Pretty Girl and Sidekick (Three-in-One)

Liu Chang'an bought a bag of tangerines on the way. At this time of year, the tangerines are mostly green, sweet with a hint of sourness, and have an excellent flavor. However, they are not suitable for ordinary people to eat too many, as they can easily cause tooth sensitivity.

Now we can eat oranges anytime. It's hard for those born in the late 1990s and early 2000s to imagine that oranges were once a staple snack for most families in autumn and winter, 20 or 30 years ago. During the orange harvest season, the production brigade organized women to pick baskets of oranges in the collective orchard. The hillsides were covered with oranges hanging from the branches. Women with towels wrapped around their hair, baskets on their backs, and scissors in their hands moved among the oranges.

Before the official harvest, while the oranges were still green, the orange groves covering the entire mountain were already surrounded by thorns. Every mile in the groves, there was a small red brick house where the night watchmen lived... Everyone was poor, and everyone was greedy, especially the thin children. They would find a gap and sneak in, and it was impossible to guard against them. In one night, they could steal several baskets of oranges for the people waiting outside. Besides eating them themselves, they could also sell them elsewhere.

Putting aside the fact that the material conditions at that time meant there weren't many romantic opportunities, the lonely hut of the night watchman, the female thief who came to steal oranges, or an acquaintance, or the little girl next door—under the moonlight in the wilderness, it wasn't impossible for a romantic story to unfold... Many literary and film works with rural backgrounds, no matter how highly they are praised now, are inevitably influenced by the author's experiences in those rural areas during their youth, and by the stories of backsides and grotesque objects that the villagers talked about.

Many writers and directors today were just hooligans back then. Some have improved and progressed, while others remain old hooligans. Even if they try to transform, they can't shake off that hooliganism, thinking they're expressing something that's close to reality.

As Liu Chang'an ate the tangerines, he thought about all sorts of things related to tangerines. He arranged the tangerine peels, which still looked round even after the flesh had been removed, one by one, thinking that there would inevitably be people with poor eyesight who liked to take advantage of others who would pick them up and look at them.

The fibrous strands inside the green tangerine peel are hidden, making them look like whole tangerines at night.

In the quiet campus, whispers drifted from an unknown source, as gentle as the sound of a flute. Clumps of trees swayed in the breeze. The Xiangtan University campus was filled with tall trees that had grown wildly for decades, their full canopies of leaves forming a dark cloud suspended in the night sky.

Two delicate white fingers gently pinched the orange peels. In the darkness of the night, her fair and delicate skin appeared even more translucent and jade-like, reminiscent of jade exhibits in museums hidden behind glass, bathed in the soft, warm light.

Su Nanxiu picked up the orange peel, looked at it, and remained calm. How powerful is the force of habit! Through countless turbulent years, time has flowed and appearances have changed, but this silly habit of playing pranks has remained unchanged.

She pinched the orange peel with her fingernails, and green cellular fluid seeped out, seeping into her pinkish-white nails and turning into a yellowish-green color that she disliked. So she threw away the orange peel, carefully wiped her fingernails, smelled the scent, and then sprayed a little perfume on her hands to cover up the strong smell of the orange peel.

Su Nanxiu walked down a more secluded path, followed by a tall, muscular boy.

"This person is really boring." Guan Yuan's tone was full of resentment. How could such a boring person have the right to always make Guan Yuan feel like he was being overshadowed? This feeling was very unpleasant.

People's mindset can change. In the past, Guan Yuan could accept that someone was more outstanding than him, and therefore he received more attention and favor. But now, even though he is already among the top group of outstanding people in the world, he is not getting the life he deserves.

King Zhuang of Chu was able to remain silent until he made a stunning debut, reigning for over twenty years and becoming one of the Five Hegemons, drinking from the Yellow River. This was probably a case of a life of first suppressing oneself before achieving success.

"Boredness is a kind of leisurely contentment in a lonely state of mind, which is rare." Although she knew the young man behind her would not understand, Su Nanxiu still explained.

"..." Guan Yuan paused for a moment, racking his brains for a long time, but couldn't come up with a reply.

"Go to the party tonight and behave well. Young girls... are vain and want their suitors to be the most eye-catching and outstanding person there." Su Nanxiu turned around and looked at Guan Yuan expressionlessly. He was of above-average appearance and his physique had changed. Logically speaking, it should be easy for him to win over girls his age.

"I understand," Guan Yuan said, somewhat distressed. According to his plan, he intended to approach the other person in a more private setting or when they were alone, rather than when Liu Chang'an was also present.

"You'll have to face Liu Chang'an sooner or later, what's the point of just running away?" Su Nanxiu said with a slight smirk.

Guan Yuan felt his blood boil. Su Nanxiu's slight sarcasm was unbearable for him. In fact, compared to the other women, the fourteen-year-old girl who was the youngest student registered in the new school was the one Guan Yuan cared about the most.

"I hope you're of some use." Su Nanxiu turned her head away.

"Liu Chang'an... Liu Chang'an... I've looked up his information. It seems like all his talent and skills have been focused on how to flirt with girls. It's not that I'm useless, and I'm not afraid of him... but it's like I'm a self-taught amateur, while he's a professional. I'm bound to be at a disadvantage at first. You need to give me some time," Guan Yuan defended herself.

"I agree with that... but I'll remind you again, don't force yourself on girls. I absolutely despise that. If you want to force yourself on them, I don't mind if you get killed, but don't get me into trouble." Su Nanxiu had her back to Guan Yuan, her breathing slightly hot and rapid, her cheeks flushed.

"I know, I won't," Guan Yuan immediately assured her.

"In short, anything that makes Liu Chang'an unhappy is something that makes me happy." Su Nanxiu waved her hand. "Let's go."

Guan Yuan nodded. In fact, what made Liu Chang'an unhappy was also what made Guan Yuan happy. He just realized that since Su Nanxiu was able to deal with Liu Chang'an secretly instead of openly killing him, it seemed that Liu Chang'an was definitely not just an ordinary supporting character as he had initially thought.

"Stop!"

Just as Guan Yuan was about to leave, a young man wearing a mask pressed a knife against Su Nanxiu's lower abdomen.

"Hand over all the money!" the young man said urgently in a low voice.

"You're asking for death!" Guan Yuan was furious. He felt confident that he could smash the young man's head with a punch before the knife actually pierced Su Nanxiu's abdomen, but he couldn't be sure that the sharp knife wouldn't cut Su Nanxiu's delicate skin.

"Don't come any closer, or I'll stab her to death!" The young man held a knife to Su Nanxiu and pressed Su Nanxiu against the wall.

"I told you... we need to keep a low profile lately." Su Nanxiu waved her hand, signaling Guan Yuan to stay still, and said calmly to the young man, "I don't have any money on me. If you want some, I can only transfer it to you."

The young man sized up Su Nanxiu and Guan Yuan. Su Nanxiu didn't seem to be carrying a wallet or anything like that, so he asked Guan Yuan to take out his wallet.

Guan Yuan only had five hundred yuan in her wallet, which was taken by the young man.

"Do you think I'm stupid? Transferring money to me? Won't the police find me through the account information?" the young man said fiercely. "Let him go get the money. If he dares to call the police, I'll stab you to death. We might as well die together."

"Banks are closed at night, and ATMs don't dispense much money, plus he doesn't have much in his bank account," Su Nanxiu said calmly, looking at the young man. "I can transfer five million to you in one go."

"Five million..." The young man's Adam's apple bobbed, and he hesitated in disbelief for a moment.

"Look, I can transfer five million to my personal account in one go without any limit or problem," Su Nanxiu said, showing the young man her phone.

Upon seeing the amount of assets displayed in Su Nanxiu's account, the young man felt dizzy. He gritted his teeth and counted several times before he could make out the number of digits. His hand trembled, and he dropped his phone and knife to the ground. Trembling, he took a few steps back, pleading, "I... I don't want it anymore... I was blind to your Mount Tai... Please, have mercy."

After saying that, the young man casually tossed Guan Yuan's several hundred yuan, staggered a few steps to regain his balance, turned around and ran away as fast as a stray dog without a license.

"Goodbye." Su Nanxiu waved her slender, pale hand, picked up her phone, and carefully wiped it clean.

Guan Yuan's expression was complicated. It turned out that those who truly mastered power and could use it at will didn't necessarily resort to simple and brutal violence to solve problems. Or perhaps she simply found it more amusing to see people display such panicked and ugly behavior?

I've learned something.

I've learned something new.

"But even if someone thinks they've robbed someone they can't afford to offend, they might not give up the idea and will still rob again next time," Guan Yuan couldn't help but express his opinion.

"What's it to you?"

"I..."

What does this have to do with me?

After Su Nanxiu finished speaking, she slowly walked out of the secluded path. Guan Yuan followed behind her, watching her buy an ear of corn on the street and slowly nibble on the kernels one by one before turning around and heading towards the gathering place.

As Guan Yuan got further and further away from Su Nanxiu, he finally felt that the vague feeling that made him afraid to even breathe freely had disappeared. A feeling of being himself surged within him. As long as he wasn't facing someone like Su Nanxiu, he should be a special existence like the protagonist at Xiangtan University.

As for someone like Su Nanxiu... she's actually a fourteen-year-old girl. According to realistic logic and my own understanding, how could she possibly exist? But she did appear. Guan Yuan believes that only the overused term "monster" from urban novels can describe such a girl... or perhaps that's the power of the setting. She's set up to be such an incredible character, so we can only accept it.

The realization that he was so special, that Su Nanxiu, an incredible girl who could only exist if the setting allowed her to exist, made Guan Yuan somewhat believe that he was the male protagonist again. The guidance of urban novels might not be unreliable after all. For example, male protagonists in urban novels often encounter "extraordinary" girls, and he had already encountered one... Before, he was indignant that a girl like Bai Hui didn't have any good feelings for him, nor did she show any curiosity, nor did she ask him to be her bodyguard, roommate, or temporary boyfriend because of his unruly image. He probably thought it was because Bai Hui was too ordinary and not qualified to be the female protagonist.

But today's target is Bai Hui. Actually, she's not comparable to girls like Su Nanxiu. Bai Hui is anything but ordinary. In real life, she's so eye-catching that countless people's eyes linger on her.

Guan Yuan quickened his pace toward the villa where the party was to be held. This villa wasn't a real mansion; it had been rented out and simply furnished with a mini-golf ball, billiards, a small bar, a projector, game consoles, a mahjong table, a karaoke room, and other equipment for parties. On weekdays, a night in Junsha would cost around 2,000 yuan, and the price would double on weekends. Today's price was relatively cheap, and more importantly, everyone could easily afford it by splitting the bill.

When Guan Yuan arrived at his destination, he saw Liu Chang'an standing at the entrance of the villa from afar without going in.

Guan Yuan hesitated for a moment. Su Nanxiu hadn't explained in detail what Liu Chang'an's abilities were or how troublesome he was, but from Su Nanxiu's tone, Guan Yuan already understood that he and Liu Chang'an were at most evenly matched, and even if he won in a real fight, he would pay a price... This was someone who couldn't be regarded as a supporting character; he possessed the same protagonist's aura as himself.

Guan Yuan still walked over, looking at Liu Chang'an with a cold gaze.

"Want some oranges?" Liu Chang'an handed over an orange.

Guan Yuan paused for a moment, then casually took it—another empty-skinned orange! His eye twitched involuntarily. What the hell was this "boredom is a leisurely and carefree state of mind in solitude"?

Liu Chang'an smiled and handed over another orange, "Just kidding, this is a really edible orange."

"Thank you, but no need." Guan Yuan suppressed his anger. He had never seen anyone so easily provoke another person's rage. He didn't want to start a conflict with Liu Chang'an at the door. "Why don't you go in?"

"I originally thought it was just a gathering for our class, but it turned out to be a joint event between two classes," Liu Chang'an said, somewhat disgruntled. "So I decided to finish eating the oranges before going in."

What's the connection between these two things? Guan Yuan didn't want to pay attention to Liu Chang'an anymore. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Liu Chang'an throw the orange he was given a second time into the trash can. That's right, the orange he said was really edible was actually just orange peel.

Guan Yuan entered the villa. He was no longer the headless fly who was causing trouble and groping for his own special life. He wasn't there tonight to fight Liu Chang'an; he had his own mission.

Watching Guan Yuan go inside, Liu Chang'an remained standing at the door, finishing his orange. Guan Yuan, being a "protagonist" like him, naturally deserved everyone's attention upon entering. If he went in with him, he would inevitably draw away the gaze and attention focused on Guan Yuan, which wouldn't be doing him any favors.

After a while, Liu Chang'an went inside.

"Liu Chang'an, why are you so late?" Bai Hui pulled Liu Chang'an's arm and led him to the center of the living room, introducing him to her classmates, "This is Liu Chang'an from the School of Life Sciences, isn't he a handsome guy! But he has a girlfriend, so girls who are interested in him shouldn't waste their time on him!"

Liu Chang'an pushed Bai Hui's hand away. "Did you learn that party-hosting tone from watching student parties in American TV shows?"

"Hello everyone, I'm Liu Chang'an." Liu Chang'an smiled, nodded to the various gazes that came from all directions, and then left the center of the living room.

It's impossible for everyone from both classes to attend a joint event, but there are still quite a few people. It's the first time everyone has participated in such an event in university, and everyone is excited and curious, with all sorts of little thoughts in their minds. How could many people really be paying attention to one particular person? Even if Liu Chang'an has an outstanding temperament and a refreshing aura like a forest or the sea, in this kind of environment, he is just a background figure under the bright lights and bustling crowd.

Unless someone is paying special attention to him... actually, there will always be someone paying special attention to him.

"Where have you been? You're an hour late." Bai Hui looked at Liu Chang'an with some reproach.

"I thought it was just a get-together for our class; I didn't even know it was for two classes. These kinds of gatherings, ostensibly for socializing, are really just about seeing who has the most compatible chemistry. Maybe it'd be better to come later." Liu Chang'an casually asked, "Which room is for karaoke? I'm going to sing."

"I'll take you there," Bai Hui said eagerly.

The audio-visual entertainment equipment was in a slightly larger room on the second floor, with a layout similar to a typical KTV. Several people were already singing inside. When they saw Liu Chang'an and Bai Hui enter, they just glanced at them, smiled, and Bai Hui didn't introduce them further. After greeting them, she went to select songs.

"What are you singing?" Bai Hui asked.

"What's it to you?"

"Let's sing together!" Bai Hui complained that Liu Chang'an was late because of this; she had a strong urge to sing with Liu Chang'an, which filled her with anticipation.

Although the last time the two of them went to karaoke together wasn't a pleasant memory, and even made Bai Hui lose face, she still remembered the thrill of being led by Liu Chang'an to sing "The Peak of Clouds," a feeling that was irresistible. After that, every time she sang, she felt like something was missing.

"You sang so badly," Liu Chang'an recalled.

"I sang badly?" Bai Hui looked at Liu Chang'an with a lot of indignation. She clearly thought that her collaboration with Liu Chang'an that day was perfect and had become a classic duet performance in KTV.

"You sang a song called 'Chengdu,' right? I think it was this one. Anyway, it was pretty awful."

That's Miao Yingying!

"Not you?"

"I sang ' When Love Becomes the Past 'Jonathan Lee with you!" Bai Hui reminded Liu Chang'a Sandy Lam trying to pinch Liu Chang'an arm. How could she forget that! Bai Hui had even presumptuously regarded that duet as a benchmark for her future singing!

"Oh, I see."

"Oh, I see, my foot! What are we going to sing today?" Bai Hui held back for the time being. Besides, she felt that Liu Chang'an had even forgotten about this matter, so he should feel a little guilty. Therefore, she thought it was only natural for him to agree to her suggestion of a duet.

"I want to sing 'The Sword and the Dream'." Liu Chang'an glanced casually at the karaoke machine.

"Let's sing it together first!" Bai Hui stomped her foot unhappily. "How about 'The Rooftop'?"

"You should be on the Rooftop, I should be under the car... that song?"

"This song isn't available!"

"Oh."

"How about 'Coral Sea'?" Bai Hui chose classic choral pieces, songs that were older than Bai Hui.

"Won't."

"Then let's go with 'When Love Becomes the Past'." Bai Hui thought for a moment. Since he was willing to sing this song last time, he probably wouldn't have a reason to refuse this time either.

"Alright, after I finish singing, I'll sing 'The Sword and the Dream.' I suddenly realized that this song is very suitable for our Nine Provinces Wind and Thunder Sword Sect. I need to buy a license to use it as our sect song," Liu Chang'an said after thinking for a moment.

Bai Hui didn't know what he was talking about, but it didn't matter. She just wanted to sing. However, ever since she sang with that troublemaker Liu Chang'an, she couldn't find that exhilarating feeling when she went to karaoke anymore. She always felt a little unsatisfied, lacking that just-right impact.

"You weren't reserved enough today, you were too enthusiastic." Liu Chang'an and Bai Hui chatted while waiting for others to sing.

Bai Hui rolled her eyes at him and continued humming along to the melody. Anyway, Liu Chang'an always made sarcastic remarks to her from time to time, so Bai Hui was used to it.

"That Guan Yuan... he won't bother me with awkward small talk if I'm with you," Bai Hui said in a low voice. "Anyway, you have to stay with me tonight, or he'll drive me crazy."

"What kind of person do you take me for?" Liu Chang'an said unhappily.

Bai Hui panicked a little, not expecting Liu Chang'an to be so direct, and felt somewhat embarrassed. After all, her thoughts were just her own and she hadn't discussed them with Liu Chang'an... She actually felt that she and Liu Chang'an were already friends, Liu Chang'an was a very loyal friend; he shouldn't refuse such a small favor.

"Shouldn't Qian Ning and Lu Yuan be the ones doing these things? Do I look like your lackey?"

"You're bringing this up again!" Bai Hui was both embarrassed and angry, and she actually reached out to pinch Liu Chang'an.

Liu Chang'an reached out and pressed Bai Hui's face, pushing her away.

Bai Hui took several steps back; there were her classmates nearby! Luckily, they were all from her own class.

"Haven't you found a new lackey yet?"

If Bai Hui hadn't been wearing a cute little dress and high heels today, she would have already started punching and kicking Liu Chang'an.

I Guan Yuan is quite good.

"Liu Chang'an! I'm breaking off all ties with you!"

"Fine, I agree."

"What... what?"

"I'll help you deal with Guan Yuan."

"Ugh!" Bai Hui's expression kept changing. How could Liu Chang'an be so troublesome? He was practically her nemesis. She used to be able to handle those boys with ease. With just a glance, they would go east to the Dragon Palace of the East Sea to get the Golden-Hooped Staff, and if she went west, they would go to the Western Paradise to fetch the scriptures without looking back.

In everyone's life, there will probably be someone who doesn't care about you, yet makes you grit your teeth in frustration, and you always like to hang around them and joke around.

Fortunately, he already had a girlfriend. She was only using him to appease Guan Yuan, and there was nothing else. Bai Hui looked at the song... <When Love Becomes the Past>.

"We've never been in love, so what past memories are there?" Bai Hui looked at Liu Chang'an's profile and remembered how he looked when they were deskmates.

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The main chapter is complete, please vote with monthly tickets!

Recommending a book: The Host's Head Hurts, it's hilarious and sassy, that's all.