’So, why would Tingting break up with such a capable, good kid?’

The more Gu Zhiyuan thought about it, the angrier he became. He wished he could pull Gu Wanting aside and demand an explanation right then and there.

But they had to take care of today’s main business first.

「2:30 PM.」

「Foreign Language University.」

The area in front of the school gate was bustling with traffic and packed with people.

The old security guard was constantly shouting into a megaphone to direct traffic, his voice already growing hoarse.

"Parents, turn into the east parking lot! There are carts over here for heavy luggage! Taxis and ride-shares can’t enter! Move it, move it, you’re blocking the road!!"

In the scorching summer heat of September, just a few moments outdoors would leave one drenched in sweat.

But even so, many volunteers in red vests were stationed around campus, welcoming the new students and their parents who had come to register.

Red banners hung everywhere, fluttering in the hot wind:

"Foreign Language University Welcomes the Class of 2025!"

After parking the car, Lin Shen and the others walked onto campus and were truly stunned by the lively scene and the sea of people before them.

Gu Wanqing, in particular, clutched her acceptance letter and ID card, momentarily unsure of where she was supposed to go.

But thankfully, she had someone to rely on.

"Come on, I’ll take you to register first."

Lin Shen affectionately patted Gu Wanqing’s head.

"Jiang Wan has been waiting for you."

"Okay~"

Gu Wanqing instinctively reached for Lin Shen’s hand, but then, remembering her parents and sister were right there, she grabbed the corner of his shirt instead.

’After all, it was crowded on campus, and it would be easy to get separated.’

Seeing this, Lin Shen had an idea. He turned to Gu Zhiyuan and Chen Hui, who were behind them, and said with a light laugh,

"Uncle, Auntie, why don’t you take the luggage to the student dorms first? I’ll take Qingqing to register, and we’ll meet you there later. How does that sound?"

"Okay."

Chen Hui thanked Lin Shen in a gentle voice.

"Shen, we’ll leave Qingqing in your care then. Thank you."

"It’s no problem."

As he watched Gu Wanqing disappear into the distance, still holding onto the corner of Lin Shen’s shirt, Gu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but comment admiringly.

"It’s so good to have Lin Shen around. He and Qingqing are just like real brother and sister..."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yue figured that with Lin Shen gone, it was his turn to make a good impression on Gu Wanting’s parents. He took the initiative to take their bags and pull them along.

"Uncle, let me help you with the luggage. Let’s go."

While Cheng Yue was trying to get on Gu Zhiyuan’s good side, Chen Hui pulled Gu Wanting aside to question her.

"Why did you break up with Lin Shen?"

"Mom, why do you keep asking about that?"

Gu Wanting linked her arm with Chen Hui’s and said evasively.

"It’s not like there’s always a big reason for a breakup..."

"Don’t think I don’t know you. If you broke up because Lin Shen treated you badly, you would have come crying to me long ago!"

Chen Hui knew her daughter like the back of her hand, and her gaze was sharp as a hawk’s.

"Did you or did you not do something to wrong Lin Shen?"

"No..."

Gu Wanting averted her gaze guiltily, which made Chen Hui’s anger flare. She twisted her daughter’s ear hard and said furiously,

"You fool girl! Speak! What exactly happened!"

"Ow! Fine, I’ll tell you."

Gu Wanting rubbed her sore ear and quietly recounted the events leading up to her conflict and breakup with Lin Shen.

She deliberately exaggerated everything Lin Shen had done wrong while avoiding any mention of her own faults.

But as they say, a mother knows her daughter best. Chen Hui could clearly read between the lines of Gu Wanting’s story and piece together what really happened.

"You really don’t know what’s good for you!"

Chen Hui scolded, poking Gu Wanting hard on the forehead.

"Lin Shen was distant because he was busy with work, don’t you get it? He doesn’t have that much energy to spend on you! Does he not need to earn money? Does he not need to think about your future together? But all you know how to do is throw tantrums!"

"But isn’t the whole point of a relationship the emotional support?!"

Gu Wanting felt wronged herself.

"I wasn’t asking him to do anything major, just to talk to me more! But he wouldn’t even tell me about what happened at the office; he wouldn’t confide in me about his troubles. He’d just come home and sleep! It was like we were strangers! How could I not be upset?!"

"That’s because he didn’t want to burden you with his negative emotions."

"But I’m his girlfriend! If he doesn’t tell me, what’s the use of keeping it all bottled up inside?"

"Men are all like that."

Chen Hui couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

"From a young age, they’re taught to be strong, to be responsible. They can bleed, but they can’t cry."

"So, subconsciously, they feel that confiding their grievances is a sign of weakness and incompetence, especially to the person they love most."

"So what you should have done back then wasn’t to get angry with him, but to give him a hug and say a few comforting words..."

"How was I supposed to know any of that?!"

Gu Wanting said, irritated.

"Mom, it’s my first relationship too, you know! How would I know about this stuff? If he felt wronged, he should have just said so! I can only know if he tells me! He just walked around with a long face every day, silent as a stone. What was I supposed to do?"

"..."

After hearing Gu Wanting’s heartfelt complaints, Chen Hui suddenly felt that her breakup with Lin Shen had been inevitable.

First loves are wonderful, but very few make it to the altar.

Unless you’re older and have enough life experience, it’s difficult to truly understand the people around you.

Even couples who have been together for years and know each other well will likely still have frequent arguments.

"Sigh."

Chen Hui sighed softly, most of the blame and resentment she felt toward Gu Wanting dissipating.

But not all of it.

"So you got together with Cheng Yue right after you had a fight with Lin Shen?"