Chapter 113: How Could I Be So Undignified! Unless Paid!

"Are you a bit unhappy because I didn't give you a beating?"

Qin Xuan shot her a fierce look, but he didn't say anything. After all, he was currently being held by both women. He glanced at his phone before putting it away, thankful that their attention wasn't on him. Qin Lin'er even made a face at him.

Before parting ways, Nan Zhiyi specifically kissed Qin Xuan on the cheek and said, "Don't you dare wipe it off!"

Qin Xuan stopped with his hand halfway up. This... he looked at Nan Zhiyi’s happy retreating figure and ultimately lowered his hand. Ever since they had confirmed their relationship, she had become like a child, showing less and less regard for the eyes of others. He was actually becoming a bit worried about her public image.

Once Nan Zhiyi left, her smile vanished instantly, though a slight flush remained on her cheeks. While she might act a bit unrestrained in front of Qin Xuan and the others, it was precisely because of this that she felt she had revealed her true self to them, unlike the distance she maintained with outsiders.

Seeing that Zhiyi had left, Qin Lin'er quickly stepped forward and hugged Qin Xuan's arm. It had been a long time since she had done that, and she felt a bit nostalgic.

Qin Xuan turned his head to stare at her with an awkward expression. "You have the nerve to snuggle up to me after taking those incriminating photos? If there weren't so many people around, I’d have given you a beating!"

Qin Lin'er looked smug, completely unafraid of his glare. She even provoked him by raising an eyebrow, which infuriated him.

"Qin Lin'er, are you looking for a scolding?"

Liu Ruoxi had noticed Lin'er's little antics for a while. She had intended to give her some face in public, but things were getting out of hand.

"Sister Xi, I was wrong! Look at these photos!" Before Qin Xuan could react, Qin Lin'er finished speaking and immediately sent a barrage of compromising photos of Qin Xuan to Liu Ruoxi.

Liu Ruoxi curiously released Qin Xuan's arm, pulled out her phone, and stared at the photos in astonishment. Oh boy! She cast a weird look at Qin Xuan, her fingers flying as she saved the pictures.

"Qin Lin'er! Stop taking these in the future. Look at how embarrassed you've made Qin Xuan." After saving the photos, the group arrived at the classroom. As they sat down, Liu Ruoxi leaned over to Lin'er and whispered, "Any more? Can you send some more?"

Qin Lin'er and Qin Xuan: "???"

"N-no, that's all!" Of course, Qin Lin'er had more, but some were not fit for Sister Xi to see, and she needed to keep some to hold over Qin Xuan!

As it turned out, because Qin Xuan and Liu Ruoxi shared a synced photo album, Qin Xuan opened it and saw the photos Liu Ruoxi had just saved. He flipped through them, fearing social death, but let out a long sigh of relief afterward. Thankfully, Lin'er hadn't sent the ones that would truly ruin him to Ruoxi.

Throughout the morning, Qin Lin'er felt sleepy, eventually ending up sleeping on the desk for the whole time. Fortunately, she usually performed well, and since she had aced her final exams, the professor didn't bother her. If it had been Qin Xuan, even though university life wasn't strictly monitored, given his barely-passing grades from last semester, he definitely would have been chewed out!

The three of them were sitting in the cafeteria having lunch. Nan Zhiyi had some school arrangements—apparently a meeting for an event she was hosting—so she couldn't make it and had been complaining about it in their group chat before class ended.

"Qin Xuan, try this chicken cutlet. It's quite good!" Qin Lin'er held up the half-eaten cutlet to Qin Xuan’s plate. He looked at it with disdain, but then saw her looking at him with eager expectation. He found a random spot and took a bite; it was crispy enough, but the teeth marks left behind felt rather strange.

Liu Ruoxi paid no attention to Qin Lin'er, letting her be. If she really left her behind later... well, she felt a bit reluctant.

Qin Lin'er looked at her own bowl and moved her chicken leg to Sister Xi’s plate. Meeting Liu Ruoxi's puzzled gaze, Qin Lin'er said slowly, "Sister Xi, can I borrow Qin Xuan this weekend?"

Liu Ruoxi stared at the chicken leg for a moment, then bit into it without hesitation, saying nothing. However, Qin Lin'er understood the gesture and kept piling meat onto her plate. "Thank you, Sister Xi! You're the best!"

Qin Xuan was stunned by their conversation. So, I’m something that can be borrowed now? How could I be so lowly! Unless I’m paid for it! But unfortunately, Qin Xuan could only protest in his own heart.

After lunch, the three walked aimlessly around the playground, watching pairs of couples pass by. Qin Lin'er insisted she wasn't jealous at all—really! After all, there was a couple holding hands right beside her, and Sister Xi even intentionally kept her separated from them.

After walking for a while, Qin Lin'er pulled them to a bench to rest. Times had changed; when did she become the "home-wrecker"? Qin Lin'er had been unable to figure this out for days. Did Sister Zhiyi not have a "first come, first served" rule? And to think I called you 'Sister'! Wait, no! Why do I call her 'Sister'?

"Can you two please be mindful of your image?" Qin Lin'er asked, looking helplessly at Sister Xi, who was leaning on Qin Xuan's shoulder.

"It's fine, you'll get used to it if you watch enough," Liu Ruoxi teased, wanting to provoke her while she still hadn't "won" him over, just in case she never got the chance later.

"Am I just looking for trouble?" Qin Lin'er rolled her eyes and turned to look elsewhere.

The midday sun was gentle, and a light breeze brushed against her bangs, making her feel quite comfortable.

"Hey, isn't that Sister Qin?" Lin'er spotted Sister Qin walking around the track arm-in-arm with a man and quickly tapped Liu Ruoxi’s arm.

Liu Ruoxi followed her gaze. Her eyesight was much better than Lin'er’s. "It is. That man is Zhou Mo. Their progress is quite fast."

Liu Qin and Zhou Mo were taking advantage of the nice weather to walk around and discuss meeting Zhou Mo’s parents. As Liu Qin turned the corner, she saw the three of them sitting on the bench in the corner.

"Why are you three here? Sunbathing?" Liu Qin pulled Zhou Mo over and asked. In truth, she was a bit embarrassed. She had told them several times that nothing would happen with Zhou Mo, only to be caught by them last time, and now caught red-handed again... A counselor needs to save face, after all!

"Yeah, Sister Qin. When do we get to eat your wedding candy?" Qin Lin'er joked with a grin.

"It's still too early, too early. We’ll definitely invite you when the time comes," Liu Qin blushed at the mention of wedding candy. She stole a glance at Zhou Mo, who was dressed in casual clothes beside her; she never imagined it would really be him.

"Alright, enjoy your walk, Sister Qin! We have to go to class!" Liu Ruoxi grabbed the others and scurried away.

Watching their retreating backs, Zhou Mo pushed up his glasses. "The relationship between those three students seems a bit odd, doesn't it?"

"None of your business! They grew up together since they were kids. Don't go talking about them!" Liu Qin snapped back as usual; she was used to it, and she felt uncomfortable if she didn't tease him.

"Heh, I'll deal with you properly when we get home." Just as Zhou Mo finished speaking, Liu Qin tried to pull her arm away, but Zhou Mo grabbed it back. Run? You’re not getting away for the rest of your life.