Chapter 16: My Affairs Are None of Your Business

In his previous life, Jiang Qin was a student at Linchuan University, majoring in International Trade. So, in this life, he still planned to go to Linchuan because he was already incredibly familiar with that city.

If he wanted to start a business, beginning in a familiar city would make things much smoother.

Hearing Jiang Qin's answer, Feng Nanshu rubbed her face, then stared blankly at the empty snack bag she had just finished, lost in thought about who-knows-what.

Just then, the Nokia on the table flickered. Jiang Qin unlocked it and saw a QQ message from Wang Huiru.

"Jiang Qin, Chu Siqi scored 632. How about you?"

"Did she ask you to message me?"

"Okay, you guessed it. She did ask me to ask you."

"My affairs have nothing to do with her. Just tell her that." Jiang Qin typed out a line with the physical keyboard and hit send.

Wang Huiru was instantly dumbfounded. "Jiang Qin, it's not like you and Chu Siqi have some deep grudge, right? Even as classmates, asking about scores is pretty normal. You don't have to be like this."

"Like what?"

"Petty!"

Jiang Qin's fingers flew over the physical keyboard. "If I'm petty, so be it. Let her think what she wants."

Wang Huiru sent an ellipsis. "Jiang Qin, Chu Siqi didn't do anything wrong. Rejecting you is her right. Even if you can't be lovers, you can still be friends."

"So the one in the wrong is me? Choosing not to cling is my right too, isn't it? I don't want to be her friend."

"Why not?"

Jiang Qin switched to typing with one hand. "She thinks the whole world should like her, that everyone has to cater to her whims. Whatever she says goes—tell someone to go east, and they better not go west. I can't handle a friend like that. It's annoying, really annoying."

Wang Huiru fell silent for a while. "I know Siqi can be a bit arrogant, but isn't that part of her charm?"

"A little arrogance is fine, but she crosses the line. Like that day on Central Street, ordering me not to leave in front of so many people—what gives her the right? We're not even friends, yet she thinks if she says I can't go, I can't go. Does she think the Earth revolves around her?"

"Then talk to her properly and tell her to change."

Jiang Qin frowned. "Why should I waste my time on her? If this friend doesn't work out, I'll find another one. What's wrong with that?"

Wang Huiru's replies noticeably slowed. "Nothing's wrong with that, but are you sure you're not just saying this out of spite because you loved her?"

"I've made it this clear, and you still think that? I bet Chu Siqi thinks the same, doesn't she? That I'm just playing hard to get because I got rejected and can't handle the embarrassment?"

"No, no, I didn't mean it like that! Don't misunderstand me, Jiang Qin!"

Jiang Qin kept tapping the keyboard. "Classmate Wang, honestly, I don't want to say a single extra word to her. The only reason I'm explaining this much to you is out of respect for you. Got it?"

Wang Huiru's heart softened instantly at this reply. "Then I'll talk to her properly and tell her not to bother you for a while."

"Not just for a while—forever."

"Jiang Qin, saying it like that is too hurtful. When she rejected you, she left some room, even encouraged you. Can't you stop being so cold to her?"

"Goddamn it, mentioning that makes me speechless. What's this 'keep trying and there's hope' nonsense? That's supposed to be encouragement? She doesn't like me—she's just lonely because she hasn't found someone she truly likes yet. She thinks I'll keep her company until she does, and then she won't even remember who I am."

"…"

"Classmate Wang, sometimes you have to say harsh things to cut ties cleanly, so neither side keeps holding onto illusions."

Seeing this reply, Wang Huiru fell silent again, suddenly recalling her conversation with Chu Siqi on Central Street.

["Siqi, what if you meet someone you really like later on?"]

["Of course I'd choose the one I like. I can't pick Jiang Qin just because he stuck around longer, right?"]

She realized Jiang Qin was absolutely right, leaving her with no ground to argue. She even started to feel a little like she was on his side.

"Alright, Jiang Qin, I know what to do."

"Classmate Wang, chatting with you was pleasant, but please don't come to me about her again. I don't want to ruin my day, okay?"

"Sorry."

"It's fine. As long as it's clear now."

After ending the chat, Wang Huiru sighed, her gaze turning a bit dazed.

Sure enough, Jiang Qin had no lingering attachment to her best friend—only aversion and rejection.

What about Feng Nanshu, then?

Was she really dating Jiang Qin?

She was the rich girl picked up by a Bentley, the dream of countless boys at Chengnan High School. The guys secretly crushing on her could line up from the school all the way to the city center. Yet Jiang Qin was pinching her cheeks, making her look all cute and bratty—who'd believe that?

Even Wang Huiru wanted to ask: How?

Jiang Qin was good-looking, tall, and smart, sure, but she still couldn't believe he'd managed to win over Feng Nanshu.

Feng Nanshu was famously aloof at school, barely speaking to anyone, exuding an almost untouchable nobility.

Forget chasing her—some guys felt so inferior just being near her that they questioned their own audacity. Who do I think I am to even dream of this?

It didn't make sense!

Wang Huiru felt like she understood Jiang Qin less and less. Then her thoughts drifted back to her best friend.

Siqi was still acting high and mighty, throwing tantrums, waiting for Jiang Qin to regret it, waiting for him to apologize. She had no idea how much had happened in just half a month.

Wang Huiru picked up her phone again, found Chu Siqi's QQ number, and sent her a message.

"I just asked Jiang Qin. He said his affairs are none of your business and told you not to contact him anymore."

"That jerk! How dare he talk like that? Didn't you chew him out for me?"

"Siqi, let it go. You already rejected him. Just forget about him."

In a bedroom in a certain apartment in Fenglin Lüdu, Chu Siqi, dressed in pajamas, was furious. She hurled her college application guide at the wall, her eyes welling up with tears.

That Jiang Qin—he hated her for rejecting him, so he was going all out to piss her off!

And yeah, he succeeded—she was pissed.

But wasn't he suffering, holding it in for so long? All that face-saving pride just to torture himself.

In truth, Chu Siqi had asked Wang Huiru to check on Jiang Qin's score for a reason. She wanted to give him an olive branch, a hint to stop fighting with her.

Lately, she'd been growing more and more restless, constantly checking her phone, imagining Jiang Qin messaging her with an "I was wrong."

It was practically becoming an obsession.

She hadn't cared much about Jiang Qin before, but now her mind was full of him. Chu Siqi hated this version of herself and despised this feeling of losing control.

But she never expected Jiang Qin to be so heartless—completely ungrateful!

Fine, no contact? Then no contact. Whoever reaches out first is a dog!