Him and her and her and him and her

"Morning." He Zhen greeted Yao Tao as he passed her seat.

Wow, he greeted me first!

Oh my god!

If acting sweet and pitiful worked this well, I would've clung to his leg crying and told him more about my miserable life! Aaaah!

"Morning, He Zhen." Yao Tao greeted him with a faint smile.

He Zhen smiled helplessly. And here she was, still playing the victim. God knew that when he had heard Yao Tao mentally calling Zhong Shengtai and the others useless, his heart had done far more than bounce up and down like an ECG.

She had nearly scared him to death.

Fortunately, none of the things he had feared had happened to Yao Tao.

Not only was she alive and kicking, she could still let her imagination run wild!

Thinking about it left He Zhen torn between irritation and amusement.

Then came another wave of lingering fear.

He knew perfectly well that Yao Tao was fine, yet he still felt inexplicably afraid.

He Zhen thought he probably liked Yao Tao.

But more than anything, he needed to think things through.

After all, Yao Tao's feelings for him were as tangled as a ball of yarn.

Say she didn't like him, and the things filling her head could make even He Zhen blush and his heart race. Say she did, and one moment she was calling him her baby, the next she was calling herself his mom, as if she were playing a game.

Yao Tao gave He Zhen one hell of a headache.

He really had no attention left to spare for Fu Xin.

"Class president, someone's here for you." The girl at the door pouted, looking distinctly unhappy.

"Coming." He Zhen stood up. It was Fu Xin who had come to see him.

He Zhen found the feeling rather remarkable.

Right now, for instance, only one thought came to mind: She wouldn't be here unless she wanted something.

Fu Xin had never taken the initiative to come to his classroom before.

"Zhen." Fu Xin pinched the hem of her skirt. "Are you still angry with me?"

She wouldn't be here unless she wanted something. Oh no, judging by He Zhen's face, my baby's getting dragged back into the plot again.

Ugh, this damned plot.

It's so powerful, so unstoppable, so stubborn!

Maybe I should get drunk again. I really want to.

Yao Tao lay over her desk, pretending to read, while her eyes had actually drifted toward the doorway to keep watch.

He Zhen was speechless. In her dreams. She wasn't getting a single drop of alcohol.

"Did you need something?" He Zhen's voice was gentle, but it was clearly the same gentleness he offered every girl. Fu Xin was no longer special.

"Can we talk alone?" Fu Xin swept the loose strands beside her face behind her ear. "There's something I want to tell you."

Gasp!

Is she going to confess?

Impossible. I don't believe it!

Has Fu Xin panicked because the plot went off course?!

It's all over.

They're about to make up.

I'm like some secret lover who can't see the light of day!

I knew it. Happy times never last.

What notification?

A new banner, huh.

I'll buy a 648 pack and pull to calm my nerves. I'm tired. I'm done with love!

"No need. Class starts soon. Whatever it is, you can say it here." He Zhen's tone remained gentle, but there was a faint distance to it.

"Do you have to talk to me like that?" Tears gathered at the corners of Fu Xin's eyes. "I was a little impulsive that day, but you were in the wrong too. Let's make up, okay?"

Oh my god, the banner has a pity guarantee, and they're going to make up.

Oh, God! ...

Could I just live through Wednesday again?

I can't stand another minute of this Friday.

I can barely breathe!

"I'm not angry." He Zhen glanced at Yao Tao several times.

Her inner world was rich and colorful, while her outward dignity and restraint never faltered.

Sitting there in the distance, she looked perfectly quiet and well-behaved.

"Zhen!" Biting her lip, Fu Xin reached for He Zhen's hand.

He Zhen frowned slightly, but didn't shake her off.

Oh, heavens!

Oh, earth!

I've had my heart broken again!

Me two days ago: I still have a chance.

Me today: I'm a mom fan.

I knew it!

Aaaaaaah!-

If He Zhen couldn't hear Yao Tao's thoughts, he really would never have discovered just how completely different her two faces were.

So how exactly did she feel about him?

He Zhen's thoughts briefly descended into confusion as an angry shout drew closer.

"Fu Xin!" Qin Zhen came over in a fury and grabbed Fu Xin's wrist. "Come with me."

Fu Xin stumbled from the force of his grip, and He Zhen instinctively steadied her.

God, this melodrama. I'm not in the mood today.

I'm not in the mood for melodrama anymore, and do you know why, He Zhen?!

You heartless baby!

The moment Fu Xin shows up, you lose your soul!

He Zhen's face darkened. Yao Tao's thoughts were getting more ridiculous by the second.

"Zhen!" Fu Xin had made up her mind. After comparing them again and again, she still thought He Zhen was the best.

Her mother had said that all she had to do was soften a little. When had He Zhen ever failed to feel sorry for her?

"Qin Zhen!" Tan Nianzhi also came rushing over. "Why do you insist on chasing after this fickle woman?!"

"Tan Nianzhi!" Qin Zhen said. "I made myself very clear. What happened when we were kids belongs in the past!"

"Our parents have already agreed!" Tan Nianzhi said.

Fu Xin struggled to shake off Qin Zhen's grip. "Qin Zhen, I don't want to get involved in whatever's between you and Tan Nianzhi. Let go."

"I won't!" Qin Zhen's eyes reddened. "I've never liked a girl this much before. You're the first!"

"Qin Zhen!" Tan Nianzhi went straight up and started pulling at him. "You're not allowed to hold her hand! I'm your fiancée!"

"That's enough!" Qin Zhen held back his anger. "Tan Nianzhi, I never agreed to any of that!"

"Qin Zhen, let go of me!" His grip hurt Fu Xin badly. She turned to He Zhen, her eyes filled with pitiful pleading. "Zhen!"

He Zhen clutched his aching head. Yao Tao had already started singing "Little Cabbage."

Line after line of "Nobody loves me," and "Yellowing in the field"~

Her singing made his head throb.

"Excuse me, this is the entrance to Class 7." He Zhen was still Class 7's class president. "Please settle your personal matters somewhere else."

He Zhen pulled Qin Zhen and Fu Xin apart. It wasn't because he felt sorry for Fu Xin; he would have helped even if it had been someone else. "Don't use force on a girl. You're hurting her."

"Zhen!" Fu Xin tried to take He Zhen's arm, but he stopped her.

"Sorry." He Zhen withdrew his hand. "Could you please leave the entrance to Class 7?"

The people inside Class 7 and around its doorway exchanged looks. Even seeing it with their own eyes, they were still shocked.

He Zhen really had come to his senses?!

"I'll admit it, this retreat-to-advance tactic of yours is ruthless." Qin Zhen sneered. He pushed Tan Nianzhi aside and stood beside Fu Xin. "Well played, He Zhen. I underestimated you."

Yeah, yeah. Retreat any farther and you'll have nothing left.

Go home and cry to Mommy.

I certainly won't feel sorry for you!

Serves you right!

Not happy, not happy, not happy!

Damn it. I'll buy a few more 648 packs!

I have plenty of men. I don't need you!

Hmph!

Stupid simp!

Simp, simp, keep on simping, and you'll end up with nothing!

Oh, right, you'll still have your stomach problems!

Go wait for your Fu Xin in death!

"Excuse me." He Zhen stepped back. "We're just childhood friends, nothing more. Don't spread rumors, Qin Zhen. A university is still a school. Watch what you say."

Qin Zhen sneered and looked at Fu Xin. "After he's said that, you're still going to stand here?"