35. Right of attribution

Qin Zhaoyi redialed the phone, but no one answered.

Like a abruptly halted play, the desire lingered, but it was impossible to continue the performance.

Not knowing what happened on Luo Yue’s end, Qin Zhaoyi asked: [What happened?]

Soon, Luo Yue replied: [Just now, my phone ran out of battery.]

She sent a screenshot as proof, with the charging icon prominently displayed in the upper right corner.

Qin Zhaoyi said: [You haven’t finished what you were saying.]

Luo Yue responded with a soft and cute “laughter” emoji and then said, “What else do you want to hear?”

Luo Yue continued: [Princess.]

This address carried a hint of respect, making Qin Zhaoyi’s throat inexplicably tighten across the screen.

It was easy for people to associate it with Luo Yue’s voice.

That lazy, gentle voice, with a touch of charm.

It was like leaning in close to someone’s ear, whispering softly.

Qin Zhaoyi briefly lost focus, realizing she didn’t really know what she wanted Luo Yue to say.

After all, Luo Yue had openly admitted to “liking” her.

Qin Zhaoyi, contemplating and testing, said: [You answered nicely just now. I forgot to record it.]

Luo Yue replied: [Is that so? Do you need me to send you a voice message?]

Qin Zhaoyi hesitated, finding it hard to imagine that Luo Yue, who was so approachable today, was making things easy for her.

It was as if Luo Yue had set a trap specifically for her, waiting for her to fall into it.

Sensing this, Qin Zhaoyi still chose to take a leap of faith after some hesitation and jumped right in.

“Sure, I’ll cherish it,” Qin Zhaoyi said, leaning closer to the microphone.

Every second of waiting afterward felt quite prolonged.

Qin Zhaoyi’s fingers rubbed against her wrist, tapping gently. On the thirteenth tap, Luo Yue’s message arrived.

It was a 10-second voice clip.

Afraid that Luo Yue might retract it suddenly, Qin Zhaoyi quickly clicked on the save button.

Then she brought it to her ear to listen.

Luo Yue’s gentle and lazy voice carried a hint of allure. She cleared her throat first and then slowly said, “Princess Qin, of course, I do like you a bit.”

Along with the sound of the evening breeze rustling the window panes, after saying this sentence, Luo Yue paused for two seconds. Then, lowering her voice, she chuckled, “After all, who wouldn’t like a beautiful woman? Especially someone as uniquely beautiful as you.”

Upon hearing the first half of the sentence, Qin Zhaoyi was initially delighted, and her upturned lips were almost uncontrollable.

However, the second half of the sentence naturally made her suppress the corners of her mouth.

Luo Yue effortlessly teased her emotions.

Qin Zhaoyi deliberately emulated her tone in response, “So, how unique am I?”

Luo Yue: “Don’t you know that yourself?”

Qin Zhaoyi: “I’d like to hear more about it.”

Luo Yue: “Probably… saying the most beautiful words with the coldest face.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “?”

When?

She had no idea when she had left such an impression on Luo Yue.

Luo Yue didn’t send another voice message; all her subsequent messages were carefully crafted text. Without hearing her voice, it was impossible to discern her tone. However, in the exchange of messages, each passing second allowed Qin Zhaoyi’s thoughts to flutter momentarily, and she couldn’t even restore her heartbeat to normal.

Luo Yue: [Is it my illusion? I feel like you have a good temper.]

After some consideration, Qin Zhaoyi replied: [It’s not.}

Qin Zhaoyi: [I have a very good personality.]

Luo Yue: [Self-praise much?]

Qin Zhaoyi: [If you don’t believe me, ask around.]

Luo Yue: [Ask who? Teacher Qi?]

Perplexed, Qin Zhaoyi questioned: [Who?]

Luo Yue clarified: [Qi Duan, might be your future boyfriend.]

Qin Zhaoyi: […]

She pursed her lips and then casually sent a voice message to Luo Yue. Her cold tone resonated indifferently in the quiet room but was accompanied by an inexplicable hint of amusement. “So, you’ve already arranged my future?”

Luo Yue: [It’s just a possibility.]

Qin Zhaoyi challenged, “What has he given you? Two movie tickets? I can double that.”

Luo Yue: [Oh?]

Qin Zhaoyi paused for a moment, sipping a smile, and slowly said, “I’ll give you two hundred tickets, delivered in installments. How does that sound?”

Luo Yue: […]

The ellipsis in response made Qin Zhaoyi’s smile widen. Having the initiative felt great; it was as if she could lead Luo Yue through the emotional journey, handling this relationship as effortlessly as Luo Yue did.

“I can even do a buy-one-get-one-free deal, offering someone to accompany you to the movies,” Qin Zhaoyi said. “What do you think of this condition?”

Luo Yue: [Are you using yourself as a bargaining chip?]

Qin Zhaoyi: “If you want to interpret it that way, you can.”

Luo Yue: [Trading yourself for yourself? Quite a skillful move.]

Unable to determine Luo Yue’s tone from her text messages, Qin Zhaoyi chuckled after careful consideration, “Well, you wouldn’t agree to watch a movie with me.”

While waiting for Luo Yue’s response, Qin Zhaoyi slid her screen and reviewed the chat history.

That’s when she discovered a bug.

It seemed like both she and Luo Yue implicitly assumed that she belonged to Luo Yue.

That Luo Yue could take charge of her.

The reality seemed to be that way, but…

Qin Zhaoyi pressed the screen and asked her, “Teacher Luo, when did you become my agent?”

“Am I yours? Are you going to introduce me to someone else?” When Qin Zhaoyi asked this, her clear, cold tone spoke with a hint of fluctuation, not questioning but more like flirting.

The “Typing…” on the screen persisted for a long time.

Luo Yue: [Do you want to be mine, or do you not want to be mine?]

Qin Zhaoyi was momentarily stunned upon seeing this message.

As a writer, she naturally understood the meaning behind Luo Yue’s words.

Luo Yue effortlessly placed her on a pedestal once again, holding her fleeting thoughts firmly.

If she wanted to become Luo Yue’s, then all her thoughts would naturally be laid bare. Although she had already revealed everything in front of Luo Yue, saying it out loud at this moment felt a bit awkward.

It was as if Luo Yue was standing beside her, whispering into her ear.

It seemed like in the next moment, Luo Yue would kiss her earlobe.

Luo Yue had this kind of ability, with a casual remark easily disarming Qin Zhaoyi.

Because of Luo Yue’s words, Qin Zhaoyi’s thoughts wandered, and even her ears felt a bit warm.

She reached up to pinch her earlobe, feeling the increasing warmth, her throat a bit dry, and her body tensing up.

Yet, she didn’t want Luo Yue to easily control her. After some thought, she responded, “What do you think, Luo… Teacher.”

Addressing her in a way that prompted imagination.

Luo Yue: [I’m asking you.]

Qin Zhaoyi: [I’m asking you too.]

Luo Yue: [I think you want to.]

Qin Zhaoyi: [Then why are you asking me?]

Luo Yue: [Confirming ownership.]

Qin Zhaoyi: […]

Ownership.

These three words kept Qin Zhaoyi tossing and turning all night.

The next day, feeling a bit better, Qin Zhaoyi went out for a walk.

Strolling along the streets without a specific destination, her mind still a bit hazy, she didn’t want to waste time lying in bed.

Coincidentally, there were some parts of the script that Zhong Ling gave her that she felt had issues, but she couldn’t pinpoint the exact problems.

Taking a walk seemed like a good choice.

Especially, the scenery here is beautiful.

When Qin Zhaoyi first arrived at Moon Island, her mood was terrible, so everything on the island seemed unpleasant.

Every blade of grass and every tree appeared desolate.

But now, as she walked around casually, she felt that these flowers and plants seemed to be full of vitality.

If her body allowed, she would prefer to go for a run, do some exercise, and maybe figure out the unresolved issues.

On the second day after Luo Yue left Moon Island, Qin Zhaoyi passed by her house and stood at the door for a while before walking away.

Unconsciously, she walked to Cheng Shijing’s clinic and coincidentally met Cheng Shijing, who was returning with coffee.

After exchanging greetings, Cheng Shijing invited her inside to check her body temperature and blood pressure.

He also measured her blood sugar.

During the measurements, Qin Zhaoyi calmly observed the clinic.

Despite the unpleasant smell of disinfectant, it wasn’t the white walls everywhere. Instead, many papers were posted on the walls, full of colorful and playful designs.

Cheng Shijing poured her a cup of hot water and sat in his spacious chair. Seeing her interest in the walls, he explained, “Yue Liang said that the most annoying thing about hospitals is the white walls, so she had her students come over and create this look.”

“Yue Liang,” still a very affectionate address.

But for them, such a way of addressing each other had become a habit.

Qin Zhaoyi wrinkled her brow at his address, but quickly realized the issue.

“Is the one in the middle also painted by Yue Liang’s students?” Qin Zhaoyi asked.

That particular one had a noticeably different style, more mature, and more aesthetically pleasing.

It didn’t look like something an elementary school student could paint.

“Yue Liang painted that one,” Cheng Shijing said proudly while holding the hot coffee. “She is very talented.”

Qin Zhaoyi hadn’t seen anything related to this at Luo Yue’s home and didn’t know much about Luo Yue’s talents.

“Is Luo Yue studying art?” Qin Zhaoyi asked.

Initially, Luo Yue was too guarded, so Qin Zhaoyi didn’t know much about her.

Much of it was learned from Yan Ci.

Now, as she chatted with Cheng Shijing, she naturally began to inquire indirectly.

“No,” Cheng Shijing shook his head and asked in return, “She didn’t tell you?”

His tone was indifferent, but to Qin Zhaoyi, it sounded like he was saying, “Your relationship is just so-so.”

Qin Zhaoyi immediately added, “I didn’t ask.”

In fact, she did ask, but Luo Yue effortlessly redirected her with a strategy of using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds.

Cheng Shijing acknowledged with an “oh” but didn’t delve deeper, nor did he exhibit the sarcasm Qin Zhaoyi had imagined.

“Jia Da,” Cheng Shijing said, “Mathematics Department.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

Jia Da, of course, was familiar to Qin Zhaoyi, the full name being Jiayi University.

It was one of the top universities in the country, where her father worked as a physics professor.

While Jiayi Foreign Language University was excellent, it paled in comparison to Jia Da.

The mathematics department at Jia Da was particularly renowned for its difficulty.

Unexpectedly, Luo Yue graduated from the Mathematics Department at Jiayi University.

An untimely silence followed.

After the silence, Qin Zhaoyi asked slowly, “Then why is she teaching here?”

Cheng Shijing shrugged, “Is that not allowed? I’m running a clinic here.”

Qin Zhaoyi looked at him and asked, “Are you also from the mathematics department?”

“What are you thinking?” Cheng Shijing chuckled, “A math major running a clinic, I’m afraid I’ll get myself into legal trouble?”

Qin Zhaoyi hesitated, “Then you…”

“Jia Da, Clinical Medicine,” Cheng Shijing said.

Qin Zhaoyi fell silent again.

“Are you playing house or pretending to be a monk?” Qin Zhaoyi couldn’t understand, “Or are you playing make-believe here?”

Given the level of education here, it was hard to imagine that they could produce two students from Jia Da, and both were in the top departments.

Even though the medical profession is extremely competitive now, with most doctors in top-tier hospitals starting with a postgraduate degree, graduates from Jia Da are almost exceptions, as they can start working in top-tier hospitals right after completing their undergraduate studies.

There is no denying that Jia Da Medical School’s undergraduate program is notoriously demanding.

Such a resume is like having a golden background, no matter where they go.

As a result, these two individuals chose to live on this unknown small island, leading a simple life in this way.

For a moment, Qin Zhaoyi thought Cheng Shijing was joking with her.

“Just live casually,” Cheng Shijing laughed, “Don’t you know how difficult the employment situation is for Jia Yi?”

Qin Zhaoyi replied, “I’ve never experienced it.”

“Aren’t you working?” Cheng Shijing casually asked, pretending to be nonchalant, “Living comfortably as a second-generation wealthy person, enjoying life?”

Qin Zhaoyi hesitated for a moment, “I don’t look like that kind of person, do I?” Qin Zhaoyi, caught off guard, was provoked by Cheng Shijing’s remarks and said, “I’m a freelancer, not a second-generation wealthy person. My parents are academics, and the money in my bank account doesn’t even match what I earn in a year.”

There was pride in her words.

Implicitly, she intended to outshine Cheng Shijing.

Cheng Shijing elongated his tone and then asked, “No boyfriend yet?”

Qin Zhaoyi was taken aback, “…”

Only then did Qin Zhaoyi realize it and frowned, “Are you checking my personal information?”

“Just asking casually.” Cheng Shijing glanced outside the window, where the potted plants on the windowsill were lush, the sky was clear and blue, a bit dazzling against the glass. “Alright, I’ll have someone come for a medical checkup in a while. You can continue the intravenous drip in the evening. I’ll come over in the evening.”

When the time came, Cheng Shijing issued the eviction order.

The tone was familiar, as if the two had known each other for a long time.

Qin Zhaoyi stood up and suddenly remembered to ask, “Do you know when Luo Yue will be back?”

Cheng Shijing pinched a leaf on the windowsill, “I don’t know.”

Qin Zhaoyi felt somewhat relieved, but then Cheng Shijing added, “This time, she should stay for a week.”

Qin Zhaoyi asked, “Wasn’t it supposed to be three days?”

Cheng Shijing leaned against the windowsill casually, and with a casual smile, he said, “She said last night that she added some extra activities and needs to stay a few more days.”

It was hard not to think that Cheng Shijing was showing off.

Qin Zhaoyi’s expression remained cold, and without looking back, she left the clinic.

As she left, Cheng Shijing opened the window and shouted after her, “Hey.”

Qin Zhaoyi didn’t stop.

Cheng Shijing shouted again, “Qin Zhaoyi.”

Qin Zhaoyi finally halted her steps, turned around, and gave him a disdainful and displeased look. Her face was cold enough to freeze: “What’s the matter?”

“Don’t run around,” Cheng Shijing said, “Wear more clothes.”

Qin Zhaoyi frowned, “Why do you care?”

“You want to be sick for another week?” Cheng Shijing said.

As he spoke, Qin Zhaoyi threw a stone she had been playing with in her hand. It flew in the direction of the wind and landed on the glass beside Cheng Shijing.

It didn’t shatter, but the sound was loud.

Qin Zhaoyi sneered at him, “Mind your own business.”

After she left, Cheng Shijing sent a message to Luo Yue: [You didn’t tell your bad-tempered girlfriend.]

Luo Yue sent an “extremely angry” emoji.

Luo Yue: [You bullied her again.]

Cheng Shijing laughed as he looked at her protective stance, took a photo of the stone on the windowsill, and complained with resentment: “Please clarify, she almost spat on my house. Who’s bullying whom?”

Luo Yue: [What’s this stone?]

Cheng Shijing: [She threw it at my window.]

Luo Yue sent several “haha” laughing emojis.

Cheng Shijing sighed: [What are you laughing at?]

Luo Yue: [She’s quite cute.]

Cheng Shijing: […]

Luo Yue: [What did you say to her?

Cheng Shijing: [I told her that you would stay for a week and couldn’t come back.]

Luo Yue: [No wonder she’s angry.]

Cheng Shijing: [That’s also because of you. What’s it got to do with me?]

Luo Yue: [You know something she doesn’t, and she’s jealous.]

Cheng Shijing stared at the screen for a long time, feeling a strange sensation he couldn’t quite describe. Qin Zhaoyi’s figure walked away on the small path but stopped not far away.

Cheng Shijing poked the screen and asked: [Did you really confess?]

Luo Yue didn’t answer directly but sent a screenshot. The text in the chat box was concise and clear: [Yes, yours.]

Luo Yue: [We haven’t officially confessed yet.]

Cheng Shijing opened the camera, extended the screen, zoomed out the lens, and then captured the moment. He sent the photo to Luo Yue.

Cheng Shijing: [Your not-yet-official girlfriend is quite attractive.]

Luo Yue had just finished her training class, enlarged the photo, and on the screen was a clear image of Qin Zhaoyi and Qi Duan standing together, looking quite compatible.

Luo Yue: [Roses are so beautiful. If someone with ulterior motives wants to pick them, is it the rose’s fault?]