After exchanging contact information with Qin Shi, Chi Wan noticed she seemed distracted and offered a kind reminder. "He Lingfeng will easily notice something’s wrong if you keep acting like this."

Qin Shi snapped out of it and gave her a grateful smile. "Actually, He Lingfeng and I don’t spend that much time together. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to last this long. But still, thank you. And about yesterday, I’m truly sorry."

But Chi Wan shook her head. "It’s not your fault. You don’t need to take the blame for someone else’s mistake. Don’t worry, He Lingfeng won’t be causing trouble for much longer."

In fact, just that morning, Zhou Huai’an had messaged her to say he’d made some progress on the task she’d given him.

At this point, Chi Wan wasn’t afraid of He Lingfeng coming after her; she was afraid he would set his sights on Qi Youyou and the others.

After bidding Qin Shi farewell, Chi Wan headed to the cafeteria to meet up with Qi Youyou and her other friends.

The three of them had already gotten her a meal. When Chi Wan walked over, Wen Jing asked, a little puzzled, "What could you have had to say to her...?"

Chi Wan smiled and briefly explained that Qin Shi had come to apologize. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

She didn’t reveal the whole story between Qin Shi and He Lingfeng. She just said that He Lingfeng had tried to hit on her, got rejected, and then flew into a humiliated rage, using Qin Shi’s account to slander her.

Qin Shi felt terribly guilty, which was why she came to clear the air today.

The three of them looked somewhat relieved after hearing Chi Wan’s explanation.

Seeing how much her roommates cared about her made Chi Wan’s heart grow warm. She smiled. "All right, all right, let’s eat before the food gets cold."

Wen Jing pursed her lips. "I guess she has some sense, then. Wanwan only got dragged into that mess yesterday because of her boyfriend. Seriously, how can just any loser get a girlfriend these days? I’m speechless... Wait a minute. Her boyfriend hits on Wanwan right in front of her, and then starts spreading those disgusting rumors? If she’s not breaking up with a guy like that, what is she waiting for, Christmas?!"

Yu Chuxue was also surprised. "Qin Shi is pretty, and she can’t be stupid if she got into our university. So how... did she pick a boyfriend like that? Is she just one of those people who gets dumb when they’re in love?"

Only Qi Youyou was quiet, looking lost in thought as she ate.

Seeing her like this, Wen Jing gently nudged her shoulder. "Hey, our star student, what’s up? Why so serious?"

Qi Youyou swallowed her food and asked hesitantly, "Have you guys noticed that, from certain angles, Qin Shi looks a bit like Wanwan?"

Chi Wan: ?

Hearing Qi Youyou’s words, the other three looked at each other. But then they thought about it more carefully...

"You know... I think you’re right," Wen Jing said, frowning as she looked at Chi Wan. "Wanwan, did you know He Lingfeng before this? Don’t tell me he’s pulling some kind of ’stand-in for an old flame’ thing..."

Even Yu Chuxue, recalling Qin Shi’s features, chimed in, "Especially her side profile."

That single speculation sent their opinion of He Lingfeng plummeting into negative territory.

What kind of monster was he?!

Their disgust for He Lingfeng grew so strong that they couldn’t even bring themselves to dislike Qin Shi anymore.

Chi Wan, however, just felt nauseous. Never before had she wanted to utterly destroy someone so badly.

After they finished eating, Wen Jing and Yu Chuxue got ready to head back to the dorm for a nap, but Chi Wan stopped Qi Youyou. "Youyou, I need to talk to you about something."

Qi Youyou didn’t look surprised. "Is it about He Lingfeng?"

Chi Wan knew how sharp Youyou was, so she didn’t try to hide anything.

They walked to a pavilion by the school’s man-made lake, where they wouldn’t have to worry about being overheard.

Chi Wan selectively recounted the story: how He Lingfeng had seen her while she was tutoring at the He Family home, how he had subsequently schemed against her family, and how he was now likely planning to target Qi Youyou.

Qi Youyou sucked in a quiet breath after listening to the whole story. Even though she had braced herself, she was still frightened by He Lingfeng’s sheer insanity.

But a moment later, a guilty look flashed across her face. "So, this whole thing started because I asked you to cover my tutoring session... Wanwan, I’m so sorry, I..."

Chi Wan waved her hand dismissively. "Youyou, don’t overthink it. My relationship with the He Family is extremely complicated; it would take ages to explain. Just know that even if it hadn’t been through you, he would have found some other way to get to me."

’After all, there’s Song Yangming’s background to consider. And if we’re really talking about who dragged who into this, I’ve implicated Youyou just as much. It’s a tangled mess.’

But the one thing that was beyond doubt was that He Lingfeng was the root of all of it.

Chi Wan wasn’t the type to waste energy on pointless guilt, so she didn’t dwell on the question of who was to blame. Instead, she went straight to the point, warning Qi Youyou that He Lingfeng might pull his usual tricks and target the people close to her.

"I can’t be sure what methods He Lingfeng will use, but judging by his usual playbook, it’ll be something involving financial pressure. Youyou, maybe you should put your tutoring job on hold for this semester?"

Chi Wan said earnestly, "Don’t worry about the money. I can lend you what you need. Just think of it as me investing in a high-growth stock. If that makes you uncomfortable, you can write me an IOU. If you still want a part-time job, at least wait until I’ve completely dealt with He Lingfeng. What do you think?"

Qi Youyou stared at Chi Wan for a few seconds before suddenly breaking into a laugh. "Okay, Wanwan, you’re the one helping me, so why do you look more nervous than I do? I know you’re just looking out for me. I’m not going to refuse your kindness just to protect my ’pride’."

She stretched languidly, her expression relaxed. "My little rich friend Wanwan wants to sponsor me, so who am I to refuse? This is perfect. Less work means I can focus more on my studies. I was so bummed about not getting the national scholarship last semester."

Hearing her say that, Chi Wan let out a huge sigh of relief, though she also felt a little embarrassed. "Hehe, I guess you saw right through me."

But she quickly regained her confidence. "Well, I only brought it up because I knew you wouldn’t turn me down."

Qi Youyou gently poked her forehead. "Oh, you. If I weren’t involved, you probably would’ve shouldered this all by yourself and never said a word to me. By the way... did you move out this semester to protect us, too?"

The thought of someone as social as Chi Wan living all alone just to avoid implicating them filled Qi Youyou with an expression that could only be described as motherly affection.

Chi Wan shuddered. "Stop! Don’t get carried away with your imagination! Anyway, I’ve already coordinated with Qin Shi. If He Lingfeng tries to do anything to you, she’ll tip us off."

"But she won’t necessarily know his every move, so try not to be alone for a while. And don’t fall for any too-good-to-be-true, high-paying part-time jobs. Otherwise, you might get stuffed in a sack and wake up missing a kidney."

She said it like a joke, but in Chi Wan’s eyes, He Lingfeng was capable of anything. They had to be on their guard.

She reminded Qi Youyou again and again that if anything happened—especially anything involving money—she absolutely, positively had to tell her.