Shen An grinned in pain—though it didn’t really hurt much—while Wang Yuqiong forced a smile, clearly relishing the agonized mask she’d personally fitted onto his face.
Smack!
Shen An wasn’t about to indulge Wang Yuqiong. He immediately slapped her little hand just as hard and pinned it down.
Wang Yuqiong’s smile froze, a flicker of pain crossing her features.
“You two arrived just in time!” Shen An said through gritted teeth. “Senior Sister, let me introduce—”
“Senior Sister!!!”
Before Shen An could finish, Song Rui’s startled cry rang out from nearby, startling both Wang Yuqiong and Shen An. Wang Yuqiong seized the chance to yank her hand back and glanced down.
Good grief. Her delicate little hand was bright red from Shen An’s slap, the entire back discolored like a braised pig’s trotter.
Damn…
Wang Yuqiong clutched her hand tenderly, shooting Shen An a reproachful glare.
Did this guy have no clue how to cherish a lady?
But Shen An’s attention was now fixed entirely on the suddenly shouting Song Rui. She rarely got this worked up.
Song Rui’s face lit up with delight, her beautiful eyes locked straight on Qi Taili.
Qi Taili looked puzzled at first but soon lit up with recognition. “Song Rui?”
“Yeah!” Song Rui nodded eagerly. “You still remember me, Senior Sister? I thought you’d forgotten!”
Uh…
What a coincidence?
Shen An hadn’t forgotten the reason Song Rui had joined the Art Troupe in the first place.
Could Qi Taili be the senior sister who’d given her so much support and encouragement back then?
“Of course~”
Qi Taili gripped Song Rui’s hands tightly and stood on tiptoe to compare their heights, a hint of resentment in her voice. “Aww, you were already taller than me in high school, and now you’re even taller. Plus, way prettier.”
“I still remember the first time I saw you. Pfft~”
Qi Taili had barely managed to stay serious before letting out a peal of crisp giggles. She couldn’t even finish the story before cracking up, leaving Song Rui flushed and whining coquettishly, “Senior Sister!”
“Alright, alright, I won’t say it. It’s our little secret.”
Qi Taili promised solemnly.
“Why are you here? Picking up supplies?” Qi Taili asked.
“Ahem!”
Shen An knew it was his cue.
He cleared his throat lightly. “Song Rui’s my classmate. We came together.”
“Oh?” Qi Taili’s gaze shifted to Wang Yuqiong. “And her?”
“Oh, almost forgot. This is our class president, Wang Yuqiong. And this is Senior Sister Qi Taili, leader of the Singing Group in the Art Troupe.”
Wang Yuqiong’s mouth parted slightly before she quickly slipped back into her usual gentle poise, murmuring softly, “Hello, Senior Sister.”
Qi Taili’s lips parted too as she thought to herself, “So tall…”
Towering at one meter seventy-eight, Wang Yuqiong loomed over her like a mountain.
It left the barely one-meter-sixty Qi Taili feeling utterly defeated.
“Hehe… hello.” Qi Taili mustered a smile.
“By the way, Senior Sister, one more thing. These two will probably join the Art Troupe too, all else equal.”
Shen An said gently.
“Eh? Really?” Qi Taili covered her mouth. “What a coincidence.”
Shen An shot Wang Yuqiong a provocative glance, signaling the little brat to dial back her willful attitude.
Wang Yuqiong only ever bared her bratty, arrogant side around Shen An. To everyone else, she was the flawless model student, beyond reproach.
“It’s such a coincidence. I was in line here and bumped into you, Senior Sister.”
“Plus, you have some supplies left. I should help out.”
Shen An quickly recapped the situation, and Wang Yuqiong said softly, “Then go help Senior Sister. I’ll hold your spot.”
“Yeah, I’ll help Senior Sister with the cart.”
Shen An gave Wang Yuqiong a meaningful look. She caught on at once. “Oh, right. Should I come too?”
Song Rui, still a step behind, piped up. “I’ll stay here?”
Shen An tugged her ponytail in annoyance. “We’re all going!”
“Senior Sister, you’re in the Singing Group, right? I’m super into singing too.”
“Yeah, but my top pick is the Office. Wait—Senior Sister, are you still filling in as Office Director?”
The four set off together. Tired of fussing over Shen An, Wang Yuqiong tapped into her social superpowers and smoothly cozied up to Qi Taili, chatting animatedly as they walked side by side.
Song Rui quietly averted her gaze and pouted.
This is my senior sister…
Hey…
Her ponytail got another tug. Song Rui turned with a blank look, and Shen An nodded toward the pair ahead, motioning her to hang back.
Like a sulky little wife, Song Rui fell into step beside Shen An, gradually widening the gap to the others.
“Is she the high school senior you told me about?”
Shen An asked.
“Yeah, Senior Sister Qi.” Song Rui bit her lip. “I didn’t think I’d run into her this soon.”
“Earlier, standing behind with Yuqiong, I didn’t notice—just caught a vague glimpse of her profile.”
“It clicked when we got closer.”
Shen An chuckled. “Call it fate. You haven’t even joined the Art Troupe, and you’ve already reunited with your senior sister.”
“It means you’re destined to be real friends.”
Song Rui’s eyes went wide. “You read fortunes too?”
Shen An: …
“It’s a blessing, not fortune-telling.”
“Oh…”
“Oh, what? Why do you always look so spineless? Stand tall, chest out—be confident, yeah?”
“Also, at the Art Troupe interview, just say you want the Office. They’ll probably hit you with these questions.”
Shen An seized the moment for some crash-course tutoring.
He was terrified this airhead wouldn’t even pass the prelims.
Sure, he’d cut a deal with Zhao Qingyu—Song Rui was a shoo-in.
But a lousy showing would still make him look bad.
The Art Troupe was infamous in the Student Union for its domineering ways. Sometimes even the Union couldn’t rein them in; other departments gave them a wide berth.
So Qi Taili, as Singing Group leader and acting Office Director, could lord it over the Rights Protection Department.
Borrowing a cart? Trivial. She’d just flash her status.
Shen An didn’t even need to butt in, hanging back for one-on-one coaching with Song Rui.
“Got it all?”
He’d rattled off a ton; his mouth felt dry.
Song Rui shook her head solemnly. “Actually, I don’t want the Office.”
Shen An’s lip twitched. “Why not say so sooner? You let me finish, then drop that?”
Song Rui mumbled timidly, “You were so into it… didn’t wanna interrupt.”
“You…” Shen An glared. “That’s another milk tea you owe me.”
Song Rui nodded all pitiful-like.
“Fine, if not Office, where? Singing Group?” Shen An glanced at Qi Taili negotiating up ahead with the Rights Protection folks. “Chase your Senior Sister Qi?”
Wang Yuqiong happened to glance back, locking eyes with Shen An.
She pulled a goofy face and stuck her tongue out.
Shen An’s lips quirked. Now that was cute on her—finally.
Song Rui murmured, “I… I’d like Singing Group, but…”
“But what? Out with it—don’t drag it like you’re backed up.”
“I… I can’t sing.”
Song Rui ducked her head in embarrassment.
Shen An’s lip twitched. “Can’t sing, and you want Singing Group?”
She hung her head lower.
“Chin up!” Shen An barked sternly. Song Rui flinched, then lifted it, her face a mask of woe.
Shen An sighed. “Seriously… You look primed for bullying.”
“Just carve ‘Don’t hold back’ on your forehead and be done.”
Song Rui blinked, baffled. “Why?”
“You…”
Shen An was at his wit’s end.
Patiently, he said, “You know you can’t sing. Slim odds for Singing Group.”
“Why not pivot to Office?”
“I’m there too. Can help you out.”
“Sure, Senior Sister Qi would watch your back in Singing Group, but overt favoritism as a senior? Bad for her rep.”
Warmth bloomed in Song Rui’s chest. “I never said no to Office.”
Shen An froze.
“I just said I want Singing Group over Office. But dreams and reality clash—you gotta adapt, right? Your words.”
Song Rui stuck her tongue out cheekily, blush deepening.
“Yeah… my words.”
Shen An rubbed his forehead.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, stomachache.”
“Huh? Doctor time?”
“Nah. Smarten up a tad, and it’ll pass.”
“I…” Song Rui looked down. “I know I’m not the sharpest…”
A vein throbbed on Shen An’s forehead, but he forced a smile and ruffled Song Rui’s silky hair. “That’s not what I meant. Don’t take it to heart—you’re great too.”
Song Rui tucked away her sly grin and nodded slightly. “Mm-hmm!”
“So you’re still going for the Office, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Did you remember what I just said?”
“I got a little of it.”
“What part did you get?”
“I remembered you saying… that I should say my preferred department is the Office.”
“And the rest?”
“Uh… you said it too fast. I couldn’t keep up.”
Shen An: …
“How about this? Type it out and send it to me later. I’ll memorize it for sure.”
Song Rui looked at him with utmost seriousness.
“It’s not impossible, but there’s a small problem.”
“What’s that? Or you can just tell me now—I can remember it.” Song Rui pulled out her phone.
“It’s not that… I think I forgot it myself.” Shen An scratched his head.
Pfft.
Song Rui burst out laughing. The shadow of self-doubt and timidity lifted from her delicate face like clouds parting before the sun, revealing her own radiant smile.
Shen An stared for a moment, then said softly, “See? Doesn’t a smile look great on you? You’re really pretty when you smile.”
“Mm.”
Song Rui nodded shyly.
“What’s so funny? That grin of yours is lighting up the room.”
Wang Yuqiong’s voice drew near again. Shen An turned and met her teasing half-smile.
“All set?”
“Done ages ago.” Wang Yuqiong nodded toward the small cart she was towing behind her.
Qi Taili walked over as well, reminding him, “These supplies are charged to the Art Troupe, so don’t forget.”
Shen An grinned. “Senior Sister, why don’t you come help me move some books too?”
Qi Taili rolled her eyes. “You’re a clever one. This cart’s for your work, not for hauling books. Got it?”
“Cough, got it. So how do I return it after?”
“Bring it back to the Art Troupe. Speaking of which, you haven’t been there yet, have you? It’s a good chance to check it out.”
“Uh, is it those interview classrooms from before?”
“Nope. The Art Troupe’s office and activity space are in Building D, on the 3rd Floor.”
“Got it.”
Shen An waved goodbye. Song Rui said bye to Qi Taili too.
“Stop gawking. You’ve got the cart—head to the Library already.”
Wang Yuqiong pinched Shen An and pouted playfully.
With that, she hopped onto the cart herself.
Shen An raised an eyebrow. Wang Yuqiong giggled. “Come on, push!”
“You’re such a kid~”
Shen An shook his head, but he gripped the cart’s handle. “Hold on tight.”
“Let’s drive!”
He shoved it forward with force, picking up speed so quickly that Wang Yuqiong nearly tumbled off.
But she quickly steadied herself, gripping tight, and soon started loving the thrill. “Faster! Go even faster!!”
Song Rui trailed alongside, watching enviously. She wanted to give it a try too.
