“Aren’t you getting up yet?”
After laughing together for a bit, they continued cuddling close.
After a moment of tender intimacy, Shen An lightly caressed her cheek.
Zhao Qingyu shot him a sidelong glance, a hint of resentment in her voice. “Did I owe you in a past life? You’re always rushing me. Who’s the Troupe Leader here, me or you?”
“You, of course.”
Shen An smiled faintly.
“But that’s exactly why, as Troupe Leader, you can’t slack off so easily.”
“With the school’s Freshman Welcoming Event coming up, it’s a big deal. You need to pay extra attention.”
At his words, Zhao Qingyu deflated with a sigh. “Don’t even bring it up.”
Shen An raised a brow. “Sounds like there’s a story.”
“You just want the gossip, don’t you?” Zhao Qingyu saw right through him and huffed.
“Insider info counts as gossip?”
Shen An chuckled lightly.
“But it doesn’t hurt to tell you.” Zhao Qingyu turned slightly, gazing at the ceiling. “The school sent a notice last night, ordering our Art Troupe to fully cooperate with the Student Union.”
“In other words, we’re supposed to follow the Student Union’s arrangements.”
Shen An frowned in confusion. “Isn’t the Art Troupe already under the Student Union?”
By that logic, they should follow orders anyway.
But from Zhao Qingyu’s tone, it hadn’t been like that before?
Zhao Qingyu narrowed her eyes and looked at Shen An. She reached out to toy with his short hair and murmured, “First off, correct your thinking: the Student Union is the Student Union, and the Art Troupe is the Art Troupe.”
“Second, we’re only nominally superior and subordinate. In reality, we’re equals, so no one’s under anyone.”
“Finally, friendly tip: anyone from the Art Troupe never sees themselves as part of the Student Union, and vice versa.”
Shen An blinked. “Did I read a fake Student Handbook?”
“The handbook’s one thing—theory’s one thing. Reality’s another.”
The corner of Zhao Qingyu’s mouth hooked up in a charming smile. “We put on a good show of harmony in front of the school leaders.”
“But behind closed doors, we probably all can’t stand each other.”
Shen An shrugged. “Your relationship is pretty complicated.”
“Wrong. Ours.”
Zhao Qingyu pinched his cheek. “You’re a member of the Art Troupe, you know. What, you want to turn traitor?”
“Can I at least stay neutral?” Shen An replied with a wry smile.
“Of course not.”
Zhao Qingyu lifted her chin. “Remember what I told you?”
“I know. I’m your guy, right?”
Shen An wrapped his arm around her waist and buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her fragrance deeply. “So, will you keep me? Rich lady.”
Hiss.
The ticklish sensation on her skin made Zhao Qingyu push him away a little, chiding him playfully. “Didn’t you want to be a real stand-up man?”
“I’ve changed my mind. I’m a bit tired now.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Zhao Qingyu frowned. “You were fine when you went back yesterday.”
“Living under someone else’s roof really sucks.”
Shen An’s expression turned bitter, as if he’d been tormented endlessly by Xu Yijing, looking utterly aggrieved.
Zhao Qingyu’s eyes narrowed slightly, her face showing a flicker of complicated emotions.
She pulled him into a tight embrace and murmured, “Yeah, living under someone else’s roof is no fun at all.”
Huh?
Shen An keenly sensed a subtle shift in Zhao Qingyu’s mood.
“Did I hit a sore spot?”
“A little.” Zhao Qingyu gave him a carefree smile.
“What sore spot? Tell me so I can feel better.” Shen An’s fingers roamed restlessly over her skin.
Zhao Qingyu’s body trembled faintly. She gently pressed his hand down and said seriously in a low voice, “Why don’t you move out?”
Shen An froze, genuinely surprised.
“What’s with that look?” Zhao Qingyu sounded a bit annoyed. “Didn’t you say living under someone else’s roof sucks? Wouldn’t it be better if you moved out?”
“Oh, my Troupe Leader, how am I supposed to do that?”
Shen An made a miserable face. “Move out and sleep on the streets?”
“Tsk, you’re actually worried about that?”
Zhao Qingyu pursed her lips. “Don’t you have me?”
“Then how do I explain it to her mom?” Shen An sighed. “And how do I explain it to my own mom?”
Zhao Qingyu’s lips curved in teasing. “Can’t help you there.”
“How about you talk to her mom?”
Shen An probed tentatively.
Talk… to Zhao Li?
Just the thought filled Zhao Qingyu with resistance. She shook her head without hesitation. “No way.”
“What? Are you scared of her? She’s not even your mom.”
Shen An deliberately pushed further to test her attitude.
Zhao Qingyu frowned, looking troubled.
Truth be told, she really wanted Shen An to move out. The idea of him living with Xu Yijing made her uncomfortable no matter how she thought about it.
But…
“You aren’t actually scared of her mom, are you?” Shen An muttered.
“Bullshit!” Zhao Qingyu lifted her chin. “Why would I be scared of her?”
“Then help me out.”
“Uh…” Zhao Qingyu hemmed and hawed. “It’s not the same. You agreed to her request, not me.”
“I can’t just barge in. That wouldn’t be fair—one thing at a time. No, no.”
Shen An’s mouth twitched. “You’re actually thinking about fairness?”
Zhao Qingyu’s gaze sharpened, a glint of coldness flashing in her eyes. “So in your eyes, I’m just some unreasonable, spoiled woman?”
Shen An shook his head quickly.
“Hmph, I can be very reasonable.” Zhao Qingyu mumbled, acting a bit petulant. “Don’t always think the worst of me.”
He added softly, “Not a woman—a girl.”
“Hah?”
“Nothing. Anyway, back to the Art Troupe and Student Union stuff.”
“Tch, what’s there to say.” Zhao Qingyu puffed out her cheeks, disdain clear in her voice. “It’s all thanks to your wonderful roommate.”
“She went on about how the Art Troupe needs tighter management, how it’ll better serve the school. And those school leaders? Brainless. They bought it after hearing just a bit.”
“Whoa, that’s serious. Senior Sister, aren’t you going to fight back? This is so unfair!”
“I did fight back.”
“Go complain to the school leaders?”
“Nah, I called them up and gave them a piece of my mind.”
Zhao Qingyu said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Shen An: …
A thousand words boiled down to one.
Money really is great.
“Scolding them doesn’t solve anything,” he sighed.
“It wouldn’t solve anything even if I didn’t scold them.” Zhao Qingyu wasn’t being capricious; she was quite clear-headed. “Your wonderful roommate already wrapped this up. She’s greased all the wheels top to bottom. Even if I tried now, it’d be too late.”
“So, scolding or not, no solution. Might as well vent to feel better.”
Shen An scratched his head and sighed. “You really are…”
“Really what?”
Zhao Qingyu arched a brow. “Lawless?”
“Uh…”
“Hmph, she came right to my doorstep bullying me. Can’t I fight back?” Zhao Qingyu declared righteously. “School leaders or not, if he’s taking sides, he’s in the wrong.”
Then she looked at him suddenly, narrowing her eyes. “You don’t think I was wrong, do you?”
You too?
Shen An shook his head at once, taking her slightly agitated hand and chuckling softly. “I just think phone scolding isn’t satisfying enough. You should’ve done it right to his face.”
“Heehee~” Zhao Qingyu’s face lit up. “Great minds think alike. I wanted to go straight to him and chew him out in person at first.”
“But~”
She pouted. “He and my dad are pretty close. Gotta give him some face, or Dad would chew me out.”
“What’s there to be afraid of? A scolding’s no big deal. Feeling good in your own head is what matters.”
Shen An egged her on.
Zhao Qingyu sensed something off. She tilted her head and gave him a half-smile. “How about you come with me to yell at him?”
“Will I get expelled after?”
“Possibly.”
“Ah, I think I’m feeling unwell all of a sudden. Dizzy, so dizzy.” Shen An started playing dead.
“Tch! Scaredy-cat.”
Zhao Qingyu was just joking, really. She hadn’t even yelled on the phone—just complained a bit.
“If I ever run into him, I’ll curse him out under my breath.”
Shen An chuckled. “Consider it revenge for you.”
“Tsk tsk, trying to sweet-talk me again?”
Zhao Qingyu shoved his chest playfully, acting spoiled. “You’d do better to teach your wonderful roommate a lesson. That’d really get me back.”
“What counts as a lesson?”
Shen An rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Letting her die without saving her?”
Zhao Qingyu rolled her eyes. “How’s that letting her die? She’s not dying.”
“Then how about grossing her out so bad she can’t sleep all night?”
“Eh, that’s not bad. But do you have the guts?” Zhao Qingyu shot him a scornful look.
“I’ve already gotten revenge for you.”
Shen An nodded very seriously.
“Yeah, right.” Zhao Qingyu waved him off. She didn’t buy it.
“Hey, if you don’t believe me, nothing I can do.” Shen An drooped his head.
“Alright, I believe you. You’ll definitely get revenge for me. Let’s not talk about her anymore—bad luck.”
Even without mentioning the name, just referring to her made Zhao Qingyu sound disgusted, full of genuine aversion.
“So, Senior Sister, what’s your plan?”
Shen An got back on topic.
“What else? Just deal with it.” Zhao Qingyu said offhandedly. “She’s got her clever scheme, but I’ve got my own way over the wall. We’ll see how it plays out.”
“Hiss, Senior Sister, you aren’t planning to sabotage the Freshman Welcome Gala, are you?”
“What? She gets to bully me, but I can’t hit back?” Zhao Qingyu glared at him, cheeks puffed in anger.
“I’m not against revenge—just saying keep the big picture in mind.”
“Ugh~ not you too with that line.”
Zhao Qingyu stomped her foot in dissatisfaction, frowning as she waved her hand. “One after another, using the ‘big picture’ to shut me down.”
Shen An chuckled and pinched her cheek, soothing her. “Not shutting you down—just don’t be impulsive.”
“Besides, even if the Art Troupe has to follow the Student Union’s arrangements, we can still put on our own show. If we perform great, the credit goes to the Art Troupe anyway.”
“They won’t praise the Student Union for arranging it well, right?”
Shen An narrowed his eyes and murmured, “At the end of the day, the Student Union serves the students. If the students are happy, that’s the best proof.”
“You… no, we—haven’t we always done it that way before?”
Zhao Qingyu blinked her big eyes, thinking it over.
Yeah, that seemed right.
Ordinary students wouldn’t care about the power struggles between the Student Union and Art Troupe higher-ups.
They judged by whether the show was good, the event exciting.
If it flopped and the performance sucked, they wouldn’t blame the Student Union—they’d just think the Art Troupe had lost its touch.
On the flip side, if it was great, they wouldn’t praise the Student Union; all the acclaim would go to the Art Troupe.
“Tsk tsk, you’re pretty useful in a pinch.”
Zhao Qingyu couldn’t help praising him.
Shen An chuckled. “You were just too worked up, emotions off-balance. You didn’t think of it for a sec, but it’s really no big deal.”
“Plus, Senior Sister, you’ll only do one more term anyway. Next year, you’ll be a senior.”
He patted her beautiful back. “So don’t let this get to you. Think positive—your happiness matters most.”
“Mm-hmm~”
The soft, nasal hum from Zhao Qingyu was especially sweet and sticky, a stark contrast to her usual cool tone.
“That sounds nice. Moan for me one more time.”
Shen An narrowed his eyes.
“No more moaning. Do you think I’m a little puppy or something?” Zhao Qingyu flashed her small mouth in a mock ferocious grin.
“Puppies go ‘woof woof woof.’”
“Pfft! That actually sounded pretty good!”
“I’m just demonstrating!”
“Dream on. There’s no way I’m barking like that.” Zhao Qingyu lifted her proud little chin. “But I’ll permit you to do one thing for me.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“It’s a permission!”
Zhao Qingyu emphasized the word deliberately.
“Permission usually means it’s something that benefits me. You can’t be too domineering, Senior Sister.”
“Then get lost. I need to rest.”
“No rush. Tell me what it is first.”
“Heh, do I have to let you pick now?”
“Depends on my mood~” Shen An patted her little face. “Come on, spill it.”
“Do you remember when we went to the hot spring?”
“Hard to forget.” Shen An’s voice softened.
“We soaked a bit too long. My nail polish has faded.”
“Oh?”
Shen An took her small hand in his. Even in the dim light of the rest room, he could make out the bright red polish on her fingernails.
“It hasn’t, has it?”
“Idiot, not my hands!”
Zhao Qingyu turned her head slightly away, her tone suddenly turning shy.
