This is all thanks to Qi Baotan’s cleverness and attentiveness.
One ti, when An’an was explaining a question to her during a video call, the screen quickly flashed over a textbook.
It was the first-year high school physics textbook.
An’an is a first-year student yet handles high school exam questions effortlessly.
An’an is far more intelligent and capable than she’d imagined—by countless tis over.
Thinking that An’an might be right next door, her mood grew instantly excited.
As soon as she opened WeChat, she saw a ssage from An’an.
Qi Baotan was overjoyed at this fleeting sense of connection.
An’an—[Image] What would you like to drink?
The image displayed the drink nu of a milk tea shop, with the shop’s logo visible in the upper-right corner.
Qi Baotan recognized it as a milk tea shop near First High School, which had recently gone viral as a hotspot for online influencers.
Qi Baotan’s heart nearly leapt out of her throat.
An’an is really near First High School.
With trembling fingers, she typed—Mango Polo Sago.
—An’an, did you co to Chunzhou?
The reply ca quickly—Yeah, what ti does school let out? I’ll et you at the school gate.
Qi Baotan swiftly replied—Five o’clock. I’m on duty today, so it might be five twenty by the ti I leave.
—Alright.
Qi Baotan glanced at her watch. It was only 2:10 p.m., three whole hours until five o’clock. She’d never felt ti drag on like this before.
After pondering for a mont, she quietly said to Xue Hongyan, "Yanyan, can you do a favor?"
Xue Hongyan nodded eagerly, "Sure."
"You agreed so fast; don’t you even want to know what I need help with?"
Xue Hongyan responded with genuine sincerity, "Whatever you need to do, I’ll do it."
Qi Baotan felt warmth flooding her heart, "My best friend is coming to see . After school, could you take over my duty? I’ll cover for you next ti."
For Xue Hongyan, this was no big deal. Qi Baotan had helped her so much already, and she’d been wondering how to repay her. She agreed without hesitation.
"Sure."
Imrsed in joy, Qi Baotan didn’t notice Zhu Xing in the background, scheming sothing with two other girls—malicious glances occasionally darting toward Qi Baotan’s back.
Shen You’an finished her afternoon rest and t Gao Yuyue and Yan Lu at the entrance of the hotel.
Gao Yuyue handed two cups of milk tea to Shen You’an.
"An’an, can I tag along when you go see Baotan?"
Yan Lu almost choked on her milk tea, "Baotan?"
Her skeptical gaze landed on Shen You’an’s face, "What’s going on?"
Shen You’an: ...
"It might... be inconvenient."
Gao Yuyue: "Alright, go et your best friend then. What am I to you anyway, huh?"
With a dramatic tone, Gao Yuyue dragged Yan Lu away.
After walking a few steps, Gao Yuyue slyly glanced back only to see Shen You’an leaving without looking back. Her face turned green with anger.
Yan Lu threw her a sidelong smirk, "Do you know what you look like right now?"
Gao Yuyue sipped her milk tea, the black pearls bursting under her teeth, filling her mouth with a smooth, luscious texture.
Her puffed cheeks resembled a puffer fish.
"You look exactly like an abandoned ’first wife’ after being played by a scumbag."
Gao Yuyue: ...
"If Shen You’an won’t hang out with you, I’m still here. Let’s call Huang Xi and keep having fun."
The two of them plotted their next adventure, while Li Zonghong passed by from a distance, frowning slightly at the scene.
Just then, her phone rang. Li Zonghong glanced at the caller ID.
An unfamiliar number?
She rejected the call, but the number imdiately called back.
Li Zonghong hesitated before answering.
"Li Zonghong."
The voice that ca through was altered—unnaturally modulated. A chill ran down Li Zonghong’s spine.
"Who are you?"
"Your husband has accumulated two million in gambling debts. You’re negotiating a divorce settlent with him, but it’s pointless—this is joint debt between you two as a married couple."
Li Zonghong’s chest tightened. She cautiously glanced around and stepped into a secluded corner, lowering her voice, "Are you from a debt collection agency? I’m warning you—contacting won’t help. I won’t pay back even a single cent for him."
"You’ve said this countless tis, haven’t you? But do debt collectors ever listen?"
Sothing triggered Li Zonghong’s instincts, and she demanded through gritted teeth, "Who are you really?"
The man’s voice was cold and chanical, like an emotionless AI, yet laced with an insidious persuasion that unconsciously lured people into an abyss.
"I’m the person who can change your fate."
~
The streets near First High School were lined with stationery and bookstores. Shen You’an walked through them, stopping in each shop for a look, sotis picking out collections of high school test papers or relaxing with comic books.
She bought so attractive and amusing stationery as well, a few pens here and there.
By the ti she ca out, her hands were full.
As she approached the south gate of First High School, the clock struck five sharp.
At the sa mont, the dismissal bell rang out.
Shen You’an didn’t have to wait long before spotting the ecstatic figure of Qi Baotan dashing out.
She locked eyes with Shen You’an imdiately, though hesitated at first—almost as if she couldn’t believe it.
Shen You’an opened her arms, and Qi Baotan stared for a mont before rushing forward.
"An’an, I missed you so much."
She threw her arms around Shen You’an in a tight embrace.
Shen You’an chuckled, "Alright, let’s go eat."
Qi Baotan loosened her grip and gave Shen You’an an up-and-down look, her expression still incredulous, "An’an, I almost didn’t recognize you—you look amazing."
Shen You’an handed her a bag, "For you."
Qi Baotan accepted it, "You even brought gifts to see ?"
Though she teased, the joy on her face was unmistakable.
She wanted to record this mont of happiness to savor later.
Qi Baotan reached for her backpack but couldn’t feel her phone. She froze for a mont before slapping her forehead, "Look at —I left my phone on my desk! An’an, wait here for , I’ll be right back."
Handing her belongings to Shen You’an, Qi Baotan turned and dashed off with hurried steps.
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