Chapter 2 Lin Yuqing

Soon, it was time to leave school.

"Hey, about the final exam tomorrow..." Lin Yuqing lightly nudged Su Ran's arm, "are you confident?"

"What do you think?"

Su Ran replied with a broad, sunny smile.

"Quit playing games!"

Lin Yuqing pretended to be annoyed and pouted her lips, about to continue speaking when a hand reached over from behind grabbing Su Ran's school uniform.

The girls sitting behind were the boisterous Liu Yina and the school beauty, Han Siying. Liu Yina's lively personality was well known throughout the school. She sported a fashionable haircut with low bangs that didn't quite hide her small, delicate ears. Her pleasant appearance was natural, with no trace of makeup. Dressed in a school uniform, she radiated youth, health, and an easygoing beauty.

Right next to her was the ever-dazzling Han Siying. Her elegantly curled hair seemed to sway gently, even without wind, emphasizing its softness and flexibility. The spirals of her hair elegantly framed Han Siying's refined beauty. Beneath her delicate arched eyebrows were a pair of crystal-clear eyes, as serene as a placid lake. The beauty of her nose and lips was like the crowning touch on a masterpiece, showcasing the peak of Han Siying's beauty.

In that moment, a poem came to Su Ran's mind: Spring in the south, with its lush greens, Who is this maiden, among the peach and plum blossoms? Snow-white skin and jade appearance, Vermilion lips like pearl-touched. All halt to admire her beauty, rivaling the goddess of Luohe River.

What a beautiful person she was!

Even a school uniform could not restrain her inherent grace and allure! Su Ran sighed softly to himself, then quickly recomposed his demeanor: "Ladies, what can I do for you?"

"Hey, handsome Su," Liu Yina leaned forward and said to Su Ran, "Take care of us in the exam tomorrow! I'll treat you to a meal another day!"

"Give me a break!"

Su Ran pretended to scowl, "When have you ever kept your promise to treat me?"

"Well...didn't I exceed my budget?" Liu Yina protested stubbornly, "Next time for sure! I'll tighten my belt and treat both you and Lin 'Fatty'!"

Upon hearing the nickname 'Fatty', Lin Yuqing immediately objected, "Hey! Stop calling me by that nickname! If you keep this up, I will deliberately block Su's paper during the exam, and then you'll see how you copy!"

"No, no, no!"

Liu Yina instantly begged for mercy, "Goddess, you are a goddess! If you block the view with your plump body, I won't see anything. I give in, I give in!"

Lin Yuqing blushed and repeatedly shook her head, "That's not it! Our goddess is Han Siying! You are stirring up trouble again, Liu Yina!"

At this time, the until-now silent Han Siying finally spoke up: "Su Ran, I have a mission for my guild tonight, so could you complete my homework for me? I'll treat you all this Sunday."

Han Siying's voice was as clear as a babbling brook, gentle yet slightly irresistible.

"Yay!" Liu Yina's eyes lit up, "Another free meal from Goddess Siying! Ha-ha, I'm going to feast and then go on a diet for a week!"

"You two chat." Han Siying shook her head in disbelief and stood up to leave.

"Hey, hey, hey, rich Goddess, beautiful lady, wait up!"

Seeing Han Siying really leaving, Liu Yina hurriedly packed her textbooks and homework into her backpack and chased after her, "Hitch a ride, save the legs, hee-hee!"

These two...

Su Ran chuckled and shook his head, staying quiet, and put Han Siying's homework into his backpack. But he was puzzled: what was a guild? A company?

"Don't forget to go to our usual place," Lin Yuqing suddenly became serious, "I have something important to tell you, about your illness."

My disease?

"Then there's no need to go." Su Ran gave a hearty laugh, revealing a row of pearly white teeth. "Yu Jing, don't take it to heart. I know my own illness well. It's incurable. I'm content with living in the moment, and I'm thankful for friends like you who don't shun me."

"You must go!"

It was the first time Lin Yuqing had worn such a look, her soft voice tinged with seriousness and gravity. "It will do you good! Fine, just come with me now!"

In her haste to pull Su Ran along, Lin Yuqing was subtly evaded by him. Su Ran knew that at this moment, the last thing he could afford was to involve Lin Yuqing in a scandal.

"Ah!"

Lin Yuqing quickly caught on and blushed deeply. "I'll go ahead and wait for you. You better not stand me up; I'm leaving, going now!" Once she finished speaking, Lin Yuqing left the classroom in haste, her head low and her backpack clutched tightly in her hand.

Unable to help himself, Su Ran laughed and shook his head at her antics. He carefully removed the nourishing soup from his desk drawer with his right hand, peeled off the protective film, and drank it in one go. The cool fluid slid smoothly down his throat, its rejuvenating sensation reaching the farthest corners of his brain, eliciting waves of excitement and pleasure. He couldn't resist a sigh of satisfaction. Such good soup!

As Su Ran was methodically clearing his desk, he couldn't help but notice the vengeful gaze from Wang Dazhuang, who sat in front of him. The malignant words Wang Dazhuang had been about to hurl died in his throat.

"I'll let you copy from me in tomorrow's exam," Su Ran said indifferently to Wang Dazhuang before getting up from his seat.

"Take care on your way out, Su! Watch out for the strong wind!" Wang Dazhuang immediately beamed, making a deep bow and quickly moving to Su Ran's side to help him push back his chair. As he did this, he took a deep breath and exclaimed, "Wow, the scent from Su's body is as heavenly as the aura of an immortal, so intoxicating! Cough, your book bag looks heavy. Let me take it for you!"

With a chuckle, Su Ran watched Wang Mazi cough from the smell of his decaying body, still maintaining an eager smile. "No need, I can carry my bag with my right hand. I'm leaving now. I'll help you tomorrow."

"Be careful on the slippery road, great lord Su!" Wang Dazhuang rubbed his hands together excitedly and burst into a silly grin.

Many of their classmates watched enviously as Su Ran left the classroom. That's right, it was their jealousy that kept them relentlessly mocking Su Ran's disability. Despite this, Su Ran always held a superior position in academics, consistently ranking first in their grade without failure!

Not far from the school, the 'Fate Brings Us Here' coffee shop was as bustling as usual. Unlike other shops with a communal area, it only had two-person private rooms, each separated by a partition to avoid awkwardness between strangers. The romantic atmosphere among couples was perfectly accentuated by the rich aroma of coffee.

"This isn't really my kind of place." Su Ran lowered his head in embarrassment as he awkwardly walked into the 'Fate Brings Us Here' coffee shop.

Fate Brings Us Here? Fate? Is that word even in my life's dictionary? Su Ran shook his head, pacing into room "520".

"You're here!" Lin Yuqing stood up joyfully and quickly walked over to Su Ran. "I knew you wouldn't stand me up. Come, sit here."

Gently guiding Su Ran to the farthest corner of the bench, Lin Yuqing didn't return to her own seat but bravely sat down next to him. Her eyes squinted into crescents as she chuckled, "Ha, now we're desk mates again!"

Su Ran's heartbeat sped up for a few seconds. He suppressed his emotions, slightly lowered his gaze, and said softly to Lin Yuqing, "Yu Jing, you shouldn't do this. You know my condition..."

"Enough, enough, enough. You talk too much, Su!" Shaking her chubby face emphatically, Lin Yuqing's cheeks were a round puffball. "I can do whatever I like, and you, Su the Talented, cannot stop me! Humph!"

"You're a good girl..."

"A friend card? I don't want it!" Gathering her courage, Lin Yuqing blurted out with her face flushed red, "I'm an extremely ordinary fat girl, but I have the right to choose who I like. You can't and have no right to deny my feelings for you!"

Suddenly, Lin Yuqing turned Su Ran's head to face her, confronting him directly.

"Look at me."

"Don't kid around." Su Ran evaded her gaze.

"Answer me one question," Lin Yuqing laughed, and in that moment, she seemed to embody the spirit of youth, wild and passionate. "Whose eyes are prettier, yours or mine?"