regret.
“I… I didn’t mean it that way… Senior Sister…”
Zhao Qingyu’s bold declaration shattered Song Rui’s faint resentment in an instant.
It also shattered Shen An’s composure.
Was she being this direct?
“You didn’t? That’s for the best.” Zhao Qingyu smiled enigmatically. “I have a really strong competitive streak, so my temper isn’t great—especially toward my rivals.”
“You wouldn’t want to become my rival, would you, Junior Sister?”
Her question came out of nowhere, catching them completely off guard.
Under the circumstances, Song Rui could only nod.
“Tsk, you’re so cute, Junior Sister.”
Zhao Qingyu mimicked Shen An’s earlier gesture, gently patting Song Rui on the head.
But Song Rui felt a chill run down her spine—a nauseating discomfort.
The same head pat felt entirely different coming from Shen An versus Zhao Qingyu.
Yet she didn’t dare resist and could only endure it.
“I hope you find someone to give you that milk tea, Junior Sister.”
Zhao Qingyu offered her “sincere” blessing.
Shen An grumbled, “Senior Sister, stop teasing her. She’s already easy to fool as it is.”
Zhao Qingyu shot him a glance. “Want to take her place?”
“Sure.”
Shen An grinned and reached out to touch Zhao Qingyu’s hand.
But she pulled away instantly, not giving him the slightest chance.
Seeing this, Shen An showed no disappointment. Instead, his smile grew even brighter.
“Alright, enough joking around with you two.”
Zhao Qingyu clapped her hands, acting as if nothing had happened. “Junior Sister, are you okay? Forgive me for the little prank.”
“I… I’m fine…”
Song Rui’s reassurance wasn’t very convincing.
Shen An raised his hand. “At a time like this, shouldn’t you be checking on me, Senior Sister?”
“You don’t look scared at all.”
“No, no, what I mean is, I’m looking forward to it!”
“So, are you going to treat me to dinner? I skipped lunch today, and I’m starving.”
Zhao Qingyu spoke in a coquettish tone, her eyes like enchanting crescent moons. “After dinner, we can take a stroll and chat some more. Sound good?”
Shen An’s smile froze. “Ahem, I’m a bit short on cash. Sorry.”
“Tsk, that’s no fun.”
Zhao Qingyu made a disdainful face.
“If Senior Sister’s willing to treat me…”
“Stop right there. I’m short on cash too.” Zhao Qingyu smiled faintly, cutting off Shen An’s greedy wishful thinking.
Song Rui sat quietly to the side.
At that moment, she felt utterly superfluous.
Like air.
No, even air was more useful than her.
At least people would die without it.
Seeing the two of them on the verge of flirty banter again, she hurriedly tried to assert her presence. “Um… Senior Sister… Is the interview over?”
Zhao Qingyu blinked, then chuckled lightly. “It is.”
“So… did I pass? Or…”
Song Rui looked at Zhao Qingyu cautiously.
“Do you really want to join the Art Troupe?” Zhao Qingyu’s gaze sharpened, turning serious.
“Yeah.” Song Rui nodded sincerely.
“But from what I’ve seen, you’re not really suited for the Art Troupe.”
Song Rui’s hopeful eyes dimmed instantly at her words.
“Senior Sister,” Shen An interjected at the right moment, “no one’s born ready for the stage. It takes practice, right?”
“You’re patient enough. Teaching one more Junior Sister shouldn’t be a problem, should it?”
Zhao Qingyu tilted her head. “So, are you treating me to dinner?”
