Song Rui and Shen Lianyao were sent off by Shen An. The two girls headed to their respective departments to scope things out and gauge the vibe.
The office suddenly emptied, leaving just him and Wang Yuqiong.
Before he could speak, Wang Yuqiong beat him to it with a sharp, biting jab. “Oh wow, has someone gotten too used to playing babysitter?”
Shen An yawned and pretended not to hear.
Wang Yuqiong pursed her lips and marched right up to him. Without mercy, she pinched both sides of his cheeks. “Were you even listening to me?”
Shen An endured the pain and forced a grin. “Were you talking?”
“I thought it was just a mosquito buzzing from all the vinegar it’s been swimming in.”
Wang Yuqiong arched a brow and muttered, “That obvious, huh?”
“You tell me?”
Shen An pulled her closer in one smooth motion. With a gentle tug, she tumbled into his lap, her perky rear landing softly on his thigh.
Wang Yuqiong wasn’t used to this position—not to mention they were in the office.
She shoved him away with all her might, flustered as she scrambled back to her seat.
Shen An leisurely crossed his legs, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “Really jealous, huh?”
Wang Yuqiong frowned and shot back coldly, “I’m not jealous. I just think you’re being unfair.”
“Oh?”
“Don’t play dumb. You know damn well how you treat her versus how you treat me!”
Wang Yuqiong turned her head away, genuinely feeling a bit aggrieved.
“I think I’m even nicer to you.”
Shen An said softly.
“Bullshit!”
Wang Yuqiong cursed outright, pointing at him. “Back at the amusement park, you were her personal nanny the whole time—buckling her seatbelt, comforting her. Think I didn’t see?”
Shen An shrugged. “You were too busy competing with Senior Sister Zhao. Didn’t dare interrupt.”
“Then… then what about just now?” Wang Yuqiong faltered. “Model Group, Singing Group, Drama Group—the easiest ones, and you gave them all to her!”
Shen An narrowed his eyes. “You’re jealous over that? You’re not even in the office.”
“I…”
Wang Yuqiong stammered, “I’m saying it’s unfair for Lianyao! Why give her all the easy ones?”
She was starting to feel guilty.
None of her “evidence” held water.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dragged Shen Lianyao into it as an excuse.
Shen An scratched his chin, puzzled. “Want me to call Lianyao back right now and ask if she’d swap with Song Rui?”
Uh…
As if she would!
Shen Lianyao was obsessed with the Dance Group.
Wang Yuqiong knew it was impossible herself. All her reasons crumbled one by one under Shen An’s rebuttals.
No choice—time for the ultimate move.
Wang Yuqiong put on a stern face. “I don’t care. You’re biased. It’s unfair!”
Shen An chuckled helplessly. “Starting to throw a tantrum now, are we?”
“Who’s throwing a tantrum?” Wang Yuqiong pouted. “You’re clearly nicer to her. Why?”
She bit her lip, her eyes flickering with complexity. “Am I not as pretty as her?”
Shen An’s lips curved up. “When it comes to looks, you don’t lose to anyone.”
“Is she taller than me? Or does she have a better figure?”
Wang Yuqiong ticked off on her fingers.
“Why compare at all?” Shen An sighed.
“Because I don’t get it—why you’re always biased toward her.” Wang Yuqiong sighed too.
“Maybe…”
Shen An narrowed his eyes. “Maybe it’s because at first glance, she seems like the kind of girl who needs looking after.”
“You know, Yuqiong—you don’t need anyone’s help. You’re always proudly independent and poised. Wherever you go, you become the center of attention right away.”
“But her? She’s like an unremarkable little weed. If she doesn’t look up, no one might even notice her.”
Wang Yuqiong pursed her lips. “And you?”
“Me? I’m like the sun.”
Shen An smiled faintly.
“So full of yourself.” Wang Yuqiong rolled her eyes.
“It’s true. Only the sun shines its light impartially on everything, without favoritism.”
He spread his arms wide, though sadly no spotlight hit him.
Wang Yuqiong sneered. “Is this you admitting you’re a playboy?”
“Flower heart?”
Shen An’s voice was soft upon hearing this. “Where does that come from? I just want to care for everyone I’m fond of.”
“Don’t you usually take good care of her too? Does that mean you’re two-timing as well?”
Wang Yuqiong pressed a hand to her forehead. “Arguing with you is pointless—you’re just full of clever excuses.”
“No, it’s that your thinking is too narrow.”
Shen An rose to his feet and slowly approached her, gently stroking her silky hair. “You only see the good I show her, but you overlook how I treat you just the same.”
“Don’t be so petty. Jealousy isn’t a good look.”
“Where have you ever been good to me!” Wang Yuqiong gazed at him, a touch of grievance in her eyes.
“If I wasn’t good to you, would you think I’m some foot masseuse at a cheap parlor, rubbing your feet whenever you snap your fingers?”
Shen An chuckled lightly.
“And I haven’t given any other girl a foot rub. You’re the first.”
Wang Yuqiong shrank back a little, her small head tilting as if to say… well, yeah, maybe.
Shen An continued, “Besides, every time you throw a tantrum and stir up trouble, who’s the one who cleans up your mess?”
“It’s not like I go running after you on tiptoes or anything.”
Wang Yuqiong bowed her head, timidly pressing her small hands against her thighs.
“I never asked you to do that.”
She muttered under her breath.
Shen An arched a brow. “Fine, I’ll mind my own business from now on.”
“Hey, don’t be like that~” Wang Yuqiong flashed a sheepish smile, a hint of flattery in her eyes as she reached out to hook her little hand around his.
“Heh.”
Shen An shook her off with a flick.
“Ow, I was just having a little sulk!” Wang Yuqiong hurriedly grabbed his hand again, clinging tight.
“Sigh, this kind of thing really troubles me.”
Shen An leaned down, his gaze tender as he caressed her small face. “I don’t like this feeling—like all my efforts go unrecognized.”
“No way, I… I know you’re good to me.”
Wang Yuqiong didn’t dare throw another fit.
For some reason, she was truly afraid of Shen An when he got serious.
Every word he said in that earnest tone felt like text straight from a judge’s verdict—beyond question, beyond alteration.
“But… but girls’ feelings are sensitive, you know.”
Wang Yuqiong defended herself. “What girl doesn’t throw a little tantrum now and then?”
“I only sulk with you because I care about you.”
She looked up at him imploringly. “Anyone else? I couldn’t be bothered.”
“Heh, so I should be grateful for that?”
Shen An rather liked this wifely, placating look of hers.
“This… this is just life’s little spice.”
Wang Yuqiong grinned.
“Mm.”
Shen An nodded with a smile of his own, tacitly agreeing.
“Hee hee.”
Wang Yuqiong let out a silly giggle and hooked her hand more firmly around his.
“I know your arrangements are the best.”
“Song Rui’s a bit timid, and Lianyao’s got a cooler personality. You’ve assigned things perfectly.”
After venting her little tantrum, she gently steered the conversation back, lest Shen An feel even more “disappointed.”
“But aren’t you putting too much pressure on yourself? Five departments!”
Wang Yuqiong fiddled with his fingers, worry creasing her brow. “Can you handle it?”
“No idea. I’ll just have to give it a shot.”
Shen An settled down beside her, squeezing onto the same chair. “Even if I can’t, I’ll grit my teeth and push through.”
“This freshman welcoming event is my first big challenge. I don’t want to fail right out of the gate.”
Wang Yuqiong didn’t mind the closeness. She nestled softly into his arms. “Too bad I’m not in the office. Otherwise, I could help you out a bit.”
“Ha~ You can still help me now. Keep an eye on Song Rui for me, okay?”
Wang Yuqiong pursed her lips and said nothing.
“Please, Yuqiong?”
Shen An pinched her cheek. “She really needs your help. This task is tough for her too—a real challenge.”
“Help her through this once, get her past the adjustment period, and she’ll handle things on her own after that.”
“What’s in it for me?”
Wang Yuqiong lifted her head, bargaining with him.
“Consider it payback for how good I’ve been to you?”
“Bull, haven’t I been good to you!” Wang Yuqiong furrowed her brows.
“Fine…”
“There you go! You’re good to me, I’m good to you. We’re even.”
“But… Song Rui’s your roommate.”
“I change roommates every year.”
Wang Yuqiong narrowed her eyes.
“You’re heartless.” Shen An sighed.
“You’re stingy!” Wang Yuqiong wrinkled her dainty nose.
“Alright, alright. What do you want?” Shen An gazed at her indulgently.
“I…”
The words nearly tumbled out, but Wang Yuqiong caught herself.
She blinked slyly and tilted her head. “Haven’t thought of anything yet. I’ll owe you one for now.”
Shen An’s mouth twitched. “Owe me again?”
Wang Yuqiong blinked. “Again?”
“Nothing… So when will you pay up?”
“I’ll tell you when I think of something.”
“What if you never do?”
“You jerk!”
Wang Yuqiong suddenly flushed with shyness and gave him a light punch.
Uh…
It almost sounded like pillow talk.
Never think of it for a lifetime? Then owe you for life.
