Under Zhao Qingyu’s piercing gaze, Shen An hesitated before saying, “Actually, it’s nothing. I just happened to be sitting between Senior Sister Qi and Senior Sister Yu.”
“You know how it is—sitting for several hours like that, you’re bound to pick up some of their perfume. That’s totally normal, right?”
Zhao Qingyu crossed her arms over her chest. “Go on.”
“Huh?” Shen An blinked. “Go on with what? There’s nothing else.”
“Nothing else?”
Zhao Qingyu gave him a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.
“Uh…” Shen An’s mind raced. Before he had arrived, Zhao Qingyu had called Qi Taili and Yu Wen in first.
They had probably spilled everything to her already.
“Fine, there is a little more to it.”
Shen An cleared his throat. “Think about it—we were in the car for so long, bouncing around the whole way. It’s only natural to get tired and drowsy.”
“So~”
He wiggled his fingers for emphasis. “It was totally normal for the two senior sisters to nod off during the trip, right?”
“Oh~” Zhao Qingyu nodded in a perfunctory manner. “Go on.”
Shen An furrowed his brow. ?
Her fox-like eyes glinted with a chill. “Go on.”
“There’s nothing more. That’s the whole story.”
Shen An grew serious. “Besides, I don’t get why you’re coming at me like this, Senior Sister. This isn’t gossip—it’s an interrogation.”
He turned the tables on her. “I’m your assistant, not some criminal in the dock.”
Zhao Qingyu blinked in slight surprise. She hadn’t expected such a fiery response from him.
“I…”
“And even stepping back ten thousand miles,” Shen An cut her off, “suppose something did happen between me and the two senior sisters. How is that any of your business?”
“We’re not living in some feudal era anymore. These days, it’s all about free love.”
“Plus, you’re no one’s guardian, are you, Senior Sister?”
The abrupt shift left Zhao Qingyu—who was used to holding all the cards—reeling.
Worse still, this wasn’t the first time Shen An had caught her off guard.
“If you’re just curious, gossiping for kicks, I’d be happy to fill you in.”
“But from your tone, Senior Sister, there’s not a shred of playfulness in this.”
Shen An pressed his advantage, locking eyes with her. “Either you’re keeping something from me, and I’m throwing a wrench in your plans.”
“Or you’re jealous.”
Zhao Qingyu froze on the spot. Seeing her reaction, the corners of Shen An’s mouth quirked up. “Don’t tell me it’s the second one, Senior Sister?”
Jealousy in this context didn’t have to mean romantic jealousy.
In truth, as long as one side felt off-balance over possessiveness toward the other, it counted.
Even friends could get jealous like that.
Once the words were out, Shen An braced himself for any response.
Given Zhao Qingyu’s personality, she might explode in denial or brush it off with a quip.
So, what would her reaction be?
Shen An watched her closely, waiting.
As for Zhao Qingyu…
After a moment of stunned silence, she surprised him with a faint smile.
She tilted her head, her slender fingertip crossing the air between them to rest once more on his chin. “You got me. I am jealous.”
Shen An: ?
Now it was his turn to be caught off guard—more than that, completely thrown.
“You’re supposed to be my secretary. How can you get so chummy with other people?”
Zhao Qingyu shot him a look laced with grievance, her fingertip teasing his chin restlessly. “And you’re such a blockhead. I invited you to sit with me, but you turned me down flat.”
“Fine, don’t sit with me—but you go and plop yourself right between Yu Wen and Qi Taili. What am I supposed to think?”
Well…
Shen An didn’t feel any real elation.
Sure, Zhao Qingyu might have been a touch jealous, but she’d deftly spun it into teasing—a higher-level deflection.
That was the hallmark difference between masters and amateurs.
Foxes were cunning; they could slyly own up to the accusation and turn the tables with a question.
In a way, it was a lot like Shen An’s own shameless style.
Yeah~ Guilty as charged~ What’re you gonna do about it?
Gonna keep a straight face and scold me?
Gonna nitpick every little thing?
Zhao Qingyu pouted in a mix of dissatisfaction and coquettishness. “You completely ignore my charms. Or do you really not go for my type?”
After his initial shock, Shen An decided to play along.
With dead seriousness, he clasped her small hand and gazed at her with utter sincerity. “Truth is, Senior Sister, you’re exactly my type. Just be a little gentler, and it’d be perfect.”
“Oh? So you like the gentle type.”
“Yep.”
“But gentle types and fox types are natural enemies.” Zhao Qingyu slipped her hand free without a sound, her fingertip resuming its playful stroke along his chin, like she was petting a puppy.
“If you’d change for me~” Shen An said, feigning shyness, his voice dripping with affection.
“Ah~ Tell you what. Weren’t you bummed earlier about not rooming with the girls from your department?”
The seductive glint in Zhao Qingyu’s eyes deepened. “Come to my room tonight. It’s empty—no one’s there.”
“You can teach me all about changing then, nice and slow.”
“Sound good?”
Shen An hesitated. “That doesn’t seem right…”
Her gaze sharpened. In an instant, her fingertip turned to claw, clamping down hard on his throat. “And you actually dared to imagine it.”
Cough~
Shen An patted her hand. “My bad, Senior Sister,” he rasped.
“Hmph~”
Zhao Qingyu snorted coldly and released him, crossing her legs. “I just don’t want you getting too close to them.”
She narrowed her eyes and murmured softly, “You’re mine. Got it?”
The words carried layers of meaning. Ripples stirred in Shen An’s heart.
Yu Wen and Qi Taili… Were they not people Zhao Qingyu truly trusted?
Yet they were the ones who seemed closest to her on the surface.
Hiss…
Shen An kept his expression neutral even as his thoughts churned. “I get it—a little.”
“A little? What’s still unclear?”
“Uh~ About what you said earlier… Tonight, could I…”
Shen An rubbed his hands together expectantly.
Zhao Qingyu’s mouth twitched. She waved him off grandly. “Get lost.”
Shen An’s face fell in profound disappointment.
Just then, Shen Lianyao and Song Rui approached.
The rest of the group had already headed to the elevators under their respective presidents’ guidance, off to find their rooms.
“Senior Sister, did you need us for something?” Shen Lianyao asked. She was bolder than Song Rui, who shrank back like Zhao Qingyu was some demon.
“Nothing much. Just grab your luggage and sit here with me for a bit.”
Zhao Qingyu smiled sweetly at Shen Lianyao, gesturing to the sofa on the other side.
Song Rui shot a timid glance at Shen An. Clutching her small suitcase and his backpack, she instinctively started drifting toward him.
Her intentions were plain as day, and Zhao Qingyu caught every bit of it.
“I said, sit over here.”
Zhao Qingyu’s tone was flat.
Song Rui’s delicate frame trembled. She bowed her head, turned, and scurried to the spot Zhao Qingyu had indicated, not daring to so much as glance at Shen An again.
Once the two girls had settled, Zhao Qingyu beamed at them. “After hearing my little introduction, any spots you want to check out?”
Shen Lianyao shook her head slightly. “Not yet.”
“And you?”
Zhao Qingyu turned to Song Rui.
Song Rui was already a nervous wreck, her eyes darting everywhere.
Luckily, she caught an encouraging look from Shen An, which steadied her a fraction. “I… I haven’t decided either,” she stammered.
“Oh~ So neither of you has any ideas.”
Zhao Qingyu pondered for a moment. “In that case, I’ll pick for you.”
She drawled it out. “I just chatted with the presidents of the Model Group and Singing Group. We’re planning a camping picnic.”
Hm?
Shen An narrowed his eyes. Was that why she’d summoned Yu Wen and Qi Taili earlier? Just to hash this out?
Had he been played again?
Damn.
He’d almost forgotten: ever since freshman year, Zhao Qingyu had pranked him more than anyone.
Not a word from that sly fox woman could be trusted!
“What’s wrong?” Zhao Qingyu’s gaze flicked to him. “Got any objections?”
Heh.
Shen An smiled and shook his head. “None at all. Camping sounds great—picnic even better. But we’re not seriously camping out overnight, right?”
His offhand question hit on exactly what Shen Lianyao and Song Rui were most worried about.
Camping was fine, but neither girl wanted to actually sleep in the wild.
“Of course not.”
Zhao Qingyu’s voice softened. “Just a get-together for food—grill some barbecue and such. Weather’s perfect today, and the mountain forests around here are nice and cool. Ideal spot.”
“Oh~ In that case, no problem.”
Shen An voiced his approval.
Shen Lianyao and Song Rui had no issues either.
“Since everyone’s on board, you two head up first and check your rooms. Drop off your luggage, take a look around, then come back down to meet up.”
Zhao Qingyu shot Shen An a meaningful glance.
Shen An helplessly handed over the other room card he held.
“Senior Sister… um…”
Song Rui spoke up suddenly.
“Hm?”
“Well… what about Shen An?” Song Rui glanced cautiously at Zhao Qingyu.
“What do you mean?”
The smile gradually faded from Zhao Qingyu’s eyes.
“Nothing… it’s just… his backpack is still here.”
“Then give it to him.”
“But… where is he staying, then?”
Song Rui truly seemed concerned about the question.
Watching from the side, Shen An felt a pang of sympathy for her worry.
You could have just asked me about this privately! Why bring it up in front of Zhao Qingyu?
And…
Why do you even want to know where I’m staying? Are you planning to sneak over in the middle of the night?
Hmm… If that’s the case…
Shen An wouldn’t have minded at all.
But his smugness didn’t last long. He caught Shen Lianyao’s gaze—a look brimming with clear disdain.
Shen An was left full of question marks: ?
“He has his own room,” Zhao Qingyu explained calmly to address Song Rui’s concern. “And it’s the exclusive suite. Don’t worry, sure, I’m a bit petty, but I’m not about to make him sleep on the street.”
Uh…
Her words carried an unmistakable hint of edge, though.
Song Rui bowed her head silently, thinking to herself that she hadn’t accused Zhao Qingyu of being petty or anything…
Shen Lianyao frowned slightly and tugged Song Rui to her feet. “In that case, we’ll head up first and drop off our luggage.”
“Mm, go ahead.”
Zhao Qingyu watched as the two women stepped into the elevator.
Then she turned back, fixing Shen An with a half-smile. “Well, look at you. You’ve only just joined up, and already you’ve got a loyal little fanbase.”
Shen An deflected with easy calm. “Isn’t my biggest supporter you, Senior Sister? You’re the one talking about recommending me as the next Troupe Leader.”
“That’s for the best,” Zhao Qingyu said softly, her tone carrying a subtle weight. “Remember—you’re mine.”
“Senior Sister, can you stop repeating that line? It’s starting to make me uncomfortable.”
“You’re the one overthinking it, you dirty-minded perv. Everything you see, everything you hear—it’s all filthy to you!”
Zhao Qingyu let out a cold snort.
“Then can I head up and check out my room now?”
“You may.”
With that, Zhao Qingyu rose to her feet as well.
Shen An shot her a puzzled look. She offered a gentle smile in return. “The hotel’s huge. I’m afraid you might get lost.”
He glanced at the large suitcase by her feet and chuckled. “I thought you hadn’t brought any luggage, Senior Sister.”
“Of course I did. I just had the driver fetch it for me before we got out of the car.”
“Then why not have the driver take it straight up to your room?”
“Because I’ve got you.”
Zhao Qingyu’s smile shone bright and unapologetic.
Just as I figured…
Shen An let out a sigh. She really didn’t hold back, did she?
Zhao Qingyu stepped closer, straightening the collar of his shirt—the one she’d rumpled earlier. There was a trace of tenderness in the gesture. “I don’t like strangers coming into my room.”
“Even if it’s just for one night.”
“But you’re different. You know that, right?”
Shen An gave a soft chuckle. “I’ve got this impulse right now. Not sure if Senior Sister will allow it.”
Zhao Qingyu’s eyes narrowed slightly, though a smile played at her lips. “Doesn’t sound like anything good.”
“But I want to hear it anyway. Go on.”
“Can I touch your hair?” Shen An’s voice dropped low, laced with the same gentleness.
Zhao Qingyu paused, a flicker of refusal stirring in her chest—only to dissolve quietly under the warmth of his tone.
Before reason could catch up, she nodded on instinct. “Yes.”
Shen An reached out slowly, his fingers brushing lightly over Zhao Qingyu’s shoulder-length short hair.
Truth be told, he preferred long hair.
The texture, the visual appeal—he thought it far superior to short.
Yet here under his fingertips was Zhao Qingyu’s short hair.
Somehow, anything connected to her took on its own special allure and worth.
And so he caressed it with particular care.
Zhao Qingyu pressed her lips together, a quiet ripple stirring deep within her…
His palm…
It felt…
Just a little…
Warm.
She lowered her head without a word—a silent surrender.
