Chapter 64

Fang Yifan was lost in thought as he walked to school with his cousin Lin Lei.

At school, the scene that stabbed his eyes appeared again.

There, led by He Chen, a group of people lined up on either side.

On the left were Ruan Liuzheng, Lin Miaomiao, and Qian Sanyi—no surprise—but on the right were his best bro Qiao Yingzi and goddess Huang Zhitao.

Qiao Yingzi walked alongside He Chen, chatting and laughing with him.

This wasn’t the first time!

In fact, it had replaced the old norm—him constantly hovering around them, joking, teasing, and slinging arms over their shoulders.

In an instant, his emotions exploded—he shouted: “Yingzi!”

Everyone turned around. Seeing Fang Yifan’s furious expression, Qiao Yingzi’s face darkened—she had no idea what nonsense her childhood friend was pulling now, but in front of He Chen, she didn’t want to be misunderstood.

Yet seeing Fang Yifan’s bloodshot eyes and strange expression, her heart softened—she told everyone to go ahead and stood still to wait for him.

Naturally, no one was so rude as to linger—they continued toward the classroom building. Huang Zhitao glanced back over her shoulder, worried for her best friend, then looked again at He Chen, whose expression was amused. She couldn’t help asking: “He Chen, what are you smiling at?”

At those words, everyone turned to stare.

“Don’t you feel it?” He Chen chuckled. “That moment just now—wasn’t it straight out of Dream of the Red Chamber? Fang Yifan is Jia Baoyu, calling out to Lin Daiyu: ‘You stop right there. I know you’re ignoring me. I’ll say just one thing, and then we part ways forever.’”

“Don’t you dare say that! You really shouldn’t say that!” Qian Sanyi clapped in delight.

He’d felt exactly that moment ago.

He Chen was truly different—he always quoted classic scenes, and somehow, they always fit perfectly.

One didn’t know whether to praise He Chen’s perceptiveness or marvel at how timeless classics remained.

“Fang Yifan isn’t Jia Baoyu!” Huang Zhitao quickly denied it—she didn’t want her best friend mistaken for Lin Daiyu.

That would not only hurt her friend’s feelings and make her overthink, but might drag her into the melodrama of Dream of the Red Chamber.

She didn’t want to be mistaken for Xue Baochai either!

Even though she actually liked Xue Baochai, she had zero desire to be tied to Jia Baoyu—or Fang Yifan.

“Isn’t he?” He Chen smirked. “I think it’s quite fitting—whether you look at his family background, his personality, habits, or even you all…”

“Family background? Impossible!” Huang Zhitao knew what He Chen was implying and cut him off immediately: “Fang Yifan’s family is just middle-class. His mom always says they’re ordinary people—how could they possibly compare to the Jia family’s dual dukes in Dream of the Red Chamber?”

“You’re wrong!” He Chen teased. “In Dream of the Red Chamber, Grandma Jia herself said, ‘Our family is just middle-class.’ What’s ‘middle-class’ if not today’s middle-income household?”

As for her humble claim of being ‘ordinary’—just take it as polite modesty.

If you took it literally, that’d be rude.”

“…“ Huang Zhitao had no reply.

Who, attending Chunfeng Middle School, with both children enrolled, isn’t from a truly ordinary family? Add in their lifestyle and consumption—and the Fang family is comfortably upper-middle-class.

Upper-middle-class, and Grandma Jia’s humblebrag about being ‘middle-class’—it’s a surprisingly close match.

Fang Yifan’s fawning, clingy nature, always hovering around girls—perfectly Jia Baoyu-like…

Over there, Qiao Yingzi stayed put to wait for Fang Yifan. When he approached, she snapped: “What’s your problem now?”

“Why are you always walking with him? Don’t you know he’s my enemy?” Fang Yifan complained bitterly. “You two are always laughing and chatting—do you really have that much to say?”

“Our neighborhoods are separated only by a road, and we’re in the same school—is it strange to meet on the way?” Qiao Yingzi retorted. “As for chatting—we both love the stars and oceans, discussing stargazing and moon-watching. Is that strange?

And as for talking to him instead of you?

You don’t even like stargazing. Besides, we talk about math and physics too—do you even care about that?

As for ‘enemy’ or not—calm down. Every time you clash with him, who starts it? And who ends up losing?”

“Whether it’s stargazing, math, or physics—you could’ve talked to me too! I might be a bit weaker there, but I’ve got a genius panda brother, Lei’er—he’s top of the whole school! Isn’t he more worth your time than He Chen?” Fang Yifan fumed.

“And you know I always lose in these fights? As childhood friends, you don’t even help me—and you won’t even comfort me afterward! Are you still my best buddy from childhood? Have you forgotten all the good I did for you?”

“…“ Qiao Yingzi watched Fang Yifan’s anger, feeling guilty and strangely uneasy—afraid he’d actually internalize Jia Baoyu’s madness and start spouting something like: ‘We ate at the same table, slept in the same bed since childhood… now who’d have thought you’d grow up and forget me, putting that outsider Huang Zhitao and that heavenly newcomer He Chen above me, ignoring me for three days, avoiding me for four…’—she cut him off quickly.

“Enough. Before National Day, your uncle Fang will be out—our families will definitely get together then. Let’s talk then, okay? Class is about to start! Any real business? If not, get to class!”

“Of course there is!” Fang Yifan’s spirits lifted at the thought of the family dinner before National Day—he couldn’t help smiling: “I remember you said your mom used to have trouble sleeping and kept sleeping pills at home, right? Give me some!”

“Why?” Qiao Yingzi stared at him, alarmed: “Are you threatening to kill yourself?”

As someone under crushing pressure herself, that was her first thought—clearly what she’d been thinking about, what she’d considered…

Unfortunately, Fang Yifan wasn’t that perceptive—he didn’t catch the dangerous hint slipped by his childhood friend. He smiled warmly and explained: “I’m getting them for Lei’er. He’s been homesick lately, can’t sleep all night. As his cousin, I see it, I feel it, I’m worried too.”

“He doesn’t look like it,” Qiao Yingzi recalled Lin Lei’s performance as their class top student, skeptical. “And don’t rush to pills—try a calming herbal decoction? Your mom and my mom’s secret recipe!”

“No! That herbal stuff works too slowly—Master Lin is already at death’s door! Just give me a few pills, please!” Fang Yifan clasped his hands together, circling Qiao Yingzi, begging until she grew impatient, stopped thinking, and agreed.

They entered the classroom building and went to their respective rooms.

Fang Yifan, seeing his plan succeed, smirked triumphantly—pleased with his sudden, brilliant idea.

Isn’t it just ‘the house by the water gets the moon first’? Ultimately, his biggest disadvantage was not living in Shuxiang Yayuan.

If he could find a way to move there, he’d restore his ‘best bro’ bond with Qiao Yingzi—and once again circle the goddess, chasing away flies.

He could also block that bastard He Chen from getting close. A three-in-one win!

Brilliant!