Li Qingxue was playing hard to get with him.
On the surface, she acted indifferent, as if nothing had happened.
But the fact that she had taken the initiative to talk to him already said it all.
And when she said things like, "I hope we can still be good friends," it was clearly a test.
If he couldn't resist the urge to approach Li Qingxue now, wouldn't that indirectly show that he still cared about her?
Taking a deep breath, Ye Liangchen decided to stay put.
He knew in his heart that Li Qingxue was acting this way because she hadn't yet reached her emotional limit.
Only when she saw him with the "treasure girl" would she truly regret everything!
"Brother Chen, what does Li Qingxue mean by this?"
Gao Quan asked softly, looking at Li Qingxue's retreating figure.
"Don't worry about it. She's just playing hard to get," Ye Liangchen replied confidently.
"Really? I feel like Li Qingxue has decided to treat you as just an ordinary friend."
Ye Liangchen glanced at Li Qingxue's back: "You're mistaken. Time will prove everything."
"Quan, sometimes you see things too one-sidedly. That's not good, but don't worry, I've got it covered this time."
Ye Liangchen smiled confidently. It was just a matter of time.
Once he started a meaningful connection with the treasure girl, Li Qingxue would finally understand his true feelings.
Right now, she was just holding on, trying to gauge his attitude!
In his dreams, before he met the treasure girl, Li Qingxue had acted the same way.
She always thought he would be the first to lower his pride and make amends.
But when she saw him openly giving his affection to another girl, she would feel heartbroken, jealous, and eventually regret everything, finally coming to her senses!
Originally, Ye Liangchen had only thought this way because he had already experienced it in his dreams.
But what truly confirmed it for him was—
When Li Qingxue returned to her seat after handing out papers, she didn't look at anyone else but turned her head to glance at him.
"Quan, did you see that? Li Qingxue just sneaked another look at me."
"I saw it!" Gao Quan had even doubted his own eyes earlier.
Because he too had seen Li Qingxue glance back at their direction, pursing her lips as she returned to her seat.
Gao Quan knew he had no advantage, so that glance couldn't have been for him—it was meant for Ye Liangchen beside him!
"Wow, Brother Chen, could it really be like you said? Is Li Qingxue playing hard to get?"
"Of course. Otherwise, how do you explain why she didn't look at anyone else but me?" Ye Liangchen couldn't hide the pride in his voice.
"So, Brother Chen, what are you planning to do?" Gao Quan asked.
Ye Liangchen sighed softly: "What I think doesn't matter. What matters is what Li Qingxue thinks."
"After school, I need you to do something for me."
"What is it?" Gao Quan asked.
"Spread the word that on Friday, I got into a fight with some outsiders to protect our schoolmates."
"Huh?" Gao Quan was puzzled.
When he arrived at school that afternoon, he had already heard rumors about how Brother Chen had been beaten up by some outsiders at the school gate on Friday.
He couldn't understand why they would want to spread such an embarrassing story.
Ye Liangchen didn't explain but simply smiled: "Just do as I say."
Recalling the pleasant time he had spent with Hu Yuying on Saturday, Ye Liangchen couldn't help but smile.
But the smile quickly faded.
"Damn it, Long Aotian, what exactly did you do to Hu Yuying that day?"
"How dare you take Hu Yuying away and bully her right under my nose? You really don't respect me at all!"
"I'll remember this. Every bit of harm you've done to my treasure girl, I'll make you pay a thousand times over!"
Thinking of this, Ye Liangchen narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath.
As soon as the bell rang, Gao Quan left the classroom.
Before long, the story of Ye Liangchen fighting outsiders to protect his schoolmates began to spread.
Soon, the rumor reached Class 7.
Hearing this, Hu Yuying didn't react much, but Long Aotian was momentarily stunned.
He couldn't help but admire the male lead's sincerity and kindness.
Even before meeting the female lead, he was already helping her in subtle ways.
Ye Liangchen, meanwhile, had already positioned himself by the stairwell, leaning against the railing and gazing at the night sky at a 45-degree angle.
This spot was the only way for anyone leaving school, so Hu Yuying couldn't miss him.
At the same time, students who had heard the rumors or witnessed the scene couldn't help but glance at Ye Liangchen as they passed by.
Ye Liangchen remained unfazed, letting them look.
Having been reborn, his mindset was naturally different from others his age.
Confidence, ease, and a cool demeanor stood out among the monotonous lives of high school seniors.
So, Ye Liangchen didn't adjust his posture just because people were looking at him.
After all, leaning against the railing and gazing at the moon was a very stylish pose.
Hu Yuying followed Long Aotian to the stairwell.
Since Long Aotian was tall and Hu Yuying's attention was focused on following him, she didn't notice Ye Liangchen striking his pose by the stairs.
But while Hu Yuying didn't see Ye Liangchen, Ye Liangchen saw her.
Watching Hu Yuying walk beside Long Aotian, Ye Liangchen wanted to call out to her.
But seeing Long Aotian's imposing figure, he hesitated and didn't make a sound.
He told himself it wasn't fear of confronting Long Aotian—it just wasn't the right time yet.
Once he had saved the treasure girl and become the only light in her heart, that would be the time to face Long Aotian.
So, he turned his head away, unwilling to watch Long Aotian "escorting" Hu Yuying as they left.
Once Long Aotian and Hu Yuying disappeared down the stairs, Ye Liangchen clenched his fist and slammed it against the railing, venting his frustration.
"Ye Liangchen, what's wrong?" Li Qingxue had just finished packing up and saw this scene.
She couldn't help but ask.
Hearing her voice, Ye Liangchen forced a bitter, mocking smile: "I'm fine. Just feeling a bit sentimental in the quiet of the night."
"I'm leaving now." His eyes flickered with a hint of sadness: "I might not be able to walk you home anymore... You'll have to get used to it."
With that, he turned to leave.
Li Qingxue watched his retreating figure: "Does it have to be like this between us? Aren't we still friends?"
Ye Liangchen stopped and looked back with a bright smile: "This is what friendship should be like now."
Li Qingxue fell silent because she knew Ye Liangchen was right...