Chapter 447: Chapter 218: Hidden Depths
The glares of jealousy, envy, and hate were so intense they felt tangible.
Of course, some of it was also simple curiosity from the other girls.
Gu Wanqing was being so intimate with a guy in public?
"Brother Lin Shen, what did you think of my singing?"
"It was fantastic. You have a beautiful voice."
Lin Shen chuckled and gently pinched Gu Wanqingâs cheek.
"Why didnât you tell me you had a talent like this?"
"Hehe, this was my surprise for you, too."
After cheekily giving Lin Shen the same line he had used, Gu Wanqing finally noticed the girl next to him was her roommate.
"Huh? Linlin? What are you doing here?"
"I was sitting here the whole time, you know."
Sun Jialin was a little speechless. She then turned to Lin Shen, pretending they had just met, and asked curiously.
"Is he your cousin?"
âHer cousin?â
Gu Wanqing froze for a moment. Her lips parted, just as she was about to say something, but Lin Shen quickly covered her mouth and said with a laugh.
"Iâm Lin Shen, Qingqingâs cousin. Itâs nice to meet you all."
âHuh?â
âIâm not your cousin!â
âWhen did you become my cousin?â
Gu Wanqing looked at Lin Shen, completely bewildered, and pouted, feeling thoroughly annoyed and resentful.
âWhy am I just his cousin? Weâre supposed to be more than friends but not quite lovers!â
Gu Wanqing had wanted to just confess that she and Lin Shen liked each other, but it seemed Lin Shen didnât want her to.
"Iâll tell you why later."
After Lin Shen whispered a few words in her ear, Gu Wanqing obediently and sensibly dropped the subject. Instead, she began to excitedly share stories about her recent college life with him.
"Brother Lin Shen! Did you know? I did really well during military training! I was even chosen to be a guide for our formation!"
"Really? Thatâs amazing! But it doesnât look like you got much of a tan from it."
"Heehee, thatâs because I slathered on layers of sunscreen and sunblock spray. Jiang Wan bought them for me. They work great."
"In that case, Iâll transfer you tens of thousands of yuan later for spending money."
"Whoa! No, you donât have to, Brother Lin Shen. Thatâs way too much, and I have an allowance from my family."
"Ten thousand, then. If you donât take it, Iâm never coming to see you again."
"Iâll take it, Iâll take it! Thank you, Brother Lin Shen!"
...
Watching Gu Wanqing and Lin Shen chat so intimately, Sun Jialin, who was sitting beside them, didnât feel a hint of jealousy.
After all, they just looked like a brother and sister who were very close.
Soon, the performing arts show to welcome the new students drew to a close.
"I now declare the Shanghai International Studies University Class of 2025 Welcome Gala a resounding success!"
As the host finished the announcement, a light and beautiful melody began to play again.
The staff, teachers, and students involved in the show all went on stage for a commemorative group photo. A palpable sense of finality, like the wrap-up of a film shoot, filled the air.
âȘ~A gentle breeze, the light of day~âȘ
âȘ~Iâve roamed across the nine domains~âȘ
âȘ~The vast sky is mine to explore~âȘ
âȘ~My hair has turned white beneath the snow~âȘ
...
"Itâs finally over!"
After the group photo, Gu Wanqing came down from the stage and stretched languidly, feeling utterly exhausted.
Just then, Jiang Wan and Lin Shen came over, smiling at her.
"You worked hard, Qingqing. You were perfect today."
"Thank you, Jiang Wan!"
Gu Wanqing giggled and threw herself into Jiang Wanâs arms, but then her expression changed in an instant as she complained pitifully.
"Jiang Wan, Brother Lin Shen bullied me!"
"How did he bully you?"
"He actually said I was his cousin!"
Gu Wanqing looked up, her expression full of grievance.
Jiang Wan and Lin Shen exchanged a look. Then, she gently stroked Gu Wanqingâs head and smiled.
"That was my suggestion to Lin Shen."
âHuh?â
âA suggestion?â
Seeing Gu Wanqingâs dazed expression, Jiang Wan had no choice but to take her hand and lead her out of the auditorium, explaining the plan she and Lin Shen had come up with.
"Oh, so thatâs how it is!"
Light dawned on Gu Wanqing. She then grinned, grabbed Lin Shenâs arm, and swung it back and forth as she apologized.
"Iâm sorry, Brother Lin Shen. I misunderstood you. So you were just trying to help me get rid of those annoying flies! Thatâs great! Iâve wanted to ignore them for ages, but itâs awkward when we have to work on group projects together and see each other all the time..."
"You need to learn how to say no."
Lin Shen lectured her with a straight face.
"Itâs a social skill you have to learn in college. If you donât say no, youâll end up with a lot of tedious things piling up, and your mood will suffer for it. Understand?"
"I know!"
Gu Wanqing gave a charming smile and nodded.
"For a while now, Iâve been telling those guys that I have a really amazing older brother, and if they canât even measure up to him, they shouldnât even think about pursuing me."
"So youâre using me as a human shield."
Lin Shen said half-jokingly, though this was exactly what he was happy to see.
As long as he could help Gu Wanqing fend off the flies, he didnât care about his own reputation on campus.
So the three of them chatted as they decided to take a stroll around the athletic field, sharing the recent troubles in their lives with one another.
After all, Lin Shen had been busy with work and hadnât seen the two of them for about ten days, so there was naturally a lot to talk about.
ă9:00 PM.ă
The beautiful sight of Lin Shen, Jiang Wan, and Gu Wanqing appeared on Shanghai International Studies Universityâs largest athletic field, attracting the curious attention of many students along the way.
After all, one was the schoolâs most famous "campus belle" influencer and counselor, while the other was the up-and-coming "most beautiful freshman."
The two hottest people at Shanghai International Studies University right now, strolling around the athletic field with a guy about their ageâanyone who saw them couldnât help but stare and rush to their dorm group chats to gossip about the drama.
[Sisters! You guys gotta hear this! Iâm watching a whole drama unfold, two girls fighting for one guy!]