Chapter 298 Pleasant Cooperation
Hearing the name Yun Shifei, Qin Yumo sobered up considerably and gestured for the others to leave first.
The private room was left with only Qin Yumo and Wen Lin. Qin Yumo turned to her and said, "Spit it out—what’s up?"
Wen Lin saw his sudden shift to seriousness and couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.
Qin Yumo really was predictable, utterly powerless against beautiful women.
"I heard you’re pretty fond of her, chasing her for ages, but still haven’t succeeded."
Hearing the mocking tone in Wen Lin’s voice, Qin Yumo snorted coldly, "So what? I like taking my time."
Wen Lin shook her head, "A professional at making excuses for yourself."
Just as Qin Yumo was about to blow his top, Wen Lin added, "What if I can help you win her over? How will you repay me?"
At her words, Qin Yumo’s usual easy-going demeanor disappeared instantly. His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Help me?"
It seemed Wen Lin had never seen this expression on Qin Yumo before, and she was momentarily stunned. Soon, Qin Yumo returned to his usual frivolous self, asking, "What’s the price?"
"Not much. I just don’t want to keep being tied to you because of our families’ matchmaking schemes."
Sick and tired.
Even though she and Qin Yumo were childhood friends, around the same age, she couldn’t bring herself to like him even a bit.
Qin Yumo had been excessively mischievous since he was young. Back then, she had long hair, and whenever they met, he loved pulling her braids.
He was always pulling pranks, laughing heartily every time he made her cry.
As they grew up, her grades improved drastically, and their elders often used her as an example to lecture Qin Yumo, which only made him dislike her even more.
Meanwhile, she also despised Qin Yumo for being an idle, unmotivated man.
In summary, she had never been able to respect Qin Yumo.
Yet now, their families wanted them to marry for the sake of closer ties.
She had once thought to herself—if resistance was futile, and they did have to marry, divorce would be inevitable.
Qin Yumo heard Wen Lin’s words and smiled faintly, "Ah Lin, you must have been holding back for years."
Unmoved by his words, Wen Lin replied indifferently, "I hope we can both be with the people we truly love."
When Qin Yumo heard this, he paused for a moment, then asked, "Who do you love?"
Realizing her slip, Wen Lin quickly covered, "Everyone has someone they like eventually, don’t they?"
Qin Yumo said, "I truly wouldn’t know. What would you be like when you’ve found someone you like?"
"It’s none of your concern."
Qin Yumo chuckled and didn’t press her further. He poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Wen Lin.
Wen Lin hesitated but accepted it.
Qin Yumo clinked his glass against hers, "Pleasure doing business."
...
Two days after returning to school, Cheng Lie asked Yun Shifei to meet him.
The two wandered and ate around the street behind the school. Yun Shifei was somewhat well-known at school, so as she walked alongside Cheng Lie, many people noticed the boy beside her.
Previously, Yun Shifei had been the subject of gossip about being a kept woman, but the rumor had later collapsed on its own.
Now, seeing her so close with this boy, did it mean they were a couple?
Judging by the boy’s appearance, he seemed about Yun Shifei’s age. Yet it wasn’t clear if he was a student at their school.
But they were certain he wasn’t from their school.
If their school had such a good-looking boy, how could they not know?
Yun Shifei led Cheng Lie to a dessert shop and said to him, "The owner of this place is from South City, and the desserts here are amazing."
She proceeded to order several desserts.
Cheng Lie felt a gentle warmth in his heart, as if he had returned to the days in South City.
But Cheng Lie didn’t know—everything had changed.
At least, Yun Shifei’s current feelings were drastically different.
She had been planning to confess to Cheng Lie today. It was nerve-wracking, seriously nerve-wracking.
In her previous life, when she was chasing after Mu Chengzhu, she never felt this way. It was odd to even think about it.
In her past life, she simply liked Mu Chengzhu and pursued him shamelessly, with zero reservations.
But in this life, she couldn’t act the same.
To confess to Cheng Lie, she felt she must tread carefully.
She had been hesitant for a long time.
After finishing their food, Yun Shifei asked Cheng Lie, "Want to take a walk around our school?"
Cheng Lie smiled and said, "Sure."
As Yun Shifei led Cheng Lie forward, he suddenly grabbed her hand and said, "Let’s go over there."
It was a residential area next to the school, with layered stairways and a maze-like layout.
Compared to the bustling food street, this area was much quieter.
Yun Shifei, pulled over by Cheng Lie, found herself momentarily stunned.
It wasn’t until Cheng Lie pressed her against the wall that she snapped out of it.
"How do you plan to take responsibility for this?"
The young man loomed over her, gazing down at her.
His profile was shadowed against the light, appearing somber and cold. Yet, the heat in his dark eyes burned fiercely.
Yun Shifei’s heart thudded uncontrollably.
She hadn’t expected things to escalate here.
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"What... do you think I should do?" she asked cautiously.
"What do you think?"
Their interaction felt like a duel—one step forward, one step backward.
In the end, Yun Shifei surrendered: "Well, if you... don’t mind, how about being my boyfriend? I’ll take responsibility."
She didn’t quite understand what taking responsibility meant in terms of a woman to a man, but since she had kissed him, and he demanded she take responsibility, being together seemed like the answer. She would take proper care of him.
Hearing Yun Shifei utter the words he had been waiting for, Cheng Lie’s lips curved into a smile.
"So, what does a girlfriend typically do for her boyfriend? Like what you did earlier?"
Yun Shifei’s cheeks flushed as she nodded.
She couldn’t help but think—Cheng Lie really was innocent, to not even know this.
No wonder he had kissed her out of the blue before.
"Can you demonstrate again?" Cheng Lie asked sincerely.
Yun Shifei’s eyes widened, "Demonstrate?"
How was she supposed to demonstrate? Isn’t that rather odd?
But kissing him again... Looking at the boy’s handsome face and his lamb-like gaze, Yun Shifei couldn’t resist leaning in to kiss his cheek.
Hmph! Since he wanted her to kiss him, he couldn’t blame her for taking the initiative.
Just as she finished, she heard Cheng Lie ask, "Then, can I kiss you too?"
Before Yun Shifei could respond, the boy’s breath enveloped her, and his lips landed softly on hers.
A kiss as light as a dragonfly’s touch, yet it made Yun Shifei’s eyes widen in shock, her mind bursting in fireworks.
...
On the way back to school, Yun Shifei’s face remained red, forcing her to tightly wrap a scarf around herself to avoid embarrassing glances.
She no longer had the words to describe her feelings.
Happy, of course—but the suddenness left her a little perplexed. She needed some quiet time alone to sort through her emotions.
Meanwhile, Cheng Lie lingered in place, replaying the scene in his mind. Thinking of how startled she had been when he kissed her, then how she had bolted away in a rush afterward, his smile grew broader and broader.
Over the years, he had never laughed like this—a smile so utterly uncontrollable.
He regretted it. If only he had known she was this fun earlier, he wouldn’t have kissed her secretly before. Instead, he would’ve kissed her while she was fully aware and watched her reaction.
But they had many days ahead of them.