Chapter 006 – As Expected, They Ended Up Together

Jiang Junwen’s singing skills had improved. After he finished singing “First Love,” the atmosphere at the venue was completely electrified. The girls cheered excitedly.

Many rushed up to the stage holding bouquets, giving them to the trio.

Jiang Junwen’s arms were already full of flowers, and he didn’t leave the stage right away. He didn’t know why, but his eyes kept drifting to Shen Qingli.

At that moment, Qian Xiqiao returned with two bouquets and stuffed one into Shen Qingli’s arms, keeping one for herself. She said, “Ali, I’m going to give Jiang Junwen a flower. Want to come too? Give him a flower, maybe it’ll win you some favor. Who knows, he might treat you better in the future.”

Shen Qingli tried to hand the bouquet back to Qian Xiqiao.

What a joke—give Jiang Junwen a flower?

She’d rather give one to a dog.

But when she looked at the stage, the three boys were still standing there. Jiang Junwen was, without a doubt, the most popular.

His arms were overflowing with flowers, and many bouquets had already been set down on the stage.

In contrast, Yu Zhenghao had only one bouquet in his arms, and drummer Li Wenyao hadn’t received any.

Shen Qingli remembered that in her previous life, Li Wenyao had helped her a lot.

Even though he’d later drifted apart from Jiang Junwen and the others, she still remembered the kindness he’d shown her during their school days.

So Shen Qingli took the flower from Qian Xiqiao, stood up, and followed her. “Sure, let’s go together.”

On stage, Jiang Junwen stood there and suddenly remembered how, in his past life, he hadn’t accepted Shen Qingli’s bouquet.

This time, he decided he would. Shen Qingli had truly liked him—she followed him for five years, obedient and quiet, never asking for anything.

Even if he didn’t love her, he still felt something.

He wanted to give her a bit of face.

Jiang Junwen stood watching as Shen Qingli walked toward him with the flower.

His gaze stayed locked on her face. Even he didn’t realize just how much he had cared when he first saw her alive again after witnessing her tragic car accident.

When she was close enough, he freed a hand and reached out, ready to take her flower.

But instead, Shen Qingli walked right past him and handed the flower to the drummer, Li Wenyao.

Li Wenyao: “???”

Yu Zhenghao, the bassist, and Jiang Junwen, the lead singer, were both incredibly popular.

They were striking and charismatic, always getting the most attention.

But Li Wenyao was more reserved—and as the drummer, few paid attention to him.

Shen Qingli approached him with a smile and said, “Your performance just now was amazing. This bouquet is for you, is that okay?”

She had even asked, “Is that okay?” Li Wenyao froze for two seconds, then stood and accepted the flower. “Of course. Thank you.”

Even after taking the bouquet, Li Wenyao still looked a little dazed.

Shen Qingli handed over the flower and immediately turned to leave the stage—not sparing Jiang Junwen a single glance.

Li Wenyao, holding the flower, locked eyes with Jiang Junwen.

He looked innocent and shrugged. He didn’t understand why the daughter of Jiang Junwen’s family driver had suddenly given him a flower.

Wasn’t she always riding in the same car as Jiang Junwen, looking only at him and ignoring everyone else?

Why didn’t she give him the flower?

Jiang Junwen dropped all the bouquets in his arms and walked offstage empty-handed, his face dark, ignoring the on-campus interviews.

Yu Zhenghao whispered to Li Wenyao, “What’s up with Shen Qingli? Since when were you two close?”

Still holding the bouquet, Li Wenyao replied, “You guys already got so many flowers. Maybe she just felt bad and gave me one out of pity.”

Yu Zhenghao stroked his chin and shook his head. “Nah, I don’t think it’s that simple…”

Just then, Jiang Junwen—who was walking ahead—suddenly turned around and glared at Li Wenyao. “How long are you going to keep holding that bouquet?”

Li Wenyao casually placed the flower on the box of bread near the backstage table.

Jiang Junwen narrowed his eyes at him. His tone was sharp: “What’s going on between you and Shen Qingli?”

Li Wenyao: “…”

He was speechless. “What could be going on? I’m not even close to her.”

Yu Zhenghao then added, “Ah Wen, maybe she actually likes you. She’s doing all this to get your attention.”

Jiang Junwen’s face turned cold. “Hmph, who does she think she is? Why would I ever pay attention to her?”

In his past life, Shen Qingli had used her resemblance to Luo Shuyao to get close to him after Luo Shuyao went abroad. She tried to comfort and please him during his heartbreak.

And Jiang Junwen hated scheming people like that.

—

After giving the flower, Shen Qingli’s phone rang. She stepped away to take the call.

It was from a restaurant called “Smoke & Flame.” She had submitted a job application there the day before, hoping to get a part-time position.

Even though her father gave her enough allowance, she didn’t want him to keep working as the Jiang family’s driver.

Especially with her stepmother Liu Lifen around, she’d likely be going home less and less.

From her past life, Shen Qingli knew—while the Jiang family’s patriarch had treated her father well, Jiang Junwen’s mother was not an easy woman to deal with.

Jiang Junwen’s arrogance, superiority, and lack of empathy were traits he clearly inherited from her.

Shen Qingli needed to make her own money and become independent as soon as possible.

After scheduling her interview, she browsed the library, borrowed a few books related to her major, and then slowly made her way to catch the bus.

By the time she returned to the Jiang family’s villa complex, it was already 10 p.m.

Shen Guiqi (her father) was home. Seeing her walk in, he immediately asked, “Ali, did you see Young Master Jiang at school today?”

Shen Qingli nodded. “Yeah, I did. Why? Didn’t you pick him up?”

Shen Guiqi shook his head and sat on a chair inside the room, lowering his voice: “Young Master didn’t ask me to pick him up today. But it’s already past ten and he still hasn’t come home. The old master tried calling him and found his phone was off. Madam Jiang is looking for him everywhere.”

“Madam Jiang” referred to Jiang Junwen’s mother.

She was extremely controlling. After she broke up Jiang Junwen and Luo Shuyao, Jiang Junwen exploded in rebellion.

He ran away from home, cut ties with his parents, and even started dating the driver’s daughter—driving Madam Jiang so mad she had to be hospitalized.

With no one else to take it out on, she lashed out at Shen Guiqi daily.

Thinking back now, Shen Qingli realized how foolish her past self had been.

Looking at things now, Jiang Junwen really wasn’t all that great.

Shen Qingli picked up her phone to check the freshman group chat, then told her father, “Tell Madam Jiang not to worry. Looks like they went to karaoke.”

Shen Guiqi quickly said, “I’ll have Lifen go tell her. Don’t want them coming to question you later.”

With that, he went out.

Shen Guiqi also knew Madam Jiang was difficult to deal with and didn’t want her harassing his daughter.

What Shen Qingli didn’t say was—she had seen photos and short videos in the group chat.

Next to Jiang Junwen sat a sweet-looking girl.

It was Luo Shuyao.

As expected, they were still together.

But there was no need to tell Madam Jiang that.