Chapter 26: Can I Get into Jiang University?

Lu Qingyue had lost count of how many times she had been lightly tapped on the head since childhood. When he gently nudged her with his knuckle, she felt no pain and sensed nothing amiss.

She waved her hand to say goodbye, exclaiming, "I’m home! Goodbye, Xingye brother!"

Cheng Xingye replied with an "Mm," but then, still concerned, asked, "Did you remember what I told you today?"

Lu Qingyue blinked playfully, confidently assuring him, "I remember! I'm going to go home and read the books until they fall apart!"

Cheng Xingye chuckled, affirming again, "Focus on your studies. Don’t run errands for love letters for a measly five or ten bucks! Are you silly?"

Lu Qingyue thought to herself, was it really just about the money? It was her life at stake! ... Only someone who had never experienced hardship would say something so flippant!

However, she understood that someone like him, coming from wealth, would find it hard to empathize with a poor student like herself. So, she nodded obediently, promising again, "Got it! I will study hard!"

Cheng Xingye finally felt relieved, nodding at her. "Alright, I’m off."

As Lu Qingyue walked toward her home, he stepped back, watching her small figure disappear through the door. The slight restlessness that had troubled him throughout the evening slowly dissipated into the night.

He didn’t realize why he lingered for a moment before leaving.

Three days later, Cheng Xingye learned yet another life lesson — some people’s promises are as fleeting as wind; once released, they are gone.

On Thursday afternoon, as he and Chen Shujie entered the basketball court, he spotted a familiar slender figure standing under the hoop. Lu Qingyue, with her backpack, waved frantically at him like a beacon.

She darted over, clutching her backpack strap. Chen Shujie assumed she was looking for Lu Yi and, not waiting for her to speak, explained, "Your brother went to the computer lab today..."

Lu Qingyue interrupted, "I’m not looking for my brother; I’m here for Cheng senior."

Saying this, she swiftly pulled out a light blue envelope from her backpack and tried to thrust it into Cheng Xingye’s hands.

Caught off guard, he received it, frowning slightly. "What is this?"

Lu Qingyue replied, "You know."

Cheng Xingye had no desire to understand. He had no intentions of dating, and even if he did, he certainly didn’t need a kid like Lu Qingyue to play matchmaker.

He narrowed his eyes, calmly asking, "Didn’t you say you knew how to refuse when I gave you money last time?"

Lu Qingyue, noticing his cold demeanor, scratched her head sheepishly. "Sorry, Xingye brother. But they raised the errand fee to thirty; can you add a bit more?"

Cheng Xingye: "???"

Cheng Xingye: "..."

Chen Shujie burst out laughing beside him, unable to contain his glee as he joked, "Xingye, they see you as a money tree!"

Cheng Xingye's face darkened, yet he found himself powerless against this little brat. She wasn’t his real sister, so he couldn’t hit or scold her. He was left fuming while having to endure it.

Lu Qingyue scrutinized his expression, and adhering to the principle of delivering service for payment, she quietly added, "Oh, and the senior asked me to tell you that she will work hard to get into Jiang University, so don’t worry about long-distance relationships."

The letter she was delivering was from a senior in the graduating class, who was quite good-looking and reportedly an art student with decent grades, likely capable of getting into Jiang University.

However, Cheng Xingye was entirely uninterested in this senior or any university. He suddenly raised his hand, tapping her forehead lightly as a warning. "…Lu Diandian. Next time someone asks you to deliver something like this, just tell them I have someone I like."

Lu Qingyue gasped, unable to suppress her curiosity, "Is it that sister from KTV last time?"

Before Cheng Xingye could respond, Chen Shujie chimed in, "You mean Ye Zixuan?"

Lu Qingyue didn't know her name, but she had accidentally seen Cheng Xingye's WeChat, where the note seemed to be this name, so she nodded eagerly, "Yes, yes, the really pretty one."

Chen Shujie clicked his tongue, teasingly saying, "That one is Xingye’s white moonlight..."

Lu Qingyue exclaimed, "Wow—"

Cheng Xingye interrupted before they could delve deeper, "It's not her. I don’t have any white moonlight; she’s at most a regular friend."

In truth, if it weren’t for being helped by Ye's family when they were young, he and Ye Zixuan might not even be considered friends.

Who would have thought that despite being labeled as a heartthrob, his social circle was clean of any girls apart from classmates? Even with female classmates he had known for years, he never privately interacted unless it was for something serious.

Lu Qingyue sighed, "...Alright."

Your preferences certainly change quickly; it’s been just three days, and you’ve already moved on.

Standing between the two tall boys, she looked up at Cheng Xingye, trying to say something nice on behalf of her buyer. "But the senior who asked me to deliver the letter is quite pretty, and she’s willing to try for Jiang University for you; don’t you think that shows sincerity?"

Cheng Xingye had no interest in this unknown senior, looking down at her with lowered eyes.

"And you? Can you get into Jiang University?"

Lu Qingyue dreaded being asked about her grades. She awkwardly pouted, forcing a laugh, "I’d need my ancestral grave to smoke before I have a chance."

Her best score in the monthly exam had only placed her 48th in her grade. With such a ranking, even getting into Jiang University was a stretch, let alone choosing a good major.

Cheng Xingye smoothly shifted the topic, chuckling lowly, "Where’s your ancestral grave? Should I go help you light a fire overnight?"

Lu Qingyue laughed, "Haha, that won’t be necessary."

If it were useful, she would have done it herself; why would she need his help?

Seeing her nonchalant attitude toward the college entrance exam, Cheng Xingye couldn’t help but want to poke her forehead again.

How could she be so idle, not even focused on studying for herself while running errands to deliver love letters for him? If she had so much free time, why not write a letter for herself?

He coldly huffed, "Aren’t you going to hurry back to study?"

Realizing he was urging her to leave, Lu Qingyue said "Oh," and obediently waved goodbye.

Once she had run off, Cheng Xingye let out a bemused sigh, a mix of amusement and resignation.

Chen Shujie had been holding back for a while and finally found his chance to nudge him playfully. "You have someone you like? How come I didn’t know? Which department are they from? It’s not fair to keep it so secret!"

Cheng Xingye couldn’t be bothered to explain, "What’s it to you?"

Chen Shujie leaned in, scrutinizing his expression, not letting a hint slip by. "Why do you sound a bit embarrassed? It doesn’t sound like a serious crush. Could it be a forbidden love?"

As soon as this thought crossed his mind, he found it thrilling and excitedly pressed for details, "Is it a girlfriend? Or is it a guy?"

Cheng Xingye lazily shot him a glance, deliberately countering, "How do you know it’s a guy?"

Chen Shujie exclaimed, "Damn, is it that thrilling? Who is it?!"

Having been prompted to reveal such explosive news, he felt compelled to help his brother shut the door on this!

Just as he vowed to himself, the next moment, this dog of a brother raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on him with a teasing tone, prolonging the last syllable, "It’s you."

Chen Shujie: "???"

Chen Shujie: "…Get lost!"