Three's a Crowd, and One's an Idiot

The boy's request put Yu Songsong in an awkward position.

She had only started talking to Jiang Linyuan to relax because she didn't want to keep spending time with Zhao Tongyu.

After all, Jiang Linyuan was handsome, charming, and much more fun to talk to.

But she couldn't exactly refuse him outright, so she gave him a strained but polite smile.

"Then, Zhao, why don't you come along too?"

Jiang Linyuan shook his head.

The underclassman was still too inexperienced.

The three of them headed to the milk tea shop, taking the chance to get some fresh air along the way.

"Senior, have you ever hosted an event before?"

As they walked, Yu Songsong kept pace beside Jiang Linyuan and asked eagerly.

"I have. That's why I thought you did such a great job rehearsing your lines just now."

Jiang Linyuan smiled, making up a lie without missing a beat.

"When I first hosted an event, I was so nervous even during rehearsal."

"Really?"

Yu Songsong's eyes lit up, and she drew out the word as she asked curiously,

"You get nervous too, Senior? I never would've guessed."

"Everyone gets nervous."

Jiang Linyuan looked at Yu Songsong.

"Actually, I'm pretty nervous right now."

"Why?"

Yu Songsong asked.

"Because I'm talking to such a beautiful girl, and I'm afraid I'll say something wrong and upset you."

Jiang Linyuan answered with a smile.

"Hahaha."

Yu Songsong covered her mouth as she laughed, the two things on her chest swinging like a pair of swings.

"Then you don't need to be nervous, Senior. If I didn't like you, I wouldn't be walking with you."

Seeing the two of them chatting and laughing, the boy following behind them darkened visibly.

Yu Songsong had barely smiled at all while they'd practiced their lines together, but she was having such a good time chatting with Jiang Linyuan.

The stark difference stung.

He held it in for a while, then said,

"Sounds like Senior doesn't have much hosting experience, then."

There was no hiding the challenge in his words. The air practically crackled with hostility.

You're picking a fight with me? What's your deal?

You're all timid around Yu Songsong, but you come at me swinging.

Did the Turtle Prime Minister from the East Sea Dragon Palace escape and come here to bother people?

Jiang Linyuan glanced sideways at the boy behind him and said,

"Ah, sorry. What was your name again, underclassman?"

The boy's face flushed red.

Jiang Linyuan's gesture and tone made him feel slighted. He hadn't even remembered his name!

He snapped,

"Zhao Tongyu. My name's Zhao Tongyu."

Seeing his reaction, Jiang Linyuan just grinned.

Insecure and concerned with appearances, sensitive and reckless.

It wasn't his fault he was like that, but if he dared to come at me, he couldn't blame anyone else.

Did he really think I was the Leshan Giant Buddha?

"Oh, I haven't paid much attention to you, Zhao, but with a partner as great as Yu, I'm sure your hosting can't be that bad."

Jiang Linyuan's offhand remark made Zhao Tongyu's face turn bright red.

Wasn't he basically saying that if Zhao Tongyu hadn't been paired with Yu Songsong, he wouldn't even have bothered to notice him?

The problem was, he couldn't argue back.

If he did, he'd be denying Yu Songsong's hosting ability. If he didn't, he'd have to admit he was just dead weight.

Zhao Tongyu's expression shifted several times, growing more and more unpleasant. In the end, he could only swallow his anger and bite his tongue.

A big shot on his ID card, a clown in the circus.

You've had your laugh at my expense, buddy.

Seeing that the two hadn't actually started arguing, Yu Songsong smiled.

"Haha, I'm not nearly as good as you make me sound, Senior."

At first, she'd worried Jiang Linyuan and Zhao Tongyu might get into a fight. But seeing how calm and carefree he was, she found herself liking him even more.

Senior was so much more interesting than that quiet guy. He was socially clueless and childish, too.

Without realizing it, she compared the two again, and Jiang Linyuan came out even better in her eyes.

Watching Yu Songsong's reaction, Jiang Linyuan couldn't help but marvel.

I never meant to compete, but that fool from the south has come to my aid.

Hehe, Zhao, you're a pretty good wingman. Keep it up.

Sure enough, no amount of scheming by a player could beat a clown's stroke of inspiration.

Jiang Linyuan and Yu Songsong chatted and laughed all the way to the milk tea shop, while Zhao Tongyu followed behind them, seething.

If he left, he'd lose face. If he stayed, he'd have to watch them act all lovey-dovey.

Damn, this sucked!

"What would you two like? It's on me. You've been practicing your lines for so long—you've earned it."

Jiang Linyuan turned to ask them.

"Thanks, Senior. I'll have a mango pomelo sago, 30 percent sweet, room temperature."

Yu Songsong accepted without hesitation.

Zhao Tongyu, on the other hand, said stiffly,

"I don't need anything. It's just a cup of milk tea. I can afford it."

Jiang Linyuan's mouth twitched.

That was one way to put it.

Three's a crowd, and one's an idiot. Couldn't be more true.

Who couldn't afford a cup of milk tea?

Who actually thought that was the point? It was just a kind gesture.

Besides, how did he expect Yu Songsong to take that?

By his logic, she'd only accepted because she couldn't afford her own drink?

Jiang Linyuan glanced at Yu Songsong, curious to see how she'd react.

Sure enough, she was already looking a little annoyed.

"Senior, just ignore him. If he wants a drink, he can buy his own. We'll get ours."

With that, Yu Songsong took Jiang Linyuan by the hand and led him aside.

Whoa!

A direct hit!

Jiang Linyuan was startled by the feel of her hand.

But Xiao Yilin's hands were still softer, like jelly.

Seeing how close the two of them were, Zhao Tongyu grew even more irritated, though he couldn't help blaming himself for being so bad with words.

I should've known better than to come along!

Why had Senior gone out with Yu Songsong?

Lin Yilin stared blankly at the empty corner, her cheeks puffed out.

She wanted to take out her phone and ask Jiang Linyuan what he was doing, but she was afraid of bothering him.

Forget it! I don't care about that jerk of a senior! I don't! What's there to think about anyway?

"Ahem, um, are you free?"

While Lin Yilin was lost in thought, a woman's voice, tinged with a hint of pleading, came from beside her.

She turned around.

It was the girl who'd hogged the bathroom at the villa that day.

Lin Yilin's eyebrows rose without her meaning to.

"You're that girl from the villa!"

The girl looked a little awkward and gave a dry laugh.

"I'm Qiao Shan, from the Organization Department. I was in the wrong that day. I came to apologize."

"Apologize?"

Lin Yilin looked at her and saw that she seemed sincere. Frowning, she said,

"Then you should apologize to Senior Jiang, not me."

"I'm kind of afraid to."

Qiao Shan said timidly, rubbing her cheek without realizing it.

Afraid?

Did Senior do something to her that day?

Curious, yet unable to stop worrying about Jiang Linyuan, Lin Yilin asked,

"Why are you afraid?"

"Um, anyway, I'm really sorry about that day. Let's add each other on WeChat. I'll send you a red packet as an apology."

Qiao Shan avoided the question, took out her phone, and looked at Lin Yilin pleadingly.

But Binary Sister was nothing if not straightforward. Of course she wouldn't agree.

She raised her little brows.

"No. If it's about Senior, you have to tell him yourself!"

"Come on, please, sis, I'm begging you. If you don't want to, could you at least ask him for me?"

Qiao Shan pleaded.

Lin Yilin had wanted to refuse, but then she realized this would give her an excuse to contact Jiang Linyuan first.

So she hesitated.

"Fine. I'll ask Senior."

I have something important to discuss with Senior, so it's all right if I interrupt him, isn't it?

Thinking that, Lin Yilin sent Jiang Linyuan a message.