Chapter 38: Student Keqing Wants to Have Fun!

The weather was nice.

The winter sun was warm, and an occasional breeze drifted past, dispelling the dryness in the air.

Su Ze had just stepped into the convenience store.

Chen Keqing followed right behind, craning her neck as she slipped in from outside.

She only smiled after she saw Su Ze.

She greeted him and then handed the cake she was carrying to Su Ze.

“Sit for a bit?” Su Ze said as he headed to a window seat and sat down on his own.

“Mm…” Chen Keqing sat down after him.

“To avoid another unfortunate accident where it goes missing, I’ll try it first, okay?” Su Ze chuckled softly while already unwrapping the cake.

“Sure.”

Chen Keqing placed both hands over her knees, looking the picture of obedience.

She appeared calm and collected, but her inner voice told a different story…

『Huh? He’s eating it right now…?』

『Ugh, I’m so nervous, what if he thinks my cake tastes bad…』

『Impossible, this young lady poured all her skills plus… a little love into this handmade cake, there’s no way it tastes bad!』

As expected.

Chen Keqing’s inner voice was much cuter than Qin Yushi’s.

It was clear, pure, and simple.

Besides…

Listening to Chen Keqing’s inner voice also confirmed that Su Ze’s earlier guess had been spot-on.

The girl’s feelings had just begun to stir, but with so much uncertainty she could only “find a topic to chat with him about” first…

“Are you slacking off right now?”

After Su Ze took a few bites, Chen Keqing suddenly asked an unrelated question.

“Not really, because I’m not on the roster, and besides, I’m the owner of this place, so slacking off doesn’t matter.”

“You’re the owner too?”

“Yeah.”

“Th-then you’re pretty impressive.”

Chen Keqing blinked, genuinely thinking Su Ze was amazing; he was only a sophomore and had already started a business… well… this should count as entrepreneurship, she mused secretly.

“Tastes good.” After finally giving his verdict, Su Ze affirmed Chen Keqing’s skills and continued eating, saying, “I didn’t have a decent breakfast, so I’ll have a few more bites.”

“Hehe, I’m really good at making cakes.” Chen Keqing’s pink lips curled up as she secretly rejoiced at the praise.

“By the way, you’ve heard of class mixers at university, right?” Su Ze changed the subject and asked.

“I’ve heard about them; my old high-school classmates talked about it…” Chen Keqing nodded prettily.

“Actually, our class is having a mixer today…”

Su Ze briefly explained the details, then looked up at Chen Keqing and smiled, “Want to come and have fun? The weather’s pretty nice today.”

“Me?” Chen Keqing hesitated.

『Me? I do kind of want to go…』

『But it’s a college event; I’m just a high-schooler. What if someone asks what I am to Su Ze? That’d be awkward…』

Overhearing her thoughts, Su Ze pretended to ponder and said, “You could bring your classmates along too, fly some kites or something. You only get one full weekend a month, right? Perfect time to go to the park and relax.”

“Th-then I’ll ask my classmates.” Chen Keqing was completely tempted.

Su Ze’s suggestion perfectly solved her little worry.

Of course, the most important reason was…

Chen Keqing already wanted to hang out with Su Ze; she just hadn’t had a reason.

By bringing her classmates she could pretend they were each doing their own thing while still playing with Su Ze.

Safety-wise, it also felt more secure.

“Done.” In no time Chen Keqing contacted two female classmates.

They arranged to go kite-flying in the park that afternoon.

“Then let’s go. We’ll buy you girls some kites first, grab lunch, and then head over.” Su Ze stood up, looking every bit like a boyfriend taking his girlfriend out for the day.

…………

Afternoon.

The class group chat was especially lively.

Except for a few people like Su Ze who acted on their own, everyone else gathered to take taxis or buses together.

One after another, the 2 classes… about 40 to 50 people… arrived at the park.

They picked a good spot, spread out picnic blankets, rented 2 barbecue grills, and quickly created the mixer atmosphere…

“Brother Ze, where are you?”

Su Ze received the message from Prince Xin on his phone.

“Parking.”

Su Ze replied, killed the engine, and got out of the car.

Chen Keqing, who had planned to avoid Su Ze’s classmates, failed to avoid her own.

The three girls had all ridden in Su Ze’s car, but since Chen Keqing said Su Ze was just a friend, the other two didn’t pry, even though Su Ze could hear their hearts bubbling over with gossip…

“I’ll go check in with my class first.”

After saving a spot for the girls, Su Ze greeted them.

Then he headed toward where his class was gathering…

The two groups weren’t very far apart.

However, halfway there, Qin Yushi intercepted him.

Today she wore a casual outfit that normally wouldn’t show off a figure, yet Qin Yushi’s physique still traced out seductive, silky curves, especially her upper body, which was nothing short of bountiful…

“The star always appears last, Su Ze; you really are late.”

Half joking, Qin Yushi caught up to Su Ze and walked beside him.

It was an ordinary remark, yet Su Ze overheard Qin Yushi’s inner voice…

『He finally showed up…』

『Let me think, which question should I start with…』

『Should I ask where he learned his fighting skills? Or ask why he didn’t tell me about what happened last night…』

“You look beautiful today.”

Su Ze stopped, deliberately sized up Qin Yushi, and smiled.

“What, am I not beautiful normally?”

With a playful tone, Qin Yushi smoothly and naturally hooked her arm around Su Ze’s forearm.

Although she didn’t press her ample curves against him, the intimate gesture was surprising enough.

At least, in all of Su Ze’s past interactions with her, he had never seen Qin Yushi make such a move on any man…

This woman valued her reputation.

Teasing with words and letting men fantasize was fine.

But physical contact? Forget it.

That was Qin Yushi’s skill; she always controlled the distance and read men like a book.

“Sit with me alone later, okay? I want to talk with you,” Qin Yushi said with a smile.

“Do me later?” Su Ze deliberately twisted her words.

“You’re awful, I said sit,” Qin Yushi pouted.

Su Ze chuckled and said nothing more.

But when he looked up, his eyes met Chen Keqing’s in the distance.

The moment their gazes locked, Chen Keqing immediately looked away; even at that distance, Su Ze could just barely catch her inner voice…

『Damn, what’s with that woman…』

『Wuwuwu, is that his girlfr… no, he said he didn’t have a girlfriend…』

『Mom, I’ve run into a playboy, wuwuwu…』

『Am I overthinking it? What if she’s his sister…』

Su Ze had to admit, Chen Keqing’s inner monologue was as entertaining as ever, leaving him torn between laughter and tears.

“Okay, let’s talk later; I’ll sign in with my class first.”

Retracting his gaze, Su Ze said to Qin Yushi.