Sometimes, Simple People Are That Way on Purpose

The volunteer activity ended quickly.

Jiang Linyuan took off his vest, feeling a bit tired.

[Renewed] activated! That feels great, I could go another three hundred rounds!

Time to get some real work done tonight.

The sound of footsteps rang out.

"What is Senior thinking about?"

Lin Yilin, who had also finished her work, brought Zhang Juntang over to Jiang Linyuan's side and asked.

"Thinking about what to eat for dinner."

Jiang Linyuan said directly.

It was the perfect time to invite Yu Songsong and build up some favorability while he was at it.

"Oh..."

Lin Yilin tilted her head slightly and asked Jiang Linyuan:

"Is Senior going alone?"

"Does Xiao Yilin really want to go with me?"

Jiang Linyuan asked with a smile.

Lin Yilin felt a bit embarrassed; naturally, she wouldn't admit she wanted to go, as girls still had to be a little reserved, so she instinctively stayed stubborn:

"It's alright, I guess."

Ha, what a platypus, quacking with stubbornness.

"Oh, is that so."

Jiang Linyuan drew out the end of his sentence, saying deliberately:

"I was originally planning to take Xiao Yilin along with me."

How could Lin Yilin not tell he was teasing her again? She bared her fangs and brandished her claws, grimacing:

"You dog of a Senior!"

Is this Xiao Yilin getting more and more out of line? Where did that innocent and cute junior go?

Who corrupted her!

"Come if you want to, I happen to be inviting Yu Songsong as well, so you can give me some good assists when the time comes."

Jiang Linyuan said casually.

Lin Yilin felt a bit unhappy.

Senior is flirting with that Yu Songsong, why would she want to go?

Thinking this, she asked again:

"Can Juntang come along too?"

Zhang Juntang, standing to the side, was a bit surprised, but she didn't say anything, secretly lifting her eyelids to glance at Jiang Linyuan, seemingly waiting for his reply.

The two of them have a pretty good relationship, much stronger than the roommate relationship with Yu Songsong.

Jiang Linyuan also understood that Lin Yilin simply felt it would be awkward to be a third wheel.

Besides, this Zhang Juntang had a soft personality and didn't talk much, so it wouldn't hurt to bring her along.

"Sure, four people, is Haidilao okay?"

"Mm, whatever Senior says."

Lin Yilin nodded obediently.

Zhang Juntang had no objections either.

Jiang Linyuan said, and began to contact Yu Songsong:

"Junior, want to go out for Haidilao tonight? A four-person group, one guy and three girls."

"Yes, yes! Senior hasn't gone far, right? I'll come find you right away."

Yu Songsong replied very quickly.

She arrived shortly after, her chest heaving with every step.

"Senior, I ran into something super disgusting today."

As soon as they met, she started dumping her emotional baggage:

"A cleaning lady wanted to slack off and was grabbing volunteers everywhere to act as manual labor. Some people actually listened to her and almost went to do her work!"

That sounded a bit familiar.

"You ran into that too, Junior?"

Jiang Linyuan asked in surprise.

"Ah, she came looking for the senior again?"

Yu Songsong was also surprised.

This middle-aged woman actually understood the principle of casting a wide net.

Jiang Linyuan turned to look at Lin Yilin and Zhang Juntang:

"Did you two run into her too?"

"No."

Lin Yilin answered quickly, then added with righteous indignation:

"People like that are just too awful. It's one thing to be lazy herself, but she actually wanted to make others do her work!"

Yu Songsong's eyes drifted away, feeling a bit awkward, and she pretended not to hear.

She was actually being lazy herself by volunteering, and at the start, she had also thought about making Jiang Linyuan do the work for her.

Then she saw Zhang Juntang, who was standing beside Lin Yilin with a flushed face—ah, that little coward.

Jiang Linyuan also noticed Zhang Juntang's unusual behavior and asked:

"The person the junior sister mentioned who was almost dragged into doing the work, it wouldn't be you, would it?"

Zhang Juntang didn't speak; she just blushed, lowered her head, and nodded like an ostrich hiding its head.

Where did that courage go when you were tugging on my sleeve? You only know how to act crazy in front of me, right?

"Huh?"

Lin Yilin was also surprised, her brows knitting together:

"Juntang, why didn't you tell me!"

Zhang Juntang stammered, unable to get a single word out, giving off the vibe that she might just commit suicide if asked again.

Yu Songsong couldn't stand seeing her like this and retorted with a cold, mocking tone:

"You don't even know how to call for help when you're being bullied; I really don't know what to say to you."

"That's a bit too harsh, don't you think?"

Lin Yilin spoke up for Zhang Juntang, but Yu Songsong ignored her entirely and asked with a smile:

"Am I wrong? If you don't even have the will to resist, are you just going to sit there waiting for someone else to save you the next time something like this happens?"

Yu Songsong didn't actually mean to belittle Zhang Juntang; it was more a case of being frustrated that she wouldn't stand up for herself.

It was just that the atmosphere was a bit explosive.

Lin Yilin knew Yu Songsong was right, so she didn't say anything more and whispered into Zhang Juntang's ear:

"Juntang, next time something like this happens, you have to tell me!"

Zhang Juntang pursed her lips and nodded.

The four of them walked together, with Jiang Linyuan and Yu Songsong walking side by side, while Lin Yilin dragged Zhang Juntang behind them.

The sky outside had turned completely dark, and the streetlights on both sides had flickered to life, with neon signs of various colors flashing.

Along the way, Lin Yilin watched Jiang Linyuan and Yu Songsong chatting and laughing in front of her, feeling extremely depressed.

The senior hasn't even looked at me once! And he even said he'd take me for a private date once the volunteer activity was over!

Lin Yilin was annoyed and didn't want to make a sound, and as for the little mopey Zhang Juntang, that went without saying.

The two of them didn't communicate much along the way, and the vibe was very low.

Jiang Linyuan felt a chill behind his back and turned his head to look.

Where did these vengeful spirits come from?

Lin Yilin was walking with her head down, mentally hacking Jiang Linyuan into pieces, and didn't notice him suddenly stop, walking straight into him.

"Eh..."

Lin Yilin covered her forehead and looked up, feeling a bit dazed.

"Little Yilin, you bumped into me and it hurts."

Jiang Linyuan pointed at his chest and said pitifully.

Seeing him take the initiative to talk to her, Lin Yilin felt a bit happy, but she pouted, preparing to say something.

But at this moment, Yu Songsong leaned in with a smile and looked at Jiang Linyuan:

"Where did it hurt, Senior?"

I wish you had bumped into him until he died!

Lin Yilin was even angrier; she turned around, grabbed Zhang Juntang, and stomped forward quickly.

"Is she okay?"

Does this person have a problem with me?

Yu Songsong watched Lin Yilin's actions, raised an eyebrow, and asked Jiang Linyuan.

"Girls always have those few days when they're in a bad mood."

Jiang Linyuan followed slowly behind.

Lin Yilin walked ahead, cheeks puffed out in anger, though she began to worry inwardly: Will he think I'm just throwing a tantrum and being difficult on purpose?

Thinking this, her pace slowed down, and she snuck a glance behind her to see if Jiang Linyuan was still following.

Seeing that he was still grinning, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Ah, I'm going to the restroom. You guys go ahead."

Halfway there, Jiang Linyuan suddenly said.

Lin Yilin pretended not to care, but in reality, she was observing him the whole time.

She noticed that Jiang Linyuan didn't go to the restroom, but instead turned and walked into a boutique.

He must be buying a gift for Yu Songsong.

Her heart felt sour, the sensation surging from her chest all the way up.

I'm not looking anymore!

Lin Yilin pursed her lips, forcing herself to look away.

Before long, Jiang Linyuan returned, still grinning.

The group soon arrived at the Haidilao branch, heading to the second floor and walking up the stairs one by one.

Just then, Lin Yilin suddenly felt a soft, fuzzy sensation against her hand. She looked down and saw Jiang Linyuan's hand, which seemed to be holding something.

"A gift for Xiao Yilin."

Jiang Linyuan said with a smile in a low voice, then let go.

It was a small Harry Potter figurine.

In that instant, all the sourness in her heart vanished, and the corners of her mouth lifted involuntarily.

But Lin Yilin remained somewhat reserved, thinking: So the senior really did think I was throwing a tantrum, that's why he bought me a doll.

"Thank you, Senior. I... I'll treat you to a meal next time!"

Afraid of being seen by Yu Songsong, she quickly took the figurine and whispered.

After a while, she gathered her courage and asked:

"Aren't you going to give one to Yu Songsong?"

"Ha."

Jiang Linyuan smiled and looked at Lin Yilin:

"Does Xiao Yilin want me to give her one?"

"No, that's not it!"

Lin Yilin blushed, waving her hands frantically, and muttered:

"It's just... aren't you pursuing her? You should probably give her a little gift."

"That's true."

Jiang Linyuan nodded and reached out his hand:

"Then Xiao Yilin, give the figurine to me. I'll go give it to Yu Songsong."

Oh my god! This senior!

Lin Yilin quickly shoved the figurine into her bag and puffed out her cheeks:

"I'll go buy another one for you. Maybe she doesn't like this type."

"No need, she doesn't care about these things."

Jiang Linyuan waved his hand.

"That's not necessarily true. You're not a girl, Senior, so you don't understand girls."

Lin Yilin pouted in rebuttal.

Jiang Linyuan stopped in his tracks and glanced at her:

"I may not understand girls very well, but some people are very easy to understand."

Lin Yilin met his gaze, and her face flushed red again, the color deepening as if it would never fade.

"Is that so?"

"Mm."

Lin Yilin faced the light, lifting her small face, her eyes curving into crescents:

"Actually, people who are easy to understand are sometimes doing it on purpose. It's just that you didn't notice, Senior."

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