Chapter 56: Old Xu Likes Men

Xu Qingzhou was speechless, feeling even less interest in Shen Yueqing. He said coolly, “We’re talking about pursuing Song Yao, not you. Why are you so worked up? And if a person has no dreams, what’s the difference between them and a salted fish?”

“Exactly! Our Old Xu isn’t bad either.” Xu Zhengyang stood by Xu Qingzhou. Kong Xian still had feelings for Shen Yueqing and chose silence. Zhai Ziqiang, as usual, scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“I wouldn’t even agree if you wanted to chase me!”

Shen Yueqing was about to retort to the boys when Zhang Shuyi came over with the sign-in sheet. “Come on, come on, sign first.”

Opposite them, Xue Ying finished signing and looked at Xu Qingzhou, speaking softly: “Thanks for recommending the breakfast—it was delicious.”

“There’s another good spot on the second floor of Student Dining Hall Five—you can check it out if you have time.” Xu Qingzhou shook his head indifferently.

Xu Zhengyang looked utterly confused. Kong Xian and Zhai Ziqiang also failed to react immediately.

“The Pine Forest Restaurant was recommended by Xu Qingzhou?” Shen Yueqing froze. This morning, Xue Ying had said the breakfast at Pine Forest Restaurant was amazing, so her dorm had gone to try it—and it truly was excellent.

On the first day of military training, the intensity was light—just organizing uniforms and standing at attention.

Read!

She had been waiting for the boys to add her contact info. In Dorm 101, all three boys except Xu Qingzhou had sent friend requests.

“I just think you can find a better boyfriend.” Shen Yueqing sensed Xue Ying’s displeasure but didn’t feel she was wrong—she even thought Xue Ying was mistaking kindness for stupidity.

Seeing Xu Qingzhou’s demeanor, Xu Zhengyang and the others paused, almost convinced: judging by how he acted, Old Xu really didn’t seem interested in dating.

Xu Qingzhou’s drill instructor was a dark-skinned senior sergeant.

Xu Zhengyang still didn’t get to see any beauties, because at that moment a group of soldiers marched in with perfect synchronization.

He had once liked Xue Ying, but after talking so long, he now felt Dong Shan suited him better.

The two of them felt sour inside, silently grumbling: Old Xu was such a silver-tongued old fox—claiming he wouldn’t date, yet already recommending breakfast to someone.

Xue Ying drank water, her face pale. She suddenly felt a strong aversion to Shen Yueqing and shot back: “Why not?”

“Not pursuing.” Xu Qingzhou took another sip of water. “Does that mean the only relationship possible between a man and a woman is romantic?”

Song Yao saw her roommate lost in thought and didn’t disturb her. She lifted her head to search for Xu Qingzhou’s figure, but the vast training ground was filled with camouflage uniforms—she couldn’t spot him, and reluctantly gave up.

Not pursuing? Xu Zhengyang was even more anxious than Xu Qingzhou. “What? This is such a great opportunity! I’m sure Xue Ying likes you—just look at the way you looked at her just now, Zeze .”

Now, even the previously lazy students finally perked up.

!.

During the break, Xu Zhengyang and Kong Xian surrounded Xu Qingzhou, planning a surprise interrogation: “Old Xu, what’s going on between you and Xue Ying?”

“Then where’s the pastry you bought?” Zhai Ziqiang asked, puzzled.

Song Yao and Zhang Qiong sat under the shade, and when Song Yao saw Zhang Qiong staring repeatedly at the girl ahead, she whispered, “Your friend?”

“Get lost, or I’ll climb into your beds tonight.” Xu Qingzhou’s face had turned completely dark.

“I added Xu Qingzhou first,” Xue Ying replied softly. In her view, a girl taking the initiative wasn’t shameful at all.

“Little Ying, you’re not actually into Xu Qingzhou, are you?” Shen Yueqing looked at Xue Ying, who rarely spoke.

Shen Yueqing stared at Xu Qingzhou. “When did you add Xue Ying?”

“Did you really run into this kind of soap-opera drama?” Kong Xian exclaimed. Xu Zhengyang felt frustrated, regretting he’d missed a chance to be a hero saving a beauty. “Another loss—I should’ve joined you yesterday!”

“There are two decent guys in Class Three.” As military training began, counselor Zhu Sitong, along with several instructors, distributed students.

This made her feel deeply unbalanced.

Watching the two of them move in perfect sync, Xu Zhengyang and Kong Xian felt the sting of betrayal even more sharply.

Female squad.

Xue Ying said calmly, “I prefer to make my own decisions.”

Xu Qingzhou recounted the events of last night: he’d gone to buy pastries, encountered Xue Ying being harassed, and lent her a small hand.

Zhai Ziqiang rarely spoke up. He just smiled at the situation between Xu Qingzhou and Xue Ying—perhaps this was what they called “no woman in heart, sword drawn naturally divine.”

“Not interested.” Xu Qingzhou laughed it off.

The School of Mathematics had few female students, so the girls were assigned to the Economics College’s female squad. The boys, including Xu Qingzhou, were split into two squads.

“That Huang Yong in Class Two is pretty handsome.”

Kong Xian slapped his thigh. “Damn, I just remembered—Old Xu is from Rongcheng!”

“Old Zhai, that’s not the point!” Xu Zhengyang sighed inwardly—Zhai Ziqiang deserved to be single; why was he still worrying about pastries now? Shouldn’t he be asking about the girl?!

“Old Xu, you…” Xu Zhengyang looked at Xu Qingzhou with a complicated expression. “You don’t… like men, do you?”

“You said you wouldn’t date yesterday, and today you’re recommending breakfast to Xue Ying?” Xu Zhengyang asked gravely.

“Don’t know,” Zhang Qiong sighed. She thought to herself: Song Yao, Song Yao, you don’t even recognize your own rival—how are you going to win this? After thinking it over, she decided Song Yao was innocent; the real culprit was Xu Qingzhou.

When he saw the man’s stern expression and how even the other instructors took orders from this senior sergeant, he got a bad feeling.

“No, I just didn’t get the chance to say it.” Xu Qingzhou smiled and shook his head—he thought Xue Ying was a good person.

He pressed on: “So, are you planning to pursue Xue Ying?”

Xue Ying nodded with a smile. “Mm.”

He’d assumed Xu Qingzhou was putting on an act, but now he realized Xu Qingzhou had already added his own roommate.

“What’s going on?” Xu Qingzhou downed half a bottle of water. This damn sky was clearly out to get him—there were clouds yesterday, but now it was blazing clear under military training.

Not far away, Shen Yueqing and her three roommates were whispering, discussing the boys from other classes they’d just seen.

Looks like I’ll have to keep an extra eye out for Song Yao.

Kong Xian also stared at Xu Qingzhou.

Seeing her two roommates about to argue, Zhang Shuyi changed the subject: “It’s so hot—wonder when it’ll rain.”

“Weather forecast says rain only on Thursday,” Qiao Yongjuan grimaced.

“I might die,” Zhang Shuyi said, looking utterly defeated. After sighing, she glanced at Xue Ying and couldn’t help asking: “Little Ying, your face is pale—are you okay?”

“No problem—probably just because I haven’t exercised in a while. I’ll be fine after resting.”

(End of chapter)