Chapter Fifty-Nine: Gao Zheng’s Invitation

“Gather the first rays of morning sunshine, weave them into our vibrant wreaths, hold onto that gentle breeze to soothe our dazzling dreams. Dear teachers and classmates, I am your host for today, Wang Yuqing. The joyful weekend has flown by in a blink, and now it is the busy Monday again. Please carry the happiness of the weekend and dive wholeheartedly into today’s studies…”

Accompanied by a piano melody, the entire campus was filled with a lark-like singing voice.

A dozen minutes later, in the campus broadcasting station.

“All right, cut! Wei, turn off the sound control. Yuqing, well done! If you could come to the broadcasting station every day, our popularity would surely soar!” said a girl with a neat, short haircut dressed in a red jacket, her manner crisp and capable.

“You flatter me, Sister Liu. How could I compare to you? Everyone knows you’re the big sister of the Innovation High broadcasting station!” Wang Yuqing replied with a gentle smile.

“Oh, you clever girl, always saying things that make people feel good,” Liu Minru laughed, her voice ringing out.

“Liu Minru, I could hear your voice before I even entered. Who were you complimenting?” Gao Zheng, stylish in a black trench coat, entered the broadcasting room.

“Oh, Young Master Gao has arrived! What a rare guest!” Liu Minru exclaimed with exaggerated enthusiasm upon seeing him.

“Well, who else could I be praising? Of course, Yuqing. Besides her, no one else catches my eye,” Liu Minru said. Among the current broadcasters, only Wang Yuqing was worthy of her praise. Meng Ranran used to be good, but after being beaten up by Xiao Lin and Tan Linlin last week, she’d probably rather not even step foot in the school anymore.

“Yuqing, you did great! I heard your voice in the classroom and came here to see you,” Gao Zheng said with a smile to Wang Yuqing.

Before Wang Yuqing could reply, Liu Minru intercepted, “So that’s it! Young Master Gao came to see Yuqing, not me. Sigh, I’m heartbroken!” She feigned a look of disappointment.

Gao Zheng looked at her theatrics but said nothing, tacitly admitting he’d come for Wang Yuqing.

“Sister Liu, you’re too much, talking nonsense.” Wang Yuqing’s cheeks turned cherry red.

Liu Minru laughed, her laughter blossoming like spring flowers.

“Yuqing, are you free this weekend? I have two tickets to the TVXQ concert. We could go together,” Gao Zheng said.

“Oh, no, I’d better not. I need to review English this weekend. Thank you for your kindness, but maybe you should invite someone else,” Wang Yuqing shook her head, refusing.

“TVXQ? Wow, Young Master Gao lives up to his name—those tickets are so hard to get! Yuqing, why are you reviewing English? The exams just finished. What’s there to review? TVXQ only comes to China once a year, and tickets are always in short supply. With such a rare opportunity, you’re not going?” Liu Minru was beside herself with excitement.

Wang Yuqing simply replied with a soft “Oh,” and shook her head, showing no interest.

Looking at her, Liu Minru nearly wanted to slap Wang Yuqing; didn’t this girl know how precious those tickets were?

“Fine, if Yuqing doesn’t want to go, then they’re yours, Liu Minru,” Gao Zheng said, never the type to force anyone—at least not with Wang Yuqing.

“Really? Thank you, Young Master Gao! TVXQ, here I come!” Liu Minru squealed.

Gao Zheng ignored her excitement, and turned to Wang Yuqing, “Yuqing, why don’t you come to my house this weekend? I have some study questions to ask you.” This was his little scheme; since Yuqing didn’t want to attend the concert, he invited her under the guise of discussing academics. With his family’s tutors, he hardly needed her help, but it was an excuse.

Wang Yuqing hesitated, but hearing it was about studying, she nodded, “All right, I’ll come Saturday afternoon. Where do you live? I’ll take the bus.” She was kind-hearted and rarely refused anyone, not questioning his motive. After just declining him, she felt a bit guilty.

Gao Zheng was secretly delighted at her acceptance. “No need for the bus, I’ll have Uncle Xiang drive over to pick you up.”

“Uncle Xiang?” Wang Yuqing asked, puzzled.

“He’s our family’s steward,” Gao Zheng explained.

“All right, then. I should get to class now.” Wang Yuqing said, intending to say goodbye to Liu Minru as well, but seeing her still clutching the TVXQ ticket with a lovestruck look, she didn’t bother.

After Wang Yuqing left, Gao Zheng immediately called Uncle Xiang, “Uncle Xiang, this Saturday morning, go to Yuqing’s house, wait for her to come out, then bring her to our home. Don’t disturb her when you arrive; wait for my call. I expect she’ll call me when she gets there. Have the staff ready to welcome her. Also, hire a pianist and a chef. Yuqing might not be used to Western food, so find a good Chinese chef…”

In Classroom One, Xiao Lin sat at his desk staring at the white clouds outside, lost in thought. Yesterday, after returning home, he agonized over it for hours but still couldn’t muster the courage to confess his feelings to Wang Yuqing. He now scolded himself for being so indecisive, more like a girl, thinking more than acting. Yet he couldn’t get past that barrier in his heart.

Wang Yuqing entered the classroom and saw Xiao Lin sitting alone, daydreaming. At that moment, he seemed to possess a certain charm—chin resting in his hand, his star-like eyes lacking their usual brightness, replaced by a hint of deeply buried melancholy. His sharp features were adorned with gentle elegance.

“Hey, Xiao Lin, what are you thinking about? You look so down,” Wang Yuqing teased lightly. She was no longer shy, since yesterday she’d finally expressed her feelings, releasing years of hidden longing.

She felt much lighter now, her whole being more youthful and radiant.

Looking at the smiling girl before him, Xiao Lin felt a pang of guilt. “Nothing, just thinking about a math problem.”

“Oh? Any confusion? We can work on it together,” Wang Yuqing said playfully, sitting down. She thought, Hmph, trying to fool me? You don’t even have a book on your desk, yet you say you’re thinking about a problem.

Uh… Hearing her question, Xiao Lin hurriedly pulled out his math notebook and frantically searched for a problem.

Wang Yuqing chuckled, clearly enjoying his flustered state.

“Hey, Fatty, don’t you think Wang Yuqing and Xiao Lin are a perfect match? Look how happy they are talking. I bet before long we’ll be eating their wedding candy,” Xu Tong whispered to Tan Linlin.

Tan Linlin glanced at Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing, then replied with disdain, “Perfect match, my foot. I don’t know what Xiao Lin did in a past life to deserve my girl’s affection.”

“Haha, that’s just how it is—every vegetable has its lover. You’re jealous, but there’s nothing you can do about it,” Xu Tong laughed.

“Go die…” A plump fist landed squarely on Xu Tong’s shoulder.