“Same actions, different fates” was the perfect way to describe it. For yelling the principal into the hospital, Wang Hao and Cui Xueying were grounded by their parents, while Ye Yuhuan and the others were either staunchly supported by their parents, had no parents to answer to, or had parents who couldn’t care less, making it feel like an unexpected vacation.
However, Song Zhiqing was likely the only one truly on vacation. The other three were more competitive than the last; whenever she asked, they were always studying.
Studying, studying. What was there to study so much?
Huddled in the music room, Song Zhiqing angrily mashed a few keys on the piano.
But when the day came to visit Liu Meng, they all managed to make time. Even Wang Hao and Cui Xueying had convinced their parents and slipped out of their houses.
Standing downstairs again, in stark contrast to their almost wretched departure last time, they finally felt they had the right to properly comfort Liu Meng.
Liu Meng’s parents still didn’t know what had happened. They just assumed their daughter was under too much stress from the college entrance exams, but with her classmates’ help, she was finally willing to leave her room.
The couple was exceptionally grateful to Ye Yuhuan and her friends, a sentiment first expressed by a fruit platter so large it looked like it was served in a basin.
It was Wang Hao and Cui Xueying’s first time visiting. They were rather fidgety, wanting to look at Liu Meng but not daring to, concerned yet afraid of offending her.
To be honest, Liu Meng’s complexion had indeed improved a lot. At least she had put on a little weight, and she no longer looked as heart-wrenching as she had before.
After entertaining them for a while, Liu Meng’s parents made an excuse to leave. They could tell their daughter had something she wanted to say to Ye Yuhuan and the others in private.
The moment the door closed, Liu Meng stood up, bowed to them, and said solemnly, “Thank you.”
Thank you for not only pulling me out of the darkness but also lighting a bonfire for me.
Over the past few days, Ye Yuhuan had been giving her daily progress reports, and she had also read about what happened in the principal’s office on the school forum.
Although there were no security cameras in there, some teacher or school administrator waiting outside must have posted the entire conversation online.
With that, the principal’s discharge date would probably be pushed back even further.
Now, faced with Liu Meng’s gratitude, all six of them were at a loss.
They had indeed helped Liu Meng, but in their eyes, it was merely a belated remedy. The damage had been done and was far from healed, so this couldn’t be considered a truly happy ending.
Yet the rescued victim was filled with gratitude, and expressing it had become part of her own healing process. So, they could only stand there awkwardly, waiting for Liu Meng to straighten up.
Once they were all seated again, Ye Yuhuan asked, “Senior, do you still plan on going back to school? It doesn’t have to be Qinglin; you could finish your studies at another school.”
Liu Meng slowly shook her head, then explained softly, “Didn’t you suggest I see a doctor last time? I plan to focus on getting better first before I go back to school. As for where I’ll study, I haven’t decided yet. Of course, I’d love to continue at Qinglin. With you all there, I feel like Qinglin is a much better place now.”
Wang Hao subconsciously puffed out his chest. Yes, he was quite proud of that.
Afterward, they talked more about the recent changes at Qinglin and Chen Guanhua’s fate.
Chen Guanhua’s prison sentence was unavoidable. But now, he wasn’t just facing lawsuits from his numerous victims; he was also dealing with a divorce from his wife. Rumor had it he spent his days in the detention center weeping bitterly, though no one pitied him.
Meanwhile, Qinglin High had launched an internal investigation into school bullying. Although the specific names of Chen Guanhua’s victims were not revealed, the fact that the vast majority were scholarship students caused an uproar. The scholarship students themselves weren’t surprised. They had long lived under invisible discrimination and oppression. Many of them spoke out on the school forum, sharing their personal experiences and stating that the rights of scholarship students were rarely protected at Qinglin.
Before the “Care for Lin Qi” campaign, most people would have probably scoffed, thinking, Letting you study here is a huge gift, and you’re still complaining? If you’ve got a problem, just drop out.
But perhaps the scandal had also raised the moral standards of Qinglin’s student body. A small group of students had actually started the “Qinglin Anti-Bullying Committee” to protect the rights of scholarship students.
Even Shen Wei was surprised. She never thought Qinglin would see a day like this.
After chatting for a while, the group said their goodbyes. Wang Hao and Cui Xueying had a set “curfew,” so they went straight home.
The remaining four looked at each other. Shangguan Xianxian checked the time and suggested, “Why don’t we go get something to eat?”
After all, just dispersing seemed too impersonal. The four of them had built a certain camaraderie over the past few days. To speed up the evidence-gathering process, they had often met up to discuss things over meals.
Song Zhiqing had also finally succeeded in becoming friends with Shangguan Xianxian. Unfortunately for her past self, she no longer had that kind of interest in Shangguan Xianxian. Only Ye Yuhuan was still silently wondering if this was just another one of Song Zhiqing’s yet-to-be-concluded courtship ploys.
As for Shen Wei, sorry, but they still couldn’t quite stand each other.
However, Song Zhiqing, now friends with Shangguan Xianxian, objected to her suggestion. “You two can go eat. I’m going to Ye Yuhuan’s place for hot pot. We already made plans.”
Shen Wei and Shangguan Xianxian immediately turned their heads. Hot pot at Ye Yuhuan’s place?
That sounded pretty interesting.
Seeing the look in their eyes, Song Zhiqing felt the fear of being dominated by these two from the past few days resurface. She immediately hugged Ye Yuhuan and snapped, “What’s with that look? Keep staring, there’s none for you.”
Hearing this, Shen Wei let out a seemingly unintentional, sorrowful murmur. “Sigh, it’s so hard being the little sister. Can’t even get a bite of hot pot. This must be what it’s like to live under someone else’s roof.”
Shangguan Xianxian also “accidentally” played a short video out loud. The first line was: “To be a leader who earns the trust of your subordinates, you must remember the following points…”
Initially, neither of them had been that keen on going, but Song Zhiqing’s attitude—so afraid of anyone disturbing her “world for two”—was just asking for it. It made them want to disturb her on purpose.
Her sense of responsibility as the “boss” made Song Zhiqing yield. In the end, the three of them reached an agreement: Shangguan Xianxian and Shen Wei would be responsible for bringing ingredients from the Shangguan family’s restaurants, while Ye Yuhuan and Song Zhiqing would set up the space and get the drinks.
Some might wonder why Ye Yuhuan had no say in this, given that it was a gathering of four.
Well, as everyone knew, Ye Yuhuan listened to Song Zhiqing.
It was too early for hot pot anyway, and Shen Wei happened to want to browse the mall, so they agreed to meet at Ye Yuhuan’s place in two hours.
Liu Meng’s home wasn’t too far from Ye Yuhuan’s. After dropping Shangguan Xianxian and Shen Wei off at the mall, the two of them went to a supermarket near Ye Yuhuan’s apartment to buy some things.
There weren’t many people in the supermarket at this hour; it was almost empty, creating an inexplicable sense of solitude.
Song Zhiqing watched the person in front of her carefully selecting fruit, and scenes from the past few days flooded her mind. The most striking memory was the moment Ye Yuhuan had suddenly hugged Liu Meng. Ye Yuhuan had been so calm as she soothed her. Without Ye Yuhuan, even if they had managed to bring Chen Guanhua to justice, it wouldn’t have truly been “caring for Lin Qi.”
But… Ye Yuhuan, she seemed so practiced at it.
As if she often dealt with people on the verge of an emotional breakdown.
Ye Yuhuan had mentioned that her mother and aunt both had mental illnesses. Had Ye Yuhuan learned how to do this when she was very young?
It seemed Ye Yuhuan was always the one holding the umbrella for others. Whether it was her family, herself, or Liu Meng, Ye Yuhuan always found a way to comfort them.
But didn’t she get tired?
She must. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have suddenly broken down at the Shangguan family banquet.
They had been so busy these past few days, with little chance to reflect on everything. But now that she was, Song Zhiqing couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache for Ye Yuhuan.
A dull, persistent ache.
It wasn’t that Song Zhiqing absolutely had to have hot pot today. She just wanted to do something fun with Ye Yuhuan after seeing her hold the umbrella for someone else, and today they happened to have the time.
As for Shen Wei and Shangguan Xianxian… Hmph, they could be considered bonus gifts, she supposed.
Miss Song thought haughtily.
Back at the apartment, since Shen Wei and Shangguan Xianxian wouldn’t be arriving for a while, Ye Yuhuan put some leftover bones on to simmer for a broth. Then she cut up a fruit platter, and she and Song Zhiqing turned on a variety show to watch while they waited.
The basin of fruit Liu Meng’s parents had prepared had gone to waste. Everyone had been too busy talking to eat more than a few bites.
Around people she was close to, Song Zhiqing was a softy. As they sat, she ended up lying with her head in Ye Yuhuan’s lap, occasionally opening her mouth to be fed. After contentedly swallowing a strawberry, a thought struck her—Huh? Wasn’t I supposed to be cheering Ye Yuhuan up?
How did I end up being the one enjoying this!
Mortified, Song Zhiqing shot upright, cleared her throat, and forced out a cool, domineering tone. “You, lie on my lap.”
Ye Yuhuan was baffled.
“What do you mean?”
Song Zhiqing maintained her commanding tone. “Don’t ask so many questions. Just lie down.”
Utterly confused, Ye Yuhuan lay down. Song Zhiqing very imperiously speared a segment of orange with a fork and said, “Open your mouth. Ah—”
Still confused, Ye Yuhuan ate it. Then, realization dawned. She turned her head to look at Song Zhiqing and said, “Are you playing house? Like, the kind where you’re the mommy?”
What are you talking about?
With an expression of utter humiliation, Song Zhiqing stuffed a piece of pear into Ye Yuhuan’s mouth.
Although the sight of Ye Yuhuan obediently lying there and letting her feed her completely struck a chord in her girlish heart, she would never admit to having an overflow of maternal love.
She was young and beautiful, for goodness’ sake!
Ye Yuhuan watched the girl who was pretending to be puffed up with anger while clearly enjoying feeding her. Her bright, almond-shaped eyes held an unconcealable mix of delight and mischief. Ye Yuhuan opened her mouth and accepted another cherry.
Sighing internally, she thought, So cute.
The show they were watching was a popular music variety program that brought together famous singers from three generations—young, middle-aged, and old. The stage design and script were particularly creative, and its online reputation was soaring. In between bites, Ye Yuhuan asked casually, “Do you want to be a singer like them someday?”
Song Zhiqing nodded, then shook her head. A look of confusion crossed her young face. “I want to be as good as them, but I don’t know if I want to perform on stage.”
“To me, the stage is a dangerous thing. The moment you go up, you’re judged. Right now, music itself makes me very happy, and being judged might jeopardize my music—ah, but maybe I’m just worrying for nothing.”
Song Zhiqing, who was like a little sun, was afraid of the spotlight? Ye Yuhuan was a bit surprised, but then again, it felt very much like her. Song Zhiqing was always extremely cautious when it came to things she loved.
Ye Yuhuan thought for a moment and suggested, “You could try it out first. Our school has a New Year’s gala on New Year’s Day, right? You could go and see what the stage feels like.”
Song Zhiqing’s eyes lit up, but then she pursed her lips shyly. “After what I just said, do you think I’m not enough of a school tyrant? I’m really just a bit of a coward when it comes to this. Most of the time, I’m still…”
Ye Yuhuan swallowed a piece of dragon fruit and cut her off with a smile. “Not at all. It’s cute. It’s not a flaw in the slightest.”
Flattered, Song Zhiqing giggled. Then, as if remembering something, she leaned down and stared into Ye Yuhuan’s eyes. “You still haven’t told me what you want to do in the future!”
Perhaps people always become cautious, and then often shy, when speaking of their dreams. Ye Yuhuan averted her gaze, looking at the sky-blue curtains fluttering in the breeze, which billowed out into cloud-like shapes.
Then, with words that were arrogant but a tone that was surprisingly gentle, she said, “I want to be the best psychologist.”
A psychologist, huh? Being a psychologist was great. Song Zhiqing had thought Ye Yuhuan would want to be a scientist and change the fate of humanity.
As for the adjective “best,” Song Zhiqing speared the reddest strawberry and placed it in Ye Yuhuan’s mouth, her confidence far exceeding Ye Yuhuan’s own. “Of course you’ll be the best psychologist. You’re Ye Yuhuan, after all.”
Ye Yuhuan was super amazing at everything she did!
Hearing this, Ye Yuhuan’s ears slowly turned red, a change that was especially obvious from Song Zhiqing’s perspective. It made Song Zhiqing a little embarrassed herself.
She couldn’t help but mutter to herself, The things that make Ye Yuhuan shy are so strange.
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