Chapter 36: You Better Learn to Adapt Quickly
Li Qing Xue was just playing hard to get with herself—treating herself like a mysterious maiden in distress, all aloof and uncaring, pretending nothing was happening.
But in reality, the fact that she took the initiative to speak first was already revealing her secret weapon: hope.
And then she threw in that classic line, “I hope we can still be good friends.” Totally testing the waters.
If Ye Liang Chen didn’t hold back and went to chat with Li Qing Xue now, wouldn’t that just be him saying loud and clear, “Hey, I care so much I can’t help myself”?
Deep breath. Ye Liang Chen decided to stick to his guns—stay calm, stay strategic.
He knew in his heart—Li Qing Xue’s game was just her not hitting her emotional ceiling yet.
Only when she saw him walking with Hu Yu Ying, the ultimate treasure girl, would she be forced to face her regret head-on!
“Brother Chen, what do you think Li Qing Xue means?” Gao Quan whispered, eyes glued to her back.
“Don’t bother,” Ye Liang Chen confidently replied. “She’s just playing hard to get.”
“Really? Because I kinda get the feeling she’s deciding to treat you like just a regular friend?”
Ye Liang Chen sneak-peeked at Li Qing Xue’s back. “You’re mistaken. Time will prove everything.”
“Quan, sometimes you see things too one-sided. That’s not good. But it’s okay—I’ve got this.” Ye Liang Chen grinned confidently. The moment hadn’t come yet, but when it does—when he truly starts his journey with the treasure girl—Li Qing Xue will see her real feelings.
Right now, she was just holding out, trying to gauge his attitude.
In her dreams, before she met the treasure girl, Li Qing Xue did the same. Always thought she’d be the first to give in, to swallow her pride and reach out.
But when she finally saw him openly favor other girls—her heart would ache, she’d get jealous, break down emotionally, and finally realize her mistake.
Ye Liang Chen had already lived this in his dream. He’d experienced it all before.
And what made him sure?
When Li Qing Xue finished her rolled-up paper and returned to her seat—she didn’t look at anyone else. Instead, she turned her head, just a tiny glance, and stared directly at him.
“Quan, did you see that? Li Qing Xue just peeked at me again,” she whispered.
“It’s obvious!” Gao Quan had doubted himself before, but now he nodded. “I saw it too. She glanced back at us after sitting down, lips pressed in a tight line.”
Gao Quan knew she wasn’t looking at him—that was obvious. She was eyeing Ye Liang Chen, the dude right beside him.
“Oh my god, Brother Chen, this… this is just like you said, Li Qing Xue’s just playing hard to get, huh?”
“Of course. Don’t need to ask. Why do you think she’s avoiding everyone but keeps staring at me?” Ye Liang Chen’s tone was full of smug pride.
“So, what do you think, Brother Chen?” Gao Quan probed.
Ye Liang Chen sighed lightly. “My thoughts? Not important. What matters is what Li Qing Xue thinks.”
“Later after school, I want you to do me a favor.”
“What kind of favor?” Gao Quan asked.
“Tell them I got into a fight on Friday—stuck up for our school’s students and those from other schools.”
“Huh?” Gao Quan frowned. “Wait, I’ve been hearing rumors all afternoon—how you got blocked at the school gate and beaten up last Friday. Why make it sound worse?”
Ye Liang Chen just chuckled, “Just do as I say.”
Thinking back to Saturday—his delightful time with Hu Yu Ying—the smile was unstoppable.
But soon, that smile faded.
d*mn you, Dragon Brother. What exactly did you do to Hu Yu Ying that day?
You dared take her away right under my nose and hurt her? You’re totally ignoring me!
I’ll remember this. Every hurt you cause my treasure girl, I’ll make you pay it back a thousandfold!
With that thought, Ye Liang Chen’s eyes narrowed, and he inhaled deeply.
The afternoon bell rang.
Gao Quan headed out the classroom door.
Not long after, the story of how Ye Liang Chen fought for the school’s honor and got into a scuffle spread everywhere.
Anyway, it reached Class 7 in no time.
Hu Yu Ying, standing nearby, was totally unaware of the gossip.
But Dragon Brother froze for a second.
In his heart, he couldn’t help but sigh—heroic sincerity and kindness, truly.
He hadn’t even met the female lead yet, and he was already secretly helping her.
Ye Liang Chen had come out early, leaning against the handrail outside the staircase, gazing at the night sky at a perfect 45-degree angle.
This spot was on the main corridor climbing down from school—perfect for not letting Hu Yu Ying miss him.
Meanwhile, some students passing by, aware of the rumors or having seen it firsthand, all diverted their gaze towards Ye Liang Chen.
He didn’t care—let them look. Being confident, free-spirited, cool—these were the traits of a lively, bold senior in high school.
He leaned casually, chin up, enjoying the moonlit night, posing like he owned the world.
To be continued…
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Hu Yu Ying followed Dragon Brother to the staircase.
Thanks to his tall stature and her distracted focus on walking behind him, she didn’t notice Ye Liang Chen was still lurking nearby.
But Ye Liang Chen saw Hu Yu Ying.
Watching her trail behind Dragon Brother, he wanted to call her, but when he looked at Dragon Brother’s broad back, he hesitated.
No words came out.
He told himself—this isn’t fear of directly facing Dragon Brother—it’s just not the right moment yet.
Once he rescues the treasure girl and becomes her unwavering light, that’s when the showdown will happen.
So he turned away, unwilling to watch Dragon Brother take Hu Yu Ying and vanish down the stairs.
Once they disappeared from view…
Ye Liang Chen clenched his fists, pounding lightly on the railing, venting his frustration.
“Yo, Ye Liang Chen, what’s wrong?” Li Qing Xue had just finished tidying up and saw the scene.
She asked instinctively.
Hearing her, Ye Liang Chen’s lips curled into a bitter, ironic smile. “Nothing. Just sometimes, late at night, I like to sigh a little.”
“I’m leaving now,” he said, eyes flickering with a faint gloom. “Maybe I can’t walk home with you anymore… You’ll have to learn to adapt quickly…”
And he turned to leave.
Li Qing Xue watched his back. “Do we really have to end up like this? Aren’t we still friends?”
Ye Liang Chen stopped, turned around with a bright smile. “This—what we have now—is exactly what true friendship should look like.”
Li Qing Xue didn’t say anything. Deep down, she knew he was right…
