Chapter 30 - The Female Lead Appears
Facing his questioning, Gu Hengzhi actually felt a rare moment of guilt. His voice lacking confidence, "I didn't."
For the past two months, he had been swamped with work, his mind filled with business matters. He basically fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed.
Perhaps subconsciously, his mind also avoided confronting Ji Linxue. It wasn't until just before school was about to start that he began to seriously consider the matter.
At first, he truly had seen Ji Linxue as a good brother. But at some point, this emotion had subtly changed, leaving him hesitant about whether to continue.
After all, liking men was undoubtedly a huge shock in his nineteen years of life.
He had never thought he would fall for someone of the same sex.
Ji Linxue's face remained cold, "Then why didn't you reply to my messages?"
"Too busy," Gu Hengzhi wisely avoided the question, changing the subject, "Have you seen the apartment yet?"
He was referring to the apartment the four of them planned to rent together. C University's dormitories had good facilities and excellent location, with only a small number of students actively choosing to rent off-campus.
Coupled with lenient management, students could live off-campus even in their freshman year.
Ji Linxue said, "No."
"Let's go see it after we eat," Gu Hengzhi's tone was gentle and drawn out, like he was coaxing, "Okay?"
Ji Linxue wasn't particularly angry to begin with. Gu Hengzhi was indeed busy with work, even losing a noticeable amount of weight. Perhaps not replying to his messages was truly because he forgot.
Since the other party was coaxing him like this, it would be unreasonable for him to continue dwelling on it.
So he nodded, "Okay."
Hearing him say this, Gu Hengzhi's expression relaxed. When he earnestly coaxed someone, few could resist. Ji Linxue was soon worn down by his persistence and gave him a helpless smile.
The two returned to the private room, chatting and laughing about what had happened during the summer vacation.
Ji Linxue didn't tell Gu Hengzhi about Zhao Xinye's confession. Gu Hengzhi was a straight man in the original novel. If he told him about Zhao Xinye, he would definitely be shocked.
It was better not to let others know.
Seeing the atmosphere between them return to normal, Shen Shaoyan and Lu Yu both breathed a sigh of relief.
After eating, the four headed to the apartment they rented. While driving, Shen Shaoyan announced a startling piece of news, "Actually, I didn't rent that apartment."
Lu Yu asked in confusion, "What happened?"
Shen Shaoyan's tone was as if he was saying the weather was nice today, "I bought it. The location and renovations were really good. It should increase in value by the time we graduate."
Lu Yu and Gu Hengzhi's reactions were quite calm. Lu Yu said, "The owner was willing to sell?"
Shen Shaoyan said, "Their family was in a hurry to go abroad and needed a lot of cash."
The car quickly arrived at their destination. Shen Shaoyan had already had their luggage sent over. Additionally, the apartment already came with furniture, so the only thing they needed to do was organize their belongings.
The apartment was very spacious, with four bedrooms alone. This was why Shen Shaoyan had initially set his sights on this apartment, the four of them could each have a room.
After school started, there would be over half a month of military training. Lu Yu and Gu Hengzhi finished their work handovers and returned to campus once again.
Gu Hengzhi and Ji Linxue both majored in computer science, while Lu Yu, unsurprisingly, entered the Medical School.
As a medical student, Lu Yu was much busier than them, often disappearing. So, it was usually Gu Hengzhi and Ji Linxue who went everywhere together.
Meanwhile, Shen Shaoyan, who was at the neighboring school, spent his days eating, drinking, having fun, and chasing girls.
He was now nineteen years old, having broken free from the constraints of age, and his social life had become vibrant.
Ji Linxue barely saw him return home more than a couple of times a week, he spent every night out.
Life was fulfilling and busy, so busy that Ji Linxue almost forgot this was a book, until Su Muqing sought him out again, reminding him that there was still a plot to follow.
Su Muqing's grades were better than Shen Shaoyan's, and she also got into a university in C City. However, it was quite far from C University.
She, of course, didn't dare to openly approach Gu Hengzhi. After hitting a wall with Ji Linxue, she chose Shen Shaoyan, who was the most easily swayed.
Shen Shaoyan was simply defenseless against girls, especially pretty ones. Although he knew Su Muqing had a terrible temper and was spoiled, he found himself utterly unable to resist that delicate and beautiful face.
Not to mention, Su Muqing kept clinging to him and acting spoiled.
Shen Shaoyan got goosebumps all over, "My dear lady, I'll agree, just don't scare me."
To be honest, Su Muqing's voice was very pleasant, but after getting used to her imperious scolding, hearing her speak in a forced, sweet voice only felt horrifying.
Su Muqing instantly returned to normal, raising her chin, and said sharply, "What do you mean 'scare you,' Shen Shaoyan?"
Shen Shaoyan didn't want to get entangled with her, "Just get to the point. I'm busy here."
Su Muqing said, "When are you all going out to have fun? Take me with you."
Shen Shaoyan's face fell. Even though Heng Ge had rejected her more than once, why did she still insist on forcing her way in?
"Heng Ge doesn't like you. He'll definitely get angry if he sees you."
"He just doesn't like me 'now'. Who knows about the future?" Su Muqing said confidently. "He hasn't said he likes anyone else, has he? Why do you think I don't have a chance?"
There was some truth to that. Gu Hengzhi had never expressed interest in anyone. What if he suddenly felt a connection?
Shen Shaoyan hesitated for a long time, thinking he would arrange a gathering with many people and just keep an eye on things. Anyway, Su Muqing couldn't cause much trouble. So he said, "Alright."
Universities had many activities, especially mixers. Ji Linxue joined the student union, making it unavoidable for him to attend a few. Gu Hengzhi, not feeling comfortable with him going alone, would always secretly follow along.
Ji Linxue looked at the person trailing behind him, "I'm just going to the restroom. You don't need to stick so close."
They were at a bar, mostly filled with young people. Other classmates were in the private room. Gu Hengzhi saw him get up and immediately followed.
"Last time you went to the restroom too, and then you came back having added a girl's WeChat," Gu Hengzhi said quietly.
Ji Linxue, "...She's in the same department as me. Adding WeChat is for school."
He felt strange, but couldn't pinpoint what was strange. Gu Hengzhi being clingy was one thing, but why did he even manage his WeChat contacts?
Gu Hengzhi insisted, "I'm going with you."
Ji Linxue had no choice but to let him.
The two walked along the corridor towards the restroom. On the first floor was a bustling dance floor with booths, and a small figure weaved through them.
She wore a server's uniform, looking frail and small, almost getting knocked down by the crowd. Barely dodging a customer's shove, the next second, the bottle of wine she was carrying was nearly overturned by a rowdy boy.
The boy quickly steadied her, saying awkwardly, "I'm sorry, are you okay?"
The girl shook her head, still shaken, and touched the bottle, "Good thing the wine’s still intact..."
"How much is this wine? Get me a bottle over here too," the boy stared at her, he added suspiciously, "You look so young. You're not underage, are you?"
"How could that be! I'm an adult!" After saying that, she quickly ran off, leaving only a small, slender back.
The boy scratched his head, "I just asked casually. Why so excited..."
The girl ran all the way, and after putting the wine on the customer's table, she hurried into the restroom, scooped up some water, and rubbed her flushed face.
Reflected in the mirror was a childish face, with rosy lips and white teeth, no makeup, and fine downy hair on her forehead, looking innocent and naive.
She sighed with melancholy, "Looks like I'll have to wear makeup from now on. But makeup is so expensive... When will I grow up?"
She lingered in the restroom for a while, then remembered she had to work. She walked out dejectedly, her head down, not seeing the tall boy standing in front of her at all.
"Hengzhi, are you done?"
The moment the words fell, a fluffy head 'thumped' into his body. Both felt a jolt of pain, letting out a gasp.
The girl clutched her forehead, tears welling up in her eyes, almost crying from her own clumsiness.
"What's going on?" Another tall figure rushed over, pushing her aside. He gently touched the boy's back, his handsome face filled with tenderness, "Does it hurt?"
The boy seemed to chuckle lightly, his cool voice filled with tenderness, "No big deal, it was just a bump."
Hearing the familiar voice, the girl ignored the pain and suddenly looked up. The moment she saw that back, tears streamed down her face.
"Linxue Ge!"
Ji Linxue froze, turning his head in disbelief. The moment he saw that face, his mind went blank.
Bai Chutang?
How could Bai Chutang be here?
Almost instinctively, he hid Gu Hengzhi behind him.
It wasn't time for their first meeting yet. What would happen if their meeting was brought forward?
Ji Linxue didn't know.
Facing this neighborhood younger sister, whom he hadn't seen in two years, and who was also the female lead of this novel, his emotions surged, and a myriad of feelings instantly welled up in his heart.
A moment later, five words softly spilled from his thin lips, "Chutang, long time no see."
Bai Chutang was very excited. She hadn't expected to see Ji Linxue again.
"Linxue Ge, why are you in C City? I thought I'd never see you again. How are Uncle and Auntie? Are you doing well? Oh, right, did you receive the letter I wrote you? I didn't know where you were going to school, so I sent it to your home. Uncle and Auntie must have given it to you, right...?"
Her mouth didn't stop, she talked incessantly.
Ji Linxue's mind gradually calmed down. He looked at the little girl in front of him, his voice gentle, "Chutang, this isn't the place to talk. Let's go somewhere else to chat."
"No, no, I'm still working. The supervisor will scold me if they see me," Bai Chutang took out her phone. "Can we exchange contact information?"
Ji Linxue nodded. The moment he agreed, the man behind him suddenly leaned forward, whispering into his ear, "Who was it that said they wouldn't add other girls' WeChat?"
Ji Linxue wasn't in the mood to deal with him right now. He pushed away the close head, whispering, "This is my sister."
Bai Chutang didn't notice this scene. She opened her WeChat QR code, and after successfully adding him as a friend, tugged on Ji Linxue's sleeve, her eyes cautious, "Linxue Ge, can I chat with you later? I won't bother you. If you're busy, you don't have to reply."
Her family had only recently moved to C City. To treat her grandmother's illness, she had been working hard at part-time jobs to earn money.
She was new here and didn't know anyone. It was rare to meet an acquaintance, so she just wanted to talk to someone.
Ji Linxue understood her thoughts perfectly. He ruffled her head, "You can."
Bai Chutang revealed a sweet smile. After saying goodbye to Ji Linxue, she bounced away, looking completely different from her dejected self moments before.
Ji Linxue watched her walk away, then turned to look at Gu Hengzhi. Gu Hengzhi was staring intently at her retreating back, his gaze sharp, like he was eyeing prey.
His heart skipped a beat. He quickly reached out to block Gu Hengzhi's line of sight, asking playfully, "What are you looking at?"
Gu Hengzhi pursed his lips, the curve of his mouth cold, "How come I didn't know you had a sister? Hmm?"
Ji Linxue didn't detect the underlying sarcasm in his words and replied honestly, "Her family used to live next door to me. We basically grew up together."
"Oh, so she's a childhood sweetheart," Gu Hengzhi's tone became even stranger.
Ji Linxue couldn't help but frown.
Such sudden hostility towards her... Could it be that Gu Hengzhi had fallen for Bai Chutang at first sight, just like in the original novel?
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